The next morning Harry was trying to get ready for this meeting though in truth he was dreading it and hoping against hope that he would be able to keep his cool. He was mentally berating himself for even agreeing, putting himself in this position didn't seem to be a good Idea but he was doing it anyway. He was trying to mentally prepar for coming face to face with his unrequited love and hoping that he had improved his Occulmency so that Snape wouldn't discover the truth.
He arrived at Hogwarts about the time that breakfast was finishing up. Part of him was happy to be home. He had always loved Hogwarts probably because it had been the first place that he had ever felt accepted.
He made his way up to where the headmasters office was and sat waiting patiently on a bench that sat by the gargoyle that guarded the entrance waiting for Snape to arrive. Eventually he heard footsteps coming towards him and looked up to see Snape striding towards him in all his cloak flying glory. Instantly Harry's heart sped up. Harry smiled to himself thinking that the man was probably still pretty good at scaring the wits out of students.
Snape approached him and he looked much the same sleek shoulder-length black hair, onyx eyes and pale skin the only new things were the slightly red scars adorning the man throat from the snake bite that had almost killed him. Harry thought the man looked like sex on legs.
Harry swallowed through a throat that felt like it was coated in saw dust and stood on shaky legs to greet the Headmaster. He gave a slight bow when Snape stopped in front of him and said, " Headmaster you wished to see me?" He was glad his voice came out normally. Snape gave him a once over making Harry blush and then nodded before replying, "Yes Mr. Potter, I'm glad you were able to come, please come up to my office." He then strode to the gargoyle and spoke the password making the statue to spring to life and move away revealing the moving staircase that led to the Headmasters Office.
Harry followed the man up the steps looking around at the office which really hadn't changed much since Dumbledore had been Headmaster and sat in one of the chair in front of the large oak desk. Snape moved to the chair behind the desk and sat staring at him in silence for what felt like a long time but was probably only a few seconds. Finally Snape spoke his voice deep and gravelly, " I'm sure you are wondering why I have asked you to come here, Yes?" he asked with a slight smirk. Harry nodded, "Yes sir." He replied while wiping his sweating hand on his trousers. "Mr. Potter I have asked you to come for two reasons actually. One of those is to thank you. Madame Pomphery disclosed, under much prompting' here he raises an eyebrow ' that you were the one to bring me in after the final battle, so thank you I owe you my life." Harry blushed but shook his head, "Sir, you owe me nothing. You saved me more time I can count. It was the least I could do after I learned the truth."
Snape dips his head in acknowledgement but replies, "be that as it may I still thank you." Harry nods whispering, "You're welcome Sir." Snape frowns for a moment before continuing, " I admit I am curious as to why you went back to that horrid place after the battle was won." It wasn't really a question but Harry knew the man wanted an answer none the less. He clears his throat before answering. "I went to retrieve your body, after I found out the truth I… well I couldn't just leave you there. I thought you were dead, I was going to give you a proper burial' he pauses ' you being alive was a happy coincidence."
Snapes' eyes widen, " Really Mr. Potter? I would think that after our history you more than most would celebrate my demise." Harry quickly shakes his head , explaining , "Really, Headmaster I really don't hate you anymore. I realize you may still hate me but after I saw your memories and knew of everything you had done for me and for the cause, well I had no reason to anymore." Snape smirks, "Even after how I treated you?" he asks. Harry shrugs, "Professor I kinda figured out most of your treatment of me was a part of your cover. I never really expected you to like me anyway because of who I am." He says looking away. He misses a look of curiosity that crosses Snapes face for an instant and then is gone.
Snape studies him silently for a moment before he speaks " Mr. Potter, I do not hate you, never have truthfully." Harry looks up searching the mans' face before responding voice tight, " I'm glad to hear it Sir," Snapes eyes widen again and Harry tried to fight back a blush. He again misses a look of curiosity cross Snapes' features before disappearing yet again.
They were silent for a few minutes both lost in their own thoughts. Harry finally clears his throat to get the Headmasters attention before speaking, "You said you had two things to discuss with me Headmaster?" he asks. The onyx eyes fix on his face as Snape nods, "Yes, I find myself out of a Defense Professor starting this coming term. As I know your skill level I am asking you to come join us here at Hogwarts.' He smirks. 'I happen to know that when you took your NEWTS at the ministry that your defense Score was astoundingly high, for good reason I may add." He gives harry a knowing look, " that being the case I know that if you should consent I can think of no better person for the job."
Harry was stunned and awed by the genuine respect in the mans' words and he found himself responding before he could stop himself. " I would be honored Professor, And I promise to be an asset to this school and her students." Snape nods "I don't doubt it. Well welcome home Mr. Potter, and please call me Severus, we will be working together after all." Harry's heart flutters madly at the invitation, he nods "only if you call me Harry." He says, after gaining his voice. Severus smirks and stretches his hand across the table to shake while saying "Deal….Harry." When Harry shakes back he felt a jolt from the touch and momentarily wondered what he was getting himself into this time.
