Life really wasn't fair sometimes. Actually, that isn't quite true. It was fair to most people, just not to Harry.
After a tedious two weeks more in the infirmary, Harry was about to burst from boredom when Madame Pomfrey finally allowed him to go back to classes. He had been buried by the deluge of work, and studiously made his way through the catch-up, with plenty of Hermione's help. But even all the hours he spent pouring over ancient history tomes would seem like a broom ride compared to what he was now suffering.
Harry was sitting through Double Potions with the Slytherins. Not only was Snape their teacher, but he was partnered with Draco Malfoy of all people. Now with Voldemort gone for good, the Gryffindors and Slytherins got along better, albeit only slightly. However, that nonverbal truce certainly did not apply to the Slytherin Ice Prince when it comes to the Boy-Who-Lived. The blond-haired git took the every opportunity of their pairing to point out and maliciously laugh at every single mistake that Harry was suffering through with his potion. Combine that with Snape's constant snarky criticism and biased point reductions and that equalled to a very annoyed, frustrated and on-edge Harry.
Much to his dismay, Snape swivelled his way towards his table again. The Potion Master's sneer was fixed in place as he swooped over to the table, looking much like an oversized bat in Harry's opinion. He took one look into Harry's cauldron and smirked, his eyes dancing with mirth, "Ten points from Gryffindor for being unable to make a potion that a first year dunderhead would have been capable of."
Harry clenched his fists and bit down a retort that almost came out. He couldn't afford to lose his cool with Snape if he wanted to pass Potions and make it into Auror school. He tried for a calm smile, which turned out to be more like a forced grimace than anything.
Snape turned a critical eye towards Harry, raking over his form, "And five more for dressing inappropriately for class." He turned briskly away, and went back to his "swivel-swoop-snark" routine with the other unfortunate students.
Harry looked down at his attire. Sure his shirt was untucked a little, and his robes not buttoned to the very top. Okay, his tie was too loose, and his jumper might have seen better days, but that wasn't a reason for Snape to take off points! Wait, scratch that, Snape used every reason to take off points off of him. He sighed and went back to chopping his Warblewort roots, ignoring the snide comments coming from the grey-eyed Slytherin to his right.
After what seemed like an eternity, the bell sounded, dismissing the students from class. Harry quickly stuffed his textbook, quill and parchment into his book bag to ready himself for a beeline to the door.
"Potter. Stay after class." A cold voice sounded from the teacher's desk just as he was about to duck out of the double doors. Swearing silently, he turned back towards the class and made his way to Snape's desk with trepidation.
"Potter. It has come to my attention that you have been cursed during the battle, correct?" Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "The Headmaster requires your presence in his office, seven o'clock, tomorrow evening. Don't be late." He curled his lip, his eyes gleamed a shade darker than onyx. "Dismissed."
Harry turned and fled from the room, his heart pounding in his chest. Was it just him, or did Snape turn decently good-looking? His hair had been washed, and now looked satiny soft instead of greasy. His jaw was well-defined, and his nose wasn't as large as others proclaim it to be. Harry shook his head, pushing those thoughts out. And the fluttering in his stomach must have been the queasy lunch he had. 'That must be it,' he thought, as he hurried towards his next class.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
"Enter," the Headmaster's voice resounded from within his office.
Harry carefully pushed open the door, his jaw dropping when he found Snape sitting in one of Dumbledore's chairs as well. Didn't the Headmaster want to see him? "Ah, sorry for interrupting sir, I'll wait outside until you're done."
Dumbledore smiled mysteriously, eyes twinkling. "Harry, please, have a seat." He waved his wand and a comfortable looking chair appeared next to the scowling Potion's Master. "Severus here is just early." At the mention of his name, Snape crossed his arms over his chest and glared daggers at both Harry and the Headmaster.
Harry cautiously took a seat down next to his teacher, who was practically radiating with displeasure and contempt for the boy next to him. Harry decided to be the bigger person this time, and turned to Dumbledore with what he hoped was a helpful face and asked, "What is the problem, sir?"
"Ah, no problems, my boy, only solutions." The old man winked at Harry. "Tea? Lemon Drops?" Harry politely accepted a few of the sour candies before Dumbledore decided to pass the pleasantries.
"Harry," he said, seriousness evident in his voice, "Your friends, Miss. Granger and Mr. Weasley have informed you the extent of your curse, I presume?"
"Yes, sir," Harry shifted a nervous glance at Snape, who was still brooding darkly.
"Good!" The Headmaster smiled again. "Then I expect you and Severus to work out this little ... animosity between the two of you." He leaned back in his comfortable sofa chair, smiling at the two currently thoroughly shocked boys sitting before him.
Harry was first to recover his jaw from the ground. "What do you mean, Headmaster?" He glanced at Snape again, who was looking his leanest and meanest. "I don't think that we're suited to get along, sir."
Snape nodded curtly and didn't say anything. Harry was surprised that the two of them agreed on something for once. That thought seemed to go through Dumbledore's ever-conniving mind at the same time.
"See boys? Something you have in common already. Perfect." He smiled over his half-moon spectacles at both Harry and Severus. "Now boys, play nice. Your bond requires it."
Stupid Dumbledore. Stupid Bonds. Stupid Snape who just had to be in the way of Harry's line of vision when he got hit by that stupid, stupid curse. Harry felt entirely… Stupid was an understatement.
"Thank you, sir. Ifthat is all…" Harry stood up to go in such a rush that his chair almost tipped backwards. Snape looked relieved and also began to stand when Dumbledore spoke again. "Boys, I know that it may be hard for you to come to terms with your history," Harry and Severus both smirked at this one, "but I require that you do so. Both of your lives may be at stake if you do not cooperate." Dumbledore looked grim. "Should you not find between yourselves the initiative to get along, I will have to step in." The Headmaster smiled again, eyes twinkling. "I would be more than happy to accommodate you in my quarters should you need-"
"Sir," Snape spoke for the first time that evening, "I believe that I am perfectly capable of creating a-", he looked at Harry with distaste, "workable partnership with Potter should it be required." He directed his next words to Harry. "7 o'clock, my classroom." he snapped succinctly, quickly getting up and leaving the room with a curt goodbye to the Headmaster.
Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, I must ask that you-"
"It is understood," Harry said stiffly, also standing up, "I will be taking my leave." He turned and left the room. The sombre-faced Headmaster began to beam. He directed his smile at Fawkes, who was cooing softly from her perch. "Yes Fawkes, I believe the attraction is mutual."
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
A/N: I'm making good progress with this. Sorry if this chapter is a little short, but to fit the next scene in would make it rather long. Thank you to all those who reviewed the last chapter! As promised, +hands out cyber cookies+ :)
Another note, the next part shall be from Severus' perspective. I think I'll begin to switch between his and Harry's to spice it up a little and clear misunderstandings which may occur later due to the course of events! :)
Alex A: Thank you for your input! Unfortunately, I did overlook that. +sheepish grin+ However, I did not want to turn their first meeting into a sob party, and that would have really slowed down some more heated development between Harry and Severus. Harry was out for almost a month, and the funerals and burials had, presumably, already taken place. Besides, Ginny was Harry's supposed love, and I had to kill her somehow so he and Severus could be together. :) Harry will mourn for those lost in the war, but since he's so busy with school work, he did not yet have time to do so.