Oh my goooosh, ok so I have many many ideas that will soon spill out from my fingers and into the next few chapters for the second book but just to warn you, so far my version of the book is longer than the original book and I'm not even half way done. There are a few twists that I'm taking in the second book that are going to take a lot of time to develop, I'm nearly there though, the ideas are currently sitting in my head waiting for me to have a day or three to simply sit down and work through the chapters. I am hoping to have book two done by the end of this month (hoping, not sure, hoping) so wish me luck. The plot it's self is actually turning out to be rather fun to write I've been wanting to do this for a few years now so I'm having a blast curving the structure of the story into something that I would want to happen. Anyway enough about me, on to the next chapter!

Mistress Slytherin

There will eventually be homosexual situations:

consider this your warning,

If homosexual situations are not your cup of tea

Than I suggest you turn back now.

I don't want to hear people's biased opinions because honestly, I don't give a crap

Now, for some additional warnings:

ABUSE

VIOLENCE

BAD LANGUAGE

HOMOSEXUAL MALE/MALE RELATIONSHIPS IN FURTHER BOOKS

Mistress Slytherin

Chapter 5

A Look in the Mirror,

The Terrifying truth.

Harry pressed his lips together as the gold gallons glinted in the dim light of the fireplace- a complete contrast to the dull worn wood of Snape's desk. Slowly dark eyes rose narrowing as thin lips tightened. "What is this?" He demanded softly his long fingered hands tightening slightly on the arms of his chair. Harry looked away, there was no use

lying to the man, not at this point.

"I don't like being in debt to you." He said his tone clipped while his eyes did everything they could to avoid the sudden flare he could feel in darker eyes.

"We've discussed this Potter." He said softly his tone deceptively calm. Harry gathered his courage and looked at the man trying to meet his eyes only to fail and settle his gaze on the man's shoulder.

"A few chores? To make up for everything you've done for me? I'm not a fool Professor, if things continue like this I'll have a hard time saying no when you ask me to do something that I don't want to do." He shook his head and took a step back, "No, I suppose I am a fool not to have realized that there are other professors at this school or even upper year students that would be too stupid to ask for anything more than a price

I'm willing to pay."

"And what price," Uh oh, Harry had heard that particular tone enough to know that the man's patience was wearing thin. The voice would take a deeper timbre and the edges of his intent would curl seductively- it was dangerous. "do you think I would demand of you that would be further than that which I have already reluctantly set? You do remember that it was you that insisted on my putting a price on the knowledge I offered to begin with?" Harry lifted his chin.

"But that's just it, why should you want to help me unless you have some use for me- and I don't mean cleaning out your stores! Don't think I didn't see your underhanded way of teaching me how to distinguish potions ingredients; it isn't some simple chore, or hard labor. Believe me, I know hard labor. You must have something in mind to want to help me! Is it Glory? You want me to win some sort of award and be acknowledged as the one that taught me? Just tell me! I don't mind honestly it's not like it hasn't been done before, but still. The way you treat me- it's like you care. And not just about what you can get out of it either, so what do you want? Gold? Glory? Some debt that you want repaid later?" Harry could have kicked himself as he finished his chest heaving with effort. He'd said too much, gotten too emotional. All at once he calmed himself returning to the boy who served his family to the best of his abilities without complaint and without expecting anything in return. Snape was eying him, a glint in his eyes that Harry couldn't help but feel worried about. Harry's face remained blank when Snape reached into his pocket but couldn't help but flinch visibly when the hand returned with a wand. Oh god…he hadn't thought about it before but…magic could be a lot more damaging than a fist. He thought of the troll and of how he'd managed to obliterate it and then realized just how ungrateful he'd just sounded. He didn't realize it, but he'd begun to tremble, if he had-had ever yelled like that to his uncle- oh no talked back! He was stumbling back now his arms rose in front of his face in a protective gesture as he fell to the stone floor and continued to scramble back.

"Potter?" The man's voice sounded like an echo and Harry was shaking the suspense horrid as he awaited his punishment.

"N-no please, please I'm sorry-! I didn't mean to talk back please- oh God don't kill me!"

Now he'd don't it- they'd probably kick him out if they didn't kill him first! His breathing was coming in sharp pants and his eyes were widening. No! He'd said that he'd never let it happen again! No one could hurt him! No!

"Damn it Potter! Drink this!" Drink it boy, drink it all down…keep drinking, that'll teach you not to spill water all over the place… Gasping he swept his hand out to knock it awayonly to freeze when a strong firmly gripped his wrist.

"Yes uncle." He whispered, his body relaxing allowing the wet slide of something thick and disgusting pour down his throat. Two gallons…he could remember, two gallons of filthy soapy water from washing the car. Drinking it all, his uncle watching daring him to throw it up or to disobey him- his crime? Spilling a bit of it on his aunts nice clean floors. Because it was too heavy for his six-year-old frame, and Dudley's cast downs were too big and baggy which made it harder to walk. Surely, but slowly the image faded away and his body felt heavy- calm, languid, like nothing could possibly be wrong. Drink this.

"A potion?" He whispered dazedly before blinking his eyes and realizing that he was still in Snapes' personal office. The man had his wand out his eyes wide with horror. Almost like- like he'd read his mind…but that wasn't possible- but then this was the wizarding world wasn't it? Anything was possible.

"A calming drought." Snape said belatedly. Harry nodded slowly.

"Sure feels like it." He said tilting his head to the side. "You were in my head weren't you?" He said softly. A voice inside of him was screaming at the prospect. Snape couldn't be in his head because- because-

"Yes." The man said his voice rough. Harry knew that should be alarming, but it wasn't, even when he thought about what his aunt might do to him…

"Oh." He said nodding slowly. "Don't worry about it…Vernon's dead." He said nodding to himself a small sort of calm smile on his face. That's right he'd killed Vernon hadn't he? Slowly smile slipped away though. "Are you going to kill me? I don't want to die but well- if you aren't going to kill me- which I would really prefer it if you didn't- could you maybe not um…tell my aunt? Last time she-" But then the heavy fog of calm was lifting and the thick terror replaced it. His body began to shake again. No- NO!

"Potter…" Snape was looking at him his expression worried- he had a reason to be Harry realized, because Harry wasn't going to let anyone hurt him again- ever! Suddenly he was standing his hands held out.

"I'll kill you if you even try it!" He cried terror edging on hysteria. "Tell anyone and I'll kill you! Try to hurt me and I'll blow you to smithereens!" Snape took a step back then his eyes flashing slightly.

"Potter put your hand's down!" But Harry had heard enough- and then common sense filled him and he realized that this was one of those times where he was helpless. He might know magic but so did the man before him. He had to get away! Had to get away!

And then he was running. Running as fast as his feet could carry him through the darkened hallways with no destination in mind his footsteps the barest whisper across the stones.

"Who's there!" Filch! Harry gasped and turned sharply running through the first doorway he could find. He glanced desperately around the room which was set up like a stadium with raised steps of rows of broken desks and chairs. There! A glint, an oblong item that he was just small enough to hide behind- "I'll find you!" Harry ducked behind it clutching

his legs to his chest and struggled to calm his breathing into silence. He could hear the pound of approaching footsteps and froze closing his eyes tightly he could hear a whish of cloth and annoyed muttering…and then the footsteps were pounding away. It took a long while it seemed before he could move his trembling body and struggle to stand brushing himself off warily as he glanced around his eyes catching on what he was hiding behind.

A mirror?

Carefully he reached out and traced his fingers across the gold filigree where words sat. -Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi- Part of Harry's mind wondered if he should be cautious around such a thing, certainly if it was in a magical school then it- A flash. Something called to him and his eyes were dragged to the surface only to widen.

"Mother…" There she was…all his life he'd longed to see her, longed to know what both his parents looked like and there she was…smiling at him sadly…before blinking away. Harry frowned as his aunt Petunia's form took his mother's place her face twisting into a horrible scowl as she lunged at him only to gasp her eyes bugging out as she reached up and began scraping her nails down her throat tearing the fragile skin to shreds as she gasped for air. And then she was screaming writhing around bleeding and then she was dead. Slowly the image changed and he could see something- someone, tall broad strong. His eyes widened as the image cleared and he realized that it was himself, older stronger, wiser, invincible. He could feel it, the power oozing from his image. The man in the mirror would never be hurt he could tell- but then the man in the mirror wasn't alone. A blurred figure came up beside the image and reached out a hand settling it on his image's shoulder. The older version of him bore a hardened expression which softened as he turned and smiled at the blurred person. Harry reached out then, wanting to be nearer to the two of them, wanting what they had whatever it was- only, his fingers brushed the cool surface of the mirror. He snatched his hand back and stared at it in awe for a moment before returning to the figures in the mirror.

He would become that man…powerful, unstoppable, doing whatever he wanted. He would kill anyone who got in his way or tried to hurt him! He raised his hand and settled it against the cool glass his eyes gazing at the figure in the mirror. He glanced again at the etchings before slowly pulling away. He needed to return to his dorm room, he would deal with Snape later, probably pass off what the man had seen as a dream or something…yeah, though he doubted the man would care…really no one cared. He glanced back at the mirror once more before turning and striding out of the room.

(A/n in the books Harry doesn't find the mirror until December 25, however for the

purposes of events that will be taking place I was forced to move things around a bit,

sorry if it bothers you!)

%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%

Snape was sitting in the common room when he arrived his dark eyes staring into the fireplace with glittering intent. Part of Harry wanted to run away or to threaten the man again; instead he stood in the doorway using his mind to search for a way out of this.

"You know." He said quietly before coming around and sitting pretending that the short distance between them didn't bother him. "I'm pretty sure that reading people's minds isn't something that you're supposed to do." He said quietly. Snape snorted and smirked slightly.

"Cut it out Potter." He said before lifting his gaze a certain amount of…something, understanding maybe glittering in their depths. Harry looked away.

"I don't suppose you could just forget that it happened?" Harry tried only to flinch visibly at the man's bitter laugh.

"No Potter, I don't suppose that I can." He said shaking his head. "But it does explain some things at least." Harry's head shot up his eyes hard. He really didn't want to but if he had to…well he could kill the man couldn't he? No, that would be unwise, at the moment

Snape was his only way of gaining the knowledge he'd need to succeed- as if he'd read that thought Snape reached into his cloak and pulled out a few books plopping them on the low table between them. "I'm not about to tell anyone either since it seems that your uncle's death has solved the problem." He said nodding slowly. "However, I will demand this for my silence." He said leaning forward. "If things get bad or you need help you will talk to me is that understood?" Snape said his voice hard. This Harry was used to, orders, demands, yes he could follow them, though he doubted he would tell Snape anything. If his aunt ever tried anything again he would kill her, just like Vernon.

"Alright." He agreed through his teeth. Snape nodded jerkily before reaching into his pocket and pulling out several vials of something brownish and lumpy. Carefully he looked up at the man in question.

"They don't feed you very well do they?" Snape said narrowing his eyes. Harry dodged the glance and stiffened. "Answer Potter." Harry pressed his lips together but nodded slowly.

"Then you will start taking these every day until you are up to the weight and height a boy your age should be up to. Don't worry about running out I will give you a fresh batch at the end of the week, which should last you a month. Take one before you go to bed at night and one in the morning when you wake up, I will know if you don't drink them."

Harry frowned but nodded. He could probably pour them- "I will also know if you pour them out." Snape said a small smirk twitching at the corner of his lips. Harry frowned.

"And in return?" He bit out. Snape's smirk faltered.

"In return you will see to it that you eat healthy portions of food every day from now on, none of this poking your food around your plate bit. If I have to I'll have the elves check every day to make sure that you're eating properly. Oh and you should also probably start exercising regularly as well, one or two laps around the quidditch pitch for starters, ease your way up to a mile slowly." Harry stared at the man as if he were crazy, which to= him…well the man was acting crazy.

"Why are you doing this?" Harry asked suspiciously. Snape's lips curled slightly.

"Because you need someone to do this for you, because you should have had someone to do this for you but no one has and, because I want to." He said clearly. Harry frowned.

Why would anyone want to do that? He was just a burden.

"If you hurt me I'll kill you." He said carefully. Something flared in the man's eyes and then died.

"If I hurt you, you may feel free to try." He said with a smirk before standing. "Ah yes and I've taken the liberty of putting your gold to better use, for future reference if you are looking to invest in a company I know of several which happen to be very lucrative and worth while. As it is you will be receiving at least double the amount you gave me every two months though you will need to sign something in order to have it deposited directly to your Gringotts account." He said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a form settling it on the table. Harry blinked at it for a moment.

"Invest?" Harry asked looking at the parchment and scanning it. "Oh…Uncle Vernon used to do this, you put money into a business and when they make money you get some too right?" He asked curiously his fears forgotten as his mind began to work through the complicated words on the parchment.

"Indeed, however it is always best to choose wisely lest the business go under and leave you with nothing, not even the money you put forward in the first place." Harry nodded.

That had happened once to his uncle…the result hadn't been pretty. Rather it had landed him with a beating that he wasn't likely to forget. Would Snape- His thoughts stopped abruptly and his eyes hesitantly slipped up.

"You- I was rude earlier…you- you aren't going to- to hit me?" He asked flinching even as he said the words. Snape's calm demeanor tightened.

"No Potter I will endeavor not to hit you or curse you even if you are rude at times."

Harry tensed. That didn't really mean anything did it? Snape seemed to sense this. "If you do something wrong I will tell you exactly what your punishment will be before I punish you. Here at Hogwarts we are strict about what is called corporal punishment Potter, you will never have to worry about one of your professors striking you or cursing you. There are spells that prevent such situations and if anyone were to hit you it would most certainly be cause for dismissal. In fact I have a book on it if you are interested in the subject…" He said thoughtfully. "I'll give it to you tomorrow when you come to the potions stores." Harry nodded slowly.

"So…magic won't let you hurt me?" Harry said almost timidly. Snape sneered slightly.

"I won't let me hurt you Potter; the spells are just so that if there was a Professor who would dare harm a child they would be stopped before they could do so and alert the headmaster that they tried." Snape said crisply before softening his expression a bit.

"You'll be alright Potter." He said quietly. Harry nodded slowly and looked away wondering if he should believe the man.

"Thank you professor." Harry said quietly before lifting his gaze. "For everything." The man nodded his head jerkily.

"Good night Potter." He said softly. Harry nodded.

"Night' Professor." He said looking at the bottles of potion with a critical eye.

$%^$%^$%^$%^

Let me know what you think!