Authors Notes: Chapter Two of the Red and Green series. Harry and Snape as always.

Disclaimer: Don't own the book, or anything to do with Harry Potter. Just my imagination and this story. Thanks.

Enjoy

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Red and Green

II. If You Insist

"I think I'm going to go to bed, sir." Harry yawned some. Neither of us seemed to notice the fact that the sun started to set, nor the fact that everyone had done and ate dinner--getting ready to go to bed. We were compelled to play as much chess as we could. Shocked the students, indeed. But Albus would never let go of that smile.

"Yes, twenty-nine games." I smirked, my voice was not as icy as before. I blamed the fires around the great hall. He frowned a bit, whether it be the fact I was putting emphasis that I won twenty nine games against him or the fact that he still wanted to play. "You are getting better though, Potter." I admitted. He seemed to cheer up a bit, placing the pieces back into their rightful places.

"Thank you for making my Christmas better, sir." He smiled, and stood up. I found myself captivated by the fact that the boy could find playing chess to take away any unhappiness that may settle on him during this day. Not getting presents. No family. No real home. I guess all it took was a greasy, old git of a Potions Master to make the boy feel better. He was owed that. For the book he gave me. Even trade.

"Good night, sir." He smiled, and turned to wave to Albus. Albus only replied with a grin, finding it best to keep the boy from lacking sleep. He turned back to me and gave a wink. A promising wink, I took it as. It was nice, I admit.

"Night Potter." I mutter quietly as I sip my cold tea. It was only my first cup - but it was left forgotten when we were playing. Still half full. But blizzard like cold. I sighed as I rested my hand on my head and my elbow connected to the table. Luckily before I imagined my position, all the children were gone and only Albus remained. Like it would mean any difference, Albus always knew what I was doing.

I felt a hand hold onto my shoulder, and I looked up to see him. He was smiling happily, not to my surprise. The hand clenched my shoulder softly, and I felt the end of his beard touch my back, and I shivered lightly in reply. My face turned back to see him, and was only welcomed with a few words. "Thank you Severus."

"For what?" I ask. I knew the answer, but wanted to hear Albus say it.

"For being Harry's friend today." He grinned. I wasn't exactly expecting that. Not. That. Answer. I wasn't Potter's friend. We just played chess. He bought me a book. I drank my tea. I beat him at the game. Twenty nine times. And we told each other 'Happy Christmas'. That doesn't make him my friend. He's still my student.

I remind myself to take twenty points from him somehow at the start of them term to reemphasis that thought.

And as quickly as Albus told me those words, he left. And I was left in the Great Hall. The Christmas Tree still shining. The fireplace still burning wildly. My tea cup still half full. The chess board pieces resting quietly. But I was alone. And I didn't really like it.

++

The morning dawned upon my skin through my one window. I yawned to myself, noting it was much better being alone. I didn't have to act all elegant. My dungeons smelled of potions and green tea. It was what I needed to get those thoughts of playing chess with Harry as fun away from me. Just my robes, my big bed, and me. ell, not to mention the book Potter gave to me in my hand. I must had fell asleep reading it.

It was actually a good book.

I got up out of bed, lazily, at that and make my way to my shower. I was not a morning person at all.

++

"Severus! A word with you!" Albus smiled curtly. My eyes closed as I nodded and walked down the Great Hall. The seven students were piled at their table, eating away happily. I collapsed in my chair and looked at Albus. He was a bit too close compared to regular seat during the school season which was far away from him, as requested. "Severus. I have a large request of you."

I sigh but keep the air in. Just go away Albus. Let me enjoy my potions for one day. Please. "Yes, headmaster?" I absolutely hate the ways my lips have a mind of their own. I think Albus is using magic on me to agree to him, and comply with all his wishes and requests. He smiles softly before popping one of those irritable candy hearts into his mouth. I shudder at the sight.

"I need to go to the Ministry of Magic today.. Would you mind taken the children down to Diagon Alley to have a bit of fun?" I groan to myself. He notices but says nothing of it. I only nod, curtly. I feel as if I am at his feet, ready and willing to do all that he asks. He did give me this job.. and allowed me to become Head of Slytherin House. It was nice making fun of those adolescences, but still. I felt like I was forced to comply with what he wished for.

"Thank you." He smiled and tapped his glass. The students looked up at him instantly. Maybe I should get a glass and tap it. Maybe they'd look up a me and actually pay attention in class. Merlin, I'd end up just throwing at their little heads trying to hit Longbottoms. "Students. Today Professor Snape has been willing enough to take you all to Diagon Alley to have a relaxing day. I hope you treat him well."

I closed my eyes as he made my aura so.. splendid to the children that they were in shock. I wasn't doing this for them. Never. I was just doing it for Albus. So he would be happy. And so maybe he would actually give me that damned Dark Art's class. It truly did deserve me. And I deserved it.

"Go ahead and get your stuff." I mutter quietly and roll my eyes. My head lolls back against the chair, and I give Albus an evil smirk. He only smiles at me and puts out his hand, offering a pink candy heart. I snarl quietly, under my breath, to the candy heart and shake my head. I simply refuse to put the thing in my mouth.

I wonder if I could deduct house points. I assume I can and evilly smile.

++

Seven children. Over fifty stores. Filled with about one thousand other wizards and witches. This was bloody madness. I needed collars. And leashes. And I need my dungeons filled with my potions. I sighed as I gathered up the bunch from a candy store and dragged them down to a quieter end where it was less populated. They all tried to fight back against with my hands grabbing onto their robes. But I simply looked at them. And they walked on their own. Good boys.

We all entered into a Quidditch shop. There they gazed at the latest broomsticks and I leaned against the wall of the store and sighed. Everyone was looking at the broom. Except Potter. I watch him as he browses the book section. His hands were crossing over the covers of the books. I tried not to stare, but I just found it odd that, Hogwart's so-called-best-Seeker was looking at books, and not the broomsticks.

I was so curious. I needed to stop being so curious of the boy. I blamed the book, and the chess games. All twenty-nine of them. Plus Albus. Damn that man for making me watch after seven brats. Potter raised an eyebrow as he saw me watching him. He looked back at his book. The boy could afford it, but he put it back on the shelf and walked to the door. And just stood.

Foolish boy. Buy yourself the book. Yet he just stood, smiling happily outside.

I waited until he wasn't looking and went to investigate the book. My hands pressed against the book and looked at the title. 'Charms and Potions to Enhance your Quidditch Tactics'. I reread the title at least six times before setting the book back down from my hand. Maybe the Potter boy wasn't so brain dead on Quidditch for the rest of his life.

"People should really think about tactics before buying expensive brooms." A voice said lightly. It was Potter's. He walked besides me and leaned against the bookshelf, his eyes flickering over mine, and mine instantly flicker back. His are jeweled. Mine are coal. Yet somehow, he lightens up mine. I blame it on the sun from the window.

"Indeed." I mutter, looking over the book. He innocently takes the book into his hand, flipping through the pages. His eyes seem to gaze happily over the images and words that captivate his eyes. He should buy the book. "Why don't you buy it?" I had to know a reason, the boy never explained things well. He looks up to me and smiles.

"I'm going to buy it for Neville." I gap but regain my posture. Foolish child.

"Buy it for yourself." I resort looking over him. He simply shakes his head, those bold eyes fluttering happily as he looks over the book. He only offers me a grin, a rather cheesy grin at that.

"Neville deserves it more then I do." I resist myself from shaking my head. It would show I cared, or something unnatural of me. I just let out a sigh and watch him walk off to the cashier and purchase the book. The boy is just too giving. I pick up another copy of the book. I shouldn't buy the boy a book. I shouldn't spend my money on the brat. But I do. I blame the fact he got me a gift.

++

"Potter." I mutter very quietly as I watch him leave the Great Hall. Merlin, I hope no one sees this act of once-in-a-lifetime kindness I am about to offer to the boy who is supposed to be my worst enemy. He turns around to look at me and I only nod; he knows by now that it means I want to speak to him. Just a natural act that took not even years to get accustomed to.

"Yes sir?" He asks, his voice so perky. I immediately assumed that Longbottom was happy over his gift. I sigh softly, unable to understand why I was exactly doing this. I reach into my robes and my slim hands emerge with a book. The book he wanted from the story. My hand pushes itself forward, to be inches from Potter's body. "For you."

He stares at the book, for moments that seem like minutes. Finally, his small hands grasp onto the book. His eyes lit up and he gazed at me. I was caught in those jeweled eyes - but I blamed the fact I was tired. Even though I was not. "Thank you, sir." He grinned and finally took the whole book into his hand. Please no questions Potter. "But why did you get it for me?"

"Potter." I say softly, searching for an answer. My face seems worried, and all the same time, too pleased that Potter liked his gift. My hands fell to my sides and I grasped the sides of my cloak, maybe they could provide me with any answer. And then I use his own words on him. "Everyone deserves something unique."

And I walk away from the boy, out of the Great Hall. I still wonder, though, what the boy was thinking after I gave him the book. After I said those words. After I left. But I wasn't about to ask either.

++

It was four days before the students were to arrive back to this school to get back to work and away from gifts and toys. Four days till I got to steal thousands of points from those brain dead children. Four days till I had to think about detention. Fours days till I had to clean up broken beakers and burnt cauldrons. Four days until my life went back to normal and away from the fact that I had enough holiday spirit to buy the boy a book.

I shouldn't matter much. It was only a book, not very expensive. And he bought me a book for Christmas. So it was a fair trade. But in all the world, Merlin, it mattered.

"Good morning, Severus!" Albus smiled as he pointed to me to the chair next to him. I hope he wouldn't ask for anymore favors. I'm out of them for the rest of my life. I settled myself down in my seat and sip on my black tea. It was nice to feel that sweet feeling fill my throat. I missed it, a lot. "Would you like to join the children and me in some Dueling tactics?"

Yes. I would. I could prove to Albus I deserve that Dark Arts class. That I'm far better then the last six teachers in the last six years. I could show him my skills and he would be charmed by my technique. But if I showed him how eager I wanted to try - I'd lose my shield of coldness. "I'll watch." And kindly help out during the whole process.

The students were gathered around the room specially designated for dueling. Albus on one end of the table, and I found my way onto the other side. The students were excited to see what Albus would pull out of his hat, or his beard for that matter. I had my black wand clenched to my hand, and Albus was just staring on the other end. Eyes glittering like they were on fire in the night's sky. I should really look up a potion to kill off those twinkles.

"Now children. First off, I think it's best if we set up two students to duel. Just to see what level you guys are at." Albus smiled. I sighed, I did not want to have to deal with students getting hurt because they couldn't say their spells right or flick a wand correctly. I thanked Merlin that there were no first years here, or else the Infirmary would be full of children, hurt, and needing my damned potions. They were mine during this time.

"Harry, come on up. Neville you too." Potter looked surprise. Longbottom looked as if he was hit with a truck. I snorted with laughter and got off the long table. This would truly be fun. The two students made there way onto the table - looking at each other - Potter with a smile and Longbottom with a frown. I almost felt sorry for the poor boy who was about to get hurt.

They stood at other ends, wands raised after bowing. They had serious looks on their faces for a moment, but I knew that they were oddly enough, friends. I had my eyes on the events at full attention, I really wanted to see Longbottom get hurt -- but something squeamish went though my body. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

And then Longbottom struck. He actually did a decent version of 'Espericasa' which I could say, made me an inch-worthy impressed. Potter was flown back, and there were a few gasps. A loud shriek came from Potter. But he stood, yet his eyes were closed tightly. I looked over to Albus, for some sort of thought if we should cease the duel. Albus was at the edge of his seat, looking at Potter.

All of a sudden Potter clutched his head with his hand. His wand dropped and I knew this wasn't good. Not at all.

Albus moved towards the boy, and I followed. Potter's hand was clutched to his head, and he fell to his knees. The wand, the duel, everything long forgotten behind the boy's pain. Well, he did look like he was in pain. His eyes were clenched tightly, drops if sweat coming from his head. And I felt some pain in the pit of my stomach. I should be happy the boy was in pain, but I hurt.

"Harry, can you hear me?" Albus asked as he held onto the boys arm, laying him down onto the ground. I held back the crowd of students trying to get a peek of what was going on. But Potter still lay there with his hand on his head. Precisely on his mark. His hand seemed to be strained to keep it's position on the mark, maybe there was pain.

"It hurts." Potter cried, and I couldn't help but fall to my knees next to the boy. My mind ran as fastly as it could to some sort of potion to help cure the boy of this pain. His happiness was taken away from him for something he never meant to do. Those pages in the magazines he never wanted to be on. Those children calling his name when he never wanted to be known.

I immediately got up and started to walk towards the door. Albus looked at me and I nodded. He knew I was going to go get a potion, it was our connection. As much as I hated to admit it, I had a strong connection with Albus when I went to do things. As soon as I neared my dungeons - I started to run. I never ran like this for anyone, and it was a weird feeling. As if I cared. I blamed the fact that Albus weighed so much trust on me. Because he did.

I returned moments later with a bottle of blue liquid in my hand, pushing it forth to the boys mouth. Albus need not stop me, he trusted me with all his heart. I poured the liquid down the boys mouth. His was still in struggling pain. My index finger went down to stroke over his throat, in an attempt to make the liquid go down his throat. And minutes later, after all the screams and struggles. Harry passed out.

The potion had worked. And a sigh of relief fell over me.

Potter would be alright.

To be continued..