Chapter Four: Visitors:

Severus woke up the next morning feeling rested and a bit better. He yawned, stretched and sat up and saw Tabby curled up in a ball next to him. He looked from her and saw Moody sprawled out on a bed further from the window than where he lay. He reached down and petted the cat and she stretched, yawned showing all her sharp teeth and front claws. Severus smirked at the cat as she curled up to go back to sleep and he thought McGonagall was cute in cat form. She still would not take any form of fooling around and he had been bit more than once when he teased her beloved lions, her cat bite hurt though she would turn human right after and heal him. He smirked as she opened her eyes as he was scratching her head and she got off the bed and turned to the human form of McGonagall.

"I knew you loved me, sharing my bed now?" Severus smirked.

"I see you are back to your disagreeable self." McGonagall countered. "How do you feel?"

"Better, whatever Poppy used on me worked wonders." Severus replied.

"Athelas, Neville grew it, he really is good in potions and he did buy a wand last year if you recall."

"No I did not know that, bloody nuisance he was in potions." Severus said.

"Well he is very good at most other things, and not everyone is going to be good at potions. I am not as you know full well."

"Yes I do know that." Severus said then as he felt hungry, "I am hungry."

"Good I will have some food brought, anything you want in particular?" McGonagall asked him.

"I will have Tibby get it." Severus said then called out "Tibby!"

"You called master Severus?" A small elf said as soon as she had popped into existence.

"Yes Tibby will you please get me breakfast, all my favorite breakfast things?" Severus asked. "Bring Minerva some tea, anything else Minerva?"

"No tea is fine, I will eat in the great hall."

"That will be all Tibby."

"Of course master Severus, Tibby is glad to serve!"

With a pop she was gone and Severus got up and went to the bathroom to use the toilet then wash his hands and face coming back to bed to see that McGonagall had fluffed up the pillows and set them so he could sit up and eat. He got back into bed and she tucked the blankets in around him. The food came and McGonagall put the tray over his legs and he stared in on the food. He had poached eggs, sausage, bacon, kippers half a fried tomato (he liked his tomatoes fried) mushrooms in butter with dill, hash brown potatoes and two muffins toasted golden brown with creamy butter. This was a normal breakfast for Severus, while many of his colleges contented themselves with an egg and toast and maybe a piece of bacon he tucked into a large breakfast each day. Then again he loved to eat and he had such a high metabolism he stayed lean and trim. Poppy came in as he was drinking a cup of coffee and finishing up on his muffin with relish.

"I see you have your appetite back." She said walking up and taking out a thermometer, she could cast a spell to take his temperature but this worked better.

"I still feel weak." Severus grumbled and glared at her as she put the thermometer in his mouth.

"Well you still look too pale, you will need another bath and rub down." Poppy said and at the fierce glare, "now don't you look at me that way, sooner you get better the sooner you can go terrify first years."

"Just tell them the potions master is sick and needs the blood of innocent children." Severus said as soon as the thermometer was taken from his mouth. "What is the verdict?"

"Still a bit high, but better than last night." Then as Moody woke up and yawned, "good morning Alastor, you feeling well?"

"Aye that I am." Moody said getting up and stretching, "how is the brat?"

"He will need a message, after breakfast."

"I am here you know." Severus growled.

"Well you go take a bath and I will make sure Alastor eats then he can take care of you." Poppy said.

"Oh joy." Severus said sarcastically.

Severus got up knowing the drill and Moody drew a piping hot bath for him then went to eat his breakfast while Severus soaked in the potion filled bath and let it sooth his tired sore body. He got out only when Moody came for him and once more he got on the table clad in his shorts and let Moody massage the Athelas into his sore muscles. Finally the massage was done and he dressed in his nightshirt and went back to bed. He slept all morning until lunch and ate well and found he had enough energy to sit up and read. Moody stayed in the room guarding him though that did not stop one person visiting Severus much to Severus's amusement er annoyance!

Harry peeked around the door his green eyes wide with concern and a bit of fear. When he saw Severus was not going to chuck an book at his head he walked into the room and stood not sure what to say to Severus. Severus regarded the brat, er boy who had caused him so much trouble. Try as he might (he he tried really hard) he no longer hated the boy. In fact he really liked the boy and though Harry still needed lots of training he was starting to turn into the young man, warrior the side of good and light needed. His hair was as untidy as ever but his robes were at the very least pressed and neat. Severus gave his sternest look and folded his arms while Harry wondered if this was a good time to be here.

"So what do I owe this visit to Potter?" Severus said softly.

"I um wanted to make sure you are alright sir." Harry said, "did you really, I mean the papers say you did, but did you really blow up Riddle manor?"

"That is why I am here Potter." Severus said.

"Severus you be nice!" Moody growled.

"Shut it Moody!" Severus replied then to Harry, "so why are you here?"

"To say I am ah sorry if I have been a prat sir."

"We have been over that, you do not need to apologize anymore." Severus said.

"Well then to say you are brilliant sir" Harry said grinning, "you really blew up Riddle!"

Severus looked up at the young man he had been so prejudiced against for so long. Yes Harry did look like his father with his hair and glasses but that was where the similarities ended. His eyes were green of course but he had his mother's nose, her facial features and even much of her mannerisms. His temperament was hers too as was his empathy and his talent for potions. Oh yes once he Severus, no once Harry had started to really work at potions he proved he was very good at them. Severus indicated the chair next to him and Harry grinned and walked over to take a seat. Moody invited himself over and brought over a table with his wand and a pack of cards.

"Anyone up for some poker?" He asked.

"Sure, exams are done this year at least." Harry said, "I can rest a bit until next year."

"Oh you think so do you?" Severus said silkily.

"You and Hermione both are going to be the death of me!" Harry nearly whined.

"You wish to be an Auror?" Severus asked as Moody dealt the cards, "though you must promise me to not end up as horrid as Moody!"

"Shut it brat!" Moody growled at Severus getting Harry to grin.

"Never thought I would be doing this." Severus said, "I must be going mad."

"What is that sir?" Harry asked.

"I am playing cards with an Auror and a Potter!"

"I could ask Remus to join us." Harry said.

"Potter…"

"Or Sirius!"

"Harry…"

"Okay not Sirius, he might revert to doggy form and chew the cards." Harry smirked.

"Boy that is yer godfather!" Moody said.

"Well the last time I played exploding snap with Ron at Grimmauld place let's just say that Molly was not happy having to heal him up after the deck exploded in his mouth." Harry smirked.

Severus grunted and very nearly grinned but kept it to a smile. He did like Harry now and found he was a good young man and he wished that Lilly and James had lived. He could have seen the interesting hexes done to James every time he had to go get healed from trying to thwart the good upbringing that Lilly would have given to Harry. She would have loved him but not spoiled him, not her! Severus looked up and saw twinkling green eyes (blast you Dumbledore you ruined another one) and a smirk and realized all was well in the world, that is it would be once Voldemort was worm food.

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Now in cannon we don't see Severus being a picky eater, in fact I doubt he really would be. I see him as a tall lean man with a high metabolism who loves good food. The English breakfast included here is not as many of my Brit friends have told me something they do every day. Yet at Hogwarts the students and staff can have it if they want and I am sure that many growing students and hungry staff do have it each day. I don't like blood pudding so I switched that for kippers which when made right are really good.

As for Harry getting along with Severus so well, in his fifth year he found a letter to his mother from Severus. He did manage to figure things out and so he spoke to Severus who at first wanted nothing to do with him. However he did bribe him if he did well in potions and learned from him he would tell him about his mother. Harry did start doing really well and a friendship slowly, over months in fact an understanding then friendship grew. Though Severus clearly expects Harry to be respectful as he is his mentor!