A/N: Hey everyone. Thank you to those who reviewed. So now I will continue. And by the way… yes, some of the characters' personalities are a bit off from the books, but it's okay. They have to be for where I am going with this.

So I am not really sure where this falls into in the Harry Potter books… at this time, Snape is spying for Dumbledore, Sirius has died, but I'm not really sure, it might be between 5 and 6. But I do apologize if some facts are incorrect for that time period. Blame my teachers this past year for not allowing me time to reread the books every day.

Also, I apologize if anybody wants better descriptions of the settings or anything, because I cannot write like that, after three years of analyzing them in honors English classes, I despise long descriptions so my story will hopefully not include any of them.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I do not own.

………………………

Harry sat up and gasped in pain. He clenched his fists around the covers of his bed and closed his eyes tightly as he waited for the pain to dull. I suppose Snape was right. He grimly thought.

………………………..

As the pain slowly subsided, Harry opened his eyes and released the covers from his grasp. So Snape wasn't kidding about the pain worsening in his dreams. He sat up and his head swam a little, dizzy still from the dream. He got up and went into the bathroom, splashing water on his face. His legs felt weaker than they had before and he figured it was an after-effect of the curse he'd felt. His scar was again burning furiously. He looked up at himself in the mirror and noticed that his scar was red and tried to smooth his hair over it. He sighed and gave up the futile task.

He was about to return to bed when he remembered Snape's request that he tell either Dumbledore or himself if it happened again and he weighed his options. Either he could go to Dumbledore, who wouldn't tell him anything about it, but it would at least be a friendly face, or he could go to Snape. While Snape was a bastard to him, at least he might tell him something useful. He had been the only person who hadn't told Harry not to worry. In fact, he had almost told him the opposite. There was also the possibility that if he went to Dumbledore, the Headmaster might send him to talk to Snape again anyways.

Harry sighed. He really did not want to deal with Snape's sarcasm and glares this early in the morning. What time was it anyways? He stepped back into the dormitory and glanced at his watch on his bedside table. Five a.m.… Was anybody awake at this hour?

He briefly considered trying to return to sleep, but dismissed the idea, knowing he wouldn't be able to. He decided to wander around the castle for a little while before going to the Headmaster's office.

He changed into robes and went down the stairs and through the portrait hole and began to wander through the corridors, assuming that he wouldn't see anybody else. 'Who else wandered the castle at five o'clock in the morning during the summer?' he wondered, absently rubbing his scar.

As his feet took him through the familiar passageways he let his mind wander. He still couldn't believe that Snape was the only person who wasn't lying to him. But then, as he thought about it, Snape had never been one to lie to him. True, he had always been a slimy git of a bastard and had taken every opportunity to make his life here a living hell, especially in Potions class, but he had always been honest with him.

Snape had made it clear how he felt about Harry from the first day and, while he'd never been anything resembling nice to Harry, he had been upfront with him for the most part. He told Harry when he messed up a potion in class (rather rudely) and had pointed out his flaws. Now that Harry thought about Snape's behavior objectively, he realized that it was a good contrast to the normal—everybody falling head-over-heels for the boy-who-lived, always letting his behavior slide and treating him as if he were going to break at any moment.

Snape had never treated him as a hero, which was the thing that annoyed him most about the wizarding world.

"Damn it!" Harry jumped back in surprise when a voice, quieted by distance, broke the silence surrounding him. He took note of his location and realized he was right outside the library, which was where Snape's voice had come from. He had only just realized this when the door swung open, nearly hitting him. Snape stormed out, nearly running into Harry, before coming to an immediate stop facing him. "Potter!" he yelled. Harry took an involuntary step backwards. "What are you doing here?" It was more of an accusation than a question.

"I… um…" Harry stammered. "I was just going to see the Headmaster, Sir."

"Wrong direction." Snape said with a tone of anger.

Harry then realized that he had been going in the opposite direction of Dumbledore's office. "I… um… was just wandering around. I wasn't sure if he would be awake yet and didn't want to disturb him." He decided the truth would probably be best considering he couldn't think of a lie.

"And what could possibly be so important that it could not wait a few hours?" Snape asked, not sounding as if he really cared, but was only using this as an excuse to ridicule Harry.

Harry paused for a moment, considering whether or not he wanted to tell Snape about the dream. Without thinking about it he rubbed his scar again. The burning from the previous day had finally ended soon before he went to bed, but this was even stronger. "Um…" he began, trying to find the right words.

Snape interrupted his train of thought, however, when he saw his scar. "You had another nightmare." It wasn't a question, but rather a statement that held less hostility than before. Harry nodded in confirmation. "Follow me." Snape stated, then turned and walked rapidly towards the dungeons.

Harry had to jog a few times to keep up with the other man's fast pace. It didn't help that his head still hurt and his was feeling a bit weak, but not as bad as right after he'd woken up.

They turned a familiar corner and Harry followed Snape silently into his classroom. Harry noticed that as Snape entered the few torches around the room spontaneously lit and filled the dark room with an eerie glow. Snape stalked to the front and sat down behind his desk. Harry walked behind Snape and stood in front of the desk, waiting for the man to speak.

After a moment of silence, Snape asked, "What was the pain like this time in comparison to the pain you felt in yesterday's dream?" Harry tried to figure out Snape's tone; he wasn't being rude and he didn't sound angry. It definitely wasn't friendly, but… It was as if he was a scientist and Harry was his subject. The thought was disturbing. He realized that Snape was waiting for his answer.

"Well," he began, "It was basically like before, but stronger. When I woke up I could still feel it and it took a little while for it to pass," He said cautiously, unsure of what Snape would say.

"And your scar?" He asked looking at the red mark on Harry's forehead.

Harry rubbed it while answering. "It's burning like it always does when I am around Voldemort." He was surprised when the man didn't flinch at the name. He hoped that Snape would give him some answers as to why this was happening.

Snape observed the boy in front of him. He was definitely small for his age and didn't look healthy at the moment. He noticed that the boy obviously wasn't getting enough sleep, which Snape figured was probably due, in large part, to his nightmares about Voldemort that Dumbledore had mentioned. He also noticed that his legs were shaking slightly, a trait commonly associated with the after-effects of the Crutacious curse, one he was quite familiar with.

"Sit," he ordered. Harry obediently sat down in the nearest desk, grateful though he tried not to show it.

However Snape did notice the small amount of relief that the boy showed as he sat down and realized that the brisk walk had probably worn the boy out. He'll have to get stronger if he ever plans to beat the Dark Lord. Snape thought.

"So it has only been the past two days that you have felt any pain in your dreams?" he inquired.

Harry nodded. "Yes, well, aside from my scar."

"And you have felt the full effects of the Crutacious curse before, have you not?" Snape asked evenly.

Harry paused, unsure of where he was going with this. "Um, yeah," he said, looking away.

"On a scale from one to ten, with ten being the actual curse cast upon you, rate the past two dreams," he requested sounding curious.

Harry thought about it. "Yesterday's was maybe 0.5, today's was maybe a 2 or a little less."

"You don't sound sure."

"I am," Harry lied.

Snape just looked at him and Harry felt as though he could see right through him. "Right. That will be all Mr. Potter. Please inform me of any changes." With that, he began to get up from his desk.

"Sir?" Harry said quickly. Snape looked at him. "Um, can you tell me why this is happening? Please Sir? I need to know." Harry said almost pleadingly. He was a little embarrassed at practically begging his most hated professor, but he was desperate for this information.

"The Headmaster disagrees on that account. I have already told you more than he wishes you know. Good day, Mr. Potter." The last line was said with such force that Harry knew better than to press for more information and left.

………………..

Harry lay on his back on the grass beside the lake, letting the sun beat down on him as he tried not to think about what was happening to him or about the fact that nobody would tell him anything. However his mind kept drifting back to the conversation he had overheard when he had stayed behind to listen through the partially open door to the potions classroom.

Snape had immediately flooed Dumbledore and after briefly filling him in on what Harry had told him, Snape had sighed heavily. "This isn't supposed to happen, Albus."

"You knew it might come to this, Severus. You told me so yourself." Dumbledore said, concern lacing his voice.

"I know, but it wasn't supposed to happen this fast. That is two dreams in two days with it escalating rapidly. According to my studies, the change should be gradual. This shouldn't be happening!" Harry could hear quiet footsteps and figured that Snape was pacing in front of the fireplace.

"Always a scholar, Severus. While the amount of information you have discovered upon this subject is impressive, you cannot base your predictions solely upon studies of the past. I do not recall there ever being a situation similar to young Mr. Potter's in the entire history of the wizarding world. He is a unique boy and his connection to You-Know-Who is equally unique. It cannot be explained by past research. Not all answers can be found in books, Severus."

"I know this, Albus. Do you think I've stayed alive this long by defending curses with books?" Snape replied harshly and sarcastically. He then sighed and Harry heard chair legs scrape and assumed Snape had sat down. "I just don't know what to do Albus. I thought I would have more time than this to find a solution, but now…" He trailed off in thought for a moment. "Albus, I've already told you the consequences if this continues. It could be disastrous." He ended worriedly.

"I am aware of this Severus, but Harry is strong. If it comes to this, he will manage, he will have to." Dumbledore said with determination. Outside, Harry rolled his eyes, thinking that he was giving him too much credit.

His thoughts were echoed when Snape said sadly, "Nobody is that strong, Albus."

Sounding a little surprised, Dumbledore commented, "Why, Severus my dear boy, what do you mean 'nobody'? You are that strong."

Snape gave a short, dry laugh. "No, Albus, I am not. I only appear to be and the appearance has taken many years to create. Potter has only a short time."

"Does he know about all you have been doing to try to find a way to help him?" Dumbledore questioned.

Again with the short, dry laugh. "No, Albus, he does not. And I somehow doubt he would care."

"You underestimate him, Severus. Won't the two of you ever be able to be in the same room without wanting to rip each other's heads off? Maybe if he knew all that you're doing—"

"No, Albus. You will not tell him. We are done here." He said annoyed. Harry heard him get up and began to walk away as quickly as he could without them hearing on his weakened legs.

This conversation did nothing to lighten Harry's mood, it only made him worry more. He wouldn't be strong enough to handle what was coming? What would be that bad to make them think that? Something that even Snape didn't think himself capable of handling? And he shouldn't worry?

Harry rolled on his side and stared out at the giant squid playing in the center of the lake. Why did bad things always have to happen to him? Not that he wished them upon anybody else, but still, it would be nice to be normal for once in his life. As he lay there, he felt his eyes begin to close and fought against them, unwilling to sleep for fear of what would happen. However it was a losing battle and he soon slipped into an uneasy sleep.

……………………….

Snape left his office, furious at Dumbledore. That crazy old man was always trying to make him think of Potter as something other than the spoiled little brat that he was. He headed towards the forbidden forest in search of some rare potions ingredients. Walking through a forest full of magical creatures that could likely kill him always seemed to relax him.

He was returning from a spot deeper in the forest when he heard something. His immediate thought was that it was a bloodthirsty creature ready to eat him, but he then realized how close to the edge of the forest he was and that the noise came from something, someone, outside the trees.

………………………….

"Lucius, you have failed me once more." Voldemort hissed.

"I am sorry My Lord. It won't happen again," Malfoy was kneeling on the ground in front of the Dark Lord, obviously knowing what was coming.

"I know it won't. Crucio!" yelled Voldemort. When Malfoy's screams died down, he lay there panting. "Do not fail me again, Lucius." With that warning Voldemort walked away, leaving the man gasping for breath.

………………………….

Snape stilled. Was that a scream? It was brief, only a sudden shout, but it was there. Quickly he traveled the distance between himself and the edge of the forest to find the source and was mildly surprised at what he saw.

Potter lay there on the grass, his body writhing as if under a curse. Snape dropped the plants he'd gathered and strode over to the young boy and knelt beside him. "Potter." No response. He just continued as before, obviously in a great deal of pain. Now that he was closer, Snape could see that the famous scar was glowing red. "Potter!" Snape repeated, more urgently. Again there was no response. "Damn it Potter! Wake up!" he yelled into his ear. This wasn't good.

…….………………….

Harry shot up at once at the voice. His entire body still felt as though flames were engulfing in from the inside out. He gasped in pain, clutching his robes tightly.

……………………….

Snape watched as Potter sat up, still in a great deal of pain. It looked as though the boy was undergoing the Crutacious curse ad fighting against the will to cry out. Quickly Snape reached his hand into his robe and pulled out a small bottle containing a brilliant green potion that was shimmering. He held it u to Potter's mouth and ordered, "Drink." He began to pour the potion down the boy's throat and he choked on it, but swallowed.

Snape watched as the boy slowly calmed and his breathing became more regular. His pained eyes, full of gratitude, briefly met those of his professor. "Thank you, Sir," the boy whispered, and then looked away.

……………………….

Harry was unable to focus on anything but the pain and when he felt a liquid in his mouth he began to choke on it, but managed to swallow it. Immediately the effects of the curse began to diminish. It felt as though the liquid had been water putting out the fire within him.

Slowly he became more aware of his surroundings. Below him he felt grass and remembered coming out here. He then felt a presence beside him and looked up into the concerned eyes of his professor. Concern? Where did that come from? "Thank you, Sir," he managed to say before breaking eye contact.

They sat there for a few moments—Snape watching Harry, Harry watching the grass while idly playing with a dead leaf next to him.

…………………………

As Snape studied the boy, he began to notice things he'd previously overlooked. Albus was right, the boy was strong, stronger than he'd realized. When the boy had been asleep, his body had taken over and had been writhing from the curse but as soon as he had woken, his mind had been in control and he tried to hide his torture. Snape doubted that the curse had gotten easier to handle, which meant that Potter had been controlling himself. Controlling himself while under the Crutacious? That was not an easy task. True, Snape was able to do so, but that had come with years of practice, and he normally didn't do so anyways because that would only result in the strengthening of the curse until he did scream. Albus was correct, this boy was definitely unique.

"Can you stand?" Snape asked Potter, trying to keep his voice even, but Harry jumped a bit regardless.

The boy nodded a little, then immediately stopped, as if the small movement had made him dizzy. "I think so, Sir," he replied quietly.

Snape stood up and watched as Potter tried to follow suit, failing. He was still very weak; the potion he had given him had only temporarily prevented him from feeling pain and Snape hoped that it would last longer than the effects of the curse would have, otherwise the pain would return. One thing that Snape had never been able to deal with was a child in pain. He found it revolting what the Death Eaters did to adults, but when they did those same things to children… it made him want to throw up. Nobody should have to feel that pain, especially not children, even if they were his most despised student.

Potter finally managed to stand but still looked unsteady. "Come." Snape said, trying not to be concerned about Potter's fragility. He began to walk towards the castle. He noticed as Potter took a slow step, then another, then another, then tripped and began to fall. Snape's immediately reaction was to turn around and catch him.

…………………….

Harry cautiously stood up and started to follow Snape to the castle. After a few steps, he tripped over his own foot and began to fall when an arm reached out to catch him.

Snape's quick reactions were not quick enough however and when Harry fell only his head brushed the arm. As it did so, a jolt of pain was sent through Harry's forehead and he let out a scream in pain.

…………………………

Snape watched, shocked, as the boy screamed in pain. Had the potion worn off already? Then he realized that the Dark Mark on his forearm was exposed. Potter's scar must have touched it when he fell, causing the pain. He knelt beside the gasping boy.

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A/N: So anyways, this is it for now. I wrote most of it earlier, then I left and when I got home I came to this sort-of stopping point. Hope you all like it!

Thank you to everybody who reviewed. I'm so glad that somebody besides me likes my story! I've been trying to find a story like this to read, but after a while of not being able to locate one, I figured, 'What the heck, I'll write it.' So here it be.

So goodnight all and have a great day.

As always, PLEASE REVIEW!