CHAPTER 7

Harry panted as he ran his 3rd lap around the Black Lake. It was a windy morning with possibility of rain and Harry was determined to complete at least 5 laps around the lake today.

He had taken the task of improving his physical health quite seriously. If he was to defeat Voldemort, learning occlumency and defence was just a part of the many things he needed to train for. However, the task was quite contradictory to the habits he had taken up. Smoking and running did not go well together.

He stopped at the starting point which he had marked by putting 2 bottles of water. He opened one and gulped down half the bottle before putting his hands on his knees and catching his breath.

Merlin, this was tough. He didn't understand how people voluntarily ran every day.

After a few seconds, he decided to not let his body cool down and started his 4th lap.

Physically, Harry knew he wasn't much when compared to other students in his year. He was short and skinny, with years of malnutrition from living with the Dursleys taking their toll on his body. But he was determined to change that. He had to be stronger, faster, and more resilient. Voldemort wouldn't wait for him to be ready, and Harry knew he had to seize every moment to prepare.

As he rounded the curve of the lake, the wind picked up, whipping through his hair and making his eyes water. He squinted against the gusts, focusing on the path ahead. His legs were burning, muscles protesting with every step, but he pushed through the pain.

Halfway through the fifth lap, he spotted a familiar figure standing by the edge of the lake by his water bottles. Snape, his dark robes billowing in the wind, was watching him with an inscrutable expression. Harry's heart sank. What was Snape doing here?

"Potter," Snape called out as Harry approached, his voice cutting through the wind like a knife. "Indulging in a bit of masochism this morning, are we?"

Harry glared at him as he slowed to a stop, panting heavily. "Just... training," he managed to say between breaths. "Need... to get stronger."

Snape raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a sneer. "How noble of you. And yet, running around the lake like a headless chicken hardly seems the most effective method. Or did you expect the Dark Lord to challenge you to a race?"

Harry straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Every little bit helps," he replied, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. "I need to be ready for anything."

Snape's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps curiosity. "Very well, Potter. If you insist on this... endeavour, then at least do it properly. You're wasting energy with that dreadful form. Keep your back straight, and your strides even. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for wasting your time and sounding like a rotten chimney."

Harry blinked, his irritation flaring. "I run fine." he shot back, not really keen on taking advice from Snape of all people.

Snape's sneer deepened. "You are running for strength, Potter, not away from a herd of Cornish Pixies." He crossed his arms, his dark eyes boring into Harry's. "Unless, of course, you prefer to exhaust yourself inefficiently. That would be typical of you."

"How come you're checking up on me so early today?" Harry said, diverting the conversation away from himself.

"I am not obliged to answer to you," Snape said snidely. "However, if you must know, I came to search for you to give you a message from the headmaster."

Harry looked at him, curiosity piqued. "Well? What?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry's tone. "He shall be out of the castle for the remainder of the week."

Harry's stomach dropped. It was Thursday today, which meant he was left alone with Snape for the next few days. "Great," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Snape.

"Your excitement is truly infectious, Potter," Snape said dryly and turned on his heels to walk towards the castle.

Harry rolled his eyes as he picked up his water bottles.

"Where is he going? Professor Dumbledore?" He asked as he caught up with Snape.

"If I wanted you to know I would have mentioned it before itself, Potter." Snape said, not looking at the boy walking 2 steps behind him.

"Well, it could also mean that even you don't know where he is going." Harry rebuked.

"Take whatever bet you want." Snape said with a pause. They reached the entrance hall and Snape stopped at the corridor which led to the stairs to the dungeons.

"Just because the headmaster is out does not give you free rein of the castle, Potter," Snape said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do behave yourself. And instead of me searching all over the castle for you like a bloody hound, I would expect you to meet me every day after breakfast and dinner in my office."

Harry clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. "What for?" he asked.

"To see whether you have all your limbs intact." Snape drawled. "We can never be too careful with you."

At this moment, Harry really wanted to ask Snape about the girl. Was she someone Dumbledore knew? Was the girl the reason why Dumbledore was going somewhere?

"Fine." Harry muttered.

"Good," Snape said curtly "Now, get on with your day, Potter."

With that, Snape turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Harry standing alone in the huge Hall.

/

Baffled was an understatement to describe Severus' state right now. As he watched Elle fill a ridiculous amount of red color in her coloring book, Severus thought about Potter. The boy had taken to heart the need to prepare himself for the upcoming war. His dedication in Occlumency and now physical training had… impressed Severus, though he would never admit it out loud.

"Daddy, what color are butterflies' legs?" Elle asked him from her position on the coffee table, her voice full of innocent curiosity.

Severus snapped out of his thoughts and winced at his daughter's masterpiece. Her butterfly was an explosion of red, quite unlike any real butterfly he had ever seen.

"Is this a new species you have discovered?" he asked, uncrossing his legs and leaning over to take a closer look.

Elle pouted slightly, taking a little offense to her father's question. "I like it red. It looks bright."

"Well, green isn't that bad either," Severus countered, a rare softness in his voice. He picked up a green crayon and handed it to her. "Perhaps the legs could be green?"

Elle considered this for a moment before taking the crayon and adding a touch of green to her butterfly. "Okay, but only a little," she said decisively.

Severus watched her with a mixture of amusement and affection. Elle's bright imagination and stubbornness sometimes reminded him of Lily. He remembered how extremely gifted Lily was in Charms and always looked for ways to make any spell more effective and useful.

His thoughts drifted back to Potter. After Albus' comment about discovering how much of Lily Potter was in him, Severus had to admit, the boy had taken after his mother in many aspects. Potter had a fire in him, a drive that Severus couldn't help but associate with Lily.

Potter's recent efforts, particularly in Occlumency and physical training, had demonstrated a level of determination and resilience that was unmistakably Lily's. Severus felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with a bitter sweetness. Lily had always possessed that unyielding spirit, the same one he now saw reflected in her son.

The boy was undoubtedly a complex mixture of both his parents. The arrogance and impulsiveness of James were there, but so too were Lily's courage and fierce determination. It was these qualities that Severus found himself begrudgingly acknowledge, even if he could never openly admit it.

"Daddy, look!" Elle's voice brought him back to the present. She held up her coloring book, proudly displaying her red and green butterfly.

"Very bright," Severus said, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "You've done an excellent job, Elle."

As Elle returned to her colouring, Severus allowed himself a moment to reflect. Potter's progress was significant, and for the first time, Severus felt that the boy was actually trying. Perhaps, with enough training and determination, the boy could stand a chance against the Dark Lord.

'He needs someone, Severus. Someone to guide him, mentor him.'

Albus' words rang in his ears. But was Severus really the right person to mentor and train the boy? They both had too much history between them to ever settle in such roles.

But for the greater good, maybe they would have to. Severus was a major part of the previous war. No one knew the Dark Lord's actions more than him. If Potter were to succeed, Severus would somehow have to step in. There was also the promise he had made to keep the boy alive.

The man sighed. There were so many things to look at, so many people he needed to protect and the most important one was sitting right in front of him, now colouring a bear yellow.

"Dad, can we go out for a while?" Elle asked him after some time.

"It's raining." Severus said. There it was. The fear of Potter seeing her again made Elle lose a chance to go out.

"I promise I won't run out of the umbrella." Elle said, not really understanding the demons that plagued her father.

"Why don't we go out after lunch?" He said in another pathetic attempt at deflecting her request.

Elle sighed and nodded morosely.

"Okay." She said in a small voice before gathering her things and going to her room.

Severus closed his eyes. How can he say no to this child? It ate him away to deny her of such simple pleasures.

With a staunch decision made in his mind, Severus stood up and went to his daughter's room. The girl was sprawled on her bed, attempting to read a new book which Severus had gotten her.

She looked up as her father came in.

"Do you mind if I work in the office for a while?" He asked her gently.

Elle shook her head.

"Well, if you need anything, call me or Fizzby, okay?" Severus said.

"Alright."

Severus placed a soft kiss on her forehead before making his way to his office.

"Dobby!" He called as he sat in his high-backed chair. He took a small piece of a page from a muggle note pad and scribbled something on it.

The elf appeared instantly. "Master Snape, Dobby is grateful to serve you today." Severus never did call any of the other house elves. It was always Fizzby.

"Can you deliver this to Mr. Potter?" Severus folded the note and handed it to the elf.

"Yes, Master Snape. Right away." Dobby bowed and disappeared.

In just a few minutes, Severus would have taken a decision which he would either regret or be satisfied with.

He gulped uncharacteristically and sat back, knowing full well that regretting was not an option.

/

Harry had successfully taken a long hot shower to lessen the ache of his sore muscles due to running. He stepped out of the shower and was currently blow drying his hair with his wand.

After successfully failing on making his blasted hair lie flat, Harry gave up and changed into some dark jeans and a checkered blue shirt.

He was just about to grab his book bag and head to the library when Dobby appeared, startling him.

"Harry Potter!" The elf squealed. Harry smiled at him.

"Hey Dobby." He greeted him.

"Professor Snape has sent Dobby to give this to you, Harry Potter." The elf said and handed Harry the note.

Harry knitted his eyebrows at him but nodded as he took the note. "Thanks, Dobby."

Dobby grinned at him and bowed before disappearing.

Harry opened the note begrudgingly and his mouth twisted into a frown.

'Mr. Potter,

I would like to speak with you on a pressing matter right away. Kindly come to my office immediately.

Professor Snape'

He had just met Snape an hour ago and wasn't due to meet him until after dinner. What did the git want now?

Harry took his book bag and slung it over his shoulders. Well, might as well go and see.

But what would be the pressing matter? Would it be about that little girl?

Harry bit his lip as he took his book bag and slung it over his shoulder before making his way down the Gryffindor common room.

The air in the dungeons was always chilly. And there was an eerie feeling always hanging around. Harry usually chalked it up to lack of sunlight, which was true. He stood in front of Snape's office and sighed before knocking.

"Come in, Potter."

Harry swung the door open and found Snape sitting in his chair, his hand steepled in front of him and deep in thought.

"Professor." Harry greeted as he shut the door. "You wanted to see me?"

Snape nodded and gestured the boy to sit.

"Did you have your breakfast?" Snape asked him.

Since when did Snape care about Harry eating?

Harry lied and said yes. He had smoked a cigarette. That would be his breakfast.

"Would you care for something to drink?"

Harry blinked, taken aback by the unexpected offer. "Um, what?"

Snape's lips curled into a sneer. "I asked if you wanted something to drink, Potter. I understand simple questions can be difficult for you, but do try to keep up."

"Sure," Harry said and rolled his eyes.

"Well, I don't have alcohol, as might be your first preference." Harry glared at the man who smirked in response.

"Coffee will do just fine, Sir."

Snape nodded. "Fizzby," Harry looked as an elf appeared. He wasn't the usual Hogwarts elf. Harry had never seen him in the kitchen. "Get us two cups of coffee."

"Sure, Master Snape."

Harry shifted in his seat and put his bag on the empty chair beside him. He had a feeling this was going to take a while.

"Potter, before I start, I need to check how much of occlumency you know."

Harry looked at him with irritation. Why was Snape so fixated on this? He himself had said that occlumency was a long endeavor. Obviously, Harry hadn't mastered it so soon.

"Why?" He asked. "I told you I haven't gotten a good grasp yet."

"You do know the basics." Snape stated.

"What?" Harry asked confusedly. "How do you- Did you probe my mind without me knowing?" He asked incredulously, his eyes widening.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Yes, Potter. However much you feel violated right now, I am sure it is nothing compared to what I felt last year."

"You are supposed to give me a warning!" Harry said angrily.

"Right, because that's what you did."

"I apologized for that." Harry gritted his teeth. Was Snape going to keep bringing that up all the time? Harry seethed as he sat. How much had Snape seen? But he said Harry had his basics right, did that mean Harry had successfully blocked him from seeing any memories? He instantly evened his breathing and put up his barriers like he did when he slept.

"If you are done pouting like a petulant child, may I continue?" Snape drawled, seemingly not at all concerned with Harry's anger.

Harry didn't say anything but just looked at man.

"There are some things which the headmaster and I think that you must be made aware of, now that you shall be spending your remaining holidays at Hogwarts." Severus started slowly.

Harry frowned as he listened. "What things?"

Snape leaned forward so that his elbows were resting on the table and his eyes were at Harry's level.

"Mind you, Potter. One word about this to anyone except me or the headmaster, and you will find that the Dark Lord is far more merciful than me."

Harry gulped. Snape could be intimidating. His obsidian eyes held fire and Harry cleared his throat.

"Okay." He said softly.

"I need to see if you can keep these things from the Dark Lord should he ever enter your mind in the near future." Snape explained. "Now, put up your barriers, let me see what you know."

Harry wouldn't say he didn't know occlumency at all. After the books and the mental exercises, he thought he had a small grasp on the concept. He wasn't exactly pants at it like last year.

And plus, hiding some memories of Jerome and him smoking and drinking along with his memories of Dursleys, were enough motivators to keep learning. He felt a knot of apprehension tighten in his stomach. He had been practicing, sure, but he knew he was far from mastering the skill.

"Legilimens!" Snape's voice was sharp, and Harry felt the immediate invasion of Snape's mind into his own.

Images flashed before Harry's eyes—mostly some normal scenes from his childhood, his years at Hogwarts, moments of joy and pain all jumbled together. He struggled to focus, to push Snape out and keep him away from his restricted memories which he stored in a small dark place at the far back of his mind. He concentrated on the techniques he had learned, trying to build the mental walls that would keep Snape at bay. He had compartmentalized his mind, as instructed in the textbook and used that against the man.

For a moment, the onslaught paused. Harry felt a flicker of hope but knew better than to relax.

Snape pushed harder, his mental presence a cold, probing force. He searched through Harry's memories with a relentless intensity, seeking to find weaknesses, to break through the boy's defenses. But Harry didn't give up. To keep the man away from accessing his main part of the mind, especially the one where he had seen Snape with the child. Harry deliberately threw at him irrelevant images of him in the playground, sitting with his friends in the Common room and such. He gritted his teeth, drawing on every ounce of his willpower. He visualized a fortress, high and impenetrable, surrounding his most private thoughts.

There was a moment of resistance, a clash of wills. Harry's mental defenses wavered but held firm enough to prevent Snape from delving deeper. He could feel the frustration emanating from the man, a cold fury that sent a chill down his spine.

Then, abruptly, the connection was severed. Harry staggered back, his chair almost toppling over. He was breathing heavily, sweat trickling down his forehead. Snape regarded him with narrowed eyes.

"You have improved," Snape said grudgingly, his voice dripping with reluctant acknowledgment. "But do not delude yourself into thinking you are anywhere near mastery. Your defenses are still amateur at best."

Harry straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow. Harry knew that meant that he had sufficient defenses.

He suddenly felt a little cold and picked up the hot cup of coffee kept in front of him. He shakily took a lip and sighed as the warm liquid sent relief down his body. The coffee was better than what they served at Hogwarts and Harry deduced that it must be from Snape's own stash.

"I know." He said a minute later. "I am trying."

Snape nodded before taking a sip from his own cup. They sat in silence for a few minutes, each getting a grip on themselves before Harry spoke.

"So? Did I pass?"

Snape looked at the boy with an unreadable expression. Well, he had. Snape hadn't expected the boy to make such progress. This was probably the first time that Snape had invaded the boy's mind and hadn't gathered much. He was searching thoroughly, mind you. He knew Potter was hiding something and he wanted to see what it was. But the boy had outdone himself when he had started showing Snape useless images of his time together with his friends, successfully defending his private memories.

If Snape wanted to, he could have broken through those. After all, he was known as the master of occlumency for a reason. But he knew it would have been unfair for the boy.

"Yes, Potter." Snape spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I do believe that if the Dark Lord invaded your mind for important information such as your favorite Quidditch team, he might actually find himself mildly inconvenienced." He sneered. "However, for anything of real consequence, your defenses would crumble like a house of cards in a gale."

"You said it takes time!" Harry said accusingly.

Snape sat back. "Yes." He admitted. "Yes, I did."

"Well, then." Harry said. "This is what I have learned till now. I do practice every day, you know. I'll get there when I get there. I am not giving up."

Snape eyed him as he sat. The boy looked mildly irritated.

"Are you going to tell me what you called me here for? Or are you just going to keep insulting me?" Harry asked him.

"However tempting it might be, I don't have time for that." Snape said shortly. He knew he had to focus at the matter at hand.

"After a lot of deliberations," Snape said, clearly forcing himself to continue, "the headmaster and I have decided that you must be taken into confidence on a very confidential matter."

Curious, Harry sat up straight, his coffee cup cradled in his hands and his amusement giving way to genuine interest.

"Potter, there is something about me that no one knows except for a handful of people." Severus cleared his throat, a rare sign of nervousness. "I have a daughter, Potter."

Harry's eyes widened and he almost spluttered the coffee in his mouth. He gulped down the scalding liquid in his mouth and gaped the man.

"You have a what?"

"A daughter." Snape repeated, his tone firm but measuring. "Oh, close your mouth Potter, you look like a fish."

Harry couldn't process the information which the man had just given him. Snape…one of the most hated, vile and unpleasant human on this earth…had a child?

"I..I didn't know." Harry said slowly, his body numb. He couldn't comprehend the words spoken by the man.

Snape's expression remained stern, but there was a flicker of something more in his eyes—vulnerability, perhaps? "That is precisely the point, Potter. No one knows. For her safety, it is imperative that this information remains confidential."

Harry kept his cup on the table, not really trusting himself with anything right now. So that's who the girl was with Snape near the forbidden forest? Harry had come to many conclusions, but Snape's daughter was none of them. Because the thought was just impossible to come up with.

"Are you fucking with me?" Potter said after a few seconds, his tone implying that he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Snape's eyes narrowed. "I will let your language slide this time, Potter, because I understand this revelation is quite…heavy."

Harry gave a short laugh. "Heavy? It's-it's impossible to even think of."

"Why, pray tell, Potter?" Snape challenged. "Is it not possible for me to reproduce?"

Harry opened and closed his mouth, not trusting himself to answer.

"No, not like that…" Harry shook his head, not wanting to go into biology of Snape. "I just…"

"What?" Snape asked him.

"Well, the day I returned from Hogsmeade, I did see you…" Harry admitted sheepishly, looking anywhere but at the man's face. "Near the Forbidden Forest."

Snape closed his eyes and sighed. His breathing heavy. After he had learned that Potter had gone into the village, he had thought that it would be a good opportunity to take Elle outside. Damn it, he should have taken some precautions. He was lucky it was just Potter who had seen them and not anyone else.

"I-I didn't know who the girl was." Harry said. "I wanted to ask Dumbledore, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to see it."

"No, you weren't." Snape snapped, angry at himself.

"Well, you weren't exactly inconspicuous." Harry said, trying to defend himself. "I wasn't prying, I just saw you for a minute before I came inside."

Severus took a deep breath. "Well…this was it." He said before looking at Harry, his eyes boring into the boy dangerously. "Potter, the war is escalating. I told you this because I figured that there may come a time when you, despite your numerous shortcomings, may need to know this. That girl is my world, and I will protect her at any cost. I will not tolerate you babbling about this to anyone, not even Weasley and Granger."

Harry knew that already. "I don't go babbling to people."

"I am not joking, Potter. As I said, only a handful of people know about her, and if this gets out, I know whom to come after." Snape said, his voice lacing with a threat far more dangerous than Voldemort.

"Okay." Harry said. He didn't want to admit it, but he understood. He understood why Snape did what he did. Harry himself didn't like people knowing most of his personal life, especially the Dursleys. Snape's was a larger concern. He was a freaking double agent from what Harry knew. If the news that he has a daughter got out…it would be terrible for the girl and for Snape.

"I need your word, Potter." Harry shifted uncomfortably under his professor's gaze,

"You have my word, Professor." He said quietly. He still was not sure why Snape told him all this. The man kept this secret for-how many years? Harry didn't even know how old his daughter was.

"So…" Harry licked his lips. "Where…How old…I mean-" He wasn't sure he was allowed to ask questions.

"She's 7 years old." Snape answered as he refilled his coffee cup with swish of his hand.

Harry made a 'oh' motion with his mouth.

"I understand you have a lot of questions." Harry snorted. 'Lot' was an understatement. "Rest assured, I will answer them."

"What's her name?" Harry asked.

"Elara." Snape said softly. Harry noticed his features change when he took her name. For a second he wasn't the potions master who was hated by everyone. He was just a…father. All the rumours Harry had heard about Snape favouring the Slytherins and especially troubled children now made sense. The drawings Harry had seen on his desk a few nights ago made sense. There were many instances which Harry never thought about but now did where Snape was actually human….made sense.

"That's… a beautiful name, Professor." Harry said quietly. It was. It was the first time Harry had heard it. Elara Snape. Harry wondered what she would be like. "I don't understand." He added.

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Is it because I am staying in the castle that you're telling me all this?" Harry asked. He wasn't as dumb as Snape him out to be.

"Yes, Potter, among other things." Snape nodded. "For the whole term, Elara has to stay inside. She cannot go out, or meet children. She has summers where she can be the child she is and play outside. However-"

"However, I am here this summer and that means she would not have had the chance to get out." Harry finished for him. Snape knew this, then why the hell did he bring Harry here? If he wanted to protect his daughter so much, then why?

"Some questions are better left unanswered, Potter." Snape said softly as he looked at the boy. The questions running around his head were quite obvious on his face.

"It must be tough." Harry said. "Keeping her hidden." If Harry had not seen the girl near the forest with Snape, he still would have believed that the man was just screwing with his head.

"We manage." Snape said with a deep sigh, not really wanting to get into it.

"Does any other student know?" Harry asked. When Snape shook his head, Harry felt a small satisfaction that he was the only student to know this secret. It was ironical, really. Snape trusting him to tell him something so person. To him, to Harry, to the only son of his childhood enemy. His least favourite student.

Harry wanted to ask Snape if he can meet Elara, but he didn't dare to. And frankly, he wasn't even sure if he was ready. How the hell would he react? He liked little kids, he sometimes sat with the first years too, helping them cope with their homesickness. He didn't mind them at all. But Snape's kid? That was a whole different story.

Harry suddenly rubbed his hands. He was craving a smoke. Badly. He needed it.

"Look, Potter," Snape said as he watched the boy churning the wheels in his mind. "I don't know if you understand the gravity of this secret."

"I do!" Harry said, a little angry. "Professor, you of all people should know that I have kept my personal life private from everyone in this castle. The only person who had a hint was Dumbledore and now you know some of it." He said. "I understand the need to conceal a news such as yours. If someone from the wrong crowd gets even a hint of this, it can be catastrophic."

Snape blinked. That was his line. He was supposed to give this lecture to Potter.

"You always make me seem like someone who just floats through life without a care in the world. Playing it by the ear, as you might like to say." Harry continued, his boldness increasing with every word. "That's not true. And you would know that if you had taken even a little effort in seeing past the wall of son of James Potter. I have my own things, I have people to protect too. It might seem like I don't care, but I do. I know of my shortcomings as you so like to remind me. There is a reason why I am learning Occlumency, a reason why I am doing my best that I can to at least make sure that I stand a fighting chance to defeat that bastard."

Harry's eyes had gotten red as he spoke and struggled to keep his composure by keeping his tears at bay. He was about to burst. He was tired of everyone assuming that he was just a privileged sodding boy-who-lived. Most of all, he was tired of Snape always belittling him when the man didn't even know him.

"Potter-"

"No!" Harry said loudly. Snape looked at him in surprise. "I am glad that you told me, that you trusted me enough to reveal such a sensitive part of your life to me. However, I need you to trust me that I am not just an arrogant, selfish prick as you call me."

Harry took a shaky breath. He wasn't sure where all of this was coming from. He was just glad he could get it out of his system. He hadn't cried after Sirius had died. He hadn't cried after Cedric had died. He hadn't cried when he had realised what a miserable life he had. He never cried. But his pot seemed to be full now.

"I am fully capable of keeping this secret to myself." Harry said as he got up and grabbed his bag.

"Sit down, potter." Snape ordered.

"I need to go. I understand that you need your privacy and your life. You should be free to take your daughter out anytime you like. I won't come between you." Harry said. His eyes were stinging and his hands were shaking. He could feel a layer of cold sweat on his forehead and at the back of his neck. He needed a cigarette. "If I ever run into you in the castle, I will make sure to turn around."

With that, Harry fled out of the office and ran. He could hear Snape calling out after him, asking him to stop, but Harry didn't care. He just wanted to get out of that room. He wanted to be alone where he could sob his heart out.

He quickly went to the Common Room and grabbed his cigarettes and lighter and threw on his invisibility cloak. He wasn't foolish, he knew Snape would come searching for him. So Harry went to the only place he knew he couldn't be found.

He made him way to the statue of the one-eyed witch by the Defence classroom.

"Dissendium." He gave the password and slipped inside.

He knew no one could find him here. He sat down in the corridor and muttered a small Lumos. He quickly lit a cigarette and let it do its job.

Tears fell down his cheeks as he smoked one cigarette after another till he had smoked almost 5. He needed this pain to go away. He needed this to end. He needed something stronger.

He looked at the tunnel. It led to the cellar of Honeydukes. Harry knew that because he can used it numerous times. Maybe he can go to Hogsmeade and get a bottle of FireWhiskey. Or weed, if old Jack had gotten it by now.

He sat there, contemplating what to do. His body was too tired to move and emotionally damaged to think. The cigarette smoke swirled around him, a temporary comfort in the suffocating darkness. For the first time, he had allowed himself to cry, to let out the anguish and frustration that had been building inside him for so long. His sobs echoed in the empty tunnel, each one a testament to the pain he had been holding back.

A/N - Please review!