Descend to Darkness

By: Kyuubi04

HARRY POTTER FANFICTION

Chapter 13: Unexpected Developments

Summary: Harry defeated Voldemort through some unknown magic and has been in a coma for months. Upon waking up, he had somehow changed, in both attitude and stance, and was confusing everybody. During a visit to the infamous Chamber of Secrets, he discovered the reason behind this change along with the confirmation of one Albus Dumbledore.

Warnings: There will be slash... Harry is Salazar Slytherin and will be calmer and colder than before. It will be a Dark Harry but he's not evil. There will be Ron and Ginny Bashing as I don't like the two of them and they will be the main antagonists along with Seamus Finnegan and Lavender Brown. Pairings would be HPDM, SSRL, LMSB, NLLL, DTPP, BZHG, and TNPP. This will probably be a short series and updates will probably range from twice to once a month. Also, there will be mention of male pregnancies but only in theory. 'Coz I don't know how to write lemon fictions.

Notes: "Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness" – regular speech

Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness – thoughts

-Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness- parseltongue

+Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness+ gobbledegook

=Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness= temporary mind-speak between Harry and Draco

-x-x-x-o-o-o-x-x-x-

It has been three days since Harry's last jaunt outside Hogwarts and he has been enjoying himself by far. He has been dividing his attention between his classes and his friends. Also, he was having such invigorating conversations with Draco and if he could sneak it upon his time, he slips into the Chamber of Secrets to converse with his mentor while carefully erasing his tracks from others. However, as it always came for him, he began to dread the following day.

Sooner than he would have liked, the fourth day came and double potions along with it. He could already imagine how the dour professor would make him fulfil their deal. He was already feeling so much trepidation just thinking about the possible outcomes of this day, each one being much worse than the last. Unable to do anything to prevent this inevitable confrontation, he just gave a defeated sigh, which gained Draco's curiosity from their link, and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. After all, one cannot think with an empty stomach.

As he walked towards his current house table, he couldn't help but feel that he was being watched. At first, he brushed it off as Snape burning holes unto his back, but when he couldn't see the 'dungeon bat' anywhere, he realized that it was not so. However, since there was no killing intent coming from said gaze, he shrugged it off for later investigation. Because, for now, he is going to brace himself for his next encounter with Snape.

-x-x-x-

Severus Tobias Snape was in a very foul mood. First thing that he did after that potions debacle with one Harry James Potter was to approach the headmaster, demanding that the old coot supervise an audience with the brat, hoping to find an excuse to discredit the claims made by the previously bespectacled boy, even if it is claimed under the influence of veritaserum.

Upon reaching the gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office, he distastefully gave the password, unknowing that the semi-sentient guard was amused by his dislike of the chosen password. The stone guardian opened the passage towards the office and allowed the professor entrance. The potions master glided, as it is, towards the headmaster's office fully intent on his purpose. He didn't even stop to wonder how the old man learned of his presence.

"Ah, Severus, how nice of you to join me. Would you like some tea? No? A pastry perhaps..." Dumbledore would have gone on in naming various treats to entice the professor into joining him for tea when the latter broke through his tirade and said, "Will you stop with naming those infernal sweets of yours, Albus. I did not come here to join you in your indulgence, so mayhap you could at least pay some attention and listen clearly to what I have to say about that golden brat of yours."

Eyes twinkling beneath his half-moon spectacles, Albus Dumbledore jovially rebutted his subordinate's statement, "Ah, but Severus, you might find that the young lad is not as golden as you think. I, myself, believe that the colour silver suits him better than gold does. But, very well, what is it that you want to talk about Harry?"

Sneering at the insinuation of Harry Potter's slytherin tendencies, he replied, "No matter, my opinion still stands. As you already know, I have my students do some individual potions for a change. I assigned them with different potions to avoid any misdemeanour. I, on good judgment," – at this part, the wizened old man tried to cover a snort of disbelief with a short cough, earning a raised eyebrow from the potions master, - "told Potter to brew a very advance potion, a veritaserum."

At this pause, the headmaster decided to irk the younger wizard by pretending to be unknowing of what had transpired after and asked with a tint of exaggerated curiosity, making the pale man growl a bit in irritation, "I see, but, Severus, I fail to see the reason of your visit. I presume that as you have expected, Harry failed to brew such a difficult and volatile potion like veritaserum."

Suppressing the urge to curse at his employer, Severus Snape continued with his spiel, "Unfortunately, it seems that the boy managed to brew an acceptable potion. But going back to what I am saying, I had Potter test his own brew and in the process of doing so, I have learned some very interesting information. As loath as I am to believe such an outrageous declaration, I will admit that the brat's potion was perfectly and potently brewed. Therefore, I made some arrangement for him to elaborate on this with the condition to have someone mediate between us in an interview of sorts."

Turning to look a bit more seriously at his employee, the old man asked, "Is that so? But, still, I fail to see the need for you to visit me, my boy."

Growing exasperated with their conversation, Severus succumbed to the urge to curse and answered a bit more harshly than he intended, "Damn it, Albus! Will you stop playing stupid for Merlin's sake. Or, maybe, you want me to tell you plainly? I came here to ask you to mediate in the interview between us for I am afraid that I might curse the brat if we're left alone or worse have those two pets of his as our mediator." Taking a calming breathe, the potions master looked to see the older man smiling triumphantly towards him, causing him to grit his teeth in an attempt to force down his irritation at being bested by his mentor.

"That wasn't so hard to ask, was it? Really, Severus, it seems to me that you keep on forgetting that not everybody has a mind of a slytherin and thus are unable to understand such play with words as you do. Very well, I will, as you say, mediate between the two of you. I guess that is all."

"Yes. If you'll excuse, I got a class to prepare." With that, Severus Snape walked out of the headmaster's office and back to his laboratory with a semi-satisfied flourish.

-o-o-o-

Back in the Great Hall, Harry was silently eating his food when a small piece of parchment suddenly materialized in front of him. He smiled a bit at the familiar handwriting. However, he scowled when he read the contents of the note. Really, he didn't think that the Potions Professor would make the first move, but, then again, it was easier for him that the man did so. So, with a sigh, he headed towards the potions classroom, while Hermione silently followed him, puzzled over his mood.

The walk was relatively uneventful apart from the fact that Harry could still feel the eyes boring into his back. Seeing that this was a class composed of students from all houses, he tried to remember which students were taking potions with so as to deduce the identity of the person staring at him. Hmm, from Gryffindor, there would be me, Hermione, Dean, Seamus and Parvati. Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Theo, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode are the only ones from Slytherin. Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan are from Hufflepuff. Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst and Lisa Turpin are from Ravenclaw. All in all, there are twenty students attending N.E.W.T. Potions in my year. As it is obvious that I cannot glare at myself, I am already excluded from the list. Hermione's out as well, since she'll probably just pester me for answers as she is not that patient when curious. Seamus currently hates my guts, it seems, so he'll probably just try to deck me and not stare. Parvati's too busy looking at mirror to even stare at me or anyone else for that matter, probably trying to find anything to gossip about through the mirror's reflected images, so she's out. Who else? Justin and Ernie are kind of wary of me still ever since that Chamber incident so they'll probably be too afraid to glare at me for too long much less stare in the same way that I'm probably being stared at. Terry's not that fond of me since I'm supposedly the epitome of being a slacker, so he probably thinks that I'm not worth the dirt underneath his shoes, unless of course when it comes to D.A.D.A., so he's out too. Padma and Lisa are out too since they're too busy going over their potions text together. Mandy's walking in front of me so unless she has eyes behind her, it'd be impossible for her to look at me, so she's out. Draco, wouldn't stare since he could always ask me things through the bond. So, that leaves the other Slytherins and, Dean? Hmm, it's probably a Slytherin. I wonder who it is and what have I done to deserve being examined so intently? Must look into this later but now, I have to focus on how I'm going to deal with Snape.

His musing was not unnoticed by Draco, who, while trying to use their mind link to talk with Harry, immediately inquired as what was bothering him. After all, even with their link, thoughts hardly pass through it unless it was being done consciously. =Harry, what's wrong? Your mind's been wondering for a while now.=

Startled by the suddenness of the question, Harry took a long while before replying. =It's nothing, Draco. Just thinking is all. Why? Have you heard something bothersome from me through the link?=

=Not really, it's just that your mind feels kind of empty when you're musing about things. It's a bit weird really.= Draco replied.

=Hmm, is that so? Makes you wonder why, doesn't it?= Harry asked a bit amused.

=Obviously...= The blonde answered with a mental huff.

Smiling, a bit, Harry relayed the fact about the link to Draco, =Well, as you can see, the chain is already settling in and adjusting to our needs. As we are individuals who enjoy our privacy, the link is changing itself to accommodate us. So whenever one of us is thinking things that we are not consciously projecting towards the other, the link makes it so that those thoughts are being blocked and thus we have that so-called empty feeling you're talking about. It's just like that fact that through the link, we could feel when one of us is in danger. It's nothing really spectacular so there's no need to worry about it.=

=How in Merlin's name do you know so much about this?= Draco asked, a bit exasperated that he's only finding about this things when they're already there.

=Well, there's a book in the library detailing everything about the rule that the headmaster invoked upon us, I just decided to take a look for a bit.= The formerly bespectacled boy answered cheekily.

Growling in irritation, the blonde retorted snootily, =Very well, I'll look into it so that I won't be so far behind you in fact, seeing that you find it fun to inform me only when I ask. Thank you, oh so much, for you help.= And with that he entered the classroom, but not without hearing Harry's amused reply, =My pleasure, Draco dearest.=

-x-x-x-

Snape, once again, decided to have them brew individually since Madam Pomfrey was hounding him earlier for a batch of blood-replenishing potion. He sneered at his students, "Today, you are going to brew a blood-replenishing potions, individually. Potions that I find acceptable would, then, be delivered to the hospital wing. Begin."

All the while, as Harry was brewing his potion, he couldn't help but feel that the Potions Master was eyeing his work warily, as if he was waiting for it to explode or turn into a different shade so that he would have sufficient reason to issue a detention. Smirking inwardly, he decided to oblige his professor and purposefully, but subtly, added three drops of moonbeam extract1 to make the colour of the potion lighten and make it more appealing to the palate without altering its effect.

As he was doing this, Snape pursed his lips in confusion, he was wondering how Potter's potion lightened in colour when he didn't see the brat put anything that could have done so. Nevertheless, he took this as his chance to belittle Harry's efforts, "Well, well, Potter. It seems that you are as inept as ever. I really have to wonder how you managed to be part of this class. Really, it seems that your feeble mind cannot even comprehend that your potion is of a different hue than it is supposed to be." Afterwards, he silently banished the contents of the cauldron unknowing that Harry, who had already anticipated such a move, secretly bottled some of the potion using some of the vials he had in his bag for his own personal stores. Also, in addition, he purposefully allowed the professor to see another ingredient that was not supposed to be part of the potion, being that it would result to the reversal of the effects. Lips forming a very thin line, Severus snapped at the scarred boy, who merely smirked in challenge, "Potter! Detention with me! You will come to my office an hour after dinner. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Professor Snape." The boy replied candidly, his expression carefully turning from being defiantly smug into a look of being hesitantly chastised.

Satisfied for the moment, the Potions Masters barked at his students to bottle their potions with their names on it for grading and to leave the classroom afterwards. As he dismissed his students, Severus carefully watched Harry's movements, trying to find any indication of what the young man was currently thinking. He was wondering whether the supposed Golden Boy purposefully allowed himself to be given detention as a means to schedule their meeting. Shaking his head, he decided that must not be it, he thought that it's probably just the boy being his usually inept self and that his previous success with the veritaserum was nothing more than a fluke. But, even with this train of thought, he cannot easily dismiss the notion that what the boy had just revealed might be possibly true. But, what would it mean for me even if the boy is indeed Salazar Slytherin reincarnated? It's not like I'm supposed to suddenly revere his mere presence? He thought to himself, slightly bothered by such a notion. Nevertheless, I still need to know the truth, seeing that it would probably bother me for some indefinite period of time. It's best to get it out of my system as soon as possible. Pursing his lips into a thin line, he proceeded to clear his classroom and prepared himself for his next class.

-o-o-o-

For both Harry and Severus, the day proceeded as normally as possible, while they anticipated the time specified for Harry' detention, for different reasons, of course. The scarred teen was almost killing himself with several scenarios on how the Potions Master was going to initiate their interview. While, the older man was formulating a series of questions that would ask in order to confirm Harry's claims. He already informed the Headmaster as to the time and place of the said meeting.

Dinner, for everyone except those two, and maybe perhaps the headmaster, was a simply regular affair. They ate their food while chatting with their friends and talking about school work in general. Some of the students were missing but as they were a minority, no one bothered to wonder about it. They weren't even curious enough to imagine what those missing students were up to, because if they were, they would notice that one particular redhead was not sitting in the Gryffindor table.

As for Harry, in an attempt to take his mind off the inevitable meeting, began to scan the crowd for anything interesting, silently noting that his former best friend was not in the Great Hall. Pushing the thought on the back of his mind for later examination, he continued his aimless search until he was jolted out of his musing by Hermione, "Aren't you going to eat your dinner, Harry?"

Turning towards his bushy-haired friend, he mumbled, "Oh, I was already going to eat. I was just lost in my thoughts. Thanks for reminding me, 'Mione."

"As you should be. Really, classes have just begun, you know, and you've already got detention with Professor Snape." She told her friend with a slightly disapproving look that made Harry smile sheepishly.

"Well, it's not like I wanted to get a detention, especially from him, you know. 'Sides, he'll probably just order me to clean some cauldrons or something like that. Don't worry, though, I'll try not to aggravate him, if that's what you want." He defended himself making the girl smile patronizingly at him while adding, "At least, he didn't take point off of you, just be careful next time. After all, we're already studying for our N.E.W.T.s and getting to much detention is not good for your records."

"Ah, you really need not worry about that, 'Mione. I'm sure that I could get a pretty decent job after graduation." He told his friend while mentally adding to himself, Besides, with all the inheritance that I have receive, I'll probably be able to live in luxury leaving enough for my even great-grandchildren to live similarly. 2

With that, the two ate their dinner silently and parted ways soon after they were finished, with Hermione heading towards the Gryffindor dormitory and Harry towards Snape's office.

-x-x-x-

Upon reaching the Potions Master's office, Harry gave a tentative knock while schooling his face into a neutral expression and began to strengthen his mental shields in case Snape decided to take a more offensive approach.

The door opened on its own, making Harry think that the dour man was trying to intimidate him. As soon as he entered, he was greeted by the sight of the Headmaster in his bright blue robes while carrying a plate of what the boy assumed was his stash of lemon drops. "Oh, welcome, Harry, my boy. Come on, come in." The old man ushered as if he was in his own office, making the man sitting behind the table to look a tad bit disgruntled.

"Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Snape." Harry greeted formally, making his professor sneer at him in greeting while the old man jovially ushered the teen into the seat next to the two of them.

"Well, I heard that you two want me to witness this little meeting of yours, so what are we to do now, dear boys?" Albus asked the two, peering into his half-moon spectacles, wondering on what either of them was planning.

"Very well, this meeting is for me to confirm something about Potter's claims during the first class that I've held with his batch. I am going to ask some questions that I believe would either confirm or disclaim the truth of this statement. Shall we..."The professor told the two but before he could finish, Harry interrupted him.

"Professor, considering that that is your only intent regarding this interview, might I suggest the we swear a minor oath to ensure that the questions that you are going to ask are only those relevant to the information you wish to confirm and that I am to answer these questions truthfully and to refrain myself from not answering as long as the answer is relevant to the same? After all, it will ensure the validity of the result of this meeting despite the fact that it is not really necessary of me to satisfy your curiosity regarding the matter. In addition, with the headmaster as witness, the result will surely be more trustworthy from your point of view." He said using all the pureblood etiquette that he could muster.

Despite being annoyed at being bested subtly by someone he considered a child, he nodded and the two of them performed the oaths with the oldest of them binding himself as witness. With this done, they proceeded with Snape asking all the questions that he prepared.

-o-o-o-

As they concluded their meeting, with Snape having his curiosity satisfied, the three wizards stood from their seats and prepared to head towards their respective rooms.

Before Harry could exit the office, Snape's voice stopped him, "I am not going to apologize to you for my attitude this previous years. However, as a sign of my respect towards your previous life's achievements, I will temper my dislike towards you, Potter."

Suddenly curious, the teen asked, "Professor, I am going to ask you. Is it really me that you dislike, or is it the image of my father that you see in me? Because, you and I both know that all the actions that I have taken against you despite my better judgment are merely reactions towards your own antagonism towards me."

Sighing softly, Severus remained quiet for a moment before answering, "I admit that during your first year here in Hogwarts, I was indeed transferring my hatred towards your father unto you. But, during the years, that notion was slowly being pushed out of my mind as I see no more of your father in you than I see something of your mothers and it's not just your eyes. In contrast, however, as I continue to see you, I continuously become aggravated by your utter recklessness. People like the headmaster might see it as selflessness on your part but the only thing that I see from your actions is a child who subconsciously wishes to be acknowledged not by a cursed scar received from an insane Dark Lord but by his own deeds. Year after year, you and your friends disregarded almost every rule in this school trying to play hero instead of approaching a responsible adult, like your professors." Seeing that the boy was about to protest, he raised his hand and continued, "If you really wanted to be acknowledged, you could have simply done it by excelling in your studies but you did not even try. In your first year, I've heard from Professor McGonagall that you three have approached her about Flamel's Stone but had been rebuffed. But instead of going to another professor with your concerns, you foolishly headed towards danger without even thinking that you might have died in the process when you could have secured the help of a more experienced wizard. Second year, instead of approaching Lockhart, who you already knew as an incompetent dunderhead, you could have approached a more reliable professor. Thankfully, the headmaster's phoenix arrived in time to give you aide with the horcrux that was in Ginevra Weasley's possession along with the basilisk. Third year, before knowing of Black's innocence, you could have called a professor for help, even if it's Lupin whom you trusted at the time. If you had done so, he might have remembered to drink his potion before heading towards you and your friends. I'd give you no credit for your fourth year, seeing that it was the Dark Lord who orchestrated it all. But last year, you foolishly entered the toad's office without even consulting the mirror that the mutt gave you, although I admit that it was stupid of the mutt to expect you to realize what it was without being told, forgetting that you were raised by muggles who wish to know nothing more about the magical world than they already knew."

As soon as he finished his diatribe, Harry, reluctant to show his agreement about the professor's assessment of his actions, he asked, "But, that does not answer you antagonistic attitude towards myself, Professor."

Moving towards his student, he answered clearly and without any slytherinesque undertone, "It was my attempt to instil some discipline and humility in you since I cannot outwardly show any concern, however minor it was, towards my supposed master's destroyer. My role as a spy might have been compromised had I done so. As a matter of fact, despite your grade in your Potions O.W.L.s3 which would have been an E if it weren't for your textbook knowledge of some of the theories that I have no doubt that Granger drilled into your head at that time, you were not that good of a student. Your mind's always wondering and you allow yourself to be taunted into a temper by my slytherins. You could hardly control your temper and therefore, I thought you to be highly undisciplined. As for my want to keep you humble, the headmaster always deemed it necessary, almost to the point of being quite unfair, to reward you for any life-threatening acts you deemed to undertake. So, I took it upon myself to know that not everyone would regard your actions positively. And if you're wondering, I do remove points from those of my house, your house technically speaking, but I refuse to do it in public so it gives off the impression that I show favouritism towards them. If that is all, it's best that you return to your dormitory for I do not wish to be hounded by those friends of yours."

Acknowledging the older man's words, Harry nodded and replied, "I guess, if put that way, my acts will probably be deemed as rash and unplanned. Very well, I concede to you that point, but I would appreciate it if you start seeing me through my present actions and not that of my past ones. Goodbye and good evening." And with that, he set off towards Gryffindor tower, his head reeling with Snape's words. He was actually rather unnerved by the Professor's sudden confession but thankful, nonetheless, for the insight.

Giving the password to the Fat Lady, he entered the common room and seeing it deserted, decided to sleep there rather than trek the stairs towards the boys' dormitory. Unconsciously casting protective wards on the couch, he allowed himself to fall into sleep.

-x-x-x-

Severus Snape, walked towards his cupboard and took a bottle of muggle brandy and poured himself a glass. He was glad that he managed to confirm the truth in his student's words but he was shocked at himself when he suddenly had an urge to explain himself to the boy. Although he only told the truth, he was rather appalled at himself for being so loose-tongued. Maybe with the burden of being a spy off my shoulder, I unconsciously dropped my guard down and opened myself to someone who I seem to consider akin to myself if only in experience. Sigh, it would have been better had the boy spelled me to speak but I have already taken precautions against that kind of attack when I'm still playing double agent. Severus, get yourself together, you're becoming too soft... And with that thought in mind, the Potions Master went to his room to rest.

-o-o-o-

Meanwhile, as soon as Dumbledore reached his office, he made a show of dancing into a jig, much to the former headmasters and headmistresses' bemusement. He ate some more of his candies, signed some of the paperwork piled on his table and headed off to sleep with a huge smile on his old face thinking that things were finally working itself out for his favourite children.

-x-x-x-o-o-o-x-x-x-

Hi there, it seems that I'm back from the grave... Just kidding...

1 – I don't know whether there really is a potions ingredient such as moonbeam extract but since I can't think of something that could be like a transparent liquid that could be used to alter the effects of a specific potion. Besides, it has been made known to me through various readings that the moon is considered to quite a source of magical influence.

2 – I haven't yet decided on how to get Harry and Draco together, so this thought was based on the idea that Harry still think that given his political situation, he'll probably end up marrying a girl. Besides, from Harry's current point of view, this notion is just an expression. If you're wondering as whether I'd make it an mpreg story, I haven't really thought about it so don't get your hopes up...

3 – I don't remember whether I wrote something about their O.W.L result or not, so just in case, Harry got O but he barely got it.

I hope that you like this one, and please excuse any errors that you might see in this chapter...

And, if you want to know how the interview with Harry and Severus went, tell me, if I get enough reviews saying that you want me to, then I'll probably give it to you as a side-chapter along with Harry's O.W.L. results...

Also, if you guys could recommend someone to be my beta, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for your patience my dear readers...

Yours truly,

Kyuubi04.