Thank You Lord Voldemort

Chapter 24 - Confrontational

The following morning, Harry awoke to the sound of water running, and the room seemed to be humid. Reaching his hand out towards the other side of the bed, which was empty, confirmed, that Severus was in the shower. After allowing himself a couple more minutes of Darkness, he finally forced his eyes open. Steam was practically billowing from the bath, and Harry cringed as he imagined how hot the water must be. He was never one for scalding hot showers.

Harry figured that Severus would only be a minute or two longer, so he began dressing for the day. He wasn't sure what time it was, but he didn't have a morning class today anyway. After five minutes he was fully dressed and sitting stiffly on the sofa. What was taking Severus so long? How could he stand being under that hot water for at least ten minutes now? What happened to him when he went to Voldemort the other night?

As the thoughts raced around his head, Harry thought through the various options. If Severus had been cut or burned he definitely wouldn't be in a hot shower. It was as if he was washing away someth - Shit!

Harry shot off the sofa and ran for the bathroom. 'Dammit Severus. Why didn't you just tell me?' He ran straight to the shower stall, and called out to Severus. When Severus didn't answer Harry grabbed a towel to wipe the condensation from the glass stall. Severus stood, with his eyes closed, arm bracing him against the wall. The water rained down over his back, which was a bright red. It looked almost raw.

He wrenched the shower door open and turned off the water. Severus woke up instantly, turning to face Harry. Slowly, Harry offered his hand to Severus, helping him out of the shower. He didn't stop until he had led Severus to the sofa, laying him on his stomach.

"Do you have anything to cool burns? A potion perhaps?" Harry said, softly.

"The cabinet in the bathroom, top shelf, green lotion."

Quickly, Harry retrieved the potion and began smoothing it over Severus' back. The bright red skin faded instantly, and Severus sat up on his own. "Harry, maybe I should explain."

"I think I've figured it out for myself. How long has this been going on? Was this the first time?"

After summoning two glasses of water first, Severus took a sip of water. It didn't keep him from croaking out his answer. "No."

Harry's hand instantly went on top of Severus' in a bleak attempt at comforting him. "Oh, Severus."

Seeming to turn his emotions off with a switch, Severus continued. "After you left, Alex, the Dark Lord surmised that since I was gay, that I would not mind, that I would enjoy his, his... It went on for the remaining three years until you defeated him as a baby. When he came back, he decided I was too old, and started in on one of the newer members. But, he was angry the other night."

Laying back against the arm of the sofa, Harry pulled Severus down so that his head rested on Harry's chest, and placed a kiss on the top of his head. "I'm going to kill him Severus." Harry said it plainly, but that was only because he didn't want to upset Severus further.

"I know. Has Albus made a final decision on where you are staying when school lets out?"

Taken off guard at the change in topic, Harry open and closed his mouth a few times before answering. "Um, no, he hasn't. Not that it matters though. I'm staying with you."

"If Albus doesn't think it to be safe, then you may have to stay with the Dursleys."

"No." Harry hadn't meant to sound so harsh, but the Dursleys certainly weren't an option anymore, blood magic or not. "I'll be a fully trained, adult wizard in two days, and there is no way I'm going back to that hole."

"Harry, no wizard wants to move back home once they are old enough, but your case is special. Is staying with your relatives so bad? You never did tell me anything about them in this time or the past."

Harry just shook his head. "That's not a conversation I'm ready for." He really hoped that Severus would drop this line of questioning. Telling Severus about his home-life would probably be a long, heated conversation. Harry wasn't prepared for something drawn out.

"Did you talk to Lupin yet?"

Another change in topic Harry wasn't ready for. "Yes, yesterday, he held me after class."

"And, how did it go? Have you made up?"

"Not bloody likely. He gave me this whole sob story about the potion he had to take. Are you saying I should make up with him, after all he did?" Harry had wrapped his arms around himself. What was it with all he difficult conversations this morning?

"I think that it would be wise to not alienate him. It took me twenty years, but we can be in the same room together without killing each other. Just because school ends in two days, doesn't mean you will be free of him. There will be much Order business that will include working with him."

"I'll try."

"That is all I can ask. Now, I believe you have a class to go to soon."

Harry and Severus both dressed for the day, and Harry headed to Transfiguration, fuming the whole way. He couldn't believe that Severus of all people was asking him to try to make up with Lupin. It was just too soon. Not wanting to disappoint Severus though, he decided that after lunch, but before his afternoon class, that he'd go talk to Lupin again. As he finally got to the Transfiguration classroom he realized another problem, Ron and Hermione. They were going to want to know where he was last night.

McGonagall had already started class when he walked in. "Mister Potter, good of you to join us. Five points from Gryffindor for your tardiness."

Harry just took his seat quietly, but he didn't miss the stares he got from the rest of the class.

After class, Harry wanted to bolt, but knew that would anger his friends more. Better to deal with them now.

"Where were you? I was so worried. I went to McGonagall, she searched around for you. Two hours later she came back and said that you were fine, but were sleeping somewhere else for the night."

Harry waited until the rest of the class had headed to lunch before answering. "I was with Severus."

Ron and Hermione both inhaled sharply. "But, Harry, wasn't he the one always harping about rules bending for you? And now he does it himself." Ron was complaining loudly.

At the same time Hermione seemed to get a wistful look about her. "That's really romantic Harry. I'm glad that your relationship survived the jump in time so well."

"Look, there's a good explanation, but I can't give it to you right now. I'm hungry, can we eat?"

"Sure," was the quick answer from both of them.

Lunch was a quiet affair. Harry was too preoccupied with what he was going to say to Lupin. He also kept looking over at Severus. He looked much better now. Cringing, Harry thought about all of the other times Severus had to endure Voldemort's wrath. How Severus didn't have anyone to help him through it. He shouldn't have left. Damn Dumbledore for making him come back to this time.

When lunch ended, Harry excused himself, and headed for Lupin's classroom. He stood outside the door for a couple of minutes, trying to keep his temper calm.

"Professor Lupin, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Shocked, Lupin nodded, and closed the door behind Harry.

"I wanted to continue yesterday's conversation. I know we are going to have to get along, but first I want to clear the air."

"Go ahead, what is it you would like to say?"

"First, I just want to say that, no, I didn't know what that potion did exactly. But, that doesn't matter because you deserved it. At least you were allowed to stay at the school afterward."

"Harry, I think tha- "

"No, let me say this." Harry was pacing the room like an animal, trying to remain somewhat calm. "Second, werewolf or not, you and your friends still treated us like shi- "

"Dammit Harry, you treated us the same!" Lupin's face was red with rage.

"No, Lupin, I didn't. When I first got back there, I was so excited to see my parents and you and, and Sirius. But, you were all so damn bigoted..."

"I won't let you talk about your father and Sirius like that. If you are just going to insult them Campione, you should leave."

Lupin turned around, facing his desk, but Harry wouldn't let him get away with ending it there. He rounded Lupin's desk, coming to face him again.

"That's what you'd like. You never could deal with anything properly, could you. You always had James to tell you what to do, right? When you almost killed me, that was the only thing you ever did that year without James instructing you first."

"Campione, Harry, whoever the hell you are trying to be, what happened to you? You spent six years as a Gryffindor then go back in time, spending one year as a Slytherin. How could you become one of them so fast?"

"The Slytherins never came so close to killing me. Maybe that's it."

"I couldn't control that. Look, leave Alex Campione in the past. I want Harry Potter back."

They both stood silent for a moment, breathing heavily, trying to calm down. But, then Harry remembered another thing that had upset him in the past. "The duel. That duel we had. You cheated."

"I did no such thing."

"Yes, you hit me from behind before we even started. I would have beat you otherwise."

"Just drop it Campione. Obviously we are not going to resolve this today. Just, just go, I have a class to teach."

Harry glared at Lupin before wrenching the door open to leave, Oh shit! To see the seventh year Slytherins waiting to enter the classroom.

"Amazing, Potter. You have just made my day."

"Fuck off Malfoy." Harry brushed past the Slytherins, who started filing into the classroom. He hadn't realized that Malfoy didn't go in. He walked a bit down the hall and kicked a suit of armor. He really didn't need to deal with Malfoy when he was already angry.

"Now, now Potter, no need to kick the decorations. So, you are, or should I say you were, Alex Campione. My father will enjoy hearing this. I bet the Dark Lord will know in about, hmm, three hours. It doesn't take long for an owl to reach him." Malfoy walked right up to Harry, pushing him against the wall, whispering in his ear. "I bet the Dark Lord will want to speak with Severus afterward. I bet the Dark Lord will want Severus to prove his loyalty again. I understand he didn't enjoy it much the other night."

Harry could feel his legs weaken, and wondered if Malfoy didn't have him pinned to the wall, if he'd slide down it. "I don't know what you're on about Malfoy." The words didn't have quite the bite he'd hoped.

"Let's see. If you're questioning my knowledge, I guess I should explain in a way that your Gryffindor mind will understand. I know who Alex Campione was. I now know that you were him. I also know that you've been spending much of your time in the potions classroom. And if you are asking about the meeting the other night, I have my sources. But, I do know that Severus Snape makes lots of pretty noises when the Dark Lord fuc- "

In an instant Harry started to glow a bright green as his magic threw Malfoy across the hall, a roar of anguish accompanying it. In a rage, Harry grabbed Malfoy by the hair, and started punching him repeatedly. He knew he should stop, but it was like his hand had a mind of its own.

"Potter, what in the hell- " Lupin had come out of the classroom, quickly pulling Harry off of Malfoy, who quickly scurried down the hall.

"No, let me go! I've got to stop him. Please, let me go. You don't understand."

"I understand that you just attacked a fellow student in the hallway, and might have killed him had I not intervened."

"But he deserved it, the scumbag."

"That's what I thought about you."

Harry was silent the entire time Lupin walked, dragged him to the headmaster's office. Was that true? Was he no better that Lupin was twenty years ago? It's funny that Lupin and he were fighting someone because of Severus. Well, it wasn't funny, but if Harry was a bit more weary he would have laughed out loud about it.

"Remus, oh and Harry, what a pleasant surprise. Have a seat."

Both of them remained standing. They both started speaking at the same time.

"I want Harry suspended and sent home."

"Malfoy knows I was Alex."

Dumbledore looked quickly between the two of them. "Boys, both of you, calm down. Harry, your message seems a bit more urgent, go on."

Harry thanked Merlin that Dumbledore picked him, as he inhaled deeply. "Draco Malfoy knows that I'm Alex. He also knows that Alex was Severus' lover, and that I still am."

Both Lupin and the Headmaster's eyes widened at that statement. "You're still..."

"Yes, Lupin, shut up. As I was saying, he's gone to owl his father know. Severus is in danger."

Harry watched as the headmaster's face grew pale, and the man looked older than Harry had ever remembered. He quickly flooed Severus, asking him to come up to the headmaster's office.

"Now" Dumbledore continued, "How did Mister Malfoy find this out?"

Harry instantly glared in Lupin's direction.

"It is not my fault, Campione!"

"Yes, it is. If you weren't shouting Alex Campione around your classroom, loud enough to wake an ogre, Malfoy wouldn't have heard!" Harry's fist were balled up, and his face a splotchy red when the door flew open.

"Harry? What's going on?"

Harry flew into Severus' arms, holding him tightly. "I'm so sorry Severus, I'm so sorry."

Severus looked down at Harry then to Lupin and Dumbledore. "Can someone coherent tell me what in Merlin's name is going on?"

Harry took one last, deep breath, trying to calm down, but he just couldn't seem to hold any air in his lungs. It was as if he'd taken a bludger to the chest. Luckily or unluckily, Harry thought, Dumbledore explained the situation. While Severus kept his face stony, Harry could feel his heart rate increase.

"I will just have to tell Voldemort the truth before he finds out from Malfoy?"

"You can't go back there! I won't let you!" said Harry. And at the same time Albus was saying pretty much the same thing.

Severus backed away from Harry and everyone else. Harry tried to cling to him, but was brushed off. "If I don't go my life is forfeit. I must try. It will take at least an hour for an owl to get to Malfoy."

Harry reached out to grab Severus' hand. "Please, Severus."

"Harry, I'm sorry. But, I have to try. Too much is at st- Ah!" Severus grabbed his left arm as he yelled in pain.

Harry was instantly at his side. What was happening? All Harry knew was that Severus was in agony. Harry looked at the Dark Mark to see blood begin to ooze from it. It never did that when he was called. His mind raced with worried thoughts. Could Voldemort kill Severus through his mark? Harry couldn't hold Severus' weight any longer, so he eased to the floor, placing Severus' head in his lap. He felt so helpless as he brushed the sweat from his lovers brow. "Why is this happening?" It was a rhetorical question.

Albus closed his eyes in defeat. "Voldemort knows."