Chapter 2 – Are we there yet?

Harry managed to apparate his way to the coordinates Kingsley gave him with little difficulty. The problem was that he then found himself in the middle of a snowy field with no idea which way to go next. Figuring that Snape would live as far north as possible just to be difficult Harry pulled out his wand and cast the four point spell. He sighed and then started trudging slowly through the snow heading north.

After about 10 minutes of this he started to feel more than a little ridiculous, I mean honestly what was he basing this on? Nothing that's what! For all he knew Snape had set up house in the bloody opposite direction. Just as he was starting to consider just giving up and returning home he thought of something that might help him.

'Expecto Patronum!' Harry cried, his patronus shooting out of his wand to appear in front of him. 'Take me to Snape.' Harry instructed. The stag tilted his head at Harry, and then turned and galloped off while Harry scrambled through the snow after it.

As it turned out Harry had been correct in travelling north and he soon came to a gate with what looked like a long driveway behind it. It was hard to tell though as it didn't appear to have been ploughed in a long time. The driveway was lined with trees on either side, and there was snow piled up high on either side of the gate, so much so that Harry doubted that he'd be able to open the gate simply by pulling.

He leaned forwards and tentatively wiped the snow off the sign on the front of the gate.

'Samuel Scott. Enter at own risk' Harry read aloud. 'Samuel Scott? Seriously?' Harry said in surprise. He shrugged and looked at his patronus as if to make sure he had the right place. It certainly seemed that way as there didn't seem to be any other place around for miles. The patronus stag simply looked back at him then jerked his head at the gate slightly as if to say 'get on with it'.

'Enter at own risk' Harry muttered. 'Fine then, I will.' He considered the gate and the snow banks built up on either side. Feeling rather lazy he decided to simply apparate to other side and fervently hoped that he wouldn't be repelled by any wards in the process. Harry could usually sense most wards from miles away however here he couldn't sense a thing. Once again he hoped he had the right house and that it was Snape on the other side and not 'Samuel Scott'.

Here goes nothing. Harry thought, and closed his eyes as he spun on the spot. He opened his eyes a second later in relief to find himself safely on the other side of the gate. Harry slowly trudged up the winding driveway (which was more like a road) until he eventually reached the house at the end of it.

It was a small cottage not unlike Harry's own. Two levels and made of brick and wood with a thatched roof. There was smoke coming from the chimney, which was a welcome sight considering Harry was wet through from trudging through so much snow and shivering with cold. Harry approached the doorstep with trepidation and wondered exactly what he was going to say to Snape after all these years. He didn't think a simple 'Hey you want to go hunt down a serial killer with me?' would suffice.

He was reaching out to knock on the door when it suddenly flew open, revealing a rather cranky Severus Snape.

'Professor Snape?' Harry asked tentatively, suddenly unsure of himself.

'Obviously Potter, unless you've lost your eyesight in the last five years you can bloody well see that it's me.' Snape snapped.

'Well the sign on the gate said Samuel Scott.' Harry huffed. 'What 's that your stage name?'

'It's my muggle name you little twit. I can see you haven't changed a bit.' Snape stood back and folded his arms.

'I think you bring out the worst in me actually.' Harry considered after a moment.

'You bring out the worst in yourself.' Snape answered coolly. 'What pray tell are you doing here Mr Potter? And how did you find me?'

'Can I come in?' Harry asked.

'Answer the question first.'

'The ministry sent me. They require your help. And I found you from coordinates they gave me. That and a bit of luck, and common sense.' Harry said sharply.

Snape simply looked at him.

'I answered your question so would you please let me in now, it's cold'.

'Dry yourself first please, I don't want you traipsing snow all over my house.' Snape said opening the door wider and stepping back a little.

'Git.' Harry said and then pulled out his wand and muttered a drying spell.

Snape gave no indication that he'd heard him, instead turning and striding away from the door 'Shut the door behind you.' He called over his shoulder as he went.

Harry did so, and then followed Snape through the vestibule and into a small, dark kitchen.

Instead of sitting at the table like Harry expected Snape continued through to the next room, a cosy sitting room with a fire burning merrily. There was a chair resting in front of the fire and Snape sat down in it whilst simultaneously conjuring another one for Harry.

'Sit.' He said, pointing at the chair.

Harry sat.

'Explain what the ministry want from me.' Snape said flatly.

Harry pulled out the shrunken file from inside his coat and tapped it with his wand to return it to its original size. He silently handed it to Snape.

'Potter I told you to explain not give me a bloody file to read.'

"It's simpler if you just read it sir.' Harry said.

Snape raised his eyebrows at Harry, probably in response to being called sir, but nonetheless he took the file from Harry and opened it.

While Snape was reading Harry took the time to glance around the room. It was more like a library than a sitting room. The walls were lined with bookshelves from the hearth to the door. There was a sofa in addition to the two chairs they were sitting in, and another two chairs opposite the sofa. Between them was a short coffee table piled high with books and papers, and a half drunk cup of what looked like coffee sat beside them.

Harry turned his attention back to Snape. He had pulled out several of the photos and they were laid out on a small side table he had pulled in front of him.

'Potter this is indeed disturbing, and most certainly must be investigated and the perpetrator found and imprisoned, but why has it been brought to me exactly?' Snape questioned, still looking through the file.

'It's at the back, the last page.' Harry said. 'They found a receipt with your name on it at one of the crime scenes. You either sold the killer or one of the victim's a potion.'

'Ah.' Snape said, finding the last piece of parchment in the file. His brow furrowed as he looked at it.

'Do you recognise it sir?' Harry asked.

'Stop calling me sir. And do you really expect me to remember every receipt I've issued?' Snape said, his voice dripping with distain.

'Well, yes actually I thought you would.' Harry shrugged.

'Sorry to disappoint you.'

'I assume you have records then of each sale you've made?'

'You assume correctly.' Snape confirmed. 'I will help with this, and with whatever else I can. Just answer me one thing.'

Harry raised his eyebrows in question.

'Why did they send you?' Snape asked. 'This has nothing to do with you does it?'

'No it doesn't.' Harry replied, not really knowing what to say.

'Then why?' Snape asked again.

'Kingsley thought that I would have more luck finding you than any of their aurors.' Harry muttered.

'And why is that? Surely he was aware of our history?' Snape said in surprise.

'Honestly sir I suspect it was because of that history that he believed that. Besides I suspect that they tried unsuccessfully before contacting me.'

'For god's sake stop calling me sir. I'm not your bloody professor anymore and you never called me sir even when I was.' Snape growled.

'It's meant to be a sign of respect.' Harry frowned.

'Since when have you ever shown me respect?' Snape snapped.

'Since you showed me your memories.' Harry said quietly. 'That's why Kingsley thought I'd be successful in finding you, because I trust you, and you apparently trust me too. He thought that would allow me past your wards. I assume you have warded this property?' he asked. 'I couldn't sense them.'

'That means they're working.' Snape said. 'You're not supposed to be able to sense them.'

Harry nodded. 'Makes sense.'

Snape gave Harry a withering look. Of course it makes sense you idiot.' He said and turned his attention back to the file. 'Potter I want to make one thing clear. I don't want you to ever mention my memories again. Not ever. Do you understand me?' He spoke softly and dangerously, looking up and catching Harry's eye.

Harry supposed that this was meant to intimidate him, but after everything he'd been though not much intimidated him anymore.

'Consider it forgotten.' Harry said, holding Snape's gaze.

Snape surprised Harry by looking away first. 'Not forgotten Potter, just not mentioned.' He said softly.

'Okay.' Harry agreed, although he felt somewhat confused.

'Come back tomorrow and I'll have something for you. It will take some time to find the correct records.' Snape added standing, as if to show Harry out.

Harry shook his head. 'Can't I stay here and assist you?'

'No.' Snape said shortly.

'It took some effort to get here, its late, and it's practically a bloody blizzard outside and besides I can't be sure that when I come back you won't have upgraded the wards to shut me out.' Harry said still in his seat.

'Don't be ridiculous. Just because I don't want you to intrude further on my privacy does not mean I plan on shutting you out of my home.' Snape said.

'No you just plan on throwing me out.' Harry said, folding his arms across his chest. 'Look I promise you I won't intrude on your privacy. I can sleep right here. I just want to assist you in finding out as much as we can about whomever you sold that potion to. I want to help.'

'Why do you want to help so badly? Missing your glory days? You want to be famous again?' Snape said nastily.

Harry stood facing Snape and glared at him. 'Don't presume to know me. I'm not a child anymore and you can't bully or intimidate me. Don't lower yourself to that when we both know you're better.'

Snape held Harry's gaze for a moment longer then spoke. 'I have a guest room.' He said quietly. 'You don't have to sleep on a sofa. You can stay in the guest room.'

Harry nodded. 'Thank you sir.'

Snape headed to the door, clearly expecting Harry to follow him. 'You don't know anything Potter.' He said. 'And stop calling me sir.'

Harry frowned, but refrained from commenting. He wasn't sure what bothered him more, the fact that Snape still seemed to hate him or the fact that he'd agreed to let him stay so quickly. Harry had expected him to put up more of a fight. The old Snape would have.

A/N – Thanks so much to those of you who reviewed the first chapter and thanks to all who've been reading. Sorry this one took so long to put up – Christmas (among other things) got in the way!

I will attempt to update every fortnight or so. Thanks once again for your support!