Chapter 20

'What's wrong Potter?'

'I thought you said we weren't going to talk.'

'I said as long as you had no intention of speaking. I know you do not want to speak and I would like to know why.'

'But that's still speaking.'

'Yes, but as long as you didn't intend on speaking when you sat down, it doesn't matter that you answer my questions, when it is convenient for me to ask them. You will speak when I want you too, not when you want to.'

Harry sat for a few moments thinking about that statement.

'Your mind is really fucked up.'

'Five points from Gryffindor, for coarse language.'

'Sorry sir, but you cant do that. This isn't part of school time. This is an extra curricular activity, so points don't count.'

'If I say five points from Gryffindor, then five points will be deducted from Gryffindor. You are still on school property and in school hours. And I thought you weren't going to talk unless I said you could.'

Harry lapsed into a mutinous silence. He considered leaving, but he knew that this was as close as he was going to get to sitting by himself and not being bothered, so he stayed. He realised, with a grim smile, that being with Snape was the only way he would get away from other people because no one would risk going near Snape in a bad mood, and being around Harry Potter automatically put Snape in a bad mood.

*I win by default*

'Potter, you haven't answered my question.'

Typical, even with Snape he still had to make some conversation.

'What question?'

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,'

'Potter.'

'Nothing.'

'I am warning you, Potter.'

'Oh, all right. Mrs Figg over there has lived up the road from me ever since I was a baby. She has always been my baby sitter and she knew how I was being treated at the Dursleys and she didn't tell me who I was, or do a fucking thing to help me.'

'Arabella Figg?'

'The very same, I dunno, maybe I'm being stupid. It just feels like she has betrayed me.'

'I don't know the ins and outs of all this, Harry, but I wi- Ah, Albus'

Harry looked up to see the room had emptied itself and that the headmaster was standing above them.

'Harry, how are you? You seemed a little out of sorts earlier.'

'Fine, sir,' replied Harry through gritted teeth. He took a long breath and arranged his face into his 'normality mask'.

Dumbledore just looked at him, before leading them back into his office.

'Now, Harry. I am sure that you are aware of the problem awaiting you at the end of this school year.'

'You have no-one to dump me with.' Harry stated.

'No, Harry. We didn't have any one to place you with, but I have found someone to take you in.'

'Please, sir, tell me it isn't Mrs Figg.'

Dumbledore looked at him searchingly before replying, 'it isn't Arabella Figg.'

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Dumbledore expectantly. As long as it wasn't Mrs Figg, then it didn't matter. Anything would be bearable, as long as it wasn't her.

Dumbledore looked hesitant and Harry wondered why. It couldn't be that bad, could it? No, Dumbledore wouldn't leave him with someone that he didn't fully trust and Harry liked all the people that Harry trusted. A thought struck him.

'Is it Remus?'

'No, Harry, his werewolf status still prevents him from caring for a child.'

'Well, who is.'

Harry was startled by a movement behind him, Why was Snape still here? Maybe he had to talk to Dumbledore after this. That was an odd look on his face. Sort of loathing and nervousness. Why would he look like that, and why wasn't he waiting outside, surely this was between only him, Dumbledore and whoever was going to be looking after.'

'Fuck.'

Ok, you're jumping to conclusions. Snape would never agree to take care of you. Granted he was nice when you were recovering, and he hadn't been an arse when he was tutoring you. Of course it wasn't him. He is thinking of some scary spy mission that he has to do for Dumbledore that is making him look that apprehensive.

He's walking around to stand in front of you because he is going to ridicule you for thinking something so stupid.

It's ok, just breathe. You're over reacting to nothing.

Dumbledore is looking uneasy because you aren't breathing. Ok, maybe because you are breathing too much.

Calm, calm. Snape isn't crouching down in front of you and saying something stupid about how he knows it is a shock, being basically adopted by your least favourite person, but he is sure that this is a problem that can be worked through.

Ok, so now you are breathing way to fast. Dumbledore looks worried now. Fight the black spots taking over your vision. Fight the dizziness. It's not that bad. You've only got to live with him for the summer. Live with Snape.

Fuck.

*****************

Snape and Dumbledore stood looking at the crumpled form of Harry Potter, unconscious at their feet.

'Well,' said Dumbledore looking slightly shaken. 'I think we can say that that didn't go quite according to plan.'

'Agreed.'