TITLE: Harry Potter and the Summer From Hell

AUTHOR: Ladye Black

RATING: PG-13

WARNINGS: Divergence from canon, mostly Snape not being of the mortal human type

FEEDBACK: Always the Light of my Life

NOTES: It is the end of Harry's sixth year, but the students have not yet left Hogwarts. I believe that answers one reviewer's question. And speaking of reviews, thank you all so very much for the ones that you have written me. It is very much appreciated, and lets me know that there is actually interest in this fic.

Chapter 3

Snape looked at Dumbledore for a moment before nodding in agreement. All the scratches left by the 'vicious shrubbery' were starting to ache now that most of the adrenaline that had been running through him had run its course.

He seated himself on the thick rug that carpeted Dumbledore's office and then closed his eyes. Concentrating inwardly, to his center, he found the well-spring of Magic that resided within all creatures of Life. It flowed before him, a pulsing energy of silver entwined with hints of deep rouge. He 'reached' for the Magic, grabbing a strand of that beautiful and intoxicating swirl of silver and red. While he 'held' onto the thread of Magic, he used another part of his consciousness took seek out the imperfections on his body, the scratches. Once he had awareness of his whole body, he allowed the thread to flow through him, smoothing out the imperfections.

And because the Magic allowed no imperfections, the glamour that he had worn for many years faded, and his true nature was revealed. Ripping painfully from his back, a skeletal structure of wings tore through his skin, connected to his spine. Flesh rippled up to cover both of the skeletal structures, and then-finally-black feathers edged in silver quickly decorated the bare skin and muscle of the wings.

Less noticeably, the lines in face smoothed, making him appear younger. His skin became less sallow and more like a healthy shine of moonlight on marble. He still wasn't particularly handsome, his nose was perhaps still a bit too big, but he was Tenshi-Oni. Angel-Demon. A child of Taboo.

When he was finally satisfied that all his cuts, scrapes, and scratches had been healed, he gathered the Magic back into the well-spring and allowed himself to come out of his self-induced trance. He opened his eyes expecting to see the Headmaster and frowned when he realized the other man wasn't in the room with him.

He stood and stretched his wings carefully, not wanting to knock something over in the cluttered office but, damn it felt good to have his wings out. It had been years since he had been able to let them be displayed; of course, he knew that he would have to banish them again in mere moments. He simply wanted to enjoy an all too rare moment of freedom.

The moment ended too soon by Severus' account. Hearing footsteps nearing the grand doors he quickly called his wings back into himself. He was just in time, too. Dumbledore, carrying a tray laden with food, opened the door to see Severus standing in the middle of the room with several black feathers floating to the floor around him.

"Finished with your Healing, I see." Dumbledore pointed out, handing the tray over to Snape. "There is still a little over half-an-hour left before Harry comes back, sit and eat. There is something I wish to discuss with you, dear boy." Snape had a feeling he wasn't going to like having to hear whatever it was the Headmaster had to say.

Snape sat in one of the plush chairs across from Dumbledore's desk and studied the contents of the tray. Relieved that there was no sign of any type of meat, he began on the rather large salad that sat in the middle of the tray. "What did you wish to discuss?" Snape asked between mouthfuls.

Dumbledore sat in the chair behind his desk. "The fact that you are no longer safe here, of course, my dear boy." Snape inwardly cringed. He'd had a feeling that that was what the Headmaster would want to discuss.

"I don't really see the reason for your worries, Albus. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it since I was thirteen." Snape must have imagined the wince that came across Dumbledore's features at the mention of how long he'd been the older man's spy.

"I know that, Severus, believe me I know. Unfortunately, making you my spy so young is probably one of the things I regret most about this war, along with the fact that your childhood has never had chance to be normal. Your…unusual bloodline has made it so that I doubt any part of your life will be easy." Snape thought he actually saw some trace of true regret in Dumbledore's eyes.

"And?"

"And, as soon as you finish eating, I must ask that you also pack."

Snape frowned. "I had hoped you wouldn't say that."

"Unfortunately, Severus," Snape was really starting to hate his name, "the only way I can see to keep you safe is to send you along with young Mr. Potter." The old man's eyes twinkled with barely concealed sadistic glee, or at least that's what Snape thought it was.

The muscle in Snape's jaw twitched as he ground his teeth together. "You're going to make me spend Merlin knows how long with the bane of my existence, aren't you?"

Dumbledore had the audacity to smile. "Really now, Severus," it was official, he hated his name. "I'm sure Mr. Potter has many fine qualities that you would find worthy of your respect if you took the time to get to know the boy." The old man's eyes were twinkling again. "Besides, I'm sure there is…someone else who could take the place of being the 'bane of your existence', as you put it."

Well, the Dark Pain In the Arse-as Snape privately called him-was slightly more annoying. "Then he's the immediate thorn in my side. I don't really care what idiom you use, Albus, it still doesn't take care of the fact that I'm going to be forced to spend my only free time with someone I intensely dislike!" Realizing that he was allowing his emotions to over take him, Snape took a deep breath and calmed himself.

Albus waited politely for Snape to get himself back together, then continued his persuading. "I realize that you and Mr. Potter may have some difficulties in keeping civil, but I'm sure you will do just fine. I have every confidence in you that you try your best."

Oh damn, he's pulled out the 'confidence' ploy, he must really want me to give in. Snape sighed inwardly. "Fine, but don't expect everything to be sugar and honey between us. I can only promise that I will try my best not to end Mr. Potter's life before Voldemort does."

Dumbledore smiled brightly. "That is all I ask Severus, that is all I ask."

Snape shuddered slightly as he had a feeling things were only going to get worse for him. Barely keeping himself from sighing, he went to pack.

TBC

Well, that's it for this chapter. See, I told you Snape wasn't human. I've also made up a completely different past for Sev, and…well, it isn't nice. Also, I know no Latin, but some bit of Japanese, so um, yeah. Whole reason for the 'tenshi-oni' thing. Lol, don't kill me. Please. Oh! And I thing the 'Dark Pain In the Arse' thing came from something else I read. Sorry for usurping it. If you'd like credit, please contact me via e-mail.