Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.
A/N 1: The items in [ ] are memories or flashbacks, just to you know.
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Chapter 6: Striking Similarities
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Harry left the dorm at 7:45, allowing him plenty of dawdling time. He was unsure if he wanted to reopen those old wounds, even if he knew that Snape would listen. He sighed and made his way directly to the dungeons, arriving nearly ten minutes early.
He stood outside Snape's office, his mind racing with the thoughts he had been blocking for so long.
['You're worthless, boy,' Vernon shouted, before kicking Harry in the ribs. 'No one would ever want you. You're a freak!'
'Yes, Uncle Vernon,' Harry replied, wincing as the words made his fractured ribs ache.]
['Get outside and work in the garden,' Petunia spat, throwing something at Harry.
'Yes, Aunt Petunia,' Harry answered, trudging outside, despite his ribs.]
[Blow after blow rained on to him, helpless to defend himself, Harry tried in vain to stop his uncle's furious tirade.
'You've lived here, eaten our food, used our washroom, slept under our roof, and what do we get out of it?' Vernon asked, repeatedly striking the boy before him. 'Nothing. Absolutely nothing.']
Harry shook himself from his memories and knocked on the door to Snape's office.
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Snape looked up at the knock on his door. He got up and went to open the door, knowing who would be there.
"Hello, Harry," Snape said, stepping aside to let the young man in.
"Hello, Severus," Harry said, taking a seat in front of the desk. "How are you?"
"I'm alright," Snape replied, sitting at his desk. "How are you?"
"Shaken up," Harry replied, his eyes looking to his lap.
"What's the matter?" Snape asked, looking at the young man before him.
"Memories I don't enjoy having to deal with," Harry said, looking up to the older man. "Want to look?"
Snape nodded before muttering a quiet 'Legilimens' and entering Harry's mind. He was shocked when he saw Vernon beating Harry. He was even more shocked that he saw Petunia not stopping this. He watched one more painful memory, before reversing the charm and allowing Harry into his mind.
~*~
Harry gasped as he felt a pull into Snape's mind. He saw things he had never expected.
['You're a worthless freak, Severus,' a man shouted. 'Nothing but a worthless freak that nobody will ever want!'
'Yes, father,' Snape whispered, before getting kicked hard in the ribs.]
['You're such a freak, Snivellus,' James said, kicking dirt at the other boy. 'Why'd they let you into this school?']
['Sev, we can't stay friends if you're going to start hanging out with those boys,' Lily said, turning away from him. 'You're much better than that.'
'What would a mudblood like you know about how much worth I have?' Snape spat, anger overtaking his good sense.
'Severus, we're done,' Lily said, before walking away from her once best friend.]
Harry shook his head, breaking the connection between their minds. He was overwhelmed, to say the least. When he saw the man kicking Snape, he wanted to kill him. He wanted to strike his own father when he threw the verbal barb thrown at Snape. His own mother sickened him.
"I see that we have more in common than we thought," Snape said, recovering from the shock at the memories he had seen. "We're both previously abused, criticized, and are currently emotionally unstable."
"It seems that we are," Harry said, his eyes settling into a shimmering emerald. "I'm not sure where this is going to go now, though."
"Well, we can attempt to get to know each other better, before adding any romantic elements to our relationship," Snape said, opening a drawer in his desk and pulling out a bottle of brown liquor and two glasses. "Ever have Firewhiskey, Harry?"
"No sir, but I'm up to try anything right now," Harry said, accepting a half full glass of the liquor. "Here's to overcoming our differences."
"Cheers," Snape said, before sipping the burning liquor.
Harry took a large swig, and spluttered slightly as the liquor caused a burning sensation in his throat. He set his glass down, and looked at Snape.
"I guess I'm not the worshipped, pampered boy you thought I was," Harry said, his eyes looking at Snape.
"No, you're not," Snape said, setting his glass on his desk. "And I'm rather surprised that you never really stood up to defend yourself."
"Vernon stamped it into me that I was a worthless freak and deserved it," Harry said, staring at his glass as he swirled the liquid around slightly. "There was no chance of me standing up for myself."
~*~
Three hours later, Harry and Snape were still chatting and sipping Firewhiskey. They had covered a number of topics, including their past abuse, the haven of Hogwarts, false friendships, irrational self loathing, and a number of other things.
"Oh shit, Harry, it's after midnight," Snape said, glancing at the clock. "I'll write you a note, so you can go back to your dorm."
"Thanks, Sev," Harry said, his words slurring a bit. "I'll be sure to be careful going back up there."
"You know, perhaps I should accompany you," Snape said, watching the young man sway slightly in his seat. "You've obviously never had much experience with alcohol."
"Just butterbeer," Harry said, standing up unsteadily. "Maybe you should accompany me. The Firewhiskey obviously effected me worse than you."
"Sure," Snape said, walking to the younger man. "Let's go."
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After the short journey, Harry and Snape stood outside the Fat Lady's portrait. Snape had explained to her why Harry was so late, and she agreed to let him in without repercussions.
"Thank you, Sev," Harry mumbled, "for listening to the real me."
"You're welcome, Harry," Snape answered, looking at the young man.
Suddenly, Snape saw Harry moving toward him. He felt arms wrap around him, and he hesitantly wrapped his around the younger man.
"Good night, Sev," Harry said, after releasing the Potions master.
"Good night, Harry," Snape said, before turning to go back to the dungeons.
~*~
Harry made his way up to his dorm slowly. He collapsed on his bed without bothering to undress. He thought of the long conversation between himself and Severus. He and the older man were quite similar.
Despite the previous negativity between Severus and himself, Harry could now see the bond between them working quite well.
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After making his way back to the dungeons, Severus found himself rather content, a feeling he hadn't felt in years. His conversation with Harry was enlightening. He and the younger man obviously had a lot in common.
Regardless of his previous feelings for Harry, Severus could see them getting along quite well.
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A/N: Well, this was sort of a filler chapter, but it gets some more out there.
I'm pretty sure that there will be some future reference to some of the things from this chapter.
I know that teachers wouldn't usually offer alcohol to the students, but Sev and Harry's relationship is a bit beyond that, eh?
-KD