Harry Potter: Sectumsempra Chapter 21 | Seven Years of Chaos Book 2

With the Championship match on the horizon, Hogwarts is briefly distracted by Quidditch fever… until another student is attacked and the castle snaps back into panic.

The cancellation hits Harry hard. Snape tries to reach him, tries to talk, tries to understand why the guardianship that should have meant “safe” seems to have left Harry hollow and unreachable. When Harry finally breaks, it is not quietly. It is rage, guilt, and self-blame detonating at once, and Snape is forced to drag the truth into the open before Harry does something irreversible.

In the aftermath, Snape makes a decision that should feel like progress: he chooses honesty, chooses closeness, chooses to be a real guardian instead of a distant shield.

Then McGonagall makes an announcement, Harry disappears under the cloak with Draco and Ron… and Snape gets the message that turns his blood cold.

Harry is going after Ginny.

And the only “Professor” reckless enough to go with him is the last one Snape would ever trust.

Transcript

**Chapter 21: Severus Snape Sees a Psychologist**

Severus watched the Slytherin table closely as their excitement for the upcoming match began to bubble over into rowdiness. He tried not to focus on Potter, but his gaze kept flickering toward the boy.

Potter seemed excited—he was smiling, at least—but every time Severus glanced at the Head Table, the boy's expression dimmed slightly. It had been a full month since the announcement of Potter's guardianship, and Severus was still no closer to understanding why Potter was behaving so lifelessly about the news.

He had made several attempts to reach out to Potter, hoping to speak with him, but all in vain. In a moment of humility, Severus had even approached Miss Bones one afternoon before her potions class.

"I can’t talk about Harry behind his back," Bones had said slowly, standing in the empty corner of the corridor Severus had led her to. "But I can say that, between us, he’s not talking much about anything.

It’s like he’s pulling away from us."

Severus had already sensed Potter’s withdrawal on his own, as had the other professors. "Is Harry okay?" Aurora asked him kindly during dinner one evening.

"He hasn’t been talking much in class lately. I tried asking him how he was doing, and he just said 'fine' before walking off.

That’s not like him."

After two weeks of Potter’s unnatural nonchalance, Severus finally gave in and sought the advice of a professional Muggle Mind Healer. "Potter is my new ward," Severus explained.

"I am his professor at his boarding school, and recently, I was awarded guardianship of him at his request. Since the announcement, he has been different."

"Your ward’s name is Potter?" the Muggle man asked, glancing over the paperwork Severus had filled out in the waiting room.

"I thought it was Harry."

"It is," Severus replied. "Harry Potter."

He felt no concern about sharing personal details; he had planned to obliviating the man's memory afterward.

The Muggle's memory of this meeting would linger regardless. “Yet you call him by his surname?” the man asked, raising his eyebrows in judgment.

“How do you expect to build a relationship of trust if you don’t refer to him by his given name?”

“Do you really think that’s a factor in his reluctance to speak with me?” Severus inquired. “It certainly won’t help matters,” the Muggle chuckled.

“Why don’t you tell me about Harry?”

“Potter—Harry—is a troubled case,” Severus replied slowly. “I’ve dealt with over two dozen students from abusive backgrounds throughout my career, but Harry is decidedly the worst case I’ve encountered.” He provided the man with a summary of Potter’s life leading up to his enrollment at school, including the incident involving the Muggle boy, while carefully omitting the magical details.

The Muggle whistled softly. “The poor child hasn’t had it easy, has he?” he murmured.

“Do you have him in counseling already?”

Severus shifted uneasily in his seat. “I do not.

It’s difficult in our culture to find a good counselor, as mental health isn’t taken as seriously.”

“Hmm,” the man hummed thoughtfully. “Well, I think the guardianship is a good first step.”

“Then why is he behaving like this?” Severus asked, confusion evident in his voice.

“I don’t understand.”

“Children from abusive backgrounds, especially those who have suffered as horribly as Harry has, are complicated,” the Muggle explained. “The trauma often affects the prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in emotional regulation, cognitive feedback, rational decision-making, behavioral modulation, and impulse control.

Neglected or abused children often have a smaller, less developed prefrontal cortex.”

“So Harry is impulsive and irrational,” Severus said. “But that doesn’t explain why he’s suddenly unhappy with our arrangement.”

“It does, though,” the Muggle insisted.

“He struggles more than others to regulate his emotions and reactions to those emotions. People often believe that children...

"Children who escape abusive situations often feel a profound sense of gratitude, but that's rarely the case. Harry is probably feeling scared about what living with you will be like.

He’s insecure about this new relationship, worried about being in a situation where he doesn’t have full control, and unsure of his own identity now that his life isn’t solely about survival. With the difficulty he faces in recognizing these emotions, he likely only understands that he feels scared, which he may misinterpret as anger.

Abused children are familiar with anger; they know it intimately. But fear?

Sadness? Those emotions are much harder for them to identify."

Severus pondered all that the Muggle had shared.

"So what do I do?" he asked. The Muggle smiled sympathetically.

"Just what you've been doing—make Harry feel safe, secure, and stable."

Now, as Severus sat staring at his new ward, he had no clear idea how to make Harry feel "safe, secure, and stable." There was no time like the present to give it a try, he supposed. He walked toward the end of the Slytherin table, wishing luck to his players as he passed.

"Draco, Harry," he said evenly, ignoring the surprised look on Potter's face at the mention of his given name. "Good luck today."

"Thank you, sir.

Ravenclaw doesn’t stand a chance," Draco smirked up at him. Severus wished Potter could be as uncomplicated as Draco.

A bit of attention, some general life advice, and a friendly ear were all it took to make his godson happy. Potter looked up at him suspiciously before offering a bland smile.

"Thank you," he said. "Will you be there today, Professor Snape?" Miss Bones asked brightly.

"Of course," Severus replied, still focused on Potter. "I wouldn’t miss it."

For some reason, this made Potter scowl down at his plate.

"Harry, will you walk with me to the pitch?" 

Potter glanced at Miss Bones, who gave him an encouraging nod. Severus offered an encouraging smile and a nod.

He couldn't afford to lose Susan Bones's endorsement. It was clear that Harry had developed a level of trust with her, and surprisingly, Severus felt no jealousy over it.

"Of course, sir," Harry replied, standing up to grab his broom. Severus gestured for him to follow as he left the Great Hall.

"The weather is perfect for Quidditch today," Severus said casually. "Are you looking forward to the match?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered politely.

Severus couldn't help but groan internally at Harry's continued short responses. "You have to remain calm—abused children are constantly on the lookout for anger," the Muggle Mind Healer had told him.

In an effort to elicit a more engaging conversation, Severus asked, "What electives have you chosen for next year?"

Harry sighed, as if he already knew Severus's intentions. "Divination and Care of Magical Creatures."

"Interesting.

I didn't realize you had an interest in animals beyond your neurotic owl. Why Magical Creatures?" Severus already had an inkling about Harry's fascination with Divination.

Although they hadn't listened to the entire prophecy yet, he intended to do so as soon as they returned home for the summer. "Sevvie is not neurotic," Harry snorted, sounding more animated than he had in weeks.

"And Magical Creatures are outside, right? So I’d get to be outdoors for two classes, and I probably won’t have as many essays if it’s anything like Herbology."

Maintaining his casual tone, Severus aimed to keep Harry relaxed and engaged.

"You will undoubtedly spend most of your time outside," he agreed. "Though I'm unsure about the number of essays you’ll have.

Professor Kettleburn is retiring this year, and the Headmaster has yet to replace him."

"I hope whoever gets the job is better than Lockhart," Harry muttered. "He's an—"

"Severus!" Harry's voice cut through the conversation, undoubtedly filled with more emotions than he had shown in quite some time.

An unflattering remark about Gilderoy was interrupted by the arrival of Minerva. Just as Potter was beginning to speak more freely, Severus felt a surge of irritation.

“Severus, I need you immediately,” Minerva said, her eyes wide with concern. Severus could tell that her frantic look surely meant trouble.

He glanced regretfully at Potter. “I will endeavor to make it to the pitch before the game begins,” he replied.

Minerva then turned her gaze to Potter, and the frantic look in her eyes softened into something more sorrowful. “Actually, Harry, you need to return to your common room immediately.

The game has been cancelled.” 

“Why?” Potter asked sharply. “It’s the Championship game!” 

Minerva shared a meaningful look with Severus, and the pieces of the puzzle clicked together for him.

“There’s been another attack,” he guessed. “There has,” she confirmed.

“Students are to return to their common rooms immediately.” She looked at Potter again, her expression softening. “I am sorry.” 

Potter shrugged, turning on his heel and heading toward the castle.

“It’s fine,” he muttered. “Luna tried to warn me; the nargles said this would happen.” He glanced up at Severus with a hopeless look in his eyes.

“Let me know if Dumbledore expels me again, yeah?” 

“I will not allow that to happen,” Severus assured him. Minerva placed a hand on Severus’s shoulder to stop him as he made to follow Potter, who was walking with his head down toward the castle.

“Side entrance,” she said quietly, likely indicating that she didn’t want any students left on the grounds to overhear them. “Allow me,” Severus offered, following Minerva to the unused side entrance.

“Muffliato,” he cast, ensuring their conversation would remain private. “Hermione Granger was attacked,” Minerva said immediately.

“There is an emergency meeting of all professors in Albus’s office.” 

“Hermione Granger?” Severus replied, shocked. “Potter’s friend Granger?” Surely not.

Surely the child wouldn’t be so unluckily cursed to have one of his closest friends be... attacked.

Minerva placed a gentle hand on Severus's shoulder. "She is alive, just petrified." Severus let out a sigh of relief.

While being petrified was serious, it was certainly better than the alternative. “What is the meeting about?” he asked as they climbed the back staircase.

“New safety procedures,” Minerva replied. “There will likely be a discussion on whether Hogwarts should remain open with four students now petrified.” She glanced at him with concern.

“It’s possible there will be questions about where your ward was during the attack.”

“Potter was in the Great Hall in front of hundreds of witnesses!” Severus hissed. “I saw Granger leave the Hall myself, and Potter hasn’t left my sight since then.”

“I know,” Minerva said quickly.

“I’m not accusing him. Merlin knows Potter will want to confront the Heir himself when he learns it was Granger who was attacked.

But…” she hesitated, “Albus will want to establish an alibi for him.”

Severus felt his frustration boiling as they approached Albus's gargoyle. Minerva was right; Albus would undoubtedly demand an alibi for Potter, and even with one, he would still harbor suspicions.

They entered the Headmaster's office to find most of the staff already assembled, with the exception of Poppy, whom Severus suspected was in the Hospital Wing, and Rubeus, who was still in a holding cell at the Ministry. “Minerva, did you send the students to their common rooms?” Albus asked, his expression somber.

“I did,” she confirmed. Albus turned to Severus, but he cut him off before he could speak.

“Do not ask me where Potter was,” he said sharply. “There are dozens of students who will attest that he was at breakfast when Miss Granger left the Hall, and he has been with me every moment since.”

“Aah, I see the implications for my client are already unfolding,” Lucius chimed in, leaning casually against the Headmaster’s doorway.

Severus couldn't help but smirk at his friend's typical theatrics. “I was not…”

“I'm not going to imply anything about Mr.

Potter,” Albus said, meeting Lucius's gaze with a steady stare. “I was actually going to ask Severus if all his students are accounted for.

But now I'm curious—why are you here, Lucius?” 

Lucius strode confidently through the parted teachers and handed Albus a scroll. It was easy to guess what it contained.

“I’m here representing the Board,” Lucius replied. “It’s a dreadful situation, Dumbledore, but the governors feel it’s time for you to step aside.

This is an Order of Suspension—you’ll find all twelve signatures on it. We believe you’re losing your touch.

How many attacks have there been now? Four, isn’t it?

At this rate, there won’t be any Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts.”

“You can’t suspend Albus!” Minerva exclaimed, her voice filled with outrage. “We’ll have students dead in the halls without him.”

“And yet you have students petrified in the Hospital Wing with him,” Lucius countered, raising an eyebrow.

“He’s no closer to finding or stopping the culprit than he was when he wrongfully expelled a student for it.”

Severus found himself torn; he agreed with Minerva, but he also saw Lucius’s point. Hogwarts would certainly be a more dangerous place without Albus’s formidable presence, but it was already perilous enough with him there.

Perhaps without him, the focus could shift to finding the true Heir of Slytherin instead of blaming Potter for every minor mishap. “If the governors want my removal, Lucius, then I shall step aside,” Albus said, rising to his feet.

“I believe Minerva is more than capable of running the school until I return.”

“If you return,” Lucius said, a smile playing on his lips. “The Deputy Headmistress is welcome to take over the duties of Hogwarts, although the Board may seek a permanent applicant by the end of the year.”

Minerva shot Lucius a cold look before turning back to Albus.

“The school may need to shut down to prevent any more attacks.”

Albus nodded. “You do what you must, my dear.

I have complete faith in your judgment.”

“Faith in your decisions.” Lucius bowed to Albus as he gestured toward his office doorway, displaying an impressive level of arrogance. “The Board will be in touch,” he remarked to Minerva as he followed Albus out of the office.

Immediately, the professors began to speak over one another. “You can’t close Hogwarts!” Filius exclaimed.

“The Mandrakes are nearly ready,” Pomona added, wringing her hands. “We can revive the petrified students in perhaps a month.” 

“I can brew the required potion in two days, as soon as I have the mandrakes,” Severus chimed in.

“Sending the students home eight weeks early would be disastrous for many of them.” 

“I believe I’m very close to catching the culprit single-handedly,” Gilderoy announced loudly, casting an entirely inappropriate wink at Minerva. “I’ve narrowed down their hideout and should catch them any moment now.” 

Minerva closed her eyes for a few seconds, taking a deep breath.

“Excellent,” she said dryly. “I’m sure we’ll all sleep easier knowing you’re on the case, Gilderoy.

Until then, there will be no unaccompanied students in the halls. No students out of their common rooms past six o’clock.

And no after-class activities. I will need all the professors to escort their students to their next class and wait with them until their next professor arrives.

We need the prefects to conduct counts at precisely six every evening. Heads of Houses will need to escort their students to breakfast in the mornings and back from dinner in the evenings.

We will be assigning essays and point losses for misbehavior. I do not want students outside their common rooms in the evening for detentions.

Students requiring access to the library will need to be escorted as well; any free periods we have will need to be spent monitoring the halls and taking students to and from necessary locations.” 

She gave the professors a grim look. “If there is one more attack—student, ghost, cat, or even mouse—we will close.” 

The professors shared her serious expression.

As much as Severus wished to avoid sending his students home early, it was a better option than the alternative. “I will leave it to the Heads to inform their students of the changes.

Stress to them the importance of sharing any information they may have, no matter how minor it may seem.” With that, everyone began to disband for their respective duties. “Severus, Pomona, Filius, if you could please inform Granger’s friends in your houses about her condition,” Minerva called just as Severus was about to leave her newly instated office.

“Son of a—” he thought, spinning around to fix Minerva with a look that he hoped didn’t reveal just how desperate he felt. “Perhaps it would be better coming from the new Headmistress?” 

Minerva snorted, giving him a wry look.

“Your ward, your student, your problem.” 

“Son of a—” he thought again. “When Potter causes me to bleed to death on the dungeon floor, I hope you’ll be pleased with yourself,” he sneered as he left the office.

‘Harry, you are quite safe, secure, and stable with me, although I regret to inform you that one of your close friends has been petrified and is in the Hospital Wing, frozen like a Muggle statue.’ Severus scoffed at himself as he made his way to the Slytherin common room. Minerva was probably cursing him for giving Potter a silver-plated reason to worry about Severus.

Currently, Potter had no definitive reason to feel wary of him, but after tonight, he would. Although perhaps he wouldn’t pinpoint it as a specific failing of Severus.

And maybe, just maybe, Neville Longbottom would finish the year at the top of his class, he thought sardonicly. As Severus entered the Slytherin common room, he was unsurprised to see it packed.

The room fell immediately silent at the sight of him. “I need your attention,” he said evenly, knowing the students would hear him.

“There has been another attack today.” 

He ignored the looks of shock, awe, and fear directed toward Potter as he explained the new rules. If they still believed Potter was the Heir, they would understand otherwise as soon as they discovered who the recent victim was.

“Dumbledore is gone?” Zachariah Dolohov asked, a sly grin spreading across his face as he looked at Potter. “He is,” Severus confirmed.

“No Quidditch?!” Flint exclaimed. “But, sir—” 

Severus raised his hand.

“I understand. However, the next attack may result in a student’s death.

We cannot take any chances.” He cast a subtle glance at his Muggleborn students, noting their pale faces and nervous expressions. “Who was attacked, Professor?” Theodore asked, raising his hand politely.

Severus dared to look at Potter, who was now giving him his full attention. Embrace your death, Severus thought.

“The petrified student is Hermione Granger.”

The iron candelabra above Severus’ head shattered into thousands of pieces almost instantly. Thanks to years of honing his instincts, Severus was able to nonverbally cast a shield, protecting himself and the students from the falling debris.

Some of the students shrieked at the explosion. “It was who?!” Potter hissed over the noise.

“Say that again. It was who?!”

“I understand that this is a shock—”

“Say it again.

WHO WAS IT?” Potter yelled, his face as white as snow, but his eyes burned with fury. “It was Granger.”

The majority of the Slytherin students instinctively inched away from Potter, demonstrating their keen sense of self-preservation.

“Hermione?” Theodore asked Severus softly before turning to Potter and jabbing his finger accusingly. “You said she’d be fine!

YOU SAID YOU HOPED SOMEONE GOT ATTACKED!” He yelled at Potter. “THIS IS YOUR FAULT!”

“ENOUGH!” Severus shouted, placing a shield between Potter and Theodore before things escalated further.

“Potter, with me, NOW. The rest of you, do not take a single step outside of this common room.

The curfew is not optional. I will be here at seven o’clock to escort you all to breakfast.”

Theodore glared.

Severus glared fiercely at Potter before storming off toward the staircase, the other second-year boys trailing behind him, casting regretful glances back at Potter. Just moments ago, Potter had seemed furious enough to bring the entire castle down, but now he appeared lost as he watched his friends ascend the stairs without him.

“Potter, come along,” Severus said, his voice softer than before. Potter scanned the common room, noticing that the remaining students were giving him pitying looks.

“I can’t. I—I have to talk to Theo, and I need to find Mione.

I can fix this. I can.

I’ll fix it,” he pleaded, desperation lacing his voice. “Miss Granger will recover soon; the mandrakes are nearly ready.

And Theodore is upset, but he will calm down. Come with me; you need to calm down as well.”

“NO!” Potter shouted, causing the stone wall behind him to crack.

Half a dozen Slytherin students quickly sprinted toward the stairs. “I DO NOT NEED TO CALM DOWN.

I NEED— I HAVE SOMETHING I HAVE TO DO!”

At this rate, Potter was going to destroy the common room if he didn’t regain control. The chances of him calming down or allowing Severus to help him were slim to none at that moment.

Severus took a deep breath, muttering a quick prayer as he raised his left arm, as if he were about to place it on Potter’s shoulder. “Don’t touch m—”

The moment Potter’s attention shifted to Severus’ left arm, Severus used his right hand to cast a silent "Stupefy," knocking Potter unconscious.

He quickly levitated him, preventing him from hitting his head on the stone floor. It wasn’t until a gasp from the remaining students drew his attention that he realized they had been watching.

Wonderful. Now his own students looked horrified and furious on Potter’s behalf.

“I am taking Potter to the Hospital Wing,” he announced to them. “I believe he may leave the castle in one piece if I take him to see for himself.”

“...that Granger is alive.” 

Hezekiah Williams spoke up, his tone accusatory.

“You could have just told him that. He’s not going to like that at all.”

Severus masked his own guilt by assigning Williams an essay on the merits of not interfering with the actions of his professors.

He gave a curt nod to the remaining students as he levitated Potter toward the portrait door. “Since Potter’s going to kill Professor Snape, do you think I still need to write that essay?” That was the last delightful comment Severus heard as he left the common room for a quick detour to his office.

‘You are entirely safe, stable, and secure, Harry. You do not need to fear for your safety when alone with me.

I am your ally, your friend, and your guardian. You are safe.

Do not worry about being knocked unconscious after being informed of the attack on your friend and the accusations from others.’

Severus typically refrained from taunting himself, but his mind cycled through several creative insults during the short walk. If he thought Potter was furious before, it would be nothing compared to how the boy would react to being stunned and then revived in a new location.

He placed Potter’s body in a desk chair and summoned a Calming Draught, preparing to speak directly into the child’s stomach. You’ve already knocked him unconscious; you might as well drug the boy without his consent as well.

Truly exceptional work here, Severus. He set the strongest protection spell he could muster between himself and Potter before pointing his wand at the boy and murmuring, “Rennervate.” 

Potter immediately began blinking heavily, and Severus seized the opportunity to speak before the child inevitably exploded.

“If you do not destroy my office, I will take you to see Hermione Granger.” 

Potter jumped to his feet at Severus’ voice, his gaze locking onto him. “What the hell did you do?” he howled.

“Where—” Potter quickly glanced around the room to ascertain his location. “How did I get here?

What did you do?!”

Severus attempted to keep his voice calm as he prepared for the storm that was about to erupt. Severus spoke soothingly.

“You were destroying the common room. I feared you might injure your housemates, so I stunned you to move you to a more secluded location.”

Potter seemed momentarily shocked into silence before letting out a short laugh.

“You knocked me out to take me to a private spot? How original,” he sneered.

Severus thought, You unforgivable moron. “No, Harry, not for any nefarious purpose, I assure you.

I was genuinely concerned for the safety of your housemates,” Severus said quickly. “I—” 

Potter interrupted him with a flick of his right wrist, causing Severus’ protective shield to burn a bright gold before dispelling.

“If you wanted to be alone with me, then why do you need a shield, sir?” he asked coolly. Severus assessed Potter with the rapid precision of someone who has spent extensive time around dangerous enemies.

Potter appeared calm, standing casually with his head tilted to the side. His tone was cool, but conversational.

He wasn’t fidgeting or tapping, nor was he reaching for his wand or knife. If Severus were less perceptive, he might have been fooled into thinking Potter was merely unhappy but calm.

However, he could see Potter’s eyes—this time, unfalteringly focused on him and hardened with cold fury. In the back of his mind, Severus wondered if Potter would have already fatally injured him had he not forced the potion into his system.

“Harry, I am trying to help you,” he said slowly. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Severus,” Potter mimicked in a nasally tone.

“I don’t want your help.” 

In an unprecedented move, Potter took a couple of fearless steps closer to Severus. “I can take you to see Granger if you’d like,” Severus offered, subtly flicking his wand to his hand.

Not subtle enough. “How would staring at Mione’s frozen body help?” Potter replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Help her? And why would you need your wand to take me to see Hermione?” Potter asked, noticing the slight movement in Severus.

Severus hesitated, opting for honesty. “You are incredibly dangerous and not in your right mind.

You’re upset, and I want to ensure you don’t attack me as a misplaced target for your anger at Granger’s attacker.”

Potter regarded him with a small, cruel smile. “‘Misplaced target?’” he echoed softly.

“Hermione’s attacker didn’t stun and kidnap me, did they?”

“I did not kidnap you,” Severus scoffed at Potter’s theatrics. “You’re hardly tied up and held here against your will.” 

He wasn’t sure if it was a testament to Potter’s magical strength or his own reluctance to hurt the boy, but with just a twitch of Potter’s index finger, Severus found himself disarmed for the first time in over fifteen years.

“You don’t need a wand if you’re not going to hurt me, right?” Potter said, catching Severus’s wand and twirling it in a callously casual manner. “Potter, my wand, now,” Severus demanded, abandoning any attempt to use the boy’s given name.

“You are dangerously close to being in a lot of trouble.”

“Threats are useless against kids like Harry; they’re used to them. They don’t bother him, but they’ll convince him that you can’t be trusted,” the Muggle Healer had warned.

Yet, Severus had never dealt with a child like Potter before. “I don’t care about being in trouble,” Potter spat.

“I need to find the Heir and save Hermione. I’m fine, and I need you to leave me alone.”

You should leave him alone.

Potter doesn’t need your help. He’s fine.

He’s not fine. Look at him.

He’s angry and scared. He’s fine.

Leave him alone. He’s not fine.

You should try to help him. “You are not fine,” Severus said tersely, shaking his head to clear the confusion.

the story should end?” 

Severus watched as the unnatural fog seemed to close in around them. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t attempt to use an Unforgivable on me,” he said, trying to maintain his composure.

Potter grinned at him, unapologetic. “Worth a shot,” he replied.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t want your help. I don’t want you around me at all.”

Severus felt an unexpected sting at those words, but he quickly masked it.

“That’s not what you said before,” he remarked, perhaps more harshly than he intended. “What happened to wishing for me to be your guardian and keeping you from returning to your doting relatives or those charming alleyways?”

Potter paled and took a quick step back, a clear reminder to Severus that he was not dealing with an adult but rather a child—a mentally troubled, traumatized, and abused child.

“I apologize, Harry. That was cruel, and I didn’t mean to say it,” Severus said softly.

“But it’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it? You only agreed to all of this because you feel sorry for me, right?

I don’t need your pity. I’m— I’m going to fix Mione, and I’m going to talk to Theo.

You can... you can have your house back if you want, and I’ll figure something out, okay?” 

Severus watched as Potter rambled on, realizing the boy wasn’t truly angry; he was scared, and Severus had no idea why.

“Harry, I don’t want the house back. It’s yours.

I don’t want to sign over your guardianship, but if, for any reason, you feel you cannot trust me and that’s what you want, then I would do it.” The thought of it hurt him deeply, but if it was what was best for the child, he would comply. “Because you don’t want it?” Potter asked quietly, gripping Severus’ wand tightly in his hand.

“Of course I want it, you foolish child. I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t wanted to.” 

Potter stared intently at the stone floor.

“Because you were in love with my mum, right? So you think this is how it should end?”

“Are you going to pay her back?” Severus asked, searching for a reason why Harry would want him in his life.

It would be easier to understand if Harry lashed out and struck him in the face than to fathom someone genuinely caring about him. Severus pondered whether Potter's fear of being cared for stemmed from a deeper fear of being abandoned and unwanted.

The author who claimed it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all was a fool. “I cared very much for your mother.

Yet she has nothing to do with the decisions I’ve made,” Severus continued. “Tell me why,” Potter demanded quietly.

“Tell me why you keep being nice to me even when I don’t want you to.” The unspoken words hung in the air: ‘Tell me why you refuse to be pushed away no matter how hard I try.’

Severus hesitated for a moment, then made a decision that he hoped wouldn’t backfire. “If you would return my wand, I can show you,” he said.

“It may be simpler.”

“Like you’re not going to try to attack me the second you get it back,” Potter scoffed. “Why would I attack you?” Severus replied.

“I only stunned you before to prevent you from burying the House of Slytherin under the rubble of the common room you were destroying.”

“And then I took your wand and pissed you off,” Potter pointed out, as if it were obvious. “You frequently irritate me, brat.

I have never attacked you for it. Once you return my wand, I will have no reason to be upset about that either.”

“I don’t believe you,” Potter said.

“What do you want from me?”

Severus sighed. “I do not know how to make you understand me or to trust me.”

“Tell me why you keep trying,” Potter insisted.

“Just tell me, don’t show me, and I’ll give you your wand. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

Severus burst out, “I care about you, you insufferable child!

I care about you despite whoever your parents are and despite the rude things you do and say to me. You’ve caused me to develop chronic migraines, but I…”

“I care about you.”

Potter swallowed hard and took a step back.

“Don’t say that,” he whispered, abruptly tossing Severus’ wand onto the floor towards him. “That’s mad.

You’re a liar.”

“I’m going to pick up my wand, and then I will show you,” Severus said calmly, hoping the boy wouldn’t bolt. “Expecto Patronum,” he intoned, focusing on the news article that had announced his guardianship.

Potter’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he moved a little closer to the calming silver fox. “My Patronus used to be a doe; I believe it was borne of my affection for your mother.

You heard Lucius say that my Patronus has changed recently?” He waited for Potter to nod slowly before continuing. “You changed it, you little madman.”

Potter looked up at him nervously and took a few steps toward the fox.

“It’s my fox?” he asked softly, reaching out for the silver mist. “It’s me?”

“It is a representation of you, yes,” Severus replied.

“I do not want to give up my guardianship of you. I want you to trust me.

I care about you, brat.”

“For no reason?” Potter asked quietly. “Just because?”

“Just because.”

“It’s my fault Mione’s frozen,” Potter confessed in a whisper, still staring at the fox.

“I said I hoped someone got attacked. I didn’t want to go find the basilisk.

Theo was right; it’s my fault.”

“Basilisk?” Severus asked, startled by that admission. “Harry, wait, what basilisk?”

Potter looked up at him and blinked a few times.

“The monster that’s attacking people, it’s a basilisk.”

Severus closed his eyes and rubbed his face with both hands. Of course it’s a basilisk.

Potter hearing voices, the petrifications near reflective surfaces. The Slytherin house symbol is a snake; of course the monster would be one as well.

“Mother of God, how did you find that out?” Severus asked. “No—Miss…”

“Granger, I presume—why didn’t you tell me?” 

Potter looked down at the silver fox, mumbling, “I wanted it to petrify one more person.

Just one. I wanted Dumbledore to be kicked out, just like he kicked me out.

And—” He swallowed hard. “And Mione wanted us to tell someone or go kill it.

I said no. I told her she’d be fine.

And now she’s frozen, and it’s my fault.” 

“It’s not,” Severus said gently. “I wish you would have told me immediately, but Granger’s attack is not your fault.

It’s on whoever is controlling the basilisk. Do you understand?” 

Potter shrugged.

“Theo hates me. I have to fix Mione.” 

Severus thought sadly about how terrified Potter was of being cared for, yet he cared so deeply for his friends.

Has there ever been a child as complex? “The very moment the mandrakes are ready, I will fix Miss Granger.

I swear, Harry. I will fix her,” Severus promised.

Potter looked up at him, his wide green eyes filled with hope. “You swear you’ll fix her?

Swear it.” 

Without hesitation, Severus raised his wand. “I, Severus Tobias Snape, swear on my magic and my life that the moment I have the mandrakes, I will complete the potion to revive Hermione Granger, and I will administer it to her the moment I am able.” 

“You—you're a good friend.” 

Severus gazed fondly at his chaotic ward.

“As are you.” 

“Even if it’s my fault that Mione was attacked?” 

Severus stepped closer to Potter, keeping the Patronus between them. “Am I a good friend even though I stunned you?” 

Potter shrugged, giving him a shrewd look.

“You’re kind of a bastard for that still.” 

“And you are a brat,” Severus replied with a tight smile. “But I meant to say that people make mistakes that they have to make up for.

Is it your fault that Miss Granger was attacked? No.

Would Miss Granger have been attacked if…”

"Did you alert anyone about the basilisk's presence in the school?" Severus asked. "We'll never know.

You made a poor judgment call, and now you have to make up for it."

"How?" Potter replied, his voice laced with frustration. "First, I believe you should apologize to Miss Granger when she wakes up.

I think she will forgive you, especially since any one of your friends, who undoubtedly knew about the basilisk, could have reported it but chose not to. It might also be wise to apologize to Theodore, though I suspect he will want to apologize to you for the things he said when he received upsetting news."

Severus reflected on his own mistakes and decided he should lead by example.

"I apologize for stunning you."

Potter snorted. "I forgive you, but only if you never do it again.

If you do, you might as well kill me because I'm definitely going to hurt you when I wake up."

"You could try, though I consider myself a much more accomplished duelist than Fred and George Weasley."

The corners of Potter's lips curled up slightly. "And Quirrell, and Voldemort on Quirrell's head, and Lestrange, and Dolohov, and Mister Malfoy?

You think you're better than all of them? Even though I literally just took your wand?"

"I am," Severus replied.

"And you caught me by surprise."

Potter gave him a disbelieving look. "Maybe we can duel this summer then, and you can prove it?"

Severus smirked down at Potter, pleased that the boy seemed willing to spend the summer together and amused that he believed he could best him in an actual duel.

"That sounds like a fine plan."

Potter grinned more genuinely before abruptly asking, "Also, if I kill the basilisk, then Mione and Theo won't be mad at me, right?"

Severus felt a surge of panic. "No.

No, Harry. Absolutely not." He fixed him with an intensely serious look.

"Promise me you won't go looking for a giant serpent that could kill you with just a single glance."

Potter turned his face away, processing Severus's words. His smile faded quickly.

“But if I don’t go after it, then it can’t attack anyone else. Mione will be so happy when she wakes up that she won’t be mad at me anymore.” 

“Not if you’re dead,” Severus stressed.

“Swear it, Harry. Promise me you won’t go looking for the basilisk.

Please, leave it to your professors to deal with.”

Potter shrugged and remained stubbornly silent. Severus groaned aloud, desperately trying to think of a way to keep his ward from rushing off recklessly and getting himself killed.

“When you went after Quirrell last year, you did it alone. Why?” 

Potter gave him a confused look, his brows furrowed and his head tilted.

“Because I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt,” he replied slowly. “Do you really believe that I, or Professor McGonagall, or Professor Flitwick would have been harmed by Quirrell?” 

“I dunno.

Probably not. He wasn’t very strong if he died from some blisters, was he?” 

Severus ignored the fact that Potter downplayed burning a man alive with his bare hands to “some blisters.” “So, you could have taken one of us with you?” he clarified.

Potter crossed his arms. “I suppose so,” he huffed.

“Excellent. Then if you decide to run off and find a basilisk, at least promise me you’ll find the closest professor—preferably me—and tell them first.”

Potter considered the request for a moment before nodding.

“Okay, sir. I promise.” 

It wasn’t ideal, but it was likely the best Severus would get at that moment.

“Very good, thank you.” He checked the time and was startled to see it was nearly eight o’clock. “I’m going to walk you to your dorm.

You are to stay inside for the rest of the night, understand? I’m going to inform Professor McGonagall about what you’ve told me regarding the basilisk.”

“She’s going to be mad,” Potter predicted.

“She’ll kick me out for not telling her sooner.” 

“She will not,” Severus reassured him. Severus assured him, flicking his wand to dispel his Patronus.

“Especially not when I tell her how I was lying in my bed, frantically wondering what horrifying monster could be attacking the students, and suddenly realized it must be a basilisk.”

Harry scoffed, looking up at him incredulously. “That’s awfully cunning.

She won’t be mad at me, and you’ll look like a genius.”

Severus smiled slightly. “Did you think I became Head of Slytherin for a lack of cunning, Mr.

Potter?”

“Oh, am I Mr. Potter again?

I thought I was ‘Harry,’” Harry said with an arrogant smirk. “You are a brat, but it’s distasteful to call you that in front of your peers,” Severus replied, sniffing.

“Though I am willing to make an exception in your case.”

Harry gave him an expression that was undoubtedly meant to be innocent, though it didn't quite match his features. “Okay, but that means I can call you a bastard then, right?”

Severus didn’t mean to laugh; Merlin knows the boy doesn’t need encouragement for his cursing and crude language.

Yet, he chuckled. Harry truly was chaos personified, but he was also incredibly witty and would make for an interesting companion during the summers—if the boy didn’t snap and murder Severus in a fit of rage before then.

***

“Exams, Minerva? Exams?” Severus asked, stunned by Minerva’s morning announcement just weeks after Hermione’s petrification, and apparently seven days before the first exams were set to begin.

“What is the point of keeping the school open if the students aren’t receiving their education?” Minerva replied stiffly. “Basilisk or no basilisk, the students will receive an education if our doors are open,” she insisted.

“How do you expect us to administer and grade exams on top of escorting students to the loo and hunting for a basilisk?” Filius asked. “I agree,” Gilderoy chimed in.

“I mean, we teachers have quite a bit on our plates...”

"There's enough to keep us busy without having to walk students to classes and stand guard against a mythical basilisk all night," one of the teachers remarked. "We will make time," Minerva replied firmly.

"The students deserve their education, especially our fifth and seventh years."

"If you'll excuse me," Severus said, finishing his coffee and rising from the table. "If the mandrakes are prepared, I will begin brewing."

"Thank you, Severus," Minerva said, offering him a warm smile.

"I’ll cover your shift today."

Severus nodded curtly and made his way through the Great Hall. As expected, Potter stopped him on his way out, a familiar occurrence by now.

"Sir! Are you really going to make the potion tonight?

And Hermione will be awake tomorrow?" Potter asked eagerly. Severus noticed Theodore and Blaise standing behind Potter, their expressions anxious.

"I will be in my lab for the rest of the day brewing," Severus assured them. "The moment the potion is ready, Miss Granger will be revived."

"YES!" Theodore beamed, turning to smile broadly at Potter.

"Thank you, Professor!"

Severus smiled and nodded at the boys before continuing toward his lab. He felt a sense of satisfaction when he saw that Potter was seated beside Theodore at breakfast the morning after their conversation.

It was clear they had resolved their disagreement. In fact, Severus thought they seemed even closer than before.

Potter had been appropriately quiet since Hermione's petrification, yet he allowed Severus to stop him occasionally to ask about his day. Severus grimaced when Potter mentioned he was searching for the Chamber because "he felt like he should be helping." 

Severus wasn't naïve.

Potter didn’t want to help for the sake of the school. He sought out the Chamber for the same reason he had pursued Quirrell the previous year—vengeance.

Hermione Granger was his friend, and someone had attacked her, so Potter wanted to retaliate. In the child's mind, it was simple.

And perhaps it would be, if it weren't for the basilisk. The chamber was so vast that even legends failed to capture its true length.

Severus felt a brief sense of gratitude that it was incredibly well-hidden; despite the increased patrols, no one had been able to find it. He would gladly sacrifice his quest for vengeance for the sake of Potter’s safety any day of the week.

And given that the boy seemed to have inherited James Potter’s reckless streak, it was best if the chamber remained undiscovered until Potter was safely at Spinner's End for the summer. “All students, return to your House dormitories at once.

All teachers, return to the staffroom. Immediately, please.” 

Severus cursed under his breath as he stirred the potion and checked the recipe.

He could leave it for an hour, but any longer than that would ruin it. He added another ingredient, stirred the potion counter-clockwise four times, and set it to stasis.

He knew there could only be one reason for Minerva's urgent announcement. Sure enough, as he entered the staffroom, he was the last professor to do so—besides Gilderoy, who hardly counted.

Minerva confirmed his fears. “A student has been taken by the monster.

Right into the Chamber itself.”

Filius let out a high-pitched squeal, while Pomona covered her mouth in shock. Severus gripped the back of a chair tightly, his mind racing with thoughts of his students.

“How can you be sure?” he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. “The Heir of Slytherin,” Minerva replied, her face pale enough to cause him concern for her health, “left another message.

Right underneath the first one. ‘Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.’”

Filius burst into tears.

“Who is it?” Rolanda asked, her knees buckling as she sank into a chair. “Which student?”

“Ginny Weasley,” Minerva said, casting a sorrowful glance toward Severus.

Pureblood Ginny Weasley? “We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow,” Minerva continued.

“This is the end of Hogwarts. We agreed—” 

Before she could finish, the staffroom door banged open, and Severus felt a fleeting moment of uncertainty.

It was Albus returning, but instead, they found Gilderoy. “So sorry — dozed off.

What have I missed?” he asked, wearing a broad, entirely inappropriate smile. Severus had reached his limit with the insufferable fool and stepped forward.

“Just the man,” he said. “The very man.

A girl has been snatched by the monster and taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last.”

Gilderoy blanched, and it was a satisfying sight.

“That’s right, Gilderoy,” Pomona chimed in, displaying an uncharacteristic streak of pettiness. “Weren’t you saying just last night that you knew exactly where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?”

“I—well, I—” Gilderoy sputtered.

“Yes, didn’t you tell me you were sure you knew how to defeat the basilisk inside it?” Filius added. “D-did I?

I don’t recall—”

“I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn’t had a chance to face the monster when Potter was expelled,” Severus drawled. “Didn’t you say that the whole affair had been bungled and that you should have been given free rein from the start?”

Gilderoy stared around at his stony-faced colleagues.

“I—I really never—you may have misunderstood—”

“We’ll leave it to you then, Gilderoy,” Minerva said. “Tonight will be an excellent time to do it.

We’ll make sure everyone’s out of your way. You’ll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself.

A free rein at last.”

Severus was pleased to see Gilderoy’s true colors revealing themselves in his pale face, watering eyes, and trembling lips. “V-very well,” Gilderoy stammered.

“I’ll—I’ll be in my office, getting—getting ready.” And with that, he left the room. “Right,” Minerva said, her nostrils flaring in irritation.

“That’s got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students about what has happened.

Tell them the—”

"The Hogwarts Express will take everyone home first thing tomorrow. Please ensure no students are left outside their dormitories." The teachers rose, one by one, murmuring their sympathies to Severus as they departed.

Severus cradled his head in his hands for a moment, thinking about Ronald Weasley and how he would have to break the news to a young boy that his sister was gone. But as it turned out, Severus wouldn’t get that chance.

After searching the halls to make sure there were no straggling students, he checked on the potion for the victims before returning to the common room. The potion required ingredients to be added at precise intervals, and waiting to speak with the students first could ruin it, leaving the victims in the Hospital Wing for another eight months while new mandrakes grew.

Once he finished, he entered the Slytherin common room and was struck by its eerie silence, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. He scanned the faces around him, quickly noticing that Ronald, Potter, and Draco were missing.

"Blaise, would you kindly go upstairs and fetch the rest of your classmates? I need to speak with you all, and it's quite serious," he said gravely.

"They aren’t here," Blaise replied. Severus shot a sharp look at Theodore, who had spoken up.

"Where are they?" he demanded. Theodore exchanged a nervous glance with Blaise before fixing his brown-eyed gaze on Severus.

"They snuck off under Harry’s cloak when Professor McGonagall made the announcement, and I haven’t seen them since," he explained. Fuming, Severus hissed, "Nobody leaves this common room.

Do not go to your dorms, do not leave this room. I will return shortly with them, understand?" 

With that, he swept out of the room quickly, trying to consider where Potter might have gone.

The Owlery? The Hospital Wing?

The kitchens? There were too many possibilities, and he needed to find them quickly; it had already been over an hour since Minerva’s announcement.

"Mavis!"

The house-elf appeared instantly, bowing slightly in respect. “Have you seen Potter?” Severus asked urgently, skipping any pleasantries.

“Mavis saw Master Potter a few minutes ago, and he gave Mavis a message,” the elf replied. Severus fixed his gaze on the elf, prompting him when he fell silent.

“And the message is?” 

“Master Potter asked Mavis to tell Mister Snoop that he’s very sorry, but he needs to save his orange-haired friend's sister. He also said not to worry, because he hasn’t forgotten his promise and has a Professor with him.” 

Severus felt a rush of blood drain from his head, leaving him momentarily lightheaded.

“Where are Potter and his friends going? And who is the Professor with him, Mavis?” 

The elf tugged at his ears, remaining silent.

“ANSWER ME!” Severus demanded, his voice sharp. “Master Potter is telling his blonde friend and orange-haired friend, and the man, that they’re going to find the Slytherin Chamber,” Mavis squeaked.

“Master didn’t tell Mavis who the man is, only that Mister Snoop needs to know he has a Professor with him, just like he promised.” 

Severus stared at the elf, realization dawning on him. There would only be one male Professor in the castle reckless enough to accompany a child—his ward—on a hunt for a basilisk.

“What does the Professor look like?” 

“The Professor with Master and Master’s friends has yellow hair and very white teeth, Mister Snoop.” 

Gilderoy. Gilderoy Lockhart had Potter, Draco, and Ronald in Slytherin’s Chamber with a basilisk.

Son of a bitch.