The Death of a Soul

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Chapter Four

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“Harry,” Neville said nervously. “Someone’s here to see you.”

Harry guessed Professor McGonagall released Neville from class, as well.

“Tell him to go away.”

“Ha-rry,” the boy stuttered. “It’s Professor Snape.”

“I know who it is. And I said to tell him to go away.”

“M-me? Harry… I-I can’t tell him that,” he whispered.

Harry sighed. He should’ve known better than to ask Neville. “Fine. I’ll tell him.”

“Tell me what exactly?” Snape asked dryly, walking into the room.

Harry gritted his teeth, and clenched his hands by his side.

“Professor, this is the Gryffindor tower,” Hermione said softly.

“I know where I am, Miss Granger,” Snape said sharply, and Hermione looked down embarrassed. “And like you, Mr Longbottom and Mr Weasley, I have permission from Professor McGonagall, as well. Now, if you will please excuse us, Mr Potter and I have unfinished business.”

The three of them cast curious glances between Snape and Harry, watching as the two glared at each other.

“Now, if you please,” he said firmly, never taking his eyes off Harry.

The three friends quietly said together, “Yes, sir,” and left silently.

Harry scoffed at him, and turned back around to continue packing. He felt Severus advance on him, but made no attempt to acknowledge him.

“Are you quite done now?” Snape hissed. “Or are you going to continue this little fiasco?” He paused a moment for a reaction from Harry, but there was none. “You’ve proclaimed your disapproval loud and clear, so may we come back to reality now?”

Still no response. Instead, Harry pulled open the drawers of his bedside table, and began lifting items out to place them inside his trunk.

Snape sighed in exasperation. “Would you stop with the dramatics, Potter? You know as well as I do that you’re only doing this to gain some sort of sympathy.”

Harry’s body stilled briefly, but moved over to the table again to retrieve more of his things.

“Damnit, Potter! Enough! The sooner you grow up and face your responsibilities, the sooner we can get past all this rubbish!”

Harry slammed one of the drawers closed. Finally a reaction. He turned around and glared at his Potions master, but still said nothing. A heartbeat later, Harry went back over to his wardrobe closet, and checked one last time for anything that he might have missed.

Severus took in a deep breath of air and slowly released it.

“Harry,” he started, intentionally using his given name. “I meant what I said that nothing will change. You will continue your schooling, and pursue any line of work that you desire. I understand that you are interested in becoming an Auror. If you no longer wish to seek that, I will support you in whatever profession you choose.”

The quiet boy snorted, then proceeded to straighten his clothes that he had thrown in his chest, and began folding them neatly.

“Yes, some things will change. I won't deny that,” Severus said, answering an unasked question. “But they are not what you think.”

Harry spun on his heels and snarled. “How do you know what I think?” he spat viciously.

Snape smiled inwardly. He had finally forced the boy to speak.

“I assumed that you…”

“You assumed? You assumed?” he cried. “You don’t know what I’m thinking, so don’t assume anything!”

Severus’s face was calm. “Then why don’t you tell me, and we can work it out.”

“Work what out? There’s nothing to work out!” Harry snapped. “I’ve made my decision,” he stated firmly.

“Of course you have,” he said sarcastically. “And everybody knows that once Harry Potter decides something, it will be done instantly.”

Harry narrowed his green eyes in contempt. “I have nothing more to say to you,” he said in a low voice, and then turned back around to close his chest.

“Don’t be a fool, Potter. You know they’ll deny your decision.” Snape said matter of fact.

Harry looked over his shoulder. “Get out,” he said in a harsh tone.

“I am still your Professor, and you will show me…”

The Gryffindor wizard whirled around, wand drawn. “And I’m still a student, so stop calling me Harry!” He paused. “I. Said. Get. Out.”

Snape’s eyes flared. “Don’t you dare threaten me, Potter,” he warned.

“Harry! Severus! What’s going on here?” Professor McGonagall said in a raised voice.

Severus’s eyes averted to his colleague, whilst Harry’s never broke contact with him.

“Minerva,” he addressed. “We were just discussing…”

“Harry, lower your wand now.” Professor McGonagall ordered, ignoring Snape.

He brought it down slowly, still glaring at Professor Snape. Minerva crossed the room, and held out her hand.

“Your wand, Harry.”

The young wizard held it out, and shot Severus a hateful look who in return smirked. She snatched it out of his hand then stepped back.

“If that was an attempt for you to be sent to Azkaban, Mr Potter, it was a foolish one,” the older witch said curtly.

Harry drew his attention to her, pursed his lips in a tight line, and crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. She eyed him suspiciously with a raised eyebrow, but said nothing.

Professor McGonagall turned to Snape. “Albus wants to see both of you in his office immediately.”

“Certainly. Shall we?” Severus said, gesturing for her to go first.

She nodded then looked back at Harry.

“Thank you, Professor,” he responded in a neutral voice.

She stopped in her tracks, and turned around to face him.

“Harry. You may call me Minerva.”

The Gryffindor’s eye flared, and clenched his jaw. “With all due respect, Professor McGonagall, that would be highly disrespectful, and very inappropriate,” he bit back.

“But you are allowed, Harry,” she replied firmly.

He remained quiet for a moment, and then said, “I believe Professor Dumbledore is waiting for us, Professor,” adding her title again.

Minerva narrowed her eyes, then retorted, “Then let us be on our way.”


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The three wizards walked in silence until they stood in front of Dumbledore's door.

“Last chance, Potter,” Severus said, amused.

Harry sneered at him then stood still, waiting for admittance.

“Harry,” Minerva started. “Please reconsider your decision.”

But the boy neither spoke nor acknowledged either of them. The witch released a frustrated sigh, then glanced at the Potions master. He shrugged indifferently, and nodded once. She frowned and knocked on the large wooden door.

“Enter,” Albus called out.

The door opened, and the two teachers strolled in first. Harry followed behind them till they stepped aside so Harry could see what was in front of him. Dumbledore sat behind his desk watching Harry’s expression as the raven-hair wizard took in the sight. Next to Albus, stood a very concerned-looking Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, along with several members of the Order.

“Harry. Severus. Please take a seat,” Dumbledore said kindly as he pointed to the two chairs in front of his desk.

Professor Snape walked over, and sat down whilst Harry stood behind his chair.

“Harry?”

“I’ll stand thank you.”

Albus sighed, lowering his eyes.

Cornelius cleared his throat and said, “Harry, the reason we are here…”

“I know why you’re here,” Harry said sharply. “And if this is a formal meeting, I ask that all of you refer to me as Mr Potter.”

“Mr Potter,” Minister Fudge began. “Your Headmaster has informed me of your refusal of the Life-Debt Severus…” Harry raised an eyebrow and glared. “Professor Snape's…demands.” he corrected.

Harry folded his arms defensively over his chest. “That’s right, sir.”

“Har-...Mr Potter, we cannot agree to your rash decision.”

“I believe it is my decision, sir, and not yours or anyone else’s,” he said bitterly.

“Mr Potter. The consequences of your refusal is…”

“Azkaban. I am fully aware of the consequences.”

“Then you must understand that we, the members of the Order and the Ministry, must intervene.”

“What? That’s impossible! It’s MY decision! You can’t do that!” Harry cried out, eyes wide open in horror.

“I’m afraid they can, Harry,” Albus said with a soft voice of regret.

“NO!”

The Minister sighed. “It seems that Mr Potter has been under far too much stress recently, and is incapable at present to be making any rational decisions,” Cornelius said to everyone.

“What?” Harry yelled, shocked.

“Therefore, I have no choice but to recommend a trial,” Fudge stated firmly.

“Stop controlling my life!” the young wizard screamed at the top of his lungs.

A nearby glass goblet shattered, sending tiny shards in the air. The room fell silent except for a heavy breathing Harry Potter. Everyone exchanged worried looks for a moment, and then turned to Severus, who wasn’t the least bit intimidated with the powerful display of wandless magic.

“A moment alone with Mr Potter if you will indulge me,” Snape requested. The others nodded quickly.

“I told you, I have nothing to say to you,” he said panting, whilst his body trembled with rage.

“Well, I have plenty to say to you, Mr Potter,” he growled. “Over there,” Severus said with his eyes narrowed.

Harry clenched his fists, wishing he had his wand. If he could only hex him into oblivion. He marched over to where Snape pointed in front of the fireplace. The Potions master followed, and cast a Silencing Charm around them.

“What is the matter with you, Potter? Have you lost your mind? A trial means this will go public,” he hissed.

“So what?” Harry spat. “What are you afraid of? Everyone finding out that you’re a sick vindictive person?”

“What about you, Mr Potter?” Severus countered. “The entire Wizarding World will think you a coward. Abandoning them in their time of need. They will see you as a selfish spoiled child,” he smugly said.

“I don’t care! I’m sick and tired of people running my life! My life! Why can’t you find someone else’s life to ruin?”

“I am not trying to ruin your pathetic life, you ignorant fool! You will still have everything you have now!”

“Oh really? What about the freedom to marry anyone I want? And why did you choose this of all things? What’s in it for you?” he asked accusingly.

“My reasons are none of your concern,” Snape said nonchalantly.

“None of my concern? The hell it isn’t!” Harry screamed.

“Mr Potter. For once in your miserable life, think of someone besides yourself!”

It took all of Harry’s strength not to punch this evil man. After closing his eyes, and taking a deep breath to control himself, Harry opened his eyes and said very slowly, “You said nothing will change, is that right?”

“Yes,” Snape said, raising a curious brow.

“Very well, then answer this: I understand married people shag.”

Severus winced slightly at his choice of words, but nodded.

“So that’s it, isn’t it?”

“What is?” Snape asked hesitantly.

“You want to bugger the famous Harry Potter, you sick paedophile!”

Now Severus began to shake. “That is NOT my intention!” he insisted, voice rising louder then he intended.

“Bull shit! That’s what we have to do though!” Harry yelled. “I will never allow you to touch me! Never!”

Snape scoffed. “You will abide by the marriage laws, Mr Potter. Just as I will.”

“Never,” Harry hissed. “And I will never touch you,” he vowed.

“You will. You can count on that,” Severus sneered. “Discussion over.” And the Potions master walked away smiling.

“Never! You hear me? Never!” Harry bellowed to his retreating back.


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