Potions and Snitches
Snape and Harry Gen Fanfiction Archive

Chapter 34

"Salazar Slytherin?"

Severus froze for a second as he heard the name before slowly turning to the man. It took him a moment to realize that the other seemed completely serious. After all, who else would be able to speak Parseltongue? Who else would have access to such rare ingredients as elven hair and phoenix feathers? But... it couldn't be, could it? This couldn't really be true. Right?

"Look," the Potions Master said angrily. "If this is some kind of joke Potter set you up to, then he’d better---" he suddenly stopped as he saw the murderous look in the other man's eyes.

"You listen to me," Salazar said, interrupting. He had had enough. "Why is it that you blame everything on Harry? Don't you know by now that he would never do something so cruel as humiliate you? He cares for you, Severus, he considers you as a father-figure - believe me on that. Why else would he store his inner magic into your pendant to warn him if you were in trouble?" The Founder's voice softened slightly. "Just remember, Severus, Harry never meant for any of this to happen. He loves you like a father and looks up to you like no others: don't ever deprive him of that privilege."

Severus, anger fading at the words, just nodded numbly. He hadn't known that Harry had stored his inner magic into his pendant. He knew that in order to use you inner magic, you had to truly care about what, or who, it was for. It meant a great deal to him, the fact that Harry had done such a thing for him. Guilt suddenly rose inside of him as he realized what he had done in return. He had driven the child to the point of suicide. And for that, he would never be able to forgive himself.

"Now, you will listen to me, and brew whatever I tell you, if you want Harry to live." Salazar looked straight into the obsidian eyes before him.

Severus nodded. "Let's get started."

For the next five hours, the two of the sat in the Chamber of Secrets, working in union to brew the potion that would heal Harry. Smoke billowed throughout the chamber, and potions sizzled: and finally, after many hours of hard work, Salazar stood up.

"We're finished," he said, capping the bottle of the last potion needed. "Come on, let's go."

Together, the two of them left the chamber, striding quickly towards the Hospital Wing.

There, they found Helga and Eliza gathered around Harry, trying their best to heal him.

"There you are, Sal," Helga said, relief in her voice. "We need the potions as soon as possible."

Salazar nodded and silently handed over the two bottles of potions they had made.

Helga propped up the unconscious boy and slowly poured the potions into his mouth. Harry swallowed slowly but steadily, and a few minute later, Helga placed the empty bottles on the table.

"He should wake up soon, but we don't know the exact time. I suggest we all go get some rest."

Salazar and Severus both shook their heads resolutely.

"I will not leave Harry alone!" the male Founder said, eyes flashing.

"You need rest, Sal," Helga replied smoothly. "And you'll be coming with me." With that, she dragged the man behind her.

Eliza looked up at the Potions Master. "I have to go for classes, so I expect you to watch over him. However," here, she paused slightly, eyes flashing dangerously. "If you upset Harry in any way, you'll have me to answer to. And the rest of the Founders." With that threat hanging, she left, her robes sweeping behind her.

Severus sighed as he settled down in a chair next to Harry's bed. His hand subconsciously reached down to grip Harry's as he began to speak.

"I'm so sorry, Harry. I really am. I know that there's no way you'll ever be able to forgive me-- not after what I did to you -- but know that I'm sorry. You were like the son I'd never had, and.... I was just so shocked when I found out you were Harry Potter. I just lashed out. I--- You don't know how much I regret what I did.

Please come back to us, Harry. Helga and Salazar are here now, and they're both so worried about you. Get better soon, Harry. Know that we miss you."

With those final words, Severus summoned a potions text from his quarters and settled down, flipping open to the first page and beginning to read. His fingers still held on tightly to the one of the young man in front of him.

He was in an abyss, a bottomless gulf, a tunnel of darkness. He walked blindly on, not knowing where he was going. Suddenly, he saw a small prickle of light down the tunnel. He began to run, heading towards the dot of light, which grew steadily larger. As he came closer to the end, the sound of phoenix music was heard. The beautiful melody made him smile as he finally reached the end of the tunnel.

He looked outside and his emerald green eyes brightened. Heavenly sunlight shone down upon him as the phoenix music became clearer than ever. A mist with the colors of the rainbows appeared before him, beckon for him to follow. He stood up resolutely, about to step out, when a voice cut through the air.

"I'm so sorry, Harry."

The boy froze at the sound. There was something so utterly familiar about the voice, but he couldn't place it.

"I know that there's no way you'll ever be able to forgive me-- not after what I did to you -- but know that I'm sorry. You were like the son I'd never had, and.... I was just so shocked when I found out you were Harry Potter. I just lashed out. I--- You don't know how much I regret what I did."

The words warmed his heart as he realized: someone cared. About him. Not the Boy-Who-Lived, not famous Harry Potter, but Harry. Just Harry.

Harry gasped as he suddenly recognize the velvety tone. Severus! But how could the man be here?

"Severus?" he whispered, his voice wavering.

"Please come back to us, Harry. Helga and Salazar are here now, and they're both so worried about you."

Helga? Salazar? What were the two Founders doing there? Had they gone to all that trouble just .... for him? He slowly stepped away from the glorious light in front of him and looked back at the dark tunnel behind him. Hesitation overwhelmed him. What should he do?

"Get better soon, Harry. Know that we miss you."

Those were the final words before Severus' voice quietened. But Harry's decision had already been made for him. He couldn't leave yet. He had to go back: go back to Severus, the Founders, Eliza, his friends.....

Determination glinting in his fiery green eyes, he turned around and began his journey back the way he had just come.

Several hours later, Severus' attention was drawn away from his book by the sound of moaning. He looked down and to his surprise, felt himself looking into emerald green eyes.

"Harry?" he gasped.

"Sev'rus?" the child's voice was soft and slurred.

"How are you feeling, child?"

"'M fine," the boy whispered. "Just tired."

Severus reached down and pulled the covers closer around the boy, tucking him in. "Sleep well, Harry."

The boy burrowed into the warmth of the cover. "'Night, Father," he said, yawning and slipping into sleep.

Shock coursed through him at the last word. Was it his imagination, or had Harry just called him... Father? He had never thought that he would ever be addressed as such. True, the boy had probably been half delirious, but.... the words still brought a feeling of warmth into his heart.

He sighed as he shook his head. He would worry about that thought later. For now, he would just stay here and wait for Harry to get better. They would deal with the rest as it came.

Leaning down, he placed a single kiss on the child's -- his child's-- forehead. "Sweet dreams, Harry," he whispered quietly before he returned to his book.

Chapter End Notes:
*sigh* Another chapter done. Looking forward to your reviews, guys! :P

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