A/N: I am so sorry for leaving it updated for so long. I am an utter failure, and I sincerely apologise and realise that if I have lost readers by doing this, it is my own stupid fault. I know how much I hate it when people don't update for ages, and yet here I am doing just that.
Thanks for the reviews, especially the advice-y ones. I now have more of a plan grins evilly I will get on now.
Unfortunately, my reprieve is brief. I come round after only a few minutes, according to the clock, and, surprise surprise, Snape looks weary again.
"Harry, you can't keep running away from your problems that way," he tells me. Well duh. "I hope you realise the seriousness of this situation. I do not know how aware you are of this, but the reason your hair came out so easily just then is because you are so severely malnourished. It is an extremely serious situation."
I think this would probably be a bad moment to ask him if he is aware he is repeating himself. For fuck's sake, Potter, this is not the time for flippancy, you stupid ungrateful fucking freak! Make an effort, freak. "I'm sorry, sir. I-" Do it. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise how far it had gone, sir. How badly I messed up. I'm sorry."
He stands up off of the floor and holds out his hand to me. I don't want to take it, don't want to take it when I know he'll be able to feel how fucking heavy I am, what a failure I am. But. I take his hand and let him help me up. A brief flash of something flashes across his face. Even when I am standing, he does not release my hand. "Do not apologise," he instructs me, so softly I barely hear it. "For God's' s sake, don't apologise." The hint of pain in his voice confuses me and makes me want to cry for reasons I do not understand. Then suddenly, he's normal again, brisk and business-like. "Let's finish later," he says decisively, gesturing at the forgotten trunk. "A change of scenery will do us both a world of good, I should think."
We leave his quarters and walk the corridors. The corridors are dark and empty, and I must look confused, for he tells me without me asking that it is "Quite late." It's almost quite amusing, actually, he sounds almost sheepish, like he's a prefect sneaking out after curfew. I want to laugh, but feel like if I do, I probably won't be able to stop. And I hardly think a hysterical episode would help my case right now.
"Where are we going, sir?" I venture after a while of just seemingly randomly pacing up and down corridors.
He looks quite surprised, as if he hadn't really thought about it himself. "Where would you like to go?"
Say it. "Uhm, I'm feeling kindof hungry, actually sir." I feel sick even saying it, but the look on his face is worth it. Bemusement, I think, with subtle undertones of disbelief and just a little hope.
"Kitchens, then," is all he says, a little tentatively. Then he snorts with short laughter. It is a foreign sound, and quite pleasant, in a way. "I would lead the way, but I daresay you probably know it better than me."
As we draw closer to the painting which hides the kitchens, the sick feeling I have been repressing heightens. God, I don't know if I can actually go through with this. I look up at him, and he nods for me to go ahead and let us in.
As soon as I do, I wish I hadn't. I stand, stuck to the spot. Typically, that makes the situation even worse, as I make Snape crash into the back of me, drawing the attention of the house elves, who cluster around proclaiming how "pleased we is to see yous, Professor Snape, sir, Mister Harry Potter sir!" Drawing the attention of the two people who I just don't think I can face right now. I am turning around, trying to force my way back to the entrance to run as far away as possible, when I am stopped by Hermione's voice, stating possibly the most obvious thing I have ever heard her say; "Harry?!"
A/N: I'm so bad. It's a pathetically short chapter again, and I promise I will try and finish it tomorrow. I have a lesson tonight, or else I would do it tonight. I hope you think it's okay :D
I would really really appreciate it if you review, but obviously, yeah. I understand if I get none after being such a pathetic updater :X
I apologise for any typos, if there are any typos or even just you think doesn't tie up with previous chapters, etc, please let me know 3
On a pretty much completely unrelated note, I just have to say that as I was writing this I was listening to Selective Memory - Eels. It's my new favourite song. Listen to it if you get the chance;)
