Snape seemed not to have noticed the presence of Harry and his friends when Hagrid clapped his hands and stood up to greet him. Whether or not that had to do with Hagrid's large frame blocking him from view, Harry was unsure. "Severus! What can I do for ya today?"
Snape brushed off a bit of dirt from his robes as he stepped through the door of Hagrid's hut, "Sorry to disturb you Hagrid but one of the fourth year Gryffindors thought it would be amusing to set an entire pack of jackelopes wild in my study. I'd take care of it myself but I don't want to hurt them by accident if I were to vanish them away. Would you be so kind as to assist me?"
Hagrid laughed, "Jackelopes huh? Wonder where they even found Jackelopes this time of the year! I'd be interested in findin' out myself. Never had a jackelope before but I hear they're awfully cute."
Snape sneered a little; apparently he didn't think so, "Indeed. But they're making a mess of my potions stock and I would prefer them outside where they belong rather than in my study."
"Of course Severus, just give me a moment to get some steaks from the cooling cabinet. Little beasts will be needing an incentive." Hagrid walked towards the back of his hut and out of sight. "Make yourself at home Severus!" He called out.
Severus walked further into the hut and Harry's stomach performed an acrobatic feat as Luna spoke abruptly, "Hello Professor. How has your day been?"
If Snape was surprised by the three students and the mess of three headed-dogs sitting in front of Hagrid's fireplace he didn't show it, "It's been interesting to say the least Miss Lovegood. Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Potter; I trust you're doing well."
Neville stammered a bit, his fear of Snape still held fast even after the truth of his allegiance was revealed, "F-Fine professor."
Harry nodded. He didn't know what to say now that he had the man in his company. He had rehearsed the speech so many times in his head but now that Neville and Luna were in the room it seemed redundant to spill out an entire 7 years of apologies and feelings.
Harry looked down at the pup still sleeping in his lap. He thought it would be safer to look down and busy his mind than to stare at the confusing man that had now taken to sitting down in front of him in the over-sized coach. Harry could practically feel the warmth of Snape's body heat; he was so close to his leg. Harry couldn't understand for the life of him why he couldn't even look the man in the eyes anymore. When they hated each other he could glare right into his black eyes with an emotion that could only be described as burning anger. Now that they were civil (or at least Harry thought they must be because of what he saw in the pensive) he couldn't even look at the man's shoes without a dozen butterflies flapping about in his abdomen.
"Mr. Potter? Are going to answer me, or day-dream all day like your father?" Harry winced as Snape's biting voice broke the silence of the room. He always hated it when Snape compared him to his father but he couldn't bring himself to say anything about it like he normally would have a year ago.
Harry looked up from the pup and to Snape's cold glare, "I'm fine. Professor."
"Good," Snape looked away from him and to the back of the hut where Hagrid was emerging with a steak and a large bag.
"Alright Severus, we can get goin' now. Luna, Neville; you can go whenever you want, the dogs should be fine. Harry, I was thinking if you wanted…. You could ya know…. Since you're interested in magical creatures maybe you'd like to help me with clearing out Severus's study?" Hagrid looked at Harry expectantly. Harry sighed knowing that he couldn't refuse the giant teddy-bear of a man.
"Sure Hagrid. Sounds excellent," Harry smiled and carefully deposited the pup from his lap and onto the carpet by its dozing siblings. They must have been tired from the excitement earlier.
In truth Harry really was interested in seeing the Jackelopes; it was the being in the same room as Severus that had him feeling slightly uneasy. If had been the two of him without Hagrid then he could at least say something to him.
"Right, let's get going then," Hagrid opened the door to the hut and gestured for Snape and Harry to step out.
As they walked up to the castle in silence Harry was stumbling over thoughts in his head. Should he stay after the Jackelopes were gone to talk to Snape or would he be busy? Should he try and find him after dinner one night? What should he do? Now that he had been face-to-face with him his entire mind was in a frenzy about that bloody to-do list.
He had to talk to Snape. He had to go shopping with Hermione to get Halloween costumes. He had to find out what the hell was going on with his sexuality. He had a potion due to Slughorn in a week. He had a quidditch game in two days. He had promised to help George move into his new flat that weekend. Lastly, he had a bloody chess game with Malfoy on the following Monday. Harry never should have thought that the end of the war would bring him even a sliver of peace.
When they reached the Jackelope-infested study, Harry was even more unhinged then he had been earlier. Of course as soon as the door was opened to reveal at least two dozen horned-rabbits Harry suddenly came back to the present.
"Merlin Severus, they really did some damage there," Hagrid speculated. And boy was it the truth. Potion bottles were broken, books were scattered and torn, herbs and various potted plants for potions were destroyed, and an expensive looking vase had been shattered. Harry noticed one of the jackelopes' fur had been turned from its normal snowy white to bright neon pink. Harry assumed it had been getting into a potion.
"Yes, now please get them out of here," Snape said in an aggravated tone.
Hagrid nodded, "Here Harry, you hold the bag open and I'll shoo them in."
"How exactly?" Harry smiled. If Hagrid was just going to stuff them all in a bag where they're antlers were going to stab each other, Snape might as well have vanished them.
"With the steak of course! No jackelope can resist a nice steak!" Hagrid grinned and begin attempting to lure the jackelopes into the bag that Harry held open with an amused grin.
After an hour of failed jackelope ranching Harry had to stop the madness, " Hagrid. I don't think this will work. Couldn't we just levitate them out of the room and then heard them to the woods? Jackelope farmers use griffins to herd their packs. Maybe we can glamour one of the pups to look like a griffin?"
Snape and Hagrid looked up at Harry with awe and slightly impressed eyes; Snape had by then taken to shooing jackelopes as well and looked rather comical bent on his hands and knees near the little bunnies.
"That just might work Harry, good idea! You two hold tight while I go get Spot. He's the best at listening to orders," Before Harry had a chance to protest he was left alone with Snape and two dozen jackelopes.
