The Bond

Chapter 2: Nightmares


A piercing scream filled the rooms of Grimmauld Place.

Harry woke up with a start and rubbed his eyes. After he had led Snape to his new bedroom yesterday, he had gone to sleep, because he had been very tired and exhausted.
Of course he had forgotten to give Snape a potion for dreamless sleep to prevent the upcoming nightmares. He just hadn’t thought until this point.

He sighed.

He should have known that the man would probably be troubled by nightmares.
Hastily he got up and ran to the bedroom next to his one.

Snape did not lie in his bed. Actually the bed looked quite untouched. Then he saw the raven haired man crouched to a ball in the corner beside the cupboard, trembling and whimpering.

„Snape?“ Harry asked and approached him carefully.

No reaction.

Harry touched his shoulder gently. „Professor? “he called somewhat louder.

Frightened Snape turned his face to the sound of the voice.

Realizing the fact that his master was sitting at his side, he turned hastily, put his forehead on the ground and kissed the seam of Harry's pyjama trousers. „Mas…. Master? “, he sobbed. „Please…Please forgi..ve me ... I… I. woke you up…Didn’t intend to... “

Gently Harry lifted him up and watched him intently. „That doesn’t matter. Don’t worry. Would you like a potion for dreamless sleep, hmm? “he said and patted his back. Snape began to calm down slowly.

„No punishment? “ he asked with a trembling voice. Harry surveyed him warily. Just this evening he had explained that the man was safe here. Why would he ask such things?

„No “, he sighed and looked into the black eyes. „I am not Malfoy. “ Snape breathed a sigh of relief and looked at him still sceptical.

Slowly Harry lifted his hand and stroked Snape’s cheek caressingly. Snape's strained expression transformed into astonishment. He had not expected such a gesture.

„Professor, would you like a tea? I could make one for you! “Harry meant, and lifted the man from the floor. He linked his arms with Snape’s and led him downstairs to the kitchen.

In the kitchen he started to make hot water. After a while he turned and saw that Snape was still standing in the door frame, exactly at the place where he had left him a minute ago. „What’s the matter? “

„Where am I to sit, master? “Snape asked quietly.

„On the chair, where else? “answered Harry surprised. He turned again and continued to brew up tea and breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the chair moving behind him.

He sat down beside Snape and handed him the cup. Still quite agitated Snape took it with trembling hands, and glanced in Harry's direction.

„Thank you, master. “

„ You can call me Harry, you know. “

“That is not possible. “Snape's voice was still trembling slightly. „The bond requires that I call you master. “

He sipped at the tea carefully.

„Well, I know. But only in public. You could call me Harry in private. “

„Ok, Mast... Harry." Snape said, apparently not convinced.

After Snape had drunk his tea, Harry handed him a small vial with dreamless sleep potion. „That will help you. If you need some more just tell me. “

Harry surveyed the other man critically, and noticed that he was still not wearing a pyjama.

„There're some pyjamas of mine in the cupboard beside your bed. You can lend one, if you want. And hmm if this was everything, I will go to sleep now. “

When Harry had already reached the door, he heard Snape saying something but he didn’t’ catch it.

„Professor? Is there something else? “
Snape cleared his throat.

„I said,…Mast.. Harry, could you call me Severus, please? “

A smile spread over Harry’s face. „Of course. And goodnight. “



Severus took the stairs to his assigned bedroom as quietly as possible. Better not risk waking his master a second time. Surely he would not be so kind again and he would be punished for being such a nuisance.

Would he be allowed to sleep on the bed? His new master did not mention that. Such hints could not be ignored. He took one pyjama from the cupboard and changed, as he was told to. Then he laid down on the rug beside the bed and tucked up his legs.

He ignored the cold draft of air produced by the tilted window. His new master did not mention that he was allowed to close the window. Such hints could not be ignored.

He allowed himself to survey the large bedroom. In addition to the bed and the cupboard, it had a small nightstand and a desk. He asked himself whether this was the second bedroom of his master and where probably the play room could be.

He shivered and pulled his legs closer. Hopefully a play room was not existing.
Today Molly Weasley had healed his injuries on his back quite satisfying, and she had given him a T-shirt and Jeans to wear. She was such a nice woman. He did not remember anyone during the last time who had treated him like that. Perhaps Dumbledore. In former times before he had to… ...no... he shuddered...tried to get rid of these unpleasant thoughts, and focused on reality instead.

What did his new master probably expect? Harry he corrected himself. He had said that he would be safe here and that he would be treated fairly and as every other person. Not that he would believe that. Naturally he had told his mast… Harry that he believed his words. It would have been far too risky to tell the truth. Who knows, what would have happened, if he had said ‘No’. To disagree with the master was not permitted.

He started to feel the effect of the potion and for first time for about one year he drifted into a sleep without dreams.


to be continued....

Reviews?:-)