Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his wondrous world belong to J.K. Rowling. This story is just for kicks and giggles.
Summary: Snape's position as a spy is compromised when Harry's life is threatened. The beginnings of a journey together... will they survive?
Spoiler: For all the books since I've read them all at least once... by the way, this story "takes place" after book five…
Circumstance
By Libellule
Chapter Four
Dumbledore stayed with them as long as he could, but left before dawn the following morning. It was necessary, Dumbledore had explained, that he was seen at Hogwarts in order to set his plan for their futures in motion.
In the mean time, Harry stayed with Leonora, sleeping on her couch in the living room. The next few days were blessedly Snape free as Harry had managed to avoid any task that might bring him into the Potion Master's room.
Dumbledore left strict instructions for Snape to remain bedridden, which the obstinate Potions Master neglected completely. Snape had no intention of submitting to assistance a moment longer than necessary.
After days of lying in bed, Snape had had enough. In the early hours of the morning, when the sky was dark and the birds were waking, when Leonora and Harry were still deep in sleep, Snape eased himself out of bed. Slowly, testing out the limitations of his recovering body, he walked down the hallway to the upstairs bath. It took him a moment to remember how to work the muggle water fixtures, but his irritation disappeared in the soothing stream of a hot shower.
Snape washed the filth of sickness from him, feeling relief from such a basic act. He barely looked in the mirror, but when he did catch sight of his reflection once the steam had lessened, he studied himself closely.
The parasite had done quite a number on him. Snape supposed he'd come very close to death's door and he certainly looked the part. Skin devoid of color, deep purple bags under his eyes, he looked like the living dead.
He smirked at his reflection. No wonder I frighten children, he thought.
When he finished in the bathroom the sun was just rising, casting blue light through the east windows. Snape peeked over the railing down into the living room. Harry Potter was asleep on the couch below.
Potter. Snape just couldn't get away from the young Gryffindor. Their lives were moving in intertwining circles, much to his dismay. Ever since he'd met James Potter in his first year at Hogwarts, he'd wanted nothing more than to get away from Potter and his kin. It seemed that fate had other plans for him.
Snape did not think it wise to attempt to descend the stairs today. Lucky for Mr. Potter. Tomorrow, perhaps, he'd venture to the lower level.
His morning jaunts became a ritual of sorts. Each morning Snape woke before the birds, crept down stairs, and brewed a cup of tea in the early silence. It was soothing to be back in the place he considered a second home, even if it was encroached by one Harry Potter.
Snape managed to avoid waking Harry as he rummaged around the kitchen until the third morning. He heard the boy stirring, turning awkwardly on the couch. Snape was as quiet as he could be, moving cautiously around the kitchen, hoping that Harry would fall back asleep. His carefulness was in vain, however, as Harry peeked over the back of the couch staring sleepily at him.
Snape scowled. He'd been caught out of bed by Harry Potter. If he hadn't been so annoyed he might have appreciated the irony.
The boy sat up, clearly surprised to see his professor. "You're up," Harry said dumbly.
"So it would seem," Snape remarked. He hoped that for once the boy would leave him be. He wasn't ready for a battle of wits with a teenage boy, so he threw Harry the nastiness glare he could muster.
Harry fidgeted uncomfortably in the silence, looking like he was about to drown. "Feeling better?" he ventured timidly.
"Your powers of observation astound me, Potter," Snape hissed. With that Snape relieved them both, making his way slowly up the stairs to his room.
Harry didn't come up to see him, and Snape didn't inquire as to his presence. Smiling, pleased with himself, Snape figured he'd convinced the boy of his irritability enough for Harry to leave him alone for the duration of their stay at Leonora's cottage.
That was not the case.
The next morning Snape was enjoying an herbal remedy out on the garden terrace when Harry pulled back the glass door and stepped out into the blue dawn with him.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked, eying the hand rolled cigarette. "Isn't that illegal?"
Snape held his breath as long as he could before turning his head, and releasing the smoke over his shoulder away from Harry.
"One," Snape began as he quickly stamped out the joint, "what I do is none of your concern. Two, substances that are prohibited under muggle law are not necessarily illicit in the wizarding world. And three, this is stramonium which is perfectly legal to smoke in any society."
"Stramonium?" Harry asked.
"I should have known that you pay no more attention in Herbology than you do in Potions," Snape sneered. "Stramonium is the dried form of what is commonly known as thornapple."
Harry frowned. "If this thornapple is so legal, then why did you snuff it out when I came out here?"
"I have had quite enough of your impertinence for one day, Mr. Potter," Snape snarled, standing as he spoke. He swept past Harry moving smoothly despite his injuries, his black robes flaring behind him in the breeze as he pulled back the sliding door, and stepped inside.
Snape hoped that Harry did not notice that he had avoided the question, and had taken the burnt out joint with him.
Harry was bored stiff— so much so that he actually volunteered to help Leonora with the housework. He was ordered by both Leonora and Snape to stay inside, lest Voldemort and his cronies were lurking about in the garden. Harry thought the whole thing ridiculous. He was no safer in the house than he was outside with a muggle woman, a wounded wizard and no wand to protect him.
Snape was back to his usual sneering and disdainful self, and yet Harry looked forward to meeting him every morning— he grinned impishly— if nothing else than to annoy his old Potions Professor. It was obvious that Snape wanted nothing to do with him, and therefore Harry gladly woke with the birds each day.
One morning, six days since this whole ordeal began, Harry awakened to hushed voices. He wondered what had caused him to suddenly wake up— it was before even the birds had decided to rise.
"...easy now. Don't upset yourself."
It was Dumbledore, and from the racking cough, Harry knew he was talking to Snape.
"Albus," Snape said when he finally could speak, "this isn't wise."
"Of course it is, Severus. I told you before I left that this would happen. Nothing has changed since then. Thought I would reconsider?"
Snape was quiet in what Harry could only term silent resignation.
"How long?" he murmured.
"Until we can build our defenses up," Dumbledore replied. "Until you and Harry's safety can be guaranteed."
"It'll be forever, then," Snape remarked. "Or until I die."
"Four weeks," Dumbledore said.
Snape snorted, "Four weeks with Harry Potter? Might as well be forever."
"I'm sure Harry will be delighted— won't you Mr. Potter?"
He didn't know how Dumbledore knew, but Harry was caught. He sat up guiltily, looking over at the two wizards sitting at the kitchen counter.
"You remember what we talked about before I left, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, of course," Harry replied. How could he forget his fate for the summer?
"Good, good," Dumbledore said, "You'd best get some rest because you're leaving in the morning."
The only good thing that came with Dumbledore's return was a satchel of Harry's personal effects. Dumbledore had seen to it that his wand, his invisibility cape and some of his other wizarding belongings were back in his hands. Not among his possessions was his beloved owl, Hedwig. Dumbledore assured Harry that Hedwig was safely at Hogwarts in care of Hagrid.
What Harry did not expect to see was several new muggle outfits.
"Well, I thought these clothes more appropriate than your old ones," Dumbledore said. "And traveling through muggle England in wizarding robes will not do."
Harry nodded gratefully. His wardrobe outside of Hogwarts consisted of his cousin's old hand-me-downs that were many sizes too large.
"Oh, and I thought this might be useful," Dumbledore added, handing Harry a small clothbound book. It was so old that the title had been rubbed off the cover and the spine.
Harry opened the book to the title page. "Magical resources in the muggle world," he read.
"Since you'll be traveling as muggles, your use of magic will be restricted. This book with help you throughout your expedition."
"Thank you, sir," Harry replied.
"Beware, however. That it is a very old book. Study it very carefully. There are some spells inside that lean strongly on the dark arts. I trust your good judgment, Harry."
Harry nodded as he flipped through the book. The type was very small and there were black ink diagrams of various plants and animals. The drawings didn't move, but Harry supposed it was better that way in case someone noticed.
"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore said, turning to address the younger wizard, "I'm glad to see you're ready."
Harry did a double take. Snape appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black, long sleeved tee with a pair of sunglasses hanging from the collar. Never in a million years did Harry think he'd ever see Professor Snape in muggle clothes.
As he descended the stairs he frowned disapprovingly at Harry and growled, "Bee in your bonnet, Potter?"
Harry shrugged, trying not to let Snape intimidate him. They were going to be spending a lot of time together and Snape, beguiling as ever, would do his best to manipulate him.
Harry didn't care if Snape was protecting him or not— he wouldn't let his guard down around the former Death Eater.
"Are you packed at least?" Snape asked, coming up beside him.
Harry patted the backpack Dumbledore had brought him. "All set," he replied.
"Not quite," Snape said, rummaging through the messenger bag slung across his shoulders. He pulled out a small package wrapped in a cloth bandana and tied with twine.
Harry stared at the package suspiciously. "What's in it?"
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, take it!" Snape snapped angrily. "It's a small sampling of herbs from Leonora's garden. You'll need to be prepared if we become separated."
Accepting the bundle, Harry shoved it into his bag quickly. He wasn't surprised that Snape had thought to give him herbs. It was typical of his Potions professor to give him potions ingredients.
Harry was suspicious of Snape— that he'd had thought about the possibility of their separation. Was he intending it? Leaving Harry on his own once they'd left the city? Harry didn't know what he'd do on his own. But now that he knew what Snape was planning, he'd have to prepare a plan of his own.
"So serious."
Startled from his thoughts, Harry looked up. Leonora smiled back at him. She had a wide brimmed hat on her head and a small suitcase in her hand.
"You're coming with us?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Yes," she answered at the same time that Snape said, "No."
"Absolutely not," Snape retorted, folding his arms across his chest. "It's too dangerous."
"I'm sorry, but my mind is made up," Leonora said sternly. It was the closest to angry that Harry had ever seen her.
Snape turned to Dumbledore for support. "She can't come with us."
"You're right, Severus," Dumbledore began. "Not the entire journey, anyway."
Snape was nodding in agreement then stopped abruptly, shouting, "What? No! Albus, she can't come at all!"
Harry couldn't help but grin as Snape stormed about incredulously, realizing he was outnumbered.
"Voldemort's supporters will be looking for a pair, two people, a young boy and man. With Leonora you'll throw them off at least until you can get out of the city."
"We're going to London?" Harry asked.
"The fastest way to obscurity is to take the train," Dumbledore said. "And the best place to hide at this moment is in plain sight."
"Really?" Snape sneered, still annoyed that he'd been overruled. "I always thought the best place to hide was under the bed."
Dumbledore smiled at the scowling wizard, saying, "Not in this case."
He led the way to the front door, glancing quickly out the front window. Dumbledore put on a good front, but he was as cautious as they come.
"Are you ready, Harry?" He asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be," he said as he opened the door and stepped through.
To be continued...
revised Author's note, ETA 6/18/2008: Sorry about the quotes getting all messed up— as far as I can tell, only chapters 4 and 5 have been affected. Please let me know if you notice other strangeness. Thanks for reading. Li
Author's note:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your patience. To everyone who has reviewed or e-mailed me: you are wonderful people!
I really hope that you like this chapter (it took long enough, didn't it?).
(griseldajane . livejournal . com)
I love e-mail.
Thanks again everyone!
Li