Killing me softly

Think this is another Harry creature fic? Bit of angst and drama, then a romantic mate and creature union? - Think again. The Dark lord is rising, his powers grow ever stronger, Harry's time is coming, but his power alone isn't enough. Can his inheritance help him? Prepare for sacrifice.

Takes place in his last year

Warnings-

SS/HP + hints of DM-HP pairing – if you don't like that pairing then this likely isn't the fic for you. Don't like it – don't read it.

Main Character death

Disclaimer – I own nothing, everything belongs to JK Rowling but if I could own Severus and Harry...

Chapter Two

Harry hugged his knees and half collapsed in front of the Great Lake. His entire body was quivering and trembling, he couldn't remember feeling as lost and helpless as he did now. His mind was desperately racing for a way out, and he could in corners of his mind imagine himself rushing to Dumbledore and being able to reveal his ultimate master plan, the plan that was going to defeat Voldermort and keep Severus alive! But Harry gritted his teeth and screwed his eyes shut in frustration, deep down, in his hearts of hearts he knew no such plan existed...

"I'd rather not suffer another drain so soon"

A silky voice whispered behind him, Harry whirled round and met Snape's cool face for a moment, before hastily looking away again. Snape sighed tiredly.

"Come Potter"

And just like that, without waiting for a response, just assuming Harry's obedience, Snape strode back towards Hogwarts. The night air the ruffled through his robes, and the damp mist made him look so powerful and majestic, Harry couldn't imagine the man fading away, and directly five paces behind Harry silently followed.

Harry had to practically run to keep up with Snape's long, brisk strides, and he mentally braced himself for Snape's office, the sneering lecture and derogatory detention that surely awaited him. Harry was bewildered to no end then when they passed down into the dungeons but away from Snape's office altogether, in fact they stopped in front of a door Harry had never seen before. It was magnificently sliver, and on it had, (very much akin to the chambers of secrets, Harry suddenly thought.) A beautifully crafted molten silver snake, whose head produced slightly away from the door. He was barely aware of Snape softly hissing something at the snake, and so missed what he said, but recoiled all the same in shock, when the snake suddenly coiled it's self on the door and abruptly barred it's fangs at Harry. Snape it seemed took personal delight in this, his thin lips quirked upwards slightly, and Snape led Harry into his quarters.

"Please look at anything but touch nothing Potter. I happen to own a handful of valuables, valuables you will one day call your own, but until such a misfortune, I will ask you leave well alone – but please do make yourself comfortable..."

Harry rolled his eyes, as if comfortable was anything he could ever feel in Snape's presence. Though Harry had to admit Snape's quarters were not as he had imagined. The room looked achingly human for one as Snape, it was green naturally, but it was a warm green, a very dark emerald that rather than looking like blatant show-off of the Syltherin house. It was inviting and warm, yet the room gave a very elegant feel, and Harry began to feel horrendously out of place.

"Do take a seat...Harry"

The word came out forced. Forced from sheer–will, yet the look of astonishment that Harry whirled round to give him! Such shock would have warranted him using an unforgiveable. Snape gnashed his teeth, and indicated his two black leather sofas.

"As we can no longer inhabit a traditional student and teacher relationship, and must instead embark on a far more personal one, we may at least try and aim for civility."

Harry nodded weakly, and sat stiffly down into Snape's sofas, that surprisingly to Harry, were soft and seemed to allow you to sink into them. Harry had imagined the leather to be stiff forcing the sitter into correct posture; it was more like the Snape he knew. Snape still standing, came up to Harry then and held out his arm, extending his long, pale hand.

"Your cloak Harry,"

He offered in explanation, and waited expectantly. Harry shifted uncomfortably.

"I'd rather keep it on thanks"

Snape's black eyes bore into his own and Harry saw him grit his teeth.

"It is uncustomary when in someone's home, to wear one's cloak inside"

Harry gripped his cloak even tighter; he couldn't understand fully himself why he was reluctant to part with it. Perhaps giving in to this small thing meant he was giving into this new relationship and Harry wasn't ready for that yet. He doubted he ever would be but not now, it was all too soon! Yet he had to offer some plausible reason for his actions, actions Snape would take for rude behaviour...

"It's cold in here..."

It was lame, it was weak and pathetic, but it was the only thing that sprung to mind. Snape forced a smile onto his face, but he judged, by the pull he felt in his facial muscles, it wasn't a pleasant sight.

"My apologies. Why ever did you not say? Please allow me to make you feel comfortable..."

Snape's voice softly drawled out, and with a loud click of his fingers, a huge burst of fire erupted in his fire place. Harry felt the heat from the flames warm his cheeks, and Snape smirked at the hot flush that crept over Harry's cheeks.

"Your cloak..."

Harry resisted momentarily, before finally giving in and shoving it into Snape's hand. Snape made an irritated growling noise.

"You truly are the most uncultured imbecile I have ever had the misfortune to meet"

"And you are truly the greasiest git I'll ever have the misfortune to meet!"

Harry shot back hotly.

"Well thanks to you many others will be saved the misfortune, be sure to collect their gratitude won't you"

Snape watched momentarily satisfied as the angry light went out of Harry's eyes and he slumped back, but then self-anger kicked in and he could feel the beginnings of a headache. He rose his right hand pinching the bridge of his strong nose, he groaned slightly. Had the room not been so quiet, he very likely even with his razor sharp hearing would have missed Harry's soft whisper.

"I'm sorry"

Snape remained silent, but he was thrown by the sincere apology. If anything it further convinced himself that no matter how angry he might get with Harry, he was determined to never the reveal the additional information concerning their bond. It would only be counter-productive. Nevertheless he felt duty-bound to say something in response..

"Never blame yourself for things you have no control over. They're be plenty of times when you do, so save it for then"

There was old wisdom in those words, but it was older than Snape. Harry watched as Snape hung his cloak up by the door, he pondered that man could only be in his early forties, forty five at most, he should have his entire life in-front of him... And yet after being told mere hours ago this was not to be the case, that he was to be well, there was no other word for Harry to describe it as but murdered, slowly, by probably his most hated student of his career, and yet the man was carrying on.

"Is your life really that empty sir?"

As soon as the words left his mouth Harry cringed, what on god's earth had made him say THAT! Snape stalked back looking predictably furious, his eyes were like black fires.

"You nothing of me or my life to make such an assumption, and don't call me 'sir' or 'professor' or even 'Snape' in this room. In case it has escaped you're minute attention I have gone to great pains to address you by your given name, you might think about extending the same curtsey!"

Harry watched as the Snape's angry heaving's gradually calmed down, Snape appeared to be reigning himself in.

"Now, will you be having a drink?"

Harry blinked at Snape completely bewildered! Snape! Giver of most of his school career detentions was offering him alcohol! Inside Hogwarts! After curfew! His silence finally snapped Snape's fragile grasp on his temper.

"I am to be bonded to a man not a boy, when you feel you are more of the former and less of the latter let me know – Now get out!"

Harry didn't move, and Snape finally lost his temper completely! His hot hands latched around one of Harry's arms and threw him bodily off the sofa and towards the door.

"GET OUT!"

Harry nearly tripped over his feet in his eagerness to comply at get out of this weird room that contained an ever weirder than usual Snape inside, he nearly tore his cloak from Snape's hangings but he couldn't leave without saying something...

"You never did have a girlfriend did you... Severus"

Without daring to hear Snape's response to that, Harry yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind him. Missing Snape's own softly whispered confession.

"I had no one..."

Thanks so much for all the reviews, and story alerts! I really appreciate it! I can tell you all now the updates aren't going to stay as frequent as this but i'll try my level best

Regards

Lisi the slayer