"Angry people are not always wise."
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Chapter Four
''Enough.'' Severus hissed, enraged by the boys arrogance.
''No,'' Potter said, his voice cracking slightly. ''This isn't Hogwarts. Why did you come here? What's the point? Actually- I don't want to know. Just don't pretend to give a damn when we both know you don't. I neither want nor need anyone else pretending as if I matter. As you can see, I have plenty of that already.'' He stressed at the end, while the Potions Master regarded the emotional teenager silently.
Severus spoke slowly, with granite like firmness: ''I am still your Professor, and you will return to Hogwarts with me, even if I have to drag you along by your ear.''
''You're very welcome to try.'' There was a challenging glint in his eyes. "Sir."
Snape glared at the child with fire. The cocky arrogance displayed was unlike the boy's usual behavior. There was a wild look in his eyes, likely due to having his darkest secret aired.
Petunia finally came back to the conversation. ''You are not going to stay here! I only agreed to tolerate you for two months a year.''
Potter rolled his eyes. ''I would rather sleep under a bridge than have to suffer your 'toleration'." He replied in a low voice with such conviction that it was clear that the boy had never intended to spend a night here. What brought the teenager to Privet Drive was a mystery. Was it only to yell at his relatives? Regardless, the Potions professor had more immediate concerns to address than the illogical actions of a hot-tempered teen.
The blonde gave a dismissing nod. ''Get out then, both of you. Vernon is going to be home any minute.''
Snape was curious. For all the bad blood that sparked between aunt and nephew, there was some silent communication that passed between them. A look that communicated a deeper dialogue then the words heard. Potter blanched slightly, which only added to the unhealthy colour of his skin. Severus expected the brat hadn't eaten since breakfast, not that he had really been eating much then. With one betrayed look toward the other teenager who was frozen on the stairs, Potter marched past the wizard, only to have Severus grab him by the shoulder as he went. The older man had suffered one too many headaches throughout the day to let the boy do as he pleased, especially considering he had been the main cause of them.
The emerald eyed boy turned around in one quick move, and used the support of the wall next to him to destabilize his professor's footing. Snape caught his balance before he ended up on the floor. The man took out his wand and muttered a stunning spell. He would not have Potter running off again. The wave of the spell travelled through the air. To both the wizards' astonishment, the curse changed trajectory, moving off to the side just before striking its intended target.
Potter seemed even more surprised than Severus felt. He watched his own hands, not with wonder that one would expect, but fear. Severus was a too practiced a dualist not to use his opponents lack of concentration to his own advantage. With one quick movement, he fired another stunning spell. Potter did not deflect this one. Rather, he managed to duck out of the way in time for the curse to miss him again.
Severus narrowed his eyes. Considering the habitat the boy was raised in, it seemed logical that his reflexes to avoid an attack were honed. A direct encounter was something the child seemed capable of confronting. Moreover, during their little duel Snape noticed that the anger in Potter's gaze vanished. In its place was an intense concentration, which meant the brat was acting more on autopilot than anything else.
Severus swallowed, knowing he had to change tactics. He didn't wish to harm the child, and he also had to consider the small space the two wizards were in. If either started to fire more dangerous curses, they could be fatally deflected on to the two poor excuses for muggles in the room, or worse, onto the street.
''Do continue, Mr. Potter. You are simply paving the road to your expulsion from Hogwarts with every passing moment.'' He sneered at the child, not letting the hands of his opponent out of sight. Potter had not yet taken out his own wand.
The green eyes widened at the older man, as the fifteen year old exclaimed, ''You are not my Head of House-''
With a discreet jinx, Snape used a previously transfigured rope to bind around the boy's hands. Potter took a step back, hitting his head against one pinkish wall as he tried to escape the ropes. His attempt was fruitless as his hands were bound firmly, though not enough to cause true discomfort.
''Take them off!'' The emerald eyed teenager spoke with a hint of panic.
Snape took two long steps before putting both of his hands onto the boy's shoulders. ''Calm down, Potter.''
''Then take them off.'' The 'chosen one' exclaimed again, not meeting his professor's gaze as he struggled with the magical handcuffs. It was, to an extent, irrational of the teenager to abandon all chance of fight due to the binding. If Potter truly could control magic easily without a wand, then this predicament should not have caused such a strong reaction. Severus concluded that the brat was attempting to provoke a burst of accidental magic in order to release himself from his position. He sighed. Maybe Potter didn't have wandless magic at all, like the Dark Lord did, but rather the circumstances had forced his accidental magic to be provoked far too often. As gently as he could manage to act around the fifteen year old, Severus took a hold of Potter's tied hands. He was oblivious to a completely unmoved Petunia who was sneering throughout Potter's entire outburst. Nor was he aware that Dudley Dursley had approached his cousin by a few steps with an uncertain expression, stopped only by his mother's protest.
''Accio Harry Potter's wand,'' The potions master muttered, and a moment later the wand was resting in his outstretched hand. Potter glared at the fact he was wandless, but he kept silent. Thank Merlin. When Severus studied his expression, he saw the apprehensiveness in the fifteen year olds green gaze.
''Let go.'' The brat tried once again, but even his voice indicated that he knew better then expect a positive response.
''When you are calmer,'' Snape replied after a moment of consideration. The man turned back toward his detested childhood acquaintance. Her expression was guarded, but she seemed happy that Potter had reacted violently to his touch earlier. The woman was a fool if she thought that would help her case. If she had not abused the child Potter most likely would have neither reacted this way, nor would any of them have been in this unpleasant situation.
Severus took out his wand and whispered one soft spell before speaking with a voice of steel, ''Do not bother trying to hide the evidence from that cupboard, Tunie. I've made certain it's not going anywhere.''
''You bastard!'' The women accused. ''Now you wish to play hero? Well, let's be clear. This is my house, my rules. If you don't like them, the door is that way. Besides, I never let the brat get too hurt, unlike your drunk of a father, right? Do you still have the scars from the belt-''
The potions master raised his wand as he considered letting loose one of his darker fantasies, however the muggle sixteen year old jumped from the stairs toward his mother. Maybe the teen was not a complete coward. What was far more surprising was that another attack came from behind. Potter forcefully knocked him from the side, destabilizing his footing. When the Potions Master met the emerald eyes, they were unreadable.
''She's not worth it.'' The fifteen year old muttered quietly. Petunia did not look surprised that Potter had protected her.
''Harry may be you really should leave, especially if dad's coming soon.''
''And I have you to thank for that, Dudley,'' Despite the words, there was sarcasm in Potter's voice. ''The monster who killed my parents is alive, and he will gladly use the secrets you sold as a means to torment me. Aside from that, people will treat me like a bomb about to explode. Not to mention that all the dark wizards know now where the bloody hell I go every summer. So now, not only is my life on the line, but yours is too, and I need to find a way to fix it all. Really, Big D, thanks so much.''
The sixteen year old gulped at the news, looking with wide eyes at his cousin. Potter seemed almost amused at making the other boy look like a deer caught in the headlights.
''Don't try to scare my Dudley with your horrible lies, boy! The Blood Protection-''
Severus broke in with a bored tone. ''Since when are you an expert on magic, Petunia? The blood wards give you a level of protection, which ends when Potter's magic matures fully at seventeen. Then, your heads will be served on a silver plate to both Death Eaters, who will torture the breath out of you, and to Potter's loyal fans.'' The potions master enjoyed watching the colour drain from the muggle's faces. ''Thanks to your son, Potter may be removed from this household much sooner than that, though. When that happens, the Blood Wards will fall too, speeding up this scenario considerably.''
Severus did not look back as he turned toward the doorway and forced Potter to join him. Dudley Dursley stared in shock from his mother to the two wizards. He grabbed Potter by his shoulder, yet he made sure to not be too rough. Potter walked silently at first, obviously wishing to get away from Privet Drive. This was understandable. However, when the street faded away, the brat yanked his arm away from his professor, glaring at the man with loathing.
''Potter, it is in your best interest to stop acting like a five year old.'' The adult reprimanded, yet waited unmoving.
The emerald eyed teen raised his chin high with suspicious eyes, his hands still bound, ''Where are we going?"
''To get something to eat.''
The fifteen year old blinked in surprise, ''And Hogwarts?''
''It is on the agenda.'' The potion master replied tonelessly, yet a small movement of his wand caused the binds on the boy's hands to loosen and then disappear.
Potter massaged his wrists, as if he had been in discomfort before. He approached the potions master uncertainly, ''Shouldn't you inform the Order that you found me?''
''I hardly care if they worry, Potter.'' And they truly did deserve to worry.
''But you said that everyone was looking for me; what if they encounter Death Eaters?'' The fifteen year old questioned with more of his usual annoyingly lively voice.
''You should have considered that before running off.''
''I would have come back today.''
Severus gave him a long look full of skepticism: ''Your words mean little.''
''Can't you send them a patronous?'' The child asked again, a hint of guilt echoed in his voice. ''I don't want anyone to get hurt, sir.''
The Potions Master exhaled, while he started to walk again and was glad to see the boy follow. What brought about this change of mood was a mystery. Was the brat truly so protective?
''Potter, I will say this once and do not dare repeat it to anyone. Aurors are not complete morons, nor are they untrained. The same applies to the Order members who are currently looking for you. They are capable of defending themselves, and every one of them is aware of the risk. They are willing wizards and witches, and you have to learn to respect their choices.''
Severus expected the brat to further question why he refused to send forward the information, but his next question was much simpler.
''Are you going to give me back my wand?''
"No."
They arrived at a modest restaurant, with pale tables, pale chairs, and pale walls. Even the people working had a deathly paleness about them. The only source of life in the old restaurant was the bar made of dark wood with golden decorations. It stood out from the rest of the image. The bar focused the eye, imprisoning the mind into a single thought. Potter followed his Professor, and a minute later the two sat in silence at one of the empty tables in the far corner of the room. They watched each other calculatingly, yet both Occlumens kept their observations and strategies well hidden beneath their masks.
''I will not repeat what I heard and saw if you swear to do the same.'' The fifteen year old negotiated.
Severus an eyebrow at that, completely unmoved, ''Is this your attempt at blackmai?''
The young eyes narrowed, ''It's a straightforward deal. Though in all honesty, I cannot understand how my mother could ever be friends with a Death Eater, or more precisely, you.''
''Watch your tongue, Mr. Potter.'' The potions professor warned with a silky voice, his hands clenched into fists. It didn't help that it was Lily's eyes that were looking at him with cold disgust. He needed to rein in his temper before he did something he would regret.
He had brought the brat here to give himself time to reflect upon what he had witnessed. Moreover, Severus realized that a part of his mind had seriously considered leaving Potter with the Dursley under the Order's supervision. This was out of question now, after he witnessed the ease with which Petunia had restored to physical and verbal violence against her nephew.
The fifteen year old did not back down, and in the half crowded restaurant, he spoke in a tone that Severus wished he could ignore. ''What the Marauders did to you was wrong, and I learned that on my own skin.''
''Potter-''
''And,'' The fifteen year old broke in, forcing his teacher to let him finish. ''If the tables were reversed, if it was your unhappy home life that had been in the headlines of the newspapers, what would you give to keep it a secret?'' The boy finished softly, with a pleading expression that disgusted Severus. ''I am not looking for your sympathy. I am not going to use my mother's memory to make a point. All I want is for you to know that I am ready to give a lot to keep this matter a secret.''
The Potion Master regarded his student silently. He heard the threat between the lines, but the spy also knew that he didn't know what said threat was and that was a disadvantage for him. The brat could be bargaining about air here, but there was hardness in the young emerald eyes that suggested his intent was anything but childish.
''Humans share the unacknowledged trend of idolizing their own misfortunes above those of anyone else without any logical perspective, don't they, Mr. Potter?'' The child glared at him, much to his amusement. Severus passed the boy the menu, ''My treat.''
Potter didn't take the menu. Instead he seemed deep in thought, most likely trying to figure out a threat powerful enough to use against his hated professor. Suddenly, Severus realized an unlikely advantage he had over the boy. The fifteen year old had demonstrated on many occasions an aversion towards bulling. If this aversion came from his personal experience, then perhaps the boy was weakened by limiting himself from stepping into the role of an aggressor.
Severus continued with a new found calmness, ''If you wish not to share a meal with me, then I will be more then content to take you back to Hogwarts right now.''
The brat responded by opening the menu with a frustrated expression. He flickered through the pages pointlessly, obviously not reading the words. The Gryffindor did not lift his gaze when he mastered the courage to speak, ''So you were my father's school enemy and my mum's best friend. How does that work?''
''Your lack of intellect is not my concern.'' He replied sternly, with a clear warning as this was not a topic he wished to discuss, especially with the reincarnation of James Potter that sat before him. Besides, he still planned to Obliviate the boy when they left the restaurant.
''Right, I forgot that you're the bitter ex-Death Eater turned Potions professor that's incapable of letting go of the past.'' Severus decided to ignore him, and enjoyed the child's frustration as one more of his venues failed. The thirty six year old suspected he had far better cheek ready, yet his hesitation to use it was his own demise. ''And what's with the restaurant deal? People can overhear us. What if there are Death Eaters here?''
''Once again, Mr. Potter, your intellect proves to be atrocious.'' The Potions Master stated unkindly. ''I am a spy, and very aware of the areas which both sides have already checked, think most probable to check, and are currently at to look for you. Besides, a waitress hasn't yet acknowledged our presence, nor have the other costumers. Your inability to detect a few simple wards proves that you pay little attention in classes other than my own.'' He said this pointedly; the brat did not take the critique humbly and sat straighter with a cross expression.
''I pay attention in your class. Sadly, a certain teacher never stops trying to reduce me to dirt under his feet long enough for me to prove it.''
''Excuses. Have you chosen your meal?'' Severus replied patronizingly.
''I'll take anything.'' The fifteen year old replied carelessly, strong negativity echoing through his voice. Severus muttered a spell to test Potter's metal shields. He felt them instantly, and so did the boy, for he jumped as if something had burned him, though his defenses did not crumble to Severus' unadmitted approval.
''You can't do that!''
''Stay seated.'' The Potions Master instructed firmly.
''You just-''
''Stopped my intrusion. Your shields are not as pathetic as I thought.'' Severus did not wish to dwell on the fact that he had given an indirect compliment to the boy, but he was not done with him yet. Besides, the unhealthy pale skin and dark circles under the boys eyes shouted that the fifteen year old needed a proper meal. ''Now, you will either eat chitterlings or reconsider your choice of me choosing your meal.''
''I'll take pizza.''
Severus wanted to roll his eyes at the childish behavior, but he wished not to waste any more energy on the teenager. The fact that he was cooperating to some extent suggested the he was indeed starving. The Potions Master carefully manipulated his series of charms for the waitress to take the order. She returned with their drinks, and left to see to her other clients. Potter looked blindly ahead. Severus decided now was as good a time as any for the conversation he needed to have with the child. ''How often did your relatives abuse you?''
''Read the article. Dudley got it rather right.''
His fist clenched at the arrogant act, but he continued calmly. He had faced abused students at Hogwarts before, yet this brat still managed to ignite his ire. ''Watch your tone. How many meals a day did you have?''
''Depends,'' The Potions Master raised an eyebrow at that, waiting. Potter finally seemed to grow uncomfortable under his gaze, for he leaned away in the chair and spoke, ''If your sick fantasies are really so curious, my aunt always woke me up before Vernon or Dudley and let me eat breakfast. She would never stand for someone accusing that she mistreated her son or me, so on school days I got a pack lunch. That's it.''
Silently, Severus was cataloguing every single word and movement of the child as he said this. He needed to know more. In retrospect, he had more than enough to make his point with the Headmaster and the Order of how serious Potter's abuse was. Yet now, all he could feel was unquestionable guilt. ''And dinner?''
''My uncle's favorite punishment was to deny me food.'' Potter appeared embarrassed when the words were out, and continued quickly, ''It wasn't so bad though, I did most of the cooking since I was five, so I usually managed to steal food here and there. And Aunt Petunia, for all of her shrieks and complains, made sure I had the basics and that I stayed alive.''
''If you are thinking you can convince me that you have not been subjected to abuse after what I saw then you're either truly stupid or delirious.'' The Potions Master snapped back, angered by the boy's attitude. He filled both of their glasses with water to occupy his hands. ''Nothing about this situation is fine, and neither are you.''
The emerald gaze flashed: ''Some people don't have the luxury of sitting down and pondering on all the wrongs of their life, looking for people to blame or places to hide. Some people, Professor, have to fight every single day just to survive. And maybe after, they'll have time to be bitter or depressed, when they find the time to think about how unfair life is. But what is the point in that?''
OOO
The little elf looked curiously at Harry Potter and the tall Potions professor who sat with him. Dobby was happy his Harry Potter was going to have a meal, for Dobby worried about Harry Potter's health. He wanted Harry Potter to be happy! The little elf looked down at his thin hands, which held the letter Harry Potter had requested earlier. Dobby wondered if he should try to get Harry Potter's attention now, or wait until Professor Snape had made sure the fifteen year old had eaten. Dobby remembered that he had offered earlier in the day to bring some biscuits to raise his poor Harry Potter's spirit. The house elf stayed hidden in the shadow as his thoughts travelled to the events that had taken place a few hours before.
Dobby watched his Harry Potter with wide, unsure eyes. His pointy ears hung down, while he stayed to the shadows. The great wizard was not a happy wizard. Dobby did not like the way his master held his wand. Neither did the house elf like the pleading edge in his master's voice when Harry Potter offered Rita Skeeter a large amount of money for her to say publicly that an article had been based on false information. Dobby shuddered when Harry Potter screamed the name of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. His good and young Master's voice took a hard edge. The amount of money proposed just grew and grew. Dobby could not believe how much Master was willing to offer for her silence, but the woman simply responded by laughing.
The elf did not like that. She was a mean woman. A very mean witch. Her voice grew patronizing, her words mocking. She told him of plots and dreams of becoming famous thanks to Dobby's master. She said that she was not going to abandon that for his foolish complaints. She told master to be thankful and to go cry to someone else unless he wanted everyone to know of the deal Harry Potter offered. She spoke of the profit his master's tragedies would bring both of them in the public eye. She named the innocent prisoner of Azkaban in her speech.
Dobby was about to hex her hair off for insulting his Harry Potter, but his master asked him to close the door. With a flick of his hand Dobby did, added silencing charms as asked. The elf did not understand why Harry Potter had asked him to do this, but Harry Potter was the best wizard ever, and he was always right. Dobby waited near the door as his master made one more attempt to convince Rita Skeeter to make a deal with him.
''Imperio.''
The words had been said, and Dobby watched his master in concern as he told him to go to Hogwarts, and most precisely Professor McGonagall's office, to find the copy of his first Hogwarts letter. Dobby asked if his Harry Potter wanted tea and biscuits to raise his spirits. Dobby did not like his master being sad. Harry Potter gave him a weak smile, and asked him kindly if he could keep what he had seen a secret. Very happy that he could do something for his Harry Potter, Dobby promised to do this with enthusiasm.
OOO
This story was betaed by xXFor-The-Love-Of-FandomXx
