Comforts from the Unexpected by Firestar
Summary: The story begins with a fire at the Dursleys & Harry is locked in his cupboard. Rescued by a spiritual presence, he is sent to stay with a certain Potions Master, bringing in a new range of adventures. Suicide attempts, abuse
Categories: Parental Snape > Guardian Snape Main Characters: .Snape and Harry (required)
Snape Flavour: None
Genres: General
Media Type: None
Tags: None
Takes Place: None
Warnings: Abusive Dursleys, Alcohol Use, Suicide Themes
Challenges: None
Series: None
Chapters: 43 Completed: No Word count: 83206 Read: 173087 Published: 31 Jan 2005 Updated: 31 Jan 2006
Chapter 24 by Firestar

Harry was in Tranfiguration class the next day when he was called down by the Headmaster. Walking to the gargoyle, he was about to say the password when the old man's voice called, "Just come in, Harry."

Harry stepped into the office, settling down in a chair. He was offered both lemon drop and tea, which he politely declined. After a while, Harry asked, "You wished to see me, Professor?"

"Yes, Sebastien," the Headmaster said, eyes twinkling. "One thing I have become aware of is your excellent skills in schoolwork. Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagal has both spoken to me many times about your strong working skills. Professor Lupin has asked me to congratulate you on you test (Harry had recieved full marks), and Professor Sprout has informed me that your Herbology has improved since you've joined the Potions apprentice with Professor Snape. Because of all this, I was wondering..." At this, Dumbledore leaned in closer. "Would you like to take the NEWTs one year early?"

For a second, he thought his ears had decieved him, but then Harry realized that Dumbledore was still waiting for an answer. "I- Do you think I'll be able to do it, sir?"

"I KNOW that you will be able to do it with your academic skills."

"I-" Once again, Harry was at a loss for words. "Of course I'll accept," he said finally. "Er... but wouldn't that change my study plans and schedules?"

The Headmaster nodded. "You will take the test in June, so you have approximately five months to prepare. You will have extra lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and the weekends at eight p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, you have Quidditch practise. On Tuesdays, you will see Professor McGonagal, Wednesdays- Professor Fliwick, Thurdays- Professor Sprout, and Fridays with Professor Lupin. I understand you were supposed to meet with Professor Snape on certain days for the Potions apprentice, but these will be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays. Will that be alright?"

Harry nodded, slightly dazed. "Er... yes, sir, that will be alright. Um... is that all, sir?"

"Yes, you may leave, Sebastien."

With a final nod, Harry left the room. He knew that the reason Dumbledore had asked him to take NEWTs early was because of Voldemort. Because he was the Boy-Who-Lived, he had to train early. He didn't mind the extra lessons, but god, he hated being treated differently. He had hoped that being Sebastien Frostpine would give him a chance to be normal, but he was wrong after all. It seemed, that no matter who he was, Harry Potter was always different.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A month passed. It was now February. The training with the different professors had each gone exceptionally well. The only bad thing was that Harry had little or no free time.

On Sunday morning, he grinned when he realized that he had a few hours of time to just hang around and do nothing. Smiling, he went down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

He was walking back with Draco when Ron and Hermione stopped them. "Hey, Sebastien, Malfoy," the redhead said. "We're sneaking into Hogsmeade. Are you coming?"

"RON!" Hermione admonished. "I keep telling you, we're NOT ALLOWED! And now that we don't have an invisibility cloak...."

"I have an invisibility cloak," Harry said, speaking up suddenly.

"You do?" Draco asked. "Why didn't you tell me? Where did you get yours? I don't think those are on sale anymore."

"It slipped my mind," Harry said. "My... godfather gave it to me." Quickly summoning his cloak, he threw it over his, Draco's and Ron's heads. "Coming, 'Mione?"

Hermione sighed, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "What am I going to do with you guys?" she asked. "I'm coming, someone has to keep you out of trouble."

"Hey!" Ron said indignantly as they sneaked off towards the secret passageway.

Walking into Hogsmeade, they were careful to be quiet. There were no customers yet: it seemed that all had not come out yet. They sneaked along to the Three Broomstick through the back alley. The alley was eeriely silent, almost as if the volume had been turned off. None of the usual banter could be heard.

Harry sighed, breathing in the fresh air. He shivered slightly as he approached the popular pub. He was just about to pull the door handle of the back door when he felt the invisibility cloak slip off him. He turned around, immediately drawing his wand, but he felt something being held under his nose. He frailed his arms around wildly, kicking, but to no avail. His air supply was slowly beginning to run out. At last, he couldn't stand it any more and took in a deep breath, falling into blissed darkness.

To be continued...
End Notes:
Okay, okay, I know the chapter was short and wasn't very well done, but please forgive me. I had no time, and I didn't want to keep my readers waiting for too long.


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