Forgotten Yesterday
Chapter 8: Homecoming
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters borrowed for use in this story.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Miss Granger," A familiar voice drawled, "So nice of you to finally join us."
She looked up the steps to the black clad form. "Professor Snape?"
"That would be Headmaster Snape. It has been a long time."
She spun quickly around and hit Harry on the arm. "Why didn't you tell me that Snape is the headmaster?"
He grinned innocently. "Did I forget to tell you that? Opps."
"I really hate you."
She probably would have continued her tirade but Madam Pomfrey came out the door and became incredibly annoyed that the two men had let someone in her condition stand out in the cold for so long. Hermione was quickly ushered into the school. She gave Harry one last look as she was escorted to the infirmary.
"Tea in my office." Snape stated and began walking to the dungeons before Harry could even respond. Harry followed at a small distance the entire way. Snape finally stopped outside a frightening, dark painting of a torture scene and waited for Harry.
"Why is it every time I come to your office I feel like I'm here for a detention?" he looked at the older man.
"Repressed guilt." he answered quickly then turned back to the painting. "Nightshade." the painting slid back to reveal a small hallway.
Snape's office password, like Dumbledore's, changed often. Unlike his predecessor, though, his passwords were often illegal potion ingredients rather than obscure candies.
Inside the two proceeded down the long corridor, the torches on either side igniting as they passed. It opened into a large, opulent office and laboratory space.
"Sit down I have to see to something." Snape disappeared into his lab.
Harry took a seat near the fire and waited. Snape returned after several minuets.
"Don't you think this place intimidates students?" Harry looked around the office. It was paneled in rich wood, enclosed bookcases ringed the room. All were full to overflowing with thick, leather bound tomes. The occasional bizarre specimen jar strategically placed through the room. The looming fireplace and hearth were carved from black and silver granite, the floors covered in heavy oriental rugs. Near the only window was Snape's desk. It was ornate and imposing, carved from rich mahogany. Finally, almost oppressively hanging over the mantle was the Slytherin crest.
"Actually, many find it quite comforting." Severus took a seat in the matching leather chair across from Harry.
"Slytherins maybe." Harry muttered under his breath.
"I heard that." Snape poured a cup of tea and handed it to Harry. "So, what do you think?"
"We should definitely end school early this year."
"Potter," his voice took on the tone. The tone that made first years wet themselves. The tone that made even Filtch cringe. The tone that at this moment made Harry Potter want to sink into his chair. "Perhaps you should begin by telling me how you persuaded Miss Granger to accompany you after she had you incarcerated."
Harry sat silently staring onto his tea. 'Yep,' he thought, 'I'm in detention.'
"I am waiting Mr. Potter."
"Well… Ummm… I uh… I told her I would leave her alone forever if she would listen to me and by some grace of God she agreed to come."
Snape took a long sip of his tea. "There, was that so hard."
"You know I have the attention span of a gnat." He looked suspiciously into his cup.
"For Merlin's sake I'm drinking from the same pot. Do you really think I'm going to slip something to my self?"
"Sorry."
"Anyway, the tea is too hot. It would render most good poisons ineffective. If I was going to kill you it probably be through something more solid." He reached into his pocket, "Would you like a candy?"
"If you weren't so evil I'd say you were almost getting Dumbledore-like in your old age."
"Don't you tell a soul. I would never be able to live it down." He studied Harry a moment. "What do you really think?"
"She looks like death warmed over."
"Yes, she does. I'm confident Poppy will be able to devise a course of treatment."
"Yeah… I just feel… I don't know. Responsible."
"You are." Snape sipped his tea before looking back at Harry's shocked face. "Did you honestly expect me to tell you that you are innocent in all this. Hermione was your closest friend. That was, until you found a young woman who stimulated your less cerebral instincts. And since Hermione didn't encourage you and Ron to mate like rabbits. You eliminated her from your life."
"I just didn't think about it."
"No, I don't suppose the brain in your penis did spare much thought to Miss Granger when Cho's assets were on display."
Harry hung his head.
Snape looked him over and sighed. "That, however, is a rather common ailment among teenage boys. I don't suppose Black ever told you about Desdemona."
He shook his head, "No, who is she?"
"She was… a girl that was in our year." He stared into the fire. "She was the voice of reason among the marauders. Long before your father noticed Lilly or Sirius and Remus noticed each other. She was the one who talked them out of duels, who kept them from performing to terrible pranks. She was the only one that could talk them out of fighting with me and Lucius. But they grew up. James began seeing Lilly. The mongrels began seeing each other. And none of them noticed when Desdemona slipped away."
"What happened to her?"
"Fortunately, Miss Granger didn't follow the same path. Someone else noticed Desdemona. He took advantage of her. He twisted her. Eventually she began using her middle name. Shortly before she was married I believe."
"What was her name?"
"Narcissa."
"Draco's…"
"Mother. Yes. Lucius found her in her despair and corrupted her. Contrary to popular belief she was a rather active deatheater."
"Another of my father's mistakes. And I have to live with the consequences."
Snape furrowed his brow, "How do you have to live with that?"
"I have to pretend to be nice to Draco don't I."
"You never have before."
"Good point."
"Things will turn out Harry. They often do."
Harry stared at him strangely.
"What?"
"Now you're doing that weird vague prophecy thing."
"Do shut up."
The fire before them suddenly roared and Madam Pomfrey's face appeared in the fire. "It would be advisable for both of you to join me."
Harry groaned. "But there's so many stairs."
Her eyes narrowed on him before she disappeared.
"She wasn't amused." Snape stood and stretched.
"Well, I'm tired of walking." Harry set down his cup. "Severus, I'm afraid."
"You should be. Once Miss Granger feels well I'm certain she'll inflict a sufficient revenge" He reached into the bowl and took a bit of the floo powder.
"Maybe I should get Gin to watch Kait another day or two." Harry reached up and took a bit of the powder.
"By all means. After you Professor Potter."
________________________________________________________________________
Comments, Criticism, etc?????
A/N: Longest Chapter Yet!!!
