A/N: Well I had some time to write as I sliced open my finger and got five stitches and a few days off (slow typing though GAH!) Hope you enjoy the next chapter, it gets a little dark towards the end.

SO SORRY ABOUT THE WAIT! I haven't been able to get home and then the computer was screwed… evil little brothers and their virus attracting abilities.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything (In case people forgot that I don't own Harry Potter or any of his little friends or the world he lives in, and the fact that I don't get any money from this, just my joy of reviews.)

Warning: References to non-con, rape, dark materials (at the end)

I'd like to thank Dark-Lady-Devinity for the ideas about toads and rats which I have used liberally in the beginning of this chapter.

And all of my other reviewers, to whom I will reply to as soon as I can!

HP

Harry smirked as he re-exited the rooms he shared with the other man, he had decided to go back and change into something more comfortable, he remembered the constraining clothes he had been stuck in yesterday and had decided to see if the man owned anything else.

It had taken ages to find the clothes at the back of the wardrobe, but it was worth it. Smirking Harry almost preened.

He thought he looked quiet stunning.

SS

Snape decided that he despised Gryffindors more than he previously thought, their inane chatter was grating on his nerves, and the constant questions were fuelling the headache that was forming. He wasn't surprised if this small stint would reward him with a full blown migraine a little later.

"You alright Harry?" The red head that was part of the trio folded his gangly body up as he lowered himself into a seat next to Harry. Snape wondered why the boy even asked when he didn't wait for the reply stuffing his face with whatever was closest.

"Harry?" The voice was quieter, softer and accompanied by a hand on his arm, causing him to jump. He wasn't used to being touched. He turned to his other side to find the third member of the trio, the only student he thought might actually have a future, if the dark lord didn't rise to power. He wished her luck.

"Yeah?" He stared down at his breakfast and felt the hand leave his arm, the warmth that had spread from her touch made him curse the boy who had stolen his body, he didn't want to know what comfort was like, he didn't want something he couldn't have.

"You alright?" There was actual concern in her cinnamon brown eyes, not like the others who had gathered around and had started asking questions as soon as he had sat down. He forced a smile and she frowned as he replied.

"I'm fine." He heard a snort from his other side.

"I'm surprised you're still alive mate, the greasy git was in a bloody foul mood yesterday. Overgrown bat took off 25 points and gave me a weeks detention with Filch. Not only that but I have to clean up the twins farewell mess." The freckled boy looked sour into his breakfast and Snape tried to hide his surprise. Potter had taken 25 points off and given his best friend a week of detention with Filch?

"It probably served you right." The witch on his other side stated as if it was obvious. Snape could detect an undercurrent of something he couldn't quiet catch.

"What I'm saying is I'd rather be stuck in a room full of spiders than with that man."

"He's not that bad." A voice piped up from the other side of the table and Snape noticed it was Neville who had spoken up for him. Surprise was not the word Snape would have used to describe what he was feeling at the moment, floored however sounded more suitable to him. Everyone seemed just as shocked and Neville blushed prodding his breakfast.

"I mean, he's strict, but he has every right to be strict, potions are dangerous." He gave a self-ridiculing smile and a few gave a chuckle at the colourful history of Neville's potions splashed all over the walls of the lab. "Now Umbridge." He gave the small cough she was so infamous for. "She's scary." He received a few murmurs of agreement.

"I'd still rather be stuck in a room full of spiders and Umbridge than with Snape." The other boy retorted and Snape wondered why the boy detested him so much.

"Well you wouldn't have to worry about the spiders too long, she's such a toad she'd probably devour them all." Seamus, Snape recalled, grinned as he puffed out his cheeks.

"I'd love to see Snape and Umbridge locked in a room together." There were humorous disgusted groans from around the table as Ginny realised what she had said. She pulled a face. "Ew No! That's just wrong! I mean have you seen how much Snape hates her?"

"Snape hates everyone." Was the red haired boys reply as his younger sister rolled her eyes.

"No, I really think he doesn't like her, at all."

"Who does?" A snort came from Seamus and Ginny elbowed her boyfriend as she tried to make her point.

"But imagine a duel between them! Snape would kick her ass! It'd be so fun watch, seeing the toad get what was coming to her."

"The toad and the bat, imagine that!" Seamus crooned out of tune and Ginny shook her head. But froze as she stared at the doors of the Great Hall. Snape realised there was a huge drop in the sound of noise and turned to see what was going on. His mouth fell open as he watched himself stride steadily up towards the staff table. His first reaction was to jump up and start ripping into the insolent boy.

How Dare He!

The man shot a small sideways smirk at him as he strode passed, black leather boots that hugged his calves merged flawlessly with the dark material that clung to his legs and contrasted well with the white flowing lace up shirt, that Snape thankfully thought was laced up as opposed to sitting open. Over the top was thrown a half open black robe. But what pissed Snape off even more was the black velvet proposal ribbon that the boy had strung his hair up with.

He was NOT for sale!

As the man reached the table and sat himself down the Hall burst into chatter and Snape sunk into his seat staring at the cold plate of breakfast in front of him. The boy had just succeeded in destroying him, all the hard work he had put into making himself unapproachable, make himself distant, to keep himself away from everyone so he wouldn't endanger them, so they wouldn't try to put themselves into a position where they could possibly be hurt, killed, or worse.

"That… that was unexpected." Snape turned almost hysterically to the girl who was watching the new him sitting up there ignoring the students stares. She looked thoughtful and Snape hoped the girl, his brow furrowed, no, woman, wasn't thinking about asking for the ribbon. In fact where the hell had he gotten that ribbon? He knew the clothes were his, the ones he wore whenever he went out into the muggle world and just wanted to blend, minus robe.

"Harry?" She emphasised his name, still watching the potions master at the Staff table.

"Yeah?"

"Has Snuffles written back?" Snape tried to figure out what she was talking about.

"Er, no."

"How about Padfoot?"

"Nope." She finally turned to him.

"I thought you said you got a letter from both of them." Snape plastered on an innocent face.

"Oh, I thought you meant letters after that." The girl raised an eyebrow.

"We have potions now, and I have double runes next, but after that we'll go to our spot, there's a few things I'm worried about." Snape smiled, nodded and cursed under his breath. He'd have to ask Potter where the spot was, he suspected the hazelnut tree on the far side of the lake. It was a beautiful tree, too far to be a casual walk away which deterred most, it was also rather open which deterred those who met for private affairs. However not many knew about the small dell over the rise of roots which kept one out of sight, it had actually been a spot Severus had frequented when he had wanted to escape the Marauders and everyone else.

"Well we should get going." He pushed the full plate of food away, feeling his stomach roll at the sight of it. The boy obviously didn't eat a lot and it was effecting Severus's eating habits as well.

"Harry you promised me." The girl stared up at him and Severus tried to work out just what she was talking about. "At least three pieces of toast."

"But Hermi, I tried." He had managed to eat one and a half, and that had been a battle.

"Three pieces and I'll let you have a smaller lunch, but I'm not having you fall back to your one and a half, it's not healthy to survive on a piece of bread for the whole day." Snape blinked, they'd obviously had quiet a few discussions on this and it worried him that he hadn't noticed Harry's inability to eat more. A flash of pity and sympathy was washed away by annoyance, the boy was probably dieting, trying to get the perfect image to go with the Golden boy.

Snape decided he'd sabotage the boy's plan and eat as much as he could, so picking up the piece of toast he lathered it with butter and jam, placing a dollop of whipped cream on top. Feeling satisfied he took a mouthful, feeling a little ill at the utter sweetness that swept through his mouth. The look he was getting from the girl that sat beside him was one of surprise.

"I get it Harry, you don't have to try and prove your point." She frowned as he took another large mouthful, his throat convulsing as he tried to swallow. Forcing his body to obey him he forced the food down, before placing the piece of toast back down and feeling his stomach roll.

"I think you're right Hermione." He looked down at the piece of toast that was trying to make its way back up as he concentrated on calming himself. "I need to eat more."

"Harry, that's why I'm trying to help you, but you have to let me help. You only have a few more days to build up your strength." She almost whispered and he stared at his plate trying to figure out this new riddle.

"I know." He whispered back, not meeting her eyes in case she saw the confusion flickering in their depths.

"Come on." She seemed subdued when she stood and Snape followed her out of the Great Hall concentrating on the lump sitting right under his rib cage.

HP

Harry made his way down to the potions classroom, he'd spent the breakfast eating the things he had always wanted, the scones that his stomach couldn't handle in the morning, fresh bread rolls that he could always smell, bacon, eggs. He only had a very small portion of each, but it still felt like a feast, he hadn't ever eaten that much for breakfast without feeling ill, instead he felt satisfied. He had watched Snape struggle with the toast and Hermione worry over him, he had left half way through the argument, but knew his Hermi had won, she always did.

He wanted to get to the class early so he could set up, figure out what to do, he'd have to ask Snape what he should do. He did know that the end of the year was always about revision, and making sure the students really did know what they had learnt the year they had been sitting oblivious at their desks.

A cough to his side stopped him in his tracks as he slowly turned to regard the hulking woman trying to hide herself in shadows. He didn't outright glare, as he had never seen Snape utterly disregard Umbridge, she was dangerous as far as his position was concerned. Instead it was a look that held a hint of disregard, disrespect, but mostly boredom, as if her presence was not worthy of him.

"Dolores." He toned, waiting for her to step out of the barely concealing shadows, instead she stayed where she was and he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.

"Professor." He could hear her attempt to sweeten her voice. "Perhaps you could assist me."

Harry stared at her waiting, he wasn't going to ask her how he could help her, it would mean he would fall straight into her little game by revealing his curiosity. He was a little curious, but he just wanted to get away from her as soon as possible.

She coughed uncomfortably, this obviously wasn't going the way she had planned, yet she still remained silent, waiting. Harry raised an eyebrow.

The silence dragged. Before Harry broke it with a low drawl.

"Perhaps I could assist you, but right this moment I have a class to teach." He turned on his heel intent on getting away from the woman.

"It will be worth your while." She simpered and Harry paused not turning to look at her. She hurried on. "It's about Potter, give him to me for your detention, I'll make it really worth your while. You want the Defence Against Dark Arts position, it's yours. You want to be deputy headmaster, yours. You want anyone out of this school, just say the name. Suspended, they're gone." Harry turned to stare at the woman but something collided with him and sent him to the ground. Staring up at surprised green eyes he growled, pushing the boy off him.

"Mr Potter." He drawled, standing and brushing himself off as the boy struggled to sit up.

"Mr Potter, thirty points from Gryffindor and detention for the remainder of the week, three hours a night. I will see you at eight tonight." The hulking woman stepped out of the shadows, glee glittering in the small pig eyes.

"Pardon me ma'am, but Mr Potter collided with my person, and it shall be I who punishes the brat." Harry stepped in quickly, he didn't want Snape finding out about the punishment he got from the toad like woman. The man might have seen the scars on his hand, but he wouldn't know where they were from.

"But Professor Snape." She simpered, obviously trying to remind him of the offer she had just made.

Harry glared at Snape who was getting up, trying to hide the obvious distaste as he glanced at the woman. "No exceptions, this boy has caused me enough grief to last a life time, and I intend on making sure he receives proper punishment."

"Yesss, that's perfect, have him expelled." She seemed almost to swell with excitement. But Harry snorted, placing a deadly smirk on his face as he turned back to regard the green eyed boy who was watching the exchange with a false fear in his eyes. Harry could see the curiosity and amusement flicker in the very depths.

"Oh no." Harry purred. He had only ever heard Snape use his voice like this when he was furious, and he had always wanted to try it, he couldn't do it with his voice, but now it fell like poisoned velvet from his lips. "To expel him would be too easy; a forgiving option. The boy needs to be taught a lesson."

The woman seemed both disappointed, but pleased at the same time.

"Surely you would need assistance. I could have him for the first night."

Harry pinned her with a stare.

"Ma'am, I mean no offence when I say that I want to make sure that this is executed in such away that I see fit. So that I can make sure he learns his lesson." Harry let his voice calm the woman down, making promises he wouldn't keep. "Come Mr Potter. You're punishment begins now." He glared at Snape just for good measure and strode down the hall towards the potions classroom, not waiting for the other man to respond.

They got to the potions class finding it empty.

"Are you alright sir?" Harry turned to look down at the small raven haired boy, who had had to run to catch up.

"I'm fine Mr Potter. However I need some information." Snape paused as if listening, he seemed satisfied and continued. "You have a place that you go to with Ms Granger?"

"Oh. Yeah you know the hazelnut tree? It's at the far end of the lake near-"

"I know where it is, I have been at this school for quiet a few years. She wishes to discuss some thing's she is worried about, do you know what she is referring to?" Harry couldn't think of anything, but he wondered if maybe his friend had figured out something was wrong.

"No sorry, but um, during this info exchange, Draco wanted something."

"I'm not-"

"Sir!" The classroom door was flung open and Harry had to try keep himself from jumping, instead he turned to Snape, sneering.

"And that Mr Potter is what you will be doing this evening. Don't Be Late." He turned to Draco who was watching the emerald eyed boy with something akin to contemplation. "Mr Malfoy?"

"May I speak with you privately sir?" The boy was interrupted as a few more students entered the classroom.

"Can it possibly wait until after class?" The boy frowned but nodded, reluctantly taking a seat. Harry turned to glare at Snape, a questioning glint in his eyes. The boy merely gave a miniscule shrug before slinking into a seat just as Hermione entered. Harry noticed she spent a few moments calculating the fact both her friend and Draco had arrived early. She didn't however give him much of a glance, which helped him ease his fears.

The rest of the student filed in and Harry began his lesson.

"The abysmal quality of your second attempt essays leaves me questioning whether you have learnt anything during this year at all. So today I will be verbally quizzing you. No reference material." His eyes swept the class, daring any of them to protest. "Perhaps this way it may actually linger in those vast amounts of empty space you have wasting away between your ears. Mr Finigan, the difference between the effects of aniseed and silver lung in the Anikar burns ointment."

The boy stared at him as if he had been caught in the headlights.

"Pardon sir, but what was the question." An obvious stall as he looked around at his housemates for help.

"Stop stalling, stand up, voice loud and clear and tell me the difference of effects between the two."

The boy swallowed, red rising on his cheeks. Harry could almost see the boy trembling, the silence overwhelming.

"No? 5 points from Gryffindor. Sit down. Longbottom?" The boy stood and stared at the blackboard, not looking at him as he stated clearly, if a little slow the exact right answer. The class seemed to hold their breath wondering if the answer was right or not.

"Correct Mr Longbottom, 5 points to Gryffindor. Freemark, what are the constituents found in cannibas that produce the commonly termed 'high', and why is it used in the Stalin potion?" The Slytherin he had call upon stood, mumbling a few elements and a half right answer, before quickly seating himself.

"Partially Correct. 10 points to Slytherin."

The rest of the class proceeded with Harry quizzing the students and watching as they fumbled through their memories for half formed answers, the only correct, detailed answers were the ones he received from Hermione and Draco. They almost seemed to be competing against each other as he quizzed them.

The last question was directed at 'The-boy-who-lived', whom he had yet to ask.

"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

SS

Severus stared at the man at the front of the room. The question had been asked with no real menace, as if it didn't hold a history of bitterness between them, but he could see the burn behind the dark eyes of the other. If he was fair with himself he could say this was where it had started, this was where he had made the boy hate him. Lilly's small son with green eyes that made his throat constrict, his heart heavy with regret and loss. This boy, the small child who survived a mad man was the symbol of everything he had lost.

"I don't know sir." He didn't raise his voice, didn't even stand as he met the others eyes, not to compete but to consent, he had been harsh that first day.

"That's not fair sir, we haven't even learnt that material yet." Hermione's voice rose in challenge and the man at the front simply frowned.

"He has had 5 years to find the answer Ms Granger. 10 points from Gryffindor for questioning my methods of teaching. Class dismissed." Severus ran a hand through his hair as the bell rang right on time. He was surprised that the boy could pull off the hated Potion's professor so well, and the ease with which he deducted points from his own house, drilled the students and scowled at the right time was enough to raise his curiosity. When had the boy learnt to act so well and so thoroughly?

They filed out and Severus watched as Hermione rushed off to ancient runes which was across the other side of the school, extracting a promise from him that he'd be at their spot. He had a double free period which he decided was going to be spent by the lake, there was no way he was going to do Potter's essays or homework, and he couldn't work on the potion to get them back into their own bodies until the labs were free. Something he would be stuck doing tonight no doubt, although the thought of getting back into his potions lab sent relief down his spine. He needed something of which he was in control of, he could work and shape.

It would be even more rewarding working on this new project, he'd have to experiment, calculate the different factors and ratios as to which ingredient would react with the others, the potency and the accuracy depending on the heat variations. He hummed under his breath as he made his way out towards the lake, the warm summer breeze tugged at the hem of his robes, and his mind was full of potions equations and possibilities of research which could eventually lead to further development on the body switching potion, as no previous example had been prepared.

He wished he could be young and free again.

HP

"What are you wearing and where were you last night?" The blonde boy asked concern lacing his voice as soon as the last student had left, the door closing behind them. Harry blinked, he hadn't realised Draco cared about the older man.

"The headmaster saw it fit to move me without warning, out of my dungeons and into temporary lodging." There was obvious annoyance in Harry's voice, which was to an extent a true sentiment. He was slightly annoyed at being ungraciously shoved into an unfamiliar setting with a certain snarky potions professor. He decided to pointedly ignore the other question and the blonde boy took the hint.

"Oh." There was slight relief in the voice, followed by an uncomfortable silence. The boy looked anywhere apart from Harry, there was obviously something on his mind. He had never seen Draco look this human, he was chewing his lip, brow furrowed. There was no sign of the arrogant rich boy in the way he held himself, instead there was a silent gathering of courage.

"I want to be like you." The boy looked up. "I want to be a spy, help out the Order." He shook his head as if dispelling something. "I know you and my lady don't want me to, but I think I could be useful, I'm just sitting around doing nothing, being kept in the dark. I want to help to get rid you-know-who." The boy was almost pleading, Harry frowned.

"And what would you do Draco if I said no?" His voice wasn't completely open, but it wasn't harsh, merely questioning. The boy chewed his lip and Harry felt for him, he knew what it was like feeling useless in such an important matter when he could be doing something useful. This boy that was asking for his help, his permission to risk his life for a higher cause, wasn't the boy Harry had fought against for the first few school years. This wasn't the boy Harry had suspected of being a death eater before he had learnt that certain stereotypes weren't true. Nor was he the boy Harry had stopped disliking when he had decided to grow up, and the uneasy truce to ignore each other had formed.

This was a young man that needed his help.

"I… I thought I'd go to Dumbledore." The boy mumbled, as if ashamed he would have betrayed Snape's trust. He wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. Harry ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what to do, he had been told Snape didn't want him to become a spy, and Harry supported the decision, he had seen too many meetings between the potions master and the dark lord to wish anything like that on anyone. It wasn't a life; it was a penance for a mistake that should have been paid off long ago.

"Draco." Harry started, he wasn't good at this sort of thing, he had never had to offer advice before. "I know you feel like your not doing enough, that playing the role you do at school isn't important." The boy nodded reluctantly in agreement. "But it is, people may stereotype you as destined to become a Deatheater because of your father and the fact you are in Slytherin. This maybe the reason you want to become a spy, to prove them wrong." Draco nodded his head a little more. "It isn't wrong to want to fight against what people have labelled you as, but people will always force you into categories they believe you fit. You just have to be strong enough to not let that affect your judgement too much."

"But that's not just it. I do want to prove them wrong but I also want to prove it to myself. Prove it that I'm not suppose to become a death eater, that I can be who I want to be." Harry watched the boy, he could feel the frustration radiating from him, could feel himself respond. He knew what the boy was going through, hadn't he always fought against himself, against the accusation of others, especially when he discovered that he was parselmouth, that he wasn't going to turn out to be just another dark lord.

"Yet if you were to become a spy you would be confirming all of their accusations and stereotypes." The blonde frowned. "To become a Deatheater, one must be willing, there can be no half hearted promises to the dark lord."

"But you did it." The boy tried desperately.

"That is the difference between you and me." Harry grimaced, deciding to violate Snape's trust in order to protect his Godson. "You aren't willing to sacrifice everything."

He pulled up his sleeve.

"To be branded..."

Memories of one last breath…

"A murderer."

Of Screams…

"A rapist."

Nightmares…

"A torturer."

Heavy silence.

"A toy."