"Class dismissed," Snape announced coolly to the confused students.

Malfoy darted a suspicious look between Snape and Harry and reluctantly left-- glaring at Harry on the way out. He knew something had just transpired, but he wasn't quite sure what. Potter had seemed on the verge of losing control. Draco was tempted to eavesdrop at the door again, but that blood traitor Weasley and his Mudblood girlfriend Granger were just around the corner. Draco wished he could hear what they were whispering about. He dared not be caught listening in again at Severus' door though. Besides, Draco had a sneaking suspicion that Severus would be a little more cautious this time, after Potter had voiced his suspicions about him eavesdropping earlier.

Hermione and Ron shuffled out reluctantly. The minute that they were safely out of earshot, Hermione grabbed Ron's shirt and pulled him aside roughly.

"What the hell, Hermione? Ron sputtered indignantly.

"We need to go talk to McGonagall, Ron." Hermione said frenziedly. "Something is terribly wrong with Harry."

Ron motioned with his hand. "Whoa...calm down Hermione. Harry's just-"

"No Ron, this is not normal Harry behaviour. We've been making excuses for his mood swings for weeks now, but ever since we brought Snape back from the-" Hermione stopped suddenly; as though a bell went off. "That's it! Oh no...This has something to do with the dark magic we used. I just know it does. I warned Harry about the dangers and like his usual stubborn self, he didn't listen!" Hermione said exasperatedly.

Ron gawked at Hermione. "You don't think that Harry's gone....dark, or something, do you?"

"C'mon Hermione, that's bloody ridiculous! Harry's just had a lot to deal with, that's all."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Men," she said sarcastically. "You all just sweep your problems under the rug instead of dealing with them."

"And women try to analyze everything to death," Ron pointed out defensively.

"Are you going to come with me or not?" Hermione snapped.

"Fine—let's go then," Ron gave in reluctantly.

Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him towards McGonagall's office.

----

Harry stared at Snape with glazed eyes; his hands hanging limply by his side.

Snape narrowed his eyes and studied Harry's face intensely. "What the hell just happened there Potter?" he demanded in a soft voice.

Harry's brain was befuddled. He really had no idea what had just taken place. He did remember that he had felt an intense anger overtake him, as though he was under the Imperius Curse, and his limbs had felt as though they were moving of their own volition. As if he had had no control over his free will. Then as quickly as the rage had strangled his senses, it had disappeared, leaving Harry feeling as though there was a lapse of time that he couldn't account for. He honestly didn't recall what Snape was referring to.

"I don't know what you mean," Harry said confusedly.

Dark eyes bore into Harry's own murky green orbs, attempting to determine the validity of Harry's claim. As Severus attempted to delve into Harry's thoughts, it was as though some unknown force was in turn attempting to hinder his entrance into Harry's mind. He knew that the boy was not a competent Occlumens and even if he had been, the state the boy was in would have rendered him incapable of having the strength to block Severus' assault. No, some other force was at work here.

"What I mean Potter is that were it not for me, you would be sitting in a cell in Azkaban right now-- or at the very least expelled from Hogwarts," Severus hissed.

Harry snapped back to his senses. "What the hell are you talking about?" Harry asked, his fury at Snape's accusation, laced with a thrill of fear that he had very nearly done something that he could have been sent to Azkaban for, or serious enough for expulsion from Hogwarts.

"I'm referring to the Crucio that you were about to cast on Malfoy," Snape said furiously. "Remember? The unforgiveable curse, that is highly illegal that you very nearly performed on another student," Snape leaned in close to Harry's face. "Luckily for you Potter...no one else realized what you were about to do."

Harry was gobsmacked! How on earth could he have reached the point where he had lost control enough to cast an illegal curse? Harry shook his head, as though to clear his mind.

Harry began to panic; his palms began to feel moist. "I-uh, don't remember," he whispered.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "Well you'd had better get a hold of yourself, Potter. I've covered for you today, but I will not continue to do so. We've already had numerous conversations about controlling your temper, but perhaps you've not had enough incentive. The problem has reached serious proportions; therefore I believe serious consequences are in order. Go to dinner," he drawled slowly, "and we'll further discuss your behaviour at your detention this evening." Snape smirked at Harry.

Harry wanted to wipe the sanctimonious look off the ugly git's face, but controlled himself as best he could under the circumstances.

"Yes sir," Harry said through gritted teeth.

Snape's sharp voice halted Harry's departure. "Oh...and Potter? I would keep this little incident a secret if I were you. Do not even speak of it with your friends," Snape advised sternly.

Snape's normally harsh expression almost looked worried for a fleeting second, Harry thought, but then he brushed the ridiculous notion aside. When has Snape ever been concerned about me, Harry thought bitterly.

Harry just nodded his head. He really had no desire to tell his friends just how close he had come to ending up in Azkaban anyway. Oh Merlin...Ginny! What would she think of him now? Maybe Snape was right about him. Maybe he was just a screw-up. Maybe he just should leave Hogwarts; far away from Ginny, Ron and Hermione. Far away, so he couldn't hurt anyone else.

---

Hermione knocked agitatedly on McGonagall's door.

Minerva opened the door with a pinched expression, full of displeasure at having been disturbed from her paperwork, yet again. She had delegated some of it to Severus, but of course he was already quite busy with his own heavy schedule and teaching two classes left him with little time to handle administrative duties as well.

Minerva looked down at Hermione, taking in her worried expression. "What can I do for you Miss Granger...?

Hermione looked around in front and in back of her, making sure that no one was around. "It's about Harry, Professor," she said in a low voice.

Minerva knitted her eyebrows together. "What about Mr. Potter?" She asked in concern.

"Uh...can we come in, Professor?" Hermione whispered. "This is rather private."

Ron nodded his head in agreement.

Minerva sighed. "Very well," she conceded reluctantly. It looked as though she would have to put her duties as Head of House, and Headmistress, before her pile of paperwork, yet again. She motioned for the two to take a seat.

"So what is this about Potter, Miss Granger?" She asked, as she took a seat behind her desk, sweeping aside the mounds of parchment cluttering her desk. Truthfully, she was glad to have a break from the monotonous chore; her bleary eyes were in agreement.

"Well..." Hermione began slowly. She wasn't quite certain how to voice her concerns without McGonagall thinking that she had gone barmy as well.

"Miss Granger," McGonagall snapped impatiently, "could we please get on with this? I have other obligations to fulfill and I'm expected at dinner in the Great Hall shortly."

Hermione looked apologetic. "Of course Ma'am. I...uh...am worried about Harry's behaviour lately," she blurted out quickly.

McGonagall snapped to attention. So...it looked as though she was not the only one concerned about Potter's uncharacteristic moodiness recently.

"What is concerning you in particular, Miss Granger?" Minerva probed delicately.

Hermione glanced at Ron. "Well, he is happy one moment, and can burst into an enormous rage the next."

"And just why would that concern you Miss Granger?" Minerva inquired cautiously. "Mr. Potter has been through an enormous ordeal; it is normal, to a certain degree, that he would be somewhat depressed and moody."

"It's more than that, ma'am," Hermione said solemnly. "He's got this faraway look in his eyes. I don't know...I just can't explain it. He's not been the same since-" Hermione hesitated.

"Yes?" McGonagall prompted.

"Since he brought Professor Snape back from the Veil," Hermione finished reluctantly.

McGonagall looked startled. Hadn't she entertained similar concerns earlier?

"And you, Mr. Weasley? Do you too think that Mr. Potter is behaving strangely as well?" She peered at Ron over her spectacles.

Ron scratched his head. "Well...I guess he has been a little off lately," he admitted reluctantly, "but I guess it could be because he's had a lot to deal with; Snape and defeating Voldemort and all."

Hermione looked annoyed. "Ron, we've already been though this. It's more than that, Professor. I just know it. Something happened in Defence class today too. I'm not sure what because Professor Snape made everyone leave." She raised her eyes to look directly into McGonagall’s. "Everyone...except Harry, that is."

Minerva's eyes widened. "Very well then, Miss Granger, I will speak with Mr. Potter and see if we can't get to the bottom of this."

Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank you, Ma'am. I'd feel a lot better if you did." Hermione looked at McGonagall hesitatingly. "Do you think that maybe you should speak with Professor Snape as well, Professor?" Hermione suggested

McGonagall lifted herself up gingerly. "I will speak with him as well," McGonagall assured the young witch.

"Thank you Professor. I hope I'm wrong on this, but even if I am, Harry still needs help. He won't talk with us," Hermione said regretfully.

McGonagall patted her on the arm consolingly. "Don't worry, Miss Granger. I'll make sure that Mr. Potter gets the help he needs, you can be assured of that," McGonagall said this as much to soothe Miss. Granger's worries, as well as her own.

Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank you Professor."

"You are quite welcome Miss Granger. Now, as it's almost dinner time, I will see you both shortly." She nodded to Ron and opened the door to allow the two to leave.

Minerva closed the door silently behind the two and attempted to calm her churning stomach.

--

Severus' dark gaze swept the Great Hall, stopping again at the Gryffindor table. Potter was absent, and Severus noticed that the boy's friends appeared to be searching for him. Severus couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more than a lack of temper control that was plaguing Potter. He wasn't even sure why he cared, but as the meal progressed his appetite deserted him.

Deciding that he'd had enough of trying to force down a meal that tasted like sawdust, Severus pushed his plate aside and rose abruptly from his seat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Minerva do the same, and swiveling his head he made eye contact with her. She motioned for him to come to her. Severus groaned. He knew that the conversation would be about Potter. While he grudgingly admitted to himself that he had some concern about Potter's behaviour recently, Severus was loath to admit it to Minerva, as she would read more into it than Severus intended.

Severus forced his unwilling limbs to obey his command to move forward towards Minerva. He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves to withstand the verbal onslaught that he was certain was forthcoming.

"Minerva," Severus drawled as he approached Minerva, whose lips were pursed in disapproval.

Minerva narrowed her eyes and glared at Severus. "I need to speak with you...privately; concerning your son," she emphasized the word "son" purposely. Not that anything she had done recently had sparked any sort of paternal flame within the cold man. Honestly, did the man have blood or ice running through his veins? Where were the sensitive boy, and later young man, who had been so deeply in love with Lily Evans? Severus had been different then, she sighed sadly. She knew that somewhere deep within those shields that he had erected, lay the man that Minerva knew Severus could be.

She had hoped that the same affection and deep love that Severus had harboured for Lily would eventually transfer to their son, but it was an exhausting process to try and reach Severus, when the man was so determined that no one, least of all his own son, would ever see any of what Severus perceived as weakness, in him. Could anyone ever melt the ice that had formed around Severus' heart? Minerva feared not, but she was determined to try. Harry needed Severus, and as much as Severus denied it, he would benefit from a relationship with Harry as well. Harry was such a kind, sensitive and brave young man. Any parent would be proud of his courage and accomplishments. How could Severus be so blind? No. She wouldn't give up. She would continue to hammer and chip at the wall that Severus had built around him, until she either gave in and hexed the man, or succeeded in awakening the man's capability for love.

Lily was possibly the only person that Severus had ever allowed inside his heart. Harry would be the second, Minerva decided stubbornly. She owed it to that brave young man, who was capable of so much love and forgiveness. He was lost right now, and Minerva knew that Severus was possibly the only one capable of rescuing Harry from a life of darkness and despair; now to make the bull-headed man before her, realize this.

Severus rolled his eyes. It seemed that every conversation that he had with Minerva recently had but one subject: Potter, Potter, Potter. Severus was certain that the gods were conspiring against him. Why hadn't he gone with his first inclination and dined alone; peacefully in his quarters, where he would not have to face a barrage of accusations and Potter-loving dribble.

Severus shook his head. "I'm afraid that I've got a potion brewing Miner-"

"Severus Snape," Minerva reprimanded him sharply, "this is not a request." She pointed a finger in the direction of the exit. "My office. Now!" She ordered firmly.

Severus vacillated between refusing Minerva's request, and his realization that it wouldn't be prudent to refuse a direct order from one's superior. Severus erred on the side of caution. Of course, with great resentment and a clenched jaw.

----

"Have a seat," Minerva ordered as they entered her office. She pushed her spectacles up to the bridge of her nose and took a seat behind her still-cluttered desk. She eyed the parchment-filled desktop with disdain and sighed in frustration. Her worry over Harry was hindering her progress with the ever-increasing amount of paperwork. Oh well, there was nothing for it. Harry was certainly her first priority.

"Now," said Minerva in a no-nonsense voice, "this conversation cannot be put off any further, Severus. There is something terribly wrong with your son and I fear that you are the only one who can put it right." She glanced up at Severus' face to see a brief glimpse of what looked like worry. But as quickly as it appeared it was hidden by his usual mask of indifference.

Severus was momentarily speechless. Minerva thought that he, Severus Snape was the only one who could help Harry Potter. The audacity of the woman before him boggled the mind.

"Minerva," Severus asked through gritted teeth, "what makes you think that I can or am willing to help Potter in any way? Or even that my son will even be willing to let me help him? And for the record, I have no idea what you are referring to or what sort of help you think that I could even offer to the boy."

"Stop playing games Severus!" Minerva snapped. "You know damned well what I'm referring to. I had Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley in here earlier, and they are quite convinced that Harry has been acting out of character for quite some time; with mood swings and volatile displays of temper."

Again, Minerva witnessed a display of concern appear on Severus' stern features, but it lingered long enough this time for Minerva to know that the reserved man was concerned about his son's welfare, whether he wished to admit it or not.

Minerva softened her voice. "Severus, Miss Granger mentioned that something happened in class. Something serious enough that you dismissed the students quite abruptly, and-"

Severus had had enough. He stood abruptly. "Minerva, this conversation is absurd. There is nothing wrong with that boy except his lack of discipline. He needs to control his temper, and-"

Minerva's eyes flashed with anger. "Sit back down. Now! This conversation is not over, Severus. Not by a long shot. Your son is in pain and needs your guidance." Minerva looked at Severus, disappointment shining in her eyes. "What do you think Lily would think of your behaviour? Do you think that she would be pleased that you've not only rejected your son, but have refused to help him, when he needs it the most?"

Severus' stomach twisted painfully. He felt the same shame wash through him, as when Potter had uttered those words.

"No," Severus whispered. "She wouldn't be." His voice caught in his throat. "She wouldn't be pleased at all."

Severus realized with a heavy heart that Lily would be very ashamed of him. He had denied his own son. Their son. He had bullied the boy mercilessly throughout the years; even when he had discovered their relationship--when Potter was in fifth year. He hadn't softened his attitude towards the boy one iota and had never experienced a pang of guilt about it...until now.

"Sit down Severus," Minerva said kindly. She rose and went over to a small table to the far side of the room. On the table was a china teapot and cups. She tapped the teapot, murmuring a spell to fill it with hot tea. She offered the obviously shaken man a cup and sat behind her desk again.

"Severus, I know that it's been a difficult transition for you. To be brought back from the Veil, to have a new life forced upon you, and by your estranged son no less; but the fact remains that Harry is a very disturbed young man and I fear that he needs the type of help that is beyond my capabilities."

Severus studied Minerva's concerned expression. "Assuming that you are right and something is wrong with Potter, what makes you think that I'd be the only one able to offer him the help that he needs Minerva? You are perfectly capable of-"

"I'm certain that he is being controlled by some sort of dark magic Severus," Minerva interrupted abruptly.

Severus was not greatly stunned by this revelation, as his own suspicions had been forming for quite some time now. Potter's whole demeanour had taken on a slightly evil overtone; quite unlike the annoyingly noble and reckless Gryffindor that Severus had grown used to dealing with over the years. Mind you Snape could quite appreciate how snarky and temperamental the boy was being, after all Potter had Snape blood coursing through his veins and Snape prided himself on being the ultimate snarky Slytherin. Yes, Severus understood moody and nasty, as long as Potter's newfound forked tongue didn't find its target in him! However, Potter's recent mood swings went well beyond that of a bad temperament.

Now Severus was faced with a decision. Should he reveal to Minerva that Potter had been about to perform an unforgiveable curse on a fellow student. Dare he voice the words that he'd been trying to forget? It was certainly in Potter's best interest that no one discovered how close he had come to losing control. But Severus knew that he could trust Minerva's discretion, however, it was still difficult to admit to Minerva that she was indeed right about her golden boy.

Severus sighed. Well...there was nothing for it. "Yes Minerva, I have myself seen...shall we say, disturbing behaviour from Potter lately. Well," he added maliciously, "more disturbing than usual."

"Severus," Minerva admonished, "this is serious. What sort of disturbing behaviour have you witnessed? Can you be more specific?"

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose; oh Merlin, he really had no desire to have this conversation. "At first I believed that it was simply a lack of self-control and discipline. But it has become apparent that it is more than that. It is as if one moment he is his jovial self," he spit this out distastefully, "and the next moment, he transforms into the Dark Lord himself."

Minerva's eyes widened. "Surely you exaggerate?"

Severus fixed her with his dark eyes. "He attempted to cast Crucio on Draco Malfoy in class earlier."

Minerva's face blanched.

"Thankfully, we were doing non-verbal spells and he had only begun to silently mouth the words and I disarmed him of his wand immediately. No other students are the wiser," he assured her. "Draco's intact and Potter is spared a stint in Azkaban," Severus emphasized quickly, when it appeared as though Minerva would pass out from the shock.

"Oh Merlin," Minerva murmured in a shaky voice. "It’s worse than I ever imagined."

"Do calm down Minerva, we will get to the bottom of this," Severus said in his usual calm, controlled voice.

Minerva lifted her eyes up and stared at Severus' taut features. "Do you think this has anything to do with what happened in the final battle? When Voldemort cast the killing curse at him? Or perhaps a part of Voldemort’s soul is still attached to Harry’s and--"

"There could be many explanations," Severus pondered to himself. "I need to research this more. I do perhaps have another theory," Severus said mysteriously.

Minerva looked startled. "What do you mean Severus; what other theory," she probed further.

Severus lifted himself up from his seat. "I'd rather not say right now. Not until I am certain. However," he hesitated, "I'm convinced that I'm right. As soon as I have proof, I will speak with you further." He started towards the door, and stopped mid-stride. He turned around to face the worried witch. "Potter has a detention with me this evening. I will attempt to learn more. However, knowing Potter as I do, he will fight me tooth and nail," Severus said caustically.

"After the way that you've treated him Severus; what do you expect? For him to come running into your arms and yell Daddy," she said acerbically.

Severus directed a horrified look at her. "I would hex him into the next universe if he ever called me Daddy or Dad," he spit out distastefully.

Minerva couldn't help but laugh, despite the seriousness of the situation. "No, You are definitely not the Dad type Severus. Perhaps Pop," she suggested sarcastically.

"Perhaps," Severus drawled dangerously, "It is you, Minerva, that should be hexed into the next universe."

"Oh lighten up Severus," Minerva said playfully. "I'm sure that Harry would never refer to you as Dad, or Pop, but perhaps his old man," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Severus grunted and swept out of the room with a dramatic billowing of his black robes; slamming the door behind him.

Minerva was still chuckling when she sat back down at her desk, ready to tackle the mound of paperwork on her desk. As usual though, her stomach began to churn, and again the worry over Harry gnawed at her, until she gave up, slammed the quill back down on the desk, and went to pour herself something stronger than tea, to soothe her frazzled nerves. Minerva just hoped that for once Severus would handle the situation appropriately and delicately. Yes and what are the chances of that happening?A little voice taunted. Minerva downed the firewhiskey straight, burning her throat in the process.

----

After leaving Snape's classroom, Harry had headed towards the Common Room. He had had no desire to deal with endless questions from Ron and a probable lecture from Hermione. Harry didn't particularly want to see Ginny either, until he figured out how to deal with whatever was causing him to go completely mental.

Harry had kept his head down, and tried his best not to attract any unwanted attention. That was an impossible feat, however, as he passed a group of Slytherins, thankfully not seventh years, on their way to the Great Hall. Upon spotting Harry, they began whispering and pointing at him as Harry rushed by them as quickly as possible.

As he turned the corner, he had bumped into Ginny, the last person he wanted to see. His thoughts were too scattered, and he was too confused about what had just happened, to face Ginny. He wasn't even sure what had just happened. The gravity of the situation was only beginning to hit him, and he needed time to sort out his thoughts on the matter, before he tried to explain them to someone else. How could he possibly explain what he had almost done anyway? How could he tell the woman that he loved that he had almost performed an unforgivable curse on Malfoy? No matter that the Slytherin was an annoying git. No matter that Malfoy himself had attempted to curse him with the same spell last year. He was Harry bloody Potter. He was the saviour of the wizarding world. He was the epitome of light and goodness. He didn't use Dark Magic. Well....except the Dark Magic that he had used to bring Snape back from the Veil that is. But, that was different, he argued with himself.

"Harry," Ginny asked confusedly, "where are you going? Aren't you coming to dinner?"

Oh Merlin, Harry thought to himself. Despite his tortured thoughts, he wanted to take her into his arms and feel her warmth. He just wanted to hold her and draw strength from her; she just looked so damned beautiful. Her uniform didn't hide her curves and her warm brown eyes sparkled with the light of the candles adorning the castle walls. He wanted to run his fingers through her silky hair and-

"Harry!" She snapped her fingers, close to his face. "Earth to Harry. You look like you were a million miles away. Are you alright?"

Harry reluctantly brought his thoughts back to cold reality. "Uh...I have to get something from the Common Room," he lied, "I'll see you in the Great Hall later."

Ginny eyed him suspiciously. "Harry, are you sure that you're all right? I mean, are you ill or something? Do you want me to-?"

Harry again felt the anger rise up from nowhere. He was incapable of preventing it from overwhelming him and taking over. Harry struggled to master its control, but it was too strong...it was too overpowering.

"I'm fine," he snapped. "Will you stop mollycoddling me? I'm tired of everyone asking me if I'm all right. I'm seventeen years old. I've been taking care of myself for as long as I can remember. So just bloody well sod off and leave me alone." Harry threw off the arm she had placed on his shoulder and stomped off to the Common Room.

Ginny stood in shock staring after him. She bit her lip to quell the tears that threatened to fall.

----

Hermione swept a glance around the Great Hall, at Harry and Ginny's empty seats and then back at Ron again.

"I wonder where Ginny and Harry are," Hermione murmured as she directed a disgusted look at Ron's atrocious table manners. He was eating as though it was a marathon and he had to stuff as much into his mouth as quickly as possible, or he would lose the race.

"Ron," Hermione reprimanded him sharply, "you are going to choke if you don't slow down."

Ron's face heated in embarrassment. How humiliating to have the girl you love point out what a pig you are. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, (which earned him another glare from Hermione) and put his utensils down, eyeing the remaining food on his plate regretfully.

"Harry and Ginny are probably together somewhere, snogging up a storm," he snickered, "or something else!"

Hermione slapped his arm. "Ron, you are so uncouth," she said haughtily. "I'm worried about Harry. I want to know what happened in Snape's class earlier."

Ron looked at her exasperatedly. "And just how are you going to find that out Hermione? Harry's probably not going to tell you, with the mood that he's been in lately and I'm quite certain that Snape's not going to volunteer that information either" He pretended to be Hermione. He raised his voice an octave. "Sir? What happened that you kicked everyone out of class, except Harry? Oh yeah, that'll go over well," Ron said caustically, rolling his eyes at the same time.

"Ron, be serious!" Hermione huffed indignantly. "I want to know what's going on with Harry."

Ron threw his hands up in the air, "Just eat your dinner, Hermione, and stop worrying so much." Ron picked up his fork and finished his meal greedily; ignoring the scathing looks from Hermione.

----

Harry made his way to his detention with Snape with a heavy heart. He knew that he had just hurt Ginny, and she probably wouldn't speak with him again. It's probably for the best anyway, he thought dejectedly. She deserves someone who has their head together, not someone who can't even control their bloody emotions for five minutes. It seemed to Harry that he ruined everything he touched lately. He had never felt so out of control in his life.

What the hell was wrong with him? He asked himself the same question that had been haunting him for weeks now. Harry wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but he was scared. He wished desperately that he had someone whom he could lean on, someone who would give him guidance. A father? He laughed bitterly to himself. He had never had an adult he could truly depend on, had he? Even Dumbledore had let him down consistently. Harry knew though, that he needed someone other than his friends to help him; someone older, more experienced. Because Harry had no idea how to help himself. He didn't even know what the problem was, so how on earth was he to solve it? And it seemed that there was no one to turn to.

Harry drew in a deep, steadying breath, and opened the heavy door to Snape's classroom.

Snape was sitting behind his desk, flipping through heavy volumes of books that Harry couldn't decipher the titles of. It looked as though he were making notes. He looked up at Harry. "Sit," Snape directed coldly.

Harry took his seat reluctantly, and steeled himself for what he knew would be a long evening ahead of him. Oh well, it's not as though there is anything else to do with my time. It's not as if I have a girlfriend anymore, or friends for that matter.

Severus rose from his seat and came to stand before Harry's desk. He leant back slightly on his desk and peered down at Harry with a stern expression. "Before I set you your task for the evening, Potter, we will first discuss what transpired earlier."

Although Harry knew that he wouldn’t be able to avoid this conversation, he was nevertheless dreading the lecture he was sure was forthcoming. Harry knew that he deserved to be reprimanded; it was inexcusable what he had done. He just wished that Snape was not the one to be admonishing him for it. Harry knew that he would get off a lot easier as well, if it were up to McGonagall. She wouldn't give him a million detentions and make his life bloody miserable in the process. He could have handled McGonagall lecturing him; though the disappointment in her eyes would have been torture. On second thought, perhaps it is better to be scolded by someone with whom he had no emotional ties. Yes, that was his father alright. Cold. Like ice. Emotionless.

Severus began pacing the classroom. He wasn't quite sure how to say that he thought his son was being controlled by Dark Magic. Oh Merlin, did he think of this young man in front of him as his son? Lily would be ashamed of you. My mother would be ashamed of you. Severus could not erase the words from his mind. He hadn't been able to since Potter had first uttered them.

Oh...he had tried to pretend that he hadn't been affected by them. He had been furious at first; it had been easy to pretend that he didn't care, but when Minerva had repeated them, Severus couldn't ignore the suffocating guilt that overwhelmed him. He couldn't escape the look of hurt and disappointment, that haunted him to this day, when Lily had seen the Dark Mark on his arm. It was like a festering boil that had grown over the years. The guilt and shame, that lingered on his soul, had stripped Severus of any shred of emotion. He had had to hide far beneath his shields. He would have lost his mind otherwise. Of course, if the Dark Lord had sensed his weakness, it would not have been only his mind that he would have lost.

Now...he had a son. Lily's son. Their son. He had missed so much of his son's life. It was just too late now. His son was grown. He was a man. His son didn't need him anymore. Did he?

He took another look, at the boy—the young man, before him. He saw James Potter. But he also saw himself. He wondered again if Lily had used some sort of glamour, or complex blood magic to hide Potter's true appearance. But when he had seen Potter without his glasses, when he had been unconscious in the infirmary, after the third task, he was quite surprised to find that without his glasses, Potter hadn't really resembled James so much.

As Harry had matured, and his face had lost the baby fat, Severus could see that Potter really looked more like Lily, and if one looked closely, Severus could see that there were traces of Severus himself in Harry's bone structure. Thankfully, Harry had inherited Lily's nose, not his. Yes...if it weren't for those damned round glasses, which gave the boy the illusion of resembling the elder Potter. For a split second, Severus had the urge to rip the glasses off his son's face. Whose idea was it anyway, to get the boy those damned glasses? Why did he need them anyway? Perhaps there was a glamour applied. Or perhaps on Lily's side of the family there was poor vision. Severus shook himself. Enough of these infantile thoughts, he admonished himself firmly.

"You were about to perform a highly illegal curse, Potter," Severus began coldly. "Care to explain?"

"I told you I don't know," Harry began in frustration. "I don't even remember doing it."

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Well then," Severus said smoothly,"we have a problem, don't we Potter? Because there is only one explanation for your recent behaviour and subsequent lapses of memory." Severus leant down and rested his hands on either side of Harry’s desk. "You are exhibiting signs of being controlled by Dark Magic."

Harry jerked back in surprise. Then fear clutched at him. No! It couldn't be. But he knew deep down it was true. It explained everything. Harry put his head in his hands.

"No, it can't be true," Harry whispered. "But how? I don't understand."

Severus almost felt sympathy for the boy. He knew first-hand what it felt like to be overtaken by forces you thought you could handle, but discovered, too late, that you were in way over your head. That is what it had meant to be The Dark Lord's servant.

"I believe that it may have to do with the Dark Magic you employed to bring me back from the Veil," Severus said in a hard voice. "I warned you that there could be repercussions. You have experimented with a force that others beyond your maturity and expertise have succumbed to." Severus took a deep breath. "Myself included," he said with regret.

"But I didn't feel anything." Harry said in confusion. "I-"

"Potter!" Snape bellowed. "What part of—You are being controlled by evil, do you not understand, boy?"

"I understand!" Harry snapped, beginning to get angry. Where did the bloody git get off lecturing him about using Dark Magic, when he himself had been Voldemort's bloody lackey at Harry's age?

"Do not raise your voice to me," Severus warned icily

Harry grit his teeth. Git. Bloody hypocrite, he seethed.

Severus glared at Harry, with a silent warning to hold his temper.

"Now, back to the matter at hand." Severus paused in thought. "How we are going to deal with the residual Dark Magic that has attached itself to your magical core."

Harry shivered. It sounded suspiciously like Snape was saying that he was possessed. But possessed by whom? It was preposterous. Voldemort was dead, and the piece of his soul had been removed from his-- hadn't it? Harry was once again paralyzed with fear. What had he gotten himself into?

Harry remained silent. He was sure that it was a rhetorical question, and that Snape had not really expected a verbal response. So he simply nodded.

"I feel," Snape began slowly...agonizingly, "that since you are incapable of controlling this powerful force, and since you are a danger to yourself and others, that until we can find a way to rid you of the Dark Magic invading your mind, we must assure that what transpired earlier--will not happen again."

Harry looked up at Snape suspiciously. He did not like the sound of this.

"What? Are you going to lock me up?" Harry asked bitterly. "Handcuff me to the desk?" he suggested sarcastically.

"You will hand me your wand," Snape stated simply.

Harry jumped up from the desk abruptly. "Like hell I will, Snape," he said furiously.

Snape's eyes flashed dangerously. "You will hand me your wand, Potter, and you will do it NOW! You will get it back for classes, of which you will only attend mine and Minerva’s; until we can assess and contain the Dark Magic--and free you of its control."

"No bloody way you're getting my wand. Are you out of your mind?" Harry screeched. "How am I supposed to protect myself? What if Malfoy or one of your other damned Slytherins attacks me? What then, Snape?"

"I would say that there is more of a danger of the reverse, Potter. Do you not realize the power that you possess; the danger that you pose?" Snape held out his hand. "Give me your wand," Snape repeated again, more firmly this time.

Fury rose up like bile. Harry whipped his wand out of his pocket, taking both himself and Snape by surprise, as he threw Snape violently into the wall behind him.

Severus lay stunned, with a blinding headache, on the cold stone floor; helpless to prevent Potter from storming out the door. Severus cursed himself. How could he have not anticipated this scenario? After all his years of training, after all his years of acting as a spy for the order, Severus had always been proud of his lightening quick reflexes and ability to ascertain any hidden danger that might be present, and he was bloody well bested by his scrawny, inexperienced, seventeen-year-old son!

----

Minerva huffed in irritation, as the inroads she was finally making into her mounds of paperwork, was once again interrupted by heavy pounding on the door.

Minerva swung the door opened and awarded Ron, Hermione and Ginny with her fiercest glare.

"This is becoming an annoying habit, Miss Granger," Minerva grumbled.

"I'm sorry Professor, but this is very important," Hermione gasped breathlessly. Ginny and Ron nodded in agreement, anxiety clear in their expressions.

"It always is, Miss Granger." But Minerva stood aside and reluctantly allowed them entrance.

Hermione shoved a note into Minerva's hand. She looked up, her eyes were moist; anxiety making her voice crack. "When Ron went up to the dorm, Harry's things were gone, and he left this note saying that he was leaving Hogwarts."