Author's Note: The amount of reviews/emails/asks on my tumblr that I am getting from this story is seriously making me want to update it as much as I possibly can...thank you. That being said, I'm very curious as to what ya'll will think of this chapter. Enjoy it! And feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it.
Snape rounded the corner heading towards the Apothecary. He was completely out of tubeworms and very nearly out of wormwood. His thoughts had been so preoccupied with Harry that he was letting it effect every aspect of his life. Not even two hours prior, Harry had just about begged to accompany him, Snape however had declined the company. His young charge had been spending plenty of his free time in the company of Remus and Snape was sure that the moment he and Harry were alone, the boy would express his yearning to live with the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Snape knew it was absolutely foolish to delay the inevitable, but he had no desire to hear those words come out of Harry's mouth. Until he knew he could handle such words without showing the slightest bit of emotion, he wasn't going to give the boy the chance to say them.
At first he had been slightly concerned about leaving Harry alone in the castle on the first Hogsmeade Day of the year, but after some thought about the matter he decided that things would be fine. He couldn't imagine Harry disobeying so soon after he had been punished for wandering the grounds at night. The more thought he gave it, the more agitated he became as he was absolutely sure that Harry would send the day with Remus. He was also sure that if Remus was the boy's guardian he would be permitted to go to Hogsmeade despite the impending danger.
Snape felt his blood boil as he pushed open the door to the Apothecary.
He had been trying his hardest to concentrate on the positive aspects of no longer having the brat in his care. The list was falling short though as he was having a hard time remembering what his life was like before the mischievous child began to play such a huge part in it.
Harry was standing in the middle of Honeydukes trying his hardest to stay out of everyone's way. He had slipped Ron several sickles so that his red headed friend could purchase him some chocolate frogs.
Harry was pressing his body up against a wall so that Pansy Parkinson could get by him without bumping into him. Draco was only a few steps ahead of her and it took everything Harry had in him not to steal the sucker he was holding right out of his hand.
Once the pair of them were out of the small store, Harry turned his attention to Hermione who was waiting patiently on the other side of the room for Ron to finish shopping. She had a worried look on her face that made Harry feel instantly guilty.
To say that he wasn't worried himself would be a flat out lie. He was a bit worried that he would somehow get caught. Despite how distant Snape had been, Harry still didn't want to test his theory that the man didn't care at all. A small part of him knew that if he was caught Snape would murder him. Going to Hogsmeade wasn't the same as knocking over a vase or being late for class. Those, much like staying out later than he should have talking to Remus, were all accidents. What he was doing now was a direct act of disobedience. He was playing with fire and he knew it. However, a much louder voice that was insisting that Snape didn't care at all was forcing that small voice to be ignored.
Harry's eyes drifted to Ron who was now at the cash register paying for the small mountain of sweets on the counter.
Slowly Harry moved away from the wall he had been leaning up against. He waited until his friends were approaching the door, whispered that he was with them, and accompanied them out the door.
"Where do you want to go next?" Ron asked the moment they were outside.
Hermione looked up and down the street as if weighing her options.
"We could go get a butterbeer," Ron suggested.
"How would you suggest he drinks it without being caught?" Hermione asked in a curious voice.
"Oh right," Ron replied. "We could go to the Quidditch store."
Hermione practically rolled her eyes at this suggestion.
"Well I don't know," Ron replied in an annoyed voice. "You aren't giving any suggestions."
"Well we don't have very many options," Hermione shot back. "I for one certainly don't want to see him get caught and there isn't any place that we can go where he can join in the fun without being seen."
Harry wasn't paying attention to their bickering. He was more concerned about the sudden cold chill that had run up his back.
He was praying that he was wrong. Hoping that by some odd chance it was just an especially cold gust of wind.
"You're going to make him feel bad," Ron accused Hermione in an annoyed voice. "Stop being so mean."
"I'm not trying to be mean I'm trying to be realistic!"
"No, you are being bloody horrible," Ron replied in a serious voice.
A hurt look swept across Hermione's face for a split second before her expression changed back to the serious one she had been wearing not even seconds earlier. "Excuse me for trying to keep him out of trouble. I was under the impression that you would care as much as I do."
The words had hardly left Hermione's mouth when she looked in Harry's direction. Her eyes went past and above him growing wide as they did.
Harry felt an intense coldness taking over his body. His own breath was catching in his chest.
Ron's head turned to see what Hermione was looking at. His eyes grew wide as a look of sheer terror swept over his face.
"Harry!" Ron practically yelled. "Watch out!"
Harry turned around to find the dementor towering over him. He felt as though he was drowning in the coldness.
"Harry!" He heard Hermione yell.
Harry noticed several of their classmates stopping in their tracks. Some had fear in their eyes looking at the dementor and others looked absolutely confused. Harry was sure they were trying to figure out why his two best friends were screaming his name when he was nowhere in sight.
He tried to take a step backwards, to get away from the cloaked figure, but his body felt paralyzed.
From what seemed like a million miles away he heard a lady screaming and then the world all around him went black.
Harry slowly opened his eyes. It took him several moments to realize where he was and when he did he felt his stomach flip. Another several moments passed before he remembered why he was where he was. He stomach now felt as though the giant eel was doing laps inside of it.
His first thought was that he wished he knew what time it was and how long he had been out of it. His second thought had to do with praying that he hadn't gotten Ron and Hermione into any trouble.
He slowly turned his head to the side, his cheek now touching the soft pillow.
Madam Pomfrey was in the doorway, her back to him, talking to someone that Harry couldn't see.
He wished that he could hear what she was saying.
The thought just barely ran through his mind when the old witch turned around. Acting on his first instinct, Harry quickly closed his eyes, pretending to still be asleep.
He was sure that he was in a world of trouble, even if Snape didn't care, he highly doubted that Dumbledore would let him get away with this one and if he did than McGonagall wouldn't. All Harry wanted was a few more moments to try and come up with some kind of excuse.
"I agree that they weren't supposed to be there but unfortunately I don't have much control over them when they aren't on Hogwarts grounds," Harry heard Dumbledore say. "The root of the problem Severus is that they seem to affect Harry in a much more severe way than they do the other students."
Harry felt his stomach flip once more at the realization that Snape was in the room.
"Harry was not supposed to be in Hogsmeade today and had he not been this would not have happened," Dumbledore continued.
"Obviously," Snape replied in a dry voice. "However may I suggest that you prepare yourself for it to happen much more often as in the near future Harry will likely be roaming the grounds and Hogsmeade as he pleases."
"I beg your pardon? Are you meaning to tell me that you, Severus Snape, is considering dismissing the rules?"
"Absolutely not," Snape replied curtly. "You should know that if it were up to me Harry would be as protected as I can possibly make him until Black is caught. However, it may not be up to me anymore."
Harry felt his heart skip a beat. He hoped that neither of the men noticed the change in his now rapid breathing.
"What in Merlin's name are you talking about?"
Harry didn't miss the concern in the Headmaster's voice.
"It's come to my attention that my young charge would likely prefer someone else as his guardian, a certain Defense teacher, and if that is his decision I can hardly blame him nor will I stand in his way."
Silence reigned for several long moments giving Harry a chance to collect his thoughts.
So Snape thought that he wanted to go live with Remus? It wasn't that Snape wanted him to? Harry could hardly contain the happiness he was feeling. It took every ounce of self -restraint he had not to jump out of the bed and onto Snape.
"Oh Severus," Dumbledore replied in a sad voice. "I can't imagine that that is the case."
"I wouldn't be so certain about that."
Harry noted that despite the fact that Snape's voice had been quite solemn, he had also heard an underlining hint of sadness. He wondered when he had become so in tune to Snape's feelings.
"Have you spoken with Harry about this?"
The room was silent until Dumbledore spoke once more.
"I think that if you did you would find that he doesn't feel that way at all. Remus may be a link to his parent's lives, one that is new and exciting at that, but he isn't the one who stepped up to be his parent…that's you and I know Harry well enough to know that he wouldn't overlook such an act."
Snape's silence continued. If Harry didn't know better he would have guessed that the man had left the room altogether.
"I must go attend to Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger. Do give Harry my best when he wakes," Dumbledore said softly.
Harry kept his eyes closed as he tried to sort out his thoughts and feelings. How could things between he and Snape have gotten mucked up so badly? How could such a misunderstanding have occurred?
He knew what he had to do.
Slowly Harry stirred, trying his hardest to make it look as though he was just waking.
He brought his left hand up to his face, rubbing his right eye before slowly allowing both eyes to open.
Snape was sitting in a chair next to the bed looking absolutely worried.
"Snape?" Harry said in a small voice.
The man's head turned quickly, a look of pure relief on his face. Harry felt his heart soar as he realized how much the man truly did care about his safety. The look quickly vanished though, instantly being replaced by a look of anger.
Snape stood up and leaned over grabbing a hold of Harry's shoulders. He shook him roughly.
"What on earth were you thinking? I have half a mind to put you over my knee right here! The moment you are out of that bed I am going to- "
"I didn't think you would care," Harry interrupted forcing himself to answer honestly.
"What in Merlin's name…" Snape trailed off as a look of realization took over his face.
"I didn't think you wanted me anymore," Harry admitted. "I thought you wanted Remus to take me."
For a moment Harry contemplated admitting that he had heard the conversation that had taken place only moments earlier; he decided against it though. Snape was already going to murder him for going to Hogsmeade. The last thing he wanted was to add eavesdropping to his list of offenses.
Snape let go of the boy's shoulders, slowly sitting back down in his chair.
"You thought that I wanted to pass my responsibilities off to Professor Lupin?" Snape questioned.
Harry nodded. "You didn't care when I was late for my curfew or for your class. You didn't say anything when I broke your vase…I just thought you didn't care anymore."
Snape sighed deeply at these words as Harry instantly noticed that his stern demeanor had quickly faded.
"I must confess Harry, I had the same fear that you were harboring."
"Huh?" Harry asked hoping he sounded as though he had no idea what Snape was referring to.
"I was under the impression that you were spending an excessive amount of time with Professor Lupin because you would prefer that he was your guardian. Now if I am correct I do not want you to feel as though-"
"You're not correct," Harry quickly interrupted Snape once more. He watched as his guardians face softened. "Remus is cool," Harry continued. "And I really like talking to him and hearing stories about my parents, but he's never asked me to live with him and even if he did I don't want to. I like living with you."
Snape raised an eyebrow at these words.
"I do," Harry continued in a convincing voice. "Even when you are strict and mean, I still like living with you."
Snape forced himself to swallow the small laugh that nearly escaped from his lips.
"Perhaps in the future we should be a bit more up front with each other," Snape suggested in a soft voice.
Harry nodded in agreement.
Silence reigned between the two for several long moments before Snape cleared his throat.
"Are you feeling okay? After the attack?"
Harry nodded. "I feel fine."
He instantly regretted his words. He was sure that if he said he was feeling a bit peaky that Snape would refrain from punishing him for sneaking off to Hogsmeade, but now that the man knew he was fine he was certain his disobedience would be dealt with.
"Nevertheless I am going to have Madam Pomfrey keep you for the night and give you something to help you sleep."
Harry nodded in agreement. Despite the fact that the last thing he wanted was some ruddy potion he wasn't about to argue with Snape either.
"And tomorrow being Sunday I expect you to rest," Snape instructed. "I don't want to hear of you roaming the castle with your friends."
"Yes Sir," Harry nodded.
He didn't want to bring it up but he couldn't help himself. The threat of his impending punishment was weighing heavy on his mind.
"Should I uh…should I come see you when I get out of the hospital wing? For uh…for going to Hogsmeade I mean?"
Snape fixed the boy with the sternest look he could muster.
"Yes you most certainly can report directly to me."
Harry tried hard to keep his face from falling and his cheeks from blushing. As much as he didn't want to admit it he knew that he deserved whatever Snape dished out. It had been stupid to go to Hogsmeade.
"As I will want to make sure that you are fully recovered." Snape paused for a moment. "As far as your punishment goes you will be having dinner with me every evening for the next week."
Harry looked up at Snape with a curious look. "Huh?"
"You heard me Harry, you will be eating every evening with me for the next week and afterwards you will sit at the table and do your homework under my supervision."
"But I thought..."
"If you'd like to make it two weeks that can certainly be arranged," Snape warned.
Harry shook his head as he forced himself not to smile.
"And I promise you if you do something so foolish again the consequences will be much more severe."
"I won't," Harry quickly shook his head. "I swear it!"
Snape kept his snarky comments about how soon he was sure the boy would forget his promise to himself and instead remained silent as he nodded, a serious expression on his face.
"Thank you," Harry said softly.
Another nod. "Don't thank me just yet, you still have to take a draught to help you sleep. Speaking of which, I am going to go find Madam Pomfrey."
Harry smiled softly as he nodded. He watched as Snape stood up and headed out of the hospital wing in search of the old witch.
A feeling of warmth filled his body. Despite the fact that only hours earlier he was sure that he didn't need Snape in his life at all he had to admit that he was beyond lucky to have the man.
And with a little luck he was sure that they would be just fine.
TBC...