Chapter 8! Woot Woot, there is much rejoicings in the land. Things start to really heat up this chapter and I really enjoyed writing it. Review and tell me what you think, i'm curious about how you feel the plot is going. Also two guesses about where Harry goes to.

Snape had not imagined the boy would be so stubborn as to say nothing for an entire week. So he decided to drug him, he was not a patient man after all. Not with something as serious as veritaserum but a potion that was more of a mind weakener. It relaxes the person who ingests it and makes them more amenable to talking about their secrets. They aren't forced but it generally pushes them too. He made the potion and slipped it into the pumpkin juice that Harry always drank. He felt a sense of accomplishment. If he could show the boy once that talking about his problems wouldn't be a dangerous thing then he would do it again right?

For some reason Snape thought it would be a great idea. It wasn't in fact it was a terrible idea. So that evening Snape poured the potion into the drinks before Harry arrived and waited. He could barely contain his smirk when the boy downed the juice. He quickly led them to the couch and had Harry sit down. He looked at the boys eyes and saw that they were properly dilated. He sat down and tried to look calm.

"So Potter."

"Yes sir?"

"Why did your Uncle nearly murder you three weeks ago?"

"I wouldn't say nearly." Harry slurred. "I would've healed up pretty quickly. I only sent for help because Hedwig insisted. It was one of Uncle's nicer beatings."

"Nicer?" Snape growled out.

"Oh. I mean it hurt don't get me wrong but this one was more deserved and he left me alone to heal. If had really wanted me to suffer he would've stayed there and watched me bleed."

"Why was this one deserved?"

"He got a bunch of owls over the school year. Or at least that's what he was complaining about on the way home. Apparently every time I got into trouble they received an owl. It didn't bother them I was in trouble just that they were notified and that I survived."

"Why should you get beaten for that?"

"I didn't think about the fact that they would be notified. If I thought ahead a little I could've asked the elves to keep mail from going there. I didn't think about it so it's my fault really." Harry said with a dismal resigned expression.

"Do you honestly believe you are responsible?"

"Of course." Harry said as if it was so obvious. "I knew how to survive in that house. I knew the rules and neglected one of them. It's my fault I deserve the consequences."

"What kind of things in that house get you punished?"

"Speaking out of turn, not finishing my chores correctly or on time, eating out of turn, being in the way, being sick. Just existing mostly." Harry slumped down at that point.

"Potter you do realize that that is not normal behavior?"

"It is if you're bloody Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived. I'm meant to live this awful life, truly."

"What?"

"I should've died. I really should be dead. What kind of baby survives a killing curse? What kind of baby has to recall seeing their mother murdered before their eyes all the time? I deserve to live an awful life. I can't really live at all."

With that Harry stood up and walked towards his room looking despondent. He went into his room and Snape leaned back stunned by the realizations. Did the boy truly believe he deserved to be beaten? A few minutes later Harry came out with a robe over him.

"I'm going for a walk be back in a while."

Before Snape could stop him the boy was gone. He did not try to follow him after all the boy was probably thinking about what had happened and wanted to be alone. He would come back right? Snape stayed in that chair waiting for the door to open for four hours. He growled as he stood up. Maybe the boy had asked an elf to pop him directly into his room?

Nope. Potter was not in the quarters. Snape groaned as he realized something. He had never set a curfew for the boy. He could not punish him as he had told him that he had left. Potter would surely make a racket about it if he even tried.

Since when am I this careless?

Since when have you actually cared for more than one other person?

I care about people.

Name three.

Albus, Lily, and my mother.

Two of those people are dead.

Snape had nothing to say to that. So instead he stood up and walked out into the corridor. He laid his wand down and tried the locator spell. 'Point Me Harry Potter!' The wand spun around and then pointed upwards and to the left. Good he is still in the castle. I suppose I will just have to follow him. So Snape walked up the stairs and cast the spell periodically to adjust his directions. He finally came upon the haunted girl's bathroom on the second floor. Snape stood there. Why would he have come to this bathroom? It was then that heh heard a high voice with an echoing to it.

"Harry." Myrtle yelled. "Someone is outside the bathroom! Come on out."

"I'm coming Myrtle!" Snape heard Harry yell from somewhere far away.

Snape tried to open the door but found it locked. So instead he waited for the noises to come closer so he could knock. In about a minute he heard stone grinding and the sound of pipes moving. Was the boy in a secret passage? The door opened to show Harry looking like a complete mess. His hair was even crazier than normal and filled with dirt and cobwebs. His robe was covered in mud and torn in places. He had a gash on his left hand that looked painful along with numerous cuts along his face and arms. In his right hand he held a book that looked ancient and he had a delirious smile on his face. As if he had won the lottery.

"Mr. Potter. Where were you?"

"Professor. It was amazing. Absolutely spiffing. By far the greatest thing I've ever seen. I can't believe that I had waited so long to go down there."

"Where was down there?"

"Oh I can't tell you. I promised to keep it a secret. Besides only I can get down there anyhow."

"Potter you are injured." Snape decided to move onto a new route.

"What you mean my hand?"

"Yes you have a hole it in. Now hold still so I can heal it."

"No!" Harry shouted pulling his hand away. "It has to heal naturally any kind of magic on the wound will make it worse."

"Potter tell me what happened."

"No. It's very important that no one but me knows what is down there."

This was the Potter Snape knew the arrogant one who thought he knew best. The one who didn't trust adults or respect authority figures. Snape took in a deep breath and decided to initiate some Slytherin cunning.

"Potter. Are you aware of what legilimency is?"

"It's a mind magic right?" Harry answered while making his way back to the dungeons.

"Yes it allows the user to read the thoughts and memories of a person."

"Sounds kind of cool professor. Why bring it up?"

"Did you know that I am a very proficient legilimens?"

"No sir I didn't."

"Potter you can either tell me where you were or I can take it from your mind."

"I'd like to see you try sir." Harry said with a smirk.

So Snape grabbed Harrys face and with a wordless casting went directly into Harry's mind. Whatever Snape had been expecting landing face first into a maze was not one of them. The boy was either a natural occlumens or he knew exactly what legilimency was. With Potter it was probably the latter, no wonder he taunted me.

Snape stood up and dusted off his black robes to see that he was completely enclosed in the maze. There was no way out. Snape sighed and looked around if Potter was this thorough then he definitely made a way out.

"Potter! You were not supposed to trap me within your defenses!" Snape yelled to the 'sky'.

"Sorry." Harry's voice said.

"Potter come over here." Snape commanded.

Then out walked Harry, except it wasn't Harry. It was a boy who looked exactly like Harry wearing his school robes except he was dressed head to toe in hot pink. The boy had a strange smile on his face, one that still seemed completely natural.

"What are you wearing Potter?" Snape demanded.

"What I always wear. My name isn't Potter. It's Harry. I'm very glad you're here I never get visitors.

"Visitors?"

"Harry rarely visits me. He's too busy playing with the others to bother with me. That's okay though I'll be here when he needs me."

"What are you?"

"I'm a guardian for Harry's mind. I help him. I represent his capacity to love and care for others. Like I said he hasn't been using me much lately."

"How do I get out of his head?"

"Well either Harry can let you out or you make it to the end of the maze. I'm supposed to either help or hinder you depending on what Harry wants."

"How many guardians did Harry make?"

"Well let's see there's me Harry, there's James, there's Boy, there's Sal and then there's Potter. So five of us. You'll meet all of us if you have to go through the maze."

If the guardian was to be believed, which Snape was quite sure of, then Potter had created an intricate defense against intruders. This guardian seemed to be rather honest and Snape planned on using it.

"Can you give me any advice on getting out of here?"

"Sure. Harry likes you well enough. He thinks you're smart and pretty humorous so he shouldn't be bothered with me helping you a little."

Snape was stunned and merely nodded

"Well. Avoid Potter he wears black and well he isn't the nicest. He might try and kill you if he sees you. James and Sal are usually always fighting so try and keep them on task. Boy will be the hardest to get help from. He wears gray and tends to hide a lot. If you find him don't yell or you won't find him again. I can lead you to the end of my part of the maze but then I can't help you anymore."

"Thank you, Po-Harry."

The pink clad guardian flashed him a huge gigawatt smile. Harry led him on the path and helped him avoid traps. He found this part of child in his care rather interesting. He imagined this loving side was something the boy had buried deep inside of himself. Just like Snape himself had. This boy tended to smile and laugh. He was open and trusting. Things that the real whole Harry certainly wasn't very often. When he made it to the end of the domain of Harry he saw a clear difference.

The walls of maze before had been light colors pinks, reds and oranges there was a clear line and the lines instantly became greens and blue

"Who will I meet next?"

"Sal probably it is his domain." Harry answered. "Be careful Professor Snape. Harry doesn't know that you're in here he is in the inner sanctum. Once you get there, if you get there, he will get you out."

Snape nodded and walked over the line. When he turned back he saw that Harry was gone. He continued on looking for traps and finding none. Suddenly the maze opened up into a clearing and inside were two Harry's one wearing red and gold and one wearing green and silver.

"James! It is your fault he's in here at all!" The green one yelled.

"SAL HE WAS THREATENING HARRY! I AM NOT GOING TO LET THAT GO!"

"WELL IF YOU HAD LET ME SPEAK AT ALL THEN WE COULD'VE GOTTEN OUT OF THERE WITH NO PROBLEMS."
"OH YES SAL THE ONE WHO IS SO GREAT AT IMPROMPTU DECSIONS!" James snapped back sarcastically.

Snape watched the back and forth with interest. It would seem Sal was Harry's cunning and wisdom while James was his bravery and impulsiveness. His Gryffindor and Slytherin sides and they were of course arguing with each other. How appropriate. Snape cleared his throat.

"Excuse me gentlemen."

James' wand was instantly out and pointed at him while Sal stiffened and glared at him.

"Hello sir." Sal said.

"S'up git?"

Snape's eyebrow twitched oh yes James had no impulse control whatsoever,

"I am trying to get out of here and was instructed that I would need your help." Snape said ignoring the arrogant boy and focusing on Sal.

"James shut it and I'll figure it out,"

"Fine Sal but if he says one thing about dad I'll punch him."

"Noted." Sal said while adjusting his glasses. "Now Professor. What would I gain if I helped you?"

"What could you possibly want?" Snape demanded.

James pulled on Sal's robe and brought his ear close to his face. They did a lot of whispering Snape couldn't hear but he did notice that Sal's eyes widened at the first whisper. Finally Sal nodded and faced Snape again.

"There is an irregularity in the mind that we would like you to look at. Harry doesn't know it's there but we do since we are designed to look for danger in the mind. It's foul and we need to know how to get rid of it before it causes anymore damage."

"Where is it?"

"It's close to the end of the mind not in the maze at all. James could get you there for a while so you could see it and hopefully identify it. You would only have a few minutes before you are sucked back into the maze." Sal said. "If you look at it and do your best to identify it then Sal and I will lead you through our respective domains safely."

"Deal." Snape said.

James smiled a dumb smile and ran off. He came back a few minutes later with the Nimbus 2000 broom and jumped on. James motioned for Snape to get onto the broom as well. Snape fought to keep a blush from creeping up his neck. Who in the cosmos had he hurt so much to deserve this? He clambered on and they shot off like a rocket. He gripped James' shoulders tightly as they flew over the maze and shut his eyes. Was he trying to get himself killed?

After what felt like an eternity to Severus they landed and Snape saw exactly what had the guardians worried. Almost instantly his left arm began to burn as he looked at the wound. It was the same shape as the scar that adorned the boy's forehead. It radiated evil, hatred and pain. It was what was left over after that failed curse years ago and it was awful. How could he fix this?

Suddenly he felt a tug as if someone had lassoed a rope around his middle and was now pulling him back like a fish. He saw James smile and wave as he was pulled back into the maze. The ride was smooth but the landing was anything but gentle. He stood up and found Sal looking at him worriedly.

"You alright professor?"

"Yes." Snape said getting up quickly.

"So what is it?"

"It's the remnants of the killing curse. It's pretty dark magic. I will have to consult books about it after I get out of here but it definitely cannot be left alone forever."

"Alright then. Make sure to keep your promise."

With that Sal led Snape through the intricate maze. Snape didn't want to distract Sal and the boy seemed content to say nothing. So his journey through the green-blue maze came to an end quickly enough. Then it abruptly turned red and gold. The Gryffindor colors were obnoxious. James was standing there smiling a stupid grin.

"Hey! Let's get going." James said.

Snape rolled his eyes and followed.

"So Snape. What did you think of our fortifications? I mean be honest Harry worked hard on these."

"They are rather impressive for one so young." Snape said after a moment of thought.

"Thanks! Harry didn't make it in mind of keeping people out but more of controlling what he thinks about and remembers." James said happily. "It's been great for him since now he can sleep without nightmares and stuff."

"Why did you name yourself James? In fact why do you all have different names at all?"

"Well Harry made five of us and we were supposed to work together to protect his mind. It's kind of hard to do when you all think you're Harry. So the pink Harry suggested we give ourselves names to help stop confusion."

"Care to explain each of your names?"
"Well Harry, the pink guardian, called himself Harry since that's what Harry wants to do most in the world. I mean Harry's greatest desire is to love and help people. Sal named himself after Salazar Slytherin because he thinks he is super cool. Boy well you'll understand why Boy named himself that when you meet him. Potter, I rarely talk to him he is kind of hard to be around all the time. I think he named himself that because it makes Harry angry when he is called Potter."

"Why would he dislike his last name?"

"I mean it's pretty simple really. He doesn't know his father. He has no memories of his dad. All Harry can recall of his father is him yelling at his mother to go run that they had been betrayed, to protect him. Every time someone calls him Potter, tells him he looks exactly like his dad or stares at his scar he is reminded of what he could have had. What was taken away. That and everyone he calls him Potter never does it in a nice way. You, Malfoy and the other slytherins use Potter as an insult." James said easily.

"Why do you trust me so much when Harry doesn't?"

"Well I'm not all of Harry. Sal, Harry and I all trust you but Boy and Potter don't. Harry takes into account all parts of himself when he decides to share himself with others. He is going to be plenty angry when he finds out we spoke so freely to you. Harry is at a cross roads half of him trusts you, a part of him is just terrified and another part is just angry. Angry at you, the world, at everyone." James said. "Harry learned a long time ago to ignore his anger but he never could completely ignore his fear."

"You never said why you named yourself James?"

"Well it's for two reasons. Firstly it's Harry's middle name. Secondly I am all of Harry that is Gryffindor in nature. One of the few positive things we have ever been told about our dad is that he was a Gryffindor through and through. I wanted to honor that."

"I see." Snape for once holding himself back from spiting venom at the mention of James bloody Potter.

"Well this is the end of my domain. You're going into Boy's territory now. Be nice please."

With that James disappeared and Snape found himself in a gray walled maze. It looked depressing and frightening. Something a horror movie would create. It was then that he heard the scrambling. He didn't see the whole body but he saw floppy broken down tennis shoes. It was the next guardian. Snape knew exactly who Boy was now. It made his normally cold heart break a little. That action was happening a lot around Potter.

From around the corner large green eyes stared out at him. Wary and afraid. Snape knelt down and put his hands out slowly to show he wasn't going to make any sudden moves. The green eyes watched him carefully.

"Hello. You know who I am right? You don't have to come closer I just want to know if you know me." Snape said quietly with silk lining his voice.

"You're Professor Snape." A tiny voice said accompanied with a nod.

"Good. So then you know I won't ever hit you right? I've never hit a child no matter how dunderheaded they've acted."

The head nodded but the eyes still looked wary. He watched as they glanced down to the wand holster that held his wand. Snape understood, just because you don't physically hit doesn't mean you won't hex, jinx, or curse.

"I'm going to remove my wand and move it over to you to show you that I won't use magic against you either. Is that okay?"

The head nodded again, the boy was still using the corner of the maze to protect most of his body but he was slowly inching out into the open. Snape slowly removed his wand and rolled it over to the boy. Tiny hands went out and snatched it up. Snape watched as the small child version of Harry studied the wand quickly.

"Now since I can't use magic against you and you know I won't hit you would you mind coming out so we can talk?"

Slowly the boy inched out. He wore completely worn down shoes two sizes too big. His pants had holes in the knees and were tied to his thin frame with a rope. His shirt which was torn in places and had dark brown stains was much too large for him. He had a purple bruise on his left cheek and his glasses were bent and cracked. His arms looked almost skeletal thin and it wasn't hard to believe that underneath his baggy clothes he was emaciated. Snape remained neutral despite the fact that he was furious with the damn muggles who had done this to Harry for so long.

"What do you want sir?" The boy croaked out.

"Well if you wouldn't mind I want to help you and Harry. He needs my help so that he doesn't have to feel so scared all the time. I want to help you feel better. Will you let me do that?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Well first if you give me back my wand I can heal that bruise on your cheek wouldn't that feel better?"

The boy seemed to consider this for a moment before warily handing back the wand and getting into a stance that would allow him to run quickly if needed. Snape waved his wand slowly allowing the boy to see his movements. He cast the bruise healing charm and watched as it vanished.

"Does that feel better?"

"Yes sir." The boy said in amazement.

"Do you mind if I use a little more magic to fix your clothes and glasses?" Snape asked slowly, he had to be careful or the boy would run.

"Okay. That's fine I guess."

So Snape cast each spell with a patience he didn't know he possessed. He transfigured new shoes first handing them to the boy and waiting for him to put them on. Then he told him to take of the belt so that he could shrink the pants. He shrunk the pants and then the shirt. He cast a repairing spell on his glasses. At each piece of magic the boy seemed to calm and trust him more. When he finished he lowered his wand so he could continue.

"Now that I've helped you would you mind helping me help someone else?"

"Who?"

"Harry. I need to get through this maze so that I can help Harry who is inside."

"Why does he need help? He is so strong. Not like me I'm still a freak."

"No you are not a freak." Snape said patiently. "No even if Harry is strong he is still scared and I want to help him like I helped you. Will you help me?"

After a few moments of silence the boy nodded and Snape gave a sigh of relief. Snape stood up and holstered his wand while he followed the small boy through the maze. The boy looked to be the size of a three year old but was probably around five or six. He led Snape confidently through the maze though glad to be of help to his own helper. They came to the end quickly and the boy ran away before Snape could say a word.

The final walls that he had to face were as black as anything he had ever seen. He knew he must be in the domain of Potter soon. He had been told to avoid Potter by two different guardians. He stood still as the realization hit him like a freight train. Potter was Harry's anger, his hatred, his bitterness. Potter would more than likely attack me than help me through the maze. So Snape was instantly on the defensive. His wand was slid out and he looked around. He didn't want to touch the walls since there were traps placed along them. He walked along with his eyes roving. It was then he heard the shouts of spell fire. First year offensive spells being shot and yelled at. So Potter was training?

Snape moved stealthily and walked around a corner. He saw a line of training dummies and a Potter wearing robes blacker than even Snape's own. The boy was firing off curses at each dummy with a grim look. His green eyes were hardened and without mercy. This was Potter angry? As the boy was firing he smirked and flipped around so his wand was trained right on Snape.

"Give me a good reason to not blast you?"

"Harry would feel bad about it." Snape said quickly.

"Which one the pink prick or the real one?"

"Both. The real one would feel bad attacking anyone and you know it."

"You came in here without invitation so that you could learn about something that has nothing to do with you. I think Harry would understand." Potter said.

"I want to help you Potter."

"I don't want your help. Harry has never needed any adults help." Potter said imperiously.

"Do you think it's normal for an 11 year old to be scared all the time?"

"No. Of course it isn't normal." Potter said bitterly. "I am angry at that fact. The fact that Harry never got a childhood, never had love growing up, always had to fight for survival."

"If you let me I can give that to him now."

"What are you trying to imply that you would love Harry? Support him? Tell him you're proud and give him hugs?" Potter said with his eyebrow raised. "I don't believe it. You hate him, or at least you hate our father and act like you hate us."

"I am fully capable of c-caring for Harry." Snape said trying to be confident despite the stutter.

Potter walked up and looked him straight in the eyes. They dug into his soul as if looking at every aspect and judging him. Finally he nodded Snape sagged in relief.

"Fine let's go. But if you let Harry down I will take over for a moment and murder you. I know enough about hatred to make it possible."

"Understood." Snape said and he didn't doubt it.

So Potter led him through the final part of the maze. It was by far the most awkward of all of the guardian encounters. Potter glared at everything and grumbled under his breath. He was just so angry. Which really wasn't surprising Harry as a person had a lot of anger. The world had been cruel to him and it made sense that Harry would have a guardian that personified it all. It would be a good defender.

They came upon the end of the maze which was at the center of it. There was a large stone door. That was clearly locked.

"I'll open the door for you but after that I'm going to leave you. Harry is inside somewhere good luck." He said although the good luck could've been mistaken for an 'I hope you die.' instead.

Potter put both of his hands against the door and started to push hard on it until it creaked open.

"Get in." Potter groaned out under the pressure.

Snape squeezed in and the door slammed shut behind him. He looked around and was amazed by the intricacy of it. It was very well protected. He saw the room labeled 'Uncle Vernon' and winced at the chains that locked the door. He looked at each of the doors he passed until he saw one that was open. It was labeled 'Potions'.

He went inside the room that looked exactly like a potions lab. He could tell the books along the walls held the memories. He looked round and saw Harry reading one of the books.

"Harry."

The boy shot up and dropped the book.

"Professor! How did you get in here?"

"When I used legilimency I got pulled into your maze. What happened to you?"

"Well I felt your presence in my mind so I went straight here to protect it while waiting for you to give up and leave. I didn't think you would make it through the maze."

"Your guardians decided to help me, since I couldn't leave once I got there."

"Oh. I certainly will have to fix it so it doesn't trap people."

"No it's a good defense. The guardians were the only reason I got through and I had to convince each one of them to help me."

"You got all of them to help you?"

"Yes."

"Well then you're a better man than I. I've never been able to get them to agree on anything."

"Potter. Can we leave now? I think we have things to discuss."

"I suppose. Except I don't really know how to get out. Usually I come here in my sleep and leave when I wake up. I've never had anyone else here."

"Potter only you would learn just half of occulmency." Snape groaned. "This is your mind what you say here goes. Just decide to leave and take me with you."

Harry glared at him a little but closed his eyes so he could concentrate. Snape suddenly felt a tug on his stomach not unlike a portkey. He found himself back standing in the hallway. He pulled away from Potter and instantly felt tired and drained. How long had they been standing there? Potter also looked tired but was, by far, better off than Snape was.

"Come on Professor. I'm tired."

Snape said nothing and followed the boy down to the dungeons. They both went to bed and slept deeply. When Snape woke up it was past breakfast time. Harry was already gone into some part of the castle and there was a note on the table.

Professor,

I am going to be doing some in depth study in one of the unused classrooms in the castle. I may be late for lunch but as you missed breakfast I think its okay. I will certainly be back for dinner.

-Harry Potter.

Snape growled. The boy was certainly taking a lot of liberties. Then again just last night he had without permission entered his mind. Snape felt instantly worse as he remembered the guardians. Potter's words sprang into his mind.

"What are you trying to imply that you would love Harry? Support him? Tell him you're proud and give him hugs?"

Snape had agreed then in the boys mind for many reasons. Potter had believed him. How can I even begin to care for another person? Snape sat down on the couch and began to think. The guardians had made it clear that Harry wouldn't trust easily. They trusted him separately but the whole person wouldn't. At least not yet. Snape thought back to his own childhood. He had trusted Lily because she had been so kind to him and she had believed him about magic.

What would I have wanted an adult to do for me?

Firstly new clothing. The clothes I had growing up were distasteful at best and rags at worse. One of the first things Snape had done when he became an employed adult had been to buy decent robes. Then he had burnt the rags he had worn for years. Yes he could do that couldn't he? Snape got up and went over to the room Harry had been using.

It was completely clean. Nothing left on the floor everything packed up. Snape went over to the closet and opened to find it completely empty. Where were the boy's clothing? Snape looked around and saw the trunk. Was the boy living out of his trunk instead of unpacking? He opened the trunk and saw that it was indeed holding all of Potter's belongings.

The clothes if you could call them that were worse than the things Snape had had growing up. They were made for someone three times Potter's size. Snape rolled his eyes at the obvious signs of neglect they had all managed to not see. So an entire new wardrobe would have to be commissioned for the boy. Also an eye healer's appointment since the boy has obviously never even been. What else?

Thus Snape went out of the room and began to plan. He would help Harry see that he could trust him.