Disclaimer: I own the plot and Saerry Snape.  Everything else is JKR's.

Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses

Chapter 32 ***Conversation***

Harry leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hands over his eyes.

"Two days and still nothing.  Nothing at all.  Not even.."  Harry's voice drifted off, causing Hermione to look up from the book she was reading.  She could see Harry's eyes focused on a point on his left arm and she looked away.

"Dammit."

Harry closed his eyes and sighed.

Hermione frowned and looked at her friend again.  He had been up every hour for the last two days, the result of which was evident in the shadows under his bloodshot eyes.  She too had been helping him look for things that might give a hint to Voldemort's whereabouts but as she had classes to teach, she had gotten enough sleep to last her through the day.  Harry looked like he was about to keel over.

"Harry, maybe you should get some rest…"

Harry's eyes snapped open and he snarled, "No."

Hermione frowned.  "Harry…"

"No Herm."

Hermione sighed and gave up, turning back to her book.

The portrait hole to the room opened and Snape stepped in.  He scowled at Hermione and asked, "If you would excuse us Mrs. Malfoy, I have something to talk to Mr. Potter about."

Hermione sighed and looked at Harry, who gave a short nod.  As she walked past Snape she hissed, "Don't you dare do anything to make him feel worse."

Snape gave her a surprised look.  "I wouldn't dream of it Mrs. Malfoy."

"Riiight."  Hermione gave Harry one last look before leaving.

Snape waited until the portrait closed behind her and her steps faded away before he turned to Harry and asked, "Any luck?"

"No," was the bland reply.

"I thought as much."

Harry frowned.  "You could have told me that earlier."

Snape managed half a smirk.  "Books won't help you find Voldemort."

"I had a feeling you'd say that.  Any ideas on how to find him?"  As Snape's eyes flicked downward towards his arm Harry added, "Besides this one."

Snape sighed and shook his head.

Harry frowned and sighed as well.  "Well, that settles that then doesn't it?  It seems the only way to find Voldemort is to wait for him to call again.  Which I am sooo sure he will do."

"I doubt that very much as we are the only Death Eaters left."

Harry's eyes flashed angrily and he hissed, "Pettigrew."

Snape frowned, his eyes flashing as well.  He snapped, "That man is nothing but a coward."

"Anyone with sense believes you on that score."

"Anyone that knows the history you mean."

Harry nodded.  "Yea.  Something like that."

There was a long silence before either of them spoke again.

Harry finally asked, "Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?"

Snape shook his head and replied, "No.  It wasn't."

"What then?"  There was a coldness in the voice that reminded Snape of himself.

"I made an Invisibility Potion.  Just incase."

Harry nodded.

"We might need it."

"My thoughts exactly."

Silence spread through the little room again and Snape turned to leave.  Just as he was about to push the portrait open Harry asked, "Do you ever regret it?"

Snape turned to look at the son of the man he had hated and still did.  But now he felt a kind of bond with the boy, although Harry was far from a boy now.  He sighed and replied, "Every moment."

Harry gave a faint smile and whispered, "So do I.  So do I."

Snape watched him for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face, then turned and left.  He had a feeling Potter need to be alone.  As he walked back to the Potions classroom he pondered on what he could do to get his mind off his sister.