A/N: Although I've gotten a couple of reviewers asking me to pick up the pace, I'm
trying to write out all of the details and as much interaction and thought behind
the story as I can. It's my intention that this story is not going to be a short one,
weighing in at a respectable length. I've got some more details in mind that I'm
going to be writing out; I'm just hoping that there are more people enjoying what
I'm doing than there are who are getting bored. Believe me there is going to be
action; I just don't want to put massive action and angst (love that angst) in every
chapter or it could get tiring very quickly. Variety is the spice of life! Together with
the occasional flashback to detail background on what had happened, there will be
more information on the Prophecy and the powers that are developing.
Sorry for the rambling; I wrote the above at 2:30am.
All homage to JKR, and disclaimers apply as always. Thank you for reading and
reviewing!
------------------------
Ch 19
Snape felt himself falling back into his old habits at the first sight of the castle
that had been his home on and off for most of his life. Striding purposefully, he let
his robes billow around him to conceal his frame, aided by the light wind that blew
across the field. Although he would never actually hunch, Snape's posture changed
enough to make his pace into a prowl and made it easier for his hair to fall into his
face, covering it from easy view.
Potter lengthened his strides to match Snape's, but wasn't able to quite enough to
keep him from having to jog occasionally to keep up. The boy had grown, but he'd
have to sprout further over the next few years to reach Snape's height; something
that Snape wasn't eager to wait around and witness.
They reached the doors to the castle without incident; unsurprising due to the
customary sparseness of summertime residents. Most of the teachers took the
time to visit with family or to concentrate on projects of their own; only those
whose duty was to Dumbledore and the fight against Voldemort remained on watch
at the castle during the majority of the Summer months. This included the Heads
of House and the other members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Snape paused just inside the castle, shooting a glance in the direction of the
Headmaster's office before turning in the opposite direction with Potter trailing
after him like a confused puppy. He waited for the questions and wasn't
disappointed.
"Sir?" the boy started hesitantly. "I thought we were going to see Dumbledore."
Magnanimously, Snape decided to explain. "Before we go to see him, I want to
get some information on what has been done- before he has a chance to change
it." Stalking down the corridor towards the dungeons, he added, "It won't take long
as the information will be processing on its own for some time once we are ...
scanned."
"Scanned?" the boy asked as he jogged at Snape's side, the corridors quietly
echoing their footfalls back at them in a way they aren't able to do when full of
student bodies.
Sighing, Snape continued, expecting the boy would be easier to manage in this
case with the increased knowledge. "Do you imagine we would not have been
conquered finally by the Dark Lord if I didn't take steps to ensure that certain
magics were not secreted about my person upon returning to Hogwarts? Paranoia
is a good thing in moderate and realistic quantities. It prevents unexpected ...
accidents and protects against unintentional opportunities for invasion of the
castle." Thankfully the boy decided to save his breath for keeping up with him; the
main reason he set the nearly blistering pace that he did.
Not wanting to show Harry the shortcuts to be had in the dungeons, it took Snape
an extra couple of minutes to get them to his rooms. Murmuring his password
quietly enough that Potter wouldn't hear, Snape produced his wand and touched
the section of wall that hid his door, disarming the wards enough to allow a guest
to enter and opening the door before leading the boy into his small suite.
Snape didn't have to look behind him to know that Potter was looking around at
his rooms in curiosity; well that couldn't be helped. At least it would distract him
from noticing the steps he took along with the spells for the ward disarming. The
deed done, Snape turned to absorb the sight of Potter peering thoughtfully at one
of his shelves- the one holding certain small potion bottles and a very light
scattering of pictures. Not that he expected the boy to be drawn to the shelves of
books; that would be a behavior more suited to the Granger girl. Potter startled
satisfactorily and spun when Snape commanded, "Come."
Leading Potter into the room he'd had added to his suite, Snape activated the
series of runes he'd meticulously carved into the floor with a series of spells he'd
researched for the purpose just after he'd first turned to Dumbledore for help. With
a subtle thrum of subliminal power, they indicated their readiness. He beckoned
the hesitant Potter over with a brusque gesture. "We may as well scan us both;
perhaps we'll learn just what these changes involve."
* * * * *
When Harry felt the thrum of power from the runes on the floor it nearly took his
breath away. When Severus gestured him forward to join him in the center of the
circle he was understandably hesitant to do so... but when he started sensing the
directing force of the runes he understood that while they were a power of their
own, they weren't undirected. They were firmly shaped and controlled by Severus.
Moving into the indicated spot, Harry watched Severus curiously as he produced his
wand and murmured again to the runes. The power surged into something almost
substantial in its vibrations and a faintly familiar sense he'd felt from the other in
the circle with him. He began to see shadows of that power, lifting from the runes
and moving around them both before sweeping over them- through them. It felt
almost like a refreshing wind and Harry could almost feel his hair ruffling in it,
however Severus' robes and hair remained unmoving. Soon it passed and Severus
directed him back out into his rooms, following and closing the door behind and
reactivating the wards.
When Severus went towards the door back to the corridor, Harry asked, "Why don't
you get a new set of robes while we're here?"
Abruptly Severus spun on his heel and stared at Harry intently, "Because
Dumbledore expects that I will be reporting to him as soon as I have arrived in the
castle," Severus stated with a pointed and somewhat intimidating look, "And it is
my wish that he believes that we have done so. Now," Severus continued firmly,
"It's time for us to go to the Headmaster after which you will be delivered into
Poppy's hands."
Not wanting to press Severus further but not liking the sound of finality in those
last words, Harry silently followed. Stepping in front of the door to the
Headmaster's office, Severus muttered a password with distaste (Devil Dogs) and
walked onto the ascending staircase with Harry promptly on his heels.
The door opened to reveal the grandfatherly features of Albus Dumbledore at his
desk, his voice warm and gentle with concern at the appearance of them both.
"Severus," Dumbledore spoke as he stood from his chair to approach, "I'm glad to
see you both safe, but don't you think you should have brought young Mr. Potter to
the Hospital Wing on the way over?"
Harry watched as sparks of irritation limned Severus' aura which was otherwise
deeply colored by his wariness and distrust. "I attempted to, but 'young Mr. Potter'
was most insistent on accompanying me. I decided that the sooner this meeting
was finished the sooner he'll be checked over."
Dumbledore actually seemed perplexed for a moment as he turned his attention
upon Harry who met his inquisitive gaze with an almost defiant one of his own.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, "Was there something important you needed to bring
to our attention?"
Not quite able to disregard Severus' warning glance, Harry stopped himself from
saying what he was going to and deferred to Severus' plans. "I think that Severus
should tell you," Harry muttered, trying to keep Severus' negative reactions from
appearing in his own behavior when Severus was putting such effort to keep them
from showing himself.
"Severus," Dumbledore echoed thoughtfully even as Harry realized he should have
stuck to the more proper way of referring to his professor. Dumbledore looked
between Harry and Severus thoughtfully, his gaze solemn and without the
customary twinkle of amusement, and Severus shifted once uncomfortably at the
study.
As Severus was about to speak again to shift Dumbledore's attention from the
form of address, Dumbledore's eyes widened in realization and he breathed, "Oh,
my," as he studied Severus closer- but he wasn't looking at the state of Severus'
robes or minor injuries. Harry felt his own eyes narrow as Dumbledore continued.
"Oh, Severus- what happened to cause this?"
trying to write out all of the details and as much interaction and thought behind
the story as I can. It's my intention that this story is not going to be a short one,
weighing in at a respectable length. I've got some more details in mind that I'm
going to be writing out; I'm just hoping that there are more people enjoying what
I'm doing than there are who are getting bored. Believe me there is going to be
action; I just don't want to put massive action and angst (love that angst) in every
chapter or it could get tiring very quickly. Variety is the spice of life! Together with
the occasional flashback to detail background on what had happened, there will be
more information on the Prophecy and the powers that are developing.
Sorry for the rambling; I wrote the above at 2:30am.
All homage to JKR, and disclaimers apply as always. Thank you for reading and
reviewing!
------------------------
Ch 19
Snape felt himself falling back into his old habits at the first sight of the castle
that had been his home on and off for most of his life. Striding purposefully, he let
his robes billow around him to conceal his frame, aided by the light wind that blew
across the field. Although he would never actually hunch, Snape's posture changed
enough to make his pace into a prowl and made it easier for his hair to fall into his
face, covering it from easy view.
Potter lengthened his strides to match Snape's, but wasn't able to quite enough to
keep him from having to jog occasionally to keep up. The boy had grown, but he'd
have to sprout further over the next few years to reach Snape's height; something
that Snape wasn't eager to wait around and witness.
They reached the doors to the castle without incident; unsurprising due to the
customary sparseness of summertime residents. Most of the teachers took the
time to visit with family or to concentrate on projects of their own; only those
whose duty was to Dumbledore and the fight against Voldemort remained on watch
at the castle during the majority of the Summer months. This included the Heads
of House and the other members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Snape paused just inside the castle, shooting a glance in the direction of the
Headmaster's office before turning in the opposite direction with Potter trailing
after him like a confused puppy. He waited for the questions and wasn't
disappointed.
"Sir?" the boy started hesitantly. "I thought we were going to see Dumbledore."
Magnanimously, Snape decided to explain. "Before we go to see him, I want to
get some information on what has been done- before he has a chance to change
it." Stalking down the corridor towards the dungeons, he added, "It won't take long
as the information will be processing on its own for some time once we are ...
scanned."
"Scanned?" the boy asked as he jogged at Snape's side, the corridors quietly
echoing their footfalls back at them in a way they aren't able to do when full of
student bodies.
Sighing, Snape continued, expecting the boy would be easier to manage in this
case with the increased knowledge. "Do you imagine we would not have been
conquered finally by the Dark Lord if I didn't take steps to ensure that certain
magics were not secreted about my person upon returning to Hogwarts? Paranoia
is a good thing in moderate and realistic quantities. It prevents unexpected ...
accidents and protects against unintentional opportunities for invasion of the
castle." Thankfully the boy decided to save his breath for keeping up with him; the
main reason he set the nearly blistering pace that he did.
Not wanting to show Harry the shortcuts to be had in the dungeons, it took Snape
an extra couple of minutes to get them to his rooms. Murmuring his password
quietly enough that Potter wouldn't hear, Snape produced his wand and touched
the section of wall that hid his door, disarming the wards enough to allow a guest
to enter and opening the door before leading the boy into his small suite.
Snape didn't have to look behind him to know that Potter was looking around at
his rooms in curiosity; well that couldn't be helped. At least it would distract him
from noticing the steps he took along with the spells for the ward disarming. The
deed done, Snape turned to absorb the sight of Potter peering thoughtfully at one
of his shelves- the one holding certain small potion bottles and a very light
scattering of pictures. Not that he expected the boy to be drawn to the shelves of
books; that would be a behavior more suited to the Granger girl. Potter startled
satisfactorily and spun when Snape commanded, "Come."
Leading Potter into the room he'd had added to his suite, Snape activated the
series of runes he'd meticulously carved into the floor with a series of spells he'd
researched for the purpose just after he'd first turned to Dumbledore for help. With
a subtle thrum of subliminal power, they indicated their readiness. He beckoned
the hesitant Potter over with a brusque gesture. "We may as well scan us both;
perhaps we'll learn just what these changes involve."
* * * * *
When Harry felt the thrum of power from the runes on the floor it nearly took his
breath away. When Severus gestured him forward to join him in the center of the
circle he was understandably hesitant to do so... but when he started sensing the
directing force of the runes he understood that while they were a power of their
own, they weren't undirected. They were firmly shaped and controlled by Severus.
Moving into the indicated spot, Harry watched Severus curiously as he produced his
wand and murmured again to the runes. The power surged into something almost
substantial in its vibrations and a faintly familiar sense he'd felt from the other in
the circle with him. He began to see shadows of that power, lifting from the runes
and moving around them both before sweeping over them- through them. It felt
almost like a refreshing wind and Harry could almost feel his hair ruffling in it,
however Severus' robes and hair remained unmoving. Soon it passed and Severus
directed him back out into his rooms, following and closing the door behind and
reactivating the wards.
When Severus went towards the door back to the corridor, Harry asked, "Why don't
you get a new set of robes while we're here?"
Abruptly Severus spun on his heel and stared at Harry intently, "Because
Dumbledore expects that I will be reporting to him as soon as I have arrived in the
castle," Severus stated with a pointed and somewhat intimidating look, "And it is
my wish that he believes that we have done so. Now," Severus continued firmly,
"It's time for us to go to the Headmaster after which you will be delivered into
Poppy's hands."
Not wanting to press Severus further but not liking the sound of finality in those
last words, Harry silently followed. Stepping in front of the door to the
Headmaster's office, Severus muttered a password with distaste (Devil Dogs) and
walked onto the ascending staircase with Harry promptly on his heels.
The door opened to reveal the grandfatherly features of Albus Dumbledore at his
desk, his voice warm and gentle with concern at the appearance of them both.
"Severus," Dumbledore spoke as he stood from his chair to approach, "I'm glad to
see you both safe, but don't you think you should have brought young Mr. Potter to
the Hospital Wing on the way over?"
Harry watched as sparks of irritation limned Severus' aura which was otherwise
deeply colored by his wariness and distrust. "I attempted to, but 'young Mr. Potter'
was most insistent on accompanying me. I decided that the sooner this meeting
was finished the sooner he'll be checked over."
Dumbledore actually seemed perplexed for a moment as he turned his attention
upon Harry who met his inquisitive gaze with an almost defiant one of his own.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, "Was there something important you needed to bring
to our attention?"
Not quite able to disregard Severus' warning glance, Harry stopped himself from
saying what he was going to and deferred to Severus' plans. "I think that Severus
should tell you," Harry muttered, trying to keep Severus' negative reactions from
appearing in his own behavior when Severus was putting such effort to keep them
from showing himself.
"Severus," Dumbledore echoed thoughtfully even as Harry realized he should have
stuck to the more proper way of referring to his professor. Dumbledore looked
between Harry and Severus thoughtfully, his gaze solemn and without the
customary twinkle of amusement, and Severus shifted once uncomfortably at the
study.
As Severus was about to speak again to shift Dumbledore's attention from the
form of address, Dumbledore's eyes widened in realization and he breathed, "Oh,
my," as he studied Severus closer- but he wasn't looking at the state of Severus'
robes or minor injuries. Harry felt his own eyes narrow as Dumbledore continued.
"Oh, Severus- what happened to cause this?"