Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except the plot. Everything else belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, Warner Brothers, Scholastic, etc.
A/N: I am soooo sorry for the wait! I've been sick and really busy with one of the clubs I'm in at school (we have two and a half weeks before school starts, but have to start getting ready now). Added that I'm seeing Wicked (again!) on Wednesday in Chicago (yay!) and leave for vacation this weekend. I don't know if I'll have Internet access, though my friend says the inn we're staying at has a computer. So, please enjoy! And no, they're aren't two chapters called "Calm Waters Run Deep", part seven is "Calm Waters Run Deep Pt.2, but it didn't show up in the chapter title. So, if you missed that, go back and read part seven! Enjoy, and please review!
Change of An Icy Heart Repost
Part the Eighth: Visions
Severus felt at a complete loss as Harry thrashed in his arms, screaming himself hoarse. Worry coursing through his veins and his heart constricting with feelings Severus didn't know he processed, he clutched the teen to him tighter. As Harry's screams crescendoed to a new high, the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead burst open, blood streaming from the old curse scar as Harry fell limp in Severus' arms, trembling violently. "Harry!" Severus cried, summoning a basin of water and flannel as he gently cleaned the blood from the scar, Harry whimpering lightly.
"Harry?" Severus asked cautiously, his arms loosing slightly from the tight hold he had on the shaking teen. "Sev'rus?" Harry whimpered, glassy emerald eyes peering up, unfocused. "Oh, thank god." Severus murmured, hugging Harry tightly to his chest. "Was it a vision, childe?" He asked cautiously, Harry tensing and closing his eyes tightly. The silence stretched on, Severus waiting for Harry to decide when he would be able to speak of the vision he'd seen. Until then, Severus was content to simply hold Harry and murmur comforting nothings into the messy raven locks.
"It- it was horrible, Sev." Harry began in a whisper, clutching Severus' tee-shirt with trembling and sweaty hands. Severus remained silent, allowing Harry to go at his own pace. "V- voldemort was there. It was an a- attack on a Muggle town. T- they k- killed all the men and took the women and c- children hostage. T- they tortued the children in front of t- them b- be- before k- killing them. T- then they r- raped all the women." Harry's scratchy whisper trailed off as he buried his face into Severus' chest, shaking with sobs as he cried his heart out.
"Just let it out, Harry," Severus soothed, holding Harry tightly, his free hand smoothing the sweaty raven locks back from his forehead. Harry let out a choked sob as hot, salty tears poured down his cheeks. Murmuring soft, reassuring words to Harry, Seveurs rocked the teen as one would with a small child. Slowly the sobs trickled down to soft crying to hiccoughs as Harry drifted into an uneasy sleep. Gazing down at the tear-streaked face, eyelashes clumped together wetly, Severus felt a protective paternal feeling the likes of which he'd never felt. He wanted nothing more than to protect the fragile teen cradled in his arms, shower him with affection, and show him the paternal love others took for granted.
Sighing lightly, Severus stood, his back cracking. Harry remained asleep, cradled gently in his arms as Seveurs made his way to his bedroom, knowing Harry needed the affection and reassurance if and when he awoke. Knowing full well that Harry would panic if he awoke alone, Severus made his way slowly down the hall, his bedroom door opening via wandless magic. Reaching his bed, Severus gently settled Harry in the middle of the bed, the bedclothes already warmed and pulled back. Toeing off his shoes, Severus clambered in next to the teen, pulling Harry against his chest, giving into the call of sleep. Neither Seveurs nor Harry saw the glowing eyes watching from the window.