Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter Four: Bored
Harry sat at the kitchen counter, doing his summer Transfiguration reading and swinging his feet with a rhythmic thump against the baseboard of the counter.
Severus was in his study on the other side of the wall, attempting to read an article in the newspaper.
The Ministry of Magic thump! has confirmed the rumor that thump! There will indeed be thump! a change in power thump! in the administration of—
"For Merlin's sake!" exclaimed Severus, throwing his newspaper down on the desk. He stuck his head out of the door into the kitchen. "Potter! What are you doing?"
Harry looked up guiltily. "Sorry, sir," he said, stilling his swinging feet. "Was I bothering you?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "No," he said sarcastically, "I enjoy having my reading interrupted by a herd of elephants."
Harry giggled.
Severus's eyebrows shot up and Harry immediately sobered. "Sorry sir."
Severus shook his head, caught between annoyance and amusement. "Continue with your studies, Potter, and I will continue reading my newspaper."
Severus returned to his desk and picked up the paper again.
The Ministry of Magic has confirmed the rumor that there will indeed be a change in the administration of the Department for the Regulation and Sale of Potions Ingredients. Mr. Conrad C. Humphrey thump! Former vice-president of thump! the Organization Representing the thump! Decedents of Foreign Immigrants—
"Potter!" Severus slammed out of his office again, making Harry start and nearly fall out of his chair. "Will you stop that infernal thumping?"
"But sir, I'm bored," said Harry. "There isn't anything to do."
"What about your homework?" said Severus.
"I've been working on it all morning," said Harry.
"Well, work on it some more," snapped Severus.
"Fine," said Harry gloomily.
Severus sighed. "What do you want to do, Potter?" he asked, sitting himself in the chair beside the boy.
Harry shrugged listlessly. "You won't let me do anything anyway."
"That is not true, Potter," said Severus. "I just want you to ask before you go traipsing around the house."
"You told me not to bother you."
Severus put his face in his hands. The boy took things so literally! And he looked so sad...
"Potter, since you have already succeeded in bothering me, why don't you ask me now."
"Could you show me the library?" he asked hesitantly. "I haven't got anything to read but my school books and Quidditch Through the Ages, and I've read that four times already."
Severus's expression grudgingly softened. "Come on then, Potter," he extended his hand to the boy.
Harry stared at Severus's hand for a few seconds, unsure of what to do.
"Come on, Potter," said Severus.
Gingerly, Harry put his small hand into Severus's larger one. The Potions Master's hand was dry and warm and his grip was firm and not all together unpleasant. The two of them walked hand in hand through the sitting room and through a large wooden door.
"Here you are then, Potter," said Severus, releasing Harry's hand and sitting down in a chair. "The books you would be interested in are over there." He gestured to a section of the bookshelves.
Harry cast one last, nervous glance at his professor and then crossed the room to the wall of books. Five minutes later he returned to Severus with two books clasped under his arm.
"Could I—er—read these outside?" he asked.
Severus glanced out the window. The sun was shining brightly down on the lawn.
"Do not get them mussed or dirty," he said sternly.
"I can then?" asked Harry eagerly.
"Yes," consented Severus. "If you are very careful."
"Thank you sir," said Harry, smiling slightly.
"Off you go now, Potter," said Severus gruffly, trying to hide the effect that smile had on him. "I have things to do."
"Yes, sir," said Harry, and went off to read his newly chosen books outside.
*****CTK*****
Severus looked up from his work and realized that he had neither seen nor heard the boy for several hours.
"Potter?" he called, rising stiffly from his chair. "Potter, where have you gotten to? If you've gone somewhere where you're not allowed—" He opened the door to the garden and looked out.
Harry was there, sitting under a tree. He had fallen asleep while reading one of the books from Severus's library, the book falling closed on his lap, his fingers still keeping his place, while his head lolled to the side.
Severus watched him for a moment, feeling strangely touched by the figure of the sleeping teen.
The sun had gone behind a cloud some time ago and a chill had settled over the garden. A gust of wind blew threw the tree and Harry shivered in his sleep. Severus crouched down beside him.
"Potter? Potter?" He shook the boy's shoulder gently. "Harry, wake up."
Harry stirred and opened his eyes. "Huh?" he mumbled sleepily. "Oh!" he exclaimed, jerking back.
Severus chuckled. "No need to get jumpy, Potter. It is only I. I thought you might want to come inside before you freeze."
Harry nodded and gathered up his books, shivering in his thin t-shirt.
"Inside, Potter," said Severus. "Before you catch a chill."
Harry followed Severus into the house.
"We're having soup for dinner," said Severus tersely. "I don't serve fancy royal banquets here."
"That's okay," said Harry quietly. "At the Dursleys I usually just get whatever's left over. If anything is."
Severus flinched. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded, Potter," he said. He placed the a bowl in front of Harry. "Eat. You look like you haven't had a decent meal in days."
"I haven't."
Severus involuntarily reached out a hand and touched Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at him and Severus glanced away, unable to face those green eyes. "Eat, Potter."
*****CTK*****
Over the next few days, Harry and Severus basically operated in separate spheres. They ate their meals together, in almost total silence, and then Harry would do school work or read or sit outside while Severus retired to his study. He was surprised at how good the boy was at entertaining himself, how acquiescent and quiet. Not at all like his pompous father...
Severus shook his head at this thought. Potter was like is father, maybe not as much as Severus had though before, but there were things there...and he looked so damn much like James! James...with Lily's eyes...
*****CTK*****
*tap tap tap*
At first the knocking was so soft that Severus's didn't even register it.
*tap tap tap*
Severus looked up. "Yes?"
The door to his study opened slightly as Harry appeared in the doorway.
"Er—Professor...?"
"Well?" prompted Severus.
"I was wondering if... When you were sick—" he swallowed, unsure how the Potions Master would react to a reminder of that time, "you helped me with some of my homework. I was wondering if you might help me again."
Severus stared at him.
Harry swallowed. "You're busy," he said, starting the close the door again. "I'll just—"
"Harry, wait."
Harry paused.
"What do you need help with?"
Harry entered the room hesitantly. "It's—well, it's your assignment," he said reluctantly. "I—I don't really understand what it's asking."
"Give it here," said Severus tiredly. "Let me see."
He looked over what Harry had written.
"Typical dunderhead Potter," said Severus snidely, without thinking. "Can't even read the assignment properly. Just like your spoiled, arrogant father"
Harry flushed. "Sorry for wasting your time, sir," he snapped and, grabbing the papers out of Severus's hands, stormed out through the door.
"Potter!" said Severus, cursing himself. "Potter! Stop!" He ran out of the room behind Harry and grabbed his arm.
"Let go of me!" snarled the boy, twisting around. Instinctively, Severus tightened his grip.
"Ow! Let go!" yelled Harry.
Severus dropped Harry's arm and stepped back. Harry stood there, rubbing his arm and glaring at Severus. Severus felt a pang in his chest.
"Potter..."
"You lied to me.
"Potter..."
"You told me you didn't hate me anymore."
"Harry! I—I shouldn't have said that. I spoke without thinking. Come back in and we'll try again, shall we?"
Harry didn't move. Severus extended his hand but Harry made no move to take it.
"Harry, I don't hate you. You wouldn't be here if I hated you. I didn't mean what I said just now, not really. It was...a force of habit. Come back and I'll show you how to do the work properly." He extended his hand again.
After a moment Harry took it and warily followed Severus back into his study.
Severus sat down on the couch. "Sit here," he said, indicating the spot beside him. "When I grabbed you—did I hurt you?"
Harry stared at his lap.
"Let me see," said Severus. He pulled up Harry's sleeve. A purple bruise was already beginning to form where Severus had grabbed him.
Severus stood up and crossed to the window. He closed his eyes and put his head in his hands. How was Potter ever going to trust him if he kept doing things like this? And why did that thought hurt so much?
After a moment a tentative voice said, "Professor?"
"I hurt you. I promised not to hurt you," said Severus, still staring out the window.
"It's okay," said Harry softly. "I know you didn't mean to."
"It's not okay," said Severus heavily, turning around. "But what's done is done I suppose. Would you still like help with your homework assignment?"
"Yes sir," said Harry shyly. "If you don't mind."
"No, Potter," said Severus wryly. "I don't mind."
AN: I know there's been a lot of Severus POV and not very much Harry. Next chapter is mostly Harry POV. I hope you liked it. Tell me what you think?
-SQ