"Severus!"
Years of training and experience make my external reaction minimal, but my heart races. However, McGonagall's face appearing in the midst of the fireplace flames tranquilizes me. Everything's all right, it was only the shock of seeing that... I'm not alone with him anymore. One more reason not to let my guard down with him. I have to be careful.
I get near the fireplace.
"Minerva."
"How are you, Severus? And Harry? I see you resisted the urge to jump at each other's throats! I'm glad to find you both alive!"
Very funny, she is. Albus' jesting irony seems to have contaminated her. It's exasperating. I don't say a word, just arch one eyebrow. She smirks, tilting her nose up into the air, as always.
"Come to my office, I need to talk to you both."
We three are in McGonagall's office, sitting at her desk. She asks me the details of Harry's condition, and I give her a complete report. Or rather an *almost* complete report - you know what I mean. She offers to help him in his Transfiguration training, and discuss a class schedule with him.
"If Harry's already healed, there's no need for him to remain in the dungeons. He can go back to his dorm in the Gryffindor tower," proclaims the Deputy Headmistress.
I feel a sinking in my stomach. With the corner of my eye, I watch Harry. Merlin. It looks like he has just been told that Christmas was cancelled this year. Could it be true? Could he possibly not be happy to get rid of me, of my cold, humid and dark dungeons?
Harry shifts uneasily and get up.
"Professor McGonagall... I'm having nightmares... with Voldemort. I'm afraid that... er... that he tries to possess me again."
Minerva stares at him with wide eyes.
"Really? This is very serious!" Her eyes shift from him to me. "Have you warned the Headmaster about this, Severus?"
"Yes, I have. He told me that under no circumstances should Potter be left alone until he has fully recovered his magic."
"Oh, well, then the picture changes. So, if you don't mind, Severus, Harry will stay a little longer under your care."
Honestly, I don't know if I should laugh or cry. My life is a big joke.
In the evening, after dinner, in my Laboratory, I try to focus on potions and not to think on... where I'm going to sleep this night. He levitates dragon scales, practicing levitating spells: Wingardium Leviosa! Afterwards, I see him levitating a turtle shell. The boy is recovering his powers quickly. Now and then he looks at me from a distance, but I pretend not to notice. It's ridiculous, I know. You might think it's me who is the teenager here.
Finally, he gets tired and disappears into my bedroom. One moment later, he turns off the light.
TBC...
Author's Notes:
Hey, guys, I think you like hurt/comfort, otherwise you
wouldn't be here! Well, I would like to rec you a hurt/comfort SS/HP story that's
very well written and that can make your heart beat way too fast! It's a WIP,
its name is "Shattered", and the author is Nym. You can find her stories
on http: // hp.pfen.net (delete the blanks). It's a slow story, but I'll bet
after 8 chapters you'll already be hooked.
Replies to Reviews:
Nymphadora Tonks1: Thank you, Mandi. You'll have to be patient! My chapters
are short and I have a plot to develop. Besides, it's Sev's fault! I want to
get them in the sack, but Sev is... Sev. He's very stubborn and will not give
up so easily! Well, maybe next chapter...
Heather Snape: thanx u so rok, lol!
Faerie Fighter: Yay! You're right, but it's not going to be easy!!!
Anarane Anwamane: Yep!
theladyprimrose: Oh, I'm flattered you are reading my story. I'm not a native speaker and it's not easy for me to write in English. Thank you for your warnings - I've fixed the error you reported. Also I've changed my summary to say that Harry's in his 7th year at Hogwarts. Hm, well, you might like the plot, but honestly, it's a terrible cliché! LOL!
sev1970: Thank you, sweetie, I love your reviews! You know how to cheer me up.
MissCrystalix: Thank you!
Shuki: I'm glad you've noticed the "double agent" aspect.
Saavik13: Sev glares at you: *Stay away from me, Lady!* (LOL!)