Chapter 21 – Home

Thursday – June 17, 1999
13:17

Sorting through the various vials, beakers, and the other glass instruments in the student cabinets, Severus sighed. The children really did not understand the meaning of 'cleaning up.' He pulled out as many as he could carry, and started over to the sinks, not looking forward to his schedule today.

Harry strolled down the hallway heading towards the potion's classroom in a rather good mood. Since last week, when Severus had told Albus off, he knew that things were back to normal with Sev and him. Well, as normal as it ever could be between the two of them. Harry sighed, the man was really dense sometimes.

Arriving at the door, he looked down to make sure his shirt was smoothed out, knowing Severus hated it when he arrived looking like he had just tromped through the Forbidden Forest. Patting it down just for insurance's sake, he peeked inside the room, grinning when he noticed the man had yet to become aware of his presence.

Quietly entering the room, he made his grand entrance by yelling, "Oh honey, I'm home!"

Severus whipped around and started cursing as a few of the glass instruments proceeded to fall over his arms. Doing a rather ridiculous diving motion, he managed to save most of them. Though he cringed when he heard the others shatter moments later.

"Oh shit!" Harry dropped his cloak on the ground and immediately ran to the man, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I swear!"

"Potter!" Severus lifted his head to scold him, but already saw Harry starting to recoil. Taking a deep breath, he gritted out, "Perhaps next time, you can refrain from yelling inanities whilst in my domain and presence."

Harry visibly relaxed and looked back at Severus, giving him a wry smile, "Well you know, I am spending most of my time down here..."

Severus opened his mouth to argue, but stopped. How can I argue with the truth?

He glared at Harry a moment, but then set the rest of the unbroken glass on the table nearby, taking out his wand to mend the broken shards. Smirking, he looked back to the young man, "Congratulations, you just earned yourself cleaning duty."

Harry's jaw dropped, "I'm not a student anymore! You can't just – just give me detention!"

Snorting, Severus raised an eyebrow, "You want to bet? Where were you planning to spend your day anyways?" Severus crossed his arms, an air of triumph about him.

Harry deflated at the remark, and looked the other direction.

"I thought so," Severus grabbed the items on the table, and took them over to the sink.

Harry looked at the newly repaired glass, sighed, and bent down to pick it all up. It was going to be a long day, but at least he was with Severus.

Thursday – June 17, 1999
17:29

The wonders of Harry Potter cannot even escape me, as it seems. He has managed to invade my life (I do not even remember it without him), and it is as though the ***boy*** man never graduated.

He insists on making a permanent place in my life – a place that could not be filled by another if he ever decides to leave, I do not think. Merlin, what is he trying to do? Besides drive me around the bend, that it.

Despite these facts, I do hope that Albus has devised a way for him to stay ***in my life*** at Hogwarts. For once you outrageous, foolish old man, please have meddled. He would at least be safe here, and hopefully tucked far enough away from those dunderheads he considers friends. They are more trouble than they are worth – consistently pushing him into more danger than that which he already finds perfectly well all on his own.

I am talking to a brick wall though. When Albus is not needed nor wanted to meddle, he is readily on hand, but when he is needed the most, he seems to disappear in thin air. At least he is not frequently invading the labs while Potter is here. If I am the only one that can afford the boy some peace (so he himself is not driven mad) I suppose I can do that much for him.

With him around, however, it feels as though I am falling down a rabbit's hole, not knowing where I will come out. At every corner, he seems to pull out a new trick – the complexities the man exhibits amaze me. The only knowledge I do have though, is that I have never been where this whirlwind will eventually stop, but I am afraid I might grow far too used to it.

- Severus

Whoops! Forgot to add the ***TEXT*** in a few places =) Sorry to those who get a double e-mail for the update!

Reminder: ***TEXT*** The words in between the astericks are words that Severus has crossed out in his journal.

I hope you guys are having a great weekend so far!