Title: Always Time for a Drink (part two)

Part Two of the Silent Song Series.

Author: PLS

Date: May 16, 2003

Rating: G

Summery: Response to a challenge on HarryXSnapeML- Alternate Timeline/ Albus didn't stop Grindelwald, he joined him. How has that impacted the Wizarding world and how do Harry and Severus Snape interact now?

Quote for the section: We really don't have enemies. It's just that some of our best friends are trying to kill us. -- Anonymous

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Both Harry and Severus realized how foolish they must seem when the doors to the large dining hall, all of the four tables of children and the teacher's table were fixed upon the two men who were following their strict headmistress like two children who were caught red handed. She ordered them to sit down next to her and proceeded to eat in a cold angry silence. Finally Harry was sick of her silent treatment.

"Oh come on, Aunt Mina! You said yourself that I should always listen to Uncle Tommy and he says there is always time for a drink and that I should meet new people. Please don't be angry with me forever." He whined in a falsetto voice. This led most of those present to snicker and grin especially the older teachers. Severus acted like he didn't know Harry. Tom and Rubeus Hagrid, the professor of Care of Magical Creatures, both laughed at Harry's attempt to get Minerva happy again. Finally, she relented.

"Okay Harry, you win. I forgive you two for being so atrociously late. Uncle Tommy however is not to be blamed for your bad judgment, and Tom." Minerva turned to the deputy headmaster and head of Slytherin.

"Yes, milady?" said the older man with a grin.

"Don't give Harry any more bad advice. You're worse than the Weasley twins." She said finishing with a sigh. Tom and Harry laughed and Severus was confused.

"So the heads of Hogwarts are your aunt and uncle? And you didn't go to Hogwarts." Asked Severus. Harry shook his head and smiled.

"Nope, well, not really." Said the smiling man, "Aunt Mina and Uncle Tom are my guardians or at least they were in charge of my affairs when I was a child. They are the closest to family I ever had. As far as I know my parents died and the rest of my family was nowhere to be found. Uncle Tom was determined that I didn't grow up in an orphanage like he did so he and Aunt Mina and the house elves of Hogwarts raised me here, they then sent me off to Drumstrang so I couldn't take advantage of my familiarity with the house elves and the castle and become an unbearable terror." Explained Harry as he poured a goblet of pumpkin juice and turned it into a very aromatic red wine. Severus nodded as he took a bite of his pork tenderloin. The food was just as good as he remembered.

"Okay, so, why didn't I ever see you?" asked Severus. He had done a fair amount of sneaking around as a student and never once had he laid eyes on a little boy in the castle. Harry laughed as did the rest of the teachers who were listening in.

"I think I can answer that one Severus." Said Madame Hooch, "Harry has always used an invisibility cloak because it was against the rules for him to leave his rooms without a teacher. I had to cover for him a fair amount of times because he has always had a love of flying at night, and none of the spells and wards I put up worked for him." She smiled at Harry, "Have you seen the new Firestar? It's said to be the single best broom, made for seekers and very hard to get. Each broom is calibrated for the rider by the makers so it responds to the rider better and can't be stolen or anything." Asked the flying instructor eagerly. Harry shook his head.

"Nah, I just got into Britain this morning and couldn't appearate into Hogsmeade straight away. The Ministry held me for two or three hours and almost put me into a dingy old holding cell. Something about failure to cooperate, possession of illegal potions, artifacts, weapons, and other things, and beating up an auror. It was totally idiotic, I think I had to threaten to kill someone before they let me go." Hagrid and Tom laughed as Minerva and a younger brown haired witch frowned at his words.

"'Arry, yer too much. So yer goin' ta teach Defense? 'Ope ya aren't goin' ta do anythin' too dangerous." Said Hagrid with a grin. The half giant took a large gulp of whatever alcoholic beverage that the man preferred. Probably ale or mead.

" Nothing too dangerous, well, maybe. Can I barrow Norbert and Aragog? They are such fun for students."

"No! I can't believe ya 'Arry! I wouldn't even let meh students try ta tackle them two." Exclaimed the half giant. Again Severus was stunned. Harry wanted to let a Norwegian Ridgeback and an Acromantula loose on the school? Was he insane?

"Well, what about Fluffy? The big guy loves me, and Fluffy wouldn't hurt a soul." Asked Harry with a sly glint in his eye. Severus understood now, Harry was putting into practice the old saying, 'when you want an inch ask for a mile'. And it worked, Harry was actually getting a Hellhound in the school! If he could do that maybe the year wouldn't that dull, it certainly seemed as if the feared McGonagall couldn't control the loose cannon that was called Harry. Severus shook his head, his fellow mercenary was just one surprise after another. Soon everyone finished the main course and dessert appeared. Severus and Harry both had the marzipan tarts with a Blanc de Blanc wine and both watched as the rest of the great hall watching them. When dessert was cleared McGonagall stood up to give the start of year speech.

"Now as I'm sure you all have noted there are two new teachers, Professor Snape is replacing Professor Grey in Potions. Professor Harry, is teaching Defense, if he ever learns how to obey a few simple rules. Professor Granger will send around her cats to collect your History of Magic assignments tonight and as the older students know Crookshanks and Ghost are both part Kneezle so don't try to cheat them. We aren't sure what breeds her newest cat, Jacky, is so I wouldn't try anything with her either. Mister Filch wishes for me to inform you that he has added all of the Weasley Wizard Wheezy Products, again, Screaming Scribbler Markers, Slime Covered Slithering Rubber Snakes, Realistic Rubber Rodents, and Self- Painting Graffiti Paintbrushes to his list of banned objects. The complete list of banned objects is in his office, it comprises of some two hundred thirty-some objects. The Forest is forbidden, Professor Hagrid handles those punishments, so unless you like cleaning Hippogriff dung up, don't go near the Forest without a teacher. Now is that it?" she asked Tom, who nodded, "Good, off too bed with you, everyone especially first years follow your prefects to your dorms." Slowly the great hall emptied and Tom was told by a still rather peeved Minerva to lead the two newest teachers to their rooms.

"Well, Harry you and Severus are going to be sharing quarters for the next few weeks. We had no clue where you wanted to teach and live, Severus. So, just let me know tomorrow and I'll get you set up as soon as I can. Harry, you do remember where your rooms are right?"

"Yeah, come on Sev! Later Uncle Tommy!" Harry grabbed a shocked Severus's arm and bolted to the Northeast tower and a painting of a rather insane knight. By the time they reached it Severus realized what was going on and wrenched his arm out of Harry's vice like grip.

"Are you insane!" roared the irate man. Harry smiled roguishly.

"You bet, now pay attention, you'll need to know how to get in." Harry turned to the painting of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony. "Hi. How are you sir knight?"

"Very well and you good sir?" asked the mental knight.

"Fantastic, could you be so kind as to only let this man and myself into these rooms? No one else does such a fine job at guarding my rooms." Said Harry in a very flattering tone that Cadogan ate up.

"Of course sir!" the painting swung out and Severus was floored by what he saw. . .

To be continued. . .