Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling therefore, none of it is mine.
After being woken by Dumbledore, Snape was forced to sit through an hour lecture on the benefit of listening to Harry. Like Snape cared what Dumbledore had to say on the matter. Did Dumbledore not understand that Snape had nothing to offer except for his information as a spy? He couldn't just decide one day he wasn't going to spy anymore. And on the word of a boy who knew nothing of the matter? There was no way, but as Dumbledore continued to talk, the idea sunk into his head.
I could have died. If the Dark Lord really knows, I can only imagine the kind of curses he would use on me. But, how would he know? There was no possible way, unless-
"Albus, the meeting last night, I asked him who he had killed! He realized I wouldn't know about the murder unless I was with Potter. I can't believe I didn't realize. I am sorry I have failed you, Albus."
"Nonsense, my dear boy, now what does matter is whether or not you are going to apologize to young Harry. He saved your life tonight, Severus; surely that means something to you."
"What do you take me for, Albus? I always apologize to those I have wronged."
At Dumbledore's raised eyebrow, Snape looked away. "I will see him now. Do you know where he is hiding?"
"He went upstairs to the spare bedroom. Please, Severus, be nice. Sometimes I am unsure of your relationship with Harry: sometimes you seem to be cordial, the next you are at each others' throats, but Harry understands you more then you know. That must count for something."
"Please, Albus, my relationship with the boy is frankly none of your concern. I too care for the child, but I do not need to show that in every word and movement like the rest of the world does. If I may, I will take my leave now."
Hesitating, Snape leaned against the door to the spare room. Sometimes he was unsure of his relationship with the boy as well. Potter was the spawn of his enemy and his childhood crush, yet he was unlike either parent. Sometimes, Snape felt contempt beyond control that the child did not belong to Lily and himself. Other times, Snape saw him as a disobedient student, a celebrity with no check on his ego. But mostly, Snape saw Harry as an abused child who needed a firm hand to guide and a family to love. Now, Snape wasn't going to go around giving hugs every two minutes, but he would definitely be keeping a watch on the child... well, more of a watch than usual. He was unsure of how exactly Harry viewed his 'snarky potions' professor', but regardless he would be able to protect the child from a distance, without turning himself into a weepy Gryffindor.
Sure of his position, Snape knocked on the door calmly, announcing his presence. At the lack of acknowledgement, he tried the door. The door, he quickly found out, had been locked, so he withdrew his wand from the inside of his robes and swiftly unlocked it.
All thought swept out of Snape's head as he took in the sight of the small child crumpled on the ground, surrounded by blood and glass shards. Crossing the room in two strides, Snape knelt in the debris and used his wand to clean and bandage the wrist wounds. Holding his fingers to Harry's pulse point, Snape could feel the slow thrum of Harry's blood flowing through the abused wrists. Content, Snape levitated Harry onto the bed and withdrew his personal potions' kit from his cloak. He poured a Blood Replenishing potion into Harry's mouth, massaging the weak throat muscles, coercing his throat to swallow.
Settling onto the bed beside the prone body, Snape meticulously went over his memories of Harry from the last few days. Despite the obvious Voldemort induced incidents, Snape could think of no outstanding moments that would lead Harry to suicide. The boy was tough, or so he had thought, and was somehow above such a plebeian act such as suicide. Harry wouldn't take his own life knowing that Voldemort would then be free to rule as he wished. But somehow, Harry had seen it beneficial to remove himself from the world. Had they been so blind to miss the signs of Harry's depression just as they had missed the signs of his abuse? Had he not been watching Harry close enough?
Thinking about it now, Snape could see the emotional changes in the boy. Black had become increasingly withdrawn at the approach of the school term, knowing Harry would be leaving to attend Hogwarts once again. Harry had been, in turn, drawing away from Black's depressing attitude, yet it wasn't big enough for this kind of reaction, was it? Could he fear leaving his godfather to such an extent? Surely not, but what else could it be?
At a loss, Snape directed his thoughts to another pressing issue. What was Black going to do when he found out Harry had attempted suicide? Several thoughts roamed through Snape's head ranging from Black being so upset that he committed suicide himself to being so upset that Black tried to strangle Harry and Snape was forced to kill Black in Harry's defence. Either way, Snape liked the outcome, but knowing what the mutt's death would do to Harry, Snape couldn't find the outcomes as happy as he normally would. That took letting Black know off the list, leaving the wolf and Dumbledore. Striking the former off the list as detrimental to his health, Snape pondered his mentor. Dumbledore would force Harry under tighter bonds to "protect" him. However, Snape knew this could in itself be detrimental to Harry's well being. Realizing the cons greatly outweighed the pros, Snape sighed, realizing he would have to deal with the child himself. Joy.
When Snape had remained still long enough to reach his breaking point and was reduced to counting the trees in the distance, he was stirred from his musings by a muffled groan resounding from the injured boy.
"Potter? Harry, can you hear me? Where does it hurt?"
"Nowhere that doesn't usually hurt."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Well, it means I haven't gained any new body parts. Surely that's a good thing?"
"Surely you could be a little less sarcastic. You owe me a big explanation."
"About wha- Merlin's balls, did I really do that?" Harry's gaze shot to his bandaged wrists. "Fuck."
"Indeed. So, your explanation?"
"I don't know."
"You... don't know? How can you not know? One does not do something of this nature without having some kind of motivation behind it."
"I don't know what to tell you, Snape. I remember saving your pathetic life from being thrown away and then there's nothing after that."
"My pathetic life? I'll have you know, Potter, that I have done a lot more in my life then you will ever have the opportunity to do. However, the fact that you remember nothing does intrigue me. Would you mind if I had a look?"
"Help yourself. It's not like you won't anyway."
"What is your problem, Potter?"
"My problem? My problem is that I just tried to commit suicide and I can't remember it. My problem is that I saved your life and you didn't have the decency to acknowledge it. My problem is that everyone is going to hate me for this."
"Hate you? Harry, no one will hate you for this. In fact I have no intention of letting anyone know of this, as they will undoubtedly smother you and put you up on yet another pedestal. However, if you cannot remember the circumstances leading to your actions, there may be some logical explanation. Finally, if you had not jumped to conclusions, I would have been able to tell you that I had in fact come up here to apologize for not believing you and to thank you for saving my life. Now, let me have a look. Legilimens."
"Merlin, Potter, has the Dark Lord been able to do that before?"
"Twice, but he's never had that much control before. I mean, he's been in my head loads of times and he's talked to me twice, but he's never been able to influence what I do."
"Potter, Harry, that can't happen again. Who knows what will happen if next time I'm not around to save the day like usual. We're going to have to block him out of your head. As for your ineptitude at Occlumency, we will have to find a more permanent way to block you mind. I will have a look in the library here. If I can find the reference I'm thinking of, we may be able to cure you faster than you think. Give me a moment and meet me in the library in fifteen minutes. In the mean time, I suggest you go down to the kitchen where Molly can stuff you with the entire contents of the kitchen. That will help considerably to counteract your blood loss.
"Alright, Potter, I have double checked my sources and there are two ways in which we can fix your problem. The first involves human sacrifice and is perhaps a little too dark for the Golden Boy. Luckily the second is a lot easier; however it will take some work on your part."
"Anything to get this madman out of my head."
"Well, this theory consists of covering one voice with another. In effect, you would be losing Voldemort's voice, by replacing it with another. However, as the bond requires you to use your soul mate there is little danger in the second voice."
"My soul mate? I'm not sure I understand, sir."
"You need to locate your soul mate and complete a bond with them. Completing a bond, Potter, means having intercourse with your mate."
"Wait, so all I have to do is have sex with someone? Well, then why exactly is he still in my head. I'm obviously not a virgin."
"I am not talking rape, child. I mean you must have sex with your significant other. Only one who completes you can protect you."
"But, how would I find someone like that? I'm not exactly the kind of person everyone wants and how would I even know if that person is my 'soul mate'?"
"It's a lot simpler than it sounds, Harry. Your soul mate is your perfect match. If you find them, you will know it is right. Typically, they are someone who compliments you. They would be your exact opposite in some ways and your double in others. They are typically a person who you already have feelings for."
"But I don't... There's no one like that, sir. It's not like I have time to think about love and I'm not selfish enough to put someone in danger like that."
"Potter, if they are you "perfect match" the danger will definitely not be a problem for them. If I had my guess, they are probably someone who knows danger very well."
"Sure, but I wouldn't know where to start looking."
"Well, isn't there anyone you're remotely interested in? How about Miss. Weasley? You seem to get along and she likes you."
"Ginny? No way. She's like a sister to me and anyways, I'm not really like that, sir."
"Not like what?"
"Ginny's a girl... I... I'm not like... that."
"Ah, I see. Alright then. No Weasleys you say. Well, how about Finnigan of Thomas, although I think there is something already going on between them. Never mind... How about Longbottom or that persistent Creevey boy?
"Neville is straight and definitely not my type. Creevey would be like living with a fan girl. There's no way I could do that."
"Well, how about someone from my own house: Mr. Zabini perhaps or my godson Draco."
Harry blushed.
"Do you have a crush on one of my Slytherins, Potter?"
Harry blushed deeper.
"My godson?"
Harry looked away.
"Well, that is rather unexpected. I must say as his godfather, that if you choose to pursue him, it best be on his terms. I will not permit you to lead him or bed him purely for your well-being. That said, you do complement each other rather nicely. Draco can be a bit spoiled at times, but underneath his Malfoy exterior, he does have a heart. If you break it, Potter, I will not forgive you. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Now go. I know for a fact you did not go to the kitchens and eat like I asked you to. Would you like me to hint to Molly that you seem rather peckish?"
Harry scuttled from the room.
"Oh, and Harry?"
Harry paused momentarily.
"Good luck."
AN: Well, there you go... the DM/HP starts :)... I know I said it was going to be shorter, but it turned out to be almost double the size of the last chapter. Oh, well... it's not a bad thing. Anyways, I am again supposed to be something school related... this time if they ask, this story is in fact written in French lol. Anyways, the next chapter is still a litlle jumbled, and as we are throwing a surprise party for my mom this week-end and the week-end after is Thanksgiving, I don't know when the next chap will be up. It will probably be a week or two after the Canadian Thanksgiving which is Oct 8th. Thanks for your patience. Thanks to my reviewers and all the people who like my story enough to bookmark it or put it on an alert. Next chapter, Harry goes to Hogwarts!!!
Review!! Love you all, Steff