Rating: PG-13 for some violence
Description: Action-Adventure/Drama/Mystery
Chapter 4: Where Nothing Much Happens
Part 1 The repeat offender
His first week back went by rather quickly. Between visits to Hagrid and learning how to ignore Draco, he had hardly noticed the time pass. True to Dumbledore's word he received his new robes and books for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes the day after they had spoken. The office, the Headmaster had set up for him was a bit more than he had expected. It was larger than he thought it should have been, nearly as large as Dumbledore's own office. From what he could remember from his school days, it was much larger than the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's office. This made Harry extremely embarrassed. What would he say when he met the man? Would he assume Harry had insisted on a larger office, that he felt he was more important than the rest of the staff? Snape would decidedly think so, but what of the other professors? Harry sighed, this term at Hogwarts did not look as if it were going to be any different than his previous years.
He had reluctantly accepted the office from the Headmaster. Only after the older wizard had threatened to put him in one of the dungeon rooms had he relented. Being thought pompous was a far cry better than having an office near Snape the entire term. Now he was stuck The office more than fit his needs. Not only was there a window, but a fireplace as well. The window was on the wall opposite the door. His desk was stationed in front of it. Behind the desk was his chair, soft and highly comfortable leather, facing the door. On the other side of the desk were two more chairs, these would face him when he sat at his desk. They were obviously for visitors. On either side of the window there was a bookcase. Both bookcases stretched from floor to ceiling, window to wall. He had written to Higgs the moment he had seen the bare shelves, asking him to send his library to Hogwarts. Hermione would have been proud, Harry's small library had grown considerably over the years, and he had actually read every one of the books present.
If he was sitting at his desk, the fireplace would be along the wall to his right. Against the same wall, a Grandfather clock stood patiently counting the seconds. Much to Harry's growing embarrassment, there was also a couch and table. The table rested between the fireplace and the couch, it was a foot and a half tall and nearly as long as the couch behind it. There were scuff marks on its surface, probably from someone's boot heels repeatedly resting against it. The couch faced the fireplace and was well used and comfortable. He had a sneaking suspicion that none of the Professors had couches in their offices. The wall to his left was mostly bare, it housed the door to a large closet, some shelves, and not much else.
The office was usually on the second floor, hardly fifteen feet from his room. Of course the second day he had been using it, he had left and found himself on the fourth floor, but that was not uncommon at Hogwarts. The office had been Dumbledore's own before he had become Headmaster, and it still felt extremely warm and lived in. He had called it down from one of the towers and asked it to stay near Harry. Dumbledore had warned him that it would move, but that as soon as he started looking for it he would most definitely find it. That had always been the way with it, the old wizard had informed him. He had never lost his office, but it had never been where he had left it. "You'll get used to it," he had assured Harry, "and so will the students."
Harry had noticed immediately that the window, no matter what part of the castle he found his office currently residing, had the exact same view. Dumbledore had only nodded, saying he thought Hedwig would find it easier if the window remained in the same location even if the office itself moved. Accepting this, as it seemed normal for the magical castle, Harry had been grateful that his owl would at least have no troubles finding his office. The older wizard may have assured him he would have no problem finding the office, but Harry was still a bit nervous. He did not find the idea of wandering around Hogwarts searching for the room very appealing. Well he thought to himself,I could always figure out where the window is located and crawl in from the outside.
Looking to the clock he rubbed his temples absently, it was time for lunch and Dumbledore was waiting for him. Harry knew, even though the older wizard had not told him, that Professor Hart had returned and would be in the Great Hall. He knew, because the Defense Professor had been expected to return for the last two days, and because the Headmaster, who had made it a point he would introduce Harry to the man, had specifically asked him to join him at one o'clock for lunch. Leaving his office, the young wizard was mildly surprised to find himself back on the second floor. Closing the door he followed the hall to the stairway. Finding his way to the Great Hall, Harry entered feeling a bit nervous.
He had been right. Seated beside the Headmaster was who Harry guessed must be Professor Hart. The man stood as he approached, his hazel eyes reflecting his warm smile, "Harry Potter, I am so pleased to finally meet you."
Harry felt a bit embarrassed, "Thank you sir." He took the offered hand and felt his arm being pumped up and then down.
"Call me Quin, we will after all, be working together." Harry nodded, Dumbledore had been right, the man seemed extremely good-natured. "Sit, sit," he gestured to the table, "I don't want to keep you standing around all day."
Joining the two older wizards at the table, Harry accepted a cup of tea and added two sugar cubes to it. While he stirred his tea the other wizard turned back to him, "So Harry, are you excited about the coming term?"
He nodded, "yes sir, I was speaking to Dumbledore about maybe setting up a sheet with all the times I was available, and letting the students come and see me if they need help with their studies or just want to vent to someone."
He was nodding, "I think, and this is only if you want to do it this way," he began, "that you should sit in class with me for the first couple of weeks. Get to know the students, and then if you want, instead of wasting your time listening to me drone on you could see students." He smiled, "That way the students who don't have class can see you if they need help." The man leaned back in his seat, running a hand through slightly graying ash blond hair, "I mean otherwise you wouldn't have any time to yourself at all."
Harry blinked, he had not thought of that, "I think that would work well, thank you sir."
During the rest of lunch, Harry found himself listening to several ludicrous, and yet extremely entertaining, stories. Professor Hart was an exceedingly good story teller. He seemed to enjoy embellishment and made no attempt at hiding it. At first Harry had wondered if the man was trying to be serious, but after the first few minutes, when Dumbledore joined in, he realized they were only joking. It was a game of sorts, to see who could tell the most ridiculous story.
Near the end of lunch, Harry had one question he really wanted answered, but was unsure of how to ask it. "Professor Hart, how were your classes last term, you didn't have any problems did you?" He had actually wanted to ask why he was still teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts when every teacher preceding him had abandoned the job after their first year. Of course to be fair, a few did not really have a choice, but they had still only taught one year. The man was breaking a Hogwarts tradition.
Hart seemed to ponder the question for a moment, "They went rather well Harry," he smiled, "But I think I know what you really want to ask." His voice was filled with mirth, "You're wondering how I was able to make it through the curse and perhaps why I'm having another go at it." He leaned back sipping a glass of apple juice, "Well, to be quite frank, nothing horrid happened last year," he grinned, "no Death Eater attack, no mythical beasts woke to roam the halls, not even a false alarm." He took another drink, "I must admit, I was a bit put off. I had hoped for something more exciting," Harry was staring at him now, trying to decide if he was serious or not, "maybe I'm just trying to get my due by repeating another year." He put his glass down, his eyes shining merrily, "And after hearing Harry Potter was going to be joining us, I knew I had made the correct decision. I'm sure this year will be much more interesting."
The conviction in his tone near the end of his answer gave Harry an uncomfortable feeling. He felt as if the answer held a bit too much truth for his liking. It was true that he had not had a restive career at Hogwarts, no quite the opposite. Every year he had found himself sparring with either Voldemort or one of his followers. Would it happen again this year? He had tried not to think about it, but the thought had been lurking in the back of his mind since the moment Higgs had told him he was returning to his old school. He did not want to bring trouble down on Dumbledore, and he especially did not want to endanger any of the students. It was something he would have to think about, if Voldemort tried to get to him this year he would have to insist Higgs move him. His stomach gave a lurch, and he paled slightly.
"Are you all right Harry?" there was concern in the Professor's tone, "I was only joking, I enjoy teaching at Hogwarts." The younger wizard nodded, Hart clapped him on the back, "I tend to go off too often, don't pay me any mind."
Harry swallowed, "Yes sir." He smiled weakly, "I have a few things I need to take care of," he turned to Dumbledore and then Hart, "if you will excuse me."
The Headmaster turned worried eyes on him, "Of course Harry, if you need to discuss anything-" he always left the invitation open.
Great, he thought, now I have the Headmaster worried about me. Stupid. Stupid. He pushed his chair in, "I'm fine, perhaps a bit tired." He forced a rather convincing smile, "There just seems to be so much to do." The older wizard seemed to accept this, and Harry sighed inwardly.
Turning to leave he heard Hart call out, "oh and Harry," he paused in the doorway looking back, "do call me Quin."
Part 2 Letters, letters, letters...
He wandered the halls absently, and was rather pleased when he found himself before a familiar door. Entering his office he dropped bonelessly into the soft leather chair behind his desk. Reaching into his pocket he drew out a black velvet pouch. He picked one pink and white striped candy from its depths and slipped it into his mouth. Tucking the bag back into a pocket, he leaned back, his gaze sweeping over the room. After adding a few things the office seemed a bit more his own. The Hogwarts crest rested happily above the fireplace, depicting each house equally. Along the walls he had added pictures of his friends and makeshift family. Their happy smiles and winks made him feel safe and comfortable. He could glance from one photo to the next, each a reminder of someone who cared for him, and smile. They were filled with pleasant memories, and he had been determined to surround himself with them.
The four shelves he had filled with odds and ends he had brought with him from Haven. His diploma, which he was very proud of, sat on the top shelf directly between two dragon figurines. He had graduated with honors in nearly all of his classes, and he had received a certificate from the Ministry for outstanding achievement in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Divination of all things. There were several other 'mythical' creature figures, a few were chipped and one poor unicorn was missing half a leg, but they had all been placed on the shelves with care. An old and rather battered music box sat on the bottom shelf accompanied by a glass case housing a fluttering snitch and twin silver candles which sat on either ends of the shelf.
On the left hand side of his desk he had placed a perch for Hedwig. She would be able to fly in through the window and stay with him as long as she pleased. There was a water dish and a small tray for any bits of food he might want to spoil her with attached along the side of the perch. Having a place for Hedwig was important to him, she was more than an owl she was his friend. She had been with him when he had first come to Hogwarts, she had been with him every summer when he returned to the Dursleys and she had been with him when he had moved to Haven. Seeing her made him feel comforted, she reminded him that some things remained, even when everything else changed.
On his desk he had a picture Hermione had made him as a birthday present a few years back. It was a collage of their friends and the people they had known from Hogwarts. It was one of the only pictures he had on display that he was actually in. The center of the collage was his mother holding him as a baby, around her were pictures of his family. Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Sirius, Dumbledore, and his father. Surrounding them were the rest of the Weasley family and all of his friends from Hogwarts. The farther from the center the pictures were, the smaller they became, until they were barely visible around the frame. Hermione insisted everyone from their seven years at Hogwarts was in it. Some much smaller than others, but they were there if you had the eyesight, time and patience to look.
Opposite the collage, on the right hand side of his desk, was another picture. This photo, framed in silver, was of his family from Haven. Higgs had spelled it to remain still, and it looked strange among all of the shifting images in the office. In the picture, Harry stood in the center of the group laughing, the cause of his mirth being the two figures to his right. Draco was hunched over, his face toward the ground, while a pretty girl perched playfully on his back. Fiona had chosen that exact moment to leap atop the stunned blond. Elbows resting just below his neck, her chin was cushioned by the palms of her hands. Her body stretched out over the young wizard's back, knees bent she had her legs crossed and pointed toward the sky. To Harry's left Leon stood glaring past him to Draco. Directly behind them stood Douglas, a hand on either of their shoulders, he was smiling and looking toward the camera, seemingly oblivious to the events to his right. Kearney stood beside Leon, a hand pressed to his mouth, his eyes dancing merrily. Hideaki stood slightly behind Draco to his right, the Japanese wizard had both eyebrows raised, but had managed not to laugh. At the far right stood Higgs, ramrod straight and as serious as ever, his arms were crossed in a no nonsense manner and he seemed to be consciously ignoring the young wizard and witch beside him.
This was Harry's favorite picture of his compatriots. They were relaxed and happy. If the picture had not been spelled it would have rotated between Draco attempting to smile and then being shoved forward by the young woman. He could almost see the astonished look as his face disappeared toward the ground, Fiona's huge smile and wink, Leon stepping toward them, his own doubled over laughter, Hideaki's mouth twitching into a smile, Douglas' look of confusion, Kearney's eyes tearing with suppressed mirth, and Higgs' eye roll when he thought no one was looking. He sighed, of course Higgs would not have allowed him to take it without the spell, so he was forced to imagine the way the events played themselves out. He smiled, even spelled it made him laugh.
The rest of his desk was fairly bare. He had an ink well, and a quill, but not much else. Resting his head against the desk he closed his eyes. His stomach was settling, and he was relatively relieved that his head had not started to hurt. He fought a yawn, and discovered he was a bit tired. Turning green eyes to Hermione's collage, he found a certain face and he wondered briefly if he shouldn't have asked Higgs to spell it as well. He rested his head against one arm and watched his mother rock his baby self gently back and forth, but his eyes kept falling to the other picture. He reached into a drawer with his free hand and pulled out a roll of white tape. Ripping a piece off he covered the offensive face and then went back to watching his mother.
A soft tapping at the window drew his attention. Turning he found an unfamiliar owl perched on his window sill. Opening the window he accepted the letter attached to its leg and then watched it fly happily to Hedwig's perch. As the owl drank from the water dish, Harry opened his letter. A small card fell to his desk as he pulled the parchment from the envelope. Picking it up he smiled, it was Ron and Hermione's wedding invitation. On Saturday, November 24 they would be married, it was only months away. He set the invitation down and picked up the letter.
Hey Harry,
It's me Ron, I wanted to send you a letter with your invitation (you know just sending the time and place and stuff seemed kinda impersonal to me). Anyway, how've ya been? Me and Herm really miss you, but I know your work has probably kept you plenty busy. [otherwise I'm sure you would have owled us (hint, nudge, write us you prat!)
Harry felt bad about that, he had meant to write.
I've been buried beneath scrolls
(literally) and they just won't seem to stop.
Although, I have gotten really good at sorting the stacks into
Imperative - Important - & Rubbish.
You have no idea how much rubbish I get!
Mr. so and so thinks his neighbor is You-Know-Who. Mrs. so and so says a strange cat has been
hanging around her house at night.
Arg! And I have to sort through
all of them on the off chance that one of them might have merit. Has the entire insane part of the Wizarding
community started sending me letters? I
swear if I get one more letter about how the entire English Quidditch team has
been replaced by Death Eaters I am going to scream. Although it might explain why they stink so
bad this year.
He laughed, it was the same old Ron, promotion hadn't changed him a bit.
But I'm sure you have just as many problems in your branch of the Mysteries Department huh? What exactly do you people do there? The usual, Harry thought, foiling diabolical schemes and covering it up. And how come I can never get a hold of you in your office? Do you even use it? Harry frowned, he hadn't even known he'd had an office. I know you're in a relatively new area of the department, something about investigating new (or is it old) artifacts and spells. Harry felt a tendril of guilt, he had hated lying to his two best friends, but Higgs had demanded it. They were to be working in a new branch of the Mysteries department that could call them away at a moment's notice. No one would think anything of their strange trips, or the fact that they were never at the Ministry itself. There were only a few people who knew about their real work, and it was safer that way. Trying to find ways of fighting You-Know-Who right? I know they send you all over, have you been to any really interesting places? Do Death Eater raids count? I guess that's why you're always out. You shouldn't let them work you so hard, take a vacation or something. Just don't burn yourself out.
Mione wants to know if you've been eating properly. He winced. She's going to send you a care package so watch out! Please don't embarrass me Hermione. And remember, we're going to see you at the wedding so no use in trying to lie to us about how you've been doing. That gives me nearly three months. We'll be able to tell if you're wearing yourself thin or not. Also we'll be seeing you at the rehearsal dinner too, so if you look too thin or something I'm sure Hermione, Ginny and Mum will stuff you full of food. He frowned at this, he had lost some weight, nothing to be worried about but he would still look too thin to the three women. He turned back to the letter.
Do you have a date for the wedding Harry? I'm not trying to pry. Yes you are. I'm just.. okay I'll be straight with you. Ginny doesn't have a date and doesn't really have anyone in mind. Except for the obvious (which is you in case it isn't so blatant) She wants to go with you, but you haven't asked her and she doesn't know whether to wait or try and find someone to go with. If you have a date she'd probably have a terrible time if she didn't ask anyone, and if you don't have a date she'd probably have a terrible time if she did bring someone. Of course if you do have a date then forget everything I've written. But if you don't then maybe you might want to ask her.
Harry was forced to re-read the entire paragraph a second time. Ron tended to babble even in his letters. He sighed, he had not planned on bringing anyone. Words from his mother's letter floated to his conscious 'I'm in no position to marry someone right now, what with the war and my Auror duties'. That was the exact way he felt. He did not want to burden someone with worry, or endanger them. It was better to remain alone. He stared at the words, but did that mean he couldn't even take a date to his two best friends' wedding? One date did not mean he was engaged, and who was going to see who would tell an enemy? Harry started thinking, his eyes returning to the letter.
I mean you are going to be my Best Man and she's Herm's Maid of Honor, so you two will be dancing anyway. I mean, I sound like an idiot don't I? Anyway, she likes you Harry and I know you like her, so stop being silly and ask her.
He shifted uncomfortably, he did like Ginny. Maybe he was being silly.
But I don't want you to ask her if you're only doing it cause I told you to. That was so like Ron. Only do it if you really do like her and want to go with her. If you ask her and don't want to she'll find out somehow and it will hurt her feelings. She's my sister Harry but you're like another brother to me and you two- well I should stop now before I make a complete arse out of myself. Too late.
Anyway, we miss you a whole lot! Come and visit us and send us loads of letters! We'll see you soon,
Ron
P.S. You'll probably get your care package within the week. Great.
And you can invite your friends from work, just let us know how many (especially if you go with Ginny cause then we have both of your guest spots to work with) Not at all pushy are you.
Oh and Harry, do not tell Hermione I said anything about Ginny. Thanks!
P.P.S I just found out you're to be at Hogwarts! Let me know when we can come and see you.
Harry smiled despite himself. Same old Ron, don't tell Hermione indeed. He laughed; he had the right mind to send her a copy. He pulled a fresh piece of parchment from his desk and began to write.
Ron,
I'm sorry I haven't written you and Hermione lately, I was busy, but that's not an excuse. I was very pleased to get your letter; you don't know how much I needed it. You can tell Hermione I am eating just fine and do not need to be mothered. But I do appreciate the concern. I am still getting settled in at Hogwarts, but I would love for you and Hermione to come and visit. Classes start next week, so I will probably be pretty busy. Perhaps the weekend after that? Would that be all right for you two? I should know what I'm doing by then, and if not I don't see how it would hurt to see you both. I've sent my card back with this letter, you'll note my check mark Ron. If you're sure about inviting my work friends, there are seven of them. I'll still have to ask them to be sure they can come, but several will jump at the chance to go.
I promise I will write again soon, and I can't wait to see you both,
Harry
He re-read the letter, and then picked up the card he was to send his reply on. Checking the box next to one, he slipped it into the envelope alongside his letter. He addressed the envelope and then tied it to the owl beside him. "Ronald Weasley," he instructed. The owl leapt from the perch and dove out the window. Tapping his finger on the desk he pulled out another piece of parchment.
Ms. Genevra Weasley,
I was hoping you would allow me the honor of accompanying you to Ron and Hermione's wedding this November.
H. Potter
He folded it over and slipped it into another envelope. Hoping it sounded all right, he addressed it carefully. Hedwig would be pleased, another letter so quickly. He grinned, and this time she would be pampered after delivering it. Taking the letter to the owl, he found he had been correct. Watching her fly out of the Owlery he left to see if he might find his office again. He had not walked for more than a few minutes before his eyes settled on the dark wood of the familiar door. Dumbledore seemed to have been right, he was getting used to finding the office. When he was not consciously looking he found it much sooner. It drew him, and now that he knew what to feel for he let his legs carry him toward the familiar pull without even thinking about it.
Sitting back down at his desk he folded Ron's letter and slipped it into his desk beside a lone piece of parchment. Pausing, he picked the other paper up. It was the reply he had gotten from Higgs several days earlier. He read the words again, a fierce anger burning his cheeks.
Harry,
Do NOT try anything! You are to stay at Hogwarts. We will look into the matter, although without more information there is not much we can do.
H.
As if he were a child who needed to be reminded to stay put. He was not stupid, if he had intended to investigate, he would not have owled Higgs first. Pushing the note back into the drawer he slammed it shut. His mouth pressed into a thin line he crossed his arms over his chest. And I shouldn't have used the mind link to tell Draco the rest of the dream either. Having him tell Higgs about it was a mistake, even if it was a safer way to discuss things than by owl. Harry closed his eyes. Now I have to put up with reporting to Higgs through Draco every night, he thought glumly. As if there is ever anything to report. The old goat just wants to check up on me.
He looked to the clock, Dumbledore would want him to join him for dinner in a few hours. He glanced to the table resting between the couch and fireplace. There was a large bowl of candy sitting in the middle of it. The old wizard had brought it down to him the day before. He had yet to touch it, and supposed he could leave it for students. They had a short conversation about how Harry addressed him, but the younger wizard would not relent on that particular issue.
"Harry, you're part of the staff now, you should call me Albus. There's no need to be so formal."
Harry frowned, "I'm sorry Headmaster, but I don't think I would be very comfortable calling you by your first name." He did not know how to put it into words, but calling the older wizard by his first name would have been like calling a grandfather by his name. Harry had never known what it was like to have grandparents, and seeing as he did not quite understand the feeling himself, could not really explain it to the older wizard.
"Well," he patted him on the shoulder, "if it will make you feel better I suppose Dumbledore or Headmaster will do for now."
Harry shook his head, and now Professor Hart wants me to call him Quin. What is it with them? He laughed, I'm sure Snape won't mind me calling him sir or Professor. He suddenly wondered how long it had taken the Potions Master to call the Headmaster by his name after he had started as a Professor. Deciding he really did not care, Harry pulled one of the Defense text books from the bookcase and started reading. If he was going to be of any use to the students, he would have to at least know what they were going to be taught.
Part 3 The Welcoming Feast
The rest of the professors had returned during the week, and before he knew it Harry found that September 1st had arrived. He was both excited and nervous as he made his way down the hall, hoping he was not late. His office had decided to let him out in a tower and he had been forced to walk down seven flights of stairs. He entered the Great Hall and very nearly turned right back. The entire staff, save McGonagall and Snape were already seated. Harry knew the seat beside the Headmaster was for the Transfigurations Professor, which left only two other chairs; the two seats at the end. He gave each and every one of them a glare as he made his way to the empty chairs. Sitting down beside Professor Hart he sighed grumpily. The man had the nerve to grin at him. Harry scowled back. "I could trade with you," the older wizard offered.
Harry saw the dark form of the Potions Professor enter the Hall. "No," he answered, "that's all right." Like I want him to see me scrambling to change seats.
Snape paused, his eyes settling on Harry Potter. He shot Dumbledore an angry look, and then took his seat. "I see you were the last fool to the table Potter."
He tightened his grip on the arms of his chair, "Apparently," he replied tonelessly. It was more an insult to himself, Harry told himself silently, don't make him right.
"Severus, where have you been hiding?" the question came from Professor Hart, "I've been back nearly a week and this is the first I've seen you."
He turned cold eyes toward the Defense teacher, his glare turned Harry's stomach. His mouth was set in a very thin line, "Some people actually have work they need to do."
Hart smiled, "Yes I'm sure with the new term there is a lot that needs to be done."
Snape narrowed his eyes, and then turned back to watch the doors, the students finding their seats. He scanned the crowd, looking for two children in particular. His eyes settled on Crispin Mar and he leaned forward slightly. The boy's younger sister followed along silently to his left. They were alive then. He followed their progress until they sat together at the Gryffindor table. If Dumbledore would have allowed it, he would have pulled the children aside and questioned them. It aggravated him that two children sitting not fifty feet from him might hold answers to questions he was not permitted to ask.
Harry followed Snape's gaze. He found himself staring at the Mar children.Of course, he thought suddenly, he must have been wondering what happened to them.
"Ah," Professor Hart exclaimed happily, "here come the new first years."
Harry sat through the Sorting Hat's song, waiting patiently for the first child to take the stool. Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a roll of parchment. "When I call your name you are to sit on the stool, put on the hat and wait to be sorted." She held the parchment up, "Bell, Josephine." A small raven haired girl hurried forward to sit on the stool nervously. The hat slipped past her ears and covered her eyes. There was a moment's pause and then "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped softly as the girl hurried to her new House's table. Snape sneered beside him, oh no, Harry thought angrily, I am not like you, I will never be like you.
"Clark, Devon." The boy picked up the hat and slipped it on his head as he sat down. The hat took a little longer to decide, "SLYTHERIN!" He placed the hat back on the stool and made his way toward the Slytherin's table. Blinking he paused slightly as he passed the end of the High Table. He had heard the rumors on the train, and he found they had been true. Harry Potter was sitting among the Hogwarts staff, and he was clapping. He had seen him clap for the girl before him, but she was already seated, he frowned, why was he still clapping? Then the realization hit, Harry Potter was clapping for him. It made sense for him to clap for the Bell girl, she had been sorted into his old house, but Devon had been put in Slytherin. He felt his stomach unclench, perhaps some of the things he had been told on the train were not true. He took a seat, but continued to watch the famous wizard with something like awe.
Snape stared at him. Harry fought a smile, but continued to clap for each and every student as they were sorted. I will not show favoritism, he chanted, I will not clap harder for any house. He wanted the students to feel comfortable with him, and that meant treating them equally and fairly. His quiet applause had not gone unnoticed. Reactions ranged from pride to tears. The tears came from a newly sorted Hufflepuff girl. She had watched him through each and every one of her new classmates sortings, her large eyes shining. When she had removed the hat her eyes had sought him out and she had instantly burst into tears. Harry had been surprised by the girl's reaction. He had no idea he would have such an immense impact on the first years. Tears sliding down her cheeks she had smiled brightly to him and then raced quickly to her house table. He heard a snort from his right, he ignored him.
When the last child was sorted, a tall blond girl who ended up in Ravenclaw, Dumbledore began the feast. He introduced Harry, never mind that all of the students had somehow already known he was going to be there. They had been busy straining their necks to get a look at him the moment they entered the Hall. As soon as the food arrived however, they seemed to lose interest in him and turned their attention to more important things, like roast beef.
Harry studied the feast before him, trying to decide on something safe. His hand moved from one dish to the next, hovering slightly but never serving himself any. Finally settling on cream of tomato soup, he failed to notice two sets of eyes watching him.
"Harry?"
He set his spoon down, "Yes?"
Professor Hart looked at him slightly confused, "Did you say something Harry?"
He opened his mouth to reply, but bit his lip instead. He looked into his soup, "uh, sorry." Not now Nathair, he thought,I'm still in the Great Hall.
"Higgs wants me to check up on you."
Hart was saying something to him, "-myself doing the exact same thing a few times." Harry nodded, not really knowing what he was agreeing to.
"So," he sounded annoyingly amused, "how are you?"
He closed his eyes, every time Draco spoke, he drowned out the rest of the room. Fine, tell Higgs I'm fine. Hart was staring at him as if waiting for a response, "Sorry?" oh I really sound like an idiot now.
"Don't worry Potter, I'm sure they're used to it by now." He ignored Draco and tried to concentrate on what the Professor was saying.
The man held up a platter, "Roast beef?" He shook his head, but then glanced to his right to see if Snape wanted any. The Potions Master was watching him with narrowed eyes. Now what have I done? he wondered briefly, oh right, I'm still here.
"Tell the bastard to sod off," Draco advised. Harry glared at his soup, "that should work."
He chanced a glance back, he was still staring at him. Fighting the overwhelming urge to ask what was so damn interesting, Harry looked back to his soup. "Potatoes?" He blinked, and looked back to Hart. Why was the man trying to feed him? He shook his head a second time.
"Probably because you don't eat."
"I'm eating soup," best keep his answers short.
"What a change," Draco was getting on his nerves,"maybe I should report your lack of appetite to Higgs." Harry gritted his teeth, "I'm sure he'd be interested, probably order you to eat a full breakfast tomorrow."
"I'll eat or won't eat as I please, thank you very much!" The shocked look on Professor Hart's face as he lowered the carrots back to the table caused Harry to groan inwardly. I said that aloud didn't I, he felt his cheeks turning red. If he had thought it would help the situation any, he would have banged his head against the table. It was all Draco's fault, the nasty git knew his stomach was the worst in the mornings. Harry suddenly found his spoon extremely interesting, should I apologize? I'm either going to look insane or really rude. A soft snicker from his right drew his attention. Looking at Snape from the corner of his eye, the young wizard frowned, he had the strangest expression on his face. He almost looked amused.
Snape had only wanted to eat supper and leave, but that was too much to ask. From the moment he had walked into the Great Hall he had known he was cursed. Potter had been the last to the table. Scowling, he had taken his seat beside the horrid boy. During the Sorting ceremony he had put on quite the show, clapping for every pitiful child who put on the hat. But that had not been enough, at some point while they were eating he began to act strangely again. Severus had sat staring at him, thinking, the boy is insane. He had started making faces at his soup, and just as he had at the funeral, his mouth had begun moving. It was only a slight movement, but it was as if he were holding a private conversation no one else could hear. He seemed distracted, and barely noticed when Hart began shoving platters of food at him. For a moment Snape had actually felt indignation for him, it was obvious the boy did not want any of it. Hart held out a bowl of carrots, oh give up, Severus thought when the boy took him by surprise.
The words, "I'll eat or won't eat as I please, thank you very much!" hissed from his mouth in a very dangerous tone. He had tried to snort, but it had come out wrong. He could not help it, the look of shock on Hart's face had done it. The man had deserved it, and if it had not been Potter who had said it, Snape might have shaken his hand. The obnoxious man had been getting under his skin for an entire year, and nothing he did seemed to bother him in return. Now, with one simple sentence Potter had stunned him. Finishing his potatoes, Severus Snape decided, that perhaps just for this one night he might actually like Harry Potter.
TBC
Why
did Higgs use magic to still Harry's picture?
Was
Hart being truthful when he said he was joking or were his first comments the
truth?
Who's
face was it that Harry covered in the picture Hermione gave him?
And
will Hagrid ever actually be in the story?
Please read "And Rumors Abound" the next chapter in "Blood & Dust" where once more none of these questions will be answered.