Black Plague

Chapter 10

I dragged myself out of bed the next morning and jumped into the shower. I covered my scar and dressed in all black. Feeling kind of dark today. I pulled my shoulder length hair back, looked myself over one more time, and walked to breakfast. I sat a third of the way in and grabbed some oatmeal. I put raisins, walnuts and honey over it, and began eating. I kept my head down listening to those around me. I heard Ron, Hermione, and Neville talking. Apparently, they went to save the stone last night, after curfew. They found Quarrell trying to get the stone, but nobody could get it, it was already gone. They were all confused. And eventually trudged back defeated. I guess Voldie was staying attached like a parasite, to Quarrell. When Dumbles heard all this, he came to me. But I wasn't stupid enough to keep the stone on me. So now, nobody knows when it disappeared to, or where it went. It was definitely gone before yesterday. I internally smirked at that assumption. I continued to slowly eat. Enjoying everyone's thoughts and speculations.
I began pondering Voldie. I wander if my scar burning had something to do with him. Why would my scar burn because if him? I would have to look into it some time.
I jumped when Professor Snape's low smooth voice drawled behind me. "I need to talk to you." I turned and looked at him. I kept my Occlumency up and thought about last night when Dumbles invaded my space. I nodded looking confused. "Sure. Now?"
He raised an eyebrow at me, and I sighed. I obediently stood up and followed him.
He lead me to his private office and I sat on the chair infront of it.
"I know you took the stone." I laughed for a bit. After calming down I raised an eyebrow and asked him. "Do you now. And why's that?" Not actually giving him any information. He looked less than amused.
"Because you are the only other person with knowledge about it." I rubbed my chin.
"Now, that's just not true. You knew as much as I did. So did Hagrid. And he can't keep a secret to save his life. Who knows how many people he accidentally told. Plus, all the teachers knew all about it... So why assume it's me. I told you I wouldn't be caught dead there. I have no interest in dying, thanks." I scoffed at the ludicrous idea.
He shook his head. "no, you definitely took it. Why?" I groaned and answered him with a sigh. "Why do you care?" I whined.
He scowled at me. "You can't just steal stuff that's not yours." I laughed. "Now that's not true. I steal stuff all the time. If I didn't, I would probably have starved to death by now." I smirked.
"So you did take it."  He acted like he caught me.
I shook my head. "Nope. And if I had, Dumbles would have found it. He went through all my stuff last night. If I had taken it, he would have found it.....
The guy looked pissed. I can't believe he was dumb enough to actually put the real artifact in this school. I thought for sure it would be a decoy. What kind of mastermind is he? Even I'm not that stupid and I'm 11."
He sighed. Frustrated with me.
"Look assuming I did take it, what would you have me do with it?"
Mostly just out of curiosity.
"Give it back to Headmaster Dumbledore." He spoke like it was obvious.
I laughed so hard my stomach ache. "Ya, no. I would never do that. I told you before. I may not be on the Dark Lord's side. But I'm DEFINITELY not on the Light Lords side. I would sell my own kidneys before I did that." I wiped a non-existent tear from my eye.
"Nope. If I had took it, which I didn't, I would never help Dumbles. Well. I might consider it, if he payed me back all the money he stole from me three times over. Isn't that what the Christians believe is Justice? And since you all live by Christian standards now... so,Until then, I am not going to do a thing to help him. And even then, I hold grudges a long, long time.
I have to say, I'm disappointed to see you're still fighting for the light. I thought you were smarter than that. If I'm their only hope, which I assume I am, since Dumbles hasn't done a thing to make sure Voldie never comes back. And I refuse to fight for the light, you're fighting on the losing side. I had hoped you might live through this war." I pouted. Giving him a sad puppy face. I was acting somewhat inscencere, but I meant every word. I knew I would probably cry later. I really wanted Snape to stay in my life. But I wouldn't let my attachment to him change my mind. This was a non-negotiable. I would never help the light. Never.

"Harry, just give the stone back." I smiled and shook my head. "did Dumbles put you up to this? If so, you can tell him I already made it clear, I would never disobey authority. That's just not me. And he and Hagrid made it super clear, anyone who tried to get that rock would end up ripped to pieces by a big scary dog monster. I don't know who took it. But I promise it wasn't me. I'm a good boy." I tried to hide it, but a small smirk slipped onto my face. Fucking tradorous mouth. Now I was sure Professor Snape would know I'm lying. Of course, I think he knew from the beginning. I sighed. This was going to take all day. But, at least it was good practice for my Occlumency.
I began tuning out his voice after a while. This conversation was getting super old. He was still talking when I perked up, an thought distracting me.
"Hey! Do you have that new list? I'm going to need it before the end of the summer. I only have a couple books left to go."
He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "If you don't give the stone back, I'm not going to help you find more reading materials." I sighed and slumped in my seat. "Fiiine. I'll just have to asked the book store guy. I just figured you were so knowledgeable... But I guess he knows books, he will have to help me. Maybe knocturn Alley will have some good books too." I voiced thoughtfully.

The conversation started to wind down. I was giving nothing helpful to him, information wise. He gave me a hurtful look. "I'm disappointed in you. I really hoped you would do the right thing." I sighed and stood up. "I'm disappointed too. I really started liking you... Maybe even trusting you some. And, I can honestly say that was a first for me. I should have known you only cared about what you could get from me, like everyone else in my life. Goodbye." Not planning on having true conversations with him ever again. Clearly, he was the enemy. A light worshiper. I had hoped for more from him. I shook my head sadly and walked away.

This was our last week of school. It was filled with tests and studying. I read through my school books a couple more times. The tests were easy. I had been reviewing them with my newer spell books all year. After taking my potion test I walked up and handed my test in. Professor Snape stopped me and handed me a new list. I gave him a small, sad smile. "Thanks" I whispered and walked away. It would take more than a long list of books to make up for our last conversation. I was heart broken. I had loved him like the father I never had. I had truly started to trust him. And now. I didn't think I could trust anything he said or did. It was an shame. I would miss the guy. But if he would side with Dumbles after all the shit the old man had done to me, I knew I could never truly trust him.
I had always thought, based off our conversations he was neutral or dark, but turns out, when it comes down to it, he will side with the Light Lord. I shook my head, trying to remove the disappointing thoughts.

Throughout the rest of the week I finished my tests then packed my stuff. I was almost surprised that Dumbles never pulled me aside demanding the magic rock. He might not know who took it, but I know without a doubt, Snape knows who took it. I never admitted it outright, because I didn't want him to tell Dumbles I had it. But after our last conversation, and seeing his true allegance, I expected him to out me.
He didn't.
But I still couldn't trust him. I shouldn't. He followed the Light Lord. More than likely trying to subtly train me and prepare me to fight Voldie again. And he would no doubt be working on convincing me to side with Dumbles in the end. Now I knew, I had no allies after all.
The night I learned that, I had cried over losing him. I knew it was foolish to love anyone. And I hadn't even realized how attached I had become until he had been ripped away. It was painful to let him go. But I had to. I couldn't trust him. He wasn't my father. He never would be. And there was no point pretending.

I stood quietly in the back, behind crowds of children while I waited for the train to open it's doors. Once it did, I filed in and left.
I stared out the window as it brought me back to my hell of a life.
I walked out expecting one of my Guardians to be waiting for me. After an hour it was clear they weren't coming. I sighed and began walking towards home. I passes the entrance to Diagon Alley and made a turn. I might as well run to the bank and pick all those books up.
I bought the 28 books on the list, and asked the guy working there. "Sir. I am trying to do some self study, do you have any good suggestions for me?"  He looked over to pile of books I was floating behind me, then nodded. Some looking incredibly interesting. One was on the art of dueling. Something I was sure would come in handy some day. Especially with where my life was heading. For all I knew, I might have to kill both the dark and light Lords. Not a prospect I looked forward to, but one I would prepare for nonetheless.

I shrank the books down and placed them inside my rolling trunk. Then, I began the long walk home.