A/N: And now- live and direct, the Severus/Lucius dialogue- In Full Color
Harry Vision! Hard to resist, neh? I couldn't resist writing it.

And in reward (or punishment) for your reading my version of deja-vu,
I'm going to run a little experiment in writing by changing the
perspective a wee bit for the second half. Please feel free to tell me
what you think. If it goes well enough perhaps I'll continue writing in
this manner at least from time to time. Thank you as always for reading
and reviewing!

I wanted to express my sympathies for those who lost a loved one on
9/11/01- two years ago as I write this- as well as my pride in how we
Americans pulled together to handle the tragedy.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/athenakt/
It's lonely! It wants people to write and tell it that it is loved. ;)

Disclaimers apply as always.

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Chapter 41

Harry felt himself grow cold at the shock of hearing Lucius Malfoy's voice
from the fireplace, yet at the same time he felt the heat of anger in his
hatred of the arrogant man who dared to contact Severus after all that
had recently come to pass. Harry was ready to stalk over to the fireplace
and give the elder Malfoy a piece of his mind when he caught sight of
Severus' aura of caution, and his wordless warning to stay still and
silent. Harry wasn't happy about it but he agreed to Severus' wish since
he would know the situation better, as evidenced by his pointed stare.

Severus approached the fireplace, his aura still darkened by caution but
startlingly without hatred despite his neutral-toned greeting. "Good day,
Lucius. I expect that you have any number of reasons for flooing me."
Harry couldn't see Malfoy from where he stood but he most certainly
would watch Severus for clues.

"And you know them all, Severus," Malfoy's voice replied from the
bowels of the fireplace, "Likely you could deliver an hour dissertation on
each." To Harry's surprise, Snape's aura gained a touch of fond
amusement at the proclamation.

"And from the sound of things, you must be alone. I hope things didn't
go too badly for you?" Severus asked with what almost sounded like
concern.

"Too badly?" Malfoy's voice echoed its sarcasm from the floo, "No, not at
all- for me at any rate. I just got to take a tour of America's
charming eastern countryside and seaboard with nothing to show for it
apart from nettles in my cloak and sand in my shoes." Harry felt a surge
of satisfaction at the sound of Malfoy venting his irritation. He probably
got stains all over his best suit and had to get his other house elves to
clean it. Harry suddenly wondered where Dobby was, but Malfoy's
continued words drew him back to the conversation at hand. "So I was
away while the Dark Lord was venting his displeasure upon the others.
That will change later, I expect, when he next summons us and I tell
him the results of my search."

Severus winced, the darkness in his aura mingled with an understanding
that Harry wasn't happy to see. He knew Severus was punished by
Voldemort; he was on hand during the most recent times. "I suppose
you're calling to make me feel guilt over it."

Malfoy's voice was arrogant and contained none of the entreaty that one
might hear from someone hoping to receive a favor, "That and to
ask for a bit of your specialty for when I get home." Sounding even more
forthright, he added. "You look rather hellish if I might say so."

"You may," Sighing, Severus seemed to keep himself from glancing in
Harry's direction; something that Harry wasn't going to complain about
as he was too amazed at Severus' familiar reaction to Malfoy to control
his expression. He didn't want to get caught gaping like a fish. "I'll send
some of the potion over to Narcissa when it's ready; it's time to make a
fresh batch." Resignation without resentment...

Malfoy muttered, "It's been a busier summer than we'd anticipated last
year, eh Severus? Looks like you'll have to get back into the habit of
keeping that in stock now that he's back." Harry's irritation grew at
Malfoy's manner and how he told Severus what he should do.

"You're hardly safe on that end," Severus growled, his aura reflecting his
own irritation mingled with the concern that Harry couldn't believe
remained. "And neither is Draco. When are you going to swallow your
pride and leave? Especially now that I seem to have been sunken into
his disfavor?"

Malfoy snorted, "If you were any more disfavored you'd be a pile of ash,
Severus. He hasn't actually called you a traitor yet, but between his
paranoia and his intelligence it won't be long. I'd suggest you don't go
out for a while."

Severus shook his head, suddenly decisive and cunning, "I'll trade your
services of shopping for a few of my more ... selective ingredients in
exchange for this month's supply of the potion, then."

"Agreed. So long as you don't use the version that contains that
repulsive tasting wart root." Malfoy's sneering voice replied.

Severus actually chuckled, that perplexing fondness appearing again.
"Stay on my good side, then."

Harry grew even more confused as Malfoy's voice became suddenly
warm, "Always." More seriously, he asked, "How is the old fool treating
you?"

"The same," Severus immediately replied, impassivity taking hold of
voice, expression and aura as though to automatically hide something.
Not a surprise to Harry considering what had been recently revealed of
Dumbledore to them both.

Malfoy didn't seem to take that reply as the truth, growling, "You know
how much I despise that man. Even since Fifth year you hadn't been the
same. You shouldn't stay there." Harry's eyes widened; Could Malfoy be
referring to the Shrieking Shack incident?

"And where would I go? With you in the Manor?" Severus dubiously
asked.

"You could," was Malfoy's almost impish sounding reply.

"Not the most intelligent move. How long do you think it would take for
word to get out?" Severus sighed. "Not only would I be at risk, but so
would you as well as Draco and Narcissa." Not to mention Harry himself.
And who would teach Potions if Severus wasn't here? Harry tried finding
amusement at his internal jest but couldn't in light of things.

There was a moment's pause, during which Severus' aura reflected quiet
confidence; he didn't think anything bad would come of the
conversation. Did he have that much trust in Malfoy? The aristocrat
spoke again, this time more formally, "Send a list of ingredients with
the potion and I'll see them delivered tomorrow afternoon."

Severus tried for a smile, his voice kinder than Harry had heard since
Severus had regained his memories. "Thank you, Lucius. Watch your
back."

"You too." The floo disconnected itself, the fire dying down to embers
once more.

When Severus turned to regard Harry, the surrounding aura implied that
Severus was ... in a good mood- and showing signs of nostalgia in the
background. "Close your mouth, Harry. You never know what might fall
into it otherwise."

Damn, Harry thought. He caught me out.

* * * * *

Thankfully the boy didn't waste his time in composing his expression
again - at least as well as he was able to. I'll likely have to see about
teaching him more about that sometime in future, but for now I just
wanted to secure a bit of time to myself. Seeing Lucius again had
brought back thoughts and feelings more effectively than time and my
general healing elixir had. "Well? Go on to your rooms, Harry. Surely you
haven't already forgotten the password?"

That is enough to goad him into movement once more. Once he reached
the door, however, he turned back and entreated, "What was that all
about, with Mr. Malfoy? What potion was he referring to? And why was
he-"

Upon figuring where this line of questioning was going, I cut the boy off
before he could go any further, "You'll find out in short order, Mr.
Potter," I sternly intoned the formal form of his name for effect, "... as
you'll be assisting me in brewing it. The potion is one which aids in the
recuperative process for those inflicted by the Cruciatus curse." The boy
started to look excited, so I cut off his most likely thought as well, "I've
already tried it with Mr. Longbottom's parents, and while it did relieve
some minor physical impairments they showed no further signs of
returning sanity. I think we both know why that is so- something else
you can research during the summer. Now go and settle yourself into
your rooms. I'll summon you when it is time for lunch."

Harry looked like he wanted to speak again, but restrained himself and
left the room. That blasted aura sight can be annoying and an invasion
of my privacy, but at least it comes in handy in letting him know when
he'd best not push things and should instead obey me.

I must be getting soft.

Harry. When did I start feeling comfortable calling him that? Yes, I must
be getting soft. Although the boy hasn't exactly failed to prove himself
to be growing up, nor has he shown himself to be unintelligent. Just ...
impulsive and emotional sometimes. Something that he can be taught
to control when necessary. Especially when he's around me.

But then, I'm not especially into self-delusion or rationalization. The boy
is slowly becoming a breath of fresh air rather than a stagnant waste of
a stuffy and spoiled Gryffindor. Reality, it seems, is a matter of
perspective.

Perhaps I'll take a few moments to review my last paper on the debate
of Heredity versus Environment.

In the meantime, I determined it was safe enough to secrete away that
which I do not want the boy to have access to. Harry seemed capable
enough of handling and playing a musical instrument in our shared
dream, but this does not mean I would approve of him touching my
Father's violin. I take it from its long-time home on my bookcase and
hide it away in one of the secret drawers in my desk with a whisper of
apology to the polished wood protected by the aged case. I locked and
concealed the opening once more as fluid notes played themselves over
in my mind.