Asylum

A special thanks to my beta, Saeadame.


Asylum

Chapter 13

Time flew by in a similar fashion throughout the year. Severus and Harry taught classes, took points, and assigned detentions by day, and by night Severus would teach Harry about the wizarding world, helping him understand the differences and similarities compared to the lives of muggles. Occasionally, Harry would wake up screaming and convulsing, nearly in tears when he awoke. Sometimes he remembered the ‘dreams,’ and sometimes he woke up without a clue to what was going on.

On the nights he had the dreams about Voldemort though, Severus was always there to wake him. Severus was then asked to stay with him and hold him through the night. This always left Severus a bit on the nervous side, worried if Harry would one day recognize the state he always woke up in. Thankfully, Harry remained seemingly oblivious to the feelings Severus felt for him, which was a good thing. Severus didn’t need the awkward silences and tense environment that would surely come if Harry ever found out how Severus felt about him.

Then if Harry told his godmutt, as he surely would as they told each other nearly everything, well Severus really didn’t want to think about how he would react. Severus was nearly 20 years his senior, over twice Harry’s age. Sirius Black would surely be even more upset at the idea of Harry sharing his rooms. He would storm in take Harry away and tell Albus all about Severus’ s little secret, causing him to be lectured about how inappropriate it was to think of Harry in such a way. Possibly even getting fired.

No, he had to be extra careful when around Harry so Harry didn’t catch on to the fact that he lusts after him. Though, if Severus was truthful with himself he would admit that it wasn’t simply lusting. He actually enjoyed being around the younger man. Harry was funny, in a down to earth sarcastic kind of way. He was an avid listener, never ignoring Severus when he was speaking, and usually asking intelligent questions when he felt the need to. When they argued, he never just took what Severus dished out, he definitely gave as good as he got.

In fact, Severus could remember a specific time when Harry was stocking his ingredients and he placed belladonna roots next to wormwood shavings. Now most of the time both belladonna and wormwood are stable and used as a stable base for a potion, but when both wormwood and belladonna are mixed it is highly volatile. They are never supposed to be near each other in case they somehow get mixed together. Needless to say, Severus flipped when he saw them together in his store cupboard. He yelled, ranted and screamed at the idiocy of stupid teenagers and how he should always take caution when dealing with all ingredients.

Harry interrupted him in middle of his rant screaming about how the hell he should know both ingredients could react to each other if Severus hadn’t told him. And even if he did know, how in the world could they react together if they were both in those stupid unbreakable glass jars Severus insisted on getting. They couldn’t possibly break and leak into each other. He then yelled about insufferable old teachers who yelled at their apprentices for no reason.

When both were breathless, faces red, both in shock at Harry’s outburst, they both began to laugh, each feeling foolish for yelling at each other. Severus poured them both a glass of firewhisky and lectured on the different properties of different ingredients and what reacted to what.

Now it was Christmas and most of the students had returned a few days before. Severus and Harry stayed a few extra days to finish grading last minute paperwork. Now came the time to leave and both had packed up to spend the holiday at Grimmauld with most of the Order. Harry was excited about his first real Christmas and Severus was just grimacing about returning to Black’s house. The next couple of weeks were going to be nearly unbearable.

And all too soon, they were flooing away.

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(That night in another part of the country.)

Men and woman dressed in black were bowing, all having just arrived for a meeting.

A man dressed in expensive black robes with crimson edging sat on a high chair made of human bones watched as his many followers bowed at his feet. This was the first full meeting of his death eaters since the summer, his many spies inside Hogwarts finally managing to make it to a meeting, not being able to leave the school without the old headmaster noticing.

He looked over the young faces, all of them so proud to follow after their fathers, and their fathers before them. The newer recruits were still in school, Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Theodore Nott, Morag McDougal, and Wayne Hopkins. Most were nobodies, but some like Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott could prove useful and start recruiting some of the lower years or swaying those from a neutral side.

“Recruits, what do you have to report from Hogwarts?” He eyed each one, none wanting to step forward. “None of you? Well it looks like I get to pick.” He glanced over the nearly useless nobodies. “Nott, how far are you in the plan to get Blaise Zabini to join our side?”

Theodore Nott gulped and stepped forward before kneeling before his Lord once more. “M-my Lord, I have took major strides in trying to get the heir to the Zabini fortune to join our cause, but he refuses to see reason. He says that he prefers to stay neutral ground like his ancestors before him. I told him what a gracious and generous Lord you were, but he still told me no.”

Voldemort narrowed his eyes. “You did what?”

Nott cowered.

“Crucio. Never, ever reveal that you are a death eater to anyone unless you know they are already one, or are about to take the mark. If he tells anyone what you are and you are brought in, I will allow them to send you to Azkaban for your own stupidity. And as for him saying no, I don’t care what you have to do I want him on my side.”

Nott nodded before crawling forward to kiss the man’s robes, getting a kick in the face for his efforts.

“Get back in line. Draco Malfoy, report.”

Draco stepped forth with confidence. “My Lord, I have been talking to a few of the 6th year Ravenclaws and it seems like they are deeply interested in our cause, with Potter still gone they are convinced you will bring forth the winning side.” He stopped for a moment, not knowing if the other information he had was important enough to tell his Lord.

“Your hesitating Malfoy, why are you hesitating? I have no time for dramatic pauses.” He lifted his wand in a threatening gesture.

“It’s about Severus Snape, my Lord.”

Voldemort lowered the wand a look of disgust on his face. “Oh yes, our little wayward potion’s master, how is Severus doing?” He gripped his bone throne a bit tighter, the only sign he was angry. Needless to say, he was not a happy man when Severus didn’t return to him one day, turned out he was a spy for the light.

“He has taken on an apprentice, my Lord.”

A single eyebrow was lifted. “Since when does Severus Snape take on apprentices? What is so special about the apprentice?”

“Seemingly nothing, my Lord. He seems only average in the potions Snape is having him make, and I’ve never seen him with a wand. His name is Dorian Augustine, Snape says he’s a pureblood, but I’ve never heard of a pureblood family by the name of Augustine.”

“Unless it’s an alias.” The Dark Lord deadpanned.

Draco thought for a moment. “There have been rumors that Augustine is his kid. I mean an apprentice that just pops out of nowhere. They do resemble each other somewhat. Black hair, high cheekbones, pale skin.”

Voldemort looked into Draco’s eyes, flashes of a boy with bright green eyes and long black hair flashing in the boy’s memory. True to his word, in none of the memories did the boy have a wand on him. He had thought for a moment that maybe he was the lost Potter child, but surely he would be with his godfather, or showing off his excellent dueling skills.

Voldemort smirked. “So our dear Severus has a squib love child, how unfortunate. Maybe we should take this little problem off his hands. After all, no one wants a squib in the family.” He smiled maliciously. “Boys, I have a job for you.”

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A/N: Sorry for the delay, and I can’t promise the next chapter coming any faster. Hopefully it will, but no promises.

HOWEVER, I promise a kiss between our two love birds soon as well as some action on the Voldemort front.

Thanks to all reviewers, please do so again. I love reviews!!!!