Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter, its characters and settings are the copyrighted works of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., her publishing companies and affiliates. No profit was acquired from the writing of this story nor was any malice intended in any way, shape or form to the author or the actors/actresses who so brilliantly have brought them to life. Though I wouldn't mind shagging some. I did NOT say that.

AN: Stole Incubus' disclaimer!

Oblivion

Chapter 11

"I…I, didn't…Snape…Sir?" Harry choked. "It's not his fault! It's not like he maliciously set out to…do…anything to me! I just…He's going to get fired and exiled and maybe even jailed for…for something he…he didn't even mean to do, when…when…" He gasped in a breath. "When others…get away with it." Harry finished in a whisper. "It's not his fault. He didn't hurt me! It's not his fault! And it's not my fault! And…I just…want this over!" Harry jumped up and ran for the door fleeing the professor standing up and the Headmaster calling after him.

Albus was about to get up to go after him when Severus moved in front of his desk.

"Headmaster," He kept firm under the cold blue gaze. " I believe Mr. Potter needs some time to collect himself. Perhaps it'd be best if we left him alone for now."

"Do you think I can keep this covered up Professor Snape? It must be clearly defined with me so that I can take action!"

"Albus," Severus' voice turned beseeching. "Can't you tell Potter is hiding something else? I told you what happened ready to face the consequences and I still am, I am not trying to stall for time or sweep this under the rug, but I believe Potter has other problems that must be dealt with first before we can…," He swallowed. "Move on in the matter at hand."

"Then what do you know about it Severus if you are so sure?" Albus asked sharply to which Severus cringed.

"I've never hidden anything from you Albus. I wish you hadn't…lost your trust in me."

"How could I not. Look what you've done!"

"I'm sorry." Severus said quietly. "It does not begin to help but…I am." He cleared his throat and continued. "I believe it has to do with Gilderoy Lockhart. And with his current condition we cannot exactly ask him can we? But Potter knows. And he is hiding something about him. I suspect…"

"What?"

"From what Potter said before he left…When I was digging in Potter's memory before I found anything that was connected with what happened that night between…he and I, I kept coming over memories of Lockhart from the boy's second year."

"Meaning?" Albus asked tersely.

"I suspect he may have issues before this…rape." Severus flinched as he quietly said the word. "Like another one."

"No. I refuse…to believe this happened twice in my school. Under my nose! No."

Severus shook his head regretfully. "I think something happened Albus. Maybe it's not what I think but Potter…"

"You are not telling me I've been trying to protect these students all my life and they've been being hurt! By people I put here! Not…not like that…"

"Albus…you couldn't have known. It's not…" Severus reached out.

He raised his hand and stared at him coldly. "No."

"I really think you should get someone to help Potter…"

"Mr. Snape I'd appreciate you not telling me how to run my school!" Albus bristled. "At this point, Harry needs protecting. You will be dismissed, for some reason I can concoct and you will leave when I say."

"But I can't…before I go I must help…try to fix what harm I've done to him. I can't just…"

"I don't want you in this school. You are dangerous if you experiment with your inventions around children!"

"Then leave I will! But not before I help Mr. Potter!"

Harry rushed to his dorm, uncharacteristically pushing people out of his way as he barreled through the halls and up flights to the Gryffindor rooms, hiding his face as much as he could and muffling his gasping breaths.

He burstthrough the portraitand ignoring gasps of surprise and a few cries of 'Harry!' scurried up to his room and hid in his bed behind the hangings which he spelled shut.

A few minutes later footsteps came up to the bed and stopped.

"Mate?"

"Lem'me 'lone Ron." Harry muttered out hoarsely rubbing his hands over his face.

"Harry open the curtains." Hermione's voice filtered in.

"Leave! Me! Alone! I don't want to talk about it!"

He heard a sigh and then muttering and his hangings were suddenly flying open. Harry gaped up at Hermione, wand in hand, before flopping back onto the bed.

"You just couldn't leave me alone."

"You don't have to be alone Harry." Hermione sat down on the bed lightly, Ron looking down worriedly on her and Harry. "What happened?"

"McGonagall called you away..."

Harry sniffled and turned his face into his pillow. "To go speak to the Headmaster." He said muffled.

"About?" Hermione asked quietly and gestured Ron to sit. Harry remained quiet for a few minutes before he turned over, eyes red.

"You're going to find out eventually. I expect…everyone will. I…" Harry opened his mouth but the words stuck in his throat.

Hermione moved forward and made to hug him but Harry shied away. "You won't want to do that after you hear what I have to say."

"Harry we told you we'd always be your friends." Ron said exasperatedly.

"What if I had killed someone!" Harry sat up, suddenly angry. "Would you still be my friend then?"

"But…but you haven't…" Hermione said hesitantly.

"Would you still be my friend if I did?" Harry said more quietly, eyes welling again.

"I'd want to know what happened first." Ron said calmly.

"I…I haven't killed anyone. Yet." Harry took a deep breath. "Dumbledore knows the Prophecy. The copy broke at the Ministry but he's the one it was told to originally. I have to kill Voldemort." Ron bit his lip with a slight cringe.

"Harry!" Hermione laughed lightly. "Is that it?"

Harry frowned confusedly. "Is that it! I have to kill someone!"

"But it's He-V-voldemort mate." Ron said softly. "With all he's done he deserves nothing less. Besides isn't that what the whole wizarding world expects you to do already?"

Hermione took Harry hands firmly, ignoring his flinch. "We would never hate you for saving us."

Harry bit his lip worriedly. "Okay. What if…what if I wasn't who you think I am?" He turned to look at Ron pulling his hands from Hermione. "What if the whole wizarding world expects me to save them when I can't save myself…"

Ron and Hermione shot looks at each other. "If this has to do with…last year, no one thinks that was your fault but you Harry. It was a trick and you couldn't have known. So don't…"

Harry shook his head violently. "It's not about that! That's…barely part of it! I mean, I'm the hope of the Light! I'm supposed to keep the wizarding world safe. Defend them. When I can't even defend MYSELF!" Harry finished in a scream.

Hermione's eyes started to tear. "I don't understand…"

Ron looped an arm around Hermione easily. "Look Harry, I don't know what brought this on but we're all learning mate. If you just don't think you're ready well…honestly no one thinks they are ready for this war. But we're learning everyday. We still have time. And we'll use it."

"It's too late for me." Harry whispered hoarsely.

"What are you talking about Harry?"

"I couldn't stop it. I…didn't want it." Harry started to cry again and covered his face, speaking muffled through his hands. "I didn't want it but I couldn't stop it and I was raped! If I cant defend myself how can I save you all?" He told a shocked Ron and Hermione.

AN: GAUSP! He told!

Okay all. I was supposed to update Runespoor at least yesterday yes...butI got angry at my comp. SeeI had a sudden inspiration to update Tricks, right, so I got to writing. Had half of it done and then my comp started having problems soI SAVED...rebooted...and whenI got back...it was all gone. I got mad and ranted to Becca...LOL. And was going to let my comp win by not writing anymore for the month. But thenI realized if I didn't write I'd be admitting I let my comp whop me like a dog. So, here's your update. LOL. And I went back and wrote Tricks over. It's not as good as the original to me, the first go is always my best, but...

And really! Only eight people still have it on alert? I thought this site LOVED HP/DM! You people are bloody Drarry fanatics! Get me back on alert NOW!