Chapter 2: Check up
He hesitated at the door. Should he knock? He raised his hand and prepared to knock, "Stop dawdling Potter and get in here." He was surprised to see Severus Snape in dark trousers and a black button down shirt. No signature robe in sight. A questioning noise got caught in his throat and now he had the man's attention. Snape put down the paper he was reading and gave him a pointed look. He took that as a sign that he should hurry along. He sat down quickly but fiddled with his napkin, unsure if he should dig into the food at the table.
"Is there a problem Mr. Potter?"
Harry shook his head, "No, no problem at all." He still didn't move.
"Mr. Potter." Harry looked at him and saw Snape looking at him in confusion. "Is there a reason you are not eating? Cold food will go to waste. Besides…," he began disdain making itself clear, "you haven't been eating enough to sustain a small bird. So eat."
A bit of warmth flowed through him and he started to help himself to some breakfast, eating more than he was used to when another pointed look was sent his way. Snape must have eaten already because he was nursing a cup of tea and reading the newspaper as if just there to keep Harry company. As soon as Harry put his fork down and wiped his mouth Snape stood and gestured for his dishes. He passed it over and watched as Snape started washing them. Wanting to help, he picked up a cloth and reached for the wet but clean plate and began drying it, pretending not to notice the approving glance.
"Today you will not do any strenuous activity. You will stay in my chambers and rest." He saw that Snape had placed a few of his textbooks on the living room table and his book bag was there as well. At his look Snape continued, "I took the liberty of bringing out your things. You have two more weeks of Christmas break and it's pragmatic of you to get a start on your assignments…as I'm sure you have yet to get started?" He formed that as a question so Harry shook his head 'no'.
"I have a meeting with the Headmaster and when I return you have an appointment with Madame Pomfrey." He squirmed in discomfort. He spent way too much with in that Hospital Wing throughout his years at Hogwarts. He didn't want to spend more time there than necessary.
"It's not that bad."
He fidgeted. "Can you read minds?" Snape looked at him astonished. "No Mr. Potter, but it doesn't take much to recognize a child that would rather face Voldemort himself than a school nurse poking and prodding."
"I know it's silly, especially since I've seen her since my start at Hogwarts but I just don't do well in clinic, hospitals or anywhere there's a doctor." He didn't want to disclose to the man that every time he absolutely had to be taken to the doctor the Dursleys would take him to Dr. Smouting and Dr. Smouting, well he was no Madame Pomfrey. He started to heal faster throughout the years, his magic unknowingly protecting him, he hasn't had to go to him in years. He was threatened with it a few months ago, during the summer when he was almost catatonic with grief but he managed to get out of that quick, preferring to slave himself out to the Dursley's beck and call than to see that dreaded doctor again. He had briefly told Hermione and Ron but not in great detail, not wanting to get into it and he definitely didn't want to get into it with Snape, no matter how caring he has been lately, although something told him that Snape would find out anyway.
"Well, while I find that statement most disturbing," Snape paused, turning something over in his head, "I must get going, but rest assured that I shall accompany you to your check up." With that he grabbed his robe put it on and went out the door, leaving Harry staring after him in shock.
Alone now in the man's rooms Harry was incredibly tempted to start snooping through his things, he didn't mean to pry but his curiosity was paramount and the man was so private, but he didn't, and wouldn't. Subconsciously he realized that doing so would be a betrayal to the man who was taking him in. The man who valued privacy in such high regard. So instead of looking around and breaking the fragile rapport he had with the man he took out his charms work and perhaps do more studying for his O.W.L.s.
And so he began. He was so caught up studying, parchment laying the ground by the fireplace, he had migrated there once he started to feel the chill creeping in, and books were open in all directions, left there as he searched for a particular answer, that he didn't hear Snape return, that is until he felt the fire going brighter and the room growing warmer. He turned and saw Snape putting his wand away. "Thanks." He acknowledged.
How that man could raise one eyebrow and look intimidated with just one look always amazed him. "Come along Mr. Potter, we shall not keep Madame Pomfrey waiting." Harry felt uneasy but stood up, he looked at the ground and cursed and almost cursed again when he head, "Language Mr. Potter."
"I'm sorry. I just hadn't seen the mess I'd made," at the frown he hurried to continue, "but I'll clean up. Just give me a minute to mark my places." He looked down not knowing where to start. Ugh he was going to have to find the sources later. Then he felt a hand land on his shoulder, he looked up to see Snape examining him. "What exactly were you working on?"
"I finished my charms work and I've been studying for my OWLs but I can't find the counter spell for a charm, so I've been trying to look through some charm books Hermione had made me check out a couple weeks ago."
"Hmm. Nevertheless, we must get going, leave your belongings as is, you may tidy up when we return."
"Really?" Harry would have thought that he'd force him to shove them in his room, without concern about how long he'd been working at it. He knew based on how the rest of his quarters looked that this man was as meticulous and tidy as he was outside.
"Yes, really. I'm actually impressed that you would push through and study without Miss Granger. Come along."
They started out the door and down the hall, "Well we were going to study during break at Grimmauld Place. She had already made a schedule out, she'd go spastic if I didn't stick to it just because I'm here."
Conversation flowed easy and they talked about what spells he was revising and Snape even started giving him tips on what potions he need to work through, "Mr. Potter you will have to give Potions a good amount of time if you desire to pass." So engrossed in the conversation he was that he didn't realize they'd reached the infirmary until he head the unmistakable sound of Madame Ponfrey's voice, "Mr. Potter, an honor to see you once again in my infirmary." Harry was embarrassed to note it took Snape giving him a nudge for him to go to his designated bed. It wasn't really but it was the bed he always seemed to use when he was in here. Madame Pomfrey once joked that she'd have to get a plaque made. As she eyed him now it seems as though that was a legitimate thought.
"So what seems to be ailing you Mr. Potter? Professor Snape has given me a run down but I'd like to hear from you."
"Well…" he began but didn't get far because Snape glared at him and said, "The truth Mr. Potter, no sugarcoating, Poppy cannot assist you if you are anything but honest with her."
And so he was. He told her everything he'd been feeling, the exhaustion, the nightmares, the anxiety, the haziness, everything and it seemed once he started he just needed to get everything out. She asked questions and listened and Snape stood by his side, a calming presence. Once he had divulged everything he could think of her eyes softened. "Mr. Potter, it's understandable, why you would like to keep these things quiet, but the longer something is bottled up the sooner it will explode. Next time you feel this way, or out of norms I wish for you to tell someone."
He didn't respond besides a sheepish smile. "Not to worry Poppy. Mr. Potter here will let me know if something is amiss. Won't you Mr. Potter." It didn't seem as though he had any choice in the matter but he nodded anyway.
He was given some potions, some were given to him orally the others spelled into his stomach directly. He was given a list of required supplements which Snape deftly took from his hands and place within his robe.
Madame Pomfrey gave Professor Snape a knowing look. "St. Mungus can easily brew those supplements, you need only send for them."
Expectedly, Snape rolled his eyes. "Like I'd let one of those dunderheads brew a potion meant for Harry Potter. Should just kill him now and not waste any time."
"Honestly Severus, you'd think you're the only one who can brew an acceptable potion."
"Many can brew an 'acceptable' potion but only I can brew an exceptional one." He turned to Harry motioning him to stand up and follow. "Come along Mr. Potter, I'll get started on these supplements while you have a snack, after which I shall help you with your studies."
Harry followed in companionable silence. Once inside the man's quarters Harry settled in the armchair by the fire, bypassing his mess and waited.
Snape snapped his fingers and called, "Spoki"
A small house-elf appeared before them. "Master Snape call Spoki. What can Spoki do to serve."
Snape gestured to Harry. "This is my ward, Spoki. He is staying with me for the time being, if he needs assistance you are to help him, within reason." He waited for the house-elf to nod before continuing. "Please bring Mr. Potter a small healthy snack, perhaps some cut fruit, a sandwich and some pumpkin juice." He looked at Harry for any sign that this was not welcome, but Harry was rarely picky when it came to food, he knew what it was like to go without. Besides, he actually liked fruit, and a sandwich and some pumpkin juice seemed like it'd hit the spot. He smiled and nodded. With that Spoki left and returned with a tray with the items provided. Harry thought of Dobby and before Spoki could 'pop' out, he made sure to say "Thanks."
As Harry took a bite of a strawberry, Snape was already moving towards his lab, with a parting, "Pace yourself and if you require assistance call for me, I will hear you."
Harry ate his food slowly, savoring the simple yet delicious taste of his lunch. He wondered if Snape was going to eat. After finishing he started reading Catcher in the Rye, after hearing Hermione talk about it he had finally asked her if he could borrow a copy, he hadn't had a chance to read it much but he was enjoying it nonetheless.
After an hour or so he could feel himself becoming drowsier. He set his book down and closed his eyes, curling up in the armchair, too lazy to go and find a blanket to cover himself. He didn't even feel it when he finally went deep into sleep.
Severus Snape was not what most would think of as paternal. As Slytherin Head of House he had to look after his students, but they rarely approached him with non-academic matters. Unlike the Puffs, Ravenclaws or Lions, his house didn't come to their Head of House for homesickness or comfort and advice. They went to their mates or their prefects. Severus would go to the hospital wing if one of his own was injured but he always trusted Poppy to take care of them. If they needed advice or comfort he'd contact their parents by owl or have a prefect or head girl or head boy take them under their wing. Never did he even imagine taking in a child of his own. Now Potter, the son of his childhood nemesis was currently sleeping in his favorite armchair by the fire, curled up into a small, uncomfortable looking ball, and he was fretting, actually fretting that the boy would wake up in pain or with a cold. The little idiot didn't even grab a blanket to cover himself.
He debated waking the boy up. Recalling something he heard once about children overdoing a nap and having a hard time falling asleep at night. It was said about small children but surely it would still apply for teenagers. Right? Perhaps he should get a couple of reading materials about raising a teenager. Not that he was raising Potter, it was just that he'd be residing with him for gods knows how long and he needed to be prepared. He sighed and reached to shake the boy awake. "Mr. Potter"
"Nhn, not yet…tired." Potter just slapped his hand off and went back to sleep.
"Harry Potter!" He snapped. But was shocked with instead of just jumping up the boy raised his hands and covered his face, cowering back. "Please…" voice breaking as he panted.
Good lord. What kind of reaction was that? Now he felt guilty. Severus Snape felt guilty for making Harry Potter upset. What was his life turning to?
"Mr. Potter, it is I, Professor Snape. I apologize for the sharp tongue, I was just trying to get your attention." He would talk to the boy about the reaction at a later time, preferably when the boy wasn't able to freak out on him. "You shouldn't sleep too close to your bedtime, you'll never be able to go down later if you do. Besides you said you had a question about your charms that you couldn't find."
Potter's eyes widened as though he didn't think Severus would remember, but quickly grabbed his notes. Together they went through his notes, Severus giving him pointers and backgrounds and the boy writing down furiously, Severus slowing down as he noticed and after a good couple hours of this they decided to quit for the night. There was slight disappointment in Potter's eyes but he didn't object. He just started tidying up.
Severus was just about to say something when he was interrupted by Potter's stomach. He looked at the boy's embarrassed, beet-red face, and the clock. "Time for dinner."
The boy fidgeted and he quickly guessed what the matter was. "We do not have to go down to the Great Hall if you do not wish to. I, too, find my appetite diminishing when I sit next to that toad. We shall eat here, unless you have an objection?"
"Thank you Professor."
They had a simple dinner, he like to cook but after a long day, at what he imagined would be Potter's lack of patience, and he decided to have Spoki bring their dinners. He made sure that before Potter even took a bite, he downed the dark blue supplement potion. The boy wrinkled his nose at the taste but drank it nonetheless and ate his dinner with gusto.
After dinner Severus read his Potions Journal as Potter read his book, some book called Catcher in the Rye, he couldn't say he wasn't curious but he'd ask the boy another day. It started to get late when Potter started to periodically yawn.
Once he made sure Potter was asleep for the night Severus lingered by the door. Making sure to leave it open a crack, he set up a monitoring charm, to let him know if the boy was in distress. He went to his room and prepared for sleep himself when he remembered something, he rushed out in his sleeping robes and came to Potter's room quietly. He murmured a strong warming charm that would last all night and made sure the covers were tucked at each side. Satisfied he went back to his room and fell asleep, the last thought on his mind being, Harry Potter.
