Disturbances

Chapter 6

The following day passed entirely too quickly for Harry's liking. He was nervously fidgeting next to Hermione in potions, despite the looks she kept shooting him. It was hard to concentrate on anything except Snape at the moment. The man had taken his usual sweep around the classroom to observe their progress and had settled back at his desk to grade essays for the time being.

Harry watched the furrow in Snape's brow as he crossed something violently out on the parchment, a bit of red ink flying. Harry hoped it wasn't his essay. He had put a lot of effort into his homework and thought he'd actually done fairly well this time. Hermione's face had lit up with a terrifying grin when he again agreed to accompany her to the library the day before. He used several potions texts to aid in his assignment and surprisingly found himself rather intrigued. It made him wish he had tried harder in potions the previous years, but Snape's antagonism hardly inspired much effort from him. Maybe Snape would be more inclined to attempt some sort of relationship if Harry showed an interest in potions?

Harry shook off the ridiculous thought. He felt disgusted at his neediness. He'd been doing fine without a father his entire life, there was no point in having one now. Especially one that didn't even want him.

"Potter!" Harry jumped, cursing himself for spacing out. Snape stood in front of him, somehow more menacing than ever.

"Yes, sir?" Harry was extremely grateful his voice came out steadily. He could see Draco smirking out of the corner of his eye.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for not paying attention and endangering your classmates. As I have already mentioned, I will not tolerate anything less than extreme focus."

"Yes, professor." Harry met the black eyes briefly, then looked away.

"Return here for detention tonight. 8 o'clock sharp. For every minute you are tardy, you will receive another detention." With that, Snape abruptly turned and dismissed the rest of the class.

Harry let out a breath, knowing his face was red from embarrassment. Malfoy bumped against him on his way out, causing Harry to spill some of the potion he was attempting to bottle. He managed to keep it off himself, watching as a few drops fizzled against the wood of the desk.

Hermione glared at Malfoy's back and helped Harry clean up the rest, muttering about immaturity. They headed out of the classroom and Harry refrained from looking back at Snape. He knew there needed to be a reason for Snape to see Harry tonight in case anyone noticed, but it still bothered him to have the man treat him like that. His heart sank a bit when he realized that this would be continuing for the next two years and Harry started to wonder if he could handle it. Maybe he should drop potions. Did he even want to be an auror anymore?

His thoughts were interrupted when Ron started talking about Fred and George's latest ventures with the joke shop as they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.

"They've loads of new products we could test on Malfoy," Ron grinned wickedly at Harry.

Harry nodded, smiling back, then glanced at his watch. Two hours until he had to meet with Snape. He was feeling decidedly nauseous.

Snape sat at his desk, attempting to grade essays from his NEWT class. He realized he'd been reading the same sentence repeatedly and still had no idea what it said. He pushed away the parchment and rubbed his temples. Potter, no Harry, would be here soon and he wasn't sure what to think anymore. Though he hoped the boy had managed at least some miniscule amount of improvement from last year, part of him wished to view the memories again. Pay more attention this time and maybe discover more about his home life.

There was a knock on the door and Snape waved it open, collecting the essays and vanishing them to his office in the adjoining room.

"Come in."

Harry slipped in, carefully closing the door and approached the front of the room. Snape gestured towards the chair he'd placed in front of the desk, and warded the door.

"Mr. Potter." Harry flinched slightly at the name, but Snape continued, "Seeing as we both would prefer these lessons to be more successful than those of last year, I would like to discuss a few things with you first."

Harry nodded, finally meeting Snape's gaze.

"First of all, you have an obvious lack of ability to clear your mind," Snape paused as he saw Harry's frown. He forced out his next words, "Which, is a highly difficult task for many." Harry's eyes widened in surprise and Snape rolled his own. "That being said, I believe we should take another approach. I was informed by the Headmaster that you have checked out a book on Occlumency from the library."

"Er, yes, sir. I've been practicing the visualization method it mentioned."

"Good. I want you to visualize the landscape you have been practicing with now, then I will attempt to enter your mind."

Harry squirmed a bit, obviously nervous, then closed his eyes. Snape watched as the boy's face slowly relaxed. He wondered briefly if it would be easier to look at him without those bloody glasses that were so much like what James Potter had worn.

He waited another minute, then raised his wand. "Potter." The boy's eyes opened to meet his own. "Legilimens."

He was in a field. Harry was standing several feet away, apparently unaware of his presence. Snape looked to his left and noticed the Weasley home next to him. He studied the landscape, noting every detail, then began to push against Harry's mind, shifting the elements slightly and trying to break down the vision. The ground cracked beneath him and he saw Harry's face twitch in concentration. He pushed harder, ignoring the brief flash of what might have been pride for the boy. The wind picked up and clouds darkened the sky as the ground continued to break up around them. Then suddenly a house elf appeared in front of Harry. Snape watched as Harry looked down at the elf who was bouncing anxiously back and forth, wringing it's hands.

"Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts!" The elf let out a little squeal then vanished.

Both Harry and Snape turned to their right as another figure approached. Snape looked back at Harry to see he was seated at a desk from the Divination classroom, Weasley holding a teacup next to him. The figure formed into Trelawney who grabbed the cup from Ron's grasp, gasping in horror.

"The Grim! Oh my dear boy!" Her wide eyes looked straight into Harry's, "Death!"

The table morphed while Weasley and Trelawney vanished. The landscape around them was slowly fading, stone walls building around them. Harry was sitting in a chair and Snape recognized the Defense office.

"Constant Vigilance, Potter!" Moody hovered over Harry as his face twitched and transformed into that of Barty Crouch. Blood ran down Harry's leg.

Harry was thrown out of his chair and into a wall. A large lumbering boy laughed, pushing past him. "Better be careful Harry, or dad might lock you in the cupboard."

The whale of a boy grew into an even larger man and it looked as if they were in a muggle kitchen now. Harry was standing in front of the red-faced man, and Snape noted the fear in his eyes. He let out a grunt of fury and took a step forward as the man punched Harry, knocking him violently to the ground. Before he could witness anymore, Snape felt himself being pushed out of the boy's mind and back into the classroom.

Harry sat on the floor, taking rattling breaths, a sheen of sweat and Snape thought maybe tears on his face.

"Was that your uncle, Potter?" Snape tried to keep his voice calm.

Harry closed his eyes, trying to gather himself, then shook his head. "No, I can't. No."

Snape wondered how far to push the boy. He looked as if he might break down any moment.

"Harry."

"No!" Green eyes snapped open, anger and fear directed at Snape. "I don't have to tell you anything. We agreed. You don't want to be my father and we both know you don't care about me, so don't pretend it matters."

Harry grabbed his wand from the floor and fled out the door before Snape could respond.

Snape sat back on the desk, sighing. The problem, he finally accepted, was that he did care. More than he knew possible. The sight of Harry lying on the floor of that kitchen had sent waves of anger through Snape. He might not know how to deal with a relationship with his...son, but there was no way in hell he would allow the boy to be sent back to his relatives ever again.

Snape stood, making a decision. He would speak with Harry tomorrow. He didn't want to ignore it anymore, he had made a mistake. He just hoped the boy would still want to try.

Harry left the potions classroom, trying to keep the tears from escaping. How could he be so stupid? Of course Snape would make it past his shield or whatever the visualization mind thing was called.

He couldn't stand the idea of Snape attempting to care. It would just be out of some sense of duty. He had already been forced on one family that didn't want him, he wouldn't be a burden and a shame to Snape as well.

Harry strode down the dungeon corridor, shoving his wand in his pocket and running his hands through his hair. He started as something moved in the shadows of his peripheral. Before he could retrieve his wand he felt his limbs stiffen in a body bind and he toppled to the ground.

"You should have listened to my warning, Potter. I told you to watch yourself." Shining black shoes and the bottoms of gray slacks came into Harry's view. He heard a disillusionment charm and felt a cold trickle fall over him as he was levitated upwards, coming face to face with Draco Malfoy.

"Tut tut, Scarhead. All the better for me, I suppose." Malfoy smirked and started up a staircase with Harry floating behind.

"You know, this was much easier than I had anticipated. The Dark Lord will be very pleased." Harry's heart sank as Malfoy continued to prattle on triumphantly. He had hoped, but not really believed, this was just some schoolboy prank. He tried to calm down. He needed to think of a plan. If Malfoy was delivering him to Voldemort, he needed to be ready. He felt a bit hysterical and probably would have laughed if he hadn't been in a body bind. Even if he was going willingly, with a plan, he still wouldn't be ready. There was no way he could expect to defeat Voldemort. He was going to die. And it was probably going to hurt.

Harry realized Malfoy had turned twice now, walking back and forth in front of a wall. After the third time, a door appeared and Harry wondered if it could be that easy. Just ask the Room of Requirement to transport Voldemort to them?

They entered, Malfoy still smiling happily, and Harry noted they were in a room overflowing with objects. He took in brief glances of books piled several stories high, a grouping of mannequin heads, several shoes of different sizes, and other odd objects he didn't recognize as Malfoy led him into the room. He stopped in front of a large cabinet, grin widening.

"You'll be a nice surprise for Aunt Bella. I'm sure she'll have some fun before turning you over to the Dark Lord."

He opened the door and floated Harry inside, then paused, eyes cold, still grinning. "I'm only sorry I won't be there to see you die, Potter." With that, he shut the cabinet. Harry waited, not sure what would happen, then heard Malfoy's voice again.

"Emetior Locus."

Harry felt a sudden pull on his entire body, as if he were being wrenched backwards. It stopped as suddenly as it began and he fell hard against the bottom of the cabinet, Malfoy's bind no longer active. He shifted into a crouched position, rubbing the kink forming in his neck, and put an ear to the wood. It was silent at first, then Harry heard foot steps approaching and a muffled, high-pitched voice.

"Ooo, has Draco sent me a present?"

Harry froze, recognizing the shrill voice of Bellatrix Lestrange. He pulled out his wand, thankful Malfoy was too caught up in his ego to disarm him. He knew Bellatrix could easily out duel him. He went through his options, trying to push down the rising panic. The footsteps were closer now, almost upon him.

He pointed his wand at himself, not stopping to consider the consequences, and whispered, "Finite Incantatum."

His skin prickled as a ripple passed over his body. His vision blurred considerably and it took a moment for Harry to realize he didn't need his glasses now. He tore them off his face and dropped them in the corner as the door to the cabinet swung open. Harry looked up into the confused face of Bellatrix.

"Who're you?"

Harry didn't bother to answer, using her moment of surprise to send a stunning spell right at her chest. She fell backwards with a thud and Harry pulled the cabinet closed.

"Emetior Locus."

Nothing happened. Harry swore, opening the door again and climbing out. He looked down at Bellatrix, passed out on the floor. His spell had obviously worked since she hadn't recognized him. He felt drained and wondered how much casting it had taken out of him.

He walked to the window, glancing out from the side to see he was on the second floor of a building over a very dark and dirty street. He saw light coming from further up the way and recognized the path through to Diagon Alley. That must mean he was in Knockturn Alley. Wonderful. He hadn't ever planned on returning to the place, especially alone and at night. But he supposed it was better than being in the company of Voldemort.

He looked back to the witch on the floor. She would report back to Voldemort what happened and Draco would inform him that he'd sent Harry Potter through. They'd connect the dots, know what he looked like now, which would inevitably lead to Snape being discovered and most likely killed. He gripped his wand, thinking. If Bellatrix didn't know what happened, then they could just assume that Harry had either escaped or had been transported somewhere else and no one would be able to identify him in his current state.

There were a lot of holes in that plan, but Harry figured Dumbledore could sort out the rest if it worked. And he managed to make it back to Hogwarts.

He placed a bind on Bellatrix, then readied himself. He didn't doubt she'd be able to break it eventually. He'd never cast a memory charm, but they had discussed them extensively in charms near the end of the previous year. Hopefully, that would be enough.

"Ennervate."

Bellatrix's eyes snapped open and Harry saw her recognition of the bind and immediate twitching of fingers. He raised his wand again.

"Obliviate."

The sensation was strange. He never lost sight of the room he was in, but he began to see the events moving backwards through Bellatrix's eyes as she rose from the floor, to the sight of a boy in the cabinet, door closing, then moving backwards out of the room and down the stairs to a sitting room where she lowered herself onto a chair. Harry cut off the spell and blinked. Bellatrix was sitting confused in front of him and he immediately stunned her again, then levitated her slowly down the stairs and back to the table she had been sitting at earlier.

He turned towards the door, extreme fatigue settling over him. The more advanced magic was taking its toll. Noticing a dark cloak by the door, he grabbed it off the hook and swung it around his shoulders. Pulling the hood up over his head, he opened the door slowly. It creaked and he froze as he realized there was someone standing right outside. They turned to face him and Harry caught a glimpse of Lucius Malfoy's face before he slammed the door and ran back the way he'd come, making for a doorway next to the stairs.

He heard the door fly open behind him and a curse hit the wall to his left, the air sizzling next to his face. He darted through the doorway into what he guessed was a kitchen. He sent a disarming spell over his shoulder as he sped around a table, trying to keep his hood from falling while careening through several chairs.

The table he'd just maneuvered around screeched to the side as Harry turned the corner through another doorway. He saw a door at the end of a hall and sprinted towards it. Another curse brushed past his shoulder and collided with the wall ahead of him, causing it to crumble. He burst through the door before it could give way and stumbled out into a back street. He took off to the right, hoping it would take him to Diagon Alley. He reached the end of the building and scrambled to round the corner at a full sprint, feet slipping on the stone. He felt a sharp pain in his side and cried out, but kept going.

Each further step sent waves of agony up his side. He reached a hand inside the cloak and pressed it underneath his ribs. It was wet. He drew out his hand and saw it was covered in blood.

He blocked several curses as he continued to run, taking as many turns as possible. He sent a few back, but knew they wouldn't have as much power behind them as he needed.

He finally emerged on a street he recognized. Hagrid had found him here second year. He turned left and tore up the cobblestones, emerging onto the familiar streets of Diagon Alley. He almost sobbed in relief and ran towards the Leaky Cauldron. The curses had stopped coming and Harry hoped that meant Lucius had given up. He burst through the doors of the pub, thankful the place was busy enough that only a few customers glanced his way. He made his way to the fireplace, remembering other wizards using it freely in the past. He knew he wouldn't be able to floo into Hogwarts, but he should be able to get to Hogsmeade.

He took some powder, throwing it in the fireplace and stepped in without hesitation.

"Hogsmeade!"

Harry saw a blonde head pushing through the crowd as the green flame swept him away. He fell, coughing, out of the floo into an equally busy Three Broomsticks. He picked himself up, pulling the hood further over his head, and made his way through the room to the door. His breaths were becoming more painful and his vision was starting to blur. He could feel blood soaking most of his shirt now, as well as the top part of his trousers.

He limped as quickly as he could towards the Shrieking Shack, praying he'd be able to make it past the Whomping Willow. He stumbled through the old house and dropped into the passage, leaning heavily against the wall of dirt. He dropped to his knees with a groan, and dragged himself forward. The cloak caught on a root and Harry shrugged it off, too tired to try and untangle it. After what felt like hours, he pulled himself up through the hole in the tree and reached around for the knot. He held it there and scrambled around in the dirt with his other hand until he found what he hoped was a suitably heavy rock. Placing it on top of the knot, he crept forward, ready to make a run for it, but knowing he'd probably just collapse.

Thankfully the rock worked and Harry continued slowly up the lawn to the castle. This was probably the first time he actually hoped to run into a professor after curfew. He made it to the side entrance and stumbled down the hall, looking around. The infirmary was on the other side of the castle, up several flights of stairs, as was Dumbledore's office. Harry took the corridor heading down to the left.

He passed through the dungeons in a daze, vaguely wondering if he had died and come back as a ghost since all he could feel now was the cold. He shivered violently as he passed the potions classroom and arrived at the door to Snape's office. He lifted his hand and tried to knock loudly, but he wasn't sure if it worked. Everything was swimming in front of him. He leaned against the door and let out a soft sob.

"I don't want to be a ghost," Harry mumbled into the door just as it pulled sharply away from him. He collapsed into a heap on the ground and let the darkness take him.