Chapter 5
Harry's gait slowed to an awkward hobble and before he could stop himself, he collapsed onto the dingy stone of the tunnel. Severus paused, glancing towards the way they'd just came from. He knew that after this tunnel, they could turn right into another one and voila, there would be the opening. He debated on whether or not to just leave Harry for the vultures but he knew he had to rule out that option.
"Mobilius Corpus," Severus said and Harry's body immediately floated on the air. Harry's eyes were full of questioning at the choice of transportation. "It might slow us down but it's better than not getting out of here at all," he said, indicating the bleeding scar.
"R..Right," Harry shivered; either from the cold tunnel or the pain, Severus could not distinguish. Severus could not run with Harry floating, he could easily lose control and Harry could end up smashing into the walls. Severus only hoped that Voldemort could not sense them and where they were.
Severus rounded the corner, only to be met with smiling silver oculates. "Shit," he cursed, glaring evenly at the smirking Lucius Malfoy. The aristocrat's wand was securely tucked in his fist, the tip pointing at Severus's face. Severus lost concentration and Harry flopped to the ground unharmed.
"My thoughts precisely," Lucius drawled, turning his eyes from Severus to a whimpering Harry. He snapped his wand at Harry, "Petrifitustotalus!" The boy slumped into a daze. "I see you brought your pet along. Master will be infinitely pleased." Lucius caught the shimmer of fear and loathing in Severus's inky onyx orbs. He hated to betray his friend, his only close friend, in any matter. The only reason Lucius stayed on Voldemort's side was because of Severus. He was the Potions Master's alibi and that alibi was needed often. "...However, I'm not in the mood to play Lord Voldemort's lap dog."
"What are you talking about Lucius?" Severus asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion at Lucius's motives. Malfoy's always had a superior ultimatum.
"You do know what Lord Voldemort does when he's in a good mood, do you not?" Severus tried to keep the bile from seeping for his throat. If there was one thing Severus felt sorry for Lucius about; it was that Lucius was used as Voldemort's personal sex object. How that must have dulled Lucius's appetite for any sort of sexual intercourse. "I suggest you hurry. Once outside the tunnels you can apparate."
"Lucuis, I dont know-"
"Thanks can be saved for later. Who knows, I might call on you for a night of BDSM." Lucius winked cheerfully at Severus before he disappeared.
Severus stood for a few seconds, a slight smile curling his lips. He knew Lucius was making a sacrifice for him. Severus knelt beside a petrified Harry and picked him up into his arms. The boy couldn't have weighed more than a sixty three kilograms. Severus rushed towards the entrance, as the blinding sunlight filtered through the tunnel. He never thought he'd be more exalted to see the sun in his life. Without a backwards glance, Severus apparated for Hogwart's.
~ ~ ~
"How dare you even THINK about going to that...that place!!" Minerva screeched at Severus, the other professor calmy taking the scolding like any man would. Dumbledore looked on in amusement. Minerva was the only person who ever stood up to Severus. "You should have KNOWN that He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named would go there!!! How ignorant can you be?!! Harry could have been killed! YOU could have been killed!!! Are you listening to me?!!!"
"Minerva...I think you should check on your student. His friends should be filled in on what happened." Dumbledore placed a hand on the bristled woman's shoulder, directing her towards the door of his office. Minerva sent one last evil glowwer at Severus as she allowed herself to be shown out. Dumbledore sighed, regarding Severus disappointedly. "Severus...you know better."
"I do, sir."
"Was it really worth all that trouble for a recipe on ridding yourself of the bond?" Dumbledore stared at the book. "You will brew the antidote soon, yes?"
"Of course. The sooner the better."
"Ah. I suggest you go the Infirmary now. Harry's going to be in pain. He needs you close to him. You're too far away and the bond will start hurting terribly if you are not near him." Dumbledore smiled sadly at Severus. "He will have to be there when you make the potion. Now, you get to Mr.Potter." Severus nodded, spinning on his heel as his robes billowed behind him. "Fascinating," Dumbledore muttered. A knowing twinkle entered his eyes. "You can not make the potion if you do not have all the ingredients." He laughed, skimming through the pages of the book.
~ ~ ~
Ron and Hermione shot Severus dark looks as they retreated from Harry's room. Severus scowled back at them in return. The second Severus sat onto the stool beside the bed, Harry's eyes shuddered open. Harry blinked, getting used to the light. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Severus frowned.
"I just...I remember going to Riddle Manor but the rest is just a blur. Why?" Harry asked, quite frightened that he'd done something silly.
"I found the antidote for the bond. Voldemort showed up and we had to make our escape. Lucius caught us just as we were about to leave and he petrified you."
"So...why am I not dead?"
"Lucius doesn't like to be Voldemort's ally but he must in order for me to remain safe." Severus gently wiped the beads of sweat on Harry's forehead, surprised at his actions. "Are you feeling alright? Albus said there might be some aftershocks of the pain from you're scar splitting open."
"...I'm sorry."
"For what Potter?"
"I..I dont know. It's always my fault though."
"You did nothing wrong. If anything I should be apologizing for taking you to Riddle Manor. I should have thought of the risks." Severus bathed the odd scar in the numbing salve. Harry closed his eyes. It felt wonderful; the cool mixture against his burning flesh. "I'm making the antidote tonight, Potter."
Harry tried to keep the feelings of disappointment from seeping too close to the surface. He had liked being around Severus. Though snippy and mean, Severus was someone who didn't regard Harry as something akin to perfection and he didn't bother with the fact that Harry was the Boy Who Lived. It was nice to hold an intellectual conversation. In fact...it was nice to be around the older wizard in the first place. He made Harry feel safe and protected and if anything, the actions at Riddle Manor more than made Harry's heart race with admiration. "You saved my life again. I owe you."
"You owe me nothing."
"But...I do. If there's every anything I can do...please tell me."
Severus paused in rubbing the colloid on Harry's scar. "Do better in my class." He smirked, minisculely smiling at the aghast and downright perturbed visage of Harry's.
"I was thinking of a something different."
"What would that be?"
"I dunno. Money, I suppose."
Severus chuckled, shaking his head as he returned the sponge to the basin. "I do not want money Potter. What would you expect me to do with it?"
"Go on vacation."
"Eager to get rid of me, aren't you?"
Harry blushed, head moving in negation. "No, it's just, well, you always seem so haggard. I think a nice vacation to somewhere exotic would do you good." Harry gnawed his lip. He couldnt' believe he was having this conversation with Severus.
"I dont necessarily picture me somewhere exotic. I'd stand out too much."
"Then get some sun!" Harry grinned impishly. "Sirius told me you were a beater for the Slytherin team. Don't you wish you could ride again on the air currents, just....feeling completely at peace with the world and yourself." Harry smiled wanly. "That's how I always feel. I can forget my problems."
"Potter, I do not think that it would be wise for a man my age to go flying."
"Why not? You can't be more than fourty. That's hardly old in wizarding standards. In fact, that's relatively young."
"No Potter."
"Why not? Scared?"
"I'm scared of nothing."
"Then prove it. Tonight, we fly."
"Tonight, I brew a potion for this wretched bond to be dissolved so I can go on with my life and not have to listen to your squabbling."
"You're insults don't hurt me anymore. We ARE going to fly tonight. You can make the potion tomorrow. One more day won't hurt, will it?" Harry prayed with all his might that Severus would relent. He didnt want this time with him to end.
"Fine!" Severus barked, moodily sitting back down. "I hate you, brat."
"I know you do."
~ ~ ~
Eh...yeah...okay. O_O
Notes: Sorry it took so long but you other writers who are reading this, you know what it's like to lose interest in a story. ^^
Next chapter: Flying and midnight musings on Harry's behalf.
Harry's gait slowed to an awkward hobble and before he could stop himself, he collapsed onto the dingy stone of the tunnel. Severus paused, glancing towards the way they'd just came from. He knew that after this tunnel, they could turn right into another one and voila, there would be the opening. He debated on whether or not to just leave Harry for the vultures but he knew he had to rule out that option.
"Mobilius Corpus," Severus said and Harry's body immediately floated on the air. Harry's eyes were full of questioning at the choice of transportation. "It might slow us down but it's better than not getting out of here at all," he said, indicating the bleeding scar.
"R..Right," Harry shivered; either from the cold tunnel or the pain, Severus could not distinguish. Severus could not run with Harry floating, he could easily lose control and Harry could end up smashing into the walls. Severus only hoped that Voldemort could not sense them and where they were.
Severus rounded the corner, only to be met with smiling silver oculates. "Shit," he cursed, glaring evenly at the smirking Lucius Malfoy. The aristocrat's wand was securely tucked in his fist, the tip pointing at Severus's face. Severus lost concentration and Harry flopped to the ground unharmed.
"My thoughts precisely," Lucius drawled, turning his eyes from Severus to a whimpering Harry. He snapped his wand at Harry, "Petrifitustotalus!" The boy slumped into a daze. "I see you brought your pet along. Master will be infinitely pleased." Lucius caught the shimmer of fear and loathing in Severus's inky onyx orbs. He hated to betray his friend, his only close friend, in any matter. The only reason Lucius stayed on Voldemort's side was because of Severus. He was the Potions Master's alibi and that alibi was needed often. "...However, I'm not in the mood to play Lord Voldemort's lap dog."
"What are you talking about Lucius?" Severus asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion at Lucius's motives. Malfoy's always had a superior ultimatum.
"You do know what Lord Voldemort does when he's in a good mood, do you not?" Severus tried to keep the bile from seeping for his throat. If there was one thing Severus felt sorry for Lucius about; it was that Lucius was used as Voldemort's personal sex object. How that must have dulled Lucius's appetite for any sort of sexual intercourse. "I suggest you hurry. Once outside the tunnels you can apparate."
"Lucuis, I dont know-"
"Thanks can be saved for later. Who knows, I might call on you for a night of BDSM." Lucius winked cheerfully at Severus before he disappeared.
Severus stood for a few seconds, a slight smile curling his lips. He knew Lucius was making a sacrifice for him. Severus knelt beside a petrified Harry and picked him up into his arms. The boy couldn't have weighed more than a sixty three kilograms. Severus rushed towards the entrance, as the blinding sunlight filtered through the tunnel. He never thought he'd be more exalted to see the sun in his life. Without a backwards glance, Severus apparated for Hogwart's.
~ ~ ~
"How dare you even THINK about going to that...that place!!" Minerva screeched at Severus, the other professor calmy taking the scolding like any man would. Dumbledore looked on in amusement. Minerva was the only person who ever stood up to Severus. "You should have KNOWN that He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named would go there!!! How ignorant can you be?!! Harry could have been killed! YOU could have been killed!!! Are you listening to me?!!!"
"Minerva...I think you should check on your student. His friends should be filled in on what happened." Dumbledore placed a hand on the bristled woman's shoulder, directing her towards the door of his office. Minerva sent one last evil glowwer at Severus as she allowed herself to be shown out. Dumbledore sighed, regarding Severus disappointedly. "Severus...you know better."
"I do, sir."
"Was it really worth all that trouble for a recipe on ridding yourself of the bond?" Dumbledore stared at the book. "You will brew the antidote soon, yes?"
"Of course. The sooner the better."
"Ah. I suggest you go the Infirmary now. Harry's going to be in pain. He needs you close to him. You're too far away and the bond will start hurting terribly if you are not near him." Dumbledore smiled sadly at Severus. "He will have to be there when you make the potion. Now, you get to Mr.Potter." Severus nodded, spinning on his heel as his robes billowed behind him. "Fascinating," Dumbledore muttered. A knowing twinkle entered his eyes. "You can not make the potion if you do not have all the ingredients." He laughed, skimming through the pages of the book.
~ ~ ~
Ron and Hermione shot Severus dark looks as they retreated from Harry's room. Severus scowled back at them in return. The second Severus sat onto the stool beside the bed, Harry's eyes shuddered open. Harry blinked, getting used to the light. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Severus frowned.
"I just...I remember going to Riddle Manor but the rest is just a blur. Why?" Harry asked, quite frightened that he'd done something silly.
"I found the antidote for the bond. Voldemort showed up and we had to make our escape. Lucius caught us just as we were about to leave and he petrified you."
"So...why am I not dead?"
"Lucius doesn't like to be Voldemort's ally but he must in order for me to remain safe." Severus gently wiped the beads of sweat on Harry's forehead, surprised at his actions. "Are you feeling alright? Albus said there might be some aftershocks of the pain from you're scar splitting open."
"...I'm sorry."
"For what Potter?"
"I..I dont know. It's always my fault though."
"You did nothing wrong. If anything I should be apologizing for taking you to Riddle Manor. I should have thought of the risks." Severus bathed the odd scar in the numbing salve. Harry closed his eyes. It felt wonderful; the cool mixture against his burning flesh. "I'm making the antidote tonight, Potter."
Harry tried to keep the feelings of disappointment from seeping too close to the surface. He had liked being around Severus. Though snippy and mean, Severus was someone who didn't regard Harry as something akin to perfection and he didn't bother with the fact that Harry was the Boy Who Lived. It was nice to hold an intellectual conversation. In fact...it was nice to be around the older wizard in the first place. He made Harry feel safe and protected and if anything, the actions at Riddle Manor more than made Harry's heart race with admiration. "You saved my life again. I owe you."
"You owe me nothing."
"But...I do. If there's every anything I can do...please tell me."
Severus paused in rubbing the colloid on Harry's scar. "Do better in my class." He smirked, minisculely smiling at the aghast and downright perturbed visage of Harry's.
"I was thinking of a something different."
"What would that be?"
"I dunno. Money, I suppose."
Severus chuckled, shaking his head as he returned the sponge to the basin. "I do not want money Potter. What would you expect me to do with it?"
"Go on vacation."
"Eager to get rid of me, aren't you?"
Harry blushed, head moving in negation. "No, it's just, well, you always seem so haggard. I think a nice vacation to somewhere exotic would do you good." Harry gnawed his lip. He couldnt' believe he was having this conversation with Severus.
"I dont necessarily picture me somewhere exotic. I'd stand out too much."
"Then get some sun!" Harry grinned impishly. "Sirius told me you were a beater for the Slytherin team. Don't you wish you could ride again on the air currents, just....feeling completely at peace with the world and yourself." Harry smiled wanly. "That's how I always feel. I can forget my problems."
"Potter, I do not think that it would be wise for a man my age to go flying."
"Why not? You can't be more than fourty. That's hardly old in wizarding standards. In fact, that's relatively young."
"No Potter."
"Why not? Scared?"
"I'm scared of nothing."
"Then prove it. Tonight, we fly."
"Tonight, I brew a potion for this wretched bond to be dissolved so I can go on with my life and not have to listen to your squabbling."
"You're insults don't hurt me anymore. We ARE going to fly tonight. You can make the potion tomorrow. One more day won't hurt, will it?" Harry prayed with all his might that Severus would relent. He didnt want this time with him to end.
"Fine!" Severus barked, moodily sitting back down. "I hate you, brat."
"I know you do."
~ ~ ~
Eh...yeah...okay. O_O
Notes: Sorry it took so long but you other writers who are reading this, you know what it's like to lose interest in a story. ^^
Next chapter: Flying and midnight musings on Harry's behalf.