Snape was in a completely foul mood. He stormed through the castle, having
no idea as to where he was going until he found himself in Dumbledore's
office. Oddly enough, he couldn't even remember giving the password to the
gargoyle. With a benign smile and a twinkle Dumbledore invited him in.
"You look slightly distressed, Severus. Anything you would care to talk about?"
"Just Malfoy being his usual annoying self, headmaster" said Snape sullenly, glaring at the proffered lemon drop.
"That's odd, I thought you and Draco were quite close. What did he say?"
"He was meddling in matters that don't involve him."
Dumbledore sighed deeply and leaned across the table, wondering whether Snape would actually hex him for this.
"You know, Severus, he does actually have a point. I am sure you are tired of hearing people say it, but you do really need a family, like Harry does."
Snape ground his teeth together, fingers twitching on his wand.
"I mean, I can imagine you taking him to Hogsmeade. . .playing Quidditch together. . .sharing memories of the past. . .doing some father son bonding. . ."
The headmaster's voice trailed off as he was swiftly transfigured into a frog by an exceptionally irate Snape.
"Albus, I have the greatest respect for you as a wizard, but you are a FOOL! Potter and I could never have a relationship, because I hate him and he hates me!"
Snape paused, waiting for the usual comforting answer, but all he got was a steely glare.
"Oh shit!" he muttered. He got up and walked halfway out of the door before transfiguring Dumbledore back, and then running.
When he got to the dungeons he nearly jumped out of his skin. In the classroom where he was supposed to be duelling with harry was standing a figure in black robes and a white mask. He froze, and was instantly hit by a tickling charm. He threw it off, furious at the boy for catching him off guard, and cast a stabbing curse. The boy's breath became laboured and he fought to pull off the curse. Sneering, Snape made a stupid mistake and turned away, not realising that Harry was feigning the pain as he had blocked the curse before it had even hit him.
"Occulis Obscuris!" yelled Harry, and Snape's eyes clouded over. In panic, he cast the only charm he could think of which required no aim.
"Umbra Previoso!"
He was shocked by the size of the ghost that came out of Harry's body. It split into four parts, which instantly surrounded him. One was Diggory, pointing accusingly at Harry and mouthing words which Snape couldn't discern, although they were obviously affecting Harry deeply as the boy shook and tried frantically to hold his wand steady. His parents formed another part of the ghost, merely staring at him in a most unnerving way. Then a fat man who Snape didn't recognise, but assumed was Harry's uncle from the way he was waving his fists in the air at a now cowering Harry. And finally, Neville Longbottom, holding out bloody arms, and whispering to Harry. At this Harry crumpled visibly, sinking to the ground as though under the weight of a thousand worlds.
"P. . .passa" he gasped out, and the sudden pain through Snape's body broke his concentration. The ghosts merged together and flooded back into Harry's body, and the boy sagged against the wall, body shaking with sobs. Snape uncast the spell and hesitantly walked forward. Harry ignored him, hugging his knees to his chest and rocking backwards and forwards.
"What happened to Longbottom?" asked Snape curiously.
"He cut his wrists" muttered Harry, his voice thick with grief. Snape sucked in his breath sharply. Who would have thought it. . .Longbottom. . .he moved closer to Harry but the boy flinched away.
"Professor, please, stop fucking with me like this. Just decide if you can be a father or not, please, please just stop messing around with my head. . ."
Guilt suffused Snape's heart and he said softly,
"Can we just be civil?"
There was a long pause, while Harry tried not to sob aloud. Suddenly realising that Snape was waiting for an answer he nodded, and felt the warm folds of Snape's black cloak enclose his shivering body. The elegant fingers ran through Harry's hair, and a lifetime's worth of injustices poured out through Harry as he sobbed frantically into Snape's shoulder, barely aware of the soothing words that came to his ears.
Snape was hardly aware he was crying himself, as he rubbed Harry's back. Eventually he realised he had stopped sobbing, and pulled the boy upright. Reluctantly Harry let go of Snape's robes and tried to get up, but slumped down again. Snape pulled him close again, aware of the dungeon chill seeping into their bones.
"You're too thin" he murmered into Harry's ear. Harry shrugged his spindly shoulders and didn't move, and Snape realised with a shock that Harry had probably never been hugged before. Unless those bear-hugs from Hagrid or Molly Weasley counted. Ugh.
He rubbed Harry's back again, wincing at the feel of the ribs between his fingers, and then lifted him to his feet.
"Harry, you need to go back to your tower now, ok?"
I can't get too close to him. It's dangerous.
Disappointment etched onto his features, Harry nodded silently, face turned to the floor.
Can't put him in even more danger. It's not fair.
He squeezed the bony shoulder and left his hand there as he walked Harry to the door, trying to convey some comfort.
Harry looked back once, some unidentifiable expression in his eyes, and then left.
*********************************
Draco was sitting glaring at the fire when Snape came in. He sullenly refused to look up obviously, though Snape caught sight of him peering through his pale lashes. The facade dissolved as Draco quickly got up, and moved towards Snape, putting a hand on the older wizard's shoulder.
"What happened? You've been crying!"
Snape shrugged.
"I saw things that I had not expected" he relied cryptically, and headed towards his bedroom, ignoring Draco's plaintive cries of, "Speak in English, Sev!"
*******************************
The next morning Harry had Charms first. Flitwick announced they would be doing pair work, just simple sparring. Harry looked around for a partner but everyone seemed to be busy in twos. Everyone. . .except Draco.
"May I?" asked Harry politely, gesturing to Draco. The Slytherin nodded civilly and bowed, turning his eyes to the floor. Harry nearly dropped his wand in shock; to lower your eyes showed great respect and trust in your partner, because obviously they could hex you while you weren't looking. Harry returned the favour, and was pleased to see the faint surprise in Draco's eyes too.
They hadn't spoken that term which was unusual; generally they would be verbally and/or physically attacking each other by this stage of the term. Harry had heard rumours about Draco turning away from the Death Eaters and had believed them; partly because Hermione did, and partly because he doubted that Draco could act well enough to feign the apologetic and remorseful expression he had been wearing all term.
They both held their wands steady and Flitwick started them off with a bang from his wand.
"Rictusempera!" exclaimed Harry, and Draco grimaced, remembering what had passed in the second year duelling club. Then the blond hesitated. He didn't actually know any light curses, he had only learnt the Unforgivables and various other pain bringing hexes. Harry swiftly disarmed him, stepped forward and shook his hand, the look in his soft green eyes telling Draco he understood everything, and he would always be there. . .
And then it was gone, and Draco's wand was pressed back in his hand, and there was an odd sort of emptiness in him. He looked at Harry and saw the surprise in the boy's eyes. Slowly, he reached out a pale hand, not even recognising the presence of the rest of the class, and grasped Harry's. A shock jolted through both of them, sending Harry lurching backwards. He hit the table with a gasp and slid tot he floor, shaking. Draco and Flitwick were at his side in a moment, having been the only ones to see what had happened. Harry stood up, unnaturally pale, and shakily walked to the door, muttering to Flitwick,
"It was a vision. I think I should go to the Headmaster. Can Draco come with me?"
Flitwick nodded, looking anxious, and the two boys exited swiftly. When they got a little away from the classroom, Harry turned to Draco, his eyes flashing.
"What did you do to me?"
"I didn't do anything! I just. . .I don't know. . ."
"Did you not feel it?"
Draco nodded mutely. "I felt it. . .just not so strongly. But what WAS it?"
"I don't know" said Harry softly. "But I don't want to tell Dumbledore. I don't think it's important." -And I'm not convinced I even want to know what it is- he thought inwardly. Knowing him, it probably wasn't good.
****************************************
He and Draco parted ways abruptly, and Harry went back to the Common Room where he found Hedwig waiting for him with a letter. He eagerly opened it, and allowed a rare smile to light up his face as he read it through. It was from Neville.
'Dear Harry,
How's it going? I miss you all, give my best to everyone in Gryffindor and Hagrid. Hope you and Ron and Hermione are all talking again. I'm having a great time at home. McGonagall had a long chat with my Gran and managed to get through to her that I'm just not magical enough to succeed at Hogwarts. I joined a muggle school called Stonewall High. Most of the kids there are nice, much better than a place where all the horrible people with overbearing parents go. . .Smeltings, I think. You should see their uniform, they look so stupid. There's one boy who looks so much like a pig it's not true! I see him every morning and crack up laughing at him.
I have become really good at Muggle Science (I really should stop thinking about Muggles!) I think that's due to all the help you gave me in potions. How's Snape? He seemed a bit preoccupied just before I left, but I'm sure he's back to his usual nasty self now!
Has anything interesting happened recently? How did the match against Ravenclaw go? Has Peeves done anything interesting recently?
I don't have time to write anything else now, because I'm in so much shit with all my homework, there's so much of it and no Hermione or Harry to help me! Anyway, owl me back,
All the best,
Neville.'
Harry read the letter through again with a smile, and quickly grabbed a quill and piece of parchment from the desk to begin drafting his reply
"You look slightly distressed, Severus. Anything you would care to talk about?"
"Just Malfoy being his usual annoying self, headmaster" said Snape sullenly, glaring at the proffered lemon drop.
"That's odd, I thought you and Draco were quite close. What did he say?"
"He was meddling in matters that don't involve him."
Dumbledore sighed deeply and leaned across the table, wondering whether Snape would actually hex him for this.
"You know, Severus, he does actually have a point. I am sure you are tired of hearing people say it, but you do really need a family, like Harry does."
Snape ground his teeth together, fingers twitching on his wand.
"I mean, I can imagine you taking him to Hogsmeade. . .playing Quidditch together. . .sharing memories of the past. . .doing some father son bonding. . ."
The headmaster's voice trailed off as he was swiftly transfigured into a frog by an exceptionally irate Snape.
"Albus, I have the greatest respect for you as a wizard, but you are a FOOL! Potter and I could never have a relationship, because I hate him and he hates me!"
Snape paused, waiting for the usual comforting answer, but all he got was a steely glare.
"Oh shit!" he muttered. He got up and walked halfway out of the door before transfiguring Dumbledore back, and then running.
When he got to the dungeons he nearly jumped out of his skin. In the classroom where he was supposed to be duelling with harry was standing a figure in black robes and a white mask. He froze, and was instantly hit by a tickling charm. He threw it off, furious at the boy for catching him off guard, and cast a stabbing curse. The boy's breath became laboured and he fought to pull off the curse. Sneering, Snape made a stupid mistake and turned away, not realising that Harry was feigning the pain as he had blocked the curse before it had even hit him.
"Occulis Obscuris!" yelled Harry, and Snape's eyes clouded over. In panic, he cast the only charm he could think of which required no aim.
"Umbra Previoso!"
He was shocked by the size of the ghost that came out of Harry's body. It split into four parts, which instantly surrounded him. One was Diggory, pointing accusingly at Harry and mouthing words which Snape couldn't discern, although they were obviously affecting Harry deeply as the boy shook and tried frantically to hold his wand steady. His parents formed another part of the ghost, merely staring at him in a most unnerving way. Then a fat man who Snape didn't recognise, but assumed was Harry's uncle from the way he was waving his fists in the air at a now cowering Harry. And finally, Neville Longbottom, holding out bloody arms, and whispering to Harry. At this Harry crumpled visibly, sinking to the ground as though under the weight of a thousand worlds.
"P. . .passa" he gasped out, and the sudden pain through Snape's body broke his concentration. The ghosts merged together and flooded back into Harry's body, and the boy sagged against the wall, body shaking with sobs. Snape uncast the spell and hesitantly walked forward. Harry ignored him, hugging his knees to his chest and rocking backwards and forwards.
"What happened to Longbottom?" asked Snape curiously.
"He cut his wrists" muttered Harry, his voice thick with grief. Snape sucked in his breath sharply. Who would have thought it. . .Longbottom. . .he moved closer to Harry but the boy flinched away.
"Professor, please, stop fucking with me like this. Just decide if you can be a father or not, please, please just stop messing around with my head. . ."
Guilt suffused Snape's heart and he said softly,
"Can we just be civil?"
There was a long pause, while Harry tried not to sob aloud. Suddenly realising that Snape was waiting for an answer he nodded, and felt the warm folds of Snape's black cloak enclose his shivering body. The elegant fingers ran through Harry's hair, and a lifetime's worth of injustices poured out through Harry as he sobbed frantically into Snape's shoulder, barely aware of the soothing words that came to his ears.
Snape was hardly aware he was crying himself, as he rubbed Harry's back. Eventually he realised he had stopped sobbing, and pulled the boy upright. Reluctantly Harry let go of Snape's robes and tried to get up, but slumped down again. Snape pulled him close again, aware of the dungeon chill seeping into their bones.
"You're too thin" he murmered into Harry's ear. Harry shrugged his spindly shoulders and didn't move, and Snape realised with a shock that Harry had probably never been hugged before. Unless those bear-hugs from Hagrid or Molly Weasley counted. Ugh.
He rubbed Harry's back again, wincing at the feel of the ribs between his fingers, and then lifted him to his feet.
"Harry, you need to go back to your tower now, ok?"
I can't get too close to him. It's dangerous.
Disappointment etched onto his features, Harry nodded silently, face turned to the floor.
Can't put him in even more danger. It's not fair.
He squeezed the bony shoulder and left his hand there as he walked Harry to the door, trying to convey some comfort.
Harry looked back once, some unidentifiable expression in his eyes, and then left.
*********************************
Draco was sitting glaring at the fire when Snape came in. He sullenly refused to look up obviously, though Snape caught sight of him peering through his pale lashes. The facade dissolved as Draco quickly got up, and moved towards Snape, putting a hand on the older wizard's shoulder.
"What happened? You've been crying!"
Snape shrugged.
"I saw things that I had not expected" he relied cryptically, and headed towards his bedroom, ignoring Draco's plaintive cries of, "Speak in English, Sev!"
*******************************
The next morning Harry had Charms first. Flitwick announced they would be doing pair work, just simple sparring. Harry looked around for a partner but everyone seemed to be busy in twos. Everyone. . .except Draco.
"May I?" asked Harry politely, gesturing to Draco. The Slytherin nodded civilly and bowed, turning his eyes to the floor. Harry nearly dropped his wand in shock; to lower your eyes showed great respect and trust in your partner, because obviously they could hex you while you weren't looking. Harry returned the favour, and was pleased to see the faint surprise in Draco's eyes too.
They hadn't spoken that term which was unusual; generally they would be verbally and/or physically attacking each other by this stage of the term. Harry had heard rumours about Draco turning away from the Death Eaters and had believed them; partly because Hermione did, and partly because he doubted that Draco could act well enough to feign the apologetic and remorseful expression he had been wearing all term.
They both held their wands steady and Flitwick started them off with a bang from his wand.
"Rictusempera!" exclaimed Harry, and Draco grimaced, remembering what had passed in the second year duelling club. Then the blond hesitated. He didn't actually know any light curses, he had only learnt the Unforgivables and various other pain bringing hexes. Harry swiftly disarmed him, stepped forward and shook his hand, the look in his soft green eyes telling Draco he understood everything, and he would always be there. . .
And then it was gone, and Draco's wand was pressed back in his hand, and there was an odd sort of emptiness in him. He looked at Harry and saw the surprise in the boy's eyes. Slowly, he reached out a pale hand, not even recognising the presence of the rest of the class, and grasped Harry's. A shock jolted through both of them, sending Harry lurching backwards. He hit the table with a gasp and slid tot he floor, shaking. Draco and Flitwick were at his side in a moment, having been the only ones to see what had happened. Harry stood up, unnaturally pale, and shakily walked to the door, muttering to Flitwick,
"It was a vision. I think I should go to the Headmaster. Can Draco come with me?"
Flitwick nodded, looking anxious, and the two boys exited swiftly. When they got a little away from the classroom, Harry turned to Draco, his eyes flashing.
"What did you do to me?"
"I didn't do anything! I just. . .I don't know. . ."
"Did you not feel it?"
Draco nodded mutely. "I felt it. . .just not so strongly. But what WAS it?"
"I don't know" said Harry softly. "But I don't want to tell Dumbledore. I don't think it's important." -And I'm not convinced I even want to know what it is- he thought inwardly. Knowing him, it probably wasn't good.
****************************************
He and Draco parted ways abruptly, and Harry went back to the Common Room where he found Hedwig waiting for him with a letter. He eagerly opened it, and allowed a rare smile to light up his face as he read it through. It was from Neville.
'Dear Harry,
How's it going? I miss you all, give my best to everyone in Gryffindor and Hagrid. Hope you and Ron and Hermione are all talking again. I'm having a great time at home. McGonagall had a long chat with my Gran and managed to get through to her that I'm just not magical enough to succeed at Hogwarts. I joined a muggle school called Stonewall High. Most of the kids there are nice, much better than a place where all the horrible people with overbearing parents go. . .Smeltings, I think. You should see their uniform, they look so stupid. There's one boy who looks so much like a pig it's not true! I see him every morning and crack up laughing at him.
I have become really good at Muggle Science (I really should stop thinking about Muggles!) I think that's due to all the help you gave me in potions. How's Snape? He seemed a bit preoccupied just before I left, but I'm sure he's back to his usual nasty self now!
Has anything interesting happened recently? How did the match against Ravenclaw go? Has Peeves done anything interesting recently?
I don't have time to write anything else now, because I'm in so much shit with all my homework, there's so much of it and no Hermione or Harry to help me! Anyway, owl me back,
All the best,
Neville.'
Harry read the letter through again with a smile, and quickly grabbed a quill and piece of parchment from the desk to begin drafting his reply