Chapter 2

„Now, Potter. Shall we jump straight to the … invasive procedures, or would you like to use your mouth for a change?"

Harry was sitting in Snape's office, who was now towering above him, both hands firmly planted on Harry's table. Snape's greasy hair was falling into his face, almost tickling Harry's nose.

„My mouth, Sir?" Harry was trying to keep a straight face, even though Snape's hinting at invasive procedures had almost been enough to make him shiver. Snape had used his impressive prowess to probe Harry before. In fact, he had even given him private tutoring not too long ago, closely observed by the school's headmaster. All three of them had been very content with the results.

„Yes, your mouth, Potter, that thing you can't seem to keep shut whenever that Weasly-boy is around, but the pleasures of which you seem keen on withholding from me."

„I thought I was here for passing notes in your classroom, Sir?"

„You are here", began Snape, „to help me understand about this EWAP-business. Now, will you do so willingly or do I need to squeeze it out of you?"

Harry pondered his options. It had been a while since anyone had squeezed anything out of him, and experiencing Snape's undeniable mastery of extraction again was tempting. But what of his plans with Ron? This was all theirs, supposed to be all theirs; not something in which the meddling hands of their potions master had any place. No, Harry wasn't going to share anything about the EWAP with Snape, no matter how deft his manipulations might end up being. Harry was adamant on not letting anything spill.

Snape produced a vial of honey coloured liquid and presented it to Harry's curious eyes.

„This potion is called Allabor Prolapsio, and if you had been paying any attention in my class, you would know by now how to make it yourself."

Snape whisked the vial away with a flourish. It vanished somewhere deep down in the folds of his robes.

„Do you know what it does, Potter?"

„Yes sir, I do."

„Enlighten me, Potter."

„It reduces friction."

„An understatement, Potter! Allabor Prolapsio not only reduces friction, some say it even reverses it."

Snape whipped around and brought his face close to Harry's again.

„Do you know what that means, Potter?"

Harry swallowed hard. What it meant was that Snape's little vial could be extremely useful to Harry and Ron. Normally, they could just ask Hermione for any help related to potions, but they had decided to go it alone this time. And, much as Harry hated to admit it, when it came to potions (or friction), he usually struggled quite a bit.

„I can tell from your expression that you understand."

Snape's face hovered close to Harry's.

„This little vial would allow any one thing, no matter how big, no matter how … girthy, to comfortably slide, to snugly fit into anything else. Allabor Prolapsio makes all things penetrate with impunity."

Harry's resolve started to waver.

„You do enjoy … impunity, don't you Potter? All these quiet, nightly adventures with your little friends. It couldn't have been easy, getting into all the nooks and crannies you have explored. And now, your latest adventure. Perhaps the biggest challenge you've faced so far, isn't it? The EWAP. I wonder if this one won't involve some tight fits of its own."

At these words, Harry started to sweat profusely.

„Sir, er, I don't, that is, I'm not sure how to, how to …"

„Don't stutter, Potter."

Harry cleared his throat and tried to focus.

„Sir, would you be willing to part with that vial of Allabor Prolapsio?"

Snape lowered his voice. His next words made Harry think of a cobra that was about to strike.

„I could give it to you, Potter, and would be hardly any worse for wear. The question is this: Are you willing to reciprocate?"

„What … what do you want?"

„Come now, Potter, even you can't be that thickheaded." A faint, humourless smile played across Snape's lips. „I already told you what I want."

Harry nodded. Snape had indeed told him. And the dryness in his mouth wasn't going to make this any easier.