Black seemed content that he was allowed to throw the party, and stayed off Snape's case for at least a week. However, all bad things come in threes; Harry having to live with him, the party; he knew that Black would be back to his old self in no time.
Which he was, when Severus walked in with news of a Death Eater meeting.
"Snivellus! Good to see you!" He greeted with full sarcasm. "What's the good word?"
Dumbledore shot Black a look, and then glanced at Severus, waiting for him to speak of what was going on in the Dark world.
"There will be a muggle attack in the next twenty-four hours." Severus said briefly. "The Death Eaters are well-aware that Potter is not living with the Dursleys, so I have reason to believe they will be the target."
Dumbledore gave a nod. "We'll up the security perimeters."
Black muttered, "Their not worth saving, those muggles." Clearly, the animagus was not having a good day, and was taking it out on the world. Not that Severus had not agreed with that comment, but he was not looking forward to have Potter live with him until he became of age.
Continuing his report, "As well, Lucius Malfoy has been sending large amounts of Galleons to some private investigators, on the matter of the Green Torch." Severus began pacing, "The are certain the Torch is still in England, but believe it's in Muggle London. Suspicious occurrences of the Torch's ability have been seen, or so they believe."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled behind his spectacles. "Occurrences such as?"
"The magical energy," Snape replied quickly. "There's an interference with magic in London recently. The Ministry thinks there is a energy core amidst the city, of course, this would give the Dark Lord reason to be excited."
Black irritatingly tapped his fingers on the chair arm, as Dumbledore replied, "Has there been any such luck into with the private investigators?"
Snape exhaled, "They haven't come up with much other than the energy outburst in London. Although, the Dark Lord is finding them useful, and is planning a marking ceremony soon."
Changing the subject to a lighter note, Dumbledore asked, "So, how are you and Harry getting along?"
Black stared as the Potions Master responded, "Actually, quite well, he has been staying on his best behavior lately. Of course, I'm waiting for something to go wrong, these things always do."
"Good to hear, Severus!" Dumbledore smiled. "Have to told him about your relation yet?"
"No," He quickly responded.
Black snapped, "No?! Harry deserves to know who he's related to, even if he's related to you!"
Adding in the history, "His father married my Mother, we're not technically related."
"A step-uncle is still an uncle." Black retorted, temper flying off the wall.
Dumbledore finally said, "Sirius, calm down. Do not take this out on Severus."
Black played stupid, or was he not acting? Severus couldn't decide as he replied to Dumbledore, "Take what out on Snivellus?"
Dumbledore rubbed his temple. "Sirius, you know I can't permit you to stay at the school when it is in session, it's too risky." Ahh, so that's what the dog was whining about. As the two began to go over the details, Severus moved towards the fire, and headed out as silent as possible.
He found Potter reading in the living room, as he had found him most nights. Severus would prefer the boy to read in his room, but did not want to cause any misbehavior. Potter had been much more tolerable since he had given him that Potions book, and often found Potter reading that over. It pleased Severus to know the boy was actually learning something.
It was late, but Severus found his seat and announced to the boy, "Due to your.. good behavior, I have decided to allow you to have your friends over whenever you wish, as long as, Potter, you keep them from my sight. Understood?" With a nod of agreement, the two went their separate ways to their rooms.
Being allowed to have his friends over, rose Harry's suspicions, as he lay awake in bed, thinking over what Snape had just permitted. His curiosity pondered on the forbidden sections of the manor. This permission had meant Snape trusted him to ignore the idiotic Gryffindor courage and curiosity, and not wander. Perhaps, Snape was testing him.
Harry settled on that, and drifted off for an unsettling night of halls, and green light.
For the next week, Harry played it safe, inviting over Hermione and Ron and played chess quietly. The nights had summed up some entertainment ideas. The rubber band. A toy to test Snape's patience. With a promise to try them out, Harry relaxed with a smirk of knowing Snape would kill him. He'd fail the test of trust, but it'd be worth it.
Harry sat in the living room, casually reading Helpful Charms and Curses as Destiny hummed a tune, fluffing pillows up. The tune sounded awfully familiar, but Harry shrugged it off, peering over at the lost in thought Potions Master. Finally, Snape had gotten up to go to the washroom, Harry suspected, and on his turned back, Harry took aim.
Harry knew it wasn't nice, but it was sure entertaining to see Snape glance around angrily, and land his glare onto Harry, who was innocently reading. After a moment, Snape's eyes burning holes into Harry's head left, as he carried on with his business.
Turning a page in his book, Snape returned only to have several other elastics penetrate his robes, and fall to the couch or the floor. Destiny would quickly snatch the flying rubber, and stuff them in her pockets as she cleaned, so Snape did not know what hit him.
This was Harry's fun for day, until Snape asked, "Why don't you go outside, Potter? You're looking pale." You're one to talk. Harry thought. As if it was in his best interest to send him outside too, he just wanted to make sure he was the one sending elastics his way. Harry headed outside only to wander the gardens aimlessly in the sun, smirking at the slight entertainment the rubber bands gave.
During dinner, Harry dared to fire one last elastic. And it hit the target with a snap. The Professor fumed, glaring at the Boy-Who-Lived, a red mark becoming visible to Snape's pale forehead.
"Potter!" Snape barked, "What, pray, tell, is this?" He demanded, holding the small elastic that had hit his forehead.
Harry could not help but smirk, "A rubber band, sir."
The Professor asked, "Do you think it's amusing watching a piece of rubber fly around the room, Potter?"
Admitting, "Yes, sir, I do." Snap. The elastic hit Harry right in the forehead.
Snape gave a sneer, "Yes, I see the humor you find in this now." With a breath of relieve, he was surprised there was no punishment other than the elastic returning fire. Snape had asked no questions of where he had gotten the things, but did take them away, saying they were 'dangerous objects'.
A meeting with the Order had began to bore the Potion's Master, as he had already heard all the information, he merely had to be present for any musing the Order came up with. The sack of elastics confiscated from Potter sat in his pocket, and with hesitation, Severus pulled a tiny elastic out.
Glancing at his target, he fired quickly, and looked to the speaker with full attention. He had done this several times before an outburst, "WHO KEEPS DOING THAT?!" From none other than Sirius Black.
"Doing what, Sirius?" His only living best friend, Remus, asked.
Black glanced at Severus, but Severus was used to having to be stared down by worse than him, and hadn't so much as blinked an eye. "Flinging elastics at me!" Black glared at the Order. Severus noted, he'd hang onto these things for awhile. Irritating a certain Azkaban runaway, was now a part-time job.
It was one of those nights where Snape had left for a meeting and Harry had Ron over. Hermione refused to be a part of their foolishness, and decided against going. Which wasn't a problem for the two boys, as they continued down the east wing.
"Mr. Potter, sir, you aren't to go down here." Destiny spoke up, making it clear she was in the area, and followed in a good pace.
Harry called over his shoulder, "Well, you can make this much quicker if you show me what's so interesting down here." He was on a mission, and would not let anyone stop him.
Harry was surprised when Destiny ran up to them, and whispered, "I will show you what you want, Mr. Potter, if you promise, Mr. Potter, promise you'll stop this hunt."
The two Gryffindors gave their word, and followed the nervously humming house elf down the hall. Coming to the door Harry had been thrown back from, she muttered some incantation, and opened the door. Harry watched as the elf lead him down a new hall. Yet it was familiar...
It was black in the hall, but with Destiny leading the way, Harry was not in the slightest worried of his footing. Ron kept close to Harry after he had tripped over his own feet.
He, then remembered his dream; how he seemed sure of his way in the dark in the hall. Seeing a green light coming from the crack under a close door, Harry sped up. Just like the dream.. His fingers trailed the lettering.
Destiny whispered, "The Green Torch."
A million questions flowed through Harry's mind. But all were left unanswered when she squeaked, "You know where it is now, so leave it be." She then scurried off, making full sure that the two boys followed.
Harry did not know whether to be disappointed in what he learned that day, or to be happy. He had been so close to what Voldemort wanted, and yet he had been turned around. Snape knew all along where it was, Harry realized, this proved to Harry that Snape was trustworthy. He had all chance to turn over the desired item to the Dark Lord, and be guaranteed as Voldemort's right-hand man. There must be more to the Torch than what Snape is letting on. Harry thought. He decided then, that would not be Harry's last trip down the hall.
Author's Notes: I've started another fiction, and took Baby off. Due to lack of interest on my part (complete lack of interest, when I tried to write on Baby, it would force me to never write for a very long time). The fic is called The Pride of A Snake, and is in response to Severitus challenge. Check it out if you want.
As well, I have rewrote the chapters before this one. In attempts to correct my work, and also, delete useless information. Except, I accidentally deleted Chapter 10, and still have to rewrite it. Stupid me. Just thought I'd let the world know I've been busy.