Burning. Consuming. Dying.

Because that's all this could be. He'd obviously died and gone to hell, just like he deserved. Just like he'd been told he belonged for as long as he could remember.

You fucking Hell-spawn! I should just kill you, no one would miss you, you stupid, fucking worthless freak!

It was endless. The pain, the agony, the terror.

It was forever and nothing. An eternity and a millisecond. It was ripping and tearing, and weeping and helplessness, and burning and destroying and Please just make it stop!

It was the agony of death without the relief of darkness. Sickening flashes of greens and reds exploded behind his eyelids. His lungs were burning, he couldn't breathe. The molten lava was moving, expanding through his fingers, toes, everything. There wasn't a part of him that wasn't on fire, and God if wretched Potter was there then couldn't he at least make it stop?

Oh God, please make it stop.

God God God God God oh please please God oh please…

He knew he was unconscious, and he dearly, dearly didn't want to wake up. If this is how it was now, then how was he supposed to stay silent when he was awake?

And he had to stay silent. It was one of the rules. And as long as he followed the rules… it didn't hurt as bad.

But as usual, life's a bitch, and Severus could sense as he came back to himself. With a sudden snap that, despite everything, Snape wasn't prepared for, everything came into focus.

There were voices, so near and so far and so loud and God stop it hurts!

And he could smell the thick, coppery tang of blood- so much blood- he already knew what it smelled like- hell, he'd had enough experience dealing with his own that that was no problem- but this was so strong and it was everywhere and, worse of all, it smelt so good.

And he was right. It was like his whole body was a live wire, he could feel everything, so acutely. The harsh, unforgiving wood- feels like oak, his mind supplied- the coarse, rough, scratchy fabric of his too-old robes, and Oh my fucking God the pain was everywhere and it was too much and he couldn't take it anymore and…

He couldn't help it. He broke the rule.

He opened his eyes- oh my God everything's so bright… so many colors- and screamed.

His lungs burned as if he'd swallowed fiery-hot coals. His whole body felt like he was drowning and burning and dying and acid was searing his veins and please just make it end.

But despite the agony in his lungs, he didn't stop screaming, not even to take a breath, for almost seven minutes. He couldn't tell though… time meant nothing in this hell. He probably would have screamed forever, except he remembered, and he knew that he was so in trouble now.

And just like that, he snapped his mouth shut so hard and fast that he swore his teeth cracked, although that was the least of his pains. The screams cut off, and the following silence was deafening.

He continued spasming and arching off the floor, tears trapped behind his now firmly shut eyelids, oblivious to any and all around him.

He was conscious though of what was happening inside his body.

Gradually, after an eternity and a day, his fingers and toes began to grow numb, the agony slowly leaving his extremities, making its way towards his chest.

But as the pain receded from his limbs, the inferno intensified in his chest, burning hotter and hotter, until finally…

CRACK!

The venom, with horrible intensity and ruthless speed, attached to his spine and shot up, connecting to his heart and mind, making Severus feel like he was being split it two.

And still he didn't scream.

There was something there, forming in his head, forcing itself in and making itself a home. Severus tried to push it out, but it was relentless, following the path from his cerebral cortex into the subconscious part of his brain.

Then Severus arced off the floor violently, looking for all the world like his spine might snap, as he felt like his heart was expanding and imploding at the same time, while his mind was being crushed and shoved and exploded as something that should not be there, go away go away go away!- took up residence in his head forcefully.

He felt his spine extend and crack and change before he collapsed on the floor, completely and utterly broken.

And still, no sound escaped Severus' bloody, bitten lips.

Then, the presence in his mind was soothing, easing along his spine and taking away the pain, before extending out to every inch of Severus' body, making Snape sigh softly in relief.

He'd never felt anything like this before. There'd never been anyone to ever sooth or ease his hurts and wounds, and Severus found himself relishing the feeling.

The cool sensation, like light spring breezes and sunlight and ice cold pumpkin juice, enveloped his body, caressing it almost lovingly. He could sense the presence in his mind, and he knew that it was that which was healing- helping- him.

'Thank you…' Severus breathed almost inaudibly.

::You're welcome young one. I'm sorry for the pain, but I shall take care of you now. I am you and you are me, and we are one. I will never allow any harm to come to you my little one.:: The strange, strong, caring voice wafted through his consciousness, easing the pain in his mind, making him smile in gratitude.

'Who are you?' Severus asked, voice still hoarse, slowly beginning to slip into- finally- blissful darkness.

::I am you. But on the full moon we shall become a werewolf. My name is Ryu little cub, and we shall take care of each other.:: The voice- no, Ryu- fondly replied. ::Now sleep young one. And rest.::

Snape nodded sleepily and drifted off into the soothing darkness, remaining blissfully unaware for now.

Of what had just happened, of what would now have to happen, and what he had to do. There was much that had to be done, much that was unknown, and much that would change.

But for now, Severus Snape- young, misunderstood, tormented Slytherin- slept.