*walks in with Snape, who prepares endless coffee amounts, sits near the fireplace, lights candles*

hey, you did not lynch me after chapter 17, so here I come!

Anyhow, the last chapter was a transitional one, as some of you mentioned, necessary to set the levels of every character's scope... sorta. Okay. This is the 3rd and final part of the story. I hope it will be as exciting for you as the rest have been.

Alllrighty... *crosses fingers* *Snape reclines with brandy tumbler*

Chapter 18 *hits play*

______________

Snape made himself scarce after the whole school was reeling with excitement and surprise -positive or negative- about Harry Potter and his seemingly unlimited capacities. He knew the boy would make a beeline for the infirmary after that hit he got by the bludger. So he headed there. He had seen the look of strength and confidence on Harry's face. He would not break now.

Of course that would also not prevent Snape from shattering the brittle amity that had been established between them over the last few months.

It would not be the first time, and certainly not the last. Snape steeled himself and decided that he would not be cowardly anymore over this, and he would not avoid Dumbledore's eyes with their subtle question of whether he had had 'the Talk' with the Golden Boy. You cannot avoid disaster... and if you don't face it, it will eventually hit you over the head. His self told him as he walked with leisure towards the infirmary.

Besides, whatever Harry Potter's reaction would be, Snape more than deserved it. And he would take it, just like all the punishment he gladly took for his mistakes and crimes.

Indeed, Harry was chattering happily with Weasley and Granger, sitting up in his bed and looking ready to jump off the minute Pomfrey was out of earshot. Which she would be pretty soon, as her lunch break was coming up. He strode in and put up a scowl for the benefit of the other two teens, who quietened when they saw him.

"I'd like to have a word or two in private with Mr. Potter. If you do not mind." he sneered in his most acidic way-- which was not the best he had ever achieved as he was not feeling at all in control of what he was about to initiate. It was the reason that over the past weeks he had initiated and then shrunk away from actually going through with it so many times.

The look of bewilderment on Potter's face every time he walked away leaving conversations hanging was quite amusing, although usually Snape was too distressed to appreciate it.

If Weasley was going to protest, Granger just pulled him out of the infirmary before he had a chance to. Snape drew up a chair near Harry's bedside as the boy knit his hands together. Sasha, the snake he had given him, was somewhat visible now without a robe hiding her, like a faint glimmer around the boy's wrist. He smiled to see that Harry was so protective of her.

"Your sessions with Madam Hooch paid off." Snape started off cuttingly.

"Yes, they did, sir. Thank you."

"I do not recall being baptised 'Matty Hooch'."

Harry chuckled. He was in too good a mood to be frustrated with anything.

"Her method and approach was suspiciously familiar, sir."

Snape shifted. The atmosphere was far too flippant and cozy and... accepting, inviting the cowardly feeling of chickening out and not starting the conversation he came to make with the young gryffindor. He saw Poppy leaving the infirmary with a wary glance towards him. The coast was as clear as it would get. He savoured the atmosphere for as long a pause as he could afford before the boy asked some inane question that would tempt him even more to let the subject he wanted pass unmentioned, took a deep breath and started.

"I am not here to congratulate you."

His tone was glacial and the previous atmosphere faded as Harry's expression became guarded-- though it was still open. Too open for Snape's liking, for the possibility of hurt that the boy was going to suffer.

Harry did not answer, making the new pause elevate the tension. Snape reverted to his neutral, indifferent tones as he passed the point of no return.

"I want you to recall the last time you were at the Dursleys."

Harry was truly shocked. He rarely knew what to expect from Snape, but to have him revert to that painful day which he had buried as deeply inside him as humanly possible, on the very day of his triumph, sounded too much like underhandedness or betrayal. He clenched his teeth, his left hand fingering the skin-tight tawn glove over his burn marks.

"Why." he spat.

"Because it is important, Potter, obviously. I assure you it is not a pleasant memory for me, either."

"If you want me to thank you for getting me from them, I thought I already had." the young boy snapped back, turning his face from the potions master more as a non-verbal message than anything else. Snape clicked his tongue.

"That is not my intent. I need to know something specific."

"Why would you need to know anything about those people, or what had happened?" Harry said aggressively.

"I am asking you, and I demand an answer!" Snape snapped in exasperation.

"I don't even know what it is you are asking!" Harry snapped back in equal anguish. He did not want to remember anything from then. Even when at times he dreamt about it at night, he forced himself to wake up and go back to sleep only when he would be certain the dream would not show up again.

"When did the man hit you? It is important, Potter!" Snape asked directly, and with a roughness that did not sit well with Harry, especially due to the fact he was being forced to recall the incident all too vividly.

"Why? why is it so important? why? and why now of all times!?" the boy cried out.

Snape did the only thing he could in defense of what was to come with his reply: he surrounded himself with as much stonyness and ice as he possibly could to answer in his most indifferent way:

"Because I want to know if by delaying my coming to rescue you after Dumbledore told me to cost you your eyesight."

Harry didn't seem to understand, but his expression closed quickly.

"Delayed? I don't understand."

Snape steeled himself.

"When Dumbledore said you were in danger, I did not... entirely... well, I did not rush to your rescue. I came quite a bit later." he said calmly.

The cold hatred that made the atmosphere terrible to tolerate was nothing in contrast to Harry's surprised, expression where anger and utmost loathing battled for dominance. The boy's breathing became erratic as he clutched at his bedsheets with white knuckles. Snape heard Sasha hiss and Harry cut her off in Parseltongue. He clenched his teeth, shut his eyes and looked away, knowing that disaster had occured, and punishment was upon him, as in so many times when he commited crimes. It was not that he had not expected the reaction.

He just did not expect the irrational urge to cry and ask for forgiveness from the boy. Of course, he would never do that. That was beyond his capacity to do more than once. And Snape had already cried and asked for forgiveness once in his lifetime. He breathed evenly to make sure he had control of his voice.

"You really hate me so much, don't you, that out of all the days in the year you picked THIS one!" Harry said venomously with chagrin and heartache that Snape felt like dying. Still, what was done, was done.

"Did it, Potter?"

"Why won't you just let me be? Why did you have to ask me today?" Harry's voice escalated, his eyes, perhaps because they were unfocused, getting across all the turmoil of his soul. Snape covered his own eyes from the sight, knowing that the gesture would be lost on Harry and therefore would have no effect on the situation. He said in a low, tired voice:

"Did it?"

"I will not tell you!"

"Potter--"

"Never!"

"Harry --"

"Never! I will never tell you, you- you- Death Eater! You will just have to wonder about it!" Harry screamed at him in unleashed anger.

It was ironic, but Harry's call of Snape being a Deatheater hurt him more than any kind of swear word ever could.

And speaking of it, the Dark Mark flared under Snape's skin, making his blood feel vile and poisonous, the shearing pain reaching up to his brain. He got up to go. Harry breathed even more heavily as he heard the chair scrape against the floor and he shouted after the retreating Potions Master:

"You will never know!"

Of course, Harry could not see the hunching of the shoulders and the lowering of the head as if Snape had received a physical blow.

***

Albus Dumbledore walked in Remus Lupin's office. The DADA professor greeted him with a wide smile.

"Did you see that game, Headmaster? That should have been recorded in the Exceptional Quidditch issue of the decade 2010!" Remus said with elation. The Headmaster smiled, his eyes twinkling, but he quickly became serious.

"Remus, I need you to go console Harry. He should be in the infirmary."

Remus frowned, confused.

"Console him? He should be partying!"

"Yes, but he isn't. Not because of the game, of course. I believe he has just finished a very painful conversation with Severus." Dumbledore said with an inward wince.

"What sort of conversation?" Remus asked guardedly. By the time Dumbledore was done explaining, Remus was running full speed at the infirmary, making a mental note to beat Snape senseless and then give him a pep talk as well. His mind was boggled at the odd, tangled situations the man created for himself.

The DADA professor walked in the infirmary gently. It appeared that Poppy had not returned to the medical ward. It was, after all, the matron's lunch break. Gentle sobbing permeated the otherwise serene room. Remus bit his lip and went over to Harry's bed quickly. He sat at the side of the bed and laid a gentle hand on the shaking shoulder. Harry's now bony, agile fingers buried further in the pillow they were clutching.

"I hate him. I wish he died. Why did he DO this to me?"

Remus swallowed. He stroked the untamed black hair quietly. The sobbing was gradually reduced to heavy breathing.

"Why did he have to TELL me..." Harry said tiredly, shifting so that he could feel the gentle touch of his father's friend.

"Because that's how Severus is." Remus said gently, quietly. He heard Harry take in his breath shakily. Remus continued:

"Severus chases after justice, Harry. He invites punishment when he feels he is worthy of it."

"It doesn't seem that way to me." Harry said stubbornly.

"But it is." Remus smiled as he saw the boy turn to be on his back instead of keeping his face buried in the pillow.

"I can't see it." Harry shut his eyes and petted with his forefinger where Remus suspected Sasha's head to be-- he could only see a faint echo of the snake's multicoloured body where light hit against it.

"Yes you can. You are only too angry to admit it openly." Remus said. Harry sighed and bit his lip. A long, long silence passed between the student and the professor. Harry was no longer breathing hard. He was contemplating, his eyes staring at the ceiling unmovingly, yet in the playing all the passing emotions as he thought about the previous scene. Remus said gently.

"Think about it as a Slytherin would-- in terms of loss and gain. What did you lose by his revelation?"

Harry swallowed.

"Peace of mind... my joy for winning today."

Remus nodded, then said so Harry could have the feedback:

"Yes. And what did Severus lose?"

"Points in my esteem of him." Harry said seriously, then smirked ironically, realising what that statement subtly implied.

"Now, what did Severus gain from this?"

Harry took his time answering. At first, he considered saying 'my extreme distress'. But he knew that to be wrong. After all, he had spent enough time with the Potions Master to know that the man did not relish in Harry's true, heartfelt distress or sorrow, even if he did like pulling on his chain on all other occasions. In Harry's mind flashed the moment when he was weak, easily crushed, fearful of the darkness which he now did not mind and almost embraced... and how Snape had supported him instead of taking him apart. So it would be wrong to think that the Potions Master had aimed at wringing Harry's heart. Then what? No matter how much he pressed his mind, no answer came. He sat up a little, his mind racing as he said tentatively:

"He gained... nothing."

Remus smiled, watching Harry and the fluctuations of his expression. It was easier than he expected to point the young Gryffindor in the right direction. He wondered if Snape had also made the same thoughts when he had first sat down to work with the teen.

"I think I will agree with you. And now, think: what did you gain?"

Harry felt the surprise of the answer his mind provided rush in like a cool breath of refreshing, but also uncomfortable air.

"The right to pass judgement on him."

The thought was staggering. And even more staggering for Harry, was the motive Severus Snape had in order to offer Harry access to a knife already in a wound, for him to twist. And Harry had twisted. He had wanted to, too.

Remus broke into his thoughts.

"Harry... did his delay really cost you..." he trailed off. Harry bit his now trembling lower lip, although no urge to cry or shed tears came as he answered the DADA professor the question that had been haunting Snape for months.

***

Draco was still sitting in his seat in the quidditch pitch. It was now completely empty of both players and spectators. The chilly October breeze made the young slytherin shiver but he barely took notice. The sky was heavy with the storm that was rapidly approaching, but Draco did not care.

Up to then, Draco Malfoy was hateful and vindictive towards Harry Potter and his ability to crawl through a sewer full of shit and come out smelling like roses. But the game he had just watched was mind boggling. Without wanting to, Draco felt respect for the gryffindor. Deep respect.

It was a sentiment he had for nobody. He smirked to himself as he realised that he had no real concept of the word 'respect' until that very moment. With that thought, another was linked that shocked the teen.

He did not respect his father. And he certainly did not respect Voldemort.

He blinked. Had he just thought of You-Know-Who's name and did not shiver? He gave it another shot.

"Voldemort." he said in a whisper. He arched an intrigued eyebrow as he saw that the name did not make any more impression on him that the name Grindelwald. Perhaps it was just numbness from shock? He tried again.

"Voldemort." he whispered again. Still no shiver, no prickling of the skin came.

"Voldemort!" he called out loud. Still nothing. For a moment he paused, the realisation too big to even allow him to breath.

Then, Draco started laughing. Heartily, with no venom, with no sarcasm or pretense. Pure, warm, relieved laughter. He stood up, spread his arms wide, throwing his head backwards to feel the rain that was starting to fall against his face.

"Voldemort!" he shouted in the loud thunder, and laughed again as the rain in seconds was falling heavily, drenching his clothes and washing away the fear that had kept him restrained and play acting. Potter had done it again, and even if he still felt like snarling the not-so-well sounding name of his red-and-gold opponent, he felt the warm waves of respect wake his heart from the slumber it had been under all his childhood and up to now. He shut his eyes and felt the heavy raindrops of the first few moments of his life.

He was free of the fate he had been bound to. He was his own self.

***

Snape apparated into an abandoned cemetary. Looking around, he saw Lucius, Avery and Nott. Then it seemed that Voldemort, along with his sniffling companion, materialised from behind the tall, weatherbeaten stone slabs and mossy statuettes. As was expected of them, all Death Eaters present bowed.

"My fellow Death Eaters. The time for the initiation of our final supremacy over the wizarding world has come. And we will start with Hogwarts and Dumbledore."

Snape swallowed. He only hoped to have enough time to warn the Headmaster-- or if that failed, that Potter would be watching this. Or that the Clay he had made and delivered a few days before to the Dark Lord would not serve its purpose. Like the other Death Eaters, he swished his wand over the graves.

___________________

And that's that. *sighs* I hope you like this chapter. It was fun to write, but I am nervous that you will not like it. As you can understand, things will get hairy pretty soon. *shivers, Snape rolls the brandy, chugs it and pours another* *bites nails in nervousness*

by the way, did you notice that one of Harry's three predictions came true?

And now to answer the reviews! Both from chapters 16 and 17!

phreakreader: *blushes* I hope you still believe so after this. ch16 questions: Snape does not appreciate divination much, so no he wouldn't, even now. ;) *Snape is flattered and nods to you in thanks*

Mallallou: um, no, there will be no slash in this story. And I think Snape would never think of looking towards Harry for an affair, even if he was concerned with stuff like that. C'est simplement bizarre. ;) Merci beaucoup!

alliy: thanks :)

Laterose: *chuckles* yes, but now it's official.

Lord R: thank you *s* As for Draco, yes, a conscience is an inconvenience at such occasions. Anyhow, after Hedwig, Harry will be taking a leaf off moodys book, methinks. ;)

Katy 999: yes, it will be interesting, won't it?

JaimynsFire: hee hee. Snape chickened out! But we knew he would, didn't we? *wink wink*

floramoranda: *bows* thank you!

Jordan: I am glad you think so! I was afraid people would be put off by my take on quidditch.

Phoenix Flight: wow! I am honoured! In the words of Iago the parrot: "Gee, I'm embarrassed, I'm flushing!" hee hee. As for Harry starting to be depended on cane and wand, I'd feel safe because he can use neither for quidditch... so there you go.

Lee Lee Potter: yep, he chickened out!

Vanessa: here it is. Hope it's up to standard.

Zardiphillian Beryllix: well, -almost- tomorrow. *sheepish* I was aiming for it, but alas, work has a way of catching up with you.

candledot: thanks! I was terrified of writing it myself! And yes, Draco completely misreads Snape... heh.

Jaycee: Snape getting mushy? perhaps... though 'awkward' was what I was trying to do. Or at least 'escapist'. *chuckles* I don't know if Harry is ever going to tell-- or have the chance to.

Kaat Shadow Lover: *accepts short cake with drooped ears* ack. I plead guilty. I hope this chapter is enough refund? At least I am glad you did not hit me bout the quidditch match.

excessivelyperky: thanks! As for doing it strictly through Harry's POV, well, I would only be interested in writing it that way. I am not too muh of a sports fan, you see.

sweetnessspy: I highly doubt it, as wormtail took very little blood of Harry's back in the end of GoF.

Makota: me too! I think Draco's being wasted as he is. *chuckles*

Melissa Lupin: great! I was scared of the quidditch scene.

shitsumon: I don't think Lee has a capacity to shut up. *chuckles* as for Snape, he has found himself oddly too fond of Harry to distress him, but well... you just saw what happened. As for your ch16 questions: she charmed it under adult supervision. So it was ok. Hufflepuffs are not shocked anymore, but they have other stuff to be impressed with. heh.

JadedKatrina: *Professor Snape allows a small smile but snorts about the coffee* don't bother... he just won't. *sighs* *s* thanks.

Lirael: because she was surprised to see Harry be the seeker. :) And Snape is.. *drumroll* Harry's Potions Professor. *laughs*

*dust: well, here you go, regular size chapter. I don't know if Snape and Harry bonded, though.. O.o

Myk: thank you so much. Positive feedback (and constructive criticism when it is needed) help me so much.

Nataly Ravenlock: Thank you! I love Snape, and it was a challenge to keep him a git in this one. I am glad you appreciate. As for bashing Harry-- I think it can be an excellent plot device, as long as it is used properly ;)

NightSpear: I watched quidditch in the movies. It makes a faint sound. Harry practiced a LOT. Of course it is very hard, but of course, Harry being Harry... just felt like Aking Lee. ;)

Angel Baby: Can't tell you that, only Severus knows such potions. *Snape rhe* I am glad you liked the last chapter. I admit I did not read it over. And I can't tell you what Severus knows, cos he simply won't tell me, either. hehe.

Kemenran: I shouldn't be telling you this, but there was an X-Files episode with golems... *hint hint* Not too much of a hint, but that's where I thought of them. The rest of the questions have more or less been answered, I think :)

Tigergirl: indeed it's odd, but in the same time normal, I think. After all, continuous exposure to someone makes you more positive towards them. It's a human behavior rule.

Darkhorse: yes, there is a partial invisibility spell on Sasha. Draco is at a very transitional point at the moment... so we'll see.

SB: I do not appreciate contorting the characters too much either. After all, if you do that too much, they are not who they are except in name...

Mikee: well... the truth, pretty much. See how elegant he was in his dumping? *ducks Snape's tumbler flying at her*

Black Rose: cuddle him?? *L* he'd shock Harry into a coma.

kitty: Sev/Harry bonding is a very... difficult thing. But I could say yes as much as I could say no. It's really up to you to decide. They do understand each other better, or will, I think.

Satyrn Rain: thank you. *s* I hope you are still reading. I like to share.

chips challenge: I guess he is not! *grin*

Tinuviel: I apologise. I can't help it. heh. After all, Snape chickened out the first time, and needed some 3 weeks to work up the courage.

kateydidn't: Draco is actually re-discovering the world, so he is surprised about many things. *chuckles*

t.a.g.: and there you go. I am also curious to see what Draco will do now. Honestly!

sarah: you are very right! VERY very right.(about the quidditch showing off). as for how dumbledore and snape call each other... sorry. *chuckles* I was under the impression that they do. I think all teachers call each other by their first name.. oh well. Also about sirius, he is not one of my strengths, but I do guess that he can be distressed enough to forget pretext when faced with something as monumental as his godson being blinded... right?

Tonia Barone: I do not mind being flooded. *L* I love it. And you are true and correct in all respects. I am glad you are enjoying this.

hp lovar: I'm 24 years old :)

Aimee Mariesky: That's my intent ;)

nightingale: I like the long reviews. DOn't worry about reviewing every single chapter. *chuckles* About Harry's quidditch ability, I di NOT intend it to sound like Daredevil. I saw the movie and frankly, I was disappointed... I did not mean that he saw anything, like the movie showed, but just that the sound strength told him where the pitch ended is all. He does not see things like a radar, nor is it any supernatural force that he is developping. As for Draco, I wanted to show that he has a crack in this 'macho deatheater kid' thing, which is why he could read Hedwig's fear. And because I want to portray him as himself fearing his folks and everybody else, he connected to that fear and then could not go through with the kill. As for kids wondering about Sasha, well, perhaps they did. But I doubt they would do much about it. And since their DADA prof was not ruffled or puzzled, they would probaby follow his lead and pretend they know all about it anyway. It happens with kids. As for Harry stopping quidditch, I think he will. But at the moment he is fervently trying to make a point to himself and others. And it is also a plot twist that I need :p And I do not think any kind of constructive criticism or inquiry is negative. Truly, don't feel bad or anything.