Walk the Shadows

He couldn't make sense of her words, though; it was like they swam through his head, never touching his ears. He was in the cupboard, door shut tight now, and it was the only safe place he knew. Dark, and quiet, with no more screaming, and no one could ever find him or bother him ever again. Even if they cursed him and bloodied him, even if they put hands on him, or laughed at his pain, at his screams, he wasn't really there. Only his body. Not him. He was hidden, far, far away.

TBC . . .

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

A/N: The previous chapter was one of the hardest I've ever written, and I plan to make the most of what I've done to poor Harry. There's not gong to be any easy way back for him, and I hope my readers will accompany him on the ups and downs of his ensuing journey.

Thanks everyone, for reading and reviewing. Over a hundred! You guys are the best, seriously, and make this all worthwhile.

*Chapter 11*: Chapter 11

Walk the Shadows -- Chapter 11

By jharad17

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. I'm playing in someone else's pond.

Previously:

He couldn't make sense of her words, though; it was like they swam through his head, never touching his ears. He was in the cupboard, door shut tight now, and it was the only safe place he knew. Dark, and quiet, with no more screaming, and no one could ever find him or bother him ever again. Even if they cursed him and bloodied him, even if they put hands on him, or laughed at his pain, at his screams, he wasn't really there. Only his body. Not him. He was hidden, far, far away.

After another couple hours, Severus could no longer stand the silence of his quarters, nor justify not making a complete report -- he'd given Dumbledore a few of the highlights, or lowlights, rather, the day before, when the Headmaster showed up briefly in the infirmary to check on Harry. And so he sought out the Headmaster's office at last. 'Fizzing Whizbees,' he said to the gargoyles, and was allowed onto the stair, which spun in its lazy circle to deposit him on the entry way to Dumbledore's demesne. The door opened all on its own. He hated when it did so, that heavy-handed emphasis on Dumbledore's knowledge of all the comings and goings in the school, including his own.

He shut the door carefully behind him and stood before the Headmaster's desk, feeling, not for the first time, like one of the miscreants he taught. Or tried to teach. 'I've come to make a full report, sir,' he said.

Dumbledore nodded, his smile careworn. 'I appreciate it, Severus. But it can wait, if you'd rather.'

'No, I wouldn't, and no, it can't. The Dark Lord shared some of his plans with me, with his servants, that bear telling.'

'Was this intelligence from before or after you were revealed as a spy?' His words were softly spoken, but Severus could have screamed from the way they cut through him.

'Before,' he admitted in a murmur. ' I apologize for losing my . . . status in his ranks, Headmaster. But the boy was flailing, and I thought the risk too great to remain there. His sight, for one--'

'I quite agree,' Albus interrupted. 'I am only sorry we could not retrieve you sooner.' He paused, and took out his never ending supply of damnable candies. 'Lemon drop? No? Please sit down, at least, Severus. Poppy tells me you have continued to visit Harry and are concerned about his condition.'

With less aplomb than he would have liked, Severus took a seat, but refused the candy. The thinking he had promised himself he would not have to do, swamped his brain and mired him in its bleak intensity. 'Concerned? Of course I'm damned well concerned. Anyone with a conscience would be. Anyone with a shred of humanity. If he's to be the bloody Chosen One who will defeat the sodding Dark Lord, I hardly think catatonia will work to our advantage.'

'Language, Severus.'

The potions master sneered, but inclined his head. 'My apologies, Headmaster.'

Albus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, tucking a finger up under his spectacles. Then he placed his hands on his desk, folded together, and peered over the lenses at Severus. 'I've made arrangements to have him sent to St. Mungo's for treatment.'

Severus leapt to his feet. 'What? You can't be serious! The press will get wind of it quicker than you can say 'The Boy Who Went Crazy.' And he won't be safe there from the Dark Lord, I can assure you of that.'

Spreading his hands, Albus said, 'What would you have me do, Severus? His family has fled. His godfather is gone now, too. I can't send him to the Weasleys, for the same concern about his safety, and he simply cannot remain in the hospital wing until he's amply recovered.'

It was all true. He wasn't sure why such righteous indignation on the boy's behalf should so suddenly manifest in him, and yet, it did. 'He can't go to St. Mungo's. They'll have no idea how to help him. And who will guard him there, if we are stretched as thin as Minerva said?'

Albus looked pained, but not willing to budge. 'Severus--'

'I'll take him,' Severus offered, and at once thought, What?? Yet, his mouth continued to move. 'He will stay in my quarters and I'll see to it that he comes back to himself.' Or he would die trying.

A thin hint of a smile creased the Headmaster's lips, a shadow of his usual merriment. 'If you think it will work . . .'

'It may be the only real chance the boy has,' Severus said quietly. And wasn't that a kick in the teeth?