Hey There! surprise!
This chapter is short, I wanted to make it longer, but I've had a bit of writers block. 'about 10 months of it'
So I figured I'd give you what I got =) ...ahem...No hard feelings right?
Disclaimer: I still do not own the character of Harry Potter or any other characters with in this story. I also do not own Daniel Radcliffe =( I think he might be property of Warner Bros. or something...?
Incase you forgot (I know I did) here's a recap:
Harry tried to cough and breathe at the same time, which only served to put him in a further state of panic, thinking he was suffucating.
With out the aid of the other two occupants in the room, Snape lifted Harry to his knees and began to slap his back. "Let it out. Breathe", he encouraged.
With the help of his Professor, Harry slowly begn to gain some control of his breathing, though it was still rather eratic
Ron looked at the scene in distress, seeing His friend's panic stricken face as he was suddenly wakened to discover he was choking to death.
"There," Snape said calmly, pulling out the rest of the tubing.
Harry tried to cough and breathe at the same time, which only served to put him in a further state of panic, thinking he was suffucating.
Without the aid of the other two occupants in the room, Snape lifted Harry to his knees and began to slap his back. "Let it out. Breathe", he encouraged.
With the help of his Professor, Harry slowly began to gain some control of his breathing, though it was still rather eratic.
...
"Is he going to be ok now?," Ron asked, delighted to see his friend alive again, yet still fearful that Harry might still be in danger.
"We'll find out in time," Snape answered, still holding on to the young wizard.
"Well done my boy," Dumbledore beamed. "'Im ashamed to say that I did have my doubts, yet your plan worked beautifully."
"We still know nothing yet," Snape replied sternly. "The side effects of this procedure are unknown."
"Nonsense," The bearded man scoffed. "He's come back to us. And the prophecy can be fullfilled."
Snapes eyes narrowed menacingly. "Yes," he sneered. "Thank Merlin he's come back to fullfill his...responsibilities," he spoke the last word with disgust.
"Yes... Well, let's let the poor boy stretch his legs," he spoke, disregarding the darkly clad man before him.
Ron looked on, ignoring the short arguement, just waiting to be able to speak to his friend again, who at the moment looked very lethargic with his eyes closed.
Snape locked away his anger for the moment and turned back to the boy he was still holding on to.
"Potter," he called, waiting for a response.
Harry remained still and made no sign of having heard his name.
"Harry," he tried.
...still nothing.
"Harry," Ron reached out in an attempt to awaken his friend, expecting Harry to be more welcoming of him rather than the 'greasy git'.
But instead of a warm welcome, Harry's green eyes shot open in alarm and he instantly recoiled from his touch.
The red head immediately pulled back is hand, flabbergasted.
Ron frowned in fear and concern. Harry looked completely lost. His eyes showed no signs of recognition of the people or scenery around him.
Snape released the boy as he attempted to free himself.
"It's all right," Dumbledore cooed. "Someone fetch some appropriate lenses so the boy can see."
Snape ignored the man, rising slowly to approach the cowering teenager.
"Potter?," he waved a hand not six inches from the boy.
Harry made no response or any kind of movement.
Ron concentrated on his friend. 'His vision was never "that" bad,' he contemplated. 'He should at least be able to see something moving right in front of him.'
"I think...," Snape broke the silence. "...we may have a problem."
"Problem? Nonsense, what are you talking about?" Dumbledore spat, refusing to believe anything was amiss.
"It seems..." Snape deciphered, "...not all of Potter's senses have returned.
Harry grasped the wall, refusing to let go. It was his only anchor. Without it, the emptiness would just stretch on forever, bringing him to a state of panic. Something else was near him though. What was it? Or who was it? Voldemort?
He stretched his hand out,wearily, searching around for whatever had touched him. The others looked on, unsure of what to do. Snape knew the boy was panicked and completely lost, unsure of everything. He could no longer rely on his senses. Was this a permanent side-effect? Or would the the problem correct itself? And if so, how long would that process take?
"What do we do?" Ron asked, eager for an answer, explanation...anything.
Snape and Dumbledore's eyes met. The potions master pursed his lips. The old wizard was looking at him with questioning eyes, expecting an answer as well. He grimaced. 'Rediculous. What do they expect? Correct the situation with a tap of his wand? Perhaps he should solve world peace as well, while he was at it.
Taking the direct approach, he decided to cut through the bull and, perhaps a tad too hasty, marched over to the troubled boy and to everyone's horror, grasped him in a firm embrace.
Dumbledore held Ron back as Harry panicked, struggling to push the person, possibly Voldemort, away.
Snape held him firm yet made sure to not suffocate the boy. Soon Harry's panicked breathing and struggling faded as he realized he was merely being held. Whatever, or whomever it was, was not hurting him...yet.
After his body calmed, his thoughts began to calm as well. He could now tell that it was a person holding him. Someone much taller, much stronger. He could feel the silk cape against his skin. Instinctively, he prodded for any more clues.
It was not difficult to determine that the stranger was a man. Someone tall and lean with a strange yet familiar scent.
What was that smell? He new it. Almost as if something was burning. Like the smell of charcoal.
The last time he worked with Neville on a potion it had the same smoky vapors. The incorrect temperature had allowed the concoction to boil over, letting some of the more dangerous ingredients to drip onto his sleeves, causing them to incinerate. Luckily, Snape had extinguished the potion before it could cause any more...
'Potions...burnt cauldrons...!
'...Snape?'
No. It couldn't be. Snape wouldn't be holding him! Right? His mind contemplated any alternate possibilities. But he could think of none. 'Who else wears a single piece long silk robe?'
"Prof..." he tried to ask.
Snape started at Potter's realization. 'Bloody hell,' he cursed. 'It should be the headmaster holding him, Weasley, Granger, hell...Crabbe or Goyle, anyone but himself.
"Snnn...nae..." The boy tried once more but faultered. He couldn't hear himself speak. Was he even speaking?
Snape quickly caught on to the boys dilema and decided to reveal himself.
'I can't very likely keep him In the dark. What kind of hell on earth would that be.' Thinking of a way to reply to Potter's uncertainty, he tried tapping the boy twice on the shoulder.
Harry didn't know what to think. 'Was that a yes?'
Slightly panicking as the form let go, he soon found his hand being taken and felt someone gently tracing what felt like an 'S' into the palm of his hand.
'It is Snape!' Without thinking, Harry threw himself at his Professer, hugging him tightly. Snape went rigid at first, beyond surprised at Potters actions.
Realizing the boy must be thrilled to simply be able to recognize someone familiar to him, Snape relaxed and patted the boys back, awkwardly trying to comfort him the best he could.
Dumbledore and Ron watched the scene in disbelief. Ron couldn't believe Harry was hugging Snape! And the old wizard was astonished to see Severus hugging back.
AN: The end...just kidding. I'll be sure to post in another 10 months. haha. I hope not. I gotta' get my ass cracking. even though I have a really hard class right now, I at least don't have to write any stupid papers. But my brain is melting. I get dumber after every class I take... hence any typo's. But I'll struggle on. NEXT CHAPTER: "FIX HIM!"