Come the Maëlstrom

Chapter 22

Severus was doing something he had never done before in his life. He knew it was high time that he did something like this, something just for himself. But he never had the time to do so really. In between the demands of being a teacher and a double spy for the Order in Voldemort's ranks, his social life had essentially vanished away; not that he really wanted one anyhow. But with all but the teaching out of the way, and England short of one megalomaniac Dark Lord, he would be free.

Severus Snape, world renowned Potions Master, magna cum laude graduate of Avalon Academia and foremost expert on the Wolfsbane Potion was looking through travel brochures, contemplating a vacation.

And, for the first time in almost twenty years, he was looking forward to it. Not travelling to cut underhanded deals for Voldemort or hush-hush ones for the Order. He would be travelling simply for travel's sake. Find a nice exotic place, where he could simply relax and not have to worry about some horde of teenagers, or of what others thought of him or whispered about behind his back.

And he'd already spoken to Albus regarding that; he'd wanted a year's leave. The old man had been surprised but had enthusiastically agreed to allow Severus his much needed vacation but he did hope that he would consider being the Secret keeper and possibly teach for one more year before his vacation. It had only taken a moment's thought and he agreed. What did it matter? It wasn't as if he wanted to visit the blasted Muggles any how. He'd just make sure to inform Harry and go along on his merry way. And once he suffered one more year he was done for a continuous unbroken twelve months.

The bright glossy photos were vibrant with colours and smiling waving people, information crammed in on as much available space as possible. It was certainly much easier reading than those essays he had to deal with two weeks ago. And with the N.E.W.T examination period approaching, it seemed that some students were throwing themselves into a frenzy.

He sighed and collected up the pamphlets, tucking them away in an upper desk drawer. He would have more time to look over them during the examination period when he didn't have to teach and no one could disturb him with questions. A glance at the clock showed him that he had to go and present some final notes to class. After that, there was a study period of a week and then the examiners came down from the Ministry.

The fact that the Ministry could even send down a good amount of examiners was impressive and proved that Percy was fulfilling his role as temporary Minister. Severus had started to read the Daily Prophet once again; it was no longer a Ministry mouth piece. Percy certainly wasn't about to tolerate having some newspaper feeding more lies to the wizarding populace; especially the same paper that published the propaganda that almost crippled the wizarding world, to boot. The Prophet had published some scathing reviews of Percy's endeavours in the beginning. But once those 'dubious measures' started paying off the reviews became much more favourable, almost as if the Prophet was attempting to cull favour in the Ministry once more. The economy was steadily recovering from the fiscal chokehold Fudge had placed on it, incompetence was being rooted out of the Ministry at an alarming rate and job openings were cropping up everywhere in almost every imaginable sector, regardless of race or blood.

The general sense of freedom was pervasive everywhere. And there was one question still floating around with a burning intensity: what happened to their hero, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived-To-Defeat-the-Dark Lord and was he even still alive?

Severus knew exactly what would happen if Harry went to testify at that trial. And he had a sinking feeling that he would be the one to escort Harry to Diagon Alley to get his wand. He just seemed to be having that kind of luck lately.

He glanced up at the clock once more before rising from his seat and making his way into the classroom. The students were already seated the quietly, quills and inkpots out with nibs hovering over parchment. He closed the door and surveyed the class.

"This is your last lecture before your optional N.E.W.T examination," he said as he made his way to his desk at the front. "Many of you have taught yourselves how to brew some fairly difficult and complex potions with successful results. The simple fact that you brewed them without killing anyone is testament enough to your skills. I strongly encourage all of you to take the N.E.W.T level examination; after events such as the ones we just endured, you will certainly pass with an Outstanding. To simply take the grade of Acceptable in light of your true skills would be nothing short of a disgrace and a waste of talent."

The class was silent, but he could see a few students glancing at one another and grinning slightly.

"Today I will be going over the potions that you will most likely receiving during the N.E.W.T test and be discussing the finer points briefly. This class undoubtedly will not be long enough to cover them all so I advise you to read about the respective potions in your textbooks, understood?"

"Yes, Sir." The class chimed.

He nodded his head and immediately launched into his lecture. The quiet was only broken by the sound of nibs scratching again and the occasional question from students; but not from Hermione. She sat in the back of the classroom, head bent, and quill working; not once did she look up. Severus felt a sudden and sharp pang of... something. He rather missed that brazen boldness that had her challenging him every class...

"Er, Sir?"

He looked over sharply to find a student with his hand raised slightly. "Yes?"

"Aren't you going to finish telling us how the powdered unicorn horn reacts with the sea bjist's spleen and how to avoid that?"

Severus nodded his head curtly, shifting his gaze from Hermione. "It is quite a gradual reaction. Should you nip it in the early stages there will be nothing to worry about. However, some other potions require you to allow this to occur..." he began once more.

Somehow, he managed to finish off the rest of the class with stopping inadvertently. How he wasn't sure, since he didn't even notice that he did it the first time. When the class was finished he dismissed them gathering up his sheaf of notes. When he looked back up the room was empty. With a frown, he made his way into his office and closing the door. Thank Merlin that class was done for good. That last half seemed nothing but hellish with her there. How was he supposed to concentrate when she was sitting there like –

A knock on the door made him look up with a scowl. Couldn't he be left alone to even angst for a bit in peace and quiet? His scowl deepened a touch more as he went to the door and opened it. Hermione was standing there, a slightly distant expression on her face, schoolbag shouldered. The patch over one eye was gone, but the brown colour wasn't the same; one was the deep chocolate brown and the other was a golden sort of colour. It gave her a somewhat fey look and the circles under her eyes were gone but there was something of a haunted look in them.

"If I may Professor?" she asked politely. "I won't be taking much of your precious alone time."

Severus opened the door, already feeling an itch to rile her up, get under her skin; anything to rid that unflattering expression of neutrality on her face.

"If you wish Miss Granger," he said opening the door for her.

Her brow furrowed for a moment as she watched him but she walked in anyway. He closed the door, standing in front of it and watching her a bit curiously. He was about to speak but she beat him to it.

"I know you're busy so, I just came here to tell you that I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Severus looked at her in surprise, arching an eyebrow. This had to be the first time a woman ever apologised to him in what he supposed was a sincere manner. "For?"

"That day," Hermione adjusted the strap of her bag. "We were both out of line but Merlin forbid that you should swallow your massive ego, be a man and apologise first. So, I figured I would do it."

Both of Snape's eyebrows went up at that. "Typical; you assume that you're the noble one here."

Hermione's cheeks flushed a bit at that. "And just what are you implying Sir?"

"You suddenly developed a nasty habit of appearing directly at the start of class and vanishing right at the end," he regarded her for a moment. "Just how am I supposed to request a meeting with you if I cannot find you."

Her face turned a deeper shade of red. "That is your problem Sir. You could have left a note with my head of House."

"I think not. I'd have no grounds for wishing to see you in an academic matter, not with such an exemplary academic record and no desire to study Potions after graduation. Merlin knows you could have made it a touch easier for me and done an assignment wrong."

"Then what did you wish to see me for?" Hermione asked; her face was still bright red but she kept his gaze.

"To apologise." He said with the barest of smirks coming to his lips.

Hermione's lips tightened as she scrutinised him. "Ha ha, funny; I, unlike you, actually meant it; so I've apologised. If you don't mind, I'll be leaving now." A frustrated expression came to her face as she realised he was still standing in front of the door.

"And what makes you think I had anything less than sincere apologies?" Snape asked archly, crossing his arms. "Did you even bother to ask? Another snap judgement one your part?"

"You standing there smirking told me more than enough," Hermione said quietly. "Just why do you seem to enjoy making students so miserable? Particularly me."

"Another assumption Miss Granger?" Severus tsked. "Perhaps you've noticed that I teach the upper classes much differently than the lower ones."

Hermione opened her mouth before she snapped it shut only to reply a second later. "Yes. But that's obviously because the students in the upper classes want to be there; they enjoy potions and are good at it."

"And that creates the fundamental difference Miss Granger. Why waste my time on first years who certainly don't want to be there and think they can dump whatever they want into a cauldron? The real learning doesn't begin until after O.W.L year."

"That's still no excuse to be nasty."

"I'm not a nice person by nature," Severus said simply, leaning against the door. "And, in case you haven't noticed, most first years come swaggering in here as if they own the place. Someone has to show them otherwise," he leaned off the door and walked towards her until there was little less than a foot of space between them. "And this is what you want; someone who is much more suited for a solitary life than companionship?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise; clearly, she hadn't been expecting that. "I... Um... That is to say... Er..."

"Tell me, Hermione," he said placing a delicate emphasis on her name. "Why exactly did you force your way into my office that day?"

Her face went a brilliant shade of red and she started tapping her fingers a bit impatiently. "I told you already."

"I'd much rather hear rational words rather that professions fuelled by," his eyes flickered over her. "Hormones."

She took a deep breath as if steadying herself. "I told you that I liked you. What exactly is hard to believe about that?"

"Everything," he snorted cynically.

"Don't be ludicrous," Hermione scoffed. "Your problem is that you fail to realise your own sex appeal. And before you even attempt to say something cutting, you obviously haven't seen some of the students looking at you."

"Me?" he gave a short harsh bark of laugh.

Hermione didn't say anything for a moment before she crossed her arms with a smile of her own. "Yes, obviously they must be masochists."

"As you also must be, since you're here actively pursuing this."

"See, that's the difference between me and everyone else out there," Hermione said as she started closing the gap between them. "I know precisely what I want. I don't want some teenage boy barely on the cusp of adulthood. I don't want to suffer their fumbling. I... want an older man, someone much more experienced, someone skilled... if that involves some pain..." she trailed off.

Now, to perfectly honest, Severus had plenty of experience with women. But most women he knew have never attempted this blatant shy type of... seduction? He didn't know what it was exactly. But it suddenly seemed a touch too hot in his normally cool office and Hermione was far too close to him. He didn't quite trust his own vocal chords at the moment, so he glared down fiercely at Hermione and was a bit dismayed to find that it wasn't very effective; she was still continuing her slow and deliberate approach.

"Now you tell me something Severus," she said softly. "Since we're both managing to have a civil discussion, why did you kiss me? Surely you would have known better than to do something like that with a student."

Severus contemplating opening his mouth to answer but his throat seemed to clam up, stubbornly refusing to produce words.

"If you wanted me gone that day, you would have kicked me out. The fact that you didn't simply proves the fact."

"And what fact would that be?" he asked in a scathing tone; sure, his throat decided to work when it wanted to be nasty.

It was when Hermione gave a slow smile that something very curious happened to Severus; his heart started pumping away wildly while the rest of him went shock still. It was if he anticipating and dreading what the next words from Hermione's mouth. He'd never been so out of control so voluntarily in his life.

"Beneath every single nasty thing you do in an attempt to push me away, you want me here with you," Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly. "And that's the reason why you've either been ignoring me when you could before, and why you were in a foul mood at the same time. I'll bet seeing my flounce out of here with Mr. Nihilare got your blood boiling, didn't it Severus?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, a scowl coming to his lips. So the bloody girl did want to rile him up. She succeeded far too well. Hermione was watching him intently as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, licking her lips. His eyes slipped down for a moment to watch her tongue dart out.

"See?" her voice was a touch triumphant. "Despite everything you'd like others to think of you, you're still human and subject to the same emotions like the rest of us. You want me Severus Snape."

He continued to glare at her, feeling the door bump against his back. He looked back to find the door right behind him. Since when had he even been backing away from her? This was not good; she more than likely had designs upon him in some manner. Not that he minded much, but... yes he did mind! She was still a student! Until she graduated, she was strictly –

"You want my intelligence," Hermione said softly until their robes were brushing. "You want my stubbornness... all the reasons you won't admit to yourself. You know them Severus. I'll bet you're running through them right now in an effort to justify exactly why you shouldn't be bothered with me; especially as I'm still a student who's on the very verge of graduating."

"Hermione," he said a bit more hoarsely than he intended.

"But those are all the reasons why you want me. Why you're, more than likely, finding it very hard to resist me. I'm probably one of the very few people whom you ever connected with, isn't that right Severus?" she crossed her arms and smirked. "It's the only reason why you would have bothered with an insufferable Gryffindor, isn't it?"

Severus wasn't too sure how long he remained there, completely still and staring down at her. But after what seemed like a long moment, he shifted, raising his hands to her shoulders.

"This is precisely why I don't like to get involved with Gryffindors. They're too bloody stubborn and don't take no for an answer," he said heavily after a moment as he watched her intently.

Hermione gave an ecstatic squeal of delight and attempted to hug him; attempted, since he flexed his arm muscles and effectively stilled her motion. It was curious to see her upper body jerk to a halt while her legs continued to move. She looked at him in puzzlement.

"But I refuse to engage in this... liaison in Hogwarts. You will be graduating soon. It can surely wait until then."

Hermione chewed a bit apprehensively on her lower lip. Severus groaned and closed his eyes. It seemed to remind him of just how young she was; and just how much he wanted to see those lips doing other things.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" she asked a moment later. "To wait until I graduate?"

"Positive; I would like to keep my job as I have managed to secure a year off and would still like to attempt to gain the DADA position."

"A year off? You're done after this?"

"If only Albus would be so kind," Snape said, curling his lip. "From the fall of 1999 until the end of summer in 2000, I shall be free from brats of any sort."

"Well, I managed to secure an apprenticeship in Gringotts, pending a review and interview. Arithmantic forecaster."

"Impressive," Severus replied; it truly was. Gringotts didn't hire just anyone. Simply managing to secure an interview with the goblins was murderous.

"Thanks," Hermione grinned. "If that doesn't pan out, I'm considering either a position in Spell Development in the Ministry or teaching Muggle Studies. So perhaps we'll be able to work around your sabbatical leave."

We; the word sounded odd in concept since was referring to him and her but it was pleasing to hear. Very pleasing in all actuality.

"I'm quite sure we will," Severus said as he pushed her back a bit to free himself. "Now, I have to meet Albus concerning some matter, so I shall have to send you along. I'm already late as it is."

"I'll go," Hermione gave him a mischievous smile. "But I want something first."

A slightly irritated sigh came from his throat. "What is it now?"

"I want a kiss."

"You can't wait for what will undoubtedly be three or four weeks to end?"

"No. I'm a reckless, brash, impatient Gryffindor, remember?" she looked at him. "So just give me a kiss and you can be on your merry way."

"Fine," Severus closed the small gap between them and gave her a cursory peck on the lips. "There."

"Stingy man," Hermione tsked. "I know you can kiss better than that."

"Fine!" he said, throwing up his hands.

And with that Severus bent in and kissed her with the same gentle touch of the lips. Hermione's eyes fluttered shut and she gave a soft sort of sigh, her hands moving to his shoulders. He stepped in a bit closer, not breaking the kiss as his hands slid down her arms and sides gently before resting on her waist. A quiet mewl came from Hermione's throat as she pressed herself closer to him, sliding slightly against him and kissing him a bit harder.

Severus groaned as he responded, tongue delving into her mouth and pressing himself closer to her. Hermione seemed to be enjoying herself immensely as her fingers stole their way up to his head and tangled in his hair, her body continuing to move against his. He groaned and kissed her a bit more heatedly for a few more moments before he broke off abruptly, face flushed and breathing heavily.

Hermione's pupils were dilated and her eyes heavy lidded with blatant lust. Her hair and robes were a bit mussed up and just seeing those pink swollen lips made him want to kiss her yet again. She would be the death of him yet.

"Mu-Much better." Hermione managed in a slightly rough voice before she cleared her throat. "I'll let you get going now."

He watched as she slid from his arms and hurried from the room, a smile on her face. After a few moments, he left his office as well, hurrying up the stairs to Albus' office and fighting the urge to smirk. It didn't take him long to reach the familiar gargoyle or walk up the steps. But he did pause outside the door, hastily adjusting the wrinkles in his robe and fixing his hair. Albus would more than likely pick up on such obvious things and start wondering. That would undoubtedly lead to him finding out.

Once he felt satisfactorily presentable, he simply opened the door. Valencia and Ernesto sat there in the seats in front of the desk. Ernesto was glancing at Albus every so often with a very displeased look on his face while Valencia was petting Fawkes, who had decided to rest on her lap, on the head. The phoenix and woman seemed to be the only comfortable occupants in the room.

"Ah, Severus!" Albus rose from his seat and looked genuinely pleased and relieved to see him. "I was starting to wonder just where you disappeared to."

"Well, I'm here now." He managed a sour tone.

"Quite right," Albus beamed. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Harry had seriously lost track of all the work he had been doing for the past while. But he had managed to finish off almost all of his essays. And he only had his Transfiguration left to finish. After that, he was, hopefully, going to get a new wand and then take his N.E.W.Ts and graduate.

But there was no way in hell that he would be going back to the Dursleys. He'd started receiving a copy of the Daily Prophet as well. Once he finished reading over the news, he started poring through the classified. But he didn't tell anyone what he was doing. If no one knew where he was, then it was even better for him. When he left Hogwarts, he planned to leave for good and stay as far away from Dumbledore as possible.

"Ergh," he grunted as he looked down at what had to be his fifth foot of parchment. "I only have to write a little bit more and then I can finish this brute off."

"Do you normally talk to yourself when you work?"

"Yes. So kindly leave me be." Harry grinned at Draco. "Besides what are you worried about? You don't have to play catch up."

"Says you," Draco snorted. "I happen to like peace and quiet when I work."

And with that, Draco snapped his curtain shut and Harry heard a brief mumble from the other side before everything went quiet. Harry chuckled and went back to his essay. He did like the quiet as well, but Draco made the most infuriating noises when he worked. So all Harry needed to do was say a few well chosen words and he gained his quiet.

The infirmary was great as a work spot, especially if you were allowed to have work. A comfortable bed, a pillow for your back and it was a simple matter of stiffening parchment in order to write on it. He hadn't been able to get the hang of it at first. But after a few tries, he'd managed to make the parchment stiffen in a few places with a wave of his hand. It didn't tire him out much and by the time a week had passed, he was an expert at it. But that was about all he did. He didn't want to push his luck any more than that; Madame Pomfrey wasn't beyond suspending his work and possibly binding him to the bed if it meant he didn't cause a relapse.

He looked down at his essay before he put it aside and waved his hand over it, causing the paper to relax and bend slightly. Closing the books, he stacked them neatly on the chair beside his bed and stood up stretching. He wasn't supposed to be doing this either but just lying in bed couldn't possibly be helpful to healing. He had just laced his fingers together and was stretching his arms in front of him when the curtain was whipped back.

All he got to see as he looked up was a blur and a flash of red before he was wrapped up in a very familiar hug.

"Oh Harry dear! We've been worried sick!" Mrs. Weasley cried. "Not a single word of how you've been and then Dumbledore says you've been here recuperating the entire time."

Harry attempted to reach up and fix his jarred glasses but Mrs. Weasley seemed to have him in a constrictor hug. Every move he made caused her to squeeze tighter. After a few moments he gave up and went kind of limp. She drew back immediately, looking at him.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I just wanted you to –"

"You shouldn't be out of bed in your condition," Mrs. Weasley tutted. "Back in you go."

Before Harry could even protest, Mrs. Weasley had him lying back in bed, with his pillows fluffed and tucked in firmly.

"Really," Harry began as he loosened the blankets. "I'm all right. I was just working on my essay when I decided to stretch a bit."

"Should you be working? You should be focusing on getting better. There'll be time for your studies later on Harry dear." Mrs. Weasley sighed. "The others want to see you but I really don't know. You look a bit peaky and you –"

"Really?" Harry asked. "That wouldn't be so –"

Before Harry could finish his sentence or Mrs. Weasley could cut him off, the infirmary doors burst open and a moment later, Harry found himself swamped by the entire Weasley clan, hugs and a massive assault of words that seemed to come from everywhere.

"I knew you didn't die! I just knew it! We have to go to Fortescue's and –"

"Good to see you up and about mate. 'Mione's been a right beast lately what with –"

"I've got some interesting things from Egypt if you want to –"

"Was murder getting time off from work! There was a Ridgeback clutching and –"

"You old Crup! You –"

"Didn't tell us you knew our lawyer. He's –"

"Been going on about how you told off Umbridge! Said –"

"It was nothing short of brilliant!"

"He told of Umbridge?!" that was the only bit that everyone said together and that wasn't directed at him.

"Quite well. And –"

"Apparently in some –"

"Very graphic detail. Beastly –"

"Toad probably deserved every –"

"Word of it. Didn't she Ha –"

"Enough!"

Mrs. Weasely's roar brought all the noise grinding to a halt while every single Weasley child quavered. The Weasley matriarch was standing there, breathing hard with a dangerous expression on her face. What made it even worse was that Madame Pomfrey was right beside her with a similar look.

"I quite agree," Madame Pomfrey said with a frown. "But... I'll allow this visit so long as you don't rile up Harry and allow him to rest when he wishes."

Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath as Madame Pomfrey left. "I don't know how you knew you could come in! If I find an Extendable Ear on any one of you –"

"Don't blame us Mum! It –"

"Was Ickle Ronnikins idea! He's –"

"Been learning to read lips –"

"With that eye of –"

"His. Dead useful."

Ron seemed to shrink into a tiny ball as Mrs. Weasley puffed up.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, do we need to have another talk about that eye of yours?"

"No Mum." Ron whimpered.

"Good," Mrs. Weasley focused her attention back to Harry. "Now then –"

"Where's Mr. Weasley?" Harry asked immediately, not wanting Mrs. Weasley's attention focused solely on him. He knew she cared for him, but he honestly wasn't some little child that needed babying.

"He's working over time dear. Still some fallout from the Death Eater attacks on London," Mrs. Weasley said in a placating voice. "Now why don't you?"

- Harry? -

"Oh for Merlin's sake! Just what... do... "

Mrs. Weasley whirled around, her words drying up as she found herself facing a woman about her own age. Harry's brow furrowed as he craned his head to look over and through the Weasleys. When the group shuffled aside, Harry found himself looking at Ernesto and Valencia. He blinked in surprise but got of bed, walking over to them. Mrs. Weasley made a sound of protest but Ron quickly shushed her, mumbling something about the Muggles looking after Harry while he was gone from England.

- We were hoping you'd be better before we left. - Valencia smiled a bit. - You look great in fact. her smile started to disappear. -

- Left? - Harry echoed a bit apprehensively.

Ernesto nodded. - Dumbledore says we cab go back now. Says that the Death Eaters won't find us. -

- He performed the Fidelus charm? - if Snape wasn't the secret keeper, he'd be hard pressed to find out who it was.

- Just now. That bat of a man was made the keeper or something like that. -

Harry gave a relieved sound. - So you aren't going to be... he tapped his head. You know? -

- No, - Valencia said. - We didn't want to forget you or him this time around. - she gave a sad smile.

- Still think Dumbledore is the last thing that you need. - Ernesto said gruffly.

Harry looked between them. - Is he really sending you back now? -

- After we're done here, - Valencia said quietly. - What's his name... Snape, that's it. Snape is waiting outside the infirmary. Said he didn't want to intrude. - Harry saw her glance slide along all the Weasleys before coming to rest on him once more. - If we had known you had company already – -

- No, no, it's all right, - Harry said quickly. - Oh, before I forget... - he reached under his gown and pulled up the necklace that had once been placed in his hand. He'd moved it to his neck for safe keeping. - I think this cross is yours. - he took her hand and placed it in her palm.

- You keep it, - Valencia replied as she slipped it back into his hand and closed his fingers around it once more. - It's made of jet you know. Supposed to guard against malignant spirits, witches and such... -

Harry gave a sad laugh at that. - I think you need it more than I do at the moment. -

- Somehow I doubt that. - Ernesto snorted.

An awkward sort of silence descended before Valencia sighed heavily and leaned forward, kissing him on the forehead.

- Come and visit if you can. Don't be shy, - she flipped a lock of his hair. - And don't forget what I told you about your hair, hm. -

Harry nodded his head as Ernesto stepped up and pulled him into a bear hug for a moment and then chucked him under the chin.

- There might even be a new mattress for you. Old one's way too squeaky, you know. -

Harry shook his head, feeling his throat start to lump up. - Snape's gonna get cranky if you make him wait too long. -

- I think that man is always cranky. - Valencia mused.

Ernesto laughed, but it was clearly a reluctant one. - We'll see you later, all right Harry? -

- You bet. -

He watched as they both started walking away with small smiled on their faces. When they got to the door they paused and waved to him one last time. Harry was waving back slowly, his fingers clenching around the jet cross in his other hand. When the door shut, he let his arm drop back down to his side. There was nothing but pure silence from the Weasleys behind him and then came the sounds of Mrs. Weasley shooing everyone out. Harry had made his way over to the bed and sat down on the side, staring at the beaded cross piled in his hand. The bed sagged sharply as someone sat beside him. He looked up abruptly and found Mrs. Weasley sitting beside him.

"Is there anything you want to talk about Harry dear?" she asked.

"No, no, I'm fine," he said a bit heavily; he knew this day would be coming, he knew it from the day they had arrived here. But it still seemed rather tough to deal with.

"Come now, it's just us," Mrs. Weasley admonished. "There's no one here eavesdropping."

"Really Mrs. Weasley, I'm fine." Harry said as he slipped the cross back on. "I've got –"

"Harry dear you certainly don't look fine. Why don't you –"

"I said I'm fine!" he snapped.

The bed started to jump its away across the floor towards the curtain with a tremendous racket. Mrs. Weasley clutched the side as it continued to move, clearly not wanting to fall off. Harry took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down. The bed hopped its way back to its original spot and then lay perfectly still.

"Mrs. Weasley, I appreciate the concern and everything, but I'm fine. I don't need to talk about anything." Harry said in a quiet voice. "It was really nice of everyone to come down and see me but I really do have a lot of work to get done if I want to graduate with everyone else and be ready for the N.E.W.Ts."

"All right, I'll leave you to your work then." She said quietly.

She rose from the bed and quickly made her way out. Harry watched as the curtain settled back into place. He supposed he should have felt bad for snapping at her so, but she did have it coming in a way. He was not the little kid she still saw him as. She had to realise it some day. He sat back down on his bed, reaching into the night table and pulling out the Daily Prophet. Yet another blurb about Lucius' trial was plastered right on the front with a picture of a very unwilling Lucius. His mouth tightened into a grim line. There was still time to deal with that.

"But first things first..." he mumbled as he dug out the paper and started to look through the classifieds once more.