Disclaimer: See Part 1.
Part 7
Harry ignored the pain shooting up his leg as he made the long trek across the grounds. His mouth had stopped bleeding as he was passing the lake. He sighed and looked at his watch. Nearly 10:00pm. It was past student curfew. He only hoped he didn't come across anyone he didn't want to see on his way down to his rooms.
The castle was nearly deserted by the time he reached the Entrance Hall. Not a ghost or student in sight. He walked slowly, trying not to limp too badly, as he got to the stairs leading down to the dungeons. His room was two doors down from Snape's, and in his quest to be quiet he completely missed the door before him opening.
Severus Snape allowed his eyes to narrow at the sight of Harry Potter, moving slowly toward him in the dimly lit hallway... limping. Harry's eyes were focused on his steps, only when he saw billowing black robes standing in his way did he stop and glance up hesitantly. Severus looked down at him with cold indifference.
"Still out gallivanting at all hours of the night, I see," he drawled. Harry squared his shoulders looking up at the older man, raising his chin and consequently raising his split lip into the torch light of the hallway. He watched Severus Snape's eyes widen impossibly, larger. Harry shook his head, too tired to argue, he moved past his ex-professor and further down the hall. He reached his own room and whispering the password moved inside. He knew he'd been followed, but he was again too tired to argue. Well, maybe not.
"Don't you have any sense of decency? These are my private rooms Severus," he answered moving to lie down on the couch. Severus raised an eyebrow, allowing the portrait to swing closed behind him.
"Do you need me to alert Madame Pomfrey, Potter?" he replied moving closer, arms crossed over his chest.
"No, I'm perfectly fine. And as I am now a member of the staff and by all means your equal, you should refer to me as either Harry, or Professor Potter, thank you." Harry spat adjusting his position on the old, unforgiving cushions. He sighed, wincing at the pain coursing through his body.
"As you wish, Harry... but I must tell you that you are quite obviously not perfectly fine. You were limping and your lip has been split open. Your jaw is swollen and you have a rather ugly purple bruise forming on the side of your face" he spoke in his usual condescending tone.
"The lip will seal itself by morning and the bruises will fade by breakfast. I'll be fine. Though I must thank you for your concern" Harry looked at him sideways, through half open eyes.
"No thanks are needed. I make it my business to make sure you are okay. I have to. It's become second nature to check up on you. However loath I am to admit it, things just weren't the same without you here" Snape allowed himself to sit down in one of the scarlet colored armchairs in Harry's living room. Harry sighed; he didn't want to have this conversation. He'd sincerely hoped that the past would remain just that... the past. Apparently not.
"What about your limp? Will that be just fine by tomorrow?" Severus asked, looking at him with searching eyes. Harry sighed with relief; apparently Severus wanted to avoid that particular topic of conversation nearly as much as he did. Good, with both of them dodging the bullet it was unlikely to be brought up again.
"Unfortunately, no. My limp is a minor, but permanent injury, not that it's really any of your business" he added the last phrase under his breath, knowing full well it had been heard by the older man.
"You didn't have it this morning," Severus pressed.
"I've become very good at hiding it, Severus," Harry spoke through clenched teeth. Severus stood up from his chair and glared pointedly at Harry's thin face.
"Obviously, you've become very good at hiding many things, Professor Potter," he said coldly, before gliding swiftly from the room, robes billowing behind him. Harry groaned, covered his face with his hands, and then winced as they unintentionally pressed against the sore flesh.
"God... Severus why can't you just be violent like Ron," he whispered, as he closed his eyes and fell asleep where he lay.
Tbc…
