Gold and Silver, Fire and Ice

Chapter 3- The Return of the Damned

Snape swept through the school, cloak billowing out behind him ominously.

'Now, of all times, he has to call,' he thought angrily. He wanted to stay and make sure Harry was all right.

'And that's the first thing I intend to do when I get back,' he thought as he grabbed his arm and prepared to Apparate.

He appeared just outside the circle of Death Eaters that had already arrived and surrounded Voldemort. He pulled on his mask and stepped through the small gap that was his place and up to the dark lord, bending down and kissing the hem of his robes.

"My lord, you called," he murmured in his most submissive tone, not daring to look up at the wizard. He was angry, Snape could sense it. The power in the air around him was almost like a damp cloth, choking his senses.

"Snape, you've come," Voldemort stated the obvious. Snape stayed on the ground.

"You called, my lord," he repeated, keeping his voice quiet.

"Yes, I did. Return to the circle." Snape did as he was told, playing the obedient servant all the way. He hated the role, but it was necessary.

"Unmask yourselves," the dark lord commanded. Each one did. He watched as Voldemort slowly walked around the circle, searching each face for something known only to him. As he passed the Potions Master, Snape could have sworn his gaze lingered on him a little to long for comfort. After completing his round, he broke through the circle and went to his black marble throne. After seating himself, he continued his scrutiny at his servants.

"It has come to my attention," he began. Finally, thought Snape, now we get to find out what's going on.

"It has come to my attention that Harry Potter is no longer with the Muggles he stays with during the summer." Immediately whispers broke out, speculations flying in all directions.

"Silence!" The wizard hissed. They instantly fell silent, not wanting to anger the wizard further.

"It seems that two weeks ago, a wizard showed up and rescued him from them," he continued.

'Oh this can't be good,' Snape thought as Voldemort's eyes once again swept over them.

"Was-was it Dumbledore sir?" Avery foolishly asked. He was dropped almost instantly by Voldemort's Cruciatus curse.

"NO IDIOT IT WAS NOT DUMBLEDORE!!" the man screamed, holding the curse for a full minute before letting up.

"And DON'T interrupt me again, or I promise it will, be worse," the dark wizard vowed. Avery only whimpered in reply. Snape was now thoroughly alarmed. He hadn't seen the dark lord this angry since after the Triwizard Tournament and his anger meant one thing: extreme and enduring amounts of pain for someone and then, death. Snape knew that who ever he punished would endure a long drawn out torture session, which he hoped he didn't have to watch. Or be a part of.

"As you all know, I have had that house watched constantly in hopes of finding a way around the protections. It was during of these vigils that Wormtail saw a wizard entire the home and exit some time later with Potter," Snape was now on the verge of panic. The house had been watched? He hadn't heard about that. He was a goner if Wormtail ID'd him as the one he saw.

"Unfortunately Wormtail could not give me a description of the person. It was too dark did you say Wormtail?" Voldemort's looked at the small man who mumbled his apologizes under his breath.

"Yes, I know you're sorry Wormtail and won't let it happen again. At least you won't if you don't want another punishment like before. Now, when I sent Malfoy to investigate he brought back something interesting, the Muggles Harry lived with," the dark wizard paused for a moment to let this sink in before going on, "An interesting tale they told me, after a little persuasion. It seems that they got a very good look at the wizard in question and gave me a description that matched one of you." Now he knew why Voldemort had wanted them to remove their masks; it was so he could look for any sign of guilt. Snape knew he should just Apparate. away, it was the only way he was going to save himself but he found he couldn't, he was rooted to the spot with the horror that he'd been found out.

"Yes, one of you, and, I think that person knows who he is," Voldemort said silkily. No one moved, no one breathed, all were petrified to their spots, Snape most of all. When he saw that no confession was forth coming, the dark wizard rose from his throne and walked back through the circle, heading directly for the Hogwarts teacher. Snape tried to quell his rapid breathing as the man drew closer. Voldemort stopped only inches from him.

"They described the man as being very tall, with exceedingly pale skin, long black hair, and black eyes. That does seem to fit you well does it not Snape?" Voldemort continued to toy with him. 'Damn I'm done for!' He closed his eyes and answered.

"Yes my lord it does."

"And can you tell us why it fits you so well?" Voldemort, leaned closer to him, almost nose to nose. 'Looks like the time has finally come.'

"Because it was me Voldemort," he spat in the dark lord's face. Voldemort drew away and calmly wiped the spit from his face, restraining the other Death Eaters with a look.

"You admit it?"

"Willingly. I did rescue Harry. I am a spy for Dumbledore, not you. I curse the day I ever joined the likes of you," Snape knew this was it, so why not get it all off his chest? Voldemort smiled at him menacingly, coming towards him again. Snape stood his ground as the wizard trailed a finger down his face and throat. Suddenly, he grasped Snape's throat and lifted him from the ground.

"My dear Snape, I had such high hopes for you. I had wanted you to be at my side, but you've made that impossible," he tightened his hold, any more pressure and he'd crush the man's windpipe. Snape knew he wouldn't get off that easily for everything he'd done. Voldemort proved him right by throwing him across the room with as little effort as throwing a rag doll. He hit the stone wall with a sickening thud and slid to the floor. Snape's head swam from the impact and he could fell something sticky and wet sliding down his neck.

"Take him to the dungeons and put him in chains. You may have your fun but I expect him alive when I return. And if he is not you all will pay the price. One more thing, if I have not returned within two days, take him to the hut in Salazar's realm, no one will dare come near that place." Snape heard a faint pop after the dark lord had finished and knew he had gone. Two sets of hands grabbed him roughly by the arms and hauled him to his feet. Someone grabbed his hair and jerked upwards. He hissed in pain but opened his eyes to stare directly into Lucius Malfoy's face.

"It's time to teach the traitor a lesson, boys," he proclaimed, getting answering hoops and hollers from the others. To his surprise, Snape smiled at him.

"Do what you want, Malfoy, but at least my conscious is clear. I know I've done the right thing, something you can't say." This remark earned him a hard right fist across his jaw.

"Quiet traitor! You won't be smiling for long. Your going to regret ever crawling back to that fool Dumbledore. Take him away!" The two guards pulled Snape towards the dungeons, the others following not far behind.

'I'm sorry, Albus; I'm sorry, Harry, I tried.'

Snape gradually woke many painful hours later. He'd been lucky enough to have been knocked unconscious only a few minutes into the beating. Carefully, he opened his eyes to look around. His cell was a small one, cold and damp on top of that. The dull, drab stone was nothing to look at. The only light into the cell came from the small bared window on the wooden door. Shifting slightly, he found that both arms and ankles were held fast in iron chains fastened against the wall. He shivered, they'd taken his clothes.

'Just bloody wonderful. I'm sure Malfoy had fun with that cat-o-nine tails of his.' His body hurt in more places than he thought he had.

'Well, I probably won't be here too long any way. Not if Voldemort has anything to say about it.'

But Voldemort did not come. The Death Eaters were regular visitors, coming in almost every hour to inflict more pain on his already pain wrought body. After two days Malfoy came into the cell with a set of black robes.

"Up traitor. We're going on a little trip," he snapped his fingers and the chains fell away. Snape didn't even bother to move, he didn't care anymore. Growling in anger, Malfoy grabbed his hair and pulled him up. All he could do at this point was whimper. Malfoy barked at someone to come and help him. Crabbe and Goyle held him up while Malfoy quickly pulled the robes on him.

"Come on, the fireplace is at the end of the hall. Bring him." He exited with the two Death Eaters trailing behind him. When the reached the fireplace, Malfoy took the jar of Floo powder and tossed a handful in.

"Salazar's Realm, access right Lucius Malfoy," he stepped back, "Take him through," he ordered. The trio stepped into the green flames and was sucked away. They landed in a rather diminutive hut, not much better than the cell, Snape reflected as he got a good look. Crabbe and Goyle jerked him roughly out of the way as Malfoy stepped out of the fireplace next.

"Put him on the mat and guard him, I'll check around to make sure the perimeter is secure. I'll send two more to guard the entrance when I return." They pulled him towards the mat and dumped him unceremoniously on it. He grunted in pain. Pulling himself into a ball, he tried to get as comfortable as possible, hoping to get some sleep.

"Professor Snape?" Snape stirred as someone called his name and opened his eyes. He gaped at the form of Harry bending over him with and worried expression.

"Harry?" Now he was confused, Harry shouldn't be here. Around the teenager was a golden aura that gave off a warmth that permeated his cold body. No, it was just a dream. Just a dream of salvation that he knew would never come. He closed his eyes and willed himself back to sleep.

"Professor Snape! Severus!" Damn, the dream was persistent, the image was shaking his shoulder. Snape opened his eyes. Shaking his shoulder? He wouldn't feel that if it was just a dream. Maybe his savior had come.

"You're still here," he whispered. God, did he sound pathetic. Probably didn't look any better either.

"And I'm going to stay here until you get out." Such courage. Snape wished he had it, but he knew Harry should leave. He could put himself in danger.

"I doubt that's going to happen." He tried to get him to leave. He tried to convey the fact that he was a lost cause. The student shook his head defiantly.

"Severus there are people back at Hogwarts that are waiting for you, that care about you. You can't give up yet," Snape closed his eyes again to stop the tears that welled up in them. No dammit, he would not cry! Not over what the son of his old enemy said to him. Yet the warmth from the aura had not only given his body its strength but had crept into his long frozen heart and begun to melt it.

"You did something at the Dursley's," He tuned Harry back in, "you activated some power within you. Find that power again and stun the guards. If you get to the forest you should be able to Apparate. from there," Snape stared deep into the teenager's fiery green eyes and felt his strength and courage return.

"Please come home Severus," The student reached down and undid the bonds that held him. Snape could only stare at him for a moment, afraid that if he blinked, Harry would disappear. The pleading look on the boy's face told him he had to try.

'I have to try,' He pulled himself shakily to his feet. Taking a deep breath, he delved deep inside himself searching. He found the power and released it, gasping as the white-hot energy flowed through his battered body. The two guards spun around.

"What the...." Snape cut him off.

"STUPEFY!" He gathered the power together and released it in all directions. The two guards dropped like flies. Snape swayed, fighting desperately to keep his balance. He grinned, he'd done it! He turned to where Harry had been but the boy was not there. He blinked in confusion. Had the boy been real or just a figment of his imagination? He shook his head, that didn't matter now. The 'image' had been right about his power so maybe he was right about the forest as well. Stumbling towards the door, he flattened himself against the wall and listened. No sound from outside. His yell should have brought them in. Looking around, he spotted his wand on the mantle of the fireplace and called it to him. Aiming carefully, he blasted the door open. He waited but no one came. Carefully he stepped outside. Both guards lay stunned on the ground.

'I must have got them too,' he thought. Taking a good look at his surroundings, he realized where he was.

'Salazar's Realm,' he shivered, 'I gotta get out of here.' He ran, or stumbled, towards the forest. When he reached the rim, he gripped his wand tightly and apparated.

He appeared deep in the Forbidden Forest.

'I guess beggars can't be choosers,' he thought. He still wished he'd landed nearer to Hogwarts but there was nothing he could do. He was too exhausted to Apparate. again. Stealing himself, he began his long trek to the school.

It took him the better part of the night to reach the Entrance Hall doors. He gripped them tightly for support.

'Just a little further,' He winced and pushed himself forward. He walked through the long halls not paying any real attention in which direction he was going. It was too late, therefore, when he realized he'd headed towards his dungeons instead of up towards the hospital wing. His legs gave out from under him and collapsed to the cold floor.

'I'm sorry, Harry; I'm sorry, Albus, I tried,' His eyes drifted close as he fell into a nightmare filled sleep.

Chapter 4- Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

Harry woke the next morning to the smell of breakfast. Nose twitching, he turned towards the source of the smell. Someone giggled.

"I think we got his attention," Kit whispered, giggling again.

"Harry? Are you up dear?" Seri asked kindly. Harry groaned and sat up, groping for his glasses. He found them and put them on.

"I am now and I'm hungry," he said earnestly, staring at the array of food. Seri set the tray in his lap.

"You eat and let me give you a quick check up, okay?" Harry nodded and began to plough his way through the food. Seri placed her hand on the top of his head, scanning his body. Harry felt her energy flow through him, soothing his few aches and pains. Abruptly, she took her hand away.

"Everything's healing nicely," she announced happily. Harry took a long drink of his milk.

"Does that mean I can walk around today?" He asked hopefully. Seri looked thoughtful.

"I don't see why not but you're going to need this," she pointed her wand at an object leaning against the wall and summoned it to her, "Take it," she held out the cane to him. He accepted it, studying it closely. The wood was dark and strong, cool under his touch. The top was a phoenix head done intricately in silver. He had to admit it was one of the most extraordinarily beautiful things he'd ever seen. Both of the healers smiled at his awed expression.

"I take it you like it?" Kit smirked at him. He nodded dumbly and tested his weight on it. The area where he placed his hand was smooth.

"Now go get yourself some air, I'm sure you're tired of being around us old people." Kit looked horrified.

"Old? You may be old but, I'm not," she huffed.

"Oh really? We're twins, dear sister, that means we're the same age," Seri pointed out.

"So? You were still implying that I'm old," Kit argued. Seri rolled her eyes and turned back to Harry who was wearing an amused expression.

"I'm glad you find this so funny, now here's your wand," she handed it to him, "and take this as well," She took her necklace from around her neck and placed it around his.

"To activate it, just tap your wand on the tiger," she pointed to the silver tiger pendant, "we'll be able to find you wherever you are." Kit suddenly popped up behind her and preceded to drag her out the door.

"Come on, we'd said we'd report to Albus remember?" She said.

"I'm coming, I'm coming...." Harry waited until their voices had faded completely before heading outside. He passed the Gryffindor tower, the Great Hall, the Trophy Room and finally found himself heading towards the dungeons. As he got closer, the feeling that something was wrong, the feeling he had the day before, had come back in full force. Rounding the corner that would lead to the Potions classroom, he spotted a crumpled figure in black robes on the floor.

"Professor Snape!" Hobbling over as quickly as he could, he turned the teacher on his back.

"Severus?" The Potions Master's face was cut and bruised, both eyes were swollen shut. Harry didn't want to think what was under Snape's robes if his face was in this condition. Harry took out his wand and pointed it at him.

"Mobilicorpus," Snape's body rose into the air and trailed behind him. He met Madam Pomfrey half way back to the hospital wing.

"Mr. Potter, what are you doing out of bed?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"Not now, Professor Snape needs help," he waved the floating body in front of him. Pomfrey's eyes flashed at the sight of the Potions Master but it faded instantly as she went into nurse mode.

"Follow me, quickly," she commanded. A few seconds later she was scanning him even as Harry lowered him on one of the beds.

"This man gets himself in just as much trouble as you Mr. Potter," she murmured terminated one of the curses on Snape.

Dumbledore entered the room just as Pomfrey finished running the healing orb over Snape.

"Severus!" he rushed over and grabbed the man's hand, his eyes sparked with worry.

"Poppy?" He looked at the nurse.

"He should be up and about in a few days, though he will be sore," she answered, then turned to Harry.

"Mr. Potter, now that Snape has been taken care of, tell me what you are doing out of bed," Pomfrey crossed her arms over her chest.

"Seri and Kit gave me permission when I asked," he answered truthfully.

"You've had a broken leg, you shouldn't go traipsing around the castle unsupported," she huffed.

"I wasn't unsupported," he said indignantly, "Seri gave me this," he held out the cane. Pomfrey stared at it disdainfully but Dumbledore tapped him on the shoulder.

"May I see that?" He asked. Harry handed it over. Pomfrey continued her angry rant.

"Those two," her fists clenched at her sides, "They come here and take over MY PATIENTS. They're too young to be professional healers."

"Poppy!" Dumbledore seemed surprised at the woman's words.

"Well Albus it's true! They should have spent more time in training. They don't have enough experience," she paced, seemingly agitated.

"Poppy, what's the matter with you?" She stopped pacing and turned towards the door. "Nothing Headmaster. I think I'll go to bed now, if you don't mind. Oh, and Mr. Potter, you better take that sleeping potion I've placed beside your bed, you're going to need it tonight." With that she left. Dumbledore watched her leave with a confused expression before returning his attention to the cane in his hand. Upon closer examination, nose to nose with the phoenix head, he recognized the object.

"Harry, do you have your wand with you?" Dumbledore handed the cane back to the student. Harry accepted it and held up his wand.

"Good, now I'd like you to place it alongside the cane, where they touch." Harry did and watched in astonishment as his wand was sucked into the cane.

"What the....." he turned the cane over and over, shook it, but nothing rattled.

"What happened?" He asked Dumbledore. The Headmaster looked thoughtful.

"You said Seri and Kit gave it to you?" He asked, ignoring the other's question. Harry nodded.

"They would have it, I wonder about the other. Oh! You want to know what happened to your wand? My apologies. Your "cane" is more than just a support. I believe it is the Staff of the Golden Phoenix."

"The, what?" Harry was completely perplexed. Dumbledore smiled, the old twinkle that had disappeared upon seeing Snape's condition, returning to his eyes.

"I think you should find that out on your own."

Later that night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Harry lay wide awake. The events at the Dursleys' as well as the dream kept running through his mind. Lifting his head slightly, he watched Snape sleep. The man was an enigma. He normally treated Harry as if he were lower than dirt. Yet, he protected him fiercely, never looking for so much as a thank you. Harry intended to thank him when he woke. Getting up, he took the cup with the sleeping potion and poured it down the drain. He didn't need it to fall asleep. He'd worry about Snape in the morning, he thought as he laid down again.

The soft click of a shutting door roused Harry from the depths of sleep. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and reached for his glasses, quickly sliding them on. He watched as a figure emerged from the shadows and into the moonlight. He was startled and somewhat relieved that the figure turned out to be Pomfrey.

'Now what's she doing here?' He wondered, watching her closely. She glided over to Snape, glancing briefly in Harry's direction, who immediately shut his eyes. He counted to five before he opened them again. Pomfrey was now leaning over Snape with a rather nasty grin on her face. Alarm bells went off in Harry's head. He didn't like that grin.

"Poor little Death Eater got himself hurt again, did he?" She chuckled to herself, drawing away.

"The Death Eater shouldn't be warm, he should suffer like he has made others suffer," she snatched the blanket off of him, watching in obvious delight as he began to shiver.

"That's right, suffer. But this is only the beginning. Just a few extra curses here and hexes there to make your life a little more miserable." Then, to Harry's utter horror, she drew out her wand and did just that. Snape jerked and whimpered as each spell hit, curling into a fetal position. Finally she stopped, satisfied with her work.

"I can't believe Albus thinks you've changed. In my opinion, once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater. Sleep well." With a last evil chuckle she slipped out of the room. Harry waited, counting to twenty, before hopping out of bed and rushing over to the helpless man.

"Severus! Wake up!" He gripped the man's shoulders. Snape only whimpered and turned away, curling tighter.

"What am I supposed to do?" Harry wondered aloud. Unconsciously, his hand reached for the pendent. The Healers! They could help! He grabbed his cane, then remembered his wand was still sealed inside. How was he supposed to get it out?

'This isn't getting me anywhere!' he thought angrily as Snape's whimpering increased.

'Maybe if I just...' Holding the pendent out, he tapped the head of the cane against it. Immediately the pendent began to glow.

"Yes!" He grinned triumphantly. The grin faded as he looked at Snape's shivering form again.

'They better hurry,' was his only thought as he sat down on the bed and tried to calm his teacher.

"Something's up," Seri's voice jolted Kit awake.

"What?" She mumbled sleepily. Seri threw a robe at her.

"Come on, grab your bag, we're going to Hogwarts." Kit grumbled, but pulled the robe on any way.

"Better grab your harness too, we're going in our animagi forms," Seri commented. Kit did, and soon two large white cats were bounding toward Hogwarts. (Their harnesses are for their bags, they put them on their backs, like backpacks)

"Thank goodness you're here," Harry moved off the bed to make way for the healers. Seri's eyes widened as she got her first look at Snape.

"Severus!" she leapt towards him but Kit held her back.

"Calm down first, you can't help him if you don't," Kit whispered softly to her sister. Seri closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath.

"Okay." Kit released her and both hurried to the bed.

"What happened, who did this?" Seri demanded, attempting to pull Snape out of his ball.

"Pomfrey," Harry answered grimly. Kit whipped around to stare at him.

"Poppy? But, why?"

"Kit, questions later, potions now," Seri snapped as she slid Snape's shirt off.

"Right." Kit dug through her bag and began lining potential potions on the table. Harry watched with interest as Seri ran her hand along Snape's chest, eyes distinctly vacant. Suddenly they snapped back in to focus.

"Harry, when I pull out these curses I need you to dispell them." Harry nodded his understanding and gripped his cane tightly. Well it had worked before, hadn't it? Seri's hand hovered over his chest.

"Ready?" A curt nod. Seri took a deep breath, then plunged her hand into Snape's chest. Harry's eyes widened as her hand simply passed through Snape's chest, emerging a second later with a dark cloud clutched in it. She flung it into the air above them.

"Now!"

"Finite Incantatem!" Harry shouted, raising the cane high. In a flash of gold and a faint shower of sparks, the curse was gone. This action went on for a good ten minutes till finally, what must have been a dozen curses were dispelled. Harry leaned against the bed, exhausted. Seri drew back, wiping a hand across her sweaty face.

"It's over, we got them all. I'm surprised she didn't kill him with the number of curses she put on him. He might have died if you hadn't called us as soon as you did, Harry," she slid off the bed and pulled Harry into a hug, "Thank you," she whispered softly.

"Thank you for saving him," he answered back. She pulled away and grinned.

"All in a day's work. Now, back to bed with you. Kit will stay in your bed and I'm staying with Severus." He eyed her nervously. Kit was staying in his bed? Kit tipped the rest of the potion she had been feeding Snape into his mouth and threw the bottle in the trash can. Turning away from the Potions Master, she saw Harry's nervous look and grinned, winking at him. He watched as she transformed into a snow leopard. He smiled in understanding and climbed under the white sheets as Kit curled around his feet.

"Goodnight," he called.

"Sleep well Harry," Seri stretched out beside Snape, arm wrapped possessively around him.