Of Snake Bites and Dittany Cures

by Iva1201

Chapter 14: Saving the Savior

A/N: Beta read by excessivelyperky. Many thanks for that!

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Having Potter view one of his supposedly innocent memories left Snape admittedly somewhat shaken. He clearly was tired if he'd allowed the boy access to a memory Potter had wanted to see ever since he had spotted his aunt's face on the surface of Snape's Pensieve.

On the other hand, Severus knew very well this was a possibility when teaching Occlumency or searching thoughts of a counterpart. His experience told him that once an Occlumens didn't concentrate on the protection of his own mind, leaks like this simply happened. Clearly, this was the case for all masters of mind magic arts – or why Dumbledore had so willingly offered him the use of his Pensieve, when the old man had first ordered Severus to teach Lily's son how to protect himself against the Dark Lord's intrusion.

What really disturbed Snape was Potter's reaction to the memory – he had expected wonder and shock, perhaps accompanied by questions and accusation – but the rage this single, insignificant recollection awoke in the boy was worrisome.

Severus was disturbingly reminded of his own youth – the slow seduction of the Dark Arts he had experienced back then, his willingness to embrace the Darkness once he had thought any other path was longer an option to him. But the Boy-Who-Lived, the supposed saviour of the wizarding world shouldn't have acted like that. Snape's face twisted in a concerned frown. Had he really corrupted the boy when he had never intended it? The possibility hurt – Severus could almost see both Lily and Dumbledore staring at him in accusation.

Snape knew immediately that he would need to somehow save the boy again – this time from himself. But with Occlumency he had had over a year to conceive of alternative methods of teaching an undedicated student, never knowing when Dumbledore would task him with the job again. Now Snape faced much more pressing problem.

Should the boy not come back to his senses in the next few hours, Severus would not be able to let him return to his two little friends as he had planned. He didn't want to think of the alternatives for the moment, but having Potter imprisoned in Hogwarts was not an appealing thought, nor a real possibility with the Carrows ruling over the place. Severus slightly smirked at the thought of Potter being held captive at Spinner's End, but dismissed that thought as well.

He would find a solution if it proved necessary – until then there was still a chance, however minor, that this whole unfortunate story would end well.

If this wish was granted, Snape knew he would count the day a fortunate one.

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Embracing the Darkness swirling in him felt really good to Harry; it was as if all the struggle he had to face recently suddenly lost its importance, and all that was left were his own wishes and desires. He understood that the magic he had accepted a moment ago would give him the strength to achieve them all – from battling Snape for a start, to eventually killing Voldemort. When Harry managed that, the inner power he now had would help him to set the whole world right. Hermione and Ron would assist as usual, and all three of them would be celebrated for their accomplishments—with him positioned slightly higher on the pedestal of glory. The mere thought felt so good that Harry couldn't even envision the real possibility of them being applauded by the whole community of wizards once Voldemort was gone.

For a fleeting moment, the boy wondered why the Darkness had seemed so abominable to him before – but his mind assured him that there was no reason to worry about that. His primary tasks were getting rid of Snape, killing the pain-in-arse if necessary – but it would be better to really hurt him, so that he felt what Harry and his parents and Dumbledore did; and then disposing of the self-invited Lord Tom Riddle.

Just why had Sirius been so self-absorbed that he wouldn't see what his true, Black heritage could have helped him to do? It would have been better if the man had only acknowledged this darker part of himself, just as Harry did now, and he would have regained his freedom and respect from the others in no time! Harry felt a sudden wave of rage at his godfather for refusing to save himself for his sake. Maybe, since Sirius clearly hadn't cared enough for him, it was just as well that the man had died exactly the way and when he did. Harry at least was not obliged to him for anything.

The boy glanced up at Snape, turning his attention to the bastard of a man opposite to him. Maybe if he could summon his new power, he would be able to leave the Room of Requirement and lock the man there, wishing from the outside that it would turn into a Torture Chamber for the Slytherin – perhaps, he could even invite Filch to enjoy the first real torment at Hogwarts in years! Oh yes, wouldn't that be a good deed! Harry smirked in delight – his eyes met Snape's and their gazes at last joined.

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Severus observed the boy, his concern increasing. He had applied the superficial Legilimens that had served him so well during many occasions in the past when he had been dealing with school-troublemakers, the young man opposite him in one of the front places, and was shocked about what the spell revealed to him. Harry Potter coming to the conclusion Dark Magic would assist him to achieve his goals? Snape knew by now that Potter despised his fame and couldn't quite envision the boy accepting a public ovation – and neither did he view the Granger girl on the pedestal Potter was so selflessly building for her. The Weasley boy, possibly, but certainly not her.

That Potter wanted to kill him and the Dark Lord was no surprise, and Severus dismissed that thought quickly. But what really made him wonder about the boy's mental health was the sudden decision that Black was not worth Potter's love – the mutt having sinned by his refusal to acknowledge his dark heritage, the only thing Snape had ever admired about the man! Severus frowned, overpowered by the need to pull the boy out of this madness. Potter's thought of doing a good thing by allowing Argus Filch to torment people – no matter who was intended to be the target – prompted him to act.

When their eyes accidentally met, Snape repeated his Legilimens – returning inside Potter's confused mind and preparing one particular recollection for the boy as a reward of sorts if he managed to expel him. Severus felt he would be doomed if he didn't try that course of action, though it really pained him to show anyone – and Potter in particular – that Black was a decent man after all.

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Once again, Harry found himself in the realm of his mind, with Snape intruding into his memories. The man seemed to be distracted somehow, though, for Harry didn't feel the vehemence from before, as if Snape had lost all his interest in Horcruxes. Not that Harry minded – he was well resolved not to give the bastard of a man access to any other recollection centering on those damned Soul Vessels of the cursed Dark Lord!

Harry attempted to distract his one-time Professor with more mundane memories before the man came back to his senses and demanded information again. For some reason, though, the first recollection in the memory stream he allowed Snape to view was one of Sirius dying. Harry swiftly pushed it away, only to end with another memory centering on his godfather. It was as if his mind revealed a planned show – similar to when he had centered all his thoughts on the word number.

Harry wondered if him having an idea in his mind (number before and Sirius now) simply summoned the thoughts of them and was shocked to find out that it was very possibly so. No more thinking of Sirius, he thought as he tried to close his mind – and miracles of miracles, Snape's mental barriers bent for him – and he gained access to the man's mind; the recollection he was to view there shaking him to the core.

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It felt very strange to Snape to sit so close to Potter and bare his mind to the boy, when his one-time student was on the verge of turning Dark. Would he have done it for young Tom Riddle if he had known him all those years ago? Or for Bella, Avery or Lucius? He very much doubted it – but as annoying as he was, this boy unfortunately had now only him to pull him away from the danger. Severus knew he had to attempt to save him, for all their sakes. No matter how much he disliked the boy – or thought he disliked him. He never was sure about that himself...

As he had foreseen, Potter's thoughts remained on the mutt of a godfather Potter had lost so soon – and predictably, the first recollection they viewed was of the man's demise at the Department of Mysteries. Potter clearly didn't want to see that one as he promptly directed them away, though he didn't yet attempt to expel Severus fully – for which Severus waited, keeping his own mind mostly unprotected for Potter.

Potter's mind led them to another memory of Black – the man shouting at the portrait of his dear mother, no doubt to keep her aristocratic pure-blooded mouth shut, as Snape had seen him to do countless of times – and then, Snape cherished the moment as the boy realized what was happening and why, and finally learning the major rule of mind protection without a single word of explanation from Severus's part.

Satisfied as he was, Severus almost didn't notice when Potter's memory stream slowed and the intrusion turned slowly at him. Having practically no shields up, Severus's protection didn't last long – and soon, Potter was viewing the recollection Snape had intended him to.

To give Potter more than just an insignificant glimpse, Severus turned all his mental powers to maintain the connection and keep his mind on the same scene. He also concentrated on the clarity of his memory – his mind magic proficiency allowing him to offer a show with Pensieve-quality. Now, he only had to wait and hope that this display of the mutt's affection towards his godson would be enough to sway the stupid boy from the dangerous path he was about to walk...

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Snape stepped out of the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, hastily brushing the soot off his robes. "Black! Lupin!" he shouted impatiently, his wand in his hand to face any possible attack. When neither man appeared or answered to inform him where to find them, Snape frowned. Damn it! he thought – Harry was amazed that it was possible to follow a memory in such a detail, unknown even for the Pensieve – and snapped again: "Kreacher! To me, at once!"

The ugly elf appeared, bowing in pretended obedience and whispering, "The Half-Blood is again here, Mistress, to stain your house. Why Kreacher have to suffer him here, the blood traitor?"

Snape bent to the elf, and whispered threateningly in answer, "I will remind you one last time, Kreacher, that your master Regulus asked me to treat you kindly. It will serve you well to remember that – as my patience with you is almost at its end. Now, bring your master here at once!"

The elf frowned but finally muttered, "As Master Prince wishes," and disappeared. Snape shook his head at the abominable manners, and particularly at the title the house elf insisted on approaching him with. Regulus's parents were like that, too, and he in his youthful foolishness even cherished them calling him by his pure-blooded grandparents' name. As if his father was a piece of dirt just because he was born a Muggle – it was, after all, his wonderful grandparents who threw Severus's mother out of the house for something as insignificant as her mentioning she admired Muggle nurses during the war and wanted to become one – or possibly join St. Mungo's, which most certainly was not good enough for the Princes either...

Snape's musing – followed by the rather astounded Harry – was interrupted by the loud entrance of a sweaty Lupin. Judging by the look of his face, he was worried something really serious had happened – and then, slightly delayed, the much calmer and slower entry of the mutt Severus despised so much – Harry frowned at the hatred, but to Snape's delight, refused to leave the memory.

The two men seemed to just have had a duel. Snape couldn't help it but wonder if they finally managed to bury their friendship in some spectacular row – or if it was just a way for Lupin to keep Black occupied and feeling less useless. Whatever – the mutt was clearly alive and well – at least in all probability well, Severus smirked, and his mission was reduced to simply alerting the Order of Potter's stupidity and his possible trip to the Ministry. Harry scowled at Snape's thoughts, finally understanding what scene they were viewing. But then he always wanted to know what happened that day at Grimmaud Place, didn't he?

"Severus?" Lupin prompted, still somewhat out of breath. "What happened?"

"Your godson," Snape answered slowly, turning to Black to deliver the blow, but decided against using any provocative title for the imbecilic boy so that this didn't end in another fruitless row. "The boy got the impression that the Dark Lord holds you captive in the Department of Mysteries. Since you appear to be all right, it turns out that Potter simply allowed the Dark Lord to plant a false vision in his mind – the possibility we have feared since Christmas." Snape paused.

"Unfortunately," he started to speak again, when he was sure his information was absorbed, "after having attempted to contact you through Dolores Umbridge's fireplace, if I understand things correctly, Potter disappeared from the castle. The last time he was seen accompanying Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest – no doubt for a well-earned detention. Knowing Potter, however, he might get to the Ministry nevertheless -" Harry made a face. Looking back, it had been a really stupid decision and he exactly the imbecilic boy Snape described him as but he simply hadn't wanted Sirius to die. It was ironic that it happened because he had tried to save the man unnecessarily…

"Where he will run right in a trap set by Voldemort," memory Lupin finished instead of Snape. The werewolf blanched. "We need to summon the Order at once."

He pulled out his wand to cast a message-holding Patronus, but before he flicked it, Snape interrupted: "Only a few people, Lupin. We don't want to draw attention... Nymphadora, Moody and Shacklebolt perhaps? They belong to the Ministry after all."

"Good thinking, Severus," Lupin nodded and sent three silvery creatures with a summoning message. Snape noticed that the wolf deliberately chose to avoid looking in Black's direction, clearly as aware as Severus that his companion wouldn't approve of him following Snape's bidding.

Instead, Lupin said: "We ought to inform Dumbledore, too. If Harry is to face Voldemort today, we wouldn't have much chance against him by ourselves."

"Have you forgotten Dumbledore will come along in an hour or so to pick up this week Order's reports, Moony?" Sirius Black interrupted in an unpleasant tone. "Snivellus here could wait for him, and send him behind us –I fear Severus will find an excuse why not to join us anyway..."Black smirked and fidgeted with his wand, clearly expecting that Severus would react to his insult.

Snape frowned, but refused to respond in the way Black wanted him to. "Sorry to disappoint you, Black," the Slytherin stated matter-of-factly, "I have obligations elsewhere – particularly searching the Forbidden Forest for your imbecilic godson if we are lucky and he's still there."

"Don't you dare call Harry that ever again!" Black barked, his wand raised now and about to be pointed at Snape's chest, if Lupin didn't block him. "Imbecilic was to join your Dark Lord, Snivellus," Sirius opted to clash with the other man verbally instead. "You and my dear brother were idiots to think that he would give you the recognition you sought... - and don't give me you were young. Harry is younger than you were then – and look at him! Instead of giving himself to a damned power-seeking self-invited dark lord, he stands to him! That's no idiocy, that's brave, Snape!" Harry had to smile at Sirius's defence of himself. If only this was always true!

Were it not for Lupin standing right between them and blocking any blows with his wand, the memory Snape would have started a fight with Black instead of listening to his insults any longer. Severus had paid dearly for the stupidity of his youth and so had Regulus – and some flea-bitten mutt would not tell him otherwise! Particularly, if the dog hid in his house when others, Snape especially, risked their lives and sanity daily.

"Perhaps, Black," Snape replied, and forcefully calmed his fury with Occlumency as he often did when facing the Dark Lord. "But tell me what's so brave about your hiding in this house? Your Animagus form is well-known to the Death Eaters now, true, but Walburga's library would have given you other means to disguise yourself..."

"I will not use dark magic, Snivellus, if it is what you suggest! See where it brought you! Losing your only decent friend and getting yourself a Skull and Snake Tattoo? Was it worth it, I wonder?" Sirius questioned – and Harry slightly nodded in approval, not really noticing he had just abandoned the dark path he had been about to walk.

Snape gripped his wand now, ready to fire hexes if the insults continued. "Step away, Lupin," he drawled between clenched teeth. "I will not listen to this any longer."

Lupin refused to oblige and looking from one enraged face to the other, he commanded: "Sirius! Severus! Stop this madness right now! Remember about Harry!"

"Right. We have to save Harry." Sirius clenched his fists to ground himself and turned away, no doubt to calm his annoyance with Snape.

Lupin gazed at the Slytherin to see if he too followed. Harry could feel how the man struggled with himself – but then Snape schooled his face in his usual impassive mask and gave a nod. "I will return to Hogwarts now, Lupin," he announced. "Aberforth shall keep the connection in the Hog's Head open for you if you need to contact us."

The man turned to the fireplace, reaching for the Floo Powder can on the mantle, when Sirius approached them again.

"Wait, Snape," Black said, his voice surprisingly uncertain – it was clear that it cost him much to treat the other man civilly. "Thank you for keeping an eye on Harry," Sirius continued, speaking fast as if he feared he couldn't force himself to finish otherwise. "Please, don't stop just because I am his godfather."

Lupin eyed his friend with open shock. This was clearly not something he would have expected Sirius to say – and neither would Sirius suspected something might happen to him?

Snape nodded slowly, apparently greatly startled himself. "I shall, Black, though not for you," he said and thrust the prepared powder in the flames, pronouncing: "Hog's Head, Hogsmeade."

One leg already in the green flames, Snape turned one last time to Sirius, for some reason as sentimental as Black was: "Wait for Dumbledore yourself, yourecklessidiot – it would harm Potter if he were to lose you. Remember that grieving young fools may turn to Dark Magic and we cannot really afford to have Potter play with it..." Snape clearly was speaking from his own experience here, Harry noticed with surprise.

The green flames closed around Snape before Sirius could react but Snape – as well as the present Harry – could hear Black's confident answer from a moment later through the connection. "Harry wouldn't turn Dark. He is his parents' son and my godson after all."

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The memory ended here and Harry was pushed out of Snape's head. Back in the Room of Requirement, the two wizards eyed each other. Snape was satisfied to see how a lonely tear traveled down Potter's face, before the boy turned his face away from him.

Legilimens, Snape tried the superficial spell once again – and was satisfied to see that Potter was again himself. Perhaps with too many questions on mind for such an empty-headed Gryffindor, but nevertheless the very same Gryffindor Snape had brought to the castle from the Forest of Dean. Severus sighed in relief.

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A/N: Hope you've enjoyed. A review to feed my muse would be nice. (-: