Author's Note: Only one chapter left. I admit this was a little more of a challenge than I had originally thought and I had to take the occasional hiatus when the direction of the chapter was in question. The next chapter will bring everything together.

Content Warning: Mild Language

Chapter 10: Frustration

Disclaimer: While I am borrowing many of the characters created by J.K. Rowling, all rights to those characters remain solely with her. I am neither receiving nor soliciting any monetary recompense for this story.

It was late Saturday afternoon and Harry was at the end of his rope. Nothing had been going right since his encounter with the aurors. He had screwed up the final potion so badly that he was in danger of not finishing. A two day potion, he had just finished re-brewing the base which had to sit for not less than 24 hours before the second portion could be completed. At this rate, he would be up until midnight the following night in order to get it completed. He was only halfway through the six foot essay he had to get to Auror Preston and Severus had returned two of his final three essays for revision. To top it off, Severus had made Harry stick wholeheartedly to his restrictions and Harry had not seen the outside of Severus' quarters for more than 30 minutes at each meal for the past four days. His temper was ready to blow at the least provocation and he knew full well he couldn't let it happen; Severus would kill him. It had taken another full day before Harry could sit comfortably after the strapping Severus had administered and Harry was bound and determined to be sitting comfortably at the feast scheduled for the next night.

In agitation, Harry inadvertently knocked the full inkwell over, spilling the blue ink all over his newly completed essay.

"Dammit to hell!" Harry exploded, unfortunately, just as Severus came through the door from his office.

"I believe I have spoken to you about your language before Mr Potter. This is your second and final warning. Anymore swearing and you'll be tasting soap for five minutes."

Turning around to look at Severus, Harry's sense of self-preservation decided to go on vacation.

"You know something, I don't give a damn anymore. You've had me confined to these rooms for four days, you hand me back three completed essays for no reason other than you being a perfectionist pain in the arse and I just spilled ink over the last re-write."

Ignoring the glowing storm in Severus' eyes for a second, Harry turned back and muttered tergio, trying to siphon off the extra ink and hoping beyond hope that the essay could be salvaged. Unfortunately, even though much of the ink came off, a large blotch of the blue ink covered up a large portion of the essay; he would have to re-copy it.

"Dammit to hell!" Harry repeated, only to start sputtering as his mouth filled with the taste of soap. Gagging, he looked over to Severus who had his wand drawn, his face looking like a thundercloud. Harry swiped his tongue with the sleeve of his sweatshirt in a desperate attempt to get rid of the taste at the same time he tried to tell Severus to stop the spell.

"I warned you," Severus said sternly, showing no sign of any sympathy as he watched Harry trying to escape the taste in his mouth. "Three minutes should improve your vocabulary."

At first Harry glared at Severus but it didn't take long for his glare to turn into a pleading look. Catching Harry's look, Severus glanced at the clock above the fireplace; "one more minute," Severus said, hardening his heart against the tears now running down Harry's cheeks. Severus knew the tears were more from the acrid taste then any emotional upset but he still had a hard time seeing them on his students.

When the time was up Severus didn't hesitate to cancel the spell, groaning inwardly when Harry immediately got up and ran into the small bathroom, emptying the contents of his stomach. Severus had followed him and placed one hand on the heaving back, rubbing gently. When Harry was done and shakily stood up straight, Severus summoned a cool, damp cloth, wiping Harry's sweaty forehead and tear streaked face. Harry just looked up, his face a picture of abject misery.

"Let's go back out," Severus said, his voice gentle, steering Harry back to the sitting area with a hand on his back.

As soon as they reached the sitting area, Severus called for Stiry and asked for a particular tea blend. Almost immediately, another tea service appeared and Severus, after making sure Harry was seated on the couch, poured a cup and handed it to Harry. When Harry just looked at it Severus said, "it's a chamomile and peppermint blend; it will settle your stomach and help with any lingering taste. I would give you a simple stomach soothing potion but given the taste, I am not sure you could keep it down."

Harry took the proffered cup and took a sip, his hands still shaking slightly. Both remained quiet, Harry avoiding Severus' eyes as he sipped at the tea. When Harry finished the cup, Severus took it from him.

"Look at me Harry," Severus said, his voice firm but without the hard edge it normally took when Severus was angry. Harry looked up.

"I apologize Harry; it was not my intention to make you sick. That particular spell, tersus os is meant to mimic the taste of soap but not result in the gagging that is common when using regular soap. As many times as I have used it or seen it used, no one has ever gotten sick. I will find something else if it becomes necessary but I trust I made my point."

"Yes S-Sir," Harry whispered miserably, "'m sorry."

Severus went on.

"Do you know why adults are not tolerant of poor language?" Severus asked.

Harry just shook his head.

"When you present yourself to someone, it is important to not only to look the part but to act the part as well. Granted, upon first meeting someone, you are not likely to swear at them but think of what happens later on. Interjecting an occasional swear word does not seem like a big deal, but, it tells the people around you that you do not have the desire, or the ability, to find another word to express yourself. When you swear in anger, such as what you did just now, it looks like you are unable to control yourself. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Severus asked.

"Yes Sir," Harry muttered quietly.

Severus put his hand on Harry's shoulder and gave it a forgiving squeeze.

"You can't do anything the easy way can you?" Severus teased lightly, heartened when Harry offered up a tentative smile.

"Which essay were you working on?"

"Yours actually," Harry said with a mischievous grin.

"You should have enough time to re-copy it before dinner. Once that is done, finish up the essay for Auror Preston and we'll take it to him in Hogsmeade tomorrow; you can hand it to him yourself."

"Hogsmeade?" Harry said, "but I'm gro..."

Harry broke off in surprise as Severus laid a finger on his lips.

"We will take it into Hogsmeade and you can deliver it yourself," Severus repeated, releasing Harry's lips.

"Right Sir," Harry said in a conspiratorial tone. "I'll just finish it up tonight so we can go early. Don't want to keep Auror Preston waiting."

Harry stood up to go back to the table, avoiding the good natured cuff Severus aimed towards his ear, grinning as he sat back down and started to re-copy the ruined essay.

tersus os: clean mouth