The Death of a Soul

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Chapter Fifteen

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Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley hoped Harry hadn’t gotten too far away from the Great Hall because they didn’t have any idea which way he might’ve gone. As luck would have it though, Harry was standing at an open window just two corridors down. Both of his two friends stopped short and watched him for a moment before slowly walking towards him. It was Hermione who spoke first.

“Harry,” she began softly. She flinched when Harry tightened his grip on the ledge. She quickly looked at Ron.

Ron took a deep sigh, trying to hold his anger back. “Harry, what did that bastard do to you?” he said evenly.

Harry snapped his head around and glared at him with disgust.

“Look, Harry. You were gone all day yesterday, and I know it was his fault.” Harry looked back out the window and Ron paused for a minute. “Do you know what that bastard just did? After you ran out, he actually had the audacity to look smug about it! He even nodded to us like we were asking his permission to go after you!”

Harry sighed, closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

“Harry,” said Hermione. “We were so worried. We thought…”

Harry spun around and faced the two of them. He raised an inquiring eyebrow at her. She glanced away and nibbled on her bottom lip nervously.

“He swore to us that he wouldn’t hurt you,” the young witch whispered.

Harry finally spoke. “Did he now?” he said sarcastically, looking over her shoulder.

“You can tell us, Harry. You can tell us anything,” Ron added.

Harry’s lip curled into a strange smile. “I’m afraid you were misinformed. I’m not allowed.”

Three voices cried out as one. “What?”

Hermione and Ron spun around and was surprised to see Professor Snape standing a few feet behind them. He was watching Harry closely and his arms were folded tightly over his chest.

“What is he talking about?” Ron asked Snape accusingly.

Severus narrowed his eyes and glowered at Harry. The two friends looked back to Harry who was glaring back just as hateful.

“Why don’t you tell them?” Harry said flatly.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Snape retorted.

“Oh I think you do.”

Hermione and Ron’s head was going back and forth between the two, much like in a tennis match.

“Will one of you explain?” the redhead finally blurted out.

The married couple stayed silent for a moment until Harry scoffed at Snape.

“I was told… now how did it go again? Oh yes. And I quote: ‘You will not tell anyone what happens in the privacy of our quarters’”.

“That was not what I was referring to and you know it!”

The young husband snorted. “Well, I suppose you should have been more specific then.”

He nodded once to Hermione then to Ron. “If you’ll please excuse me,” Harry said haughtily and then turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” asked Snape with a touch of annoyance that he was just walking away from this.

Harry looked over his shoulder with a sneer. “Why? Do I need your permission now?”

Severus gritted his teeth but said nothing. The three of them watched Harry as he stormed away, heading for the main entrance. As soon as he was out of earshot, Ron spun around.

“You said you wouldn’t hurt him!”

“Mr Weasley…” Snape warned.

“That’s what you had said though!” Ron looked at Hermione for confirmation and the young witch nodded. “You said...”

“Enough! I know what I said. And may I remind you, I had also told you that I was not in a position to…”

“I know that! But look at him! He looks awful! It looks as if he hadn’t eaten in days! Or slept for that matter!”

“Ron! This isn’t helping!” Hermione said exasperated.

Ron ignored her and took a step closer to Snape. “I swear, you’d better not have…”

“Be careful of what you say, Mr Weasley,” he cautioned.

The hot-tempered redhead clenched his jaw and pursed his lips tightly. He opened and closed his fists several timed before spinning around, and with a loud grunt, he was gone. Hermione softly sighed as she watched her friend retreat then faced Snape.

“Sir,” she started.

“Severus, Hermione. You may call me Severus.”

She nodded as a hint of blush crept over her soft features. “I don’t understand any of this,” she admitted.

Snape inhaled sharply and his eyes lightened. ‘She always was the smartest of the three,’ he mused.

“Hermione, it seems that Harry had taken something I said out of context. He is allowed to talk to you and Mr Weasley about anything he wishes. I apologise if I seemed rather abrupt just now. I know that this has been hard on all of us, but I assure you, Harry needs the both of you more than ever.”

She looked over to the direction Harry had gone then over to where Ron stormed off. She lowered her head and whispered, “I know, sir… Severus. But it’s just…” Hermione paused to think of the right words. “I don’t know how.”

‘Miss Granger? Doesn’t know?’ Snape almost smiled at that. Thank goodness she wasn’t looking.

Hermione jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. “Just be there for him. Talk to him. Or better yet, let him do the talking.” Severus paused. “Just be his friend, Hermione.”

She gave him a small smile and nodded in agreement. Snape nodded back and then turned around towards the dungeon. Lessons will be starting soon.


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Harry plopped down on the grass and crossed his legs in front of him. He leaned his head back against the familiar tree and closed his eyes. For Harry, it was always peaceful here and he wanted time to think. To be alone. To be left alone. He let out a shaky sigh and felt the tears welling up. A thin stream ran down his cheek and subconsciously wiped it away.

“Missing him already, Potter?” Malfoy drawled.

‘Merlin, can't this arrogant prat just leave me alone for once?’

“Or perhaps the famous Harry Potter is just out here sulking.”

Harry pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapped his arms around them and then placed his forehead on top.

‘Just go away, Malfoy.’.

“But then again, why would Harry Potter be out here sulking?” the blond mused out loud.

“Shut up, Malfoy and go away,” Harry muttered.

“Ah, so you are out here sulking. Now the question remains as to why. Did you not get everything you wanted, Potter?” he asked with mock-innocence.

Harry squeezed his legs tighter. ‘Go away go away go away!’

“I think,” Malfoy whispered as he bent over, hovering just above Harry’s ears. “that you got everything that he wanted.”

Harry snapped his head up and gaped.

“Of course that’s just my opinion,” Malfoy drawled as he turned around to head back to the castle.

Harry’s face was frozen in shock as he watched his long-time rival stride away.

“Where’s your Gryffindor courage now, Potter?”


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Try as he might, Harry couldn’t get Malfoy’s words out of his head.

“...you got everything that he wanted.”

Did Malfoy know something that he didn’t? Was he just playing with him? Harry shifted awkwardly in his seat. He had missed his first class, Transfigurations, and fortunately, Professor McGonagall understood. Now he was in Double Potions and the thought of him being in the same room with Malfoy made him just as uncomfortable as being in the same room with his husband.

A low condescending voice interrupted Harry’s thoughts.

“Yes, Mr Malfoy?”

The blond lowered his arm. “I was just wondering, Professor Snape…Oh, I apologise, sir… Professor Potter,” he smirked and Snape scowled. “If we had any homework from the time that you were…” he glanced at Harry. “…absent.”

Snape gave him a hard stare as he stalked towards him, but Malfoy kept his head held high.

“You have already been informed of your previous assignments, Mr Malfoy, and ten points will be taken away from Slytherin for your imprudent remark.”

The room gasped. Points taken? From Slytherin? Unheard of! Harry quickly looked down and suddenly felt the weight of twenty pairs of eyes watching him. He sighed. This was going to be a long day.


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“Class dismissed,” Snape said sharply. “Except…for Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter.”

The students murmured as they left the room and Harry could feel the tension building already. The two young wizards approached the Potions master’s desk…one with his head held high and the other with his lowered. As they stood before him, Snape glared at that trademarked smirk.

“Mr Malfoy, I am only going to tell you once. Do not ever disrespect me in my class again. Is that quite clear?”

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Of course… Professor.”

Severus looked extremely infuriated, and finally snapped, “Dismissed.”

Malfoy nodded mockingly and stole a sideways glance to Harry before turning and strutting away. The older wizard took several deep breaths, stood and walked around to stand in front of Harry.

“Harry, what was that all about?” His voice was low and even.

His young husband looked up briefly. “I don’t know what you’re referring to, sir.”

Severus crossed his arms tightly over his chest and frowned. “I do have a name, Harry,” he said with a hint of annoyance.

Harry lifted his head. “I know that, Professor, but I believe classes are still in session.” He said his title with the exact tone Malfoy did.

Snape grit his teeth. Clearly he wasn’t going to win this one. “Harry,” he began, trying to sound calm. “I would like to know what is going on between you and Malfoy.”

Harry laughed stiffly. “I could ask you the same question.”

Severus narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Then I suppose that makes us even now, doesn’t it?” he sneered. “Now, if that’s all, I’d like to go to lunch.”

Harry started to turn but Snape caught his arm. The young wizard hissed at him and jerked his arm free. Snape looked him curiously then took a step towards him and Harry instantly took a step back.

“Harry, what's going on?” he asked as Harry took another step back. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

He snorted once but then his eyes widened as Snape raised his hand to his face. He quickly turned his face away.

“Harry…?” He advanced again.

The young wizard was now leaning against a desk, trying to push into it. Now trapped, Harry had had enough.

“What's the matter?” he spat. “Didn’t you get enough last night?”

Severus opened his mouth and stared blankly. “I was merely...” He was at a loss for words.

“You what?” he said impatiently. “Wasn’t enough that you raped me on my wedding night so you decided to do it again the next day?” he barked, voice rising.

“I did not rape you!”

Harry sneered and stuck out his chin. “Oh, really,” he drawled. “That’s strange because I didn’t know that the word NO meant YES!”

“You did not say...”

“Like fuck I didn’t!” he screamed. “What? Now you're going deaf? Do you not understand English when you're about to fuck someone?”

Snape looked at him disbelieving. It wasn’t true, was it? Harry said ‘No’? He shook his head slowly. “No,” he whispered.

“Oh yes, dear husband. How about in the future, you warn me ahead of time so I can at least be somewhat prepared!”

Harry stood there, fists clenched, panting heavily. His eyes darted back and forth to the two unblinking ones.

“Now, Professor, may I be excused or did you want me to bend over so you can have another go?”

Snape opened and closed his mouth several times then whispered, “You’re excused.”

“Thank you, sir,” Harry drawled sarcastically.

Severus watched his young husband storm out of the room, frozen in time. Several passing students gasped as the loud sounds of shattering glass echoed in the corridors.


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Severus walked, just short of running, to his private lab. Papers and book flew everywhere as he tried to find the recipe for the lotion he used on Harry.

“Damnit!” he hissed as he threw a book across the room.

After scouring his lab for twenty minutes, he found what he was looking for. He read it over and over again, trying to figure out what he had done wrong. Nothing. He did nothing wrong. He mixed and brewed it precisely as instructed. With a loud grunt, he fell back in his chair and threw his head down in his hands. As he cowered over, he ran his fingers through his hair until pulling it hard. Something went wrong. Something.


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If the heavy wooden Potions Classroom doors could slam, they’d be off their hinges by now the way Harry closed it. He didn’t want to go into the Great Hall now, losing his appetite….Again. So, he headed for the only place he felt safe: his tree. Their tree. He rounded the last corner.

“So, Potter. Do you have…detention, now?” Malfoy mused.

Harry spun around. “Why can't you just leave me the fuck alone, Malfoy?” he yelled. “What the fuck are you playing at?”

The smug blond pressed away from the wall he’d been leaning on, and took a slow step forward.

“You’ve got it wrong, Potter. I’m not the one playing,” he smirked, then turned around and headed to the Great Hall.

Several minutes went by before Harry screamed.


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Draco Malfoy didn’t have to wait long. A tall, dark-haired man with a billowing robe swept by him, unaware of the boy hiding in the shadows. He stepped out.

“Professor,” he began, grinning wickedly.

Snape spun around, wand drawn. “Mr Malfoy, I have had quite enough of your…”

Malfoy interrupted. “I was wondering if you could help me solve a puzzle.”

The furious Potions master took a step forward, leering over the smaller wizard. “You're treading water, boy,” he warned.

The blond didn’t flinch. “I thought so,” he sneered.

He brushed passed his teacher, shaking his head. It was now Severus who wanted to scream. Fortunately, he was able to restrain himself.


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