It's a very big chapter.sorry. It's not very interesting either but what
the hell.he's not at school yet.hehe. A couldn't really think of a title
so I just randomly stuck bits together-don't know what I'm on about :)
Chapter 8-A dream, a potion, potions and a cocky conversation
After Harry's cello lesson or should I say, the first 11 hours he had ever played an instrument, he realised he really enjoy it. He didn't let his uncle know this information but when he was in his room after the first day of it, he played to himself for ages. Snape had thought Harry had gone to bed and when he was going to get a book to read in his living room, he heard Harry playing.
He smiled to himself thinking that for one, him and his nephew had something in common now and two, because then Harry had finished the end lesson, he told Snape that he thought it was a load of rubbish and didn't know why Snape played it.
Silently, Snape walked to Harry's room and looked in. Harry was playing a piece he had learned that was easy and simple, but sounded very nice. Snape went unnoticed until when Harry stopped playing Snape revealed he was there.
'Very good, but I do wonder, if you despise it so much, why did you take your cello to your bedroom and play?'
'Er.I.I do enjoy it.' Harry said feeling a fool.
'I knew you would. Now, are you coming downstairs for half an hour before I send you to bed?'
'Send me to bed? I might just be able to decide that on my own.'
'You might, but then again.I'll take me chances and do what I please. Now, are you coming or are you going to bed now?'
'I'm coming.' Harry said standing up. 'Good.' Severus said abandoning his book.
They went down stairs and into the living room. They sat on a couch/settee next to each other but slightly apart.
'Do you want to talk or watch television?' Severus asked.
'Either.'
'Decide.' Severus commanded nicely.
'Er, I don't mind.'
'I didn't ask that question. I asked which one you would rather do.'
'Talk.'
'Okay.'
'Can I ask you something?'
'You already did.' Harry grinned sheepishly.
'Well can I ask you another thing?'
'You just did again.' Snape smiled at Harry. 'Go on.'
'Well there were three main questions really.'
'Fire away.'
'Well er, what happened to your parents?'
'Ah.the tales or grandparents huh? Well, they died shortly before you were born, from Voldemort of course. He thought that he could kill them to destroy your father. He loved them very much.'
'How did he take it?'
'Not very well. Just as Voldemort had planned at first, but after a while he realised that he couldn't let Voldemort have one over on him because he had a baby on the way.'
'Were they nice?'
'My parents?' Snape came to a silence for a while. 'Yeh, they were. They were very loving and kind and gentle. Obviously, they favoured James more but that was acceptable.I was nothing like the rest of my family when I went to Hogwarts and ended up meeting a guy called none other that Lucius Malfoy at Diagon alley. I liked him, at first.so I naturally went into Slytherin. They still loved me none the less but I think they didn't like the fact I was getting in with crowds.that were, er.well, they basically all turned out to be death eaters.'
'What were their names?'
'Michelle and Daniel.'
Harry smiled. Why do you and my er, dead father have different surnames?'
'Ah, well.we never really liked each other since we were about five. When we went to a muggle school run by witches and wizards. When we came to Hogwarts we decided to change names.I changed mine. We both thought it would be better for the both of us and that seen as we didn't really look alike, we would not have got found out. I changed my name using Slytherin. The animal was a snake so I picked Snape.it is so alike and I er, I met a girl there. It's in Yorkshire.'
'What happened to her?'
Severus paused. He looked like he would cry. 'When I was a.a death eater, I met her and loved more than anything.'
'Go on.'
'I.we.well Voldemort gave me a job.to get your father and you and bring you two to Voldemort. I said I would but of course, you were still my family.I did not even attempt to do it. I came up with an excuse when he asked where you were and he was angry and he.he killed her.'
Harry didn't quite know what to say. He knew the Voldemort would take lives of his enemy's family and friends but his faithful death eaters.wouldn't they be different? Obviously not, Harry thought.
'I'm so sorry.'
'It's okay. It was a long time ago.' Severus said sombrely. Anyway, did you have another question?'
'Er.well I did, but.I don't think I'll ask.'
'Right, so you want to know why I became a death eater.'
'Well yeah I did but not now.'
'What's changed?'
'My opinion of you and the fact that one, it's personal, two I don't want to upset you or anything and three.I could probably guess.'
'Oh okay. Well tell me.what was your life like with the Dursley's before Hogwarts?' Severus inquired.
'Great.' Harry said with much sarcasm.
'Tell me.'
'Well, I was brought up in a cupboard under the stairs.'
'What? That's outrageous. Since when could anyone fit in those?'
'Well, when they only give you a piece of celery each day for you kind of squeeze in.'
'So that is why you're so skinny and underweight?'
'I'm not I'm just a bit.small.'
'Well you are that too. Carry on.'
'They told me my parents had died in a car crash.'
'A car crash? What an absurd thing to say. I hardly doubt even many witches and wizards die in a car crash. For one, no one drives them.'
'Well I didn't know I was magic or them. They even went to the extreme of taking me to a shack so I didn't receive my letter from Hogwarts.'
'Stupid jealous gits. Sorry. Harry.'
'yeah'
'How many times were you beaten?'
Harry grew a bit tense and was actually ashamed about it.
'Never really.' Harry lied.
'Meaning?'
'Not often.'
'Often being?'
'It was sparatic.'
'Harry just tell me.'
'It was only when I didn't finish my chores.'
'How often was that?'
'Er.' Harry didn't know quite what to say. On one hand his uncle was just asking and would not laugh but on the other hand it was SNAPE.SNAPE. 'once or twice a year.'
'Or a month or a week.' Snape continued being more realistic.
'A month normally. So.how about some TV?'
'Harry.' Severus said boring into Harry's eyes trying to get some across to him. 'You can tell me anything you know.'
'I know.I just.' Harry trailed off.
Snape pulled him into a hug. He wasn't obviously quite sure about this.this had been the boy who he used to absolutely loathe and he wasn't quite sure how Harry would take it. When he released Harry, Harry looked at him. 'Thank you.' He said.
'Maybe you should go to bed.tomorrow you have to get up early.'
'Yeah okay.but don't think I am being ordered around.I'm only going to bed because I'm tired, hear?'
'Whatever Harry. I know that you will tomorrow and the day after and the day after.'
'Don't be so sure. Goodnight.' Harry said and headed for the door.
'Night Harry.'
Snape heard Harry go upstairs and switched on the TV. He watched the TV for around half an hour then followed in Harry's footsteps and went to bed. ***
The next day went pretty much the same as the day before and Harry went to bed earlier than before obeying Snape's orders. He slept soundly until he had a dream about the one and only Voldemort. He, the death eaters, Harry and all of Harry's friends and family were there. He had Harry tied up watching as Voldemort killed each one in front of Harry's eyes. Tears were running down his face uncontrollably and he was shaking, even writhing around in his tight confinement screaming out to stop.
He woke with a start. He sat up and looked around he was panting loudly, still shaking and crying. He would have screamed out but he never did that, as he had learnt not to and instead bite on his lip. It was bleeding. And the pain from his scar, which was still searing with pain was hard to not scream. A couple of doors away Snape heard small screams.
He quickly got up and ran to Harry's room.
'What's wrong?' Snape said then realising that Harry had obviously had some kind of dream because he was pressing onto his scar to try and relieve the pain. 'Nightmare?' He said sitting on Harry's bed and holding Harry in his grip.
'Yeah. Voldemort.he was.he was.'
'Shhh. It's okay. It didn't really happen.' Severus said soothingly whilst rubbing Harry's back.
'But.'
'Shhh.'
'My dreams happen.' Harry said afraid that everyone would die.
'What was it about?'
'Er, Voldemort was killing everyone I knew or that meant something to me in front of me whilst I had to watch being tied to something.'
'Harry.I'm still here aren't I? And I'm sure that er, Black, Lupin and your friends are alive. They'll probably be in bed.'
'But.Sirius and Remus.they're on a mission.what if.if' Harry choked. What if Sirius died? How could he live with himself? He should have stopped him. How could he live without him?
'Harry.listen to me.it won't happen. Finito. End. No one will die. Not even Bla-Sirius.'
'But my.'
'Shhhhhhhhh.' Severus didn't quite know what to say. He had never had to comfort someone and obviously didn't have much of that kind of experience with children. He let Harry cry in his arms and then ever so gently, when Harry had stopped he lay him back down on his bed. He already looked asleep. Maybe, Severus thought, he should make some dreamless sleep potion up so to give Harry some each night or at least if this happens again, some after.
He slid off the bed careful not to wake Harry and looked at Harry. When he was at Hogwarts, he's always been rather hard on him. He thought he had an over large head. Far from it and he realised how stupid he had been. Quietly, Severus bent down and kissed Harry on the forehead.(not v. Snapeish I know but I had 2 put it in) He wasn't quite sure what made him do that but he felt somewhat compelled to do it.
He turned around and walked back to his room falling asleep almost instantly.
***
The next morning Severus got up early to write a letter to Sirius.
Dear Black, Sirius-whatever,
I was wondering if when Harry stayed with you he had any nightmares because last night he had one. Voldemort was in front of Harry killing his family and friends-including you, while he was tied up. He was obviously quite distressed and thought you would die on your mission.
Anyway, could you please write to Harry to one say you are okay and living and two because it would cheer him up. By the way, don't say that I told you about the dream. He would kill me. Not that you would mind.(damn right, Sirius thought when he read the letter)
Severus Snape
He couldn't think of much more to say so he sent it off with his owl hoping that Sirius would reply soon.
He sat in his lab mixing a potion for Harry. This couldn't happen again. Harry was too distraught when he awoke that he had cried himself to sleep. It would be ready for tonight. Severus looked at his watch. It was 10:00am. He would have got him up by now but thought better of it and left him be.
He went down stairs and started reading the book he was going to read yesterday. It was one of his favourites: Shakespeare's The Tempest. It was one of his later novels; his last to be précised and was about a king and his daughter being overthrown by his jealous brother. But the king had magic. He was a wizard. (Great play by the way. I've neva red it but a went to see it as a play 4 English and it was amazing. At 1st it was crap but it got better.probably cos' the main character was from gladiator the film.he was the one who told maximus (Russell Crowe) to go to Rome to fight in the amphitheatres and was always wearing white eating fruit ;) if u really hav no idea which 1 I'm talking about I'll jus post it on the review thing)
Harry came down stairs after finally stirring at quarter to eleven. Severus was going to kill him. He got a glass of water and was about to return upstairs to get dressed when Severus was stood in the door way watching Harry.
'Are you okay?' Severus asked.
'Yeh. Look I'm really sorry about yesterday I just.'
'It's okay. You don't have to be sorry, it was only a dream.' Severus said bending down to Harry's height.
'Thank you. And I'm sorry for getting out of bed so early. I don't know what happened.'
'Harry I told you don't be sorry. I left you in bed to rest. You looked like you needed it.'
'Thank you again.'
'Now, go get dressed and then I'll look a your potions homework unless you haven't done it.'
'I have.' Harry said after a groan.
'Good. Go on then.run along.' 'Why is it I feel like I do exactly what you tell me to do?'
'Because you do. Now go. Your homework can't be that bad.'
'You'd be surprised.' Harry mumbled as he was out of the room and up to his room.
Had a shower-blah, blah
Harry came downstairs with his essay in his hands. He didn't like the prospect of Severus looking at his crappy work.
'Bring it here then.' He heard Severus' voice come from the living room.
'I'll just er, go.get a glass of water then.' Harry called out trying to put it off.
'Now.' Harry groaned and walked into the living room and handed it to his uncle.
'I'm sorry.'
Severus smiled. 'Miracles do happen.' And he looked back to the essay and started scribbling things out and making corrections.
Harry walked out of the room and into the kitchen. He sat down at the table after getting a drink. He listened intently to the potions master at work, his pen losing much ink. After around 5 minutes or so, Severus called Harry in. Harry came in afraid of the answer de would get.
'Here.' And he returned the paper.
'A D!' Harry said distraught.
'Well yes. It would have been an F if you were not my nephew.'
'Didn't affect you in class. I get the same low marks as possible.'
'That is your own fault. If you paid attention in class instead of reading magazines under the desk your marks might pick up.'
'I do listen.' Then under his breath said, 'slightly.'
'Exactly. You don't.much if any. So I suggest you either sit at the front of the class.'
'with dear beloved Malfoy, I think not..'
'or I start to tutor you in these holidays.'
'Can I call you uncle?'
'yeh.' Severus said surprised.
'uncle severus, look I am capable of it. You know that.'
'Harry, you may be capable but I have to yet to see it so it is up to you. You know I can always make you sit at the front anyway.'
'You wouldn't dare.'
'I would. Otherwise I'll take another hefty sum of points of Gryffindor like a have many times in the past.' 'Fine. Start tutoring me but I am not-NO MATTER WHAT, sitting at the front with that ferret freak.'
'Ferret freak as in Malfoy? At least he can do potions, which is more than I can say for you.'
'He cannot. You just give him points for getting it wrong. Points awarded that should be taken off.'
'Harry.'
'Yes'
'Don't push your luck.'
'Sorry. But please you have to see my point.Malfoy can't do potions to save his life and you praise his stupid.'
'I suggest you don't go any further before you say something you will regret.'
'Sorry uncle Severus.' Harry felt weird calling him that. (Who wouldn't)
'Maybe.if you start to listen to the things I say in Potions then you would start to get points for your house. Maybe you could prove that you can actually do it. Oh and look through the text books before hand.'
'Fine. Can we drop it for our NEWT's?'
'Students can but you, no.'
'Why not?'
'Do you really think that I would let my nephew stop potions?'
'Well er, no but don't you think I should do the stuff I'm good at?'
'Yes, and I would have thought you would be good at it. And I do if you would start paying attention.'
'Okay,' Harry said exasperatedly. 'I get the picture and your point.'
'Good. Now, follow me.'
'Where are we going?'
'Harry you can be extremely dense. That is not a trait from your father.'
'What are you getting at?'
'He was bright.'
'And I'm not?'
'I never said that, just that you are dense. Now come on.'
Harry got up and followed his uncle down the hall. 'So where are we going to?'
'Well I am guessing that seen as the conversation we just had about tutoring if would be wise if you followed me to the lab.'
'Oh. We have to start now?'
'Yes.'
'What about later?'
'We'll have another lesson.'
'How many of these lesson do I get?'
'That all depends on how good you are.'
Thanks for the confidence, Harry thought. I hope these lessons are about once a week. Unfortunatley for Harry, they were twice a day.
*** 'So, do you know now?'
'Now what?'
'How many lessons of potions I'm having in a month?'
'A month?'
'A week then?'
'Twice a day.'
'Twice a day?! Are you mad?!' Harry said unaware that we was testing Severus' patience and it was wearing thin.
'No I assure you I am not mad.'
'I'm not that bad.'
'Maybe, maybe not. I teach you what potions we will do next year so you already get the hang of them. Then, if you do ever find yourself reading a magazine under the desk-which will never happen again I might add, that you should already know what to do.'
'Are you trying to exhaust me?'
'No, I merely doing what has to be done. And don't worry, we'll still have the cello lessons as well.'
'You're such a slave driver. What happened to you when God created you? Thought you should be a pharaoh from ancient Egypt?'
'You will have to ask him yourself and to the statement of a slave driver.well, I hardly think you're a slave.'
'No intelligence whatsoever.' Harry muttered under his breath.
'What was that Potter?'
'Potter? Going back to the anything-I-can-take-points of-Gryffindor-for talk are we?'
'I merely take points of as I see fit.'
'Only because you wouldn't have a chance in hell of winning the cup any other way.' Harry muttered under his breath once more.
'What did you just say?'
'I was talking about you not to you.'
'Well if it included me I demand you tell me now.' Severus said putting on his professor's voice that was half being serious and half joking.
'I demand? Who are you the queen of Sheba? On second thoughts, don't answer that. I really don't want to hear the answer.'
'I'll ignore that.'
'Do as you see fit, I'm not stopping you.'
'You couldn't if you tried.'
'Dreaming again are we dearest uncle?'
'I don't dream.'
'Dream on.(great pun) Well seen as most humans have around 10 dreams a night. So I'm guessing you do unless we are basing this on the fact that you are not human.' Then Harry muttered. 'And we know the answer to that. Hardly human.'
'I am thank you and could we drop the smart remarks. If you have something to say, then just say it and don't be afraid.'
'I could drop the smart remarks but I choose not to.' Harry said outright.
'Well I'm asking you to.'
'What difference does that make?'
'Fine. I'm telling you.'
'Telling me what?'
'Do drop the smart remarks.'
'What about them?'
'Just drop the smart remarks.'
'Well I don't believe I had them in my hand to begin with so I can't really drop them.'
'Stop them then.'
'Stop what?'
'You are testing my patience Harry.'
'So, what am I going to do with that statement?'
'Take a hint and shut up.'
'Well I would but like I said, I choose not to.' Severus inhaled and exhaled loudly. Harry was getting on his nerves and quite a lot at the moment.
'Look, just don't talk if you can't be civil.'
'Who's Scivil?'
'No one.'
'I can be. Why did you just say.'
'Look, just keep the cockyess to yourself.'
'Look where?' Harry said looking around and really knowing that his uncle would blow up soon. He could tell because his vein on his temple was popping out.
'Harry, please will you just shut up.'
'That's not a very nice thing to say.'
'Well as you know, I'm not a very nice person.' Harry was stumped, he couldn't finally think of a retort.
'Finally peace. Keep it like that.'
Harry opened his mouth. 'You know if worst comes to worst.I can almost use my wand.' Severus said as Harry closed his mouth. Severus smiled to himself Finally, he thought.
'Now go correct your work.'
'I'll do it later.' Harry said but after looking at Severus who gave him a glare he changed his mind. 'Or maybe now.'
'What an excellent idea.'
Harry got up and started to work out as he muttered but loud enough for Severus to hear, 'disillusioned.'
***
After a day where he re-did his potions homework, then had two lessons on potions and two of cello he settled himself down in front of the TV.
Severus came into the room, looked at Harry and then at the time.
'Not tonight.'
'What's not tonight?'
'I am NOT going through that again. No television. Bed please.'
'Come again??'
'You heard me.'
'Obviously not very well because I thought you just said go to bed at 9:15pm.'
'You heard me correctly.'
Harry just turned around, picked up the remote and changed the channel. Upon watching this, Severus took the remote from Harry's hand and switched the TV off. Harry got up and turned it on by the power button on the TV. Severus turned it off again. Harry had nearly returned but once he heard it go off he turned around to turn it back on again.
'Do not dare. I have magic, you don't.'
'Fine. I'll walk it in my room then.'
'I doubt it.'
'I don't.' Harry said and got up to walk out the room.
'Do get into bed. I'll be up with something for you.'
'Thanks.' Harry said.
Severus watched him get up and leave and then went into his lab to get the potion for Harry.
When he got to Harry's room he quietly knocked on the door and went inside. Harry was indeed in bed but watching the TV.
'I believe I said no TV.' Severus said and switched it off at the mains. He went over to Harry and gave him the potion for him to drink.
'I thought you better have this from now on.'
'If I must.'
'You do. Please drink it.'
'It looks familiar, what is it?'
'A dreamless sleep potion.'
'There's no need for it. I can sleep without it.'
'Possibly but to be on the safe side you should drink it.'
Slowly, Harry drank it, finding absolutely repulsive. After consuming it he handed the goblet to Severus who took it and said, 'thank you. Good night.'
'Night.' And slowly his eyes began to droop and then they closed and Severus cold tell me was asleep. As the day before, Severus kissed Harry's forehead and walked out the room.
Phew.that was a bit long-12 pages. Don't expect that again. I didn't think that was going to happen.
Chapter 8-A dream, a potion, potions and a cocky conversation
After Harry's cello lesson or should I say, the first 11 hours he had ever played an instrument, he realised he really enjoy it. He didn't let his uncle know this information but when he was in his room after the first day of it, he played to himself for ages. Snape had thought Harry had gone to bed and when he was going to get a book to read in his living room, he heard Harry playing.
He smiled to himself thinking that for one, him and his nephew had something in common now and two, because then Harry had finished the end lesson, he told Snape that he thought it was a load of rubbish and didn't know why Snape played it.
Silently, Snape walked to Harry's room and looked in. Harry was playing a piece he had learned that was easy and simple, but sounded very nice. Snape went unnoticed until when Harry stopped playing Snape revealed he was there.
'Very good, but I do wonder, if you despise it so much, why did you take your cello to your bedroom and play?'
'Er.I.I do enjoy it.' Harry said feeling a fool.
'I knew you would. Now, are you coming downstairs for half an hour before I send you to bed?'
'Send me to bed? I might just be able to decide that on my own.'
'You might, but then again.I'll take me chances and do what I please. Now, are you coming or are you going to bed now?'
'I'm coming.' Harry said standing up. 'Good.' Severus said abandoning his book.
They went down stairs and into the living room. They sat on a couch/settee next to each other but slightly apart.
'Do you want to talk or watch television?' Severus asked.
'Either.'
'Decide.' Severus commanded nicely.
'Er, I don't mind.'
'I didn't ask that question. I asked which one you would rather do.'
'Talk.'
'Okay.'
'Can I ask you something?'
'You already did.' Harry grinned sheepishly.
'Well can I ask you another thing?'
'You just did again.' Snape smiled at Harry. 'Go on.'
'Well there were three main questions really.'
'Fire away.'
'Well er, what happened to your parents?'
'Ah.the tales or grandparents huh? Well, they died shortly before you were born, from Voldemort of course. He thought that he could kill them to destroy your father. He loved them very much.'
'How did he take it?'
'Not very well. Just as Voldemort had planned at first, but after a while he realised that he couldn't let Voldemort have one over on him because he had a baby on the way.'
'Were they nice?'
'My parents?' Snape came to a silence for a while. 'Yeh, they were. They were very loving and kind and gentle. Obviously, they favoured James more but that was acceptable.I was nothing like the rest of my family when I went to Hogwarts and ended up meeting a guy called none other that Lucius Malfoy at Diagon alley. I liked him, at first.so I naturally went into Slytherin. They still loved me none the less but I think they didn't like the fact I was getting in with crowds.that were, er.well, they basically all turned out to be death eaters.'
'What were their names?'
'Michelle and Daniel.'
Harry smiled. Why do you and my er, dead father have different surnames?'
'Ah, well.we never really liked each other since we were about five. When we went to a muggle school run by witches and wizards. When we came to Hogwarts we decided to change names.I changed mine. We both thought it would be better for the both of us and that seen as we didn't really look alike, we would not have got found out. I changed my name using Slytherin. The animal was a snake so I picked Snape.it is so alike and I er, I met a girl there. It's in Yorkshire.'
'What happened to her?'
Severus paused. He looked like he would cry. 'When I was a.a death eater, I met her and loved more than anything.'
'Go on.'
'I.we.well Voldemort gave me a job.to get your father and you and bring you two to Voldemort. I said I would but of course, you were still my family.I did not even attempt to do it. I came up with an excuse when he asked where you were and he was angry and he.he killed her.'
Harry didn't quite know what to say. He knew the Voldemort would take lives of his enemy's family and friends but his faithful death eaters.wouldn't they be different? Obviously not, Harry thought.
'I'm so sorry.'
'It's okay. It was a long time ago.' Severus said sombrely. Anyway, did you have another question?'
'Er.well I did, but.I don't think I'll ask.'
'Right, so you want to know why I became a death eater.'
'Well yeah I did but not now.'
'What's changed?'
'My opinion of you and the fact that one, it's personal, two I don't want to upset you or anything and three.I could probably guess.'
'Oh okay. Well tell me.what was your life like with the Dursley's before Hogwarts?' Severus inquired.
'Great.' Harry said with much sarcasm.
'Tell me.'
'Well, I was brought up in a cupboard under the stairs.'
'What? That's outrageous. Since when could anyone fit in those?'
'Well, when they only give you a piece of celery each day for you kind of squeeze in.'
'So that is why you're so skinny and underweight?'
'I'm not I'm just a bit.small.'
'Well you are that too. Carry on.'
'They told me my parents had died in a car crash.'
'A car crash? What an absurd thing to say. I hardly doubt even many witches and wizards die in a car crash. For one, no one drives them.'
'Well I didn't know I was magic or them. They even went to the extreme of taking me to a shack so I didn't receive my letter from Hogwarts.'
'Stupid jealous gits. Sorry. Harry.'
'yeah'
'How many times were you beaten?'
Harry grew a bit tense and was actually ashamed about it.
'Never really.' Harry lied.
'Meaning?'
'Not often.'
'Often being?'
'It was sparatic.'
'Harry just tell me.'
'It was only when I didn't finish my chores.'
'How often was that?'
'Er.' Harry didn't know quite what to say. On one hand his uncle was just asking and would not laugh but on the other hand it was SNAPE.SNAPE. 'once or twice a year.'
'Or a month or a week.' Snape continued being more realistic.
'A month normally. So.how about some TV?'
'Harry.' Severus said boring into Harry's eyes trying to get some across to him. 'You can tell me anything you know.'
'I know.I just.' Harry trailed off.
Snape pulled him into a hug. He wasn't obviously quite sure about this.this had been the boy who he used to absolutely loathe and he wasn't quite sure how Harry would take it. When he released Harry, Harry looked at him. 'Thank you.' He said.
'Maybe you should go to bed.tomorrow you have to get up early.'
'Yeah okay.but don't think I am being ordered around.I'm only going to bed because I'm tired, hear?'
'Whatever Harry. I know that you will tomorrow and the day after and the day after.'
'Don't be so sure. Goodnight.' Harry said and headed for the door.
'Night Harry.'
Snape heard Harry go upstairs and switched on the TV. He watched the TV for around half an hour then followed in Harry's footsteps and went to bed. ***
The next day went pretty much the same as the day before and Harry went to bed earlier than before obeying Snape's orders. He slept soundly until he had a dream about the one and only Voldemort. He, the death eaters, Harry and all of Harry's friends and family were there. He had Harry tied up watching as Voldemort killed each one in front of Harry's eyes. Tears were running down his face uncontrollably and he was shaking, even writhing around in his tight confinement screaming out to stop.
He woke with a start. He sat up and looked around he was panting loudly, still shaking and crying. He would have screamed out but he never did that, as he had learnt not to and instead bite on his lip. It was bleeding. And the pain from his scar, which was still searing with pain was hard to not scream. A couple of doors away Snape heard small screams.
He quickly got up and ran to Harry's room.
'What's wrong?' Snape said then realising that Harry had obviously had some kind of dream because he was pressing onto his scar to try and relieve the pain. 'Nightmare?' He said sitting on Harry's bed and holding Harry in his grip.
'Yeah. Voldemort.he was.he was.'
'Shhh. It's okay. It didn't really happen.' Severus said soothingly whilst rubbing Harry's back.
'But.'
'Shhh.'
'My dreams happen.' Harry said afraid that everyone would die.
'What was it about?'
'Er, Voldemort was killing everyone I knew or that meant something to me in front of me whilst I had to watch being tied to something.'
'Harry.I'm still here aren't I? And I'm sure that er, Black, Lupin and your friends are alive. They'll probably be in bed.'
'But.Sirius and Remus.they're on a mission.what if.if' Harry choked. What if Sirius died? How could he live with himself? He should have stopped him. How could he live without him?
'Harry.listen to me.it won't happen. Finito. End. No one will die. Not even Bla-Sirius.'
'But my.'
'Shhhhhhhhh.' Severus didn't quite know what to say. He had never had to comfort someone and obviously didn't have much of that kind of experience with children. He let Harry cry in his arms and then ever so gently, when Harry had stopped he lay him back down on his bed. He already looked asleep. Maybe, Severus thought, he should make some dreamless sleep potion up so to give Harry some each night or at least if this happens again, some after.
He slid off the bed careful not to wake Harry and looked at Harry. When he was at Hogwarts, he's always been rather hard on him. He thought he had an over large head. Far from it and he realised how stupid he had been. Quietly, Severus bent down and kissed Harry on the forehead.(not v. Snapeish I know but I had 2 put it in) He wasn't quite sure what made him do that but he felt somewhat compelled to do it.
He turned around and walked back to his room falling asleep almost instantly.
***
The next morning Severus got up early to write a letter to Sirius.
Dear Black, Sirius-whatever,
I was wondering if when Harry stayed with you he had any nightmares because last night he had one. Voldemort was in front of Harry killing his family and friends-including you, while he was tied up. He was obviously quite distressed and thought you would die on your mission.
Anyway, could you please write to Harry to one say you are okay and living and two because it would cheer him up. By the way, don't say that I told you about the dream. He would kill me. Not that you would mind.(damn right, Sirius thought when he read the letter)
Severus Snape
He couldn't think of much more to say so he sent it off with his owl hoping that Sirius would reply soon.
He sat in his lab mixing a potion for Harry. This couldn't happen again. Harry was too distraught when he awoke that he had cried himself to sleep. It would be ready for tonight. Severus looked at his watch. It was 10:00am. He would have got him up by now but thought better of it and left him be.
He went down stairs and started reading the book he was going to read yesterday. It was one of his favourites: Shakespeare's The Tempest. It was one of his later novels; his last to be précised and was about a king and his daughter being overthrown by his jealous brother. But the king had magic. He was a wizard. (Great play by the way. I've neva red it but a went to see it as a play 4 English and it was amazing. At 1st it was crap but it got better.probably cos' the main character was from gladiator the film.he was the one who told maximus (Russell Crowe) to go to Rome to fight in the amphitheatres and was always wearing white eating fruit ;) if u really hav no idea which 1 I'm talking about I'll jus post it on the review thing)
Harry came down stairs after finally stirring at quarter to eleven. Severus was going to kill him. He got a glass of water and was about to return upstairs to get dressed when Severus was stood in the door way watching Harry.
'Are you okay?' Severus asked.
'Yeh. Look I'm really sorry about yesterday I just.'
'It's okay. You don't have to be sorry, it was only a dream.' Severus said bending down to Harry's height.
'Thank you. And I'm sorry for getting out of bed so early. I don't know what happened.'
'Harry I told you don't be sorry. I left you in bed to rest. You looked like you needed it.'
'Thank you again.'
'Now, go get dressed and then I'll look a your potions homework unless you haven't done it.'
'I have.' Harry said after a groan.
'Good. Go on then.run along.' 'Why is it I feel like I do exactly what you tell me to do?'
'Because you do. Now go. Your homework can't be that bad.'
'You'd be surprised.' Harry mumbled as he was out of the room and up to his room.
Had a shower-blah, blah
Harry came downstairs with his essay in his hands. He didn't like the prospect of Severus looking at his crappy work.
'Bring it here then.' He heard Severus' voice come from the living room.
'I'll just er, go.get a glass of water then.' Harry called out trying to put it off.
'Now.' Harry groaned and walked into the living room and handed it to his uncle.
'I'm sorry.'
Severus smiled. 'Miracles do happen.' And he looked back to the essay and started scribbling things out and making corrections.
Harry walked out of the room and into the kitchen. He sat down at the table after getting a drink. He listened intently to the potions master at work, his pen losing much ink. After around 5 minutes or so, Severus called Harry in. Harry came in afraid of the answer de would get.
'Here.' And he returned the paper.
'A D!' Harry said distraught.
'Well yes. It would have been an F if you were not my nephew.'
'Didn't affect you in class. I get the same low marks as possible.'
'That is your own fault. If you paid attention in class instead of reading magazines under the desk your marks might pick up.'
'I do listen.' Then under his breath said, 'slightly.'
'Exactly. You don't.much if any. So I suggest you either sit at the front of the class.'
'with dear beloved Malfoy, I think not..'
'or I start to tutor you in these holidays.'
'Can I call you uncle?'
'yeh.' Severus said surprised.
'uncle severus, look I am capable of it. You know that.'
'Harry, you may be capable but I have to yet to see it so it is up to you. You know I can always make you sit at the front anyway.'
'You wouldn't dare.'
'I would. Otherwise I'll take another hefty sum of points of Gryffindor like a have many times in the past.' 'Fine. Start tutoring me but I am not-NO MATTER WHAT, sitting at the front with that ferret freak.'
'Ferret freak as in Malfoy? At least he can do potions, which is more than I can say for you.'
'He cannot. You just give him points for getting it wrong. Points awarded that should be taken off.'
'Harry.'
'Yes'
'Don't push your luck.'
'Sorry. But please you have to see my point.Malfoy can't do potions to save his life and you praise his stupid.'
'I suggest you don't go any further before you say something you will regret.'
'Sorry uncle Severus.' Harry felt weird calling him that. (Who wouldn't)
'Maybe.if you start to listen to the things I say in Potions then you would start to get points for your house. Maybe you could prove that you can actually do it. Oh and look through the text books before hand.'
'Fine. Can we drop it for our NEWT's?'
'Students can but you, no.'
'Why not?'
'Do you really think that I would let my nephew stop potions?'
'Well er, no but don't you think I should do the stuff I'm good at?'
'Yes, and I would have thought you would be good at it. And I do if you would start paying attention.'
'Okay,' Harry said exasperatedly. 'I get the picture and your point.'
'Good. Now, follow me.'
'Where are we going?'
'Harry you can be extremely dense. That is not a trait from your father.'
'What are you getting at?'
'He was bright.'
'And I'm not?'
'I never said that, just that you are dense. Now come on.'
Harry got up and followed his uncle down the hall. 'So where are we going to?'
'Well I am guessing that seen as the conversation we just had about tutoring if would be wise if you followed me to the lab.'
'Oh. We have to start now?'
'Yes.'
'What about later?'
'We'll have another lesson.'
'How many of these lesson do I get?'
'That all depends on how good you are.'
Thanks for the confidence, Harry thought. I hope these lessons are about once a week. Unfortunatley for Harry, they were twice a day.
*** 'So, do you know now?'
'Now what?'
'How many lessons of potions I'm having in a month?'
'A month?'
'A week then?'
'Twice a day.'
'Twice a day?! Are you mad?!' Harry said unaware that we was testing Severus' patience and it was wearing thin.
'No I assure you I am not mad.'
'I'm not that bad.'
'Maybe, maybe not. I teach you what potions we will do next year so you already get the hang of them. Then, if you do ever find yourself reading a magazine under the desk-which will never happen again I might add, that you should already know what to do.'
'Are you trying to exhaust me?'
'No, I merely doing what has to be done. And don't worry, we'll still have the cello lessons as well.'
'You're such a slave driver. What happened to you when God created you? Thought you should be a pharaoh from ancient Egypt?'
'You will have to ask him yourself and to the statement of a slave driver.well, I hardly think you're a slave.'
'No intelligence whatsoever.' Harry muttered under his breath.
'What was that Potter?'
'Potter? Going back to the anything-I-can-take-points of-Gryffindor-for talk are we?'
'I merely take points of as I see fit.'
'Only because you wouldn't have a chance in hell of winning the cup any other way.' Harry muttered under his breath once more.
'What did you just say?'
'I was talking about you not to you.'
'Well if it included me I demand you tell me now.' Severus said putting on his professor's voice that was half being serious and half joking.
'I demand? Who are you the queen of Sheba? On second thoughts, don't answer that. I really don't want to hear the answer.'
'I'll ignore that.'
'Do as you see fit, I'm not stopping you.'
'You couldn't if you tried.'
'Dreaming again are we dearest uncle?'
'I don't dream.'
'Dream on.(great pun) Well seen as most humans have around 10 dreams a night. So I'm guessing you do unless we are basing this on the fact that you are not human.' Then Harry muttered. 'And we know the answer to that. Hardly human.'
'I am thank you and could we drop the smart remarks. If you have something to say, then just say it and don't be afraid.'
'I could drop the smart remarks but I choose not to.' Harry said outright.
'Well I'm asking you to.'
'What difference does that make?'
'Fine. I'm telling you.'
'Telling me what?'
'Do drop the smart remarks.'
'What about them?'
'Just drop the smart remarks.'
'Well I don't believe I had them in my hand to begin with so I can't really drop them.'
'Stop them then.'
'Stop what?'
'You are testing my patience Harry.'
'So, what am I going to do with that statement?'
'Take a hint and shut up.'
'Well I would but like I said, I choose not to.' Severus inhaled and exhaled loudly. Harry was getting on his nerves and quite a lot at the moment.
'Look, just don't talk if you can't be civil.'
'Who's Scivil?'
'No one.'
'I can be. Why did you just say.'
'Look, just keep the cockyess to yourself.'
'Look where?' Harry said looking around and really knowing that his uncle would blow up soon. He could tell because his vein on his temple was popping out.
'Harry, please will you just shut up.'
'That's not a very nice thing to say.'
'Well as you know, I'm not a very nice person.' Harry was stumped, he couldn't finally think of a retort.
'Finally peace. Keep it like that.'
Harry opened his mouth. 'You know if worst comes to worst.I can almost use my wand.' Severus said as Harry closed his mouth. Severus smiled to himself Finally, he thought.
'Now go correct your work.'
'I'll do it later.' Harry said but after looking at Severus who gave him a glare he changed his mind. 'Or maybe now.'
'What an excellent idea.'
Harry got up and started to work out as he muttered but loud enough for Severus to hear, 'disillusioned.'
***
After a day where he re-did his potions homework, then had two lessons on potions and two of cello he settled himself down in front of the TV.
Severus came into the room, looked at Harry and then at the time.
'Not tonight.'
'What's not tonight?'
'I am NOT going through that again. No television. Bed please.'
'Come again??'
'You heard me.'
'Obviously not very well because I thought you just said go to bed at 9:15pm.'
'You heard me correctly.'
Harry just turned around, picked up the remote and changed the channel. Upon watching this, Severus took the remote from Harry's hand and switched the TV off. Harry got up and turned it on by the power button on the TV. Severus turned it off again. Harry had nearly returned but once he heard it go off he turned around to turn it back on again.
'Do not dare. I have magic, you don't.'
'Fine. I'll walk it in my room then.'
'I doubt it.'
'I don't.' Harry said and got up to walk out the room.
'Do get into bed. I'll be up with something for you.'
'Thanks.' Harry said.
Severus watched him get up and leave and then went into his lab to get the potion for Harry.
When he got to Harry's room he quietly knocked on the door and went inside. Harry was indeed in bed but watching the TV.
'I believe I said no TV.' Severus said and switched it off at the mains. He went over to Harry and gave him the potion for him to drink.
'I thought you better have this from now on.'
'If I must.'
'You do. Please drink it.'
'It looks familiar, what is it?'
'A dreamless sleep potion.'
'There's no need for it. I can sleep without it.'
'Possibly but to be on the safe side you should drink it.'
Slowly, Harry drank it, finding absolutely repulsive. After consuming it he handed the goblet to Severus who took it and said, 'thank you. Good night.'
'Night.' And slowly his eyes began to droop and then they closed and Severus cold tell me was asleep. As the day before, Severus kissed Harry's forehead and walked out the room.
Phew.that was a bit long-12 pages. Don't expect that again. I didn't think that was going to happen.
