A/N: Lucky for all of you. :P I felt like posting again today. So, here is chapter two. So far this story is getting an amazing response. I'm so glad that you all seem to like it. Oh, and thanks to EnigmaRiddle23 for correcting my Latin in the last chapter (Licentia was wrong and changed to Libertas). Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to leave me those wonderful reviews. :)

Warnings: Ron, Hermione, Lee Jordan, etc. bashing. Mentionings of rape. A tiny bit of violence.

Three Weeks Later

"Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts!" Minerva greeted once the Sorting had finished. Harry was sitting beside the empty seat that was beside Severus Snape. He had wanted to sit right beside the man but he had a feeling the Potions master had less than pleasant feelings towards him now. On Harry's left was Professor Jeremy Finn. Beside him was Professor Justin Finch-Fletchley. Beside him was Professor Flitwick and then it was the headmistress' seat. To Minerva's left was Professor Neville Longbottom. To his left was Professor Hermione Weasley. Beside her was Professor Lee Jordan and beside him was Professor Anthony Goldstein. Harry was aware that he was sitting in Rubeus Hagrid's seat, but the large half-giant was down at his hut doing Merlin only knew what.

Harry's voice box was sitting on the table beside his plate and Lileen was lying next to his feet. The unusual cat was always with him, especially when they were anywhere new. Well, new to her. She was fiercely protective of Harry and stayed near him in a new place until she determined it was safe enough to leave him alone.

"As I am sure you have noticed, there have been some changes to the staff this year," Minerva continued. "Professor Jeremy Finn will be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor as Professor Madlin has left England with her new husband. Professor Hermione Weasley will be teaching Arithmancy and Professor Anthony Goldstein will be teaching Muggle Studies. Last, we have had a change in our hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey is no longer able to work as the curse has begun to affect her far too much. As such, our new medi-wizard for the foreseeable future will be Mr. Harry Potter."

There was no applause, not like there was when the others had been introduced. All the students stared up at him, all with different expressions. The other professors, especially those he had gone to school with as fellow students, glared at him and he felt the heat of their stares. He ducked his head, feeling his entire body tense and his eyes burn. He thought he had gotten over the hatred that England had shown him five years ago.

Lileen, obviously sensing his discomfort as she always did, got to her feet and rubbed against his legs. He smiled slightly and reached down to pet her, making her purr as he did so. He was feeling himself calm as he pet his familiar but jumped violently regardless when he felt a hand rest lightly on his right arm. He looked up and found himself staring into the dark eyes of Severus Snape.

"Are you all right?" he whispered. Harry stared at him and he had a feeling his confusion was showing. "You look confused."

Harry said nothing, his voice box remaining silent.

"Can we talk later? After dinner?" Severus asked.

Harry swallowed and had many reasons run through his head of why he should say no, but found himself nodding in agreement instead. Severus' lips twitched and Harry knew it was as much of a smile as he would get in a place this public.

Dinner was quiet for Harry. Conversations went on around him among the rest of the staff but he didn't join in. Finn tried to draw him into multiple conversations but Harry never said anything. He didn't think any of the staff besides Minerva and his once friends and classmates knew he couldn't speak and had to use the voice box instead. Putting some of his chicken on what would be his dessert plate Harry placed the plate on the floor for Lileen. He saw Severus watching him out the corner of his eye but did not address it. He was still very confused about the man's behaviour.

Harry was blissfully happy when Minerva called an end to the feast and sent the students to bed. He got to his feet himself and began walking out with Lileen at his side and the voice box floating along beside him. He had just exited the Great Hall when he was called.

"Potter!"

He turned to see Neville, Hermione, Lee, and Anthony walking towards him, all looking livid. Lileen stood in front of Harry and tensed, arching her back and flattening her ears.

"Finally found yourself to be good enough to return, did you?" Lee said and Harry frowned but didn't speak.

"Why Minerva hired you, I'll never know, not after what you did," Hermione said, looking at Harry in disgust.

"You better watch yourself, Potter. We don't let cowards and traitors roam free," Anthony said and the four of them walked away.

Harry watched them go, torn between sadness and anger. He remembered when all four of them used to be his friends and would have done anything for him, just as he would have for them. He didn't think he'd ever get used to the looks they gave him now.

"Harry?" another familiar voice said and Harry turned again, this time to face Severus. "All right there?"

Harry nodded.

"Can we talk now?"

Harry nodded again.

"Your rooms?"

Harry nodded a third time and headed towards his quarters, Severus following him. They stopped before the portrait of Connor. Harry, not wanting to speak, simply gave the boy a look. Connor nodded and swung open. When they were inside, Harry motioned for Severus to sit and then sent a questioning glance towards the kitchen.

"No, I'm fine, thank you," Severus shook his head. Harry nodded and sat on the opposite side of the sofa as Severus. He pet Lileen as she jumped into his lap. For a while, Harry and Severus stared at each other until Harry blinked and looked down at Lileen. "And who is this?" Severus asked and Harry looked at him.

The voice box answered. "She's my familiar. Her name's Lileen. I got her about four years ago in Finland."

Severus looked at the voice box in shock. "You—you use—"

"It's a voice box. I got it in Africa," Harry said.

"You—"

"I can't speak. I lost my voice," Harry said with a shrug.

"What happened?" Severus asked but Harry didn't answer.

"What did you want to talk about?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"About what happened after the final battle, where you disappeared to, why you left," Severus said and Harry sighed, the sound coming through the box.

"Over three quarters of the world is against me, all for different reasons. You saw the students and the staff when Minerva introduced me. No one wanted anything to do with me anymore so I granted them their wish; I left," Harry said with another shrug.

"Where did you go?"

"Everywhere. I travelled for about a year, a year and a half. I went everywhere, saw everything. I eventually settled more permanently in a cottage I inherited from my parents in Iceland. It was on top of a cliff and it overlooked a really amazing view. It was all green, high mountains and an endless river. It was beautiful. It looked like something taken out of Lord of the Rings or something. It was peaceful. I loved it," Harry told him.

"What did you do while you were gone?" Severus asked.

Harry gave a smile. "Everything. I went to see all these things I had only ever heard about. I went to Muggle and magical areas. I got Lileen. I gained knowledge about things I never cared about before. I gave some donations to organizations and programs. I wrote a couple books. I opened a couple orphanages," he paused. "I lived how I wanted to without anyone telling me what to do."

"Books? Orphanages? I've never heard of any of this," Severus said with a slightly frown.

"I used a different name," Harry said simply. Severus raised an eyebrow. "Evan Prince."

"Evan Prince?" Severus repeated. "You're Evan Prince?"

"I am," Harry nodded.

"You wrote two of the bestselling books in two decades! You have the two most successful orphanages in the world! You're the reason the Auror department at the Ministry still exists! You're the reason werewolves have better places to be!" Severus said loudly but excitedly.

"I'm aware," Harry said, smiling as he remembered why he had fallen for the man he had saved.

"You're the reason I have a book on the market with all of my potions in it," Severus said in a calmer and quieter voice.

Harry's smile softened. "I know. You deserved it."

"Why did you leave, Harry, and without saying anything?" Severus said in a pained voice and Harry looked down. "I woke up a week and a half after the battle only to learn that no one had seen you since the battle or heard from you."

"I know and I'm sorry," Harry said quietly. "I should've told you but, like I said, no one wanted me around so I left as soon as I could."

Severus took notice of the way Harry brought his hand up and rubbed his neck all the way around, lingering on the sides and the very middle.

"Harry, I wanted you around," Severus said. "Did we really not come as far as I thought we did that year? I distinctly remember you being one of my closest friends, my only friend, really."

Harry bit his lip to keep from crying. "I know and I feel the same, Severus. You were my best friend. You helped me through everything. You're the reason I was able to defeat Voldemort in the first place. I just—I felt as though I had to leave as soon as possible. You were unconscious and everyone thought you were going to die, so I figured I had no one. I left so I could move on and live my own life."

"Harry, how long have you been like this?" Severus asked, gesturing to the voice box.

"Five and a half years," Harry told him.

"What happened?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Why not?"

"I just don't. I've learned to live with it, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Doesn't matter? Harry, this is your voice you're talking about. Have you tried to get it back?" Severus asked.

"I did research and I went to a trusted Healer in Spain. It can't be undone," Harry said, shrugging once again and gazing down at Lileen who was sleeping contentedly on his lap, her two tails flicking around lazily.

"Harry—"

"Look, it doesn't matter. I've learned to live with it and I manage perfectly fine. It can't be fixed so just forget about it," Harry said, lightly stroking Lileen's head.

He heard Severus sigh and knew he was hurting the man but he didn't want to risk the reaction the man would have if he told Severus what happened. He still couldn't get over Ron and Hermione's reactions.

"So, Lileen, is it?" Severus said and Harry nodded. "How did you decide on that name?"

"Like the orphanages, I wanted to honour my mother and your mother. I decided to combine the names for her and got Lileen," Harry said and Severus felt his heart beat painfully against his chest. Here was the young man he had realized he had fallen for over the past five years.

"What are the names of your orphanages again?" Severus asked.

"Potter Manor was turned into Lily Orphanage and Potter Castle was turned into Eileen's Children. Obviously Eileen's Children is larger than Lily Orphanage but they both are pretty full and children are always being brought in and others adopted. Most of the children of Death Eaters have been adopted in the last five years. It's amazing what happens when a war ends," Harry explained.

"And your books? Your Defence book has been considered so helpful that it is used in the curriculum here," Severus said.

"I heard," Harry smiled with a nod. "I don't know. With True Defence, I just wanted there to be one book out there that actually taught people something. With Seven Years of War, it started with me just writing about everything that happened to me to get it out and to deal with it. Eventually it turned into a book that I thought might be kind of inspirational or at least entertaining."

"Well, you've definitely achieved your goals in those aspects," Severus said.

"Thanks," Harry said, still staring down at his sleeping familiar. "I'm sorry to kick you out, but it's getting late and I need to be up early to get to the infirmary."

"Of course but at least you don't have to teach," Severus said, rolling his eyes.

"True, but that is your own fault," Harry said with a smirk that Severus was pleased to see. It was a bit of his old friend that he had sorely missed.

"Touché," Severus said and walked to the door, Harry behind him after shifting Lileen to the sofa. Before opening the door, Severus turned around to face Harry again. He hesitated. "I'm glad you're back, Harry. I've…missed you."

Harry smiled at the quietly spoken confession. "I've missed you too," the voice box said. "Good night, Sev'rus."

Severus inclined his head and stepped through the door. "Good night, Harry."

Severus sighed as he sat in his lounge chair, staring into the fire and a glass of wine in his hand. He had been more than ecstatic to see Harry again even if he was still slightly hurt at the fact that his friend had simply disappeared after the battle without saying anything. Talking with Harry, he understood why he had left. He also saw how those who had once been his friends treated him now. What had happened?

However, it was Harry's voice, or lack thereof, that held Severus' thoughts.

What had happened to the young man to make him lose his voice? It had happened five and a half years ago, so Severus assumed something had happened during the final battle. Regardless of what Harry said, Severus was determined to find a way to give the man his voice back.

Harry entered the infirmary the next morning with Lileen in his arms and halted abruptly as he gazed around the overly clean and white room. Lileen mewled and bumped his chin with her head, trying to get her master's attention.

Flashback

Harry walked into the hospital wing and strode straight over to the bed occupied by the unconscious form of Severus Snape. The man had gauze wrapped around the snake bites on his neck and, though he was sure they had recently been changed, the bandages were already dyed red.

Harry looked down at the overly pale man fondly, glad the infirmary was deserted except for those sleeping patients. Severus was clearly fighting for his life but was losing the battle quickly.

Sighing silently, Harry pulled out two vials and a knife from his pocket. He pulled the stoppers on both vials and poured the clear liquid of his tears into the yellow potion. It sizzled slightly but otherwise did nothing. He then removed the bandages from Severus' neck, revealing the angry and fatal wounds; meant to be fatal anyways. Harry pressed the knife's blade against his palm. He knew Severus would kill him for doing this but he carried on regardless, slicing his palm open.

His body jerked with what would have been a hiss and held his bleeding hand over the snake bites. A few drops fell into both openings, mixing with Severus' blood and the venom of Nagini. Quickly healing his hand and rewrapping the bandages, Harry opened Severus' mouth and poured the potion in, stroking the man's throat to help him swallow.

He put everything back into his pockets and stared down at the Potions master again. Breathing deeply, Harry took the man's hand and leaned down. Pressing his lips to Severus' cheek, he pulled back and mouthed the words, "I love you, Severus. Goodbye."

With tears in his eyes, Harry rushed from the infirmary, missing the groan and slight movement that came from Severus.

End of Flashback

"Harry Potter," a familiar voice said, pulling Harry from his memories. He looked up to see Madam Poppy Pomfrey standing in the middle of the hospital wing with a smile. "I never thought I'd see the day you were in here and not injured."

Harry laughed and he saw Poppy's eyes briefly flicker to his voice box. "I don't think anyone was expecting it to ever happen."

Poppy laughed as well. Harry did a quick scan and saw that Poppy's right arm was always in motion.

"How are you, Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked as he and the nurse sat on one of the beds.

"Poppy, please, Harry, and I'm as well as can be expected. I'm sad to be leaving. I have adored working here even if seeing boneless arms is anything but appealing," Poppy said with a smirk.

"That one was not my fault. That was all Lockhart, the simpleton," Harry defended.

"Yes, Albus' choices did leave something to be desired," Poppy nodded and Harry chuckled. "And how about you, Harry?"

"It's nice to be home even if I'm not welcomed by most of the staff and student population," Harry said.

"And your voice?" Poppy asked.

"It's permanent. I've done research and I've been examined by Healer Jack Catella," Harry told her.

"Jack Catella?" Poppy said, her eyes wide. "The world renowned Spanish Healer?"

"The one and only," Harry smiled. "I gained my Mastery in Healing under him. He was my mentor."

"That's amazing, Harry. Everyone knows Catella. He is the most famous medi-wizard in the world. He also hasn't had an apprentice since he was twenty-two and he's thirty-six now," Poppy fawned and Harry chuckled again.

"Trust me, I know, Poppy," Harry said. "I was just wandering and I accidentally bumped into him…literally. He saw my voice box and things went from there. He's a trusted friend now."

"That's spectacular, Harry. Having Catella as your mentor will get you anywhere," Poppy said and Harry smiled. "At least I know I'm leaving my infirmary in very capable hands."

"Especially if Jack comes to visit like he promised," Harry said with a grin.

"Jack Catella is coming here?" Poppy gasped.

"If he finds time," Harry said, nodding.

"Fantastic," Poppy breathed. "Perhaps we should move on. Who is this beauty?" she said, looking at Lileen in Harry's arms.

"This is Lileen, my familiar," Harry said.

"What is she?"

"Snow leopard, panther, and Kneazle," Harry said. "It's a very strange combination but I love her."

"Very strange, indeed," Poppy said, smiling at Lileen who stared at her with glowing blue eyes. "Well, I suppose it is time for me to go."

Harry's expression turned sad. "Where are you staying? Surely not by yourself."

"No, no. I will be living with my sister and her husband and son. They'll be helping me."

"Good."

"I must be off," Poppy said, standing. Harry put Lileen on the bed as he stood. "It was wonderful to see you, Harry, after so long. Take care, dear."

Harry slowly hugged Poppy, secretly hating human contact. "Goodbye, Poppy," he whispered. Poppy smiled and left the hospital wing.

Harry sighed as he watched her go, sitting heavily on the bed. Lileen mewled and licked his hand. He looked down at her and smiled.

"Come on. Let's make sure everything's ready," he said, getting back to his feet. He walked over to the potions cabinet and began taking inventory, conjuring a quill and notepad. Lileen had jumped to the nearest bed and was sitting on it, watching him. He was in the middle of counting the Dreamless Sleep Potions when he heard someone enter the infirmary. He turned to face the door but only saw a flash of red before he was on the floor in pain.

"You think you can just come back here acting like you own the place?" a deep voice yelled and, holding his bleeding nose, Harry looked up at Ron Weasley, his former best friend.

"I was hired. If I hadn't been hired, I would've stayed in Iceland," Harry said, getting unsteadily to his feet. Over the pounding in his ears, Harry could hear Lileen's hissing and growling.

"Then resign and get out! No one wants you here! And take your mental cat with you before it attacks someone!" Ron yelled.

"She won't attack unless she believes me to be in danger," Harry said. "What are you even doing here?"

"Hermione told me you were here. I thought I'd remind you to get lost before you contaminate someone or molest a student," Ron spat and Harry glared.

"I won't molest students or anyone, Ron. In case you've forgotten, I didn't do the raping. I'm the one who got raped," Harry growled, not seeing the figure outside the doors.

"It's not exactly rape if you agree to it, now is it?" Ron said quietly.

"Get out, Ron."

"Or what, freak?"

"Get out!" Harry yelled and his magic flung the redhead out of the hospital wing. He closed his eyes to calm down before looking at Lileen who no longer looked ready to fight. "Sometimes not having a voice is good. I don't have to strain my voice when I yell."

"I'll get you, freak!" he heard Ron say before Ron stalked off.

Harry ran a hand down Lileen's back. "It was still rape," he said quietly, forcing the memories away.

"Harry?" a quiet voice said and Harry spun around with wide eyes.

"Severus," Harry said in shock. "Please tell me you just got here."

Severus looked at him with soft eyes that would have seemed strange had they not grown close in the year before the end of the war. "I'd be lying if I said that."

Harry blinked owlishly before letting out a pained groan.

"What was Weasley talking about, Harry?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter."

"Harry, it's clearly important."

"No, it's really not."

"What happened to you, Harry?"

"Nothing."

"Harry—"

"Just forget it! It happened, okay? It's done and over with. Just let it go," Harry said, turning away from the Potions master and returning to the potions cabinet.

"I'll let it go for now but I know it's something, especially if it caused this," Severus said, pointing to Harry's still bleeding nose. Harry winced slightly but said nothing. Sighing, Severus pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry, whispering, "Episkey."

Harry groaned as his nose cracked and healed.

"Scourgify," Severus said and the blood on Harry's face was cleaned away.

"Thanks," Harry muttered. "Here," he said, handing Severus a piece of parchment. "I need some potions. I know it's first day of classes and I don't want to take your time, but the stocks aren't completed. Since it's the first day, I know some students will be in here."

"I can have them done for tomorrow," Severus said, taking the list.

"You don't have to rush. I just thought I'd let you know," Harry said, keeping his eyes anywhere but on the man before him.

"I'll have them for you tomorrow," Severus repeated.

Harry's eyes flickered to his briefly before he looked away again, the voice box saying, "Thank you."

"My pleasure," Severus said. They were silent for a time before Severus speaking again caused Harry to look up. "Hello there, Lileen."

Harry looked at Lileen who had moved to the bed directly beside Severus. She was sniffing his outstretched hand before giving it a tentative lick. Harry watched his familiar curiously. She had never been so friendly towards anyone before beside him. His eyes widened once again when Lileen suddenly bit Severus' index finger hard enough to draw blood before she licked at the wound.

"Wonderful," Harry groaned and rubbed his eyes tiredly glad he had gotten rid of his glasses.

"What's wrong?" Severus looked at him with thinly veiled concern.

"Not wrong, per say, depending on how you look at it, I suppose," Harry said, looking at Lileen instead of the Potions master who he knew was watching him. "She's basically bonded herself to you. Not a bond between a master and familiar, but a protection bond. She's going to protect you the way she protects me. She tasted your blood so that she knows your scent and taste should she ever need it. She did the same with me except I was asleep at the time," he said, throwing a glare at his familiar who looked back at him as innocently as a cat could.

"I apologize," Severus began but Harry interrupted.

"Don't. I'm just surprised. You're the only one she's ever done that to," Harry said with a small shrug.

"In that case, I am honoured," Severus said and Harry smiled. "I will see you at lunch."

"See you at lunch," Harry said.

Severus gave him a smile before walking from the infirmary. Harry let out a breath as he sat on a bed. He scowled at Lileen when she jumped onto the bed beside him. She gave a rumbling purr as she rubbed against his arm.

"Severus, Lileen? Honestly? Out of everyone, you chose him?" Harry said with an irritable sigh. "Now he has even more of a reason to come around. As if he won't in order to find out what Ron was talking about."

Harry sighed again and shook his head. Getting to his feet, he walked to his new office, his thoughts set on Severus and a horrific past.

A/N: Hope you liked it and hope to see many more reviews. :) Yes, I realize I am being horrible with how I'm making Ron and Hermione and them act but I've always written them as the good people and the friends. I thought it was time to try and make them the bad people. :P Thanks for reading. :)