AN: Again, I find it is time to thank my reviewers:
Emma: about the birthmark... all will be revealed, but yeah.. I'm not too sure about it either but I can't get rid of it now
Littletiger: Thanks for reviewing regularly. It lets me know the story's worth going on with
Lee: I'm glad you like it.. Read on!
Chapter Four: Within this hallowed hall
Harry was wandering down the hall, lost in confusion after hastily quitting the hospital wing moments earlier when he ran into something and promptly landed on his behind. He sat there in the middle of the hall, making no move to get up, and muttered a soft 'ow'. He was quite happy where he was, damning himself for not looking where he was going, but mostly damning himself for running out of the hospital wing in the first place.
'Ow, ow, ow,' he complained for want of anything better to say. He was still sitting on the floor and hadn't looked up. He wasn't really thinking beyond himself; so he jumped when the something he had run into spoke.
'Harry?' Harry yelped and looked up, 'Are you okay?'
Remus Lupin was staring down at him, an expression of concern on his weary face. Harry scrambled back to his feet.
'Professor! What are you doing here?' Harry realised how that had sound and, blushing, hastened to correct himself, 'I mean...'
Remus laughed. 'It's okay, Harry. I know what you meant. And please, don't call me professor. I'm not you professor at the moment. I am simply a friend of your dad's.'
Harry grinned at his favourite DADA professor, happy to see him again after more than a year. But then he frowned, still wondering why Professor Lupin was there in the first place.
'But.... why *are* you here, if you don't mind me asking?'
Remus smiled and gestured Harry to a bench against the wall.
'Two reasons, actually. I'm here *now*' Remus lightly stressed the word, 'to visit an old friend I heard was sick.'
'You mean Professor Snape,' Harry stated. The werewolf nodded. Harry was about to comment on the fact that he hadn't realized they were friends - on the contrary, he would have sworn they were enemies - but at Lupin's next words, he forgot all about it.
'I'll be *staying* here, however, to resume the Defense Against the Dark Arts position next year at Dumbledore's request.'
Harry felt a smile start to stretch over his face, and made no attempt to stop it.
'Seriously? That's *fantastic*!'
Remus smiled too, 'I'm glad you approve Mr. Potter.'
They sat for a while and discussed everything from Remus's reappointment to the supposed whereabouts of Harry's godfather. Remus had recently left him to return to Hogwarts as Sirius embarked on some mission for Dumbledore. He was unreachable for the duration and nobody knew how long he would be at it. Harry was beginning to doubt he would be seeing his godfather any time soon.
Nor was Harry so naïve as to suppose Remus Lupin was back at Hogwarts simply because he was the best DADA teacher they had ever had. There was something deeper there, something Harry didn't understand. He recalled Professor Dumbledore at the end of the previous school year, referring to Remus as part of 'the old crowd', whatever that meant. He assumed it was all something to do with the fight against Voldemort.
But Harry preferred not to dwell on the thought of the Dark Lord, and was glad when Remus stood, bringing the conversation to a close. Harry accompanied him down the hall toward the hospital wing, intending to continue onto to his room.
Remus paused at the door to the hospital wing.
'I'll see you at dinner tonight Harry,' Harry nodded and Remus smiled and slipped into the hospital wing.
Harry stood a moment by the open door, staring blankly in, thinking. He really was glad Remus was back at Hogwarts. It made him feel closer to his dad, as though, through James's friends, Harry could get to know him better. He wondered if Remus would mind telling Harry more about Prongs in his spare time....
Harry realized Remus was talking to Snape and was curious, suddenly, about the friendship Remus had mentioned.
'Lupin.' Snape's voice was as curt as ever, but Remus's reply was genial and unconcerned.
'Severus. You are looking better than I expected.'
Snape grunted and Harry peered cautiously around the edge of the door. Remus was sitting in the visitor's chair at Snape's bedside, a smile lingering about his lips. Snape, on the other hand, had a habitual scowl blackening his face and was glaring past Remus, barely acknowledging him at all.
Remus turned his head and followed the direction of Snape's glare toward the door. He spied Harry peeking in and cast him a wink before turning back to Snape.
'The least you could do is acknowledge my presence, Severus. After all, I *did* come here to visit you.'
Still glaring toward the door, Snape replied shortly, 'As I did not ask you to come, I see no reason for me to have to entertain you. And I have acknowledged you, haven't I?'
Remus snorted this time. Harry was seriously starting to doubt there was anything other than animosity between these two men.
'Well at least you haven't thrown me out yet.'
Snape ignored him.
'And you are entertaining me.'
This garnered a reaction from the Potions Professor, however small. Harry saw his eyes flicker briefly to Remus's face then back toward whatever had captured his attention.
'Oh? I hadn't realized I was. You must excuse my lapse.' Snape's voice was caustic and Harry winced in sympathy for Remus. Remus, however, seemed unaffected, smiling instead.
'Yes, well. It's rather entertaining to watch you scowl at the boy.'
Harry jumped. He hadn't realized it was *him* that Snape was glaring at. Quickly he drew back and hurried on his way down the hall. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he heard Snape's reply float after him.
'I do not appreciate being spied on by annoying children.'
Remus laughed, and Harry never realized Snape had taken just a little too long to answer the werewolf.
As Harry made his way back towards his room, he went over the conversation in his mind, trying to see any sign of a friendship between the two professors. Unless there was something he had missed, Harry couldn't see anything that implied Snape might feel kindly towards Remus. Nothing at all. The only thing that had caught Harry's attention was that Snape seemed to be over whatever it was that had held him silent during that final blood- magic transfusion.
And, quite frankly, Harry couldn't help feeling a little relieved that Snape seemed to back to his usual snarky self. It was singularly disconcerting to be confronted with a Snape that had nothing to say. Harry had no idea how to deal with such a creature. He had never thought to be *relieved* Snape was insulting people, but at least he could deal with that.
Harry wandered back to his room and collapsed on his bed, staring at the canopy. He didn't make it back to the library that day.
A day later, Harry found himself lingering in the hall beyond the hospital wing again. He had no idea why he was there; just that, once again, he was drawn to the ward and its occupant. Of course, now that said occupant was awake, he couldn't actually go in to there. Snape would chew him up and spit him out.
So Harry was confined to pacing up and down the hall, every now and then, pausing to peek around the edge of the door. He had tried everything to keep his mind off this weird compulsion. He had tried doing his homework, but gave up after realizing he had read the same paragraph seven times and still had no concept of what it said. He had tried flying, but once around the Quidditch pitch and he found himself landing and heading back up to the castle. He had consider visiting Hagrid, but then remembered that the half- giant had been sent off on some mission or another. Remus and Dumbledore were holed up together in the Headmaster's office and the library simply couldn't hold Harry today.
So Harry was reduced to pacing and peering, and wondering what had gotten into him. Perhaps, he thought, it was that unspoken comment that had lingered in the air the first day Snape had woken up. The one Harry still didn't understand, but wanted desperately to hear. Whatever it was, Harry was powerless to fight the compulsion.
Harry jumped when the dark voice interrupted his musings:
'Oh, for -! Mr. Potter!'
Harry cautiously presented himself in the doorway.
Snape was sitting up in his bed, a Potions book open on his bedside table. He had obviously intimidated someone - probably a house-elf - into retrieving his robes from his rooms, although they didn't have quite the same effect when the wearer was confined to a sickbed. Presently, he was scowling at Harry where the teenager stood on the threshold.
'Well, don't just stand there! Come in!'
Harry meekly complied. He hesitated briefly, but when Professor Snape made no further comment, he sat on the edge of the bed next to Snape's - the one he had considered his own. Harry eyed his hands, folded in his lap, whilst, on the crown of his head, he could feel Snape's eyes lingering.
'Is there any particular reason you were loitering in the hall, Potter? Snape snapped.
Harry mutely shook his head, not game to answer and possibly incur more wrath brought down upon his head.
'Then *why* were you doing so?' Snape's arms were folded in his sleeves now and he was peering down his nose at Harry. Harry chanced looking up, but carefully avoided meeting his eyes.
'I just... I guess....' Harry was trying to decide what to say.
'Just spit it out, Potter!' exclaimed the Potions Master.
'I just wanted to see how you were feeling.' Harry lifted his chin defiantly and met Snape's eyes. He was confused by what he saw there. However briefly, Harry could read emotions in those dark eyes again. Snape was surprised that Harry had asked and.... touched? That threw Harry. Snape was *touched* that Harry was asking after his health? But what would he care? The professor *hated* Harry. Didn't he?
The mask was back.
'I see.' Snape's face was impassive, 'How did you suppose I would feel so soon after being beaten to a pulp by a dozen Death Eaters?'
The answer was so typically Snape that Harry seriously doubted what he had seen. He flushed and stood to leave.
'I was just hoping you'd be feeling a little better. I'm sorry I bothered you.'
Harry was half way to the door when Snape spoke behind him.
'Harry. Wait.' Harry froze. There it was again. Snape had called him by his first name again. Slowly, he turned around.
His Potions Professor was looking suddenly incredibly weary. Lines of pain usually hidden by the cold mask were standing out plainly about the man's mouth and eyes. Snape lifted his left arm and rubbed at his eyes, and when the robes slipped to his elbow, Harry noticed the Dark Mark was blacker than ever and surrounded by tender red skin.
Harry felt a sudden flash of compassion for this man. No matter what he was truly like under the mask he wore so well, Harry knew that, at the very least, he was a brave man. To willing go to Voldemort's side, knowing that at any moment you could be uncovered as mole in their midst had to take incredible courage.
Snape dropped his arm and his robes slid back down to cover the mark. His eyes were burning at Harry, but they were unreadable again. Silently, he gestured Harry back to the bed and Harry obediently sat. Silence. Then, finally, Professor Snape spoke.
'I believe I must thank you.' his face was absolutely blank, giving Harry no clue to his thoughts.
Harry started to protest that he needed no thanks but Snape silenced him with a single glare.
'Let me finish,' Snape continued to glare until Harry subsided, 'I realize you may have... saved my life. And, how ever little I wanted my life saved, you deserve my thanks.' Snape's mouth twisted and the words seemed bitter to his tongue.
Harry tried a hesitant smile but received no response to it.
'Umm, well, you're welcome.'
Snape nodded curtly, his lips melded into a thin line. Harry sat for a moment, silently kicking his legs. When the professor said nothing more, Harry tried another comment:
'I mean, I would have done it for anyone. Because I can, you know. I was reading about O-sigma blood-magic types and it said that we can give blood- magic at anyone, but that we can only receive blood-magic from other people with the same type. So I was one of a very few people that could give blood- magic to you and.... um....'
Harry realized he was babbling and that Snape had leveled a most unappreciative stare at him. Well, it was a slight improvement, Harry supposed. Usually he would just snap at him and take away house points. Of course, it was the holidays and he couldn't take away house points, but he could still snap.
Harry realized then that he was still babbling, only silently to himself this time. Harry tried the hesitant smile again. This time Snape sighed and turned away.
'You may go Mr. Potter.'
Harry nodded, even though the professor wasn't looking and turned to leave. The door opened at that point to admit Remus Lupin. The DADA professor smiled at Harry as the boy headed out into the corridor once again. Harry smiled back. Then he paused on the threshold and turned back to Professor Snape once more.
'I hope you are feeling better soon, sir.'
Snape sighed again and started to reply, still staring straight ahead.
'Thank you, Mr. Pot -' he had turned his head at that point and noticed Remus Lupin standing by the door grinning at him, '-ter,' he finished rather lamely.
Harry nodded again, darted a quick look at Remus and shut the door behind him. But even with the wood of the door between them, Harry could hear the conversation form within the ward.
'Say it, and I swear your next batch of Wolfsbane will be spiked with poison,' threatened Snape in a not-quite convincing tone of voice.
Remus's voice positively exuded innocence as he answered, 'Say what? I was just going to comment on how well you seem to be getting on with young Mr. *Potter*.'
Harry heard Snape growl, followed quickly by Remus's laugh. Harry was staring to wish they'd wait a little longer after he'd left to continue their conversations. Although, he hadn't missed the emphasis Remus had put on his surname. And that just served to confuse Harry all the more.
TBC
AN: *grimaces* was that okay? I had such trouble getting Remus in character and I'm not sure I did.
Oh, well, straight on to the next chapter.
*raises her arm and yells 'CHARGE!'*
Emma: about the birthmark... all will be revealed, but yeah.. I'm not too sure about it either but I can't get rid of it now
Littletiger: Thanks for reviewing regularly. It lets me know the story's worth going on with
Lee: I'm glad you like it.. Read on!
Chapter Four: Within this hallowed hall
Harry was wandering down the hall, lost in confusion after hastily quitting the hospital wing moments earlier when he ran into something and promptly landed on his behind. He sat there in the middle of the hall, making no move to get up, and muttered a soft 'ow'. He was quite happy where he was, damning himself for not looking where he was going, but mostly damning himself for running out of the hospital wing in the first place.
'Ow, ow, ow,' he complained for want of anything better to say. He was still sitting on the floor and hadn't looked up. He wasn't really thinking beyond himself; so he jumped when the something he had run into spoke.
'Harry?' Harry yelped and looked up, 'Are you okay?'
Remus Lupin was staring down at him, an expression of concern on his weary face. Harry scrambled back to his feet.
'Professor! What are you doing here?' Harry realised how that had sound and, blushing, hastened to correct himself, 'I mean...'
Remus laughed. 'It's okay, Harry. I know what you meant. And please, don't call me professor. I'm not you professor at the moment. I am simply a friend of your dad's.'
Harry grinned at his favourite DADA professor, happy to see him again after more than a year. But then he frowned, still wondering why Professor Lupin was there in the first place.
'But.... why *are* you here, if you don't mind me asking?'
Remus smiled and gestured Harry to a bench against the wall.
'Two reasons, actually. I'm here *now*' Remus lightly stressed the word, 'to visit an old friend I heard was sick.'
'You mean Professor Snape,' Harry stated. The werewolf nodded. Harry was about to comment on the fact that he hadn't realized they were friends - on the contrary, he would have sworn they were enemies - but at Lupin's next words, he forgot all about it.
'I'll be *staying* here, however, to resume the Defense Against the Dark Arts position next year at Dumbledore's request.'
Harry felt a smile start to stretch over his face, and made no attempt to stop it.
'Seriously? That's *fantastic*!'
Remus smiled too, 'I'm glad you approve Mr. Potter.'
They sat for a while and discussed everything from Remus's reappointment to the supposed whereabouts of Harry's godfather. Remus had recently left him to return to Hogwarts as Sirius embarked on some mission for Dumbledore. He was unreachable for the duration and nobody knew how long he would be at it. Harry was beginning to doubt he would be seeing his godfather any time soon.
Nor was Harry so naïve as to suppose Remus Lupin was back at Hogwarts simply because he was the best DADA teacher they had ever had. There was something deeper there, something Harry didn't understand. He recalled Professor Dumbledore at the end of the previous school year, referring to Remus as part of 'the old crowd', whatever that meant. He assumed it was all something to do with the fight against Voldemort.
But Harry preferred not to dwell on the thought of the Dark Lord, and was glad when Remus stood, bringing the conversation to a close. Harry accompanied him down the hall toward the hospital wing, intending to continue onto to his room.
Remus paused at the door to the hospital wing.
'I'll see you at dinner tonight Harry,' Harry nodded and Remus smiled and slipped into the hospital wing.
Harry stood a moment by the open door, staring blankly in, thinking. He really was glad Remus was back at Hogwarts. It made him feel closer to his dad, as though, through James's friends, Harry could get to know him better. He wondered if Remus would mind telling Harry more about Prongs in his spare time....
Harry realized Remus was talking to Snape and was curious, suddenly, about the friendship Remus had mentioned.
'Lupin.' Snape's voice was as curt as ever, but Remus's reply was genial and unconcerned.
'Severus. You are looking better than I expected.'
Snape grunted and Harry peered cautiously around the edge of the door. Remus was sitting in the visitor's chair at Snape's bedside, a smile lingering about his lips. Snape, on the other hand, had a habitual scowl blackening his face and was glaring past Remus, barely acknowledging him at all.
Remus turned his head and followed the direction of Snape's glare toward the door. He spied Harry peeking in and cast him a wink before turning back to Snape.
'The least you could do is acknowledge my presence, Severus. After all, I *did* come here to visit you.'
Still glaring toward the door, Snape replied shortly, 'As I did not ask you to come, I see no reason for me to have to entertain you. And I have acknowledged you, haven't I?'
Remus snorted this time. Harry was seriously starting to doubt there was anything other than animosity between these two men.
'Well at least you haven't thrown me out yet.'
Snape ignored him.
'And you are entertaining me.'
This garnered a reaction from the Potions Professor, however small. Harry saw his eyes flicker briefly to Remus's face then back toward whatever had captured his attention.
'Oh? I hadn't realized I was. You must excuse my lapse.' Snape's voice was caustic and Harry winced in sympathy for Remus. Remus, however, seemed unaffected, smiling instead.
'Yes, well. It's rather entertaining to watch you scowl at the boy.'
Harry jumped. He hadn't realized it was *him* that Snape was glaring at. Quickly he drew back and hurried on his way down the hall. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he heard Snape's reply float after him.
'I do not appreciate being spied on by annoying children.'
Remus laughed, and Harry never realized Snape had taken just a little too long to answer the werewolf.
As Harry made his way back towards his room, he went over the conversation in his mind, trying to see any sign of a friendship between the two professors. Unless there was something he had missed, Harry couldn't see anything that implied Snape might feel kindly towards Remus. Nothing at all. The only thing that had caught Harry's attention was that Snape seemed to be over whatever it was that had held him silent during that final blood- magic transfusion.
And, quite frankly, Harry couldn't help feeling a little relieved that Snape seemed to back to his usual snarky self. It was singularly disconcerting to be confronted with a Snape that had nothing to say. Harry had no idea how to deal with such a creature. He had never thought to be *relieved* Snape was insulting people, but at least he could deal with that.
Harry wandered back to his room and collapsed on his bed, staring at the canopy. He didn't make it back to the library that day.
A day later, Harry found himself lingering in the hall beyond the hospital wing again. He had no idea why he was there; just that, once again, he was drawn to the ward and its occupant. Of course, now that said occupant was awake, he couldn't actually go in to there. Snape would chew him up and spit him out.
So Harry was confined to pacing up and down the hall, every now and then, pausing to peek around the edge of the door. He had tried everything to keep his mind off this weird compulsion. He had tried doing his homework, but gave up after realizing he had read the same paragraph seven times and still had no concept of what it said. He had tried flying, but once around the Quidditch pitch and he found himself landing and heading back up to the castle. He had consider visiting Hagrid, but then remembered that the half- giant had been sent off on some mission or another. Remus and Dumbledore were holed up together in the Headmaster's office and the library simply couldn't hold Harry today.
So Harry was reduced to pacing and peering, and wondering what had gotten into him. Perhaps, he thought, it was that unspoken comment that had lingered in the air the first day Snape had woken up. The one Harry still didn't understand, but wanted desperately to hear. Whatever it was, Harry was powerless to fight the compulsion.
Harry jumped when the dark voice interrupted his musings:
'Oh, for -! Mr. Potter!'
Harry cautiously presented himself in the doorway.
Snape was sitting up in his bed, a Potions book open on his bedside table. He had obviously intimidated someone - probably a house-elf - into retrieving his robes from his rooms, although they didn't have quite the same effect when the wearer was confined to a sickbed. Presently, he was scowling at Harry where the teenager stood on the threshold.
'Well, don't just stand there! Come in!'
Harry meekly complied. He hesitated briefly, but when Professor Snape made no further comment, he sat on the edge of the bed next to Snape's - the one he had considered his own. Harry eyed his hands, folded in his lap, whilst, on the crown of his head, he could feel Snape's eyes lingering.
'Is there any particular reason you were loitering in the hall, Potter? Snape snapped.
Harry mutely shook his head, not game to answer and possibly incur more wrath brought down upon his head.
'Then *why* were you doing so?' Snape's arms were folded in his sleeves now and he was peering down his nose at Harry. Harry chanced looking up, but carefully avoided meeting his eyes.
'I just... I guess....' Harry was trying to decide what to say.
'Just spit it out, Potter!' exclaimed the Potions Master.
'I just wanted to see how you were feeling.' Harry lifted his chin defiantly and met Snape's eyes. He was confused by what he saw there. However briefly, Harry could read emotions in those dark eyes again. Snape was surprised that Harry had asked and.... touched? That threw Harry. Snape was *touched* that Harry was asking after his health? But what would he care? The professor *hated* Harry. Didn't he?
The mask was back.
'I see.' Snape's face was impassive, 'How did you suppose I would feel so soon after being beaten to a pulp by a dozen Death Eaters?'
The answer was so typically Snape that Harry seriously doubted what he had seen. He flushed and stood to leave.
'I was just hoping you'd be feeling a little better. I'm sorry I bothered you.'
Harry was half way to the door when Snape spoke behind him.
'Harry. Wait.' Harry froze. There it was again. Snape had called him by his first name again. Slowly, he turned around.
His Potions Professor was looking suddenly incredibly weary. Lines of pain usually hidden by the cold mask were standing out plainly about the man's mouth and eyes. Snape lifted his left arm and rubbed at his eyes, and when the robes slipped to his elbow, Harry noticed the Dark Mark was blacker than ever and surrounded by tender red skin.
Harry felt a sudden flash of compassion for this man. No matter what he was truly like under the mask he wore so well, Harry knew that, at the very least, he was a brave man. To willing go to Voldemort's side, knowing that at any moment you could be uncovered as mole in their midst had to take incredible courage.
Snape dropped his arm and his robes slid back down to cover the mark. His eyes were burning at Harry, but they were unreadable again. Silently, he gestured Harry back to the bed and Harry obediently sat. Silence. Then, finally, Professor Snape spoke.
'I believe I must thank you.' his face was absolutely blank, giving Harry no clue to his thoughts.
Harry started to protest that he needed no thanks but Snape silenced him with a single glare.
'Let me finish,' Snape continued to glare until Harry subsided, 'I realize you may have... saved my life. And, how ever little I wanted my life saved, you deserve my thanks.' Snape's mouth twisted and the words seemed bitter to his tongue.
Harry tried a hesitant smile but received no response to it.
'Umm, well, you're welcome.'
Snape nodded curtly, his lips melded into a thin line. Harry sat for a moment, silently kicking his legs. When the professor said nothing more, Harry tried another comment:
'I mean, I would have done it for anyone. Because I can, you know. I was reading about O-sigma blood-magic types and it said that we can give blood- magic at anyone, but that we can only receive blood-magic from other people with the same type. So I was one of a very few people that could give blood- magic to you and.... um....'
Harry realized he was babbling and that Snape had leveled a most unappreciative stare at him. Well, it was a slight improvement, Harry supposed. Usually he would just snap at him and take away house points. Of course, it was the holidays and he couldn't take away house points, but he could still snap.
Harry realized then that he was still babbling, only silently to himself this time. Harry tried the hesitant smile again. This time Snape sighed and turned away.
'You may go Mr. Potter.'
Harry nodded, even though the professor wasn't looking and turned to leave. The door opened at that point to admit Remus Lupin. The DADA professor smiled at Harry as the boy headed out into the corridor once again. Harry smiled back. Then he paused on the threshold and turned back to Professor Snape once more.
'I hope you are feeling better soon, sir.'
Snape sighed again and started to reply, still staring straight ahead.
'Thank you, Mr. Pot -' he had turned his head at that point and noticed Remus Lupin standing by the door grinning at him, '-ter,' he finished rather lamely.
Harry nodded again, darted a quick look at Remus and shut the door behind him. But even with the wood of the door between them, Harry could hear the conversation form within the ward.
'Say it, and I swear your next batch of Wolfsbane will be spiked with poison,' threatened Snape in a not-quite convincing tone of voice.
Remus's voice positively exuded innocence as he answered, 'Say what? I was just going to comment on how well you seem to be getting on with young Mr. *Potter*.'
Harry heard Snape growl, followed quickly by Remus's laugh. Harry was staring to wish they'd wait a little longer after he'd left to continue their conversations. Although, he hadn't missed the emphasis Remus had put on his surname. And that just served to confuse Harry all the more.
TBC
AN: *grimaces* was that okay? I had such trouble getting Remus in character and I'm not sure I did.
Oh, well, straight on to the next chapter.
*raises her arm and yells 'CHARGE!'*