Chapter Eleven
Quick note: There appears to be some confusion as to how Harry will know what is going on. Snape cast a spell so his words would spell out in the air (wow, there's a spell for everything :P). So Harry is reading what is said.
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Draco was sure he was in heaven.
He loved having people at his mercy. And the fact that it was Snape only increased his enjoyment.
He now had control over someone who used to have control over him.
He had long forgotten about the cold, his throbbing ankle, Potter and the events of the night.
Draco's mind was filled with not only ways to make his professor's life as miserable as possible, but how he could benefit most from the situation as well.
What did Snape have that he wanted?
He knew he needn't bother asking Snape to alter his Potions grade, as he already was top of the class.
He couldn't believe the normally shrewd Head of Slytherin house had made such a miscalculation to find himself in this position. It was very un- Snape-like and Draco wondered if the man was starting to lose his touch.
Still Draco had to admit the initial punishment had been a brilliant idea. And if Potter hadn't been such a clumsy idiot it probably would have been quite effective.
Oh well, it worked out to his advantage. And that's all that mattered.
Having a professor in his pocket would definitely have its perks. He could probably now get away with almost anything.
Even though bearing the name Malfoy gave him a certain amount of freedom down in the dungeons the rest of the teachers were not at all cowed by his family's reputation. In fact many seemed to issue him harsher punishments in spite of his name.
But now, he realized, he could have his run of the school and just have Snape cover for him with the other teachers.
He liked that idea. Do whatever he wanted and not have to face the consequences. Sure, that would make life difficult for his teacher. Snape would certainly raise his fellow staff member's suspicions by constantly condoning Draco's bad behavior. But Draco didn't see how that was his concern.
It would be but one small payment for the pain and humiliation he'd endured in that evening.
He could also see the advantages of having a renowned potions master at his beck and call. Whatever potion he desired, legal or otherwise, he was sure it was in the professor's ability to concoct.
Perhaps an effective little love potion could be brewed for him. To help him win over a certain seventh year Slytherin girl who kept insisting on resisting Draco's countless charms.
But he was digressing. Back to the matter at hand.
Sweet revenge.
Draco's mind filled with the various ways he could make Snape suffer. Focusing mainly on injuring what the man seemed to hold most dear. His pride.
Oh, the possibilities.
He wondered if Snape had a nice singing voice. Draco just might request a verse of the national anthem one morning during breakfast. That would certainly get everyone in a patriotic mood.
Or maybe he should get his teacher to wear another colour besides the same dreadful black. He could just see Snape in robes a lovely shade of pink.
The image of Snape professing his undying love to Professor McGonagall in the middle of a bustling Hogwarts corridor caused Draco's smile to grow. So much so it threatened to break his face.
He didn't think he'd tire of this. There was no end to what degradation he could come up with.
He was distantly aware that he must be grinning like a fool, but he couldn't find it in him to really care.
"Oh, do stop smirking Mr. Malfoy and get on with it." Snape's impatient and irritated voice snapped. Bringing Draco out of his contemplation.
But hearing his teacher's somewhat desperate voice only made his smile grow (if possible).
This was going to be fun.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
Harry sat on the cold ground digesting what Snape had just said. Again he wondered if this was some strange dream.
If it was it certainly was turning into a pleasant one.
Harry had been certain that Snape would have found a way to blame all the nights events on him. But now it looked like his teacher had no choice but to take the responsibility.
Now Harry had the opportunity to get the revenge he'd always dreamed of getting on one who had caused him so much grief. How many hours had he wasted away in unjustly given detentions wishing for such an opportunity?
Just the look on Snape's face was almost reward enough and Harry wished Ron and Hermione were there to see it.
But for all his dreams of revenge Harry couldn't think of what to ask of Snape. He found himself almost feeling sorry for the man. He was in half a mind to ask for nothing in exchange for his silence.
But images of Snape's past transgressions, the unfair taking of house points, the insults, his endless harassment of Harry's fellow Gryffindors (particularly the unfortunate Neville Longbottom) brought Harry back to his senses.
He wouldn't let the dour man off that easily.
But something occurred to him then. Something that needed to be addressed.
"How do we know you won't back out of your end of the deal?" He asked into the silence. Aware that his question was somewhat random.
Harry realized that after a while Snape could simply abandon their deal. It was less likely people would believe Harry and Draco the more time that passed.
A quick glance at Draco confirmed that the other boy had just realized this as well. The broad, somewhat diabolical grin that had been on Draco's face replaced by a look of suspicion.
They both turned towards their teacher, awaiting his response.
Snape drew himself up proudly and looked down his nose at them.
"I'm a man of my word." As they solidified in the air for Harry, he could see the indignation painted in them.
Well, that certainly wasn't the most reassuring response. But it looked like all they were going to get out of the stubbornly proud man.
Harry was exhausted, cold, and not a little dirty. He just wanted his hearing back so he could finally get out of this nightmare.
Snape's word would just have to be enough for now.
After a moments hesitation he saw the same resolution on Draco's face.
They were both weary and just wanted it over with.
Again Snape's word shimmered before Harry.
"So, do we have a deal?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
A/N: Almost finished now! This chapter dragged on a bit, I actually cut quite a bit out.
Big thanks to..
Jess Scefing (for the review and the cookie); Liza; simmysim; zeynel Kanoi; kokopoko; Aenea and Wildfire
For their encouragements and comments! It's always appreciated :o)
Quick note: There appears to be some confusion as to how Harry will know what is going on. Snape cast a spell so his words would spell out in the air (wow, there's a spell for everything :P). So Harry is reading what is said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
Draco was sure he was in heaven.
He loved having people at his mercy. And the fact that it was Snape only increased his enjoyment.
He now had control over someone who used to have control over him.
He had long forgotten about the cold, his throbbing ankle, Potter and the events of the night.
Draco's mind was filled with not only ways to make his professor's life as miserable as possible, but how he could benefit most from the situation as well.
What did Snape have that he wanted?
He knew he needn't bother asking Snape to alter his Potions grade, as he already was top of the class.
He couldn't believe the normally shrewd Head of Slytherin house had made such a miscalculation to find himself in this position. It was very un- Snape-like and Draco wondered if the man was starting to lose his touch.
Still Draco had to admit the initial punishment had been a brilliant idea. And if Potter hadn't been such a clumsy idiot it probably would have been quite effective.
Oh well, it worked out to his advantage. And that's all that mattered.
Having a professor in his pocket would definitely have its perks. He could probably now get away with almost anything.
Even though bearing the name Malfoy gave him a certain amount of freedom down in the dungeons the rest of the teachers were not at all cowed by his family's reputation. In fact many seemed to issue him harsher punishments in spite of his name.
But now, he realized, he could have his run of the school and just have Snape cover for him with the other teachers.
He liked that idea. Do whatever he wanted and not have to face the consequences. Sure, that would make life difficult for his teacher. Snape would certainly raise his fellow staff member's suspicions by constantly condoning Draco's bad behavior. But Draco didn't see how that was his concern.
It would be but one small payment for the pain and humiliation he'd endured in that evening.
He could also see the advantages of having a renowned potions master at his beck and call. Whatever potion he desired, legal or otherwise, he was sure it was in the professor's ability to concoct.
Perhaps an effective little love potion could be brewed for him. To help him win over a certain seventh year Slytherin girl who kept insisting on resisting Draco's countless charms.
But he was digressing. Back to the matter at hand.
Sweet revenge.
Draco's mind filled with the various ways he could make Snape suffer. Focusing mainly on injuring what the man seemed to hold most dear. His pride.
Oh, the possibilities.
He wondered if Snape had a nice singing voice. Draco just might request a verse of the national anthem one morning during breakfast. That would certainly get everyone in a patriotic mood.
Or maybe he should get his teacher to wear another colour besides the same dreadful black. He could just see Snape in robes a lovely shade of pink.
The image of Snape professing his undying love to Professor McGonagall in the middle of a bustling Hogwarts corridor caused Draco's smile to grow. So much so it threatened to break his face.
He didn't think he'd tire of this. There was no end to what degradation he could come up with.
He was distantly aware that he must be grinning like a fool, but he couldn't find it in him to really care.
"Oh, do stop smirking Mr. Malfoy and get on with it." Snape's impatient and irritated voice snapped. Bringing Draco out of his contemplation.
But hearing his teacher's somewhat desperate voice only made his smile grow (if possible).
This was going to be fun.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
Harry sat on the cold ground digesting what Snape had just said. Again he wondered if this was some strange dream.
If it was it certainly was turning into a pleasant one.
Harry had been certain that Snape would have found a way to blame all the nights events on him. But now it looked like his teacher had no choice but to take the responsibility.
Now Harry had the opportunity to get the revenge he'd always dreamed of getting on one who had caused him so much grief. How many hours had he wasted away in unjustly given detentions wishing for such an opportunity?
Just the look on Snape's face was almost reward enough and Harry wished Ron and Hermione were there to see it.
But for all his dreams of revenge Harry couldn't think of what to ask of Snape. He found himself almost feeling sorry for the man. He was in half a mind to ask for nothing in exchange for his silence.
But images of Snape's past transgressions, the unfair taking of house points, the insults, his endless harassment of Harry's fellow Gryffindors (particularly the unfortunate Neville Longbottom) brought Harry back to his senses.
He wouldn't let the dour man off that easily.
But something occurred to him then. Something that needed to be addressed.
"How do we know you won't back out of your end of the deal?" He asked into the silence. Aware that his question was somewhat random.
Harry realized that after a while Snape could simply abandon their deal. It was less likely people would believe Harry and Draco the more time that passed.
A quick glance at Draco confirmed that the other boy had just realized this as well. The broad, somewhat diabolical grin that had been on Draco's face replaced by a look of suspicion.
They both turned towards their teacher, awaiting his response.
Snape drew himself up proudly and looked down his nose at them.
"I'm a man of my word." As they solidified in the air for Harry, he could see the indignation painted in them.
Well, that certainly wasn't the most reassuring response. But it looked like all they were going to get out of the stubbornly proud man.
Harry was exhausted, cold, and not a little dirty. He just wanted his hearing back so he could finally get out of this nightmare.
Snape's word would just have to be enough for now.
After a moments hesitation he saw the same resolution on Draco's face.
They were both weary and just wanted it over with.
Again Snape's word shimmered before Harry.
"So, do we have a deal?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
A/N: Almost finished now! This chapter dragged on a bit, I actually cut quite a bit out.
Big thanks to..
Jess Scefing (for the review and the cookie); Liza; simmysim; zeynel Kanoi; kokopoko; Aenea and Wildfire
For their encouragements and comments! It's always appreciated :o)