A/N Pretty short chapter, but still an update. Harry's not the only one who's falling apart at the seams. Poor Sevie and Harry, I torture them so. Well, the time to heal is drawing near...

Disclaimer: Um, a universe where an untrained neglected teenager has to defeat a homicidal megalomaniac? No, didn't come up with it... _ _

Save Me, No One

Chapter 8

Two days later, a silvery transparent dove flew into Albus's office, informing Severus that Potter was awakening.

The tall man strode with purpose through the ancient halls, though he was uneasy. How was he supposed to talk to Potter? Obviously, he didn't get through the first time.

'Oh, I got through to him the FIRST time. I pushed him right over the edge with my words. Literally.'

Severus rolled up the sleeves on his long sleeved black smock, as he stood outside the Hospital Wing, still unsure of how to talk to the boy. Finally, he strode in and stood tall above the boy in the bed.

"Come here to mock me, Snape?" Potter snapped, not looking at the man.

"I would, but it would be counterproductive, don't you think?" Severus sneered. He mentally kicked himself. He just couldn't do 'nice'.

Harry laughed bitterly. "Merlin forbid... Why are you here anyway?"

Snape rose an elegant eyebrow. "I have yet to transfer the duties of being Headmaster to Minerva, therefore I have to be here."

The boy seemed to deflate, sinking deeper into the bed.

'Great. What did I say this time... Oh shit, duties. Again!'

'Duties. Have to be here. The man just knows how to rub me the wrong way,' Harry thought, closing his eyes tiredly. He just wanted to disappear, to be numb. Dead. But no one would let him! 'Why won't they let me die?! None of them care about me!'

Snape. 'He wanted to die. And in good reason, given his life. The only reason he's staying alive is because its his "duty". So if I die, it'd be a relief...'

"Why won't you let me die?" Harry asked tiredly. "Wouldn't it be a relief? We could both rest, not have to feel anything anymore?"

Severus looked at the boy. "And let your mother's sacrifice be in vein?"

"It already has been!" Harry shouted, sudden rage boiling inside of him. "Have I EVER LIVED?"

Severus looked at the flushed boy in the bed. "Yes." Though now, the tall man wasn't so sure... 'The glamours...' a ghost of a voice whispered in his head.

Harry's face seemed to distort, twisting in anger. "You have no idea. None."

"Oh don't I? Haven't I been through just as much, if not more?" Snape growled, settling down into a chair, crossing his arms. It WAS true though. They had many of the same experiences. Too many...

"I don't know! All right? I don't." Harry shook his head, letting the shaggy hair fall in front of his face. Even with the glamours up, the younger man looked horrible, with grayish skin, dark circles under his tired green eyes, and a gaunt face. Severus didn't look much better, having lost lots of weight during the school year...from stress.

"I assume... in some ways... you do," Severus stated slowly. Harry looked away.

"I loved your mum, Lily. It... was physically painful when I lost her. Pain that numbs the mind, and makes your chest feel like its being squeezed through a tube. She was my best friend... I can only imagine never knowing her, especially if she was my mum..." Harry pulled his knees up to his chest, closing his eyes, tightly. He couldn't hear this... it was too painful...

Severus shook his head. That hadn't been what he meant to say, and it seemed to only be injuring the boy more. He quickly changed tactics.

"I'm sorry Harry. I really am. For... everything..." Severus watched as the boy rolled over, facing the opposite way as him, and curled into a fetal position.

"Stop. Stop, please. Please just leave. Just leave. Please..." was being whispered quietly, and Severus stood to, for once, do what was good for the boy.

He left.

"Minerva?" Severus asked, walking into the staff room wearily. It was high time for this to happen. His lone trunk was packed, and floating behind him.

"Yes, Severus?" the older woman asked, looking at the the younger man. "You look ill."

He shrugged. "I have filled out the appropriate forms. Congratulations, you are now Headmistress." He turned to leave.

"But Severus, where will you go?" Minerva asked, worried about the defeated way he was acting.

"I don't know. I just can't stay here any longer. This place used to set me free, but now, its like a prison..." he shook his head, leaving the room.

"Good luck!" the new Headmistress shouted after him.

A/N pretty short, but you know. Draco comes in soon! ;-) Maybe Luna as well. Anyone else? Blaise or Tracey? Should I just leave Ron and Hermione out of this? You decide!

Review! |:-D))