Disclaimer – Once again I'm reduced to telling you something you already know. It's not mine.

Harry Potter and the Ties That Bind

Chapter One – Taken Away

'Absolutely not.' The boy's green eyes were bright with anger and his fists were tightly clenched.

'Harry, you must listen to reason.' Dumbledore tried.

'Reason!' Harry yelled. 'You call this reason!'

'Harry, please just listen.' Remus realized just a moment later that he should have just stayed quiet when Harry turned on him.

'And you!' He spat. 'You're supposed to be looking out for me, not encouraging him.'

'Harry please.' Remus pleaded softly.

'It's the only way, Harry.' Dumbledore said gravely.

Harry glared at the man. 'Then you had better find another one then, hadn't you beacuse there is no way in the nine levels of hell you are binding me to anyone, let alone that.' Harry spat, pointing at the potions master before storming from the room. The sound of the door slamming rang through the room.

'My, that went well.' Snape drawled sarcastically.

'Would it really be that bad, Harry?' Hermione asked hesitantly.

'Are you kidding?' Ron shrieked. 'Hermione: It's Snape!'

'Ron!' Hermione scolded, smacking the red head on the shoulder. 'Harry don't listen to him. This is important. You could die.'

'So what?'

'Harry!'

'If you're so enamored with the idea, Hermione, you do it.' Harry snapped before storming off.

Hermione sighed and shook her head. 'Ron, you have to be more understanding. This is Harry's only chance.'

'The only thing I have to understand is that they are trying to make Harry stay with that greasy git and that's not right as far as I'm concerned.'

'Ron.'

'No, Hermione.' Ron said sharply, lifting a hand to stop her. 'How would you like it if someone tried to run your life like that?'

'But he will die, Ron. You saw him yesterday. And the day before. He can't keep going like this. There is only so much Pepper-Up one person can take.'

Ron stared at her, taking in the worry lines and tear filled eyes and sighed. 'I'm sorry.' He whispered softly, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her close. 'I don't want anything to happen to him either but...I just don't think this is the right way to help him.'

'There is no other way.' Hermione said sadly. 'Trust me, I've looked.'

Ron pulled away, seeing the truth in her eyes and knowing she would have done whatever she could to help Harry, and nodded. 'I know.' He sighed again. 'I'll try to be more understanding.' He promised.

Hermione smiled gratefully and allowed him to guide her to the great hall for lunch.

Harry skipped his afternoon classes and spent the hours until dark by the lake, hidden under his invisibility cloak as he fumed about the injustice that was his life. So what if he'd had visions several times a week since the beginning of the term. So what if they grew progressively longer and more violent. So what if he found himself drinking Pepper-Up as if it was Butterbeer just to get out of bed in the mornings. That didn't give them the right to ruin his life beyond all recognition.

'It never bloody ends.' He muttered, standing and reluctantly heading towards the castle.

He slipped into the already crowded great hall, not looking at anyone as he sat down at the end of the Gryffindor table and startling the second years already sitting there. He filled his plate with food, and spent the next fifteen minutes playing with it and ignoring Ron and Hermione's attempts to catch his eyes before standing up and heading towards the door. Just as he slipped through it he looked up, giving those at the head table, two in particular, a venomous glare before disappearing through the door.

'We can't wait much longer, Albus.' McGonagall sighed. 'You saw him at dinner. He won't eat. Miss Granger says he barely sleeps. Filius told me that he hasn't turn up to his class for three days in a row and I overheard Mr Weasley telling Miss Granger that he had another attack last night. You have to do something.'

Dumbledore sat back in his chair and stroked his beard in frustration. 'I don't know what to do, Minerva. I can't force the boy. He actually needs to say the words.'

'I still don't see why it has to be Severus.' Remus griped from his seat by the window. 'Harry hates him. He hates Harry!'

'He is the only one I would trust to do this. The only one carrying the mark anyway.' Dumbledore admitted.

There was a heavy silence for several minutes before Lupin spoke. 'What if I got the Mark. I would do it for Harry.'

Dumbledore shook his head. 'I'm afraid that Tom Riddle is clearly aware of your loyalties, Remus. He would simply strike you down as another way to upset Harry.'

'And I think Harry's quite upset enough already.' Minerva added with a sigh.

Remus ran a hand through his hair in frustration. 'But there must be another way. Something.'

The headmaster leant over and patted the werewolf's hand in sympathy. 'You did the research, Remus. You know there is nothing else.'

'But this isn't right. This is Harry's life.' Remus insisted.

Dumbledore's face became grave. 'Precisely.'

The next time Harry woke he could feel scratchy hospital wing sheets against his skin and groaned loudly. He remembered going to bed and closing the curtains in an effort not to have to speak to anyone.

'Mr Potter?' The slightly impatient voice of Madame Pomfrey intruded on his thoughts and Harry blinked several times before opening his eyes and wishing he hadn't. Dumbledore, Remus, Snape and McGonagall were all staring down at him in concern. Well, all but Snape was anyway. He just looked at him as if he was some annoying insect that wouldn't go away.

'How are you feeling, Mr Potter?' Madame Pomfrey asked now that she had his attention.

Harry didn't answer, instead turning his head way and closing his eyes. He would have turned away entirely but his body was in no mood to cooperate with him at the moment.

There was a small scuffle and a huff of irritation and Harry knew Dumbledore has sent the medi-witch away.

'Harry, dear boy please look at me.' Dumbledore said quietly and Harry felt him place a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked back. 'That was the worst one yet, Harry. If they keep escalating like this...' Dumbledore trailed off and Harry glared. 'Harry you will die.'

Harry's glare flicked to Snape before he closed his eyes and turned away again. 'There are worse things.' He muttered.

'Harry.' It seemed that the elderly wizard just wouldn't quit. 'Dear boy, you've been unconscious for almost three days.'

Harry's eyes shot open. 'What?' He breathed.

'It's Monday, Harry.' Remus offered.

'Bloody hell.'

'Language Potter.' Snape drawled coolly.

'Shut up, Snape.' Harry snapped in return.

Snape gave a disdainful sniff as Dumbledore scolded Harry. 'Professor Snape, Harry.' He chided gently.

Harry watched as Snape smirked. 'Shut up, Professor Snape.' Harry retorted giving the title the full amount of sarcasm he thought it deserved.

'Potter!' Snape growled, instantly angry and glaring.

'Now, Severus, calm down. I don't believe Harry meant anything untoward.' Dumbledore said calmly.

Harry just snorted softly and closed his eyes again. He really was quite tired.

'Oh Harry.' Hermione cried as she saw him slip into the great hall the next morning. Pomfrey had finally released him and Harry realized he was starving. He allowed Hermione to hug him tightly and Ron to slap him gently on the back before he sat down and tucked into the eggs and bacon and toast.

'Come on Harry, we're going to be late.' Hermione gasped some minutes later, looking at her watch and standing quickly.

'Late? For what?' Harry asked, forgetting that he had all but lost three days and that it wasn't Saturday.

'Potions, come on.' Hermione cried, yanking him up off the seat and dragging him towards the door.

'I don't have any of my books.' Harry insisted.

'You can share mine.' Hermione snapped. 'Now come on. You don't want to annoy Snape any more than you have too.'

On his way out the door he glanced up at the head table to see Dumbledore and Snape in heated conversation even with the potions master part way out of his chair. The glance the black haired man gave him made his hands shake even more than they were and Harry quickly hurried after Hermione thinking that maybe disrespecting the man as openly as he had the night before probably hadn't been such a good idea.

'Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter and you will stay behind and explain why it isn't possible for you to be prepared for my class.' Snape hissed nastily when Harry tried to explain why he was out of uniform and without his books and homework.

That morning's potions class went particularly badly. Harry managed to ruin not only his potion but Hermione's as well when he accidentally knocked her cauldron over. It didn't help that Snape continued hovering over him. Harry decided he hated sixth year with its double NEWT classes.

Finally the bell rang for lunch and all but Harry rushed from the classroom to escape the potions master's wrath. 'I'll see you in the great hall, Harry.' Hermione said softly, still smarting over her failed potion. Harry just waved her away without looking up and waited for Snape to begin.

There was a slam of a door and Harry felt more than heard the locking and silencing charm that went up before the older wizard began to speak. 'I find myself at a loss, Potter.' Snape drawled calmly.

'No surprise there.' Harry muttered. Snape, somewhat surprisingly, ignored him.

'I find myself at a loss as to why you would willingly go through so much pain, that you would give up your life, over something like this. Why are you fighting it so strongly?'

Harry raised his head and glared at the man. 'Why aren't you fighting it at all?' He spat, eyes glinting angrily.

Snape held out his left arm and raised his sleeve, baring the Dark Mark on his forearm. 'I am not an idiot, Potter, in spite of what you think.'

Harry folded his arms over his chest and looked away. 'What does that have to do with anything?' He mumbled sullenly.

Snape walked slowly around the desk so he could lean back against it. 'I know how important you are, Potter, much as it pains me to add to your rather inflated ego.' He went on, mimicing Harry's posture by folding his arms over his chest. 'I swore an oath to Albus almost eighteen years ago that I would do whatever it took to destroy the Dark Lord and I know now that it cannot be done without you.'

'Just a bloody weapon.' Harry muttered to himself but Snape caught it.

'Is that why you're fighting it so hard? Because you think no one cares.' The potions master sneered.

Harry snorted. 'If they cared about me that wouldn't be binding me to you now would they.'

There was a pregnant pause. 'You will die, Potter.' Snape said quietly.

'What do you care?'

'I'm not sure I do.' Snape admitted. 'But the wizarding world needs you.'

Harry snorted again. 'Yeah, and what have they ever done for me?'

Snape stared at him in silence for several moments. 'Given you a home.' He said quietly but firmly as if he was talking from personal experience.

Harry looked away again before turning on his heel and stalking to the door.

'Are you gay, Potter?' Snape's voice caught him mere feet from the door and Harry turned back, his green eyes narrowed.

'No, as a matter of fact.' He replied haughtily.

He watched as Snape raised an eyebrow and moved across the room like a predator eyeing his prey. Harry's own eyes widened and he backed up until he was flat against the wall beside the door, Snape's body all but flush against his own, and the potions master's breath warm on his neck. Harry didn't know what to do or think. All he could see were fathomless black eyes staring at him intently as the smell of sandalwood and mint made his head light. He closed his eyes but couldn't help but reach up and grasp the strong shoulders as he felt the man's mouth move closer to his ear. His heart began beating harder as the potions master's hand came up and laid itself gently on his chest and Harry knew without a doubt the older wizard could feel it.

'Liar.' Snape breathed and moments later he was gone.

Harry once again skipped lunch and spent the afternoon by the lake. He couldn't believe Snape had done that. So what if he was gay. It didn't mean he was attracted to the greasy git. What did being gay have to do with anything? He could be gay and Snape could be the last person on earth and Harry would still want nothing to do with him.

He fumed all afternoon until once again it was dark and he knew he had to go back inside when his stomach let out a large grumble. With a heavy sigh he stood, brushing off the back of his jeans before walking slowly back to the castle.

Hermione and Ron greeted him nervously as he sat down but Harry just smiled and nodded at him as he filled his plate and slowly began to eat. He didn't look up at the head table, unsure of what he might say or do if he met the potions master's eyes.

About halfway through the meal he noticed his eyes felt heavy and his hands could barely hold his fork. He tried to stand but the last thing he remembered was Hermione screaming as he blacked out and collapsed to the floor.

Harry could hear murmuring as he woke and he strained to listen and see if he could work out who was there. It only took a moment though before he realised something was wrong.

That hadn't been a vision. Nothing hurt, and that was a dead giveaway.

In fact he felt better than he had in ages.

He took a few moments to take stock of himself and it was then that he noticed the vague snatches of emotion that seemed to be seeping in and out. He tried to sort them out but he couldn't.

They weren't his.

Suddenly rather vague memories of the evening before flashed through his mind. He saw Ron and Hermione being placated by Dumbledore as Remus levitated him out of the hall and up to the headmaster's office. He remembered trying to stop them but nothing he said or did made any difference. Remus and McGongall propped him up in a squishy armchair while they waited for Dumbledore. More memories flashed past him, he saw Dumbledore commanding him to repeat something after him and Harry doing it no matter how much he hadn't wanted to. He saw Snape beside him, felt the man take his hand before speaking. Harry's over extended memory tried to grasp what the man had been saying but he couldn't.

And then Snape had swallowed a potion and kissed him!

'WHAT THE HELL!'

'Now, dear boy, just calm down.' Dumbledore began, but it had absolutely no effect on the livid seventeen year old who had thrown the blankets off the bed and all but leapt to his feet as he realized what had happened.

'Do not tell me to calm down.' Harry yelled. 'How dare you!'

'Harry, we didn't have a choice.' Remus cut in.

Harry's eyes blazed and the cabinet across the room exploded. 'The only one who didn't have a choice was me.' He spat, before grabbing the robe that was lying across the bed beside him and stalking from the room.

Harry continued fuming silently as he stormed through the corridors towards Gryffindor Tower. He could feel his emotions roiling through him like a hurricane and he hoped that Snape was feeling it just as strongly.

'Knowing the bastard he's got some sort of potion to block it.' he muttered disgustedly before snapping out the password and continuing his path towards his dormitory ignoring the cries of greeting from Hermione and the others.

Moments later, as Harry was angrily hurling things into his trunk, Ron and Hermione burst into the room.

'Harry, what is it? Are you alright?' Hermione cried, her voice quavering at the look of malice on Harry's face.

'No, I'm not bloody alright.' Harry growled.

'What happened?' Ron walked over hesitantly and sat on his bed, gesturing for Hermione to do the same.

Harry didn't seem to hear as he continued muttering under his breath and tossed his clothes haphazardly into his trunk. 'Bloody bastard, interfering old busybody, couldn't just be happy with ruining my life with my permission. Whole life gone to hell.'

'Ah, Harry?' Hermione said softly. 'Can we help you? You look as if you're leaving.'

'I am.'

Hermione and Ron exchanged a nervous glance. 'You can't leave, Harry.' Ron murmured.

Harry balled the robe in his hand and threw it into the trunk with some force as he spun to face his best friends. 'Just what I need, someone else telling me what I can and can't do.' He snarled.

Ron shrank back at the tone. 'I mean it's not safe out there.' Ron amended quickly.

Harry let out a bark of laughter that chilled the other two Gryffindors to the bone. 'Like I'm bloody safe in here.' He muttered, slamming his trunk and shrinking it with a wave of his wand.

'Harry, please.' Hermione cried out as Harry grabbed his broom and headed out the door.

Harry leapt down the steps two at a time but stopped dead at the bottom as he came across Dumbledore, McGonagall, Remus and Snape all waiting beside the entrance to the tower with half of Gryffindor House staring at them in silence.

'Get the hell out of my way.' Harry snarled, stalking forward several paces. He looked like the angel of death. His broom held tightly in his hand and raised slightly as the anger pouring off him caused his cloak to billow and swell around him. Ron and Hermione who had raced after him quickly moved out of the way, knowing that if it came down to it and Harry really wanted to leave then the resulting firefight would be brutal. There would be no way Harry would stay, and no way Dumbledore would let him leave.

'Now Harry, dear boy.' Dumbledore said calmly, completely oblivious to the suddenly exploding bust of Godric Gryffindor on the mantle that sent thousands of pieces showing over now screaming children.

'Don't even speak to me.' Harry growled, his eyes narrowing as he swapped his broom to his left hand and raised his wand. 'Now, are you going to get out of my way or do I have to move you myself, old man?'

There was an audible holding of breath from nearly every student in the room as Harry insulted the headmaster.

'Harry, you can't leave.' Dumbledore said firmly.

Harry face twisted into a mockery of a smile. 'Or what, you'll stop me?' He said nastily. 'Or will you just drug me again so I have no choice in the matter.'

Hermione and Ron gasped loudly and a murmur of whispers ran throughout the room.

'Harry, there was no other way.' Remus cut in.

Harry snarled. 'I would have found one. Now, get out of the way.'

'I'm afraid I can't do that, Harry.' Dumbledore said quietly as he drew his wand from the folds of his robes and raised it: the other professors following suit.

The students between the two warring parties quickly moved back out of the way realizing from the look on Harry's face that he wasn't going to go quietly, if at all.

'Get..Out..Of..My..Way.' Harry's ominous tone seemed to echo around the room.

'Stop being so childish, Potter.' The potions master snapped, clearly at the end of his tether.

'Fuck off, Snape.' Harry growled, taking several steps backwards and raising his wand even higher.

No one was quite sure what happened next but as near as they could gather, Snape lost his temper and fired off a stunning spell which Harry quickly sidestepped before sending back several of his own. Children cowered all over the room as an all out duel broke out that ended with Remus and McGonagall stunned on the floor, Snape with a large gash on his shoulder and Dumbledore's beard actually smoking.

Of Harry, there was no sign.

'He went out the window.' A second year said, coughing loudly as he sucked in a lungful of smoke Harry had cast to cover his escape.

'Merlin's beard.' Dumbledore breathed running to the window and seeing the tiny speck that was Harry flying away as Snape and Hermione canceled the stunning spells on the other two professors.

'Now what?' Snape asked, trying to stem the flow of blood from his shoulder. 'If the brat doesn't get back here soon then the bond will.'

'SEVERUS!' Dumbledore all but shouted before the potions master could say anymore.

'Professor, you didn't really do that to Harry did you?' Hermione asked hesitantly. 'You drugged him and forced him?'

Snape let out a growl and turned towards the door.

'Everything will be explained in due time, Miss Granger.' Dumbledore said firmly. 'I do apologise for that little scene.' He called out so that all the Gryffindors could hear. 'As you can see Harry is a bit upset with me but it's all just a misunderstanding. He will be back with us shortly. I ask that you keep this to yourselves for the meantime. To keep Harry safe. We don't want Voldemort knowing he isn't at Hogwarts.' He added, ignoring the flinch from all but Hermione, knowing that bringing the Dark Lord into the conversation it would be more likely to keep them all quiet. 'Good evening.' He added with much more cheer than he was actually feeling before he escorted McGonagall and Remus from the room leaving Ron and Hermione staring at each other in disbelief.

'He won't come back.' Hermione breathed.

'I know.' Ron whispered.