Man, I'm just so inspired! Here comes the 7th (Is it already seventh?) chappie!
And thank you thank you sweet dear people! Your reviews make me very happy. Don't worry...I know it's excruciating waiting for them to meet...and yes, perhaps Harry could have figured it out by now...but it's only going to be more fun in the end ;) KISS KISS KISS!!!
*******
SEVERUS SNAPE, COMPUTER HACKER Chapter Seven: All I Want for Christmas
"Harry! Wake up, you git! It's present time!" Hermione assailed the sleeping man with a pillow while Ron shook his shoulders.
"Mfffmmpht."
"That's no excuse," Hermione said, fwapping him on the nose. "I told you not to stay up so late chatting because we were going to open present together EARLY this MORNING!"
Harry flailed his arms at his two friends and rolled out of bed. He hit the floor with a thud and slowly got to his knees.
"Okay. I'm up. Where's the stuff?"
Ron and Hermione laughed good naturedly at Harry. His pajama top was over his head and his arms were stuck half out of the sleeves. Hermione pulled the top down and straightened his hair as Ron handed him his glasses.
"I swear, mate, you're getting worse than me, and that's saying something." With that, Ron pushed Harry towards the center of the dorm room where all their presents were stacked. The three friends sat down cross legged on the floor.
"Okay," Hermione said. "Everyone pick one...and...GO!"
The room was suddenly filled with the sounds of tearing paper.
"Oh, Ron! It's what I always wanted," exclaimed Hermione. Harry looked up, sure that Hermione had just opened up the package with the necklace that Ron had bought her in Hogsmead. He started to laugh when he saw that it was a copy of 'Hogwarts: A History' that Ron had gotten as a joke.
"No problem, love. Look...mum sent another sweater. But at least it's a different colour this year," Ron said, pulling the sweater over his head. "What did you get, Harry?"
"It's from Remus," Harry replied, ignoring the look Hermione gave him for calling a professor by his first name. "It's the last photo we took together."
The we in question was Harry, Remus, and Serius. They were waving from the dinning room table in the old Black house. Harry lovingly stared at his smiling Godfather.
"He left a note with it. He didn't know it had even been taken, but one of the Order sent it to him a few months ago. He thought that I might like it."
"Oh, Harry..." Hermione put an arm around him. Harry let her console him for a moment before putting the picture down.
"It's alright. It's a great present, and it's Christmas, and I'm happy. Let's open some more."
Harry got a package from the Weasley's, including the annual sweater and sweets, a refill for his quidditch supply kit and some sweets from Ron, a scarf and a computer game from Hermione (who had gotten much better at knitting), and a rubber band from the Dursleys. At last they each had one present to go.
"Thanks, Harry," Ron said, flipping through his new book, 'Who's Who: Auror's of the Past Century.' "Something I'll actually enjoy reading."
Hermione was pulling on her sweater from the Weasleys. It matched Ron's, excepting the fact that it was smaller and had a cat on it. Both she and Ron looked up just in time to see Harry hide something behind his back.
"What've you got, Harry?" Ron put the book down.
"Nothing."
"Yeah," Hermione said. "Who else sent you something?"
"Nobody," said Harry, smiling with gritted teeth. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks and got up.
"Well then, we'll meet you down in the Great Hall," Ron told him. "See you later."
Once they had gone, Harry pulled the item out from behind his back. Clutched in his hand was a thin silver chain with a pendant made from black quartz. With it was a note.
"Wear this always. It will let me know if you are in trouble that you can't handle...although you've shown yourself to be very resourceful in the past. How Slytherin of you."
Harry chuckled as he put the necklace on. He had told TheMaster just last week that he was almost sorted into Slytherin. The other had been very shocked. As he looked closer at the pendant, he noticed a little snake engraved into the stone, so as to be seen by only the closest examination. Harry smiled and changed into his sweater and a pair of jeans to go down to breakfast.
*****
The first thing Harry noticed when he reached the hall was that he was the last to arrive. The second was that at the table with eighteen place settings (as so few people decided to stay for break) there was only one seat left. Next to Severus Snape.
As Harry took his seat - in a very cautious manner - he noticed that Snape was looking particularly...clean that morning. His hair was grease free and mostly pulled back, leaving the shorter tendrils to fall around his face. He was also wearing a new robe...still black, but definitely more elegant than his brewing robes. Harry realized that since he'd started talking to TheMaster, he had forgotten about his crush. Now he remembered with acute clarity.
"Good morning, professor," he said quietly. The moment was spoiled when Snape turned to him with a sneer.
"Morning it is, Mr. Potter, although I don't think 'good' is the word I would use to describe it."
Dumbledore smiled merrily at Harry from the head of the table before turning to Snape. "Come now, Severus. It is Christmas after all."
Harry nearly burst out laughing at the odd expression on Hermione's face in reaction to Snape's first name being uttered. He and Ron shared an amused look over the table.
'Sorry,' the redhead mouthed, meaning that he was sorry they couldn't sit together, or perhaps, and more likely, sorry that Harry had to sit by Snape.
"Now that we are all here," Dumbledore said, "Everyone may tuck in!"
He waved his hand and all sorts of hearty breakfast foods appeared in front of them: stacks of toast, plates of bacon, bowls of assorted fresh fruits, steaming sausages, scrambled eggs, and a plate of various scones. Harry and Snape reached for the raspberry scone at the same time, their fingers brushing together.
"Sorry, sir," he said immediately, drawing his hand back like the scones were a plate of snakes.
Instead of taking it, Snape withdrew his hand as well. "It's all yours, Mr. Potter, seeing as it's your favourite."
"Oh, thank you, professor." Harry flashed a smile at Snape, pleasantly shocked by his near-kindness. He took a big bite before something hit him. How did he know that it was his favourite? "Um...professor-"
"Please refrain from conversation with your mouth full, if you will." Snape rolled his eyes. Harry quickly swallowed the piece of scone.
"How did you know it's my favourite?"
For an imperceptible split second, Snape panicked. He'd made a mistake. It was all over. Harry knew. But then the Slytherin spirit kicked in and he calmed instantly.
"Why else would you take the raspberry if it wasn't your favourite?" Snape raised an eyebrow as if to show that only an idiot wouldn't draw that conclusion.
"Sorry, sir," Harry replied. "It's just that you sounded so sure."
"I'm always sure, Mr. Potter. That's my way."
Harry blushed and took another bite of scone while looking down into his lap. Snape noticed the blush and tried to think of cold showers and McGonnagal naked. An awkward silence commenced.
In his desperation to break it, Harry turned to his left to find that Professor Flitwick was in deep conversation with a Hufflepuff girl about cheering charms. He then looked across from him to see the Ravenclaw Seeker, Sean Williams, whom he could surely talk to. Just as Harry opened his mouth to talk, a pretty Ravenclaw sitting next to Sean stole his attention. Harry sighed and shot a look towards Ron and Hermione. They shrugged and made frowny faces before going back to their own conversation.
'I guess Snape's the only option then,' Harry thought. 'If only he did look so handsome today on top of the fact that he's already intimidating.'
Harry opened his mouth again to say something stupid about the weather, but Snape beat him to it.
"What is that ridiculous thing around your neck, Mr Potter?"
Harry looked down at TheMaster's gift. "It's a...friendship pendant. A good friend sent it to me for Christmas."
"I see," Snape held out a long fingered hand. "May I?"
Harry slowly unclasped the chain and coiled the necklace into Snape's palm. The potions professor held it close to his face, as if examining it.
"Mmmhmmm," he said after a moment. "Must be a very GOOD friend to send such a nice pendant. And that's an interesting choice for an engraving. It makes one wonder."
With that, he passed the necklace back to Harry and said nothing to him for the remainder of breakfast.
*****
After the day's festivities, Hermione, Harry and Ron spent the evening lounging about the Gryffindor common room, as they had it completely to themselves. Harry was draped across a couch and Hermione and Ron sat in their favourite chairs. A fire crackled in the fireplace.
"So, Harry," Hermione said after a lazy silence. "I just had a thought."
"What," he replied.
"If you aren't getting any messages or e-mails from TheMaster this break, that means he isn't someone staying here for Christmas."
"I hadn't thought of that," Harry said, scratching his head. Ron straightened up a bit.
"Not necessarily," Ron told them. "He could be here but is smart enough to realize that messaging Harry during break would narrow it down to fifteen people, not counting us."
"Ten people, Ron," Hermione said, not to be outdone.
"Why ten?" Ron leaned forward.
"Because you can't count Dumbledore or the other professors that stayed behind," she pointed out. Ron nodded in understanding.
Harry sat up. "Then it's really seven people. Can't count the girls."
Hermione crossed her arms. "TheMaster could be a girl that's lying to you."
Ron crossed his arms, too. "Then TheMaster could be Snape for all we know!"
There was a long silence and then a burst of laughter from all three. Harry was laughing so hard he rolled onto the floor for the second time that day.
"Harry wishes it was," Hermione said with tears in her eyes. "I haven't heard anything more ridiculous."
"Agreed," Harry gasped. "Thanks, Ron. I needed a good laugh."
"Any time, mate." Ron said with a grin. Then it suddenly changed to a confused frown. "Wait...Harry has a crush on Snape?"
Harry and Hermione began laughing again.
*****
4eyes: Ron's whining about the clacking noise again.
fuzzbrain: just hit him
4eyes: Says he can't sleep.
fuzzbrain: I give you permission
4eyes: That worked.
fuzzbrain: I have a new idea. we can make a list of what we know about themaster and guess who he is
fuzzbrain: of course counting on the fact that what he's told you isn't a lie
4eyes: Okay, sounds like fun.
4eyes: his bio says that he's old enough, likes school and torture (though I'm sure he's kidding on that one), and that's it on that. The rest is ambiguous.
fuzzbrain: okay. old enough, school, torture. Gee...what a great guy
4eyes: Shut up!
fuzzbrain: sorry, sorry
fuzzbrain: what else?
4eyes: forgiven ;) Okay, he told me that he likes potions, DADA and quidditch.
4eyes: and he's tall and built with dark hair.
fuzzbrain: sounding better all the time...minus the potions part
4eyes: what else...hmmmm
4eyes: oh, he doesn't 'do' boyfriends.
fuzzbrain: sounding worse again
4eyes: And he told me he makes good raspberry scones, so he must like cooking.
4eyes: It seems like there's something else about raspberry scones...I don't know what I'm forgetting
fuzzbrain: don't worry, it'll come to you.
4eyes: Anyhow, we talked about family and it sounds like his isn't any good either.
fuzzbrain: he could still be any number of people
4eyes: He's really great. *sigh*
fuzzbrain: yeah, overall he does sound great. if he isn't lying to you that is.
4eyes: He better not be, because he also told me that he was the master of sex.
4eyes: That'd better be true.
fuzzbrain: I wish I was with you so you could see me ROLLING MY EYES!
fuzzbrain: boys! lust lust lust!
*******
Ah! once I get going I just don't quit! MUST WRITE MORE! and you MUST REVIEW!
Kisses!
And thank you thank you sweet dear people! Your reviews make me very happy. Don't worry...I know it's excruciating waiting for them to meet...and yes, perhaps Harry could have figured it out by now...but it's only going to be more fun in the end ;) KISS KISS KISS!!!
*******
SEVERUS SNAPE, COMPUTER HACKER Chapter Seven: All I Want for Christmas
"Harry! Wake up, you git! It's present time!" Hermione assailed the sleeping man with a pillow while Ron shook his shoulders.
"Mfffmmpht."
"That's no excuse," Hermione said, fwapping him on the nose. "I told you not to stay up so late chatting because we were going to open present together EARLY this MORNING!"
Harry flailed his arms at his two friends and rolled out of bed. He hit the floor with a thud and slowly got to his knees.
"Okay. I'm up. Where's the stuff?"
Ron and Hermione laughed good naturedly at Harry. His pajama top was over his head and his arms were stuck half out of the sleeves. Hermione pulled the top down and straightened his hair as Ron handed him his glasses.
"I swear, mate, you're getting worse than me, and that's saying something." With that, Ron pushed Harry towards the center of the dorm room where all their presents were stacked. The three friends sat down cross legged on the floor.
"Okay," Hermione said. "Everyone pick one...and...GO!"
The room was suddenly filled with the sounds of tearing paper.
"Oh, Ron! It's what I always wanted," exclaimed Hermione. Harry looked up, sure that Hermione had just opened up the package with the necklace that Ron had bought her in Hogsmead. He started to laugh when he saw that it was a copy of 'Hogwarts: A History' that Ron had gotten as a joke.
"No problem, love. Look...mum sent another sweater. But at least it's a different colour this year," Ron said, pulling the sweater over his head. "What did you get, Harry?"
"It's from Remus," Harry replied, ignoring the look Hermione gave him for calling a professor by his first name. "It's the last photo we took together."
The we in question was Harry, Remus, and Serius. They were waving from the dinning room table in the old Black house. Harry lovingly stared at his smiling Godfather.
"He left a note with it. He didn't know it had even been taken, but one of the Order sent it to him a few months ago. He thought that I might like it."
"Oh, Harry..." Hermione put an arm around him. Harry let her console him for a moment before putting the picture down.
"It's alright. It's a great present, and it's Christmas, and I'm happy. Let's open some more."
Harry got a package from the Weasley's, including the annual sweater and sweets, a refill for his quidditch supply kit and some sweets from Ron, a scarf and a computer game from Hermione (who had gotten much better at knitting), and a rubber band from the Dursleys. At last they each had one present to go.
"Thanks, Harry," Ron said, flipping through his new book, 'Who's Who: Auror's of the Past Century.' "Something I'll actually enjoy reading."
Hermione was pulling on her sweater from the Weasleys. It matched Ron's, excepting the fact that it was smaller and had a cat on it. Both she and Ron looked up just in time to see Harry hide something behind his back.
"What've you got, Harry?" Ron put the book down.
"Nothing."
"Yeah," Hermione said. "Who else sent you something?"
"Nobody," said Harry, smiling with gritted teeth. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks and got up.
"Well then, we'll meet you down in the Great Hall," Ron told him. "See you later."
Once they had gone, Harry pulled the item out from behind his back. Clutched in his hand was a thin silver chain with a pendant made from black quartz. With it was a note.
"Wear this always. It will let me know if you are in trouble that you can't handle...although you've shown yourself to be very resourceful in the past. How Slytherin of you."
Harry chuckled as he put the necklace on. He had told TheMaster just last week that he was almost sorted into Slytherin. The other had been very shocked. As he looked closer at the pendant, he noticed a little snake engraved into the stone, so as to be seen by only the closest examination. Harry smiled and changed into his sweater and a pair of jeans to go down to breakfast.
*****
The first thing Harry noticed when he reached the hall was that he was the last to arrive. The second was that at the table with eighteen place settings (as so few people decided to stay for break) there was only one seat left. Next to Severus Snape.
As Harry took his seat - in a very cautious manner - he noticed that Snape was looking particularly...clean that morning. His hair was grease free and mostly pulled back, leaving the shorter tendrils to fall around his face. He was also wearing a new robe...still black, but definitely more elegant than his brewing robes. Harry realized that since he'd started talking to TheMaster, he had forgotten about his crush. Now he remembered with acute clarity.
"Good morning, professor," he said quietly. The moment was spoiled when Snape turned to him with a sneer.
"Morning it is, Mr. Potter, although I don't think 'good' is the word I would use to describe it."
Dumbledore smiled merrily at Harry from the head of the table before turning to Snape. "Come now, Severus. It is Christmas after all."
Harry nearly burst out laughing at the odd expression on Hermione's face in reaction to Snape's first name being uttered. He and Ron shared an amused look over the table.
'Sorry,' the redhead mouthed, meaning that he was sorry they couldn't sit together, or perhaps, and more likely, sorry that Harry had to sit by Snape.
"Now that we are all here," Dumbledore said, "Everyone may tuck in!"
He waved his hand and all sorts of hearty breakfast foods appeared in front of them: stacks of toast, plates of bacon, bowls of assorted fresh fruits, steaming sausages, scrambled eggs, and a plate of various scones. Harry and Snape reached for the raspberry scone at the same time, their fingers brushing together.
"Sorry, sir," he said immediately, drawing his hand back like the scones were a plate of snakes.
Instead of taking it, Snape withdrew his hand as well. "It's all yours, Mr. Potter, seeing as it's your favourite."
"Oh, thank you, professor." Harry flashed a smile at Snape, pleasantly shocked by his near-kindness. He took a big bite before something hit him. How did he know that it was his favourite? "Um...professor-"
"Please refrain from conversation with your mouth full, if you will." Snape rolled his eyes. Harry quickly swallowed the piece of scone.
"How did you know it's my favourite?"
For an imperceptible split second, Snape panicked. He'd made a mistake. It was all over. Harry knew. But then the Slytherin spirit kicked in and he calmed instantly.
"Why else would you take the raspberry if it wasn't your favourite?" Snape raised an eyebrow as if to show that only an idiot wouldn't draw that conclusion.
"Sorry, sir," Harry replied. "It's just that you sounded so sure."
"I'm always sure, Mr. Potter. That's my way."
Harry blushed and took another bite of scone while looking down into his lap. Snape noticed the blush and tried to think of cold showers and McGonnagal naked. An awkward silence commenced.
In his desperation to break it, Harry turned to his left to find that Professor Flitwick was in deep conversation with a Hufflepuff girl about cheering charms. He then looked across from him to see the Ravenclaw Seeker, Sean Williams, whom he could surely talk to. Just as Harry opened his mouth to talk, a pretty Ravenclaw sitting next to Sean stole his attention. Harry sighed and shot a look towards Ron and Hermione. They shrugged and made frowny faces before going back to their own conversation.
'I guess Snape's the only option then,' Harry thought. 'If only he did look so handsome today on top of the fact that he's already intimidating.'
Harry opened his mouth again to say something stupid about the weather, but Snape beat him to it.
"What is that ridiculous thing around your neck, Mr Potter?"
Harry looked down at TheMaster's gift. "It's a...friendship pendant. A good friend sent it to me for Christmas."
"I see," Snape held out a long fingered hand. "May I?"
Harry slowly unclasped the chain and coiled the necklace into Snape's palm. The potions professor held it close to his face, as if examining it.
"Mmmhmmm," he said after a moment. "Must be a very GOOD friend to send such a nice pendant. And that's an interesting choice for an engraving. It makes one wonder."
With that, he passed the necklace back to Harry and said nothing to him for the remainder of breakfast.
*****
After the day's festivities, Hermione, Harry and Ron spent the evening lounging about the Gryffindor common room, as they had it completely to themselves. Harry was draped across a couch and Hermione and Ron sat in their favourite chairs. A fire crackled in the fireplace.
"So, Harry," Hermione said after a lazy silence. "I just had a thought."
"What," he replied.
"If you aren't getting any messages or e-mails from TheMaster this break, that means he isn't someone staying here for Christmas."
"I hadn't thought of that," Harry said, scratching his head. Ron straightened up a bit.
"Not necessarily," Ron told them. "He could be here but is smart enough to realize that messaging Harry during break would narrow it down to fifteen people, not counting us."
"Ten people, Ron," Hermione said, not to be outdone.
"Why ten?" Ron leaned forward.
"Because you can't count Dumbledore or the other professors that stayed behind," she pointed out. Ron nodded in understanding.
Harry sat up. "Then it's really seven people. Can't count the girls."
Hermione crossed her arms. "TheMaster could be a girl that's lying to you."
Ron crossed his arms, too. "Then TheMaster could be Snape for all we know!"
There was a long silence and then a burst of laughter from all three. Harry was laughing so hard he rolled onto the floor for the second time that day.
"Harry wishes it was," Hermione said with tears in her eyes. "I haven't heard anything more ridiculous."
"Agreed," Harry gasped. "Thanks, Ron. I needed a good laugh."
"Any time, mate." Ron said with a grin. Then it suddenly changed to a confused frown. "Wait...Harry has a crush on Snape?"
Harry and Hermione began laughing again.
*****
4eyes: Ron's whining about the clacking noise again.
fuzzbrain: just hit him
4eyes: Says he can't sleep.
fuzzbrain: I give you permission
4eyes: That worked.
fuzzbrain: I have a new idea. we can make a list of what we know about themaster and guess who he is
fuzzbrain: of course counting on the fact that what he's told you isn't a lie
4eyes: Okay, sounds like fun.
4eyes: his bio says that he's old enough, likes school and torture (though I'm sure he's kidding on that one), and that's it on that. The rest is ambiguous.
fuzzbrain: okay. old enough, school, torture. Gee...what a great guy
4eyes: Shut up!
fuzzbrain: sorry, sorry
fuzzbrain: what else?
4eyes: forgiven ;) Okay, he told me that he likes potions, DADA and quidditch.
4eyes: and he's tall and built with dark hair.
fuzzbrain: sounding better all the time...minus the potions part
4eyes: what else...hmmmm
4eyes: oh, he doesn't 'do' boyfriends.
fuzzbrain: sounding worse again
4eyes: And he told me he makes good raspberry scones, so he must like cooking.
4eyes: It seems like there's something else about raspberry scones...I don't know what I'm forgetting
fuzzbrain: don't worry, it'll come to you.
4eyes: Anyhow, we talked about family and it sounds like his isn't any good either.
fuzzbrain: he could still be any number of people
4eyes: He's really great. *sigh*
fuzzbrain: yeah, overall he does sound great. if he isn't lying to you that is.
4eyes: He better not be, because he also told me that he was the master of sex.
4eyes: That'd better be true.
fuzzbrain: I wish I was with you so you could see me ROLLING MY EYES!
fuzzbrain: boys! lust lust lust!
*******
Ah! once I get going I just don't quit! MUST WRITE MORE! and you MUST REVIEW!
Kisses!