Title: Harry Potter and the Summer From Hell

Author: Ladye Black

Warnings: None really

Disclaimer: Lessee now...20th chapter...haven't owned 'em since the beginning, and well, dun own anything now.

Notes: This woulda been up sooner, but my compie was kinda on the fritz and wouldn't let me upload anything. I really did mean for this to be out about a week ago. Sorry

Chapter 20

Snape and Harry had been dancing around each other for a week after Dumbledore's visit; well, it'd be more correct to say that Snape was dancing verbally around all subjects he considered unfit for discussion while Harry desperately tried to get Snape to talk to him. Not that Harry actually knew what he wanted to say, but he sensed that Snape was avoiding him, and Harry at least thought that it was owed to him that Snape say why.

Though, Harry had a pretty good idea why after he spent a restless night thinking about it. Unfortunately, it was then that disaster struck, a little more than two weeks before Hogwarts was due to be back in session.

"It's good to see you again, Severus," a high, cold voice said.

"Unfortunately, I can not say the same for you." The high voice laughed.

Snape stood with his back to the house, in front of Harry. The man's robes were torn, and he bled from several cuts and scrapes, the results of not dodging curses fast enough. The worst of them was a gash Harry could partly see from his view behind Snape; the wound curved around the man's right side almost to the middle of his back. It bled worryingly, but Snape seemed to not notice his injuries.

"I suppose it's too much to hope that you'll come peacefully now, but considering recent events..." Voldemort trailed off.

Snape finished the sentence for him. "I will fight to the death before going along with you willingly."

"Ah, that presents a problem, for I need you alive." Voldemort kept his wand pointed steadily at Snape. "For you see, Severus, I know what you are. And I believe you have a certain power that could give me the power I need to gain power in this world."

Snape was surprised, though he kept the emotion off his face, mostly.

Voldemort must have seen something of it for he continued his speech. "Yes, Severus, I know your secret. I've always known. You didn't think I wanted you just because you were a Snape, did you? Although, you're not really of that family, are you? But that's alright, your true heritage more than makes up for it." An expression of almost pure joy crossed Voldemort's face. "A Tenshi-Oni." The sub-man seemed to savor the words.

Snape's face paled. If they got out of this, Harry would ask questions, and he'd have to reveal what he was. He didn't want Harry to hate him. Then again, he didn't want Harry to die, either, so he kept his attention focused on evil man in front of him.

"Harry," he barely whispered behind him, "we have to run. We have no power here. We must get to a place where we can use magic We'll run towards the forest." The edge of the woods was over 100 feet away.

"Alright," Harry answered him.

"On three," Severus said, and gripped his wand tightly.

"One."

Voldemort motioned for one of black-caped followers to come forward.

"Two."

The Death Eater nodded at the words being whispered to him.

"Three."

They bolted as the man turned towards them. Harry ran just in front of Snape, towards the forest that no Muggle ever dared to enter. Footsteps pounded behind them, but they, being in better shape, ran faster. The edge of the forest was fifty feet away, and they could heat Voldemort's squeal of rage as they came closer to forest.

At twenty feet away, Snape realized he didn't really have a plan, but somehow knew running to the forest was the right thing to do. He increased his pace, keeping up with Harry as best he could. They would make it.

At almost ten feet away, Snape realized that something was wrong. The pounding footsteps had stopped. Instead, in their place, were softer pads coming at a much faster rate. 'Dogs,' Severus realized. 'They set loose dogs.' They were almost into the forest when Snape felt sharp teeth close around his leg and pull back sharply.

Harry had made it into the forest before he realized that Snape was no longer behind him. He turned sharply, and saw the huge, black beast pull Snape away. "Severus!"

"Keep going, Harry! Get away from here! Let Dumbledore know; he'll do something!"

"But-"

"GO NOW!"

Still, Harry hesitated, not wanting to leave the man he'd come to love at the mercy of the man he hated. But as things were, he couldn't do anything, except get caught himself and that wouldn't help Severus.

"Alright, but I swear I'll come back for you!" And then he was gone, and Snape was taken to a secluded house in an unknown location where there was little chance of finding him.

Severus hoped that he didn't come back. He hoped that Harry ran far and stayed safe. He also knew that was unlikely.

"Well, well," Snape's attention was abruptly forced back to his own predicament. "It looks as if you'll be staying with me awhile, Severus."

Severus glared.

"Now, what shall I do with you?" Voldemort mused.

"Let me go?" Snape suggested.

"No, I don't believe so." Voldemort pretended to think a while longer. "Ah! I know; there's someone who'd like to see you."

"Don't tell me, Malfoy."

"Why. Severus, you still are most perceptive." He raised his voice slightly. "Lucius, enter."

With sweeping black robes, pale skin, and long hair, Lucius Malfoy entered. "Hello, dear Severus."

"Lucius," Severus sneered.

Malfoy smiled at him, "It's a great pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is all yours, I'm sure," Snape said dryly.

The smile stayed, "Yes, it very likely is. My Lord, thank you for this opportunity."

"Use it well," the Dark Lord advised, and left the room to take care of other business.

"Well, Severus," the pale-haired man said when Voldemort left, "let's get started." The grin turned unholy, and Severus wondered if he'd come out of this as the same person he come in as.

TBC...

Hmm...this might come to an end soon-ish.