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Chapter 26

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. It just wasn't possible. Snape had announced that he was going to London for two weeks. And that he wasn't taking Harry with him. That alone wasn't too bad, it was what came next. He was to stay under the guidance of Gray. Harry was so enraged by this news that the calm demeanour he had built up over the past months cracked.

'What the hell do you mean, with Gray. There's no way.'

His outburst was cut short by an incensed looking Snape. His voice was cold enough to stop Harry in his tracks.

'Control yourself, apprentice.'

He stopped, rubbing his temples for a moment as Harry struggled to reduce the obvious mutiny on his face.

'I have no choice. I must present my report to the board in person, and I have other matters to attend to. It will be days in stuffy chambers while regulations are looked over by the panel. You training cannot be interrupted like that at this stage.'

Harry was calmed slightly when he realised that Snape wasn't any happier with the situation than he was.

'You will remain living here, as you do now. I will leave you lessons for the mornings, but you will report to Master Gray for all your lessons, and will attend to his wished as you do mine. Is that clear?'

Here Snape's voice adopted a stern tone. Resigning himself, Harry bowed slightly.

'Yes, my lord.'

Snape nodded, the icy fire fading from his eyes, and Harry saw the man he had come to like replace the cold master most saw. Now his voice was apologetic.

'I did not plan this. I know as well as you do that he dislikes you. If he's looking for reasons to punish you, don't give him any. Your friends will understand if you explain the situation to them. If I could have it any other way, I would. It is yet another delightful rule of the order that we must abide by.'

By now Harry was feeling slightly guilty about making such a big deal about the whole thing. He replied in a falsely cheerful voice.

'You're right, my lord. It'll be good for me to see how other masters work, in any case.'

Snape raised an eyebrow, not fooled in the least. But he appreciated the gesture. He turned back to the packing Harry had interrupted. He spoke as he worked.

'I leave tomorrow. As it looks like you're going to be having a fairly strict two weeks, you can take the evening off to spend some time with your friends, as long as you're back by ten.'

Harry made a face, wondering how he should break the news. Ron and Hermione would be even angrier that he had been. However, a night off was not something to be wasted, and he replied.

'Thank you, my lord. I'll go up to the Tower after supper.'

Snape nodded his approval, and dismissed his apprentice with a wave of his hand. As Harry collapsed in an armchair, trying to work out how he was going to survive the next few weeks, Snape too was lost in thought.

There was second reason he could not take his apprentice with him, one that he had neglected to tell Harry. The 'other matters', he had spoken off concerned his apprentice, and now was not the time for him to find out. It was nearing the Time of Testing, and he had to prepare everything before he explained what it was about.
At the Hogwarts platform the next day, Harry stayed silent beside his master. He had come to the conclusion that, after the end of his time with Gray, he would never complain about how strict Snape was to anyone. He would be grateful to trade biting sarcasm for Gray malicious looks. Snape interrupted his thoughts.

'Aeter.'

Harry bowed, his heart settling in the pit of his stomach.

'Yes, my lord.'

Snape watched as his apprentice gathered his determination and courage around him, then added his own words.

'Take care. It's only two weeks. If you encounter difficulties, you may owl me.'

Snape looked piercingly at Harry for a moment, knowing his last sentence had been entirely futile. Writing would be like asking for help, admitting weakness. There was no chance. And yet by saying it he let Harry know he understood. And with a final word, he turned and boarded the train.

'Good luck.'

'And you also, my lord.'

Harry was left bowing to thin air, unsure of whether Snape had caught hid reply. As the train pulled out of the station, he turned and trudged wearily up to the castle, trying to tear his mind from the hell he would soon be facing.

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Okay, here is the next chapter. Sorry its a few days late, my weekend ran away with me a little. Slightly shorter than usual, but it should give you lots to think about. Big thanks for all the reviews, I've broken the 200 barrier!

Also, thanks for all the answers to my query of animagus forms, I'll tell you now that someone, somewhere chose one I was thinking of, but I'm not going to reveal it yet, nor probably for a few chapter, so you'll just have to wait.

Thanks for any reviews - Pose