Dark blood-Memories and caution

Hello everyone:D I just wanted to say thankyou once again for all your support and awesomeness! Really it is you guys who make this worth my while So Thankyou so much especially those of you who reviewed the last couple of chapters. You guys are the best:D

anyway this is a nice long chapter just for you. Please, please, PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK-QUESTIONS, THEORIES, ADVICE, ANYTHING WILL BE HELPFUL;)

Thankyou and on with Dark Blood

Servine closed the door behind Harry and collapsed on the sofa. The day had been nothing short of exhausting and it was nice to finally be able to sit down. But what was really nice was his rooms. He was back, in his rooms. With his potions lab and his books he could live here and never come out. Actually, there were many times when he hadn't come out. He remembered the first time when he had just come back from a meeting. The first one he had attended after so long...

"...Severus! Severus! I swear you haven't been down for meals for the past week! If you don't come out now, I swear!"

Minerva pounded on the door. She was getting tired of this. Soon a large group of students had gathered around from a distance, whispering to each other that the potions master had had an argument with the head of Gryffindor and that was why he wasn't coming out. This wasn't true though. Minerva had no idea why he was skipping meals. Although he had seemed quite anxious for the past week, since that discussion with Albus...

"Severus, there is quite a large group gathering. If you don't come out now, I will be forced to remove this door by force."

The whispering silenced. As they waited in anticipation, the door clicked and opened an inch. The face of Snape couldn't be seen, but a black arm snaked out and grabbed Minerva's hand. He pulled her inside and slammed the door in the same second.

"Why aren't you down with us? We are waiting for you- in fact because you didn't show up, Albus sent me to come get you, effectively bringing half the students with me. What do you have to say for yourself, Severus!...Severus?"

He had his back turned to her but his shoulders were shaking, as if he had a cold or was crying. She tentatively reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. She gasped, he was freezing. She then noticed his hair was dripping wet and his fists were clenched.

"Severus...Albus is waiting for you. Don't you wish to speak with him?"

"No Minerva. I really don't"

"Why not? Severus turn around"

"..."

"Please? Severus you are worrying me. "

"Then stop worrying" the tone was flat but she heard the whisper. "It's not worth it..."

"Why are you wet?"

"it's raining. Obviously" he rubbed his face, clearly angry at himself when he felt the tears.

"Ill call Albus then. Unless you turn around" she commanded. What was going on with him, she had to know.

Severus sighed and turned around slowly. He was truly a sight to behold. His disrevelled hair wasn't just wet; it was soaking. His face was flushed a deep red colour and his eyes were glazed over and dull. But that was nothing compared to the streaks of tears down his face. It looked as though he had been crying for hours. In short, he was a complete wreck.

"Merlin Severus, what happened?"

He hiccuped and tried to speak again, but his voice cracked ." I went...he...Vol..."

He shook his head but then swayed dangerously to one side.

"Severus sit down now! Why are you even standing?" She gently led him to the sofa and sat next to him. She rubbed his shoulder gently.

"Why don't you tell me what has happened?" Then she stopped and looked at him. "Is it? Has he...Has He returned?"

He looked down at his lap, particularly at his left arm while his hair covering his face. Minerva felt anger and fear and pain well up inside her. She had known it would happen but for Severus to admit it, that the Dark lord had returned...

"Did he summon you?

He nodded. She grabbed both his shoulders and turned him so he was facing her. He gave no resistance but looked utterly defeated.

"Did he hurt you?"

He looked up and whispered softly.

"Just like before..." and with that, his eyes closed and he slumped forward. She caught him and pulled him against her and called Dobby the house elf.

"Dobby, request the headmaster to begin the feast. Then tell him I will be staying with Severus"

"Yes, professor. Dobby will do what he has been told!" He snapped his fingers and was gone in an instant. Minerva turned to look at Severus again. He was definitely unconscious and far too cold. She levitated his thin body to his bedroom and opened the bed sheets. She then heated the room with a charm and placed him on the bed, but soon realised his left side was red despite the black cloak he was wearing. She frowned and opened his cloak then she gasped and pulled it off completely. His white shirt was covered in what she could only assume was blood and it seemed to be torn from multiple slashes and cuts that only a wand using hideously dark magic could produce. She got up and retrieved some night clothes, bandages and cloths from his wardrobe and bathroom. The noise made him awaken and stir.

"Minerva..."

"Severus, stay where you are. I'm just going to-"

"Leave."

"What?"

"I said leave"

"But Severus, you're covered in blo-"

"I can sort myself out"

"Funny that's not how it looked to me earlier"

Just then Dobby appeared carrying a tray of nice, hot food. "Headmaster says the professor must eat! Dobby has brought food for the professor!"

"Excellent, Dobby. Please put it on the side, next to Severus" She came and sat down next to where Severus was lying. She ignored his words of protest and waved her wand, making his shirt disappear. She then took a wet clothe and began to clean his wounds and the blood. He stopped talking and closed his eyes and sighed in relief. She smiled but asked;

"What did happen tonight, then?"

"...I had to convince him I had been staying here to spy on Dumbledore for him. He took some time to persuade and wasn't convinced at first , hence..." He lifted his arm weakly and gestured towards his bloodied mass. Minerva shook her head and placed a warm hand on his neck.

"You aren't well Severus, you have a fever, I think because of being in the cold with all these injuries. If only Poppy was here right now..." She stopped and watched him for a moment. "Is there a particular reason why you didn't call someone for help?"

"I didn't need any help."

"Of course" She deadpanned.

She finished cleaning his wounds and wrapped bandages around him. She fed him the food and clothed him. She helped him through the first night that he came back. Little did they know, this would be the first of many. Except on this first summoning, only Minerva could be with him. And he would never forget how she helped him through it.

"Severus?..." Albus' voice brought him back.

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking about child? I can tell you are reminiscing" Albus had taken a seat opposite him and had summoned some tea.

Severus sighed. "The first time I arrived in these quarters after being summoned after so long"

"When he had just returned?"

"Yes"

Albus rubbed his chin in thought. "I believe Minerva took care of you that night. She informed me of it afterwards. Apparently that was the only time she saw you break down after being summoned. Actually I think she said that was the only time she saw you ever cry"

Severus nodded and sipped some tea. "It was because when I went and was crucio'd after so long, I realised what I was getting myself into. I was also reminded of how I couldn't save Lily years before" His voice had become a whisper.

"Child...let go of the guilt"

"Albus-"

"No Severus. Just listen this once. Before this you had a job to fulfil as my spy against Voldemort. Before this I used your guilt of the past to make you mine, but the fact of the matter is that was unfair and you are now free. It is time you let go. You have done so much and sacrificed so much that you shouldn't need to feel bad about the past. Yes, it is unfortunate that the Potter's didn't survive. But it wasn't your fault. Do you understand? It. Was. Not. Your. Fault. I'm not asking you to forget Lily. Only that you stop blaming yourself. Do you understand, child?"

Severus was speechless. He really hadn't expected a speech like that. "I...Yes"

"And you will try not to feel so guilty from now on?" Albus prodded.

"I will...try"

"And you will start to take better care of yourself?" Albus urged further.

"Fine I understand. Although with you as my father I'm sure that won't be difficult"

Albus chuckled and walked over to Severus to place a hand on his cheek fondly. "For you Severus, I would gladly have you as my son. You would make any father proud"

Then a miraculous thing happened. Severus Snape smiled. Granted he had to share his rooms with Albus. True he had to teach those he had made suffer. But if he was honest he wanted the company. Right now, if he was alone he would probably be the most miserable person alive.

Harry quickly called his friends to the common room. He had to talk to them, had to tell them. In case those two men were dangerous then they needed to be warned. He would not have any more casualities after the war. Of course, if he was wrong then... But that was why he wasn't going to tell professor Mcgonigal. There was no need to worry everyone necessarily. But just in case, he would tell his friends.

"Harry what is it?" Ginny asked. The six took a seat on the sofas and turned to Harry.

"Ok, those two men, well they were the men from my dreams"

Hermione and Ron looked at each other while the others looked as confused as Hermione did when she didn't know.

Harry then explained the two dreams he had faced and told them about the theory that the two professors could be dangerous. Luna looked up.

"Are you sure they are dangerous? I don't actually think they are" her dream like voice drifted in the room.

"I don't know how dangerous they are but I think we should be vigilant and, you know keep an eye on them" he said.

Luna nodded and Neville spoke. "Do you think the younger professor was the man we bumped into on the train? He had the same grey eyes and voice and coat as well!"

Harry hadn't thought of that. "Neville I think you're right. It was him wasn't it!"

"Who Harry? Who did you meet on the train?" Ron questioned. He hated it when he didn't know things.

"This man dressed in complete black bumped into us on the train. We saw him when we left the cabin to check on the noise. He was really..."

"Creepy ?" Ginny finished.

"And scary" Neville added.

"But it was him. Definitely! Neville's right. I can't believe I didn't notice that" Harry mentally slapped himself.

"Perhaps we shouldn't worry too much. If worse comes to worse and it turns out we're right; we tell the headmistress. But let's hope it's just paranoia" Hermione said and stood up.

"I'm going to bed. It's been really tiring and there are only three days left till the start of term. I need to sleep"

The others nodded and stood and the girls left to head for their dormitory. Everyone said good night and that they'd see each other on the breakfast table tomorrow.

Just before extinguishing the candles, Severus decided he would visit the headmistress and say good night. He had absolutely no idea why but perhaps for old times sake he wanted to see his old colleague again. But she won't recognise you Severus! He sighed but headed to the headmistresses office anyway. He and Albus had gone after their conversation to talk to Minerva about lesson plans and things like dinner times, but he knew what he was doing and hardly needed an affirmative tutorial. He knocked on the door walked through. Minerva was at her desk looking very upset.

"Headmistress?"

"What can I help you with professor Slade?"

"You can call me Sev-Servine, headmistress. I am after all your potions master and professor now." As well as friend hopefully.

"Well, Servine. Take a seat. Is there something you would like to discuss?"

Whatever he had wanted to talk about had fled his mind when he had walked in and seen how upset she was. What he really wanted to know was...

"What is bothering you? You were upset just now. Tell me why" he tried his best to sound open and welcoming. This didn't come naturally to him but he was trying.

She gave a small watery smile. "I was just thinking about Severus"

Ohhh how should I do this? Do I pretend I've heard of him and talk about him like hes someone else or do I ask her who he was and act oblivious? I don't know what to say! No! The real question is do I want to know why she is thinking of me? What she thinks of me. Whether she hates me or not? I do want to know...but...No I want to know, and Albus said I shouldn't feel so upset about the past...

"Who was Severus?"

"He was the most bravest person I had ever known, Servine. He truly meant a lot to me-to us all." She laughed lightly but tears fell down her cheeks. "You may find the students are reluctant to cooperate with you at first merely because they have never had a different potions master other than Severus and Horace. You have a lot to live up to if you wish to match Severus in skill"

"I'll make sure to try my best" Obviously. It won't be that difficult. He smirked to himself but she was looking down at her hands.

"And-and, I didn't trust, him, I-oh Servine you don't understand how bad I feel" he looked up at her to see she was choking up and crying her eyes out. He tentatively reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. Oh Merlin Minerva, don't cry. Then he stopped and thought. She... Is crying for me? For me?

When he touched her shoulder, she looked up at him again. He spoke. "I'm sure he understands, headmistress. Wherever he is..." She touched his hand and whispered.

"I don't want him dead, Servine. I wish he hadn't died, oh why did he have do go?" And now the tears were unstoppable. He gave her a tissue and watched her silently. Some one regrets my death. Someone truly misses me. He thought of Potter as well.
The bravest man he ever knew. Hmmm could Albus be right? Did people want him back. It mattered not anyway because he had left the past now. What Albus said...he needed to let go. He was Servine Slade now. And he was never going to call himself Severus Snape again.

TBC:/