6:30 a.m., Saturday,
Severus Snape woke in a tangle of limbs and chord. Looking around, he saw that they were in a peaceful looking wooded area; sparce plants sprouted up from the few spots that weren't covered with branches and leaves while moss- covered rocks scattered down to the edge of a small, clear creek. Severus found it quite disconcerting that Harry was now nestled up against him, hugging him, and even moreso when he realized that the other boy was in his embrace. There was a tiny protest from the Boy-Who-Lived as Severus withdrew from both the boy and the vacuum cleaner that looked thoroughly squashed and Severus was pleased to note that neither of them looked too badly hurt.
The main problem now was how to get back to Hogwarts. Hopefully, the vacuum cleaner was still working, but Severus sincerely doubted that. If it had still been working, then it should have taken the two little boys to Hogwarts instead of stopping in the forest. Severus sighed contentedly as he dipped his itchy arms in the cool water. The water was soothing to his nerves and he was sure that once he and Harry had returned, Madam Pomfrey would heal them both up perfectly. Severus turned his head back when he heard some noise coming from the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner. Harry was sitting up and looking around, bewildered.
Reluctantly, Severus pulled his aching arms out of the water and called to the other boy. Harry's confused expression only deepened when he saw Severus stalking towards him. "Where are we?"
"That, I do not know. Apparently, the vacuum decided to deposit itself here upon its death." Severus murmured.
Harry looked down sadly at the vacuum cleaner and immediately stood up, most likely under the impression that he was causing it pain or some other such nonsense. "It is not a living thing, Potter."
Harry glared at his companion. "It helped us get this far.." At that thought, Harry glanced around once more before continueing, "but what about Malfoy and Wormtail? Won't they be after us?"
"I have no answers, Potter."
"Are you sure it's dead, though? I mean, maybe.."
"I doubt it."
"Well...what should we do with it.." Harry looked dejectedly at the worn out old vacuum cleaner.
"Absolutely nothing. We have to get out of here and hurry back to Hogwarts." Severus snatched up Harry's hand and dragged him away from the lifeless vacuum cleaner.
After what seemed like forever, Severus finally plopped down to rest. He wasn't used to walking long distances and Harry seemed glad for it. He watched as the other boy plopped down next to him and began to look around wonderingly. Severus smirked, Harry must've never been deep in any forest other than the Forbidden Forest. This definitely wasn't the Forbidden Forest, though. The Never-ending forest more like. Severus snorted at that thought.
Harry's attention turned back to him. "What is it? What's so funny?" The other boy seemed eager to be let in on the joke.
"Nothing." Severus muttered, doing his best to look serious and successfully ignore the curious boy sitting next to him.
"Nothing, huh? Yeah, right...you actually *laughed*!"
"I most certainly did NOT!" Severus denied.
Harry laughed and leaned over him. "Don't lie! I saw you - it's not like I'm gonna rat you out, y'know." He frowned to the other boy.
"I don't care, I wasn't laughing."
"Harry sighed and leaned back against a moss-covered stone. "Fine then, you DIDN'T laugh. Whatever you say."
"Yes." Severus nodded, adamant to not let another smile conquer his mood.
"But it was nice."
"It was?" Severus was baffled.
"Yeah.."The other boy stopped and smirked at him. "You just admitted it."
It took a minute for Harry's comment to register in Severus' brain. You....just....admitted...
"AGH! How dare you!" Severus growled.
The other boy was asleep. How could he just fall asleep so fast? Severus had to wonder if he was faking it. Even if he wasn't, he shouldn't fall asleep like THAT in any case. Just one well placed finger he would find out if Harry was ticklish. For some reason, the temptation and want for revenge got the better of him and so he leaned close to the other boy and ran a finger lightly down Harry's side. The effect was just as he'd figured. Harry turned his side away from Severus' hand and started *giggling* uncontrollably. That only encouraged Severus more and soon he was trying to tickle Harry. Harry wasn't fast enough and soon he was doubled over laughing.
"St...stop!" Harry just barely managed to gasp that out.
"Stop what?" Severus stopped and placed his hands by his side, doing his best to look angelic and failing miserably.
"Very funny." Harry muttered and Severus smirked.
"Maybe you'd like to see how ticklish you are."
"I assure you, I am not ticklish."
"Wanna bet?" And with that Harry ran a finger up Severus' spine that caused him to shiver.
"Stop that!" He growled, pulling away from Harry.
Harry smirked and began to attack Severus' sides ruthlessly with his fingers. Soon the sallow boy was laughing so hard he had trouble breathing. After a short while, Harry finally took mercy on him and let up. "See? Now you know how it feels."
Severus glowered at Harry.
"Oh, I see, you've never been tickled before, is that it?" Harry's grin widened.
"I'm not in the mood for such silly games, Potter." Severus spat out.
"You started it." Harry pointed out.
An uncomfortable silence settled on them and the sounds of the birds suddenly seemed to increase. Harry's attention was caught by a particularly pretty red bird and he watched as it began to collect leaves from the ground. It hopped in front of Harry and stopped to look at him, seeming to consider him. "Hullo." He whispered softly to the bird, not wanting to frighten it away.
The bird cocked its head to the side and now Severus was eyeing it too. The two boys stared. The bird stared back. Without warning. the bird hopped nimbly up on Harry's knee and peered closer at him. Harry didn't dare move. "I think it wants some of your hair, Potter."
Harry jumped at Severus' voice and the bird took flight. "What? Why?" He watched, disappointed, as the bird flew up to its nest.
"For its nest. Really, are you sure there's a brain somewheres in there?" He tapped Harry's forehead for emphasis.
"Well, I didn't know. I mean..I do, but I wasn't...oh never mind." Harry frowned, his defence having gone bad.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Any common idiot would know, Potter."
Harry swallowed back an acid retort that came to mind and settled on watching the bird and its mate fixing their nest. He sighed sadly and pondered what a normal life would be like. To have parents who cared for you, a home to go to, friends...well, Harry had friends. But the home wasn't quite what he'd wanted. The Dursleys weren't what he'd consider a good family to him and their home was good, but Harry simply couldn't look to it as home. Hogwarts was home for now, but that would probably disappear soon too. At least he could daydream about his perfectly happy family and home. He could be content to imagine his parents' warm hugs and sweet kisses, letting him know how much they loved him. He could imagine playing exploding snap and gobstones with Hermione and Ron like normal. Suddenly, things had become so lonely.
These depressing feelings weren't new to Harry. He'd had them countless times before and usually his friends would make him feel better, but lately he couldn't keep them company. He was stuck with Severus Snape and he wasn't very comforting at all. Despite that, Harry found that the other boy wasn't as evil as he'd thought. A real git sometimes, yes, but not some evil Death Eater like he'd originally thought. He'd known Severus wasn't a Death Eater since the end of his fourth year, but he hadn't realized quite how brave the other was. Slytherins just never struck Harry as *brave*, but ever since their escape from Voldemort, Harry actually appreciated Severus. Now he felt bad for thinking such bad things of his Potions Master. Maybe they could learn to actually get along after all. They hadn't been too bad together since the beginning of the week.
"We had better go now." Severus stood up and brushed his cloak off.
Harry was slightly startled and glanced up. "Now?"
"Yes. Now." Severus reached down and grabbed the other boy's arm, pulling him up as well. "We need to eat soon and then there's the game...plus I'm getting sick of your morose thoughts."
"You saw?" Harry felt his face flush with embarrassment.
"No. But I got the general feeling. I CAN'T see anything inside your head." Severus announced in tones dripping of sarcasm.
"Fine, then...let's go." Harry mumbled as he walked past the other boy. He certainly didn't wish to share his feelings with anyone at the moment, least of all Severus.
After a short while they had come across a small cluster of houses. Severus pushed Harry behind some bushes and ordered him to stay still while he went searching for something to get them back to Hogwarts. After what seemed like forever to Harry, Severus finally returned with a broomstick. It was an old Tinderblast broomstick, but Severus assured Harry that it could carry both of them to Hogwarts safely. Reluctantly, Harry clambered onto the broomstick, once again wrapping his arms around Severus as the broom rose into the air.
"It's lucky that we found that small wizarding family's hut Otherwise we would have had to enchant a normal broom and that would take ages, expecially since I'm no pro at such things." Severus explained as they swept forward.
1:45 p.m., Hogwarts Grounds,
The Tinderblast landed rather gracefully next to Hagrid's hut and both very sore and tired boys fell off. Neither was thrilled at the prospect of riding another broom later on that night. Harry and Severus were curled up together when Hagrid found them outside his hut. He worried over Harry a great deal, ignoring Severus a bit. After he was fully sure Sverus hadn't harmed Harry in any way, he ushered both boys up the stairway to the entrance hall. The duo immediately set out for the kitchens where they informed the elves that they were *hungry* and would have nothing less than a miniature feast to themselves.
After sating their hunger, they hurried to Dumbledore and explained the events. They were both surprised to see that Dumbledore had already known and had suspended Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle until the next year, holding them back a year and promising them that anything else close to those previous actions would warrant a full expulsion from Hogwarts. Dumbledore didn't like threatening students with expulsion, but if he had to then he would take the necessary steps. He had to ensure Severus and Harry's safety after all. Even if neither actually KNEW how important their role in Voldemort's defeat would eventually be.
(TBC. And here I stopped because...I'm a bit tired to think up much more. I had trouble keeping it non-slashy because I ended up reading Yami no Matsuei again u.u;; - that's enough implied slash/definite slash to make anyone have trouble. Anyways, sorry for the long time! I got sorta lazy and then again I was kinda busy. I hope to have the next Chapter up eventually...and with luck maybe it'll be longer (I think my chapters aren't long enough). As for the whole dream thing, it looks like it only connects thoughts, not images...actually I forgot all about the mind link. (Emmy---heh, I'm an idiot.) Maybe I'll do a sequel after the potion's worn off and make it slash. . hmmm.....)
Severus Snape woke in a tangle of limbs and chord. Looking around, he saw that they were in a peaceful looking wooded area; sparce plants sprouted up from the few spots that weren't covered with branches and leaves while moss- covered rocks scattered down to the edge of a small, clear creek. Severus found it quite disconcerting that Harry was now nestled up against him, hugging him, and even moreso when he realized that the other boy was in his embrace. There was a tiny protest from the Boy-Who-Lived as Severus withdrew from both the boy and the vacuum cleaner that looked thoroughly squashed and Severus was pleased to note that neither of them looked too badly hurt.
The main problem now was how to get back to Hogwarts. Hopefully, the vacuum cleaner was still working, but Severus sincerely doubted that. If it had still been working, then it should have taken the two little boys to Hogwarts instead of stopping in the forest. Severus sighed contentedly as he dipped his itchy arms in the cool water. The water was soothing to his nerves and he was sure that once he and Harry had returned, Madam Pomfrey would heal them both up perfectly. Severus turned his head back when he heard some noise coming from the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner. Harry was sitting up and looking around, bewildered.
Reluctantly, Severus pulled his aching arms out of the water and called to the other boy. Harry's confused expression only deepened when he saw Severus stalking towards him. "Where are we?"
"That, I do not know. Apparently, the vacuum decided to deposit itself here upon its death." Severus murmured.
Harry looked down sadly at the vacuum cleaner and immediately stood up, most likely under the impression that he was causing it pain or some other such nonsense. "It is not a living thing, Potter."
Harry glared at his companion. "It helped us get this far.." At that thought, Harry glanced around once more before continueing, "but what about Malfoy and Wormtail? Won't they be after us?"
"I have no answers, Potter."
"Are you sure it's dead, though? I mean, maybe.."
"I doubt it."
"Well...what should we do with it.." Harry looked dejectedly at the worn out old vacuum cleaner.
"Absolutely nothing. We have to get out of here and hurry back to Hogwarts." Severus snatched up Harry's hand and dragged him away from the lifeless vacuum cleaner.
After what seemed like forever, Severus finally plopped down to rest. He wasn't used to walking long distances and Harry seemed glad for it. He watched as the other boy plopped down next to him and began to look around wonderingly. Severus smirked, Harry must've never been deep in any forest other than the Forbidden Forest. This definitely wasn't the Forbidden Forest, though. The Never-ending forest more like. Severus snorted at that thought.
Harry's attention turned back to him. "What is it? What's so funny?" The other boy seemed eager to be let in on the joke.
"Nothing." Severus muttered, doing his best to look serious and successfully ignore the curious boy sitting next to him.
"Nothing, huh? Yeah, right...you actually *laughed*!"
"I most certainly did NOT!" Severus denied.
Harry laughed and leaned over him. "Don't lie! I saw you - it's not like I'm gonna rat you out, y'know." He frowned to the other boy.
"I don't care, I wasn't laughing."
"Harry sighed and leaned back against a moss-covered stone. "Fine then, you DIDN'T laugh. Whatever you say."
"Yes." Severus nodded, adamant to not let another smile conquer his mood.
"But it was nice."
"It was?" Severus was baffled.
"Yeah.."The other boy stopped and smirked at him. "You just admitted it."
It took a minute for Harry's comment to register in Severus' brain. You....just....admitted...
"AGH! How dare you!" Severus growled.
The other boy was asleep. How could he just fall asleep so fast? Severus had to wonder if he was faking it. Even if he wasn't, he shouldn't fall asleep like THAT in any case. Just one well placed finger he would find out if Harry was ticklish. For some reason, the temptation and want for revenge got the better of him and so he leaned close to the other boy and ran a finger lightly down Harry's side. The effect was just as he'd figured. Harry turned his side away from Severus' hand and started *giggling* uncontrollably. That only encouraged Severus more and soon he was trying to tickle Harry. Harry wasn't fast enough and soon he was doubled over laughing.
"St...stop!" Harry just barely managed to gasp that out.
"Stop what?" Severus stopped and placed his hands by his side, doing his best to look angelic and failing miserably.
"Very funny." Harry muttered and Severus smirked.
"Maybe you'd like to see how ticklish you are."
"I assure you, I am not ticklish."
"Wanna bet?" And with that Harry ran a finger up Severus' spine that caused him to shiver.
"Stop that!" He growled, pulling away from Harry.
Harry smirked and began to attack Severus' sides ruthlessly with his fingers. Soon the sallow boy was laughing so hard he had trouble breathing. After a short while, Harry finally took mercy on him and let up. "See? Now you know how it feels."
Severus glowered at Harry.
"Oh, I see, you've never been tickled before, is that it?" Harry's grin widened.
"I'm not in the mood for such silly games, Potter." Severus spat out.
"You started it." Harry pointed out.
An uncomfortable silence settled on them and the sounds of the birds suddenly seemed to increase. Harry's attention was caught by a particularly pretty red bird and he watched as it began to collect leaves from the ground. It hopped in front of Harry and stopped to look at him, seeming to consider him. "Hullo." He whispered softly to the bird, not wanting to frighten it away.
The bird cocked its head to the side and now Severus was eyeing it too. The two boys stared. The bird stared back. Without warning. the bird hopped nimbly up on Harry's knee and peered closer at him. Harry didn't dare move. "I think it wants some of your hair, Potter."
Harry jumped at Severus' voice and the bird took flight. "What? Why?" He watched, disappointed, as the bird flew up to its nest.
"For its nest. Really, are you sure there's a brain somewheres in there?" He tapped Harry's forehead for emphasis.
"Well, I didn't know. I mean..I do, but I wasn't...oh never mind." Harry frowned, his defence having gone bad.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Any common idiot would know, Potter."
Harry swallowed back an acid retort that came to mind and settled on watching the bird and its mate fixing their nest. He sighed sadly and pondered what a normal life would be like. To have parents who cared for you, a home to go to, friends...well, Harry had friends. But the home wasn't quite what he'd wanted. The Dursleys weren't what he'd consider a good family to him and their home was good, but Harry simply couldn't look to it as home. Hogwarts was home for now, but that would probably disappear soon too. At least he could daydream about his perfectly happy family and home. He could be content to imagine his parents' warm hugs and sweet kisses, letting him know how much they loved him. He could imagine playing exploding snap and gobstones with Hermione and Ron like normal. Suddenly, things had become so lonely.
These depressing feelings weren't new to Harry. He'd had them countless times before and usually his friends would make him feel better, but lately he couldn't keep them company. He was stuck with Severus Snape and he wasn't very comforting at all. Despite that, Harry found that the other boy wasn't as evil as he'd thought. A real git sometimes, yes, but not some evil Death Eater like he'd originally thought. He'd known Severus wasn't a Death Eater since the end of his fourth year, but he hadn't realized quite how brave the other was. Slytherins just never struck Harry as *brave*, but ever since their escape from Voldemort, Harry actually appreciated Severus. Now he felt bad for thinking such bad things of his Potions Master. Maybe they could learn to actually get along after all. They hadn't been too bad together since the beginning of the week.
"We had better go now." Severus stood up and brushed his cloak off.
Harry was slightly startled and glanced up. "Now?"
"Yes. Now." Severus reached down and grabbed the other boy's arm, pulling him up as well. "We need to eat soon and then there's the game...plus I'm getting sick of your morose thoughts."
"You saw?" Harry felt his face flush with embarrassment.
"No. But I got the general feeling. I CAN'T see anything inside your head." Severus announced in tones dripping of sarcasm.
"Fine, then...let's go." Harry mumbled as he walked past the other boy. He certainly didn't wish to share his feelings with anyone at the moment, least of all Severus.
After a short while they had come across a small cluster of houses. Severus pushed Harry behind some bushes and ordered him to stay still while he went searching for something to get them back to Hogwarts. After what seemed like forever to Harry, Severus finally returned with a broomstick. It was an old Tinderblast broomstick, but Severus assured Harry that it could carry both of them to Hogwarts safely. Reluctantly, Harry clambered onto the broomstick, once again wrapping his arms around Severus as the broom rose into the air.
"It's lucky that we found that small wizarding family's hut Otherwise we would have had to enchant a normal broom and that would take ages, expecially since I'm no pro at such things." Severus explained as they swept forward.
1:45 p.m., Hogwarts Grounds,
The Tinderblast landed rather gracefully next to Hagrid's hut and both very sore and tired boys fell off. Neither was thrilled at the prospect of riding another broom later on that night. Harry and Severus were curled up together when Hagrid found them outside his hut. He worried over Harry a great deal, ignoring Severus a bit. After he was fully sure Sverus hadn't harmed Harry in any way, he ushered both boys up the stairway to the entrance hall. The duo immediately set out for the kitchens where they informed the elves that they were *hungry* and would have nothing less than a miniature feast to themselves.
After sating their hunger, they hurried to Dumbledore and explained the events. They were both surprised to see that Dumbledore had already known and had suspended Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle until the next year, holding them back a year and promising them that anything else close to those previous actions would warrant a full expulsion from Hogwarts. Dumbledore didn't like threatening students with expulsion, but if he had to then he would take the necessary steps. He had to ensure Severus and Harry's safety after all. Even if neither actually KNEW how important their role in Voldemort's defeat would eventually be.
(TBC. And here I stopped because...I'm a bit tired to think up much more. I had trouble keeping it non-slashy because I ended up reading Yami no Matsuei again u.u;; - that's enough implied slash/definite slash to make anyone have trouble. Anyways, sorry for the long time! I got sorta lazy and then again I was kinda busy. I hope to have the next Chapter up eventually...and with luck maybe it'll be longer (I think my chapters aren't long enough). As for the whole dream thing, it looks like it only connects thoughts, not images...actually I forgot all about the mind link. (Emmy---heh, I'm an idiot.) Maybe I'll do a sequel after the potion's worn off and make it slash. . hmmm.....)