Harry Potter and the Bond by Rachlan

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters. If I did, I would have money. As it is, I don't.

A/N: So sorry I haven't updated in so long! I will try to keep my updates more consistent in the future, but I am not promising anything.

Chapter 7: I didn't ask for this

July 31st, 1996, 4 pm

Harry spent four hours after lunch cleaning cauldrons and organizing potions stores. 'This is worse than detention!' he thought angrily. 'What did I do to deserve this?'

"Would you PLEASE stop thinking so loudly!" Snape asked irritably from his worktable across the room.

Harry looked up, startled, and was surprised to see Snape skillfully tending three cauldrons at once. It was then that Harry fully appreciated that Severus Snape was a potions master.

"Sorry, sir," he mumbled. "I didn't realize. Erm- sir?" Harry asked cautiously.

"What?" the professor snapped.

"I was just- just wondering if we could- er- discuss this bond- thingy," Harry finished lamely. He looked beseechingly at Snape and waited for his teacher to answer him.

Snape removed one potion from the flames and began decanting another one into vials. Finally he looked up at Harry. "Bond- thingy?" he scoffed. "What's to discuss? We are stuck together for an indeterminable amount of time." He paused for a moment, then muttered, "Merlin! Even sleeping..."

Harry stared at Snape, horrified and open- mouthed. Snape looked at him and grumbled, "Stop gaping like a fish, foolish boy. I will transfigure something into a bed for you. Not that you deserve it," he trailed off, probably thinking Harry wouldn't hear him.

But Harry did. And it stung, even though he knew his teacher despised him. Wasn't it bad enough that the Dursleys despised him? He had done nothing to aggravate Snape, except what?- look like his father and what could Harry do about that after all?

Harry's control snapped in that moment. "I didn't ask for this stupid bond," he growled at Snape. "I don't want to be stuck near you for any length of time, you greas-" Harry went to say greasy git, but the words wouldn't come out. Then he remembered. Have to be nice. Bugger it. "You- you- bat."

Snape smirked at him. "Clever." Then he seemed to recall Harry's earlier statements. "Well I didn't ask for it either, you impudent-"

A loud knock sounded at the door of Snape's chambers. "Little boy," Snape finished. He stomped over to the door and threw it open, knowing who was 'visiting'. "Albus," he stated flatly.

The Headmaster smiled happily at him. "Hello Severus," he singsonged. "You and Harry still getting along well, I hope?"

Severus glared at Harry and Harry glared right back. "Yes, of course, Professor Dumbledore," Harry murmured.

"Excellent," the old man declared. "Now Harry, I came to tell you that you will be allowed to visit Grimmauld Place for a couple of hours this evening." He paused while Harry whooped in exulation. "Professor Snape will have to accompany you, of course." When Snape started to protest, Dumbledore held up his hand and the younger man quieted instantly. "It's only for one night, Severus. I am sure you can handle it."

Suddenly the Dark Mark burned bright and fierce on Severus' arm and he gasped. "What is it, dear boy?" Dumbledore asked urgently.

"Nothing," Snape rasped. "Just a reminder to whom we belong."

Harry winced, momentarily forgetting his anger at the man in front of him. What a life it must be, having a homicidal maniac in charge of causing you excruciating pain whenever he felt the whim!

"Is there anything I can do for you, Professor?" he asked Snape kindly.

Snape looked up at him, surprised, but shook his head wearily. "No, nothing. Thank you, though," he mumbled reluctantly.

Albus beamed at the two of them. "Wonderful, my boys, wonderful! So you will accompany Harry tonight, right Severus?" Albus asked, emphasis on his last words, letting Harry know that this was not an option for his potions teacher.

"Yes, Albus, fine. I will take the br-" Harry fixed him with a look- "erm, the boy to his birthday party," he sneered.

"That's good. If you could floo over at 8 o'clock, then," Albus said cheerily and then left the rooms with a flare of his violet robes.

TBC