Chapter 13

Harry turned over in his bed, two strong arms were around him, holding him tightly. Reassuring him that everything would turn out okay. Sighing Harry was content to just fall back to sleep when something strange occurred to Harry. Why would the arms around him feel so damp? That wasn't usually a feeling that was associated with holding, this dampness. Slowly Harry opened his eyes and looked into the face of his securer. Staring back at him was the stark white Death mask of a Death Eater.

Harry struggled to move away, except when Harry placed his hands on the chest of the Death Eater they slipped and came away soaking. Looking down he saw in horror that there was no chest on this man, only the sinews, muscles and tendons covered in copious amounts of blood. Struggling even harder Harry let out a blood curdling scream, but the arms only wrapped themselves around Harry even tighter.

"You have.. Something I want.. Harry Potter." The man said in a high raspy voice.

"What?" Harry as breathlessly, "take it, you can have anything, just let me go!"

The Death Eater laughed and loosened his grip on Harry, "What I want... Harry Potter... is something you... took... from me..." He pushed himself into a sitting position over Harrys body. "I want..." he continued, sliding a slippery hand over Harrys neck, "your... skin."

Harrys mind was racing, "My Skin!" Harry hastily pushed himself up against his backboard, "but, but I need my skin."

The Death Eater laughed, "not anymore..."

Harry couldn't move, he could get away, the man was slowly advancing, oozing his blood all over Harrys body and face. The Death Eater leaned in so close to Harrys face, that Harry had to turn his head away or else they would be touching, "You can't have my skin! Its mine I need it!"

"I NEED IT MORE THAN YOU DO!" The Death Eater suddenly yelled in Harrys face. "I NEED IT!" The man sat back momentarily and Harry pulled himself out from under the covers and jumped off the bed. Surprisingly this action caused Harrys head to engulf in pain and he woke up.

Harry had been tangled up in his sheets and fallen out of bed. This was the position Harry found himself in when he woke up. His head throbbed from connecting with the hard wood floors, but it was quickly going away and Harry pushed himself up. Angry at himself falling out of bed Harry picked up his sheets and threw them back onto the bed. The dream, or rather nightmare, he'd had was rapidly slipping away into the depths of his mind.

Someone coughed pointedly behind Harry, Harry quickly turned around his cheeks burning. Draco Malfoy sat up in his bed with Snape sitting in a chair next to him. Harry had almost forgotten that his newest roommate was Malfoy. But the crooked smile across his face immediately reminded him of last nights adventures into Voldemorts mind. "Bad dream Potter?" Malfoy asked in a husky voice, obviously he was still healing.

Harry looked at Malfoy, his face was pale and blueish. Bandages covered parts of his body that Harry could see before the blankets on his lap obscured them. On the table next to him laid various potions and fresh bandages. Snapes face looked drawn and pensive but was otherwise void of emotion. However despite the condition Malfoy was in, he still managed to bring up the animosity between them left over from Hogwarts. Harry realized that he'd been staring and quickly replied with a simple. "Yeah."

Harry moved past the others silently and went to the washroom. Ice cold water splashed onto Harrys face washing away the sleepy feelings of the morning. Feeling clean and refreshed Harry ventured back into his room to change for the day, really there was no point, he wasn't planning on seeing anyone special today so why not just stay in his pajamas? Anyway, Harry decided to change. Malfoy was lying down in his bed now and Snape was measuring out some potion or another. Harry didn't pay attention to them and quickly threw on whatever was on top of his trunk.

Picking up a few of the books he'd taken from the library, along with the Old Magic volume, Harry started back towards the door intending to stay in the library for a while.

"Potter." Snape called out just before he left the room. Harry paused but didn't turn to look at him. "We have things to discuss."

'Oh yeah' Harry sighed and turned towards Snape. He didn't say anything but his posture indicated that he was waiting for him. Snape turned back to Draco handing him a vile of something and watched as Malfoy downed its contents then fell swiftly into a deep sleep. Straightening out Snape swept past Harry and into his own rooms. Harry followed sullenly sifting the weight of the books from one arm to another.

Snape gestured for Harry to sit in the same chair that he did when He first came to Snapes room the night they bonded. Snape in return took the opposite chair and looked searchingly at Harry. "Are you going to hold those the entire time?"

Harry frowned and then placed on the floor by his feet, letting them drop so they made a loud thud as they hit the ground. Snape wrinkled his nose but did not comment. The feeling of deja vu was increasingly growing stronger as they sat there in silence. Harry didn't look at Snape room this time, he kept his eyes trained on Snape. No direct eye contact of course, he hadn't forgotten that Snape was a master legimines, after all that was they whole reason they were in this predicament. Harry crossed his arms across his chest and slouched in his chair. He noticed the way Snape sat, ram rod straight, almost as if he relaxed something very terrible would happen. His arms were lightly resting on the arms of the chair, not even resting Harry thought to himself, but hovering just above them.

Snapes eyes were neutral, as was the rest of his features. He was probably sizing up Harry the same way that Harry was sizing him up. Neither spoke, it was a war of patience, whoever broke the silence first lost. Harry didn't win everything.

Sighing heavily Harry threw his arms down on the arm rests of the chair and looked pointedly at Snape. "What exactly did you bring me here for? A staring contest?"

Snape didn't move except for the slightest tilt of his head. "What were you dreaming about?" Snape asked in a low voice.

"I don't really remember, it was just a nightmare." Harry looked puzzled, "Why does it matter?"

"Because you kept saying that somebody couldn't have your skin." Snape replied bluntly.

Harry furrowed his brow, "I really don't remember it." Snape continued to stare at him without comment. "I thought we were here to talk about this.. This bond." Harry said frustrated.

"Yes." Snape said evenly, "There are a few very basic ideas to the bond. These, I assume, you'll be able to understand better than anything else more...complicated."

Harry narrowed his eyes, but thinking back to the rules he kept his emotions in check.

"You know of course that to consummate the bond both parties must have sexual intercourse." Harrys cheeks burned, hearing Snape say that so plainly was just–weird and kind of funny. "Once the act is completed one of the parties assumes a more dominate role than the other. Superior, if you will." Snape smirked at Harry.

Harry paled, "what do you mean they get a dominate role?"

"The dominate partner in the bond, gains more control on what abilities are passed between the partners. They are not as effected as the subordinate partner, such as when you felt ill at the Order meeting and I did not."

"So you get to be the Dominate partner, why?" Harry asked contentiously.

Snape raised and eye brow as if you say, are you kidding me? But he answered anyway, "Because Potter, I'm more powerful than you amongst many other things. Also as you already know," Snape continued, "the newly bonded pair must stay with each other at all times for the duration of one week. During that time the bond grows stronger and the transferable abilities are more easily attained after the week is up."

"Are all of our abilities going to be transferable? Like, are you going to be able to speak Parseltounge now?"

"No Potter, that is yours and yours alone. Most traits that are passed between partners are things learned, magical skills. You were born able to speak to snakes, and therefore it cannot be transferred." Harry nodded, understanding more how this was supposed to work. "Usually the couple is more—agreeable— with their partner and they stay together for a longer period of time. Thus strengthening the bond. However one week will make it stable enough for our situation. And those are the basics of the bond. Questions Potter?"

Harry nodded, oh, he had questions. "How come, when I was trying to escape, and even before that when I was really angry, my magic didn't go out of control and blast you all away from me?" Harry had actually pondered that when he was in the Potters Room, but this was the only moment it was able to come up.

"That's because, Potter, you are, like I said before, the subordinate partner and I am the dominate. As such I can feel your magical flow, when it is erratic I can control it because I can control my own magic. It was probably one of the first signs that the bond was working further than just completion."

Harrys mouth made a small 'Oh' be he didn't otherwise comment, that did explain a lot. He should have been able to just send everyone flying away from him, but Snape had been controlling his ambient magic. No more outbursts for Harry then.

Harry thought about Snapes answer for a few more moments then asked his next question."How come I can feel Voldemorts summon." Snapes eyes flashed with Harrys use of the name, and for some strange reason Harrys scar had burned for a second. Harry frowned, "I felt that."

"What did you feel Potter?" Snape asked uninterestedly.

"A pain, when I said his name." Harry paused, "Voldemort." The pain was there again, it was brief, like an electrical shock.

Snapes calculating look returned as he stared at Harry. "That is... unexpected. I did not foresee a further connection between yourself and the Dark Lord."

"What?" Harry asked confused, "I thought this was supposed to stop my connections to him."

"Mentally, yes, but the bonds purpose was not to sever the connection completely."

"So what, even though we went through this whole bond I'm still going to be able to feel him! Like when we're close I'll still be in pain?" Harry was so frustrated, the bond only covered one shit piece of the link he shared with Voldemort, and now he could even feel pain that Snape felt from Voldemort! Just his bloody luck.

"I'm assuming as well Potter that I will feel the pain you feel if you are too close to the Dark Lord."

'Oh good' harry thought sarcastically. Harry ran through the list of mental questions he also had. Why did he still get visions? Well they'd answered that, it was because now his visions were suddenly true. How incredibly convenient for the Order, now we can finally trust poor little Harrys delusions. Why did they pick Snape, of all people why Snape? Well that was also explained, he was the only one who knew Occulamency. Why did Sirius keep appearing? Now that was a question that Harry couldn't ask Snape, nor could he even discuss it with him. Visions of Sirius would mean that he was probably going mental. Harry thought of one that was more recent, "What's happened with the Minister? What are the people doing?"

Snape shifted in his seat, "its hardly of my knowledge as to what the people are thinking. The Headmaster knows more about this than I." Harry frowned at the mention of the Headmaster, but he continued with questions.

"Why didn't you let the Minister die?" Harry asked in all seriousness.

"Should I have let him, Potter?" Snape asked locking eyes with Harry.

Harry shrugged, "I don't know if I would have helped him."

Snape sat silently, weighing Harrys words, but just as he opened his mouth to speak Harry bent doubled over clutching his head.

"Arrhg!" Harry said in frustration, "why does he summon you so much?" Harry ground out.

"I wonder why you feel it before I do.." Snape said quietly to himself, and he sat Harry forcefully back up. "I'll get you a draft." Snape stood and quickly strode over to one of his benches filled with potions. But Harry swatted his hand away when offered the Potion.

"I don't want to go back to sleep." Snape nodded and placed it back upon the bench. It was then, finally, that Snape felt his own call.

"I must leave, the pain should fade after a few more moments." Grabbing a long back cloak and place something into one of its deep pockets Snape swept it on in one deep dramatic motion and covered his body. Harry could only imagine that within those pockets was the White Death mask that was so familiar to the Death Eaters. What had caused Snape to turn his back on Lord Voldemort? Harry didn't know, and curiously he didn't want to either. Snape walked hastily towards the door, but paused before opening it, "you wouldn't have let him die Potter, you're too Gryfindor for that." And then he was gone.

His comment was almost a compliment and a put-down at the same time. Snape obviously felt that Harry was too righteous to let the Minister die, but reflecting upon it himself Harry still didn't feel that he would have done the same. Maybe he would have, but you can never really predict what you would do when face with that situation compared to what you would say you would do\

As promised the pain in his scar faded into a dull throb, and Harry gathered up his books. It was past breakfast, and before lunch, the library might be occupied already, but Harry decided it was better than going back to his room. So Harry slugged down the stairs and across the front yard and into the main house. The library was just off of the front foyer and to the right. Magdelena waved joyfully at Harry as he passed, and Harry returned it with a drawn smile.

Harry liked the library of this house, it was slightly musty from being unoccupied for so long, but it also smelled like leather and wood. It was homey and comfortable, and for the strangest reason of them all, it reminded Harry of his mother.

Setting his books down on a table near the window in the back Harry pulled up a chair and flipped open the Old Magics book. So far nothing had seemed remotely useful in the destruction of Voldemort, some spells were tempting but Harry found that they were small and used for small problems. Voldemort was definitely not a small problem. Today Harry opened to a chapter called, '' and diligently started reading through it.

This chapter covered spells and charms that were used when someone was being held captive, most of these however were very out-dated and not much use. Still something might come in handy and Harry continued to read on. The hours went by and Harry was sure he had missed lunch and it was soon closing in on dinner. So engulfed by his books Harry didn't notice the approach of his two best friends.

Very nonchalantly Hermione and Ron sat down at the table Harry was in and started on their own projects. Harry looked up surprised to see them sitting there not commenting or even looking at each other. Hermione was leaning back in her chair and very large tomb propped up on the table. Ron was flipping through the pages of what looked like their fifth year transfiguration text, and scribbling down on a tattered piece of parchment.

"What are you guys doing?" Harry asked putting down his own book and looking between the two of them.

"Reading about the history of Egyptian Mages." Hermione replied not looking up from her book and quickly turning to the next page.

"Doing an extra Transfiguration Essay so I can get into the N.E.W.T class next year." Ron said sounding bored, "its bloody hard too."

"Well Ron." Hermione piped in, "I don't see why your not using the resources we have right here to help with your essay." she turned another page, "This library has a fantastic section on transfiguration, and I'm sure Professor McGonagall would be happy to help you."

Ron gave Harry a look that said 'yeah like I want to do even more extra work for this thing.' "Hermione, McGonagall is probably very busy doing stuff for the Order, she wont have time to help me."

"You're being foolish Ron, she could find some time if you asked."

Ron stuck his tongue out at her and made a face. Hermione didn't notice and continued to read. He turned towards Harry and flipped his book shut, "what are you doing?"

"Just reading." Harry said shutting his own book. If he read anymore information today his brain might literally explode.

"Just reading?" Ron leaned across the table and felt Harrys head, "is there something wrong with you mate?" He grinned and tilted back in his chair. "So did you hear about the Minister?"

"Ronald." Hermione said sharply. "Don't sound so delighted about it, it was a terrible thing to happen."

Ron rolled his eyes, "yeah, he tortured Harry, he just got what he deserved."

"I hardly think it was the same circumstances, Voldemort," The tiny shock when through Harrys forehead, "is as inept as the Minister himself is."

"Anyway! They found him on the Ministry steps, almost dead they said. The people are really freaking out."

"Yeah?" Harry found himself asking out of curiosity, if Voldemort, ouch, couldn't read his thoughts anymore, then maybe they weren't in danger. Maybe.

"Yeah! Mum says that this really sent a strong message to the people, they have no doubts in their minds about Voldemorts return. She says that even the Minister himself will have to realize it now."

"That's what Snape said, a strong message to the people." Harry said frowning.

"When did he say that?" Rons cheeks flushed, "Do you guys like, talk now and stuff?"

Harrys eyes bulged, "are you kidding me. We barely had a civil conversation this morning and that was because it was about the bond, just the facts. No, he said that to Voldemort." Harry actually flinched this time. "At their meeting, I guess now when I get visions they are all going to be real." Harry shrugged.

"Well that would make sense Harry." Hermione finally looked up. "Voldemort–" Harry winced again and covered his scar. Hermione frowned, "something wrong?"

"No, it's just–" Harry was conflicted on the inside, is this really something Harry could risk doing, or should he push his friends away forever. Voldemort couldn't see they were friends and before their link was shut off it seemed as though they had grown apart. Harry closed his eyes, he couldn't turn his back on his friends anymore, "its just that because of the bond with Snape whenever someone say the name Voldemort, or I say it, I get a shock in my scar. That's what Snapes feels in his mark too."

"That's crap mate." Ron said in his usual way, "so what other kinds of stuff do you guys share now?"

"You don't have to tell us yet Harry–" Hermione said reassuringly.

"Yeah, maybe another day." Harry said looking down and his pile of books.

"Maybe you're right Harry, Its dinner time anyway." Ron said rubbing his stomach. Harry smiled truly for the first time in weeks. Ron was always hungry.

"Now Harry," Hermione said suddenly serious. "We've devised a plan, since last night, and we're over that 'lets be prats to your friends' ordeal, so the thing is. You want to protect us from Vol—You-Know-Who, and we want to be your friends, but we don't want the parents to know about it or they will think that you want to be friends with everyone again. Ron and I discussed it and came to the conclusion that its best kept our secret, and keep pretending that you're avoiding us. If the adults find out, they will probably flock around you or something crazy like that." Hermione said smiling.

Harry was actually a little bit confused, how did they know what they did? It was a good idea though, to have a 'secret' friendship, it would protect them from getting hurt. Because nobody would know they were friends again.

"You are too smart for your own good." Harry said shaking his head. "We'll have to be careful now though because Malfoy is sharing a room with me."

"Malfoy?" Ron said standing up! "What's he doing here? Why is he in your room?"

"Didn't you know?" Harry asked looking between the two shocked faces, "He has refused Voldemort," Harry forced himself to say it, "and they hurt him pretty badly at the meeting last night. Snape brought him here, and my room was the only one left."

"Geeze." Ron said letting out a long breath.

"How strange." Hermione picked up her book, "he's actually on our side, even after all he's done."

"I guess." Harry said thinking about the sick boy in his room, covered in bandages and a sickly blue color.

Rons stomach rumbled ending the conversation. "Dinner time."

"Right," Hermione turned on Harry and gave him an uncharacteristic hug, "see you around then Harry."

"Yeah." Harry waited until they had left the library to gather up all of his books. Slowly he put some of them away and got new ones to pursue another day. Safely tucked under his arm Harry left the quiet library, crossed the foyer and yard and back to his room. Draco was once again sitting up and being 'fed' by Poppy. Fed probably wasn't the right word because Draco wanted to feed himself but was too weak so Poppy had to force down his food or else have him worsen. Malfoy pride lived on in the boy, but maybe in all the wrong places.

Harry quickly puts the books away in his desk and turned away from the scene. Poppys sharp commanding voice floated over to him despite his trying to ignore their commotion. "You'd better be eating as well Potter or else I'll go through this same routine with you next."

Harry secretly smiled and got up from his bed face neutral again, "don't worry about it." He said as he left his room once again to go get some dinner.

"I most certainly will worry Mr. Potter." She called after him.

It was most unfortunate for Harry that night as the dinner being served was beef and mashed potatoes. However the way he plate was arranged made images from somewhere in his mind suddenly pop up. The potatoes were white like the Death Mask, and red juices from the beef leaked out to surround the potatoes, red like the muscles of a skinless man. Harry felt sick to his stomach, but he hadn't eaten all day so closing his eyes Harry forced a few bites down before the images finally went away.

It was quite in the room, and filled with tension. Harry could tell it was because of him, not everyone had seen him after he'd made the huge scene after his attempted escape. Mrs. Weasley however made him eat an extra helping of potatoes and some peas before he couldn't eat anymore food. She was slowly returning back to her normal mother-hen self towards him, but was still very wary in his presence.

Lupin was also there, sitting across from him, but Lupin was finished with his dinner and looking over some documents with Bill. The Order was more open about their conversations now, seeing as they were stuck together and a very little amount of them were not in the Order. It was still very hush-hush, conversations held entirely in whispers, but still out in the open. He would glance up at Harry every so often to make sure he wasn't going to flip out at any moment. Or maybe for another reason which Harry didn't want to think about.