The Truth isn't What You Think

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If you've read the books this would be fairly obvious. If I owned it Severus would of jumped Harry.

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Harry awoke for the second time in the infirmary. Sitting in the chair next to the bed was his Professor, fast asleep. His face was relaxed and peaceful making him much younger. The normal stoic expression had smoothed out taking with it worry lines. Harry tried to sit-up. A soft moan escaped his mouth as the healing wounds sent shots of pain through his body. When he turned back to his Professor black ebony eyes met his now awake.

Sighing Snape got up slowly. "Merlin, I'm too old to be spending the night in a chair." he muttered not quiet under his breath as he stretched his stiff protesting muscles. Harry snickered.

"Well Potter, the headmaster in his great wisdom," his voice dripping in sarcasm especial on the word wisdom, "has decided that I will have the unfortunate duty of babysitting you until you recover."

"You?" Harry asked startled. Professor Snape nodded slightly watching H...Potter's expression. Much to his surprise he wasn't angry. Instead he looked thoughtful.

"Professor, May I ask why the headmaster dumped this duty on you of all people. I mean we don't exactly get along and you're not exactly the sort of person who enjoys such tasks, like Madam Pomfrey." Harry pointed out softly.

A single eyebrow rose clearly stating Snape's disbelief that the Gryffindor had not only completely brushed aside the fact that he was stuck with his most hated Professor for the next couple of weeks, he had also realized that there was something distinctly wrong with the arrangement. Perhaps the boy had more brains then he thought.

"The headmaster has decided that it is too dangerous to get you outside help." Snape answered, though the statement sounded false even to him. Perhaps Potter hadn't noticed.

"I see," Harry responded frowning. He shook his head slightly like he was trying to deny something. "However that doesn't explain why you got stuck with babysitting duty, Professor."

"Your right!" Professor Snape replied not bothering to hide his surprise. "Two points to Gryffindor."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That's not nice Professor, giving points when they don't count." Snape just smirked

"Well..." Snape said returning to Potter's question. He paused for a second and considered his answer. The boy wouldn't no doubt believe the truth, that his beloved Headmaster didn't want to risk someone finding out that he allowed the boy-who-lived to be raped and abused so he was leaving him with Snape who's life, as far as the headmaster knew anyway, depended on the headmasters goodwill, not to the mention the old coot was probably spying on them right now. It wouldn't be a good idea to say anything that might reveal the fact that his true master was the Dark Lord. Dumbledore's parting words came to mind. Who better indeed, he thought bitterly. It was a valid argument however.

"According to the Headmaster I am most suited to take care of you because not only am I well versed in healing I've also suffered from...similar abuse " Snape said softly. Potter's eyes widened at the older man's admittance.

"Who?" he asked his eyes never leaving Snape's. Snape swallowed feeling slightly vulnerable under the vivid gaze.

"My father," he whispered closing hi eyes as memories rose up. "Did he..." Potter asked trailing off. Snape nodded knowing what Potter had meant.

"Your own father raped you?" Potter whispered harshly. Snape's eyes snapped open and he met green raging eyes. Disgust marred Potter's face.

"Bastard. How could anyone do that to their own child?" he hissed in rage. His fists clenched the sheets as he tried to control his temper.

"Because he was a twisted, tainted soul just like you uncle, who enjoyed other's suffering." Snape stated as calmly as he could, trying to ignore the irrational part of him that felt happy that Potter had so quickly risen to his defense and had become so angry.

"Now that we've been over my credentials," Snape sneered, it lacked its normal edge. "We are going to move you to my rooms." Harry raised a single eyebrow an exact image of Snape's own, with a look of disbelief. Snape snickered and tried not to roll his eyes. Harry smiled slightly, his earlier anger forgotten. He pulled aside the white sheets. Taking in the emerald green pajamas he rolled his eyes. Snape smirked at his questioning gaze.

"I thought they would match your eyes, I could have left you naked." Snape answered sounding incredibly pleased. Harry shook his head and tried to stand-up. Keyword tried. His legs wobbled then buckled under his weight and fell forward. Strong arms caught him and he was held gently in the Slytherin's embrace.

"Well this could be a problem," Snape pointed out, smirking down at the young man in his arms. Potter blushed. Shifting him slightly Snape wrapped one arm around Potter's waist and used the other to pull the boy's left arm around his neck, acting as a support. Shakily Potter walked forward leaning on Snape.

With quit a bit of work and several tumbles the managed to get to the entrance to Snape's room, which was in the center of the hallway in the dungeon's, not far from the man's office. 

Harry stared at the picture guarding the door. The man in the portrait was wearing a black robe with runes in green running down the borders. It was open, revealing a dark green shirt and a pair of black pants underneath. A set of silver bracelets in the shape of snakes with emerald eyes curled around each of his wrists. Green eyes the same color as his own stared down at him, they flickered down at the red lion on his robes.

"A Gryffindor?" How... Unusual to see one of them with the head of the house of Slytherin" the man muttered. Blinking Harry realized that the man was speaking in Parseltongue. Comprehension hit Harry, this was Salazar Syltherin one of the four founders.

"IF I may, what is so unusual?" Harry asked in parseltongue with out thinking. Snape's eyebrow rose but he didn't comment, preferring instead to watch. Salazar eyes snapped back up and the man stared at him in like he had grown a second head.

"You speak parseltongue?" he asked in clear surprise. Harry nodded. "I see, hmm...How did a Gryffindor end up with such a Slytherin trait?" Salazar mused.

"Apparently I got it when one of you decedent tried to kill and instead transferred some of his power to me by accident." Harry answered politely.

Salazar shook his head. "That's impossible," he hissed, "Parseltongue can't be shared or transferred by magic exchange or mind-links." he snorted, "I should know , I spent over a decade trying to find away to give some one else the ability. It can only be passed down through blood." Salazar finished sadly.

"Then how?" Harry asked, confused. "You must be a decedent of mine of mine." Salazar added shrugging.

"Are you two done yet?" Snape interrupted noticing that Potter was starting to look extremely pale. "Incase you haven't noticed Potter is injured and supposed to be confined to a bed," Snape pointed out. Salazar had the grace to look ashamed as he swung open, to let the two pass. They stepped inside Snape's chambers.

Harry looked around. The room was not what he had expected. While the color scheme was indeed Black and green, Slytherin colors, the room was warm and comfortable. A black leather couch with plush green pillows sat on one side of the room next to a bookshelf stuffed with old tomes. A dark cherry wood table sat in the center on top of a black rug with serpents curled in spiraling circles. Two black leather chairs sat on the other side of the table next to the black mantle fire place, which glowed warmly. The floors were a dark hardwood instead of stone and the walls were painted a deep forest green. 

Snape led him over to the couch and gently set him down. Harry leaned back into the soft cushions with relief, feeling completely drained. Snape walked toward the hallway and stopped halfway through. Drawing his wand, a long slender thing, that was made of a wood that was so dark it was almost black, he lightly traced a door on the plaster covered walls, muttering a spell under his breath. A door appeared in a flash of light. He opened it stepped inside. Several minutes later he reappeared. Harry looked at him questioningly.

"I basically used a spell to request that Hogwarts supply me with a room for you. The castle is malleable just like clay, thanks to all the magic it has absorbed. So if more rooms are needed they appear and before you ask they are already decorated, so don't blame me for the colors. Now whether or not the rooms are already there and just sealed away until they are needed or they are being created according to the need is something no one can answer. Accept maybe Salazar, however he seems to enjoy being vague on the subject." Snape answered.

He helped Harry stand up and stumble to his new room. The teen gasped as he caught site of the room, it was beautiful. A large canopy bed with a brilliant green bedspread surrounded by a black curtain with green embroidery sat on one side. Snape promptly settled him on it and it was soft and comfortable. A cherry wood desk sat in one corner next to an empty bookshelf, smaller then the one in the living room. A green fluffy rug was on the hardwood floor and a dark green leather chair sat next to the roaring fireplace. A painting of Hogwarts itself hung over the mantle. Tapestries hung on either side of the door depicting a giant silver serpent on one and a basilisk on the other. Harry felt amazed. ALL this was just for him. It was all he could do to keep from crying.

Severus smiled behind him and quietly left the room, knowing how Harry must feel. He frowned as his thoughts turned to the muggles who had treated the boy so poorly that he expected nothing but punishment. Sadly they would have to wait. It was time to report to the Dark Lord.

Severus arrived at Thornfield manor as the sun started to disappear into the ground casting a crimson glow on the enormous stone castle, embedded in the middle of a white oak forest. The moat surrounding the ancient building reflecting the reddening sky looked like a steam of fire. The castle itself was of course under a fidelus charm and was completely unplottable.

He strolled toward the front entrance his robes swirling behind him. A tingle on his arms told him that he had passed the wards which would burn those not keyed to it to a crisp. Stopping before the moat he drew his wand and with a quick flick along with the word "Enventi". The large wooden drawbridge slowly descended as the chains groaned with release.

Swiftly he crossed the moat and entered the courtyard as the bridge drew-up behind him with a loud snap. The smell of apples met his nose as he scanned the area. Trees scattered though out the circular court hung heavy with blushing red fruit. A fountain gurgled happily from its whit e marble basin and a pair of starlings flirted from tree to tree, trilling softly.

Feeling more relaxed now that he was there, he entered though the wide dark wooden double doors lined and crossed with iron. Following the long stone hallway lined with paintings of famous people long since gone his boots clicking on the stone corridor, he came to a dark door propped open revealing a large room with a long oval table with a green table cloth surrounded by chairs. A golden chandelier filled with candles dangled down form the ceiling shedding light on the room.

Sitting at the far end of the table a man sat eating a large dinner consisting of steak, potatoes and an assortment of veggies. His dark hair was streaked with silver and he was dressed casually in a red shirt that wash only partially buttoned and a pair of black trousers. Despite the fact that he was a great deal older he looked to be in his early 50's. His hands which currently held sterling silver dinning ware where callused from years of using a sword. He was classily handsome even with the lines under his eyes from years of worry and trouble and a few small wrinkles on his face. Though the man was relaxed and at ease he radiated an aura of strength and command and it was clear he could be extremely dangerous if he so chose.

Calmly Severus approached the man who looked up from his dinner at the sound of boots on stone. Crimson eyes met ebony ones as Severus bowed politely.

"My Lord." Severus stated calmly his tone filled with respect as he straightened.

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Well this one is longer then the other chapters. Sorry about the cliffy I couldn't help myself. I'll try harder to control my evil side. It's just so tempting to give in, after all they have cookies.

Severus: Its about bloody time you wrote a longer chapter

Harry: Be nice Sev, she's trying and she has been sick.

Severus: sighs well since you say so! But she better do better next time. (glares)

Author: Help! please, bad death glare.

Please R&R