That was a definitely a cold night. Even in a thick navy jumper, Harry felt a cool rush of wind. He was on the Astronomy Tower, gazing at Hogwarts Grounds, which were covered with the layer of snow.
Everything seemed so silent and calm, in comparison to all he has felt for the last few weeks. How did it happen that he took part in a Triwizard Tournament? Who could have put his name into the Goblet? What did happen with Ron, his once-best friend? That was the thing Harry couldn't understand the most. How could a person, who he confided in, proved himself so terribly envious? Of what? The fact that he had this damn scar on his forehead, the "souvenir" from the Most Evil Wizard of Their Times? Yeah, that was something to boast about.
He took out the lighten from the pocket of his robe and tried to light the cigarette, his hands trembling from anger and resentment. He didn't heard a man in swirling robes, coming through the entrance.
-Dear, dear. –a bat-like nightmare of every student came into Harry's view. Shit, he was trapped. It was too late to put on the Invisibility Clock. Surely, Snape would take as much points from Gryffindor, as he possibly could. –What does our precious boy do in the middle of the night on the Astronomy Tower? Shouldn't you be in your dormitory, preparing a plan to save the Magical World, Potter? Or even sleeping and let the body of yours get some rest? I would say that your brain needs some rest as well, but I'm not exactly sure, if you have one.
-Professor –Harry said venomously – better to have no brain, than having no heart.
-Gryffindors with all their pompous slogans. Don't they say that smoking is not good for one's well-being? –That was a rhetorical question, so Harry felt he didn't have to answer. Instead, he took another drag of cigarette looking straight in cold, onyx eyes.
-Sorry for misbehaving, Professor. I should have offered you one. Let me fix it. –he took out the pack of cigarettes in the direction of Snape.
To his surprise, man took one of them and lighten it with his wand.
He seated himself opposite the boy, slightly amused.
-Potter, it's so easy to surprise you. Someone should tell Dark Lord, to do as you tell him, and you will be so pleased with yourself, that he could cast any spell he wanted. Well, I think that he can cast any spell he wants in your direction anyway.
-He hasn't risen yet. –Harry said quietly.
-Even your small brain should jump to the conclusion that he will soon.
-You said I have no brain, so could you please make up your mind? Slimy git.
-Watch your cheek, Potter. Do I have to remind you that we are on the Astronomy Tower, all alone, my wand in a pocket?
-I have mine to. –said Harry, taking out a wand and sizing it with his palm. –So I don't think I have to be worried.
-You really think that you could duel with me? –Snape's lips were twitching.
-Well. –Harry said, feeling the Gryffindor pride rise in his chest. –If you do anything to harm me I will do my best.
-Get up then.
-What? You are not going to…? Teachers can't harm students in any way.
-It didn't stop you or your friends to think otherwise about my behavior in the first year. Well, I think that your ginger friend still doesn't trust me.
-Nobody trusts you, Snape.
-Something to be proud about, when you're a Slytherin. Now, get up, Potter, don't be such a lady.
Harry quickly got up, and so did Snape, both raising his wands.
-On three. One, two… -the spell hit Harry in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
Harry pulled up his head, watching as the hated professor conjured a wooden chair and sat on it.
- It wasn't the most difficult challenge I was up to, to tell you the truth, Potter.
-You said we begin on three. Liar.
-Of course I lied, Potter. Give up your honor, give up your pride. You are meant to fight the evil, and the fight isn't fair. Deal with it or hide from the Dark Lord, so he never finds you, pathetic as you are.
Harry reddened in embarrassment and anger. How can the Greasy Git tell him what to do and who to be?
-I'm not pathetic. You are.
-Eloquent as always, I see.
-No one cares about you. –Harry said exasperated.
-No one has to. I am able to take care of myself. Not all of us have this helpful ability.
Every part of Harry was hating Snape, every little cell craved to punch him on the greasy head with the telescope.
-Now Potter, I must fulfill my teacher's duty and take away points from your House. 30 points from Gryffindor for wandering around the castle after the curfew, 30 points from Gryffindor for smoking, 15 points from Gryffindor for being rude, and well… I guess 15 points from Gryffindor for being so cheeky to offer a cigarette to a teacher.
-But you accepted it!
-My habits are no of your concerns Potter.
Harry shot a glance, that was very similar to the one that Snape gave him every class.
-Ok, Potter. Fifteen points from Severus Snape for accepting a cigarette after all those nicotine-free-years. Happy?
-You never wandered if I was happy.
-Time to talk about you hard life? Potter, don't you think you're the only one whose path wasn't covered with roses.
-Well, I didn't choose my fate. You, you decided to be a grown-up bat…
-Don't test my patience further talking about things you know nothing about. Ten points from Gryffindor for insulting a teacher.
-Greasy git…
-Fifteen points.
-Seriously, have you ever washed your hair?
-Twenty. What a bad habit of yours, losing all points Miss Granger gained for your House, sticking her nose in books.
-Don't you dare insulting Hermione! She's my friend and she' s clever and pretty and… well…
-I never said she isn't clever. And I must admit that some boys may consider her pretty.
Harry felt embarrassment run through his body. Why did he mention that Hermione was pretty? Seriously, it didn't mind if a friend was pretty or not.
After a while Snape asked:
-Have you calmed down?
-Yes. –said Harry -Bastard. –he muttered under his breath.
-Have you got something to add?
-No.
-Then I can take you back to your dormitory.
-I can go there on my own. I don't need a nanny.
They went through the deserted corridor.
- I have to be sure that you are safe in your bed. We don't want any fan of yours, to kidnap you and kiss our precious hero in some broom cupboard.
-Jealous, aren't you? Huh. And just so you know, I don't kiss with every girl who considers me as a hero.- Well, he hasn't ever kissed any girl at all, but he didn't want to reveal it. That way it sounds more nonchalant.
-Even those who you consider pretty? –Snape asked bemused. Seriously, teenage problems of Potter were highly entertaining.
Harry shuddered and entered to the Common Room, leaving Snape in front of the Fat Lady.
-One more, Potter. –he heard from behind and turned around, positive that Snape was about to give him detention. –During our so-called-duel I hit you with an extremely powerful binding spell. As you know, you weren't bound by ropes, only knocked down.
Harry didn't know why the man is talking about it. He was really tired and wanted to take hot shower and go straight to bed and dream about Quiddich Cup and all those girls srceamin: "Go! Harry Potter!", but Snape continued.
-You defended yourself hard enough to decrease the strength of the spell.
-I didn't defend myself. I didn't expect you to start on two…
-Stop sulking and listen to me. Your mind reacted very fast, during the time the curse headed in your direction and you were able to partially defend yourself. I must say your performance was almost acceptable.
And while the gates were closing, Harry could swear that he heard Snape sighting:
-So thirty points for Gryffindor for a job well done.
Damn boy. Of course, he had to inherited something from Lily, besides this huge, green eyes. But he had to admit that even Lily wouldn't behave so excellent in a duel against the grown up wizard, former Death Eater and a spy. And the boy didn't even know what he was doing. It was something natural, something that only few wizard possessed and something he had and was particularly proud of, assuming that he was proud of anything about his life.
Damn boy. What he could do, if not only his heart but his mind too was in a fight. Potter would be unstoppable, he thought darkly, imagining all the pranks the brat could do in that case.
He sighed over the firewhiskey.
Maybe the pranks were not the only thing to be worried about. Snape knew all too well, that power is seductive and must be paired with responsibility and wisdom.
Once again he thought about huge almond-shaped eyes. He had to admit that the boy was reckless naughty and cheeky, but he just couldn't imagine him turning to Dark. There was exasperation in Potter, the same feeling he remembered from school, when he as a young man decided to join Dark Lord's army. He remembered being rejected by Lily, who fall in love with older Potter, the nights he wandered how to proceed with his life, to find a destination. He found it in a wrong place, enchanted by power.
He looked at his left forearm. Dark Mark was here for him to remember how stupid he was, praying for power instead of a women, who could have give him happiness. Maybe if he had fought for her, maybe…
He refilled the glass. Potter had his mark too, the scar on his forehead, but he didn't took it voluntarily, as Snape took his Mark. He was nothing like Snape. He was just a good boy, unnerving but definitely decent. Snape huffed. Maybe too decent for his own good. Really, starting a fight on three, does he think that Death Eater would be gentlemen? "Mr. Death Eater, could you please stop a fight for a minute. I'm pretty tired." –maybe that's was how Potter imagined the War.
Severus came back to The First War with Voldemort, the one he stayed and his side, hearing the screaming of unknown Muggols and wizards he had known for years, before the Dark Lord decided to inflict pain on them or just to kill them quietly. He remembered himself watching, face hidden by the Death Eater mask, eyes wide and heart beating fast. That was not, what he had expected, when he chosen to join the Dark Lord. Neither he had expected what seemed like long hours under Crucio, when he was flitching on the floor in embryonic position and begged for mercy.
He remembered pangs of guilt, when he accompanied the Dark Lord to households. He knew, no one was about to live, after their visit. The pang of guilt was however, not enough to try to rescue them, a stupid move, for which he would surely give his own life, but maybe save his soul. And Lily. It was all about Lily.
"Stop it Sev. Stop it, I can't take it anymore" –he remembered her saying. He tickled her feet, while they were laying on the grass of Hogwart Grounds, learning for the Charms Exam. He remembered her little feet, slim body on the grass and long hair, glistening in the sun.
-Sev?
-Yes, Lily?
-I wish this moment last forever.
He was looking at her smile and wandering, not for the first time, what it would be like to kiss her.
-I wish it did. –he whispered to himself in the main room of his quarters, where he sat by the fire.
Suddenly, the light in the fireplace turned green and the head of the Dumbledore was formed by the ashes.
-Severus, my boy. –the old man said, much to Snape's annoyance. Why can't he spend one calm evening, away from the dunderheads and the old fool ? He supposed it had to do with all his sins.
-Headmaster. –Severus greeted him with a slight nod of his head.
-Tomorrow I would like you to come to my office at 7 a.m, is it possible?
-Of course, Headmaster. I'm longing to see you tomorrow then.
-Severus, you are a good liar, so why can't you fake that you are pleased with this meeting? Moreover, you didn't ask why do I want to meet you, aren't you curious?
-Isn't it obvious? We were about to talk about Potter. Everything in this school for the last three years is about the brat.
Dumbledore didn't seem offended with Snape's words. He merely smiled and said:
-See you then, my dear boy. Maybe you will try the lemons drops at last.
-Never ever. –shouted Severus and Dumbledore disappeared, damn twinkle in his eyes, seen even through the ashes.
Snapelover