CHAPTER SIX: A STAY AT THE INN

A/N I was just so excited from the amount of reviews that I got that I kept going so after chapter five was done I started work on chapter six and chapter seven and chapter eight. lol. So here it is. Chapter Six. Lol! Keep giving me reviews and I'll keep popping out chapter after chapter! Reviews fill me with glee! Chapter seven is already done and I'm halfway through chapter eight! Also, the Tom in my story is the original Tom we see in the Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone.

DISCLAIMER: I own not the characters I just own the thread
And we all play in the imaginary sandbox I built-in my head
so thank you J.K. Rowling for the chance to play
the harry potter game in the imaginary sandbox today.

* H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V * H/V *

I sat in the back of the pub at the leaky cauldron and was rummaging through my trunk for anything money wise I could get my hands on. I wasn't greedy usually, but not when I didn't have a bloody knut on me. I was annoyed. I hoped I could find some galleons in there somewhere and I knew I had a pouch that had at least 10 galleons in it. I just saw it a few fucking minutes ago at that blasted hospital! I needed that pouch! That would be enough to get me a room for the night before I went to Gringotts and paid the inn keeper to stay longer. But I needed that fucking money!

I was about to kick my trunk and throw it across the room when after thirty minutes I couldn't find anything. I was about to kick my stupid trunk as hard as I could but than I saw it. Right there at the top after rummaging for close to about thirty minutes, I finally found what I was looking for. My money pouch. I felt like I could cry in relief, which felt really strange. I breathed in, locked my trunk up, and pulled it behind me. "Excuse, me, Tom?"

"Harry Potter! What can I do for you lad?"

I was so sick of people knowing my name. "I'd like to rent a room for the night."

"Not a problem my boy. Not a problem. That will be 5 galleons 6 sickles and 2 knuts."

"Here's six galleons. I don't have any sickles or knuts on me. I have to stop by Gringotts later."

I watched as the money magically sorted itself out and landed in his hand. I loved magic.

"I'd say so, Mr. Potter. Your change is 10 sickles and 27 knuts and your room will be upstairs the first door on your right."

"Thanks."

I walked straight up to my room and decided to organize my trunk, feeling more angry by the second at how long it took me to find anything. Now on a normal day, I would love Hermione. She was super smart, wicked fast, and punched Draco Malfoy in the face in third year. Something I wished I could do at this moment, just for a face to crunch. But right now, I was annoyed with the undetectable extension charm she did on my trunk. I briefly thought about setting the damn thing on fire before I started organizing it.

I really should get sleep before going to Gringotts.

I reached in and scooped out everything on top, disgruntled when I saw there was still more packed in. I scooped out everything that rose to the top yet again. And after about ten times of doing this, I could finally see the bottom of my trunk, but I couldn't see the top of my bed. It took about an hour to organize both piles into two separate big piles of what I could and couldn't keep.

I ended up throwing away broken quills, empty non refillable ink wells, and old sneakascopes and presents that didn't work anymore. When all that was gone, I sorted through a huge stack of clothes, some of which were still from my first year at Hogwarts! I separated all the clothes, folded them, and put them into four stacks. First year, second year, third year. I did it at fast and as precise as I could. Trying not to think about anything.

I tried to put on one of my shirts from fourth year but it was like trying to fit into a puppets clothes. Was I really so small? I knew I could either take my fourth year clothes down to the second hand robes shop or I could give them to a friend. I briefly thought of Ginny, who was going into fourth year. Some of this was guys stuff but Ginny could probably get some use out of some of it. At least her parents wouldn't have to buy her tattered torn books this year.

I was about to call Hedwig when I remembered that I'd sent her away for a couple of days. And I knew that if she didn't come right now, I'd probably cook her. I opened up my window and called out as loud as I could. "Hedwig!" It felt good to yell.

I quickly scribbled a note to Ginny on some spare parchment and by the time I was done, Hedwig was already swooping in through the window. I gave her some never- stale everlasting owl treats. "I need you to take this package and letter to Ginny Weasley and see if she can get any use of out of it. Than you can come home and rest for a little while. I'll see you when I get back."

Her hoot was as affectionate as a huge and she was off through the open window. But I wasn't about to feel better right now. I was just thankful I could suffer in silence.

I packed up all of my clothes from different years and put them in boxes marking them first year (Gryffindor), second year (Gryffindor), third year (Gryffindor). I couldn't get any use out of them but other people probably could. The books could also be taken to a second hand book store. I didn't really care how much I got for it. Just as long as I got rid of it.

The mess pile on my bed had gotten really small. By the end, all I had left was my one grayish green muggle t-shirt, my jacket, and my jeans. My clothes and robes from last year wouldn't even fit me anymore when I tried to get into them. Whatever potions that nurse had given me, they really worked.

Rap, rap, rap...

I looked towards the window, shocked that Hedwig was already back but I didn't see her anywhere. And the window was open.

Rap, rap, rap...

I looked towards the door and snatched my wand from the bed. I wasn't as stupid as to think this wasn't a trick of Dumbledore's or Voldemort's. And if it was Malfoy I would more than happily blow his head off. Anything to hear his little bones crunch under my hand. I stood behind the door and opened it up. I was hiding behind the door, ready the pounce on the stranger who entered my room but I heard nothing. I wasn't about to peak around the door but I peaked through the crack and I could still see a sliver or what looked like a black cloak. It wasn't Dumbledore.

I was strangely disappointed at the thought. If there was anyone I wanted to kill, it was him. The stranger at my door was was still standing there. Than I heard footsteps as whoever it was walked into the room and I closed the door with a bang, keeping my wand trained on him and a protego shield charm up.

"Turn around very slowly if you don't want to drop dead." I wasn't about to let a death eater get the one up on me. But if it were a death eater, we would have already been dueling. And this man wasn't wearing a mask. I was let down again. Where was someone to fight when you really wanted to kill?

As if handling a poisonous cobra, the man slowly turned around and showed me his hands to show that he meant no harm. I wish he hadn't. I wanted an excuse to hex him. Than he slowly pulled back his hood. Fear was replaced with relief, confusion, and anger. I was confused as to why this man was standing at my door. Relieved that it wasn't a death eater. And angry because that sick fuck didn't have the gall to come and face the boy he'd nearly killed himself. No. He had to send his servant to do it. I really wanted to kill Albus Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape."

"Apparently, unless you've suddenly taken to calling all your enemies by my name."

Give me an excuse Snape. Just one.

He took in my bed for a moment and the mess that befuddled it with a critical eye. "Where have you been, Mr. Potter? Why, when I tried to find you, were you not at the home of your aunt and uncle?"

"I left."

"Obviously. Why?"

I wasn't about to give him anymore information on the subject so I pointed to a chair. I wasn't about to treat my unwelcome "guest" anymore kindly than he treated me.

"Sit. They're bringing tea. And mind the mess, I'm cleaning out my trunk."

He was about to say something but his lips thinned and he sat without another word and continued to watch as I sorted through what was left of the small pile on my bed, sorting out what was broken and what was not at breakneck speed. I felt more agitated than before. And definitely angrier.

"If you have such astute organizational skills, why not use them to your benefit instead of letting them be wasted?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" I challenged.

"Why didn't you decide to do this before?" He stared right back.

"I didn't even realize it was this bad before. I've been kinda busy recently." With Voldemort rising from the dead, getting beaten, almost dying...

"I hate this trunk."

"Buy a new one."

"As soon as I get my fucking money from Gringotts."

He ignored my language. I didn't notice. "How did you pay for a room?"

"By scruffing galleons from my bloody impossible trunk." I kicked the side of it. Snape nodded in understanding. There was a kind of strange peace coming from him that wasn't normally in any room that contained his presence. And strangely enough he wasn't being as rude as usual, which I was thankful for. I was so tired of fighting.

"So, did your wonderful master Dumbledore send you to grovel and beg me to go back?"

"No." His tone was sharp. "I saw you rummaging through your trunk for thirty minutes and was wondering why in the name of Merlin you weren't at your aunt and uncles."

"I'm not going back."

"Or so you believe."

"Why are you here Snape? It makes no sense to seek out the presence of someone you hate. Or are you here to torture me to? Let's all have some fun with Harry James Potter, shall we?! 50 points if you kill him, 100 points if you can get him to CRACK!" I threw an ink bottle at the wall where it shattered, much to my amusement.

"You will address me as-"

"I will address you respectfully when you cease your petty threats. And if you decide to continue I will have you thrown out for harassment!"

I wasn't up for this right now. I couldn't deal with this. I just wanted to be alone. I wanted to rage. I wanted to kill. I wanted to rip and tear and scream...no. I didn't want to scream. I wanted to make him scream. Just why did everyone think I needed saving? And what was he going to do about it?

"I have half a mind to take you back to-"

"YOU TAKE ME BACK AND I'LL RIP YOU APART YOU SICK PIECE OF SHIT!"

I blinked and looked at my wand, which was at his throat. And at my hand, which was choking him, my nails were digging into his neck, drawing blood. That felt so good. He looked up at me in blank shock, as though this was the last thing he was expecting. I wanted more. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill the man who insulted my father. Insulted me. Made my life hell year after year after year. But than I saw the blood. Really saw the blood, leaking from his neck. And my anger evaporated.

I didn't do that. I didn't do that. I didn't do that...I didn't do that...I didn't...I wouldn't...

"You. You did this. Get out."

I kept my shaking hands busy with organizing my quills and recyclable ink wells but he remained in his chair, watching. Always watching. Why did they always have to watch? Couldn't I ever just be left alone like everyone else? Couldn't I just be normal? My eyes burned. My heart thudded against my chest. I did everything I could to keep the tears away. I wouldn't cry for him. I wouldn't cry for Snape. They were both bastards. And neither deserved a lick of my trust. Besides, I was stronger than this. Why should I cry? I was angry.

"Are you deaf?! Cat got your tongue Professor? Or has Merlin blessed me finally with your fantastic newfound ability to CEASE SPEAKING!" I didn't mean to begin shrieking at him. But I was quickly losing control.

His hands found my vibrating arms and he sat me on the bed. But I didn't want to sit. I wouldn't let him hold me down! And so I struggled! Of course I struggled! I would kill him. I would-

"Your safe Harry. I'm not going to hurt you. I don't want to help you. You can help yourself. All I want to do is find out what's going on and why you are not safe. And if you tell me, I will leave you alone."

I was still ready to rage. But I was also ready to curl up and cry. But I wouldn't. Not until he left.

"This is chamomile. It will calm your system and than-"

"If you try to take me anywhere I will find a way to end your life."

Snape looked at me for a long moment, calculating. But whatever he found, made him believe me. Things had changed over the summer, things he was only just beginning to realize. He softened his tone considerably but I still didn't trust him. He would report back to Dumbledore. He would-

"I only said I have half a mind to take you back. The other is questioning why you ran in the first place."

And I couldn't sit still again. I just felt so agitated! So angry! "I don't know why people like you always do this to me! First the ministry hounding me everywhere I go! I can't get a moment's peace without someone having to come up and disturb me! And than I get people like you who think I need rescuing! News flash! I'm here! After facing Voldemort three fucking times and I'm still alive! I'm still here! I've kept myself breathing! Is that not good enough for you? Is that not proof that I can take care of my own fucking self?! Just leave me ALONE!"

I jumped as flames from the candles around the room touched the ceiling.

"You are out of control. You must calm down now before you suffer magical overload. Drink your tea and explain to me what's happening."

I didn't want to drink my tea. But it sounded like a good idea suddenly. I was thirst. And than I was hungry...ravenous. I smelled soup on the bedside and immediately replaced the tea with soup, eating all that I could.

"You eat like a starved dog. Slow down or you'll hurt yourself."

"I'm fine." I continued eating. I always ate like this. I was just so desperate for something to eat that I would eat anything. I didn't even realize I was hungry.

"That doesn't hurt?"

"Should it?"

My food was gone in a matter of five minutes and I felt full. Less angry. I felt slow.

"I made a promise to someone very important, not Dumbledore." He said quickly, finding my expression alarming. "But someone else. Someone extremely important to me. I promised her I would look after you. I thought Professor Dumbledore was doing a good job of keeping you safe and protected. Yet when confronted you act like a wild starved agitated half-crazed dog. What happened to you this summer Harry?"

"The same thing that happens every summer. I did chores. I went to sleep."

"Why were you in Saint Mungo's?"

"HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS IN SAINT MUNGOS!"

"I didn't ask them if that's what you are inferring. You know very well they are under a tight wizarding statute of secrecy. I was...keeping a promise to an old friend. And no it wasn't Dumbledore."

"Who than?"

"Your mother. Now listen to what I'm about to tell you closely Harry and let no one else tell you differently. Your parents at one time were members of The Order of the Phoenix, an organization led by Albus Dumbledore, dedicated to fighting dark witches and wizards all over britain. Your father was approached three times by different deatheaters your mother twice. The second time was when James decided, with a nudge from Lily, that it would be best to leave to Order of the Phoenix. The last time she was approached, I would assume, was by the dark lord himself, as I begged him to spare her. Each time they declined but they knew if asked again, they would be killed. At that time, the dark lord was merciless. I asked him to spare your mother but..."

"He killed her right in front of me because she wouldn't move."

He nodded, forging on. "That night, she wrote a letter to me, asking me to protect you with everything I had, even if it meant my own death. She said she would reward me greatly for it when she saw me again. And...before I say anything more, listen to me. She never regretted you Harry. Realize that now. Your parents loved you, adored you, and were prepared to give their own lives for yours without a second thought, just as I would. Though I know you despise the thought of anyone dying for you."

"I hate the thought of anyone dying period. I don't mind dying, I just hate death."

"Your mother felt the same. But it's a reality in war, as she soon learned. In our fifth year of school, we were engaged to be married. But a fight between us broke it off. And no matter how I tried to apologize, she wanted nothing to do with me. I didn't know at that time she was under the influence of a spell. Your father and mother were used by Albus Dumbledore as...breeding partners to create a weapon greater than any known to mankind."

I would have slapped him if he hadn't used that in a derogatory way towards Dumbledore but he was right. Dumbledore did use them as breeding partners, if Snape was telling the truth. But his guard was down for the first time in what was probably decades. He wouldn't lie to me about this and he could probably prove it too. I was even more disgusted.

"Dumbledore craved a weapon that would win the war against the dark lord, a war I knew should have never begun. I knew of your mothers lineage that Albus hid from her and everyone else, back when I was in my fifth year. Everyone who was within a ten mile radius of your father knew his lineage, which was legendary. And from them both, came you. And I was enraged. I...held her body...as you sat there crying with me as I held her. And of all people, I blamed you for her death. You, who should never have been born. I left you there. And than you came to Hogwarts and I saw your father. Gloating, cold, calloused and cruel and spitting everything right back in my face. For me, you were my substitute for him. I never saw your mother in you because I saw only what I wished to see."

"Do you have her letter? I want to believe you but I also want proof."

He pulled a parchment envelope out of his pocket, which looked rather strange. "I fetched this before I came to see you."

"Why does it feel so odd?"

"I had the letter and the envelope laminated so they wouldn't receive wear and tear with time. Please be careful with it. It's all I have left."

I felt sorry for him and treated her letter like glass.

Dear Severus,

On the last night of my life I have come to terms with

what should have been dealt with long ago. I was cast

under a spell, as was James, by none other than Albus

Dumbledore himself.

The spell he cast was diabolical. But please know that I

never once stopped loving you. It's just by the time the

spell wore off, I already had a husband and a son. I am

so sorry Severus. I would never go back and change

things now because I have Harry. But if I could still have

him anyway regardless of who I was with, I would have

picked you. You know I would have picked you.

Now I'm asking you, begging you, to pick Harry. Pick me.

Pick my blood. Honor my wish and look after him. If he is

anything like James, I cannot ask that you love him. But

I beg of you to look after him and keep him alive, as I will

no longer be able to. I will die for my son tonight and I ask

the same of you. Please Severus, If you love me, you will

do this.

And if you do, than when you die, you will be rewarded. I

will make sure of it.

I know you do not understand why I do not run from

Voldemort. And please Severus, don't shudder as I know

you are doing at this moment as you read his name. I, in

fact, implore you to teach my own son to use his name.

For fear of a name only increases fear of the object itself.

Now tonight, I have seen my end and will face it willingly.

There is no other way. Understand that Albus would create

a more destructive end for all of us if we were to survive. I

beg you to forgive me for this.

All my love,

Lily

Goodbye is not forever Severus

"She was right. He would have combined your power with theirs and created a monster that would have made Salazar Slytherins stomach turn."

"So she left the order of the phoenix?"

"She did. I have several letters where she stated to me that she did not trust Dumbledore."

Things were quiet for a long moment.

"How did she know she was going to die?"

"Your mother was a gifted seer. By far more gifted than even Cassandra Trelwany."

Things were quiet for a moment as the Professor sipped his tea, before speaking. "I wasn't able to see past your fathers features and see you. And for that, I apologize. You look like your father but your personality is completely reminiscent of your mothers. Let me guess, those packages on your bed are for second hand robes and second hand book stores."

"Yeah. How did you know?"

"Because your mother would do the same thing. She didn't believe in wasting anything given to her and when she could no longer use whatever she was given she would recycle it if possible, try to find another use for it, or give it to someone who needed it. She was quite the inventive woman, your mother. In starting Hogwarts, she already bought recyclable ink quills and ink wells."

I laughed at the thought of my mom doing something I did. I never realized I was so much like her before.

"You know, your mother eventually switched to recyclable self-refillable ink wells."

"They have those?"

"These days they also have everlasting recyclable self-refillable ink quills. As your mother would put it 'They're expensive but worth it.'"

"Oh Merlin! That's what I wrote Hermione yesterday!"

His face was still made of stone by his eyes were warmer and if you looked closely you could see them laughing.

"Look, I know I may have acted a lot like my dad in the beginning. But I was wondering if we could just start over?"

He shook my hand and murmured something I barely heard about bi-gones and out of control teenagers.

He leaned back and sipped the last of his tea.

"So how did you know I was in Saint Mungo's?"

"I watched you as they brought you in. I keep tabs on you ever summer, making sure that you are alive. Apparently, it's not the dark lord that we need to worry about the most. When they brought you in, bones in your body weren't just broken. They were shattered. You were shattered. And you were profusely bleeding. You were in there for almost an entire week before they let you out. But you didn't talk to anyone about it, did you?"

I didn't want to talk about this.

"Harry, I'm not asking you to talk about it. I didn't talk about it either. I never have. I'm not going to say I know everything you've been through. Nor will I go into details. Let's just say the 'hazing' process of joining the death eaters these days was not what it used to be."

"Why? What changed?"

"The dark lord himself was disgusted and enraged by the after activities and tortured all those who had ever taken place in something like that."

Now was the question I'd been itching to ask. "So is he really different from what everyone expects him to be?"

"Am I different from what you'd expect?"

Well, that was that. "So how do you know when I'm in danger?"

"Every single summer the watch glass at my house would chime and it would chime almost daily, especially when I would sleep. But it would slowly die down. That night, the chiming woke me up and was so loud, people for at least a mile were reporting strange sounds. But instead of slowing or qieting down, it began screaming, vibrating and when it just stopped out of nowhere, I thought you were dead. I went to Saint Mungo's to check for dead body's but you'd somehow managed to keep your heart beating when they brought you in. When I saw Albus...I hid. And thankfully he didn't recognize me. I saw him first hand putting one of the nurses under a spell to take your records, most likely to burn them. But even with the spell, he could do nothing. The records of your injuries hadn't yet been recorded or made. And I made sure that as soon as they were, I stole them and filed them with the ministry. I know for a fact that Albus Dumbledore has no power there, which is why he's so against them. As of the day your records were filed, your aunt, uncle and cousin were brought up on charges of abuse, child endangerment, and neglect. Your uncle will be brought up on charges of abuse, neglect, child endangerment, and rape."

I looked at Snape like I'd never seen him before in my life. I didn't know him. I couldn't. There was no way he would do this for me, even if he had promised my mother.

"Why?"

"Because you have your mothers eyes. Some part of her still lives in you. And I'm not about to let that part die. I promised her you would be safe. Now drink your tea and try to calm your heart rate."

"I'm not going back to the Dursleys?"

"No."

"Than I want to go to Gringotts. I want to get emancipated. I can take care of myself and I want nothing to do with Dumbledore."

"Very well than. It would be wise to fetch yourself a financial advisor in this instance who knows the laws well. If Dumbledore did anything to your vault he most likely tricked the goblins into thinking it was legal. I would help but I only know so many laws. Count yourself lucky you have friends like Granger."

"I'm sorry for trying to kill you Professor."

He was quiet for a long moment. "That was the first thing I did when I woke up as well. Though it took you much longer I'll admit. If you ever need to speak with anyone at Hogwarts about anything, I am always in the Dungeons. You know where my office is. If you can't find me, tell a Slytherin you have detention."

He smirked which made me laugh. I always had detention with him. It was ironic. "Thank you for what you did."

"I wouldn't let Lily's son go back to a place like that."

"Do you think...maybe when I come to Hogwarts, you can tell me more about my mom?"

He looked at me for a long moment before nodding. "Thank you Professor. From what I heard from Sirius, you knew her best."

"I did." He opened the door and left the room, disappearing down the hall in an instant.