Snape swirled around the class, peering into some cauldrons and deciding
others would be best left untouched. His Dark Mark was itching and burning
alternately which happened to make him even nastier than usual, though few
students could have told the difference.
"Well well, Longbottom. It would seem you have finally succeeded. . ."
Neville's eyes lit up in amazed pleasure, which faded as Snape continued with a sneer,
". . .In making the potion which is the complete opposite of the one you should have made!"
He flinched under Snape's wrathful tone, and Potter stepped forward, with what he probably thought was a placating expression on his face. In fact he could as well have tweaked Snape's nose, pinched his cheek and ruffled his hair in terms of how it calmed Snape.
A vein popped in the man's cheek. For Merlin's sake, surely they knew by now that he wouldn't dare kill a pupil while Dumbledore was Headmaster? He shot a force two glare at Potter and had the brief satisfaction of the boy's face tightening in ill-concealed fear. Then he turned his attention back to Longbottom.
"What would your parents think, Longbottom? Do you ever sit and consider how they must be watch. . ."
BANG!
Snape jerked out of the way just in time to see a flash of red light fly past him and hit the wall with a shower of sparks. Had it been a Slytherin who had fired the spell he would have awarded points for such a good curse and aim. However his eyes slowly swivelled to the only person who would have - could have, though he hated to admit it - cast that charm.
Potter.
He barely heard Longbottom run out of the classroom with a stifled sob, barely noticed Malfoy snickering with his two goons. He fixed Potter with a glare that could make Dumbledore snatch the hand offering lemon drops back as though it had been burnt. And Potter simply didn't respond. He stared back at Snape, fire burning in those green eyes that said quite clearly, 'You've gone too far this time'.
Had Longbottom not told anyone except Potter what had happened to his parents? Nobody except Potter seemed to have any idea, they simply looked bored (Slytherins) or gormless (Gryffindors). Snape had been there at the destruction of Frank and Susan Longbottom. There had been no love lost between them at school, but when Snape had turned from Voldemort they had been forced to work civilly together. Snape had been at Voldemort's side while he tortured the Longbottoms, but a single twitch would have taken his life as well as theirs. Dumbledore and the Ministry hadn't been quick enough, and their eyes had glazed. But they had remained silent and strong right up until their world's had gone black, and for that Snape admired them as much as anyone.
So how the hell had they managed to produce such a useless child as Neville Longbottom? It was improbable to the point of impossible according to the family bloodlines. Stubborn bloody Ravenclaws, always trying to contradict fact.
However Snape was forced to jerk himself back to reality. Potter was still standing with his wand out, jaw set.
"That was unnecessary, professor Snape. You know. . .you know!"
"Incapable of forming sentences, Potter?" Snape smirked "I'll get you expelled for sure now Potter. Hexing a professor in front of a class of students. Stupid, even for Gryffindor."
However Potter didn't look remotely upset.
"Well, Dumbledore will want to hear the entire story, won't he Professor? Right from the provocation?"
Snape swore inwardly. The bloody cursed boy was right. Dumbledore would have his head for this, anyway. So. . .he might as well do what he had been longing to for ages. Poison Potter.
With a smirk he stepped closer to Potter and plucked the wand out of his nerveless fingers.
"Very well, Potter, since you seem so intent on getting yourself killed prematurely - get BACK you stupid girl - who am I to stand in your way?"
He quickly cast a swallowing charm on Harry and tipped the vial down his throat, hearing the sniggers of his Slytherins and the gasps and cries of the Gryffindors with a perverse pleasure. He grabbed Potter's shoulders as the boy shuddered at the foul taste of the potion and then released him with a nasty smile. The boy sank into his chair, his eyes fogging over, and Snape absently locked the doors with a wave of his wand as Weasley tried to run for help. Of course, this wouldn't poison Potter. After all, he was the only one who would be powerful enough to defeat Voldemort; and Fudge would be so annoying if his favourite puppet was bumped off. No, as he had said, this potion was the opposite of the Erised potion, which showed people their deepest desires. This showed their deepest fears. . .
With a hissing and a cold sound a grey fog began to gather above Potter's head. Dark shapes began to form in the mist, becoming clearer. Like a faulty TV set they crackled and hissed, getting progressively louder until they seemed like real people.
There was a fat man and boy, and a bony woman who resembled a horse so strongly it made Snape shudder. They were shouting at him, random words; "Layabout! Waste of space. . .useless. . .fool. . .don't you dare. . .wait till I tell your Uncle. . .hiding of your life. . .mongrel. . ."
Snape's mouth again curled up into a sadistic sneer and he uncast the potion. Potter slumped bonelessly to the floor, his eyes half shut and his face pale. Rolling his eyes, Snape enervated him and pushed him none too gently towards the desk. The boy stumbled forward, his elbow hitting the table with a crack. Snape suddenly noticed Potter was shaking with a slight thrill of fear. He quickly dismissed the rest of the class and grasped Potter's shoulders roughly. The boys head lolled aimlessly and he was mumbling incoherently. Finally deciding that Muggle techniques were both easier and more satisfying, Snape slapped the boy hard around the face. Harry opened his eyes and glared at Snape who snarled back.
"Well well. . .the famous boy of Gryffindor doesn't give a damn about his friends being killed by Voldemort. He's just scared of his relations."
Harry gritted his teeth and looked Snape in the eye.
"They are not my family."
Snape smirked.
"I can see them in you quite clearly - especially the boy"
Harry flinched visibly. How could that bastard know his fear? No, he couldn't! He couldn't understand the paranoia Harry had gained of looking like Dudley. Which must mean. . .that Harry really did look like Dudley. He really was growing fat.
Silently Harry turned and walked out of the room.
********************************
"Harry?"
"What?"
"You'll miss dinner"
His stomach rumbled and he angrily clamped a hand over it.
"Not hungry."
Ron's freckled face peered in through the curtains.
"Shall I bring up something?"
"No Ron, I'm not tired I'm hungry. . .I mean, I'm not hungry, I'm tired, so I'm just going to bed now ok?"
Ron nodded and left, as Harry rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. It was chipped. He considered counting the cracks but decided that would be very boring. His stomach felt like it had been filled with acid; it gurgled and rumbled like a drain and made his head spin. But. . .he was getting like Dudley. . .flabby and fat, the thought just made him want to retch. He turned over onto his other side and heard footsteps coming up the stairs and enter the dormitory. It was Seamus and Dean. Harry tried not to listen to their conversation but couldn't help it. They were saying what Snape had said; that he was selfish for just being afraid of his relatives. But they didn't know. . .they didn't know any of it. . .(AN yes, another abused Harry fic)
***************************************
In Hogwarts, rumours spread quickly and Harry was the most talked about boy in the school. So, naturally, by the next morning everyone had heard about his deepest fear. He was halfway down to breakfast the next morning when Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle blocked his path. Harry jumped back and looked up.
"Everyone in the school knows what a wimp you are now, Potter" sneered Draco. "Honestly, I'm surprised people still have faith in you to save the wizarding world." Harry flushed red, and went to walk past when, at a nod from Malfoy, Goyle shot out an arm. Harry flinched, hands coming up over his closed eyes looking like a startled deer. Malfoy noticed he was shaking and smiled evilly.
"Scared, Potter?"
Harry was silent, refusing to give Malfoy the satisfaction of having scared him. He was unable to stop himself flinch again as the meaty fist collided with the side of his face. However there was no redness. Draco waved Crabbe and Goyle on to breakfast and grasped Harry's chin roughly, so they were eye to eye. He spat out a revealing charm and began to laugh as he saw the battered state of Harry's face.
"Nice holiday, Potter? Oh my, what wouldn't the Prophet give for this. . ."
Chuckling nastily he continued down the corridor leaving Harry trembling.
Ok, please review, and also, I'm desperately trying to find that HP story where Harry tries to jump off the astronomy tower and is sent to live with Snape. It's 15 chapters long and has an alternative ending (one he lives, one he dies) but I can't find it on ff.net. Does anyone know where it is??
"Well well, Longbottom. It would seem you have finally succeeded. . ."
Neville's eyes lit up in amazed pleasure, which faded as Snape continued with a sneer,
". . .In making the potion which is the complete opposite of the one you should have made!"
He flinched under Snape's wrathful tone, and Potter stepped forward, with what he probably thought was a placating expression on his face. In fact he could as well have tweaked Snape's nose, pinched his cheek and ruffled his hair in terms of how it calmed Snape.
A vein popped in the man's cheek. For Merlin's sake, surely they knew by now that he wouldn't dare kill a pupil while Dumbledore was Headmaster? He shot a force two glare at Potter and had the brief satisfaction of the boy's face tightening in ill-concealed fear. Then he turned his attention back to Longbottom.
"What would your parents think, Longbottom? Do you ever sit and consider how they must be watch. . ."
BANG!
Snape jerked out of the way just in time to see a flash of red light fly past him and hit the wall with a shower of sparks. Had it been a Slytherin who had fired the spell he would have awarded points for such a good curse and aim. However his eyes slowly swivelled to the only person who would have - could have, though he hated to admit it - cast that charm.
Potter.
He barely heard Longbottom run out of the classroom with a stifled sob, barely noticed Malfoy snickering with his two goons. He fixed Potter with a glare that could make Dumbledore snatch the hand offering lemon drops back as though it had been burnt. And Potter simply didn't respond. He stared back at Snape, fire burning in those green eyes that said quite clearly, 'You've gone too far this time'.
Had Longbottom not told anyone except Potter what had happened to his parents? Nobody except Potter seemed to have any idea, they simply looked bored (Slytherins) or gormless (Gryffindors). Snape had been there at the destruction of Frank and Susan Longbottom. There had been no love lost between them at school, but when Snape had turned from Voldemort they had been forced to work civilly together. Snape had been at Voldemort's side while he tortured the Longbottoms, but a single twitch would have taken his life as well as theirs. Dumbledore and the Ministry hadn't been quick enough, and their eyes had glazed. But they had remained silent and strong right up until their world's had gone black, and for that Snape admired them as much as anyone.
So how the hell had they managed to produce such a useless child as Neville Longbottom? It was improbable to the point of impossible according to the family bloodlines. Stubborn bloody Ravenclaws, always trying to contradict fact.
However Snape was forced to jerk himself back to reality. Potter was still standing with his wand out, jaw set.
"That was unnecessary, professor Snape. You know. . .you know!"
"Incapable of forming sentences, Potter?" Snape smirked "I'll get you expelled for sure now Potter. Hexing a professor in front of a class of students. Stupid, even for Gryffindor."
However Potter didn't look remotely upset.
"Well, Dumbledore will want to hear the entire story, won't he Professor? Right from the provocation?"
Snape swore inwardly. The bloody cursed boy was right. Dumbledore would have his head for this, anyway. So. . .he might as well do what he had been longing to for ages. Poison Potter.
With a smirk he stepped closer to Potter and plucked the wand out of his nerveless fingers.
"Very well, Potter, since you seem so intent on getting yourself killed prematurely - get BACK you stupid girl - who am I to stand in your way?"
He quickly cast a swallowing charm on Harry and tipped the vial down his throat, hearing the sniggers of his Slytherins and the gasps and cries of the Gryffindors with a perverse pleasure. He grabbed Potter's shoulders as the boy shuddered at the foul taste of the potion and then released him with a nasty smile. The boy sank into his chair, his eyes fogging over, and Snape absently locked the doors with a wave of his wand as Weasley tried to run for help. Of course, this wouldn't poison Potter. After all, he was the only one who would be powerful enough to defeat Voldemort; and Fudge would be so annoying if his favourite puppet was bumped off. No, as he had said, this potion was the opposite of the Erised potion, which showed people their deepest desires. This showed their deepest fears. . .
With a hissing and a cold sound a grey fog began to gather above Potter's head. Dark shapes began to form in the mist, becoming clearer. Like a faulty TV set they crackled and hissed, getting progressively louder until they seemed like real people.
There was a fat man and boy, and a bony woman who resembled a horse so strongly it made Snape shudder. They were shouting at him, random words; "Layabout! Waste of space. . .useless. . .fool. . .don't you dare. . .wait till I tell your Uncle. . .hiding of your life. . .mongrel. . ."
Snape's mouth again curled up into a sadistic sneer and he uncast the potion. Potter slumped bonelessly to the floor, his eyes half shut and his face pale. Rolling his eyes, Snape enervated him and pushed him none too gently towards the desk. The boy stumbled forward, his elbow hitting the table with a crack. Snape suddenly noticed Potter was shaking with a slight thrill of fear. He quickly dismissed the rest of the class and grasped Potter's shoulders roughly. The boys head lolled aimlessly and he was mumbling incoherently. Finally deciding that Muggle techniques were both easier and more satisfying, Snape slapped the boy hard around the face. Harry opened his eyes and glared at Snape who snarled back.
"Well well. . .the famous boy of Gryffindor doesn't give a damn about his friends being killed by Voldemort. He's just scared of his relations."
Harry gritted his teeth and looked Snape in the eye.
"They are not my family."
Snape smirked.
"I can see them in you quite clearly - especially the boy"
Harry flinched visibly. How could that bastard know his fear? No, he couldn't! He couldn't understand the paranoia Harry had gained of looking like Dudley. Which must mean. . .that Harry really did look like Dudley. He really was growing fat.
Silently Harry turned and walked out of the room.
********************************
"Harry?"
"What?"
"You'll miss dinner"
His stomach rumbled and he angrily clamped a hand over it.
"Not hungry."
Ron's freckled face peered in through the curtains.
"Shall I bring up something?"
"No Ron, I'm not tired I'm hungry. . .I mean, I'm not hungry, I'm tired, so I'm just going to bed now ok?"
Ron nodded and left, as Harry rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. It was chipped. He considered counting the cracks but decided that would be very boring. His stomach felt like it had been filled with acid; it gurgled and rumbled like a drain and made his head spin. But. . .he was getting like Dudley. . .flabby and fat, the thought just made him want to retch. He turned over onto his other side and heard footsteps coming up the stairs and enter the dormitory. It was Seamus and Dean. Harry tried not to listen to their conversation but couldn't help it. They were saying what Snape had said; that he was selfish for just being afraid of his relatives. But they didn't know. . .they didn't know any of it. . .(AN yes, another abused Harry fic)
***************************************
In Hogwarts, rumours spread quickly and Harry was the most talked about boy in the school. So, naturally, by the next morning everyone had heard about his deepest fear. He was halfway down to breakfast the next morning when Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle blocked his path. Harry jumped back and looked up.
"Everyone in the school knows what a wimp you are now, Potter" sneered Draco. "Honestly, I'm surprised people still have faith in you to save the wizarding world." Harry flushed red, and went to walk past when, at a nod from Malfoy, Goyle shot out an arm. Harry flinched, hands coming up over his closed eyes looking like a startled deer. Malfoy noticed he was shaking and smiled evilly.
"Scared, Potter?"
Harry was silent, refusing to give Malfoy the satisfaction of having scared him. He was unable to stop himself flinch again as the meaty fist collided with the side of his face. However there was no redness. Draco waved Crabbe and Goyle on to breakfast and grasped Harry's chin roughly, so they were eye to eye. He spat out a revealing charm and began to laugh as he saw the battered state of Harry's face.
"Nice holiday, Potter? Oh my, what wouldn't the Prophet give for this. . ."
Chuckling nastily he continued down the corridor leaving Harry trembling.
Ok, please review, and also, I'm desperately trying to find that HP story where Harry tries to jump off the astronomy tower and is sent to live with Snape. It's 15 chapters long and has an alternative ending (one he lives, one he dies) but I can't find it on ff.net. Does anyone know where it is??