I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to Brigi. Her e-mail address: tbwtpbe at hotmail .com

My Beta reader, Makurayami Ookami fixed THIS chapter.

I know I said Monday but it was a short chapter. The next one however… I'll try to be quick.

Read and review please. I'll pass on the reviews.

THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 2 – Marie

Snape was lying on his side in bed when the sound of Dudley running around and laughing woke him up.

"Where are you running Potty? Did your little girlfriend call you to cancel the lunch? I'd like to know the girl who hangs around a looser like you. "

He heard another slam then the hooting of an owl. Someone stormed down the stairs then left the house. It all ended with Dudley running into his room and slamming the door. There he turned on his stereo and turned it up so loud that a picture fall from the bedside table in Snape's room. It sounded like some horrible heavy metal, but he couldn't hear anything else beside the drums and a rattle.

Snape stroked his aching forehead and his eyes narrowed in agony.

"Damn noisy Muggles." He moaned weakly.

He sat up in bed and with a 'Reparo' fixed the broken picture. He felt terrible, his head hurt so much he thought it would explode and his limbs were still numb. He felt sharp pain with every movement. He just sat there for a while, his toes barely reached the carpet. He felt terribly tired because he hardly slept at all last night. He couldn't rest because of what happened last evening.

He was cursed. With nothing more than a Cruciatus curse. He never thought Harry was capable of performing such powerful curses. Only those who really wished to make their enemies suffer could do this, when they hate their opponent with all his heart and wants to cause pain. Harry hates him… In fact, he wanted to kill him. That's what he saw in his head. Before he cast the spell he saw everything he did to the boy in the last five years. Every taunt, every detention… Snape put his hand on his throbbing temple. Harry's hateful words still rang in his ears:

"Your whole… pathetic… life… revolves around… this petty little… revenge! Nice thing… hurting a vulnerable… person, huh? DAMNED DEATH EATHER! You'll pay for this!"

He saw the boy raising his wand and shouting the word 'Crucio!' again and again.

Snape shuddered. This boy hated him. And he reacted aggressively to Occlumency. The boy's reaction seeing the image of Black made him alarmed. He lost control over his body and mind also. He was shouting meaningless, incoherent sentences shaking and trembling. He openly showed that he was afraid. He cried… The boy's eyes were the scariest. They were glassy and there were gray circles under his eyes.

But he seemed calm and pretty much cheerful all afternoon. He could concentrate perfectly when they started Occlumency. As long as he saw the image of Black. Then he lost all control. He was shouting like he did when Black died. He started to cry because of that too… Snape started to think that Harry lost his mind when Sirius died. He couldn't find any other explanation.

He got up slowly, hissing quietly and walked to the dresser where his clothes were. He pulled the top drawer. On top of his clothes he saw a mirror. A two-way mirror like the one Harry got from Sirius. He touched the frame then picked it up. He saw his own tired and worn face. He wanted to call Dumbledore but no words came out of his throat. With a sigh he put it back in the drawer.

He changed and washed his face then went down to the kitchen. He could smell that someone had burned the toast. He walked as slowly as possible because he wasn't ready to face Harry just yet. To his surprise, the boy was not in the kitchen.

Before he entered he heard Dudley and his father talking. When he appeared they stopped speaking.

"Good morning." He said weakly to break the silence.

He sat down and took a couple of toasts from the bowl. He was staring like he was sick.

The Dursley family noticed the bandages on his forehead and right hand. Their eyes met and Uncle Vernon felt brave enough to speak. "D-did you get hurt? I clearly told you not to do anything dangerous with the boy! I don't want you to curse the house in the end!"

"It's already cursed, Dursley." Snape muttered to himself. He took the toast but his hands were shaking badly. He said aloud, "I can assure you, Mr. Dursley that neither the house nor you will be harmed while I practice with Harry."

"And what kind of injuries are these?" Said Vernon.

"It's just… a little accident…" Said Snape coldly.

"Accident, huh? Just take care not to dry your hair in the bath!" Snorted Dursley and looked at his son with an evil grin and winked.

Snape was looking at them with deep hatred, and he started to understand why Harry hated them. In any case, he resisted the temptation to change the uncle into grindylow. He swallowed the insult and continued. "Where… is Harry?"

Aunt Petunia answered this time. "He went to get that girl! He said he'll be back for lunch."

Snape put down his knife. "Didn't you… experience something different, something weird with Harry in the past two weeks?"

"Weird? That boy is a degenerate freak! Just like his mother and father!" exclaimed the lady.

"I mean about his behavior." The teacher said firmly, ignoring the fact that according to what she said he himself is a degenerate freak. "Didn't he seem… aloof? Or silent?"

Uncle Vernon snorted haughtily. "Aloof, huh? That boy spent his whole life alone! He never had any friends! He spent every summer in his room looking at his photos! The strange thing is that he's not doing it this year!" Snape didn't have much time to think about it because Uncle Vernon sneakily changed the subject. "Harry told us that you and that freak Potter couldn't stand each other" Snape felt himself turn pale.

"Did he mention why?"

"No, he didn't. But it's interesting! Why do you deal with him if you hated his father?"

"Perhaps because boys shouldn't be punished for what they fathers did." He said quietly but he surprised himself with it so much that he almost dropped his toast. Painful memories started to haunt him and he had to hide his hands under the table to mask his shaking. It seemed that the Dursley's are too primitive to understand what he just said because they continued where they left off.

"And tell me" asked Vernon in an insolent tone. "How does this boy act in… that school?"

Snape was just sitting there watching his breakfast. "He's… very good…," He said with glassy eyes. "He's not the best student, but… undoubtedly one of the best Quidditch players… He works hard… but his grades don't always show his knowledge… he wants to be… an Auror…"

"Auror? What the heck is that?" Dudley leaned closer.

"A powerful wizard who… fights with dark wizards and witches to… protect the good ones…"

Uncle Vernon looked at Petunia who turned pale and looked away. Snape said nothing more. After breakfast he went back to his room. He sat down near the window and let the fresh breeze and the sun's warm rays cradle him to sleep. He could be with the ones he loved at last. He woke up at noon when he heard the bell. He felt stronger. So he changed and went down to the living room. He was on the stairs when he saw the Dursley's, with mocking faces, shake hand with the guest.

A fragile but very feminine pretty girl was down there. She was wearing a black, strappy, knee-length dress. Her nice long hair was braided on both side of her face which made her even more pretty. When their eyes met the girl's eyes flashed with the yellow dots in them. The man felt a strange chill. Though he saw the honest curiosity and joy in the girl's eyes. Then he saw Harry who looked as worn as he was. His face was gaunt and pale. He saw fear in his eyes when he noticed the bandages on the teacher's forehead and hand. Snape didn't hesitate any longer. He made a small smile and reached the hall.

Harry managed to introduce his girlfriend to him too.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Snape!" Said the girl with bright eyes when they shook hands. "My name is Marie Salboux. Harry told me a lot about you."

Snape's eyes drifted to Harry.

"Let's go to the living room!" said Petunia with feigned kindness while she went to the kitchen to get the tea. She wore an evil smile. Snape started to think that the lady was up to something. When the tea was served they started a little conversation.

"Tell me, Mary…" Said Uncle Vernon, emphasizing the English version of her name. "Why did you choose England? Someone who came from such a beautiful country like France…"

Snape wanted to throw up. Dursley was so cheesy. So not typical of him.

But the girl was smiling sweetly. "Actually I could choose Spain, Italy or England. I started learning English when I was little so I thought it was the best option. My parents lived in America, so it's in my blood."

"Lived?" asked Dudley rudely.

"Yes, Dudley. Unfortunately they died in a car accident when I was little…"

"Oh, what a tragic coincidence!" said Uncle Vernon with feigned surprise. "Harry's parents also died in a car accident when he was just a little baby!"

Snape started to cough loudly choking on his tea. The Dursleys looked at him angrily.

"I'm… sorry…"

While the Dursleys questioned the girl about the customs and cuisine of her country Snape was watching Harry.

The boy was sitting next to his girlfriend and he clutched her frail little hands like it was the last straw on the edge of a deep ravine. Marie seemed to notice this too. She looked at the boy, gave him a reassuring smile and stroked the back of his hand then continued the conversation with her hosts.

Harry just stared in front of him. Snape wondered if the boy was watching him or just dazed off. He almost forgot about everything around him. He was occupied with the poor body language of the boy. Apparently last night had an effect on him too. He looked like a rag.

"…sir?" Snape noticed that the girl was calling him.

"Yes, Miss.?"

"I just wanted to tell you how generous of you to teach Harry even in the summer. Of course… a lot of children are happy that they don't have to learn during the summer. But I know that Harry is diligent and persistent so his grades will improve. Right, Harry?" she looked at the boy lovingly.

Harry's face flushed a little as if color was coming back. He smiled, kissed the girl's hand and stroked her face as well. Marie was speechless. She blushed and looked down.

Everyone was surprised seeing the boy's sudden kiss, even Snape. He seemed more mature. He didn't look like the scrawny, short, little boy with glasses like he used to.

"And tell me, dear Mary" Aunt Petunia hissed. She was deeply shocked when she saw the public display. "What kind of institute are you studying in?"

"In a Catholic boarding school." She touched the cross hanging around her neck.

"Sorry, dear, but then how can you and Harry…?"

"Oh" She smiled in embarrassment. "This is not a nunnery! Of course there are those who eventually become a nun, but most of them continue studying. We get a strict religious education but not everyone has the dedication…"

"Well, I can see that." The lady said primly. "Well!" She clapped her hands. "I suggest we go to the dining room and I serve the lunch!"

The only advantage of the meal was that the Dursley's couldn't ask any more uncomfortable questions. Then everyone went to do what needed to be done. Dudley and Uncle Vernon went to the living room to digest and Aunt Petunia went to the small garden to hear the daily gossip.

Harry and Marie went to the garden behind the house and sat down. They were sunbathing and talking about what they would do next week. They became thirsty a few hours later, so they went to the kitchen to get refreshment. Then Harry took the girl's hand. "Do you want to see something special?" When he saw the confusion on the girls face he added. "Come! I'll show you my room!"

Marie started to protest. "But… Harry! I don't think…" she started but the boy was already pulling her up the stairs. "…it's proper!"

"Come! It'll be good!"

Marie became red with embarrassment.

"Harry! I don't…!"

The boy opened the door and pulled the surprised girl in. Marie's breath hitched.

"Oh, Harry! Is that a real owl?"

"A snowy owl! I got it from a friend on my 11th birthday."

"But… aren't they protected?"

"Um… I don't know. I take good care of her!"

"How cute!" Said the girl excitedly. "Can I pat it?"

"Sure!" Harry held out his hand. "Come here, Hedwig!"

Hedwig opened her wings and flew to her master then settled on Harry's hand.

"Look out, Harry! It will scratch you!"

"Don't worry! I know how to deal with her. Come! You can pat her."

"Won't it… bite?" Marie watched the bird's strong beak.

"What? Oh, no! Right, Hedwig? You won't hurt Marie, right? You can stroke her chin. There!"

"So cute!"

They sat on the edge of the bed playing with the bird who patiently endured it.

Harry hid everything that might betray his identity. So his room looked like an ordinary Muggle room. Marie decided to go. Harry became depressed again and stared in front of him.

"Harry." Said Marie softly. Her tone was completely different from the one she used all day. "I see that something is bothering you. You're different. You're depressed… quiet… sad… pale… What's wrong? You can trust me. You can tell me anything. Harry… Is it something I did? Or something I said?"

"Oh, Marie, no!" He embraced the girl. "How can you say something like that? I'm so glad that you're here with me… I'm sorry for being like this all day… I just…" He sighed. "I don't feel good…"

"Are you sick?"

"No, not that way… I can't explain…"

Marie looked into his green eyes. She stroked his sad face and smiled sweetly.

"Harry, if there is anything I can help you with just tell me, please! I can see that something is wrong… And I… I love you and I don't want you to suffer…

"I… love you too, Marie." He sighed happily and his eyes sparkled gratefully. He tried to smile and then he gave the girl a long kiss. Both of them blushed.

"Harry" Marie whispered. "Someone will see us…"

"Let them see. Please stay a little longer!" He hugged her and a tear escaped and ran down his face. "You make me calm. Please stay this way for a little while… maybe some part of you will stay here… and will make my life here easier."

"You don't like living here, do you?"

"No, I don't… nobody loves me here." He sighed.

They were standing in the hall for a while saying nothing. Snape was watching them from the stairs and felt some kind of pity. He noticed that Aunt Petunia was peeking too. She was watching the couple from the living room.

"Come!" Harry wiped his face. "I'll walk you home…"

They took their coats and left.

Well, that's all. Next chapter will be up soon. Hopefully. I already started it.

What do you think will happen next? Will Harry be depressed? Can Snape help him?

Please review.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.

Bye

Hermina