To The Dark Lord
Jo
Disclaimer: story idea and Ocs* I'd like to claim, everything Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
*Notes at end.
_0.o_
Chapter Two: The first day is never easy.
Severus heard her moving though the forest long before she made it to his side.
"Tell me, did you come out here for a reason or did you just come to tease the Varas*?" He asked lazily. Her wand came up automatically and swung side-to-side as she scanned their surroundings, he smirked but kept his attention the black carriages dropping students off at the castle doors, he narrowed his eyes and sent out a spell causing a boy who had his hood up to trip on a rock that scooted into his path.
Once Auroras initial paranoia calmed she huffed and drew closer to his side, if only to punch his shoulder.
"Ugh! you know I hate those evil-monkey-looking things." She scanned the small bit of lake shore to the right and suppressed the urge run in the opposite direction, 'get a grip Varas don't exists here, they don't.' She gave a violet shiver and forced her attention back to Severus, she gave him a long look and decided the screaming match she'd envisioned wouldn't do here, maybe another time. But for now, since he was so intent on ignoring her.
Aurora hovered around his back, peeking over his shoulder and helpfully running commentary on the students. Generally getting under his skin to force some kind of acknowledgement from him.
Severus held out for most of a minute.
"For the love of...will you stay still and quiet...please." He whisper snapped.
Aurora returned his glower with a victory smile. 'Point for me.' She gave him a second before nudging at his shoulder and indicating the tree he was using as cover, he reluctantly moved back with a frustrated breath, determined not to look at her, only to step further back in surprise as she quickly slid her body between his and the tree. She gave him an innocent smile, his eyes flowed her fingers as they "zipped" her lips, he managed to look away from the tempting crimson only to look into a pair of gleeful eyes, his twitching lips pressed tightly together in... anger, frustration? He honestly didn't know at this point, before he finally managed a frown, and turned back to the students.
'So stubborn.' She thought.
Severus could feel her eyes on him. Well if she wanted this fight he was happy to let her lead.
"Less then two hours it has to be a new record." She finally snarked.
"And what record is this?" Severus glanced down at her when she didn't answer right-away, she knew that drove him crazy.
Aurora had gratefully turned her gaze elsewhere. "You've been in the castle for less-then two hours and already I find you escaping to the forest." There was faint accuse meant to her teasing.
"Yes. Well, unlike you Sinistra, I have responsibilities, obligations. I cannot star-gaze my night away." his voice fell flat along with the insult, Severus cleared his suddenly dry thought, hastily sending off another spell, scowling when the student landed in the dirt. Severus could practically hear Aurora's thoughts gather before she sighed deeply in resignation.
"Must you really be out here. If he does show up he'll more than likely go to the feast or the dorms?" Severus thankfully accepted the uncomplicated topic.
"It would be better if I intercepted him out here. Potter firing off curses in the middle of the great-hall would likely get me fired, on account of me have to regrettably curse him." Severus sent off another spell and smirked, whether at the resulting students fumble or the thought of cursing Potter was a toss-up, probably both.
"He's been missing a month. what makes you so sure he'll show up?" Auroras gaze followed a group of students that paused at the castle doors, they spread-out on the stairs and covered both sides of the door, clearly trying to look for someone.
Severus scoffed. "It's Potter, he'll comeback. His friends are here and frankly this is the only other place he'd go to. he'll come back if only to..."
"Drive me insane." Aurora finished with him and tossed him a teasing smile. Severus glared to keep from smiling.
"Why did you come out here again." He growled shooting out another spell, and refusing to acknowledge Aurora attempts at, well he didn't know what the woman wanted, he'd made his views on the matter quite clear.
"Your having far too much fun at that." Auroras voice had gone flat, a tinge of disappointment to it, she didn't look at him, turning her upper-body so her dark curls covered all but a very thin line of her profile, choosing to watch the scene near the castle doors.
One of the boys locked hands with one of the girls giving her a gentle tug but she shook her head, still scanning the last of the stragglers. he stepped closer so they could have a whispered conversation, her shoulders drooped and she nodded at whatever he said before finally letting him lead her into the hall.
Severus silently growled. how the woman managed to make him feel like he was in the wrong, with a seemingly simple sentence, frustrated him to-no-end. He really shouldn't be surprised, aurora always managed to get under his skin. Minerva McGonagall could do the same, sometimes he wondered if the older of the two gave lessons. Aurora was... he really didn't know what Aurora was, other than complicated. There was more than one reason he hadn't joined the staff for prep week and while he was busy tonight, he could have stayed indoors.
Severus was contemplating the best way to get them out of the forest without the confrontation Aurora had been aiming for when she came out here, when she yet again upset his plans.
Aurora turned suddenly, her dark blue eyes locked with his making him blush when she caught studying her. She took a fortifying breath but didn't say anything she had a slight frown between her eyebrows and she was biting the inside of her lip, he could tell, but otherwise she was reticent. He regretted it, didn't realize he would until this moment, she was usually so expressive.
Aurora watched him just as closely but he was confident she was getting nothing from his blank look. Aurora pushed away from the tree and started towards the castle without a word. Severus let out a relieved breath and followed silently, it wasn't until she had pulled open the entrance door that she paused and turned to him with a determined look.
"We're going to have to talk at some point Severus, avoiding me won't work during the school year, and frankly cowardice doesn't suite you." She squared her shoulders noting the anger that leapt in his eyes. "You have no right to make decisions for me but I realize were not going to agree on that, you have your reasons but that doesn't automatically give you final say on the matter." Aurora paused to acknowledge a call from inside, when she turned back she tiredly shook her head at his stubborn glare, her voice softened. "I've missed you Severus, and I am...relieved to see that your alright. We will talk later." She turned away, almost letting the door close behind her before turning around completely and giving him a hard look. "I do see you Severus. You're a fool to believe otherwise."
Severus let the large door close behind her and assured himself that it was the doors vibrating thud as it closed that made the ground feel like it was shaking.
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Albus had held off on starting the sorting until Severus had taken his seat, so his late arrival wasn't noted, not that the mass of heathens would take notice of much with the great hall in its usual state of chaos. Albus however had caught his eye when he pulled out his seat, the knowing twinkle there-in set Severus teeth to grinding, the man was impossible, Severus kept his eyes mostly on the new students after that, he was acutely aware of aurora sitting on his left, tho she didn't offer him more than a polite smile hello before continuing her conversation with professor Babbling.
Severus covertly checked his pocket watch as Albus stood from his seat, one minute down so very many more to go.
Dumbledore had just finished his usual crack-brained phrase to start the feast when Severus saw him. The great hall door inched open and a slim dark-haired boy slipped in and took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table just as the appearing meal had everyone occupied, he was subtle and fast serving himself so when the fist student looked up and noticed him it was
shrugged off.
'Very good Potter, but not good enough.' Severus reached for a roll and glanced at Albus, the Ministry Witch had his ear, and he appeared fully involved but Severus could tell he had noticed Potters entrance. A simple twist of his goblet a tap of a spoon, all subtle spells woven into the very table dating back to the founders, when diner-parties were as much about celebrations and Solidarity as they were about subterfuge and pretense, and the host was very careful of who he invited into his home.
Severus keep his eye on Potter for the rest of the meal. The more he watched the darker his look became. Luckily the boy had taken a seat on the left side of the tablets giving him a clear view through most of the aisle. from the little Severus could see the boy looked exhausted, his eyebrows were in a permanent frown, jaw tense, he was also very aware of his surroundings, tensing or edging away if anyone moved in his direction. one student next to him seemed to be asking him questions but Potter only shrugged and shook his head until the older boy left him alone.
Potter obviously didn't have much to eat either, the boy had loaded up his plate and after a few big hurried bites he hardly touched anything more. His appearance was also worrying. Severus wasn't surprised when a girl next to Potter wrinkled her nose an scooted away, he likely smelled as bad as he looked. Potters hair was long an unkempt, and the boy was in the same
clothes he disappeared in, they had the look of being worn constantly, though they weren't dirty, likely Potter had made an effort to wash them by hand. the results had never worked out well
for Severus either.
The boy was folding in on himself, literally and figuratively as Severus watched, his thin shoulders hunching in-ward, his head lowered so that his long hair covered his face, yes Severus knew that language very well. Wherever Potter had been for the last month had not been a vacation.
When Dumbledore ended the feast Severus was up and moving. The students dragging their feet and whispering about Potter being asked to stay behind quickly moved out of the hall at his glower. Severus had managed to make it to Potters side before his friends. 'the fools were to obvious!' Granger was practically crying already and Weasley was ready for a fight. Potter was simply in trouble to the rest of the student body not missing for a month. 'If those idiots would only think first, react second!'
"Move along Granger." He snapped, a dark look was enough to have the Weasley girl tug her out of the hall with Granger trying to catch potters eye as she left. Potter hadn't moved from his seat, if anything he had propped up his head in a very indifferent manner, and tried to make a fork balance on point, looking like the typical defiant teen. Wesley practically stomped up the aisle. "Really Weasley, Potter does not need you to hold his hand every second of the day." The snorts and giggles from the passing students were enough to stop whatever stupid unthinking thing the boy was about to shout. "Get moving before I take points and have you in detention until the holidays...now." Weasley's ears were bright red but he didn't move, luckily his brothers had more sense they grabbed his arms as they passed barely breaking their own stride to
force him the last few steps out of the hall.
Once the last of the stragglers had gone Severus pulled out his wand and kept it close to his side. "Stand up potter." His voice was low and left no room for argument. Potter slowly got to his feet and stepped over the bench. "You would do well to follow my instructions precisely." He
warned. "You will not speak, you will not argue, you will not run, and if you are stupid enough to reach for your wand, you will find out just how well i've earned my reputation. Do I make myself clear." Potters head was at an odd angle as he stared over Severus's shoulder, his dirty cracked glasses turned into eerie golden pools. the boy nodded listlessly but otherwise did not move.
Potter was even more ragged looking up close. The dark circles under his eyes were worse because of his sickly pale parlor, his clothes were dirty and stained holes patched crudely, taped from inside, his shoes were practically falling apart. Severus didn't know how the boy was even standing he was far thinner then he had seemed from across the hall. Severus gave a deep scowl to cover his concern and turned to Albus as he walked up the aisle, the Ministry Witch Umbridge trotted along at his side.
"Such a lovely feast Dumbledore, it's a shame you have to deal with troublemakers already." She shot Potter such a nasty look Severus bristled, as he would for any student of corse... The woman wrinkled her nose as she looked at the boy and made a large step back. " wha.."
Dumbledore smartly cut across whatever comment she was starting to make. "Ah Dolores I simply wanted a quick chat. A mix up with the post this summer has left us with a few questions regarding his classes, it won't take long as it's already quite late." Dumbledore very smoothly lead Umbridge to the door, kindly but noncommittaly listing to her suggestions of punishing that boy. "Completely rude sneaking into the feast, and his appearance." Severus growled with impatience as Dumbledore took the time to placate the vile woman. the door close with a soft thud and finally she was gone.
Dumbledore's genial smile was gone when he turned, his hardened gaze had no trace of the ever-present twinkle. Potter had dropped his chin to his chest and though he wasn't looking up his shoulders still hunched with the weight of Dumbledore's gaze. "We have much to discuss but I think a trip to the infirmary is in order." Potter shivered at his cold tone.
The trek up to the third floor was thankfully uneventful. Severus had to refrain from physically dragging the boy to Pomfrey and being done with the whole charade but Albus had indicated to let potter walk ahead. Albus however was unusually quiet after, a small frown the only expression he showed as potter dragged his feet through the halls, his shoulders so hunched from the tense silence it looked painful.
Severus grit his teeth as his wand yet agin grazed potters back as he slowed and boy yet again flinched forward.
Madam Pomfrey was waiting for them just inside the doors, she shot Albus a venomous look and completely ignoring Severus warning to potter 'not to try anything.' Dragged her charge to a bed. Severus followed once Dumbledore chose to gaze out a window, he'd gotten close enough his ears picked up the second half of whatever madam Pomfrey had asked potter.
"Mr. potter you do not have an option here. Do as I ask or I will vanish them myself!" The boy's face glowed red as he glanced at the headmaster and skirted over Severus who had stopped at the next bed, he gave one more pleading look to madam Pomfrey but only finding a stern look grit his teeth and quickly jerked his shirt over his head, he then shoved his trousers down not thinking to take off his trainers, Madam Pomfrey was quick to had potter a hospital gown before the resulting tangle further flustered the boy. "Take a seat mr potter." She turned away to inspect a tray she had prepped on the bedside table giving Potter a chance to sit and kick off his trainers and trousers.
Madam Pomfrey turned and (rather dramatically Severus thought) finished snapping on a glove. "Ok Mr. Potter lay back please." Potters face paled this time as the green line down the front of his gown split slightly exposing his chest and abdomen.* Potter flushed at this suggestion his eyes again darting between the two men. Madam Pomfrey huffed in irritation turning to follow Potters look.
"No we are not leaving." Severus bit out before she could ask. "And no he does not get a privacy screen." He expected an argument, as was usual between them, but whatever she saw in his eyes or from Albus behind him, had the stern matron blighting her tongue.
Severus gave no indication he heard Pomfreys whispered reassurance to Potter, choosing instead to focus a part of his attention on the stack of parchment meant for the matrons notes, as the quill zipped across the new parchment efficiently noting down every test result an observation the matron made, Severus picked up the older ones flipped over to the right, those chronicled Potters earlier visits to the hospital wing.
Severus picked up the new stack of parchment once Pomfrey had finished only to drop them again as the quill unexpectedly jumped up to write one more notation. Potters eyes were already dropping shut in the time it had taken Severus to swing around and take the three steps to potters bedside he wasn't fast enough to stop her, Just as she intended.
"Damit woman!" Severus slapped his palm on the bed. Potters eyes jumped open only to fall closed just as fast due to the dreamless sleep potion she had given him. Madam Pomfreys smug look twisted into anger.
"Don't you dare start Severus Snape! that boy is clearly exhausted. I was not going to let you or Albus interrogate him well into an already long night." Severus glanced to the Headmaster for help but the man had finally turned from his vigil at the window only to make his way into the adjacent office. Severus growled and refusing to look at woman, snatched up her notes and followed.
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For the first time in a long while Harry had the pleasure of waking up slowly, he felt well-rested his mind peacefully empty as he blinked the stickiness out of his eyes, lazily glancing around the sun drenched hospital wing. Recognition of where he was along with the memories hit him all at once. Harry took a moment to squeeze his eyes shut and tug the blanket tighter around his ears, just one moment, before he groaned in surrender and pushed the Blankets away, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and spotted a familiar house elf lurking behind a privacy screen two beds down.
Dobby immediately grinned and started to rush over but Madam Pomfreys office door opened letting multiple voices drift out. Harry stood up to block Dobby from view, plus he wanted to face whoever head on, he heard Dobby's nearly silent whoosh as he disappeared behind him just as Snape stepped from Behind the door.
Snape paused narrowing his eyes darkly in suspicion, likely hearing Dobby as well but didn't comment. "Get in here potter. The Headmaster would like to see you." Harry nodded in shapes general direction trying not catch the man's eye and looked around for his clothes. "The rags you were draped in have been destroyed, come as you are." Snape snapped. Harry chanced a quick glare at the man but kept his mouth shut. Snape didn't move as he got closer another quick glance confirmed the man had no intension of moving, he was looking around the other wise empty hospital wing it forced Harry to walk between the small gap of black robes and door frame, the minute Harry was clear Snape followed snapping the door shut and locking it to boot.
Madam Pomfrey greeted Harry with her wand and a stiff smile. "Good morning Mr. Potter how do you feel." For once Harry paused and actually thought about the question.
"I feel pretty good actually, thank you." Harry rubbed his right wrist, he'd been worrying about it for a while, but now it seemed fine.
Madam Pomfrey tasked when she saw him, she took his hand and drew her wand down his wrist making a ghostly blue image of bone appear over his skin She pointed out a thin white line on one of the small bones at the bottom "this here is one that was causing you trouble, a scaphoid fracture, you likely got it falling." She glanced at Harry in question "you'll be sore for the rest of the day while it heals." She cleared the image from his skin leveling him with a strange look.
"The Headmaster has asked to speak with you privately, he indicated that you want that as well?" Harry shrugged halfheartedly he didn't think he had a choice really. Madam Pomfrey looked over his shoulder to Snape who was in Harry option unusually quiet some look passed between the two but Harry couldn't decider it.
"normally, medical charts are privet." Here she gave Harry an intense stare that forced his thoughts into speech.
"Mine weren't privet? Ma'am." What was she getting at.
"The headmaster seemed to think you were...in danger last night, you certainly looked the part." madam Pomfrey was studying him whether she found anything or not he couldn't tell his skin prickled and he could feel Snape's eyes on his back.
"And frankly mr. Potter you've needed a full physical and scan since before you started school. All magical children do." Another pause that sent chills down his spine. It was all Harry could do to keep still, don't blink, don't twitch, don't breathe different. 'She didn't know anything she couldn't.'
"your guardians certainly didn't help any by refusing to sing the proper forms." She finally turned away from studying him to pick up a small leather case from her desk. "thees are the potions you'll need for the next month. The instructions are in the case but the headmaster will go over them with you. As for you original question medical records are privet, last night was an exception not the rule I've had the headmaster contact your other guardian and he gave permission retroactively, don't scowl like that mr potter you can't be to hard on him you were missing a month anything could have happened in that time." Harry nodded reluctantly anything did happen.
"Mr potter if you have any questions you could alway come and see me." Harry shrugged and muttered a yes ma'am but had no intention of doing so the marten must have seen that cause her voice softened and despite his surprised jump put a hand on his shoulder. "After this point your medical records are privet bar any serious injury or something that would be considered life threatening I can not speak to anyone about you and I wouldn't without speaking to you first so please come to me if you have any problems or even questions I'm here to help Harry."
Whatever good mood Harry had woken with was starting to fade but he managed a small smile, "Thanks madam Pomfrey." Harry knew she meant well but he also knew trusting her completely was out of the question she obviously suspected something, the weight from this summer pressed on his shoulders eager for freedom to spread out and be shared. Harry shivered with the treacherous thought.
"Remember One missed potion mr potter and you'll spend your first term here with me, understand?" Harry gave a firm nod glad for the light-hearted distraction he had no intention of being held captive he really couldn't afford it this year. Madam Pomfrey gave his shoulder a light squeeze and stepped back just as the fireplace flared to life with odd purple flames.
"If your quite done coddling the boy the Headmasters ready to see us." Snape sneered, he pushed away from the door grabbed Harry's arm and marched him towards the fireplace in one smooth move. Harry just managed to tuck the potion case under his arm before Snape swung him forward he stumbled over his own feet and braced to hit the back wall as he hadn't called out a destination only to land on his knees trailing purple soot over an oriental rug.
"Mr. Potter, that last steps quite a drop, your all right I trust." Harry reluctantly looked up into a pair of twinkling blue eyes. His stomach dropped when he realized he couldn't look away.
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*varas or enamrukavaras(e-nam-ru-ka-va-ras) is a made up creature by me I just strung a few (3)words together of what I wanted it to mean I'm not going to go into detail of what it is now but it may pop up in the story later just for fun it's not vital to the story, Severus just happens to know Auroras history with it and he finds it amusing to tease her.
ok, editing: not an excuse but I'm working off a tablet and a inefficient program, so bar my poor writhing skills the best back up check I have is the fan fiction doc editor it self :(
have you ever thought up a story and you know it so well everything plays out in your head perfectly the scene flows easily, conversations are intriguing and witty there's small nuances, glances, looks, it all makes sense...and then you wright it down and your like 'what's this mush' I seriously think writhing goblins exists they just sneak in and take control of your hand, turning your brilliance into mush.