Chapter Forty: The Dursleys
The next few days had been much more eventful. Now that the papers were rolling out again, Severus, who was sitting at the High Table in the Great Hall, looked at the image on the front of the Daily Prophet that Fawkes had delivered. The bird was now nibbling on the fruit platter that sat between him and McGonagall.
At least on the front everything looked fine. The wizarding world celebrating the holiday season, but Severus knew very well that there would at least be some sort of mention of Harry or himself in there. He wasn't wrong.
Before he could even open the paper, Minerva was looking at him and trying to hold back a girlish giggle. "What this time…?" he asked, grabbing her paper and sliding it over between the two of them. He knew it. He knew he couldn't even go out into a store without someone accusing him of being there for something for Harry.
"You don't actually believe this rubbish, do you?" he asked, sliding it back over to the Headmistress in an irritated manner. Some idiot reporter had written a story making out that he had been doing Christmas shopping for his lover, Harry Potter. Snape felt disgust boil in the pit of his stomach.
"Oh, Severus, of course I don't," the witch said in an uptight manner, but she still wore a tight-lipped smirk. "But knowing that you shared Christmas with Potter is enough to make me-,"
"Don't even start," Severus muttered, folding his arms onto the table. He didn't need people thinking it was sweet or cute or whatever mumbo jumbo people thought. Of course it had been a Christmas he'd never forget, but that didn't mean they were some hopelessly romantic couple. In fact, they'd had many arguments and disagreements. They were anything but perfect!
Minerva just laughed once more. "Well, I'm happy for you," she said. She lifted her hand and gently put it onto Snape's arm, as if to give him her congratulations. Of course she was happy about their relationship. She'd seen Severus alone all of his life, chasing after someone he could never have. It was nice to see him finally able to get something he wanted, and Harry was more than willing. The Gryffindor hadn't stopped looking up here since breakfast had started. Well, not until the post had arrived anyway. Now he was reading something that was in his hands.
At the very empty Gryffindor table, Harry was surprised to see the letter that had been delivered to him. It was late, but that was to be expected. Dudley didn't know how to use the mail here for Hogwarts. But a letter from his cousin? He wasn't expecting it at all.
It was just wishing him a happy holidays and telling him that he had graduated high-school. There weren't any mentions of his parents, but there was a mention of Dudley trying to keep up with the wizarding world just to know he was okay. He'd heard about the end of the war, and even more embarrassing, he'd heard about Snape! There was an awkward looking pause and a few scribbles on the page, and then the subject was changed. He figured Dudley had no idea how to take it—which was surprising that he'd even written to him with that.
All his childhood, Dudley had called him girly names and teased him about being gay or something. Harry never really thought of it, but yeah… he supposed he was—even if it was a bit different in the wizarding world. The fact was he liked men. He liked Severus.
He stared at the letter for a moment, reading over it again. He did want to catch up with Dudley, but he knew it would be awkward and strained, especially now that he was with Snape. His aunt and uncle probably wouldn't care what he did, but potentially putting Dudley in danger? Of course they'd protect him, even if he was all grown up.
Folding the letter, he put it into his pocket before eating the rest of his breakfast. He ignored the paper that Spells had brought in. He'd already heard some of the whispers, but he just shrugged them off. What happened in the dungeons with him and Severus would stay there. The only people he'd tell would be Ron and Hermione, and certainly not in a letter that could be intercepted. He'd tell them in person.
When breakfast was finally finished, he headed out into the courtyard and sat by himself in the cold sun. The snow had cleared, but it was still freezing. He had a feeling they'd have a few more snow days, but for now, he enjoyed the sunlight against his skin.
Pulling the letter back out of his pocket, he unfolded it. He didn't re-read the whole thing, he just looked over it. He wanted to go and see Dudley, but was he even allowed to, now that he was back here at Hogwarts? Usually students left through the train, he knew. He guessed he got special privileges because he was in a relationship with a professor, but even so. Would Severus let him? Would McGonagall allow it now that they were back on the school grounds?
Watching Harry with his head down, Severus leant against the wall. He'd noticed he'd been reading in the Great Hall—but not the papers. Something had been delivered to him, and it was obviously weighing on his mind. The Weasley girl honestly couldn't have replied that fast, so something settled in his stomach at the thought that it wasn't her. But then there was the unknown that wasn't settling with him very well at all.
He wished to approach the Gryffindor about it, but it could be something private. He didn't want to get in Harry's way, but it bothered him being kept in the dark as well. Rich coming from him. He was secretive as hell, and yet he couldn't stand the thought of Potter keeping something from him. However, if Harry asked, he would be more than willing to tell him most of anything. Well… depending on what the subject may be.
He mentally groaned to himself, before pulling his robes around his arms a little. It was cold even though the sun was out. He adjusted his scarf before telling himself to move it and just go over there. So he did, approaching Harry as most of the left over students were doing their own thing.
"Haven't received bad news, have you?" he said in his usual snarky tone of voice. It probably came out harsher than he meant it to. He actually honestly cared what Harry was so worked up about that was written on that piece of… Was that regular old paper from a Muggle? Something in Severus relaxed a lot more. Who did he really know who could worry Harry in the Muggle word besides his aunt and uncle?
Startled, Harry hadn't heard Severus come over. Bloody hell, sometimes he really was like a vampire. He looked up from his letter and shook his head. "Nothing bad, no… It's just from Dudley," he confessed, looking back down at the letter.
He didn't know if he should really ask Snape about going to meet him. He didn't know if he was allowed now he was back at Hogwarts. He probably ruined his chances coming back here.
Ah, Dudley. Well, that certainly gave a legit reason for Harry to be pondering. He knew they never originally got along. Why Dumbledore put Harry with the Dursleys and allowed that to happen? He had no idea. He gathered it was partly his fault as well. Any one of them could have taken Harry in, and he was no way in Hell doing that back then. Not with his raw feelings on everything. He probably would have hurt Harry…
"He just… well, he knows about us for one," Harry informed. Severus seemed to go a little stiff.
"Your cousin has been receiving wizarding news?"
"Yeah, actually." Harry gave a light chuckle. "Seems Dudley's really turned around, or at least trying to get to know what's happening with my life anyway. He subscribed to the Prophet. Has to hide it from his parents, though. Of course, saying he's my cousin he can probably get away with loads of things from witches and wizards."
Severus just inclined his head. Yes, he certainly could. And he was well aware on Petunia's thoughts. At least they didn't know. He had no idea how they'd take the news at all… Not that it was really any of their business.
Lifting his head, Harry looked up to the professor, "Dudley said he'd like to catch up with me…" He looked back down, not knowing how to approach the subject.
"And you wish to take his offer?" Severus asked.
"Yeah… well… Yeah, I would," said the Gryffindor, looking back up with a more certain gaze. "But I don't know if I'm allowed now that I'm back here at Hogwarts. Won't I get into trouble if I go out in the holidays? And how would I get there? It's not like the train comes back."
"Harry, you're bonded to me, and with that comes special privileges. How do you think we were allowed to Floo to Spinners End? However, considering you are a student, rules do apply. You will require an escort."
Looking up, Harry realised that that meant Snape could come too. But… would that be awkward? And for all of them? Surely Severus didn't actually wand to meet Dudley. Not after what he'd done to him as a kid. And the possibility of seeing his aunt and uncle, too? What about Dudley. Oh, God, they were dating, and Dudley would be so awkward around it!
Sensing Harry's plight, Severus' eyes halved. "Potter, it doesn't have to be me."
"What…? I didn't-,"
"You don't have to."
"No, I mean it!" Harry said forcefully. "Look, it's not you, it's… my aunt and uncle. If they ever found out… can't you imagine what it would be like? They're Muggles, they don't understand wizarding rules."
Severus waved a hand before folding it once more against his chest. "Harry, I don't care what the hell those idiots think of me. I'm merely saying that it does not have to be myself to escort you. But without a professor of your choice, then you can forget about your cousin's play date."
Harry's eyes narrowed a little. "Do you want to come?" he asked.
"I don't particularly enjoy Muggle company, let alone the Dursleys." Severus showed little to no interest.
This time, Harry's shoulders slumped a little. "Well, I don't think I'd be comfortable with anyone else, and the holidays will soon be over." School started up in a week again.
"I doubt you'd be comfortable with me, either, Potter," said Severus.
"I dunno… I think you'd give Uncle Vernon a run for his money. Didn't you say that you'd like to see my aunt just to annoy her?"
"Oh, please, I was intoxicated by potions when I said that," scoffed the professor, amongst other things. "Besides, you may not have a run in with them. Don't you wish to have more privacy rather than me getting in the way of you and your cousin's personal space?"
Harry could understand Severus not really wanting to meet family. One, he already knew Petunia, and he hated her. With what he'd told Snape about the other members, he didn't seem fond of them either. But he still needed an escort.
"What if you go and do something else while me and Dudley chat? He's gotta meet you sometime anyway… I mean… we are in a relationship. Yeah, it might be awkward, but he avoided the conversation the best he could. He might not even bring it up. Especially if his mum and dad are there."
"Yes, one of your professors getting into your backside on a regular basis. Nothing at all to talk about," muttered the Slytherin. "Did he not call you bigoted names when you were younger? You do realise I will not hold my tongue if he insults you."
Harry grinned a little. "Yeah… I know you won't," he smirked. "Dudley's not like that anymore, though. Not after the Dementor attack and me saving his life."
"Another to add to your list."
"Dudley's not like that. He's just grateful that I did. I can't really blame him for the way he grew up… he was completely pampered by his parents." Harry rolled his eyes at remembering that. "I don't think he ever would have thought I'd save his life like that… Poor sod."
How Harry could save someone who had tormented him beyond belief was against him. "I suppose, if you wish, I could excuse myself for a couple of hours."
"You won't even have to meet Dudley, I promise."
"You will only have two hours, Potter. School rules. You have to check in and cannot be out all day unless it's something urgent. I'm afraid family visits aren't quite covered, and the Headmistress must be informed of our whereabouts. It's not an emergency."
Harry could deal with that. "I'll write back to Dudley and set up a date with him. I won't know until tomorrow or so, but hopefully he'll right back soon enough."
Severus just nodded once. It would certainly be interesting.
*****
Within the next few days, Harry had received a letter back from Dudley confirming the date that they could meet. Today. It was currently January 2nd and school would be starting in a few days. He also wasn't blind to the fact that Severus' birthday was also in a few days. Snape hadn't mentioned anything, and he had a feeling he was trying to keep the whole thing unknown. Little to Snape's knowledge, Harry had found out about it.
Snape had informed McGonagall all about the trip and they had been given the all clear. They needed to Floo back to Hogwarts when the two hours was up, though (if not earlier whether things turned out alright or not).
Dudley had actually been interested in seeing some wizard things, so they chose a place which was neutral ground for Muggles and wizarding folk. Of course, their world wasn't meant to be exposed, but sometimes Muggles had to know in case someone was a witch or a wizard in their family. So neutral territory did exist. It also meant that they could Floo in and out without having to travel some kind of ridiculous distance.
The morning consisted of Severus pushing him to hurry up and get dressed. Snape had gotten up at an ungodly hour because he was working on a potion, and he figured it wasn't fair that he couldn't sleep in, so apparently neither could Harry.
"I'm going!" the Gryffindor protested, stripping his shirt off. A clean one was tossed at him from across the room, and he pulled it from his face. He groaned sleepily. He didn't need to be there early, so he didn't understand why he was getting forced up so soon. Something to do with Floo network and that the world still worked while Hogwarts had holidays. He wasn't taking much in. Well, except the wizard that was fussing over him.
Severus had this cute way of being incredibly pushy and focussed on what he wanted done. It was annoying, yes, but at the same time, there was something alluring about it. He paced and walked incredibly fast around the place, trying to get everything done at once. He had no idea how Snape's head was still on tight. Severus focussed on a number of things when he could hardly focus on one let alone ten.
He quickly put the shirt on and patted himself down. It was only Dudley, he didn't need to dress up for that. "Good?" he asked, presenting himself for the professor. He was just in jeans and a shirt. It was cold, so he would wear a jacket and scarf.
"It will do," said Severus as if he were some kind of expert. "You do realise that going out in public means reporters, yes?"
"Yeah, and photographers, I know. Whatever happens to me and Dudley will surely be in the next edition of the paper," Harry moaned. He was used to it now, he really couldn't be bothered unless something bad happened. He couldn't even see his cousin without getting in the papers. He mentally rolled his eyes. He had also warned Dudley about that, too.
"Have you decided what you're going to be doing? I don't suppose you'd like to sit with us and have some tea or something?"
Severus tried to imagine the porky Dudley and the two wizards sitting together. No. That wasn't happening. "I will introduce myself, but I can't say I will be staying. You deserve your privacy with your cousin after everything that has happened. Believe me, you don't wish for my tongue to be around… well, people like them."
Harry smiled lightly. "Yeah, if my uncle ever saw you insulting Dudley, I think that would be the last of him," he snickered.
Snape didn't object. "Ready?"
"Ready." Harry walked over to the Floo powder that was topped off from last time and took a handful. He couldn't believe he was starting to get nervous about talking to his cousin. He guessed things had changed between them, though. A lot…
Exhaling, he spoke the address of the Inn they were going to, and he soon opened his eyes, his glasses smudged. He took them off, cleaned them on his shirt and put them back on. It was early, so it wasn't very full at all.
Not-so-graceful hands soon slapped against the back of his shoulders as he hadn't moved the whole way out of the fireplace, Snape hitting up against him. They both stumbled a little, but Harry was able to keep to his feet.
"Potter, you don't just stand in a fireplace! Move it," hissed Snape from behind the Gryffindor, pushing him out of the way as he brushed himself down.
"Sorry," Harry muttered embarrassedly, fixing himself up. He moved away entirely from the fireplace in case anyone else was using the network to come here. There was no sign of Dudley.
"I told you we'd be here too early," he said, turning to Severus who was also fixing himself up. He was cleaned of ashes, his wand slipping into his sleeve once more.
"Potter, do use your eyes," said the Slytherin, nudging his head towards the window to the street outside.
Turning, Harry saw Dudley and his aunt and uncle outside waiting nervously. Damn, he was hoping that they wouldn't come with Dudley. Then again, he should have known better. Uncle Vernon didn't just let his boy go out into the scary wizard world.
"So your aunt and uncle don't know of this relationship, correct?" Severus asked, looking down to the younger wizard. Harry shook his head. "Perfect."
What? What was perfect? When Snape moved, Harry tailed after him. "What are you doing!?"
"Don't concern yourself, I'm just your professor to them, Potter," the Slytherin smirked. It was about time he told Petunia off about how she'd treated Lily—not to mention Harry now. He wanted to downright punch Vernon in the face for mistreating the boy.
"Severus! Don't!" Harry grabbed the man's arm and stopped him from going any further. "Please… I don't want to start any trouble. If you want to talk, then do it after. If you get into some kind of fight, I won't get to talk to Dudley, and he seemed he needed it desperately."
Having stopped, Severus looked through the glass and then back to Harry. Fine, his own emotions could wait. They'd wanted years, why not two more hours?
"Fine," he muttered moodily. "I will introduce myself later. Are you alright being by yourself?" Of course he was; this was Harry Potter.
"I'll be alright," confirmed the younger wizard. He looked up and stood on his toes to give Severus a soft peck. "Go enjoy your free time."
"Two hours, Potter, and I will be back."
"Yeah… and so will my aunt and uncle," Harry mumbled dispassionately. As Severus left to go and take a seat in the corner (he had to technically have sight of him through their visit due to school rules), Harry decided it was time to go outside and meet Dudley.
He knew very well that the only reason his aunt and uncle were still here was because they were most likely 'protecting' Dudley from the freaks who were inside this area. He was surprised they even allowed it considering their feelings towards witches and wizards. They had no desire to see him, and he was well aware of that fact. Perhaps they were scared of the backlash if they said no? He didn't know.
Stepping outside, the three saw him, and instantly his aunt and uncle went rigid. He headed over with a brave face, trying not to roll his eyes.
"We weren't expecting you'd be here this early," said Vernon through his bushy moustache. "You're allowed out here all by yourself? Preposterous!"
Not wanting to ruin his chances with Dudley, Harry just ignored them. "Hey, Dudley. It's nice to see you again." His cousin nodded and they shook hands in greeting. "I'm here with a professor, so I'm not by myself. Dudley will be safe."
"Well, where is this professor?" Like always, Petunia was standing awkwardly and close to Vernon, not saying a word.
"Inside," Harry said bluntly. He thought they could have avoided this. That they wouldn't even want to meet another witch or wizard. But the looks on their faces were saying that they certainly didn't trust him to be alone with Dudley. "Fine, I'll go and get him." He knew Dudley wouldn't be allowed to stay if there wasn't some kind of protection. He would have thought two wizards was just too much! Apparently not.
"You want Duddy to stay with another one of those freaks?" whispered Petunia in Vernon's ear.
"I'd rather them than the boy all by himself," replied the more than plump man. "Who knows what he might try to put in Dudley's head."
Walking back inside, Harry headed over to Severus who was reading one of the papers. "You have to come out… " When Severus gave him an odd look, he sighed and continued, "Uncle Vernon wants to know that Dudley will be protected. Apparently they're still blaming me for everything that happened with the Dementors. Not to mention the blood protections."
"You do realise that it was most likely a mistake to bring me here. You should have asked for someone else. Petunia won't like this…" Hell, he didn't like this!
"A second ago you were saying that you wanted to talk to them."
"Yes, well, I've had a moment to push those irreversible feelings away," he said, nudging to the firewhisky that was sitting on the table with him. Really, he was on the job, he shouldn't be drinking at all, but no one would know. It was just one goblet.
When the look on Harry's face didn't disappear, he sighed, standing from the table. He left his untouched firewhisky behind, and pushed the doors to the Inn open to walk outside. As he was on duty, he was, of course, in his full teaching robes.
Heading over to the trio, he extended his hand. "Potter's professor," he said disinterestedly. Vernon looked at his hand for a moment, and he glared at him, as if warning him he better shake his hand or he'd hex him. Vernon shakily did so.
"Professor, hm? What do you teach? Honestly, I have no idea what you people do in those classrooms."
Severus already wanted to punch the vile mean before him. "What I teach? Mister Dursley, that is none of your concern, but I will mention that I don't take kindly to those who insult my work, certainly when I could kill said person with a single drop of elixir," he sneered warningly.
Vernon paled, clearing his throat and looking away. "Strict… I respect that," he blundered. "I can see why you brought Potter here. The boy gets lots of punishment, does he?"
Harry just looked at Severus, as if to say 'play nice'. For some reason, Vernon always seemed to calm at knowing he got beaten at school.
"You have no idea, Mister Dursley," said Severus, Harry and Dudley sharing a very awkward glance at one another. Petunia, on the other hand, looked terrified as he took his hand back, wishing he hadn't touched such a foul thing. Even potion ingredients were better feeling than the clammy, stubby hand of Vernon Dursley.
"I'm here to escort Potter and his cousin. They have two hours and then your son will be returned to you. Hurry up."
At Snape's displeased voice, Harry waved Dudley over, as if they were children.
"W-what did you say your name was?" said Petunia, eyeing the professor. Harry didn't remember her being this outspoken, but he figured she recognised Snape. Oh no, this could be really bad…
Snape turned in her direction, Harry giving him a very hard look, as if to lie. He wasn't going to lie to them. He was Harry's bondmate now, and they had to bloody well deal with it. "I'm offended," he smirked, folding his arms. "After all those years of tormenting your sister and I, I thought you would have remembered at least my face."
"It is you…" said the woman, a look of horror on her face. "Lily's death was your fault!" Beside her, Vernon seemed shocked. There were many things she never told him about her family when growing up.
Harry saw Severus tense up, and he stepped in the middle. "I came here to talk to Dudley. Can we please go?" he urged before things got worse.
"Let him speak for you, do you?" Vernon hissed, trying to get control of the situation. "So much for the punishment." A loud laugh came from the back of his throat.
Severus attempted to keep himself calm, grabbing Harry by the collar and moving him away so he was face-to-face with Vernon. "Watch your tongue or I might just remove it for you," he threatened dangerously. "I certainly don't beat him like you had, you vile worm."
Instantly, Vernon was white with horror. All talk and no action. Harry felt himself swallow at the tension that was going on.
"Harry, your boyfriend-er…" Dudley went red as he had let it slip from his tongue. Everyone's eyes turned to him, Vernon and Snape still almost nose to nose.
"Boyfriend?" Vernon said, stepping back. A great big look of disgust and horror spread across his face. "What-what do you mean by that?"
"N-nothing, I was just muckin' about," Dudley said, giving a nervous laugh, as if to try and fool his father.
"No… their culture isn't like ours," Petunia spoke, eyeing the two of them in a prejudicial manner. "Couldn't have my sister, so you went for her freakish spawn, did you?"
Harry felt a fire burning in the pit of his stomach, and he could tell Severus was more than fuming. "My mother's dead! What Severus feels for me has nothing to do with her!" he yelled out, getting attention from other people. The three Dursleys huddled together, Vernon and Petunia putting their hand onto Dudley's shoulders to pull him back.
"I knew this was a mistake to ever let Dudley come here. I'm not standing here and letting him see such filth! We're going home!" Vernon ordered.
"Filth?" Severus asked nastily. "The only filth here are Muggles like you, thinking you own the world with your narrow minded views on how everything should work in society! You're nothing compared to people like us. You're vermin! As for your sister… the best thing she ever did was leave you behind," he sneered to Petunia. "How dare you treat her son like nothing!? Stuffing him in a cupboard for eleven years of his life! You're nothing but a bitter, neglectful sodding piece of rubbish. It should have been you at the receiving end of the curse that took her life! You filthy Muggle!"
Harry was shocked, standing next to Snape. Vernon and Petunia were also shocked, and when they gathered themselves up, they hurried away, taking Dudley with them. They didn't even get a chance to talk.
He felt a tight hand go against his wrist, and suddenly he was being dragged away, back into the Inn. "Sev! Ow, Professor, you're hurting me!" he yelled as he was pushed into the fireplace.
"Get back to Hogwarts," Snape snapped.
Harry didn't have a choice as the Floo powder was shoved into his hands. He said to return back to Snape's quarters in Hogwarts and he was back inside the Slytherin covered room, Severus nudging past him, his robes tailing. He rubbed his wrist to where the professor had grabbed him.
He knew things probably wouldn't have worked well, but he didn't expect them to go this bad! Snape had been horrible, and so had his aunt and uncle. But it hurt to hear things like that come from Severus… Saying that Muggles were filth? Is that really what he thought of them? He thought he'd gotten over that since he'd been a Death Eater.
"I'm sorry…" he mumbled, knowing very well that his aunt had hit a raw nerve with Severus. But to be honest, Lily shouldn't even be a part of their relationship anymore! And that bothered him. It bothered him that he had to tip toe around his own mother when she was gone and he and Severus were supposed to have a relationship!
Severus scoffed. "You honestly thought that that little trip was going to end well?" he asked, trying to distract himself with some of the flagons on the bench.
"No… but I didn't think it would be that bad…" Harry admitted. "You didn't have to say those things."
"I didn't? I didn't start it, Potter, your bloody aunt and uncle did. I merely finished it," said the Slytherin. "Everything I said was the truth."
Looking up, Harry grew angry. "What they say shouldn't even matter to you!" he barked. "You shouldn't have even brought up the past! You really think Muggles are the scum of the earth?"
Snape swiftly turned to face the Gryffindor. "Face the facts, Potter, we are better than them. We are special and have talents that they will never possess."
"And that makes us better people!?" Harry yelled. He stared, shocked at the man before him. Shaking his head, he couldn't believe he was hearing this. Snape hadn't changed one little bit, and that was heartbreaking. All this time he'd thought different…
Severus' shoulders loosened a little as he looked to the horrified green eyes. "Harry…" he said, extending his arm, but the other moved away.
"I thought you'd changed. I thought all that crap about Muggle prejudice was just a lie to fit in with the Death Eaters. But I was wrong, wasn't I?"
What!? "No-,"
"Just like I'm wrong about your feelings towards my mum. Even after all this time, you still love her. And as long as you do, there isn't enough room for us!"
What? Severus was taken aback for a moment. They'd spoken about this before, numerous amounts of times. He didn't need to explain it again.
When Snape didn't say anything, Harry backed away before running from the dungeons.
"Potter! Harry!" The door slammed closed as the Gryffindor disappeared. Severus felt his insides tense, his heart pulling tight in his chest. He lifted his hand to kneed it. Today had been stressful, and he'd just made it worse by making Harry feel like he was second to Lily. That wasn't true. It wasn't true at all!
At the beginning of their relationship, he may have been correct. He still had feelings for Lily. But things had changed, and Harry had become the centre of his attention and his urge to live. He'd just gone and fucked that up, hadn't he?
Running a hand though his hair, he slouched onto the lounge. Fawkes and Spells were deadly silent on their shared perch. The only thing Severus could hear was the voice in his head telling him he was an idiot.
Author's Comment:
I'm really sorry for the late update, I've been going through some really rough personal stuff.