1Title: Harry Potter and the Summer From Hell
Author: Ladye Black
Warnings: Not too bad.
Disclaimer: Ummmm...Do I really need to go over this again? I don't own anything except this not-for-profit piece of fanfiction. The characters belong to their owner.
Notes: Thank you for your reviews. Yes, this another chapter...only a few days after the last one. Enjoy!
Chapter 23
As Severus was dragged away, blood dripped onto the floor and left a smeared, red trail behind him. Malfoy watched in satisfaction rival was dragged away, following along behind the three men, stepping carefully so as to not get any blood on his new unicorn-skin boots.
Severus stayed as limp as possible. For the past six days he'd been tortured, and to keep himself looking weak, he kept from healing himself. Quietly, without raising suspicion, Severus now reached into his inner well of magic and began healing his wounds.
None of the three men escorting Snape to their Master noticed when the injured man stopped dripping blood.
"What?"
Dumbledore looked sad. "I had hoped Severus would have confided in you by now."
"He did, a little bit. He told me about how he was given to Voldemort."
"I see. Perhaps that was the best I could hope for, given the circumstances. However, there is a vital piece of information about Severus that you should know."
"And that is?"
"I've already said that Severus is not Human. In fact, Severus comes from a different plane of existence entirely. Tell me Harry, do you believe in Angels and Demons?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably in the plush armchair. "What does religion have to do with Professor Snape, sir?"
Smiling, Dumbledore said, "Not religion, Harry, but a whole new scope of beings, those that do not live within time."
"Sir, I really don't see how this is important."
"No, I suppose you don't. Ah! Fawkes! Back already?" The brightly colored phoenix landed on his perch a whistled a few notes. Dumbledore's brow furrowed. "Already nearby? How?"
Different notes were sung. "Important information? Well, I suppose we'll hear it when they get here." He turned back to the boy sitting across from him. "Good news, Harry, those of the Order that I called here are already near. We may be able to move earlier than planned."
"Good."
"Now, I suppose I should get on with it before they get here. This conversation isn't meant for all."
Inwardly, Harry sighed. Finally. "Alright, sir."
"Severus is part Angel and part Demon." Harry's jaw dropped.
"What!"
"The term he calls himself by is Tenshi-Oni."
"How can that be?"
"No one knows, except Severus, and he is not very forthcoming on the knowledge of his heritage. I feel lucky to even know what little bit I do." Dumbledore leaned back into his chair. "At any rate, Voldemort must have found this information out, somehow, and that is why he wants Severus back."
"So it's even more important that we get there in time."
"Oh?"
Harry looked perplexed. " I don't know why, but even before you told me that Severus isn't Human, I've always had a strange feeling that he was important. Now I think I know why."
"Harry?"
"We need him to defeat Voldemort. He's the only that can make sure that Voldemort stays dead." Harry's eyes cleared. "Headmaster, did I say something just now? I think I did, but I can't remember what I said..."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Harry, my boy, I believe you are a clairvoyant."
Green eyes blinked. "A what?"
"Someone who see past the obvious and into the realm of what is unknown. A clairvoyant gains much knowledge."
"...oh."
"Don't worry too much about it Harry. Go back to bed for now. I'll have Dobby wake you when the others get here."
The boy hesitated for a moment, biting his lip, looking as if he wanted to say something, but then changed his mind. "Alright," he said, and then left.
The headmaster leaned back, closing his eyes, feeling every bit of his one hundred fifty-two years. "Ah, Fawkes, what kind of man am I? To use children in such a dangerous fight. First Severus, now poor Harry, I really don't deserve the adoration I have been given."
Fawkes hummed sadly.
"Why? Because at the end of the day, I am an old man who manipulates others into doing what he wants. All for the Good, course. But does that really make it right?"
A couple of notes were trilled solemnly by the phoenix.
"I suppose you're right. In the end, that is what counts most. Even if others are hurt now, the future will be secure...for a time, at least."
Fawkes again hummed sadly.
Harry was having trouble getting to sleep. While this wasn't exactly new, the source of insomnia was. A bone-deep ache permeated his entire being, making it impossible for him to become comfortable. Add to that a little bit of scar hurting, and he knew there was no way he would be sleeping again this night.
Instead, he decided to concentrate on the bond linking him and Severus, trying to find out what the exact cause of the ache was. It couldn't just be the Severus was in danger. It hadn't ached this much when Voldemort had come for them. Then again, so much adrenaline had been flowing through Harry that he wouldn't have felt it then. So, perhaps that was what it was.
Then, what about his scar?
Obviously, Voldemort was up to something. Were the ache and the scar connected? Almost certainly. No wonder Harry was so worried. Not only was the man he loved in danger, he was be being endangered by the being that Harry despised most.
...Man he loved?
Well, he supposed after all the time they had spent together it was bound to happen. He'd known that he'd liked Severus well enough after living with himfor so long. The 'love' part he was a little uncertain about, but with time...perhaps. The one who'd need convincing would most likely be Severus.
Well, thought Harry, smiling. I'll have plenty of time for that...provided I get him back in one piece, and soon.
TBC...
Yay! New chapter so soon! Well, it's to say thank you for putting up with me...and you might not get anything again for awhile, so an apology, too.