(I posted 2 chapters at once last time, and this time too, so make sure you haven't missed one. I posted 14 and 15 at once and 16 and 17 at once. Enjoy. Any comments are welcome.)

It took five minutes but Snape had made it to the forest. He dropped the spells and burst into a flat out run as soon as the shade of the gnarled trees enveloped him. Five minutes, it would be more difficult for the creatures to navigate the trees but if he got far enough they would just know he was in the forest, not where. The teachers would have the whole forest to contend with, and it was quite big and quite nasty at night.

He fit right in.

He dashed around trunks and jumped over fallen logs. He could hear other denizens of the forest scramble away as he ran.

"Fuck right off mate!" The phrase echoed angrily as the Jarvey whose nest Snape had stepped on ran away.

Snape ignored it and kept up his pace. The skittering of numerous large insectoid creatures filled the air to his right and he gave it a wide berth. It smelled of rotting meat and he had neither the time nor the want to find out if acromantulas were picky about undead flesh. He rushed onward.

He had three minutes to run at least a mile. The Sargluffs would most likely be on the Quidditch pitch by now, it was only half a mile to the forest, he in all likelihood had run half a mile in the last 2 minutes. He needed to pick up the pace. Even though the roots were a blur beneath his feat, he needed to pick up the pace.

"Viteza vantului." He took five steps before tripping over a root at extreme speed. He managed to catch himself but snarled angrily as he stood up. Speed meant nothing without agility, and he did not know these woods well enough. He would have to rectify that if, when he returned. He picked himself up and was about to cast another spell when he heard footsteps. Or, more accurately, hoofsteps. He froze, centaurs were territorial and disliked things they considered 'unnatural'. Undeath to them, was one of those things. He turned, and let out a breath he had been unaware he was holding.

A unicorn stared at him through the trees, curious, unafraid. Its nostrils flared as it smelled him, and it shook its entire neck after one breath as if trying to dislodge it from its throat. It gave him an angry huff, and ran off.

Snape followed.

Unicorns were ungodly fast creatures, and even with the spell and his natural abilities, he had a bit of trouble keeping up. He was only thankful that it was heading away from the school. It jumped over logs and pushed off old stumps and rocks. It knew this path, it knew the forest. Snape followed each step it took exactly, matching it as best as something with two feet could. Miles fell beneath them and the forest got darker, denser, older. The trees were impossibly tall and some were so gnarled they looked like the water had been sucked from them. Still, Snape followed the bright white beast in front of him, one that was highly intent on getting away from him.

Suddenly it skidded to a stop and Snape almost ran into it. It was counting on that as its back legs bunched forward and then kicked out towards Snape's chest.

They connected, hard. Snape felt ribs crack as he flew through the air and into a tree. He saw stars briefly as he fell to the ground and shook his head. When he opened his eyes the unicorn gave him one last look and then with a derisive snort, ran off into the darkness. Hooves beating loudly against the ground and echoing off the trees.

Snape took a deep breath and stood, wincing slightly as a broken rib pierced something it shouldn't and then snapped back into its place as his body healed.

"The planets have shone brightly the past few nights, Severus Snape."

Snape froze in the middle of casting a spell to clean his robes. He turned, slowly. A centaur stood before him, alone; an oddity in itself. Wary, Snape nodded slightly before addressing it.

"Good evening."

"Well met Severus Snape of Hogwarts."

Snape frowned. He did not know this creature, and that it knew him was concerning to say the least.

"It seems I'm at a disadvantage here. Despite your familiarity with me, I do not know who you are."

"I am Firenze. Dumbledore has told me much of you, but he neglected to mention some certain… attributes it seems."

Snape scowled. Of course Dumbledore. Of course. He had mentioned relations with the centaurs.

"Yes, it's…"

"Why you have left the castle?"

Snape looked at the centaur and clutched his wand at the being's knowledge of the situation.

"How do you…"

"Mercury and Pluto have been bright over the last months. And the moon has been large on the horizon for the last three days."

Snape refrained from rolling his eyes. "I…see."

"You do not, not truly, but that is fine. You should be aware that Pluto shines not just for you however."

"Is someone going to die?" Snape asked in a tired voice as the centaur descended from atop the nearby overhang.

"I do not believe that is what it represents when it comes to the two of you. When you die, Pluto dims, not brightens as it does with most. Now, I have come to escort you to the other side and make sure you do not make unwanted stops. My herd is not comfortable with you here, but know you are a friend of the headmaster. If you have concerns for the school's safety from your actions, we shall assist. But you may not stay here."

Snape scowled, he hated centaurs. They always knew too much with no way of knowing it.

"I'm sure you're aware that I cannot easily leave this area until the sun at least sets."

The centaur nodded. "Then we shall walk instead of run. The forest is big, and you need time."

Snape's scowl deepened. Hours with a centaur, how wonderful. However, Snape nodded and sheathed his wand. It would be a bad idea to upset the denizens of the forest. They walked in silence for a long time, leaves crunching underfoot. Finally, Firenze broke the void.

"Venus flickers brightly for you."

Snape seethed and his teeth clenched. He was versed just enough in Greek mythology and divination to know what each of the planets represented, and therefore guess at what the centaur meant.

"By, I am aware."

"It holds strong, but recently has wavered as-"

"I'm quite aware who is going to be coming soon."

"Mars also has been steadily brightening for-"

"I am also quite aware that -" This time Snape was the one who was cut off.

"Ara shines brightest upon you. It has only shone as bright over two others for the stars' most recent phase. I am sorry that you all are under such a bright night sky. All will reach their zenith within the coming years."

Snape took a deep breath. He had no clue what that meant, and he was not about to try and dig deeper.

"Do not be. Perhaps just tell me of how you know Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore is under a murky night sky, his constellations change, but he sits firmly under Saturn as all those who attempt to write fate do. He only comes to meet us on clear nights however."

Snape held his tongue, and asked again. "Yes, but how did you meet?"

Firenze was silent for a moment, as if struggling. "I was a foal at the time. He brought the herd a great gift, one that showed he truly understood us."

"What did he bring?"

"Seeds and potent soil. Nothing bewitched or enchanted as most wizards assume we want. The hardship of tending to our herbs gives them purity, something needed for divination. He also brought tallow, and twine of the highest quality. The bows made with it are still prized among our herd."

Snape blinked. He…. had gotten an answer, not the one he really wanted but still.

"And the night you met him, was-"

"When he had gained his first crown at the school. He sought guidance. We gave him what we could of the omens that shone over the building. He understood us more than most, but still saw little in our smoke. Or, at least little that he told us of. He holds so many secrets that the stars all flicker over him, undecided. It has grown worse with time."

Of course it had. Snape scowled at the thought. The man collected secrets like a niffler collected coins.

"So, he has visited you many times?" Snape asked as he jumped over a log Firenze merely stepped over.

"Yes, he came back when he gained his second crown, the one he wears today. He has since come every year to trade with us, our knowledge for whatever he thinks we might need in the coming year. His gifts have always been thoughtful. He came with something called caramel apples one year. Many of my herd were offended until it was obvious that it was neither the caramel nor the apple that was the gift. No, what he sought was the joy of our colts watching his false sorrow at the mess in his beard. He had five apples in it by the time the night was over. He is a very odd man."

Snape succeeded in holding in his snort at the thought of the old man with caramel in his beard.

"So… you are friends with him because he brings you gifts?" The babbling of a stream filled the air as they walked. It had been growing for some time, and was now to the point where Snape knew they were going to be crossing it.

"No. We are not. We are allies, if uncomfortable ones, with Dumbledore because the man has never treated us as equals to wizards, which is what most suspect we want… No, he has treated us as wholly unique beings deserving of respect. We are neither better nor worse than wizards, though many of my kind believe the former, we are simply different. Most things are not comparable in this life, so I find it unwise to do so."

The trees thinned and they stood before the stream, it was about 12 feet across, and flowed over smooth black stones.

"You speak… plainly for a centaur."

Firenze nodded and waded into the stream, water coming up only to his hocks.

"I find humans get very upset when I do not. It was a talent I acquired very slowly, and still have to work at. Most find our responses clouded and winding because they ask questions about the future, which by its nature, is clouded, and winding."

That was true, divination was looked upon derisively because it so rarely came to anything conclusive. Even prophecies were muddled, and more than a few had just … never been understood. Many even offered choice, and due to that, were unable to be followed.

Snape nodded. He took a step back then jumped, landing on the other side with a bit of mud splatter, much to his chagrin. He took out his wand slowly to show he intended no harm, and waved the dirt into non-existence as Firenze finished crossing. Firenze shook his legs a bit, dislodging the water. They continued on.

A few steps from the water Snape shivered as a very old bit of magic washed over him. They had just exited the anti apparition bubble. Still, he didn't quite want to apparate just yet. The sun still hung in the sky, it would set soon though.

They walked on in silence for a long time before Snape thought of something worthy enough to break it.

"So… why do centaurs dislike… my kind… so much?" He said with a bit of malice at being identified with others of his ilk.

"Because you are an exception to the rule, Severus Snape, and even then, you walk a very thin line. The undead are by nature predatory in a cruel way."

"You act as if that is a unique trait. Cats, foxes, chimera-"

"That is true, but they are not made up of dark energy. Energy that by its nature, corrupts."

"Many things by their nature, corrupt. Disease, acid, mold, rust."

"They are part of nature."

"Are you implying that undead are not a natural part of this world?"

"Nothing is natural Severus Snape. There is only energy, and the will that shapes it."

Snape sighed, there was the normal unfathomable answers so often talked about. Firenze looked down at the sigh and nodded.

"Let me put it another way. Dark creatures have a choice in how they behave, yet because of the darkness in them, they tend more often to do dark things. So, we do not like them. There are, however, always exceptions to the rule. You have done dark things, but have attempted to at least stave off the worst. And now, finding yourself in doubt of your ability to do so, you are leaving. You may return, when you no longer doubt your ability. Until then…"

Firenze stopped and pulled aside some branches. They looked out over a hill, rolling fields and farms sprawled into the distance amidst thinning trees.

"Stay out of the forest."

The horizon was dark, the sun setting far to the left. Snape looked up, there was still light in the sky, it wouldn't kill him, but it would hurt.

"I-" Snape was thrust out by a wave of force as Firenze turned and headed back to his home. Snape frowned, he hated centaurs. They knew too much without any way they should know it.

Snape turned to the rolling hills and farmland. This was as far as he had thought through. Escape. Find a solution. Go through 'detox' far away from people he cared about hurting. He cursed and started walking. The sun made his skin burn, but it was nothing more than that of a second degree burn as low as it was in the sky. Still, his exposed skin was smoking very slightly.

Snape ran his hand through his hair, trying to move some of the lotion around. It had of course seeped in already. Wonderful, the top of his head was protected. He kept walking. A few muggle farmers were working their fields on their odd metal carriages, tractors if he remembered correctly. It would not do to be spotted.

Where to go, where to go? His house on Spinner's end in Cokeworth would be watched of course. He could head there when things died down, but it would be where they would check first. Where could he go to wait out the last few hours and Think? Somewhere they wouldn't expect or search? Any of his former compatriots were decidedly out. The moment he came they would attempt to find out why he was away. If he could Somehow manage to keep his new age from slipping through channels, going to any of them would put that at risk. So where? Where…

Snape suddenly pinched the bridge of his nose so hard it nearly bled. He knew exactly where he should go to spend that last hour. They would never look for him there because he decidedly Did Not Want To Be There. Ever. Still, he would be safe and he wasn't hungry so no one should get hurt. Theoretically. He scowled at that. All three of them were idiots. A tablespoon? He'd needed a drop! He wanted a gallon. He had no doubt he'd be feeling 'twitchy' in just a few days' time. Just thinking about it- Snape stopped that train of thought and moved on.

He looked down at his attire. This wouldn't do. He waved his wand in an odd half circle-esque shape and his robes transfigured into a long light raincoat which he closed in the front. To anyone not paying close attention, he looked like a muggle. He paused, and with an unhappy grimace he cast a disillusionment charm, and apparated.

To Privet Drive. Snape appeared on the corner, invisible. He walked down the road until he found two large cars next to each other. He walked between them, and when he was sure he was out of view, dropped the disillusionment charm and cast an illusion to hide the smoke and blistering before he continued walking.

As he looked around he slid his wand up his sleeve. This place was…. Perfect. It hadn't changed from the last time he was here. He had been here exactly once with Albus, just so he could get the boy in case of an emergency. Perfect houses with perfect lawns and perfect fences for perfect muggles. Everything his childhood was not, and looking at the banality, he was ever so slightly thankful. If it hadn't been for his father… he pushed that thought away as well.

He looked up and down the street. Which one was it? He paused. Wasn't there a witch near here as well, watching over the boy? No… A squibb. Snape quickly cast a face masking charm, making his face unmemorable to any who saw it from a distance. He kept walking, he could go to her… but he couldn't remember what house she was at… Of course he couldn't remember what house the boy was at either. He supposed he'd go to whichever he discovered first.

He walked down the road and listened, looked, for any hint of which house he should enter. He found none. He could hear the clatter of plates and soft conversation through the walls of houses. Families sharing dinner or watching the electronic boxes. Snape smirked. The fact that most wizards never understood how muggle technology worked amused him. Electricity, electicity elecifity. It was just lightning with a different name. Wizards understood lightning but most couldn't seem to grasp that muggles had tamed it. He could, he had spent enough evenings watching his father yell at the flickering box as he'd fiddled with wires in the back only to be shocked.

The man he had eaten all those years ago who wrote about muggles was right. They did have power equal to most of the common everyday things wizards did. They couldn't ever hope to match wizards' more grand dealings, but slow travel, making food, conversing across great distances, they could do that. He knew well enough, he grew up hiding in that world. Their advances didn't stop them from being bigoted violent imbeciles. An imbecile with a wand could blow up a city block just as easily as an imbecile with one of those hand held bombs. The difference was a wizard could easily undo the damage, or hide it, or harness it. He could most definitely survive it. Well…

Snape snorted as he remembered one of the Death Eater raids on a small town. Only one of them had died and it was not due to any wizard's duel. Colter had flown into the wires carrying the electricity, thinking to slice them in half with a quick spell. Well, he had, and as the wires touched his wand there was a very large explosion. Everyone else had been horrified when they could only find a red splotch, but having told them to steer clear of the wires Snape felt no pity. They just couldn't fathom muggles having any type of power. He had no doubt that there was no way any Muggle would survive a straight up duel with an armed wizard however.

Snape was brought out of his musings by a loud bellow from a building across the street.

"Boy! You clumsy oaf! Petunia, we need more potatoes, the boy wasted some."

Ah. That was a name he remembered. Tuni. Snape smirked as he headed toward the house from which the bellow emminated.

"Of course. I made a lot. We have a growing boy on our hands."

Snape rolled his eyes. Of course they were stuffing the boy. And he wasted the food, how wonderful. Snape stopped in front of the pristinely painted door and regarded the brass #4 on it. Everything about the outside of the house was immaculate, no doubt they paid for a gardener. Snape knocked on the door and the yelling inside stopped.

"Who in the blazes would be coming over at this late hour?"

"Maybe it's a salesman?" Said Petunia.

"No… no too late in the day for that son. Hold up, I'll get it. Boy…"

"Yeah. I know."

"Good. And no noise or-or weird stuff!"

"Yes sir."

Snape could hear the contempt underlining the voice. James never had any respect for authority, why would his son?

A great thundering of footsteps sounded through the door. Snape had never met the man before but he had no doubt both he and Petunia doted on the boy. Everybody did. Well, everybody who wasn't a Death Eater.

The footsteps stopped and the door opened to reveal the roundest man Snape had ever seen. His mustache had a bit of gravy on it, and he was holding a stained napkin at his side. The family was having dinner. Snape held back a sneer.

"I'll have you know you are interrupting our dinner sir, so this better be important." Said the man in an annoyed voice that did not perturb Snape in the least.

"It is. May I come in?"

"No. You may not. Who are you and what do you want?"

Snape sneered openly this time. It looked like he would have to be direct.

"I am here… to check on the boy."

The man's eyes nearly bugged out of his head at this and his skin did an impression of hot coals.

"What! Nine years, nine years and nothing. And now you bloody freaks send someone! We want none of your nonsense messing up our neighborhood and making a scene! It's bad enough that the boy causes odd things, but now you're here! No! Out! Off my doorstep or I will call the police!"

Snape's sneer turned into a smirk. The man was far too easy to read, and gave away far too much in his anger.

"Well, that's exactly what I'm here to do, if you don't let me in."

"What? Your kind always speaks in riddles and nonsense, I-"

"Cause a scene. If I am not let in right now, I will turn your entire lawn purple. Today. Tomorrow I might fancy orange. Maybe next Thursday it could be red?" Snape watched as the man's face drained of its previous color.

"Y-you wouldn't. It'd bring attention to us…. The letter said-"

"I Do Not Care. Now, are you going to invite me inside or shall I cover your house in fur, along with everything inside of it?"

The man swallowed and nodded, stepping aside. Snape shook his head, as if dissatisfied. "Say it. Invite me in. Being dumbfounded does not mean one actually goes dumb."

"Uh-uh Yes. C-come in."

Snape rushed by the man and his shoulders relaxed immediately once out of the sun. He could feel his skin stop smoking, even if the illusion hid it. This would heal slowly, sun wounds always seemed to heal slowly, at least comparatively. Still, with Dumbledore's blood maybe it wouldn't take half a day, or five full meals, to heal like the last time he had gotten 'sunburned'.The Dark Lord had quite liked to use the setting sun as punishment for him. Of course, he had skin remaining right now, unlike then. Perhaps half an hour would rectify this.

The fat man's voice broke Snape out of his thoughts.

"P-Petunia. We have a guest."

Petunia's voice came from the kitchen, and she poked her head out, a plate filled with potatoes in her hands.

"Just a minute Vernon, I'm getting Dudders a second helping of pota-" As soon as she looked past Vernon the plate fell from her hands and smashed on the floor.

Snape sneered. "Hello, Tuni."

"You!"

"Marvelous, you remember me. Let's all sit down and have a wonderful reunion." Snape pointed his wand at the mess on the floor and banished it to the trash as he walked through the entryway.

Petunia and the now named Vernon gasped in anger.

"Now see here! I may have invited you inside but there will be NONE of that nonsense in my house!" The man bellowed.

Snape pretended the pig wasn't there as he paused and looked at Petunia.

"Really Tuni. I know you're a muggle but…. Him? I didn't like you then and I don't like you now but even I know you could have done better." And without pausing to admire his handiwork on the woman's face he entered the kitchen. Snape looked at the boy at the table, shoveling potatoes from another plate onto his own. He was round. If this is what they did to the boy, then he was truly spoiled.

"You."

"Huh?" The boy looked up and Snape frowned at the vacuous blue eyes. This was surely not him. Even the son of James Potter wasn't that empty headed, also the eyes were wrong. They should be hazel, if Snape remembered correctly. And he did. The boy had to have inherited at least some of Lily, there was no way any child of hers was That empty headed, even if James was the father. He vaguely remembered Dumbledore mentioning that Petunia had a son of her own. He looked at the table, there were only three places set… Snape whirled around and looked at Petunia and Vernon.

"Where is he?"

"Who?" Asked Vernon, obviously playing dumb.

Snape was having none of it. "The boy you imbeciles! Why do you think I'm here? To enjoy a walk down memory lane?! Lily's son!" The couple shook, unable to withstand the gaze that sent most students into tears. Snape huffed in annoyance and with one look back at the pig in boys' clothing, left in search of Lily's son.

"Now see here! I will not have you wandering-"

Snape turned on Vernon, wand out. He brought it up under his chin and held it there, the folds of fat making the tip vanish.

"I'd like to see you try and stop me. Interfere and you'll Wish I was just a wizard."

"Wh-what-" The man's eyes went wide as he stuttered his confusion and fear.

But Snape didn't answer and moved on through the house. He looked down the hall and saw nothing but a cupboard and the open door to the living room. He listened. He could hear a heartbeat, it was near. A quick glance confirmed the living room was empty and far too golden so he headed up the stairs. The two bedrooms that seemed to fit the needs of a boy were also empty. Well, as empty as a room filled with toys and a room filled with broken things could be. He sneered. Both children were obviously spoiled, and one was violent or careless. Or both. He had no doubt which one. But the lack of two beds was…confusing. And concerning.

He could hear the heartbeat, it was fainter than before. He scowled. He took a quick glance in the master bedroom and finding it decidedly gauche and empty he left. He searched the guest room thoroughly, and opened the closet despite not hearing a single heartbeat. There was, of course, no one there. He headed back down the stairs, and paused. The heartbeat was louder. He looked to the right at the bathroom and opened it. Empty. Where was the boy? Hiding like a coward? Snape had to admit that was like neither James nor Lilly.

As he stalked back towards what he was starting to consider a meal he paused. The heartbeat was louder. He looked to his left at the cupboard and yanked it open.

Inside was a boy, or it looked like a boy. It was far too scrawny and practically swam in the threadbare clothing it wore. But no, it was a boy. James' son by the unruly mop of hair.

Snape stared in disgust at the 'room', for that's obviously what it was, and small piece of paper even proclaimed it as such. A few broken 'toys' on makeshift shelves, an old beaten mattress that was more suited to a dog, clothing stored haphazardly in places. Yes, it was a 'room.'

Then the boy looked up and Snape froze.

Lily's eyes. Lily's eyes stared back at him.

"Uh… hello?"

Snape shook his head, clearing memories from it, then snarled and grabbed the boy's wrist ready to pull him out of the hole. He froze again. It was thin, far too thin. He looked back at Petunia who was shaking and pale.

"What…Is…This?" His voice was a quiet hiss that was only broken by the sound of silverware in the dining room. They didn't respond.

"I'm..I'm Harry sir. Harry Potter."

"I know that, you impudent boy!" Snape dragged him out of the cupboard and into the light, the plate of food that was on the boy's lap spilling to the floor. "I mean what is the meaning of doing this to Lily's son?! To your own sister's son?!"

"He's- he's not natural!" Snapped Petunia.

"How we treat our own family is none of your business sir! Now, I'd appreciate it, if you'd leave! The boy is alive and well and-" Vernon was cut off by the Potions Master's fury.

"Well?! You call this well! Even if I were still… I could snap his wrist like a twig!" Snape let go of the boy and the child fell to the floor, eyes wide.

"How-how do you know who I am?"

Snape looked down at him, Lily's son, and took a deep breath. He was hit with another unpleasant revelation upon that inhalation. He could smell the boy. The boy had a unique scent, not fully developed, but underneath the cloying scent of mothballs his sweat and pheromones were a mix of wet earth and ashes. Children should not have unique scents, they should not have distinct flavors, they did not know enough about life or themselves yet to have developed them.

If a child had a unique scent, it meant they were either very smart and self aware, which was unsurprisingly rare, or they had experienced enough of life to have made decisions on their outlook. This…. was disturbing to say the least.

Snape stared at the boy for a moment, the green eyes sending unpleasant memories to rattle against his occlumency barriers again. None of them would remember what he didn't want them to tonight. Nothing he said would matter. Perhaps… he didn't know what, but he could answer the boy without threat of it coming back to bite him.

"I… was a friend of your mother's… a very long time ago."

"You… knew my mom?" The boy looked at him in awe as the man behind Snape spluttered in inarticulate rage.

"Yes. Now, why don't we adjourn to the living room so we can have a nice chat?"

"I'd like that sir… but I'm not allowed in the living room… until the table's been cleared, and I haven't finished my dinner."

Snape nodded in approval, but did note the side glance to Vernon and had a feeling the boy wasn't allowed in the living room often, full stop. At least the boy had some inkling of what responsibility was.

"Very well. We'll talk ov-what are you doing?" Snape looked down as the young boy picked up the food from the ground and was putting it back on his plate.

"It's my dinner sir."

Snape sneered at the boy's actions. Of course James' son would think it fine manners to eat food off the floor.

"Yes I see that, but it's trash." He waved his wand and the food vanished. "You can get more."

The boy's eyes went even wider. "Yes but it's all- How did you do that?"

Snape's eyes narrowed and he once again looked at the shaking figures behind him. There was something wrong here. The boy should at least know about magic, he also did not like where that sentence was going. He turned back to the wide eyed boy and raised his wand.

"Legilimens." The images rushed forward. Paltry bits of dinner, scraps from the trash when he was being punished for days for uncontrolled magic. The other mound of fat eating as much as he wanted. Snape pushed further. He did not care for what he saw. Beatings from the brother, confusion at being on a roof after being chased. Chores upon chores. Any mention of weirdness or magic was quashed. Hunger. Humiliation. Exhaustion. Resignation…

Snape frowned. The boy could stand to be taken down a peg, he was surely naturally bullheaded. He had the distinct feeling that if it weren't for the boy inheriting James' complete lack of respect for authority, the boy would most likely have run away… or worse.

The fact that he knew Nothing of the wizarding world was obviously for the best. If the boy knew he would surely throw all caution to the wind and go search for answers and be killed, or just as bad, become aware of his fame. Snape couldn't imagine how big the boy's head would grow just in the hours on the train being surrounded by admirers.

However, the clothes, the food, the loneliness. It reminded him too much of someone else. He dropped the spell to cast another.

"Somnus." The boy fell over onto the ground, asleep. Snape stood still, looking down at the frail frame and messy hair. He sorely wanted to kill the two muggles behind him who reminded him just a bit too much of his father. He couldn't. The boy, Potter, was safe here, and if Lily were here she would never forgive him.

Well…Lily wasn't here, she never would be again. …Perhaps he could have a bit of fun, and some revenge. It was so tempting. He rarely gave into such temptation, but Merlin he hated Petunia even more now. He knew he normally wouldn't even consider what he was about to do, normally he rarely allowed emotion to dictate anything. However, in this instance it couldn't hurt. Not him at least. Certainly not the boy he'd sworn to protect. He mulled it over, noticing the red mist was strangely absent as he thought.

He could see no downside after weighing the pros and cons, the possible outcomes. He rarely allowed himself 'fun'. He allowed, or was given the opportunity for, revenge even less. Yes, this would be very nice, and the boy as an excuse worked wonderfully. But first, he could help ensure the boy's safety, in the long term… or perhaps his sanity. He'd surely not get another chance for this.

He tapped Potter on the neck causing a small cut with his wand and then tapped two of the 18 vials in his bandolier. They filled up with red as blood sped quickly into them. He wasn't keen on drinking the boy's blood, but it would let him find out more about the boy, and sense him.

His ability to sense people if he drank their blood was…. Undeveloped to say the least. Having left very few people alive, and having had one drink in nearly 10 years, he had not developed the skill. He had been barely aware of it until his addiction heightened it to painful levels. Perhaps he could make a potion that would enhance the ability? Or at least let him know if the child was under duress.

He had promised himself that this last vestige of Lily wouldn't come to harm, no matter how much he looked and reminded him of James. The blood might help him keep this promise in the future. Right now, he could keep it in a far more satisfying way.

First he healed the cut, ignoring the affronted and disgusted gasps at his actions from moments prior. Then, he slowly turned around. Petunia and the pig named Vernon were as white as sheets. The scent of anger and fear almost overwhelmed their odors, shoe polish and tobacco for Vernon and bleach and roses for Petunia. With how scared they were going to be, he was sure he wouldn't be able to smell them at all shortly.

"Kitchen. Now."

"See here-"

"NOW!" His bellow cut off Vernon and he smirked when the man jumped slightly, obviously unused to his own decibel being matched.

The two muggles raced into the dining room and Snape followed. He cast a sleeping spell at the eavesdropping boy and he too fell to the ground.

"DUDLEY!"

"MY LITTLE ANGEL!"

"Your precious 'angel' is asleep, although I'd say he's more of a pig with wings. …Unless you'd rather he be awake for this conversation?" Said Snape with an eyebrow raised as he pulled out a chair with a wave. He sat, and waited for the frantic pair to join him. They kept glancing from him to their son. He rolled his eyes and was about to comment when a loud snore interrupted him, the boy making his situation known. "See? Now Sit!" The pair did, albeit hesitantly. Petunia fiddled with a lace napkin while Vernon gripped a pipe so hard his fingers turned as white as his face was red.

"The cupboard, the lies, the chores… I am …fine… with that. The boy could stand to be taught humility. I commend you on managing not to beat him for impudence." It was a lie, the cupboard was not ok, but if he knew the Dursley's from his brief interaction, and from knowing Tuni when he was younger, they feared discovery of Potter's weirdness second only to discovery of their mistreatment. He had a feeling this situation would resolve itself somehow next year. If it didn't, being in a too small cupboard would eventually cause the boy to injure himself, which he very much wanted. Oh, yes. Proof of their misdeeds would be quite mouthwatering. Would he give them three chances and remind them each time? Or would he just keep note of their mistakes? Perhaps he would ignore it and come anyway. What was seven years after all? Surely the boy wouldn't fight the Dark Lord before he came of age…

… Of course he would. This was James Potter's son.

He turned his attention back to the Dursleys, happy to see their faces had only gotten paler during his brief contemplation.

"We… we tried to-"

"I don't care." Snape looked at the plate before him, a half eaten steak and some potatoes, and pushed it aside.

"Would you-"

"Your false hospitality is not welcome Tuni. Do not try to cover up what you have done. Besides, I can't eat it."

"What, are you one of them hippy vegetarians?" Scoffed Vernon.

Snape smirked. "No, quite the opposite. However, the topic is the right one. You have been given money to care for the boy, I know that."

"It's hard! All his weirdness keeps drawing attention!" Snapped Petunia.

"Yes, that money is payment for us putting up with all the-"

Snape cut Vernon off. "That money is for Clothes and Food! I couldn't care less about the clothes, but the food." Snape stood and looked back at the boy, and the empty plate on the ground. He remembered dealing with that himself. Walking as close to the wall as he could so steps wouldn't creak. Filling his pockets with scraps from lower down in the trash so his father wouldn't see. His mother getting beaten for trying to give him more food. They were poor; these two… were not. He turned and briskly walked over to the two parental failures.

"If I ever find out that he has been starved, legitimately starved? If I ever find out that he has come to school with broken bones? Welts? Lacerations? Bruises?" He leaned over and looked the two in the eye. Petunia's face was white and the man's was turning red again as he slowly regained his courage. Snape had no doubt it would fail him shortly. He dropped the illusion, the glamour, everything on his face. All his features were revealed as the magic faded like a wave.

He smiled very slightly and felt a wave of satisfaction and hunger as the two cowardly excuses for mortals shrunk away when his teeth showed. He could feel the last bit of blistered skin finally healing on the left side of his face and the glamour tingled as it crossed over it.

His visage revealed he finally voiced his intentions. "If I ever find proof of malnutrition and abuse, I will come back here as soon as he is of age, and I will Eat You."

Petunia screamed as she fell out of the chair and to Snape's surprise, and Vernon's credit, the blob of fat stood up and put himself between Snape and the woman.

Snape just sneered and walked back around the table.

"What the hell are you!?" Yelled Vernon as he helped Petunia stand, still putting himself between her and Snape.

"Even you should be able to figure that out Vernon, if you can't, I recommend this thing called reading. Now." Snape whirled back around and looked at the man trembling with anger and fear in front of the stick of a woman. "I am going to remove the memories of tonight from the two boys, I will leave yours. You'll be unable to tell anyone, you'll be unable to even Think about it around anyone but the boys and each other in fact."

Snape looked at the glasses on the table filled with juice. With another silent incantation the levels rose and the color shifted more towards red. Two glasses slid across the table to come to a stop in front of the couple. They stared at them.

"Drink."

Vernon's face turned a shade of red closer to the juice in front of him. "I REFUSE TO BE-"

"I will happily force you if you decide to be obstinate, or-"

"I WILL NOT BE INTIM-"

"I said drink." The command hung in the air, ignored as the man across from him ranted and raved, far too angry to be enthralled by his untrained attempts. Still, there were other ways he was far more adept with. Snape raised his wand.

'DON'T YOU DARE! WHAT ARE-"

"Imperio."

Vernon froze.

"What-what have you done to him!?"

Snape looked at Petunia and sneered at her question. Her voice shook with fear and anger, but it was a question and it thinly veiled a morbid curiosity she still held after all these years.

"Something… unforgivable."

Vernon jerkily lifted up the glass and drank the 'juice' quickly before setting it down. Snape looked at Petunia with a raised brow.

She looked from Vernon to Snape and back again, then grabbed the glass. She picked it up slowly, then threw it to the floor. The glass fell to the ground and spilled its contents on the white ceramic, staining it red.

Snape looked on in amusement. He did not like her, but her fire was… respectable. He raised a brow, asking her what her plan was with that simple movement.

"I refuse to be manipulated in my own house! I remember when you were that small weird sniveling little boy on Spinners End! I am not afraid of you! Everyone knew about you and your father and-"

Snape felt his eyes flash red in his displeasure and Petunia's voice caught in her throat.

"You're right Tuni. I was that weird little boy in baggy clothes; but I am a boy no longer, I'm a wizard, and worse. Now, I'll give you one more chance to do this yourself." With a wave the glass was sitting on the table. Another wave filled it with a tablespoon of red.

Petunia stared at it. Snape could see her struggling with the fear of what this might do to her, and the fear of being under a spell she knew would control her. The question was, would she rather do something of her own volition, damn the consequences, or have choice taken from her and remove culpability, allow her to complain. Snape had a feeling as to which she would choose. She took a breath and looked at Vernon, his eyes glassy.

Snape smirked and made the man look away. Whether this was a kindness, or would ruin their marriage due to lies and mistrust and self doubt, neither of them knew.

Petunia glared at him for a moment then nodded. Snape was about to raise his wand again but Petunia's hand reached for the glass and she repeated Vernon's actions.

Well, that was a surprise. Bravery and responsibility from Petunia. Not that it mattered.

As soon as the glass was set down Snape dropped the spell. Vernon fell forward and coughed, leaning on the table, Petunia immediately leaned over to comfort him and was ignored. Snape gave them a minute to compose themselves while Vernon blinked headily and then tried to cough up the liquid. Petunia patted him on the back, but Snape could see her tense and swallow, working to keep the liquid down not wanting to go through the process again. After a moment or two of this he continued.

"Listen to me. You shall never talk or tell anyone about tonight's happenings, nor even think about them around anyone other than myself, each other, and these two boys. And if an old man with a long silver beard named Dumbledore ever visits, you will refrain from looking into his eyes for more than a second at a time, but do not make it obvious."

It would not do to have Dumbledore find out about this, the old man would berate him and then be completely incorrigible. And then forbid him from actually following through. If the Dark Lord ever saw this, which was unlikely, it would be easy to claim that he didn't want to kill the boy in case he was important to the Dark Lord in some way.

Snape watched as they swayed for a moment after he finished his commands. They shook their heads and looked at him with eyes full of dread.

"What did you do to us?" Whispered Petunia, accepting that her anger would do little at the moment. She was obviously the smarter of the two.

"Some sort of evil curse!?" Bellowed Vernon after her, mustache twitching.

"No. You're just unable to tell anyone about tonight."

"If you can do that, why wouldn't you just prevent us from hurting the boy?"

Snape looked at the frail woman, mildly impressed by the question. "Because I want you to hurt him."

They both stared at him.

"But…this whole thing was…?"

Snape smiled and leaned forward at Petunia's confused fragments.

"But the more you starve him, the more broken bones and bruises he comes in with? The slower I enjoy my meal when he comes of age. So, by all means, send him to school malnourished." At this Petunia squeaked and fell to the floor in a slight faint and Vernon went so red in the face that Snape could almost see the impending aneurysm. He decided it was time to leave before he accidentally killed someone early.

"Obliviate."

After he removed the memories of the Imperius curse and blood drinking from Petunia and Vernon, Snape spent the next five minutes covering his tracks. He righted the room and removed the liquid on the floor. He made sure the fat child was back in the chair. The shattered plate from before was fixed. Finally he removed all of the events from the two boys' minds. The boy was sure to be punished for tonight, but most likely not too harshly considering the adults' fear. The fear would fade over time most likely, return in flashes. If he followed through with his threat… Well…

As he looked at the night sky from the doorway he sighed. Sweet darkness, it would be so much easier to move about now. He turned back to face the two adults glaring at him.

"I apologize for the ruined food, but I'm sure you can find something else to feed the boy. Although I would be delighted if you didn't."

The door slammed in his face and he let a small smile tug at his lips before turning and walking away. Only then did he realize he still had no idea where to go next.