A/N: Aigh! I let Chapter 42 pass without a single reference to Life,
The Universe and Everything! This time around I'm doing another new
thing for this story. Part of it will be told from the point of view
(and emotions) of someone other than Harry and/or Severus. Those of
you who read my LiveJournal will probably have a pretty good idea of
who it is (hint hint). ;)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/athenakt/
Thank you as ever and always for reading and for reviewing.
Disclaimers apply- I still don't own Harry Potter. I just adore the
story setting.
-----------------------------
Chapter 43
Once Harry had hung the basket over one arm, he swiveled around to
make his way to the door and out, for all intents having the mien of a
someone who is manically eager but anxious. Shaking his head with a
mixture of amusement and annoyance, Severus followed the boy out of
Hogwarts and to the Forbidden Forest.
On the way, Harry asked, "If I find a likely plant in my research that
grows around here and might help Neville's parents, would you come out
and help me harvest it?"
Severus kept his reply as factual as he was able, "Of course, so long
as it does not interfere with my duties or plans. You are not to come
out here- even during the daytime- without supervision. I expect
you'll be doing a great deal of research in the library beforehand."
Producing his wand, Severus cast a faint Lumos spell, intending to
extinguish it before reaching the site of the Fluxweed plants,
explaining to Harry on the way that they are particularly sensitive to
light which is why they dwelled in the deeper parts of the forest and
needed harvesting at night. He demonstrated to Harry the proper method
of digging up the plant at the roots so as to not cause a shock to its
system which would have an effect on the potion they were added to.
Once Harry was occupied with the task of digging carefully amongst the
old and roughened roots of the nearby trees for the plants, Severus
went to search for another clump of Fluxweed near to the site of the
original.
After Severus found another site for digging not too far off, he
returned to find Harry to be humming quietly as he worked. Severus
found it somewhat annoying, but more importantly such noises were
notorious for attracting the beasts of the wood. Readying himself to
take Harry to task, Severus scowled and stepped out from behind the
tree separating him from the boy.
* * * * *
The creature heard the humming from a distance, and at first it was
uncertain as to whether the humming might be a sprite or other
mischievous creature which drew creatures to their dooms by the sound
of their voice. Cocking its head, the creature considered the sound
and guessed against a supernatural nature as it felt no compulsions.
Instead, it decided to follow the sound of its own volition and
investigate.
Slowly, the large form pushed through the lower branches of a stand of
pine trees in order to keep its sound to a minimum, padding afterwards
under cover of the surrounding darkness, its curiosity growing.
Something ... seemed familiar about the sound and the accompanying
scent, and its original purpose was forgotten for the moment at the
intrigue of this puzzle. What its nose was telling it just couldn't be
true. Twilight lengthened the shadows, and the beast blinked as its
eyes adjusted further to the very minimal light available from the
sunken sun.
A boy. There was a boy digging in the earth near the roots of a few
large trees, and the boy was humming the tune. A basket rested just at
his side, and the boy carefully placed whatever he was digging up into
that basket, arranging it carefully before beginning the process
again.
Harry? The large black grimm of a dog sniffed the air, disbelieving of
what the scents told him. But it wasn't an illusion. The dog padded
closer to the sight of his godson happily digging something from the
ground.
The scene became more of a nightmare as suddenly a tall, dark form
loomed over the oblivious Harry, casting shadows behind it like the
specter of Death. Worse, the dog thought. Snape, scowling as he snuck
up behind Harry, obviously intent upon doing him harm!
The dog that was Sirius Black growled and barked as he ran at Snape's
form, tackling the ghoulish specter bodily against the tree behind him
and pinning him there. Snarling, Sirius bared his teeth at Snape and
was very surprised at the lack of response as Snape slumped in his
grasp, deadweight.
Uncertain whether this was a feint of Snape's to get free, Sirius
transformed from his animagus form in order to get a better grasp on
Snape's robes. As he focused upon the other man, Sirius faintly heard
protests from Harry, but disregarded them for the moment to
concentrate upon the present danger before him. "Snape," he growled,
"What were you doing?" Sirius gave Snape a shake to encourage him to
drop the act and speak, but got no response. Snape's greasy hair hung
in front of his face, his head lolling bonelessly. Finally, Sirius
turned to check if Harry was all right, especially as he was tugging
at Sirius' arm.
"Put him down, Sirius," Harry protested, "You've hurt him, and I don't
think he's fully healed from last time." Harry didn't seem to be
harmed, just upset, Sirius decided. Understandable since it seemed he
was forced out into the Forbidden Forest of all places by the Greasy
Git. Getting angrier at the thought of Harry's imagined abuse, Sirius
shook the unresponsive man again to wake him from his nap. When that
didn't do any good, he lifted and slung the other man over one
shoulder despite Harry's further displays of frustration and growing
anger. Harry wanted to get out of the forest, Sirius was sure.
"C'mon Harry," Sirius commanded, not caring when Snape's dangling head
and arms made rough contact with the nearby tree again, "Let's get out
of here and get you safely in Hogwarts."
* * * * *
Harry had never felt this sheer amount of frustration. His anger at
Severus' treatment wanted to be unleashed against the one who did him
harm, but the fact it was his Godfather, Sirius, kept it restrained.
Severus had made an aborted sound when his head made sharp contact
against the old tree, and Harry feared for his previous concussion
being exacerbated by the new injury. The frustration soared to new
heights when his efforts to get to Severus and to explain to Sirius
that things weren't what they seemed proved fruitless. At least Sirius
was taking them back to Hogwarts now; perhaps Harry could get Sirius
to take Severus to the Hospital Ward. Sirius himself looked like he
could use a bit of rest there. That and some food.
Having snatched up the basket of Fluxweed before Sirius could get too
far, Harry was well positioned to try and sneak up behind Sirius, to
try and touch Severus' dangling form. The weak aura flickers from him
made Harry feel almost nauseous in sympathy. But before Harry could
touch him, Severus was swung away from Harry as Sirius turned in
mid-stride to look at him. "You've grown some," Sirius commented
warmly as his gaze traveled over him measuringly. Seemingly satisfied
as to his condition, Sirius turned to continue the trip to Hogwarts.
Conversationally, he continued to look at Harry as he walked, "You're
all right? Snape didn't do anything to you, did he? What are you doing
here in the Forbidden Forest- or for that matter, here at Hogwarts?
Not that I'm complaining any, I'm glad to see you here and away from
those Muggle relatives of yours. Lucky to have run into you, too; I've
come back to report to Headmaster Dumbledore. He'd had me sniffing
around a bit," he finished with a wry grin.
Once the rambling monologue concluded, Harry tried to reiterate his
earlier protests while making an effort to touch Severus without
Sirius noticing. "He wasn't trying to hurt me, Sirius. I was helping
him harvest some Fluxweed for a potion. Sev- Professor Snape brought
me here when I was abandoned in America by the Dursleys-"
"Abandoned?" Sirius exclaimed, halting again as his temper climbed
once more. "By the Dursleys? Likely Snape was sent by Voldemort to
come and get you, but got waylaid by the Headmaster." The glance
Sirius cast at Harry was faintly puzzled, perhaps from Harry's slip on
Severus' name.
Harry was about to continue when his thoughts brought him up short.
Severus certainly had been waylaid. But it was harm caused by the
Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. Frowning, he went on while he had
Sirius' attention. "I think Voldemort bribed them to leave me there.
But Professor Snape found me before the Death Eater did; Dumbledore
sent him." Harry hesitated at that small rearrangement of the facts in
guilt but went on. "He'd been hurt though- hit on his head badly. It
took us a while to get out of America and back here; Dumbledore sent
us a Portkey. We've been here a few days, recovering."
"Well, we'll see that you never get sent back to those muggles again,"
Sirius growled. "I'll ask the Headmaster if he could help me get a
hidden house set up, and you can come there for the rest of the
holidays and during Winter Break as well. That is," he added with a
touch of apology, "If the Headmaster doesn't need me during those
times."
And so, on top of his worries about the rents in Severus' pained aura,
Harry found he now had to decide whether he should let the proverbial
cat out of the bag, or be torn by the necessity of hoping that Sirius
would be on dangerous missions.
It was enough to make him tear his hair out.
The Universe and Everything! This time around I'm doing another new
thing for this story. Part of it will be told from the point of view
(and emotions) of someone other than Harry and/or Severus. Those of
you who read my LiveJournal will probably have a pretty good idea of
who it is (hint hint). ;)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/athenakt/
Thank you as ever and always for reading and for reviewing.
Disclaimers apply- I still don't own Harry Potter. I just adore the
story setting.
-----------------------------
Chapter 43
Once Harry had hung the basket over one arm, he swiveled around to
make his way to the door and out, for all intents having the mien of a
someone who is manically eager but anxious. Shaking his head with a
mixture of amusement and annoyance, Severus followed the boy out of
Hogwarts and to the Forbidden Forest.
On the way, Harry asked, "If I find a likely plant in my research that
grows around here and might help Neville's parents, would you come out
and help me harvest it?"
Severus kept his reply as factual as he was able, "Of course, so long
as it does not interfere with my duties or plans. You are not to come
out here- even during the daytime- without supervision. I expect
you'll be doing a great deal of research in the library beforehand."
Producing his wand, Severus cast a faint Lumos spell, intending to
extinguish it before reaching the site of the Fluxweed plants,
explaining to Harry on the way that they are particularly sensitive to
light which is why they dwelled in the deeper parts of the forest and
needed harvesting at night. He demonstrated to Harry the proper method
of digging up the plant at the roots so as to not cause a shock to its
system which would have an effect on the potion they were added to.
Once Harry was occupied with the task of digging carefully amongst the
old and roughened roots of the nearby trees for the plants, Severus
went to search for another clump of Fluxweed near to the site of the
original.
After Severus found another site for digging not too far off, he
returned to find Harry to be humming quietly as he worked. Severus
found it somewhat annoying, but more importantly such noises were
notorious for attracting the beasts of the wood. Readying himself to
take Harry to task, Severus scowled and stepped out from behind the
tree separating him from the boy.
* * * * *
The creature heard the humming from a distance, and at first it was
uncertain as to whether the humming might be a sprite or other
mischievous creature which drew creatures to their dooms by the sound
of their voice. Cocking its head, the creature considered the sound
and guessed against a supernatural nature as it felt no compulsions.
Instead, it decided to follow the sound of its own volition and
investigate.
Slowly, the large form pushed through the lower branches of a stand of
pine trees in order to keep its sound to a minimum, padding afterwards
under cover of the surrounding darkness, its curiosity growing.
Something ... seemed familiar about the sound and the accompanying
scent, and its original purpose was forgotten for the moment at the
intrigue of this puzzle. What its nose was telling it just couldn't be
true. Twilight lengthened the shadows, and the beast blinked as its
eyes adjusted further to the very minimal light available from the
sunken sun.
A boy. There was a boy digging in the earth near the roots of a few
large trees, and the boy was humming the tune. A basket rested just at
his side, and the boy carefully placed whatever he was digging up into
that basket, arranging it carefully before beginning the process
again.
Harry? The large black grimm of a dog sniffed the air, disbelieving of
what the scents told him. But it wasn't an illusion. The dog padded
closer to the sight of his godson happily digging something from the
ground.
The scene became more of a nightmare as suddenly a tall, dark form
loomed over the oblivious Harry, casting shadows behind it like the
specter of Death. Worse, the dog thought. Snape, scowling as he snuck
up behind Harry, obviously intent upon doing him harm!
The dog that was Sirius Black growled and barked as he ran at Snape's
form, tackling the ghoulish specter bodily against the tree behind him
and pinning him there. Snarling, Sirius bared his teeth at Snape and
was very surprised at the lack of response as Snape slumped in his
grasp, deadweight.
Uncertain whether this was a feint of Snape's to get free, Sirius
transformed from his animagus form in order to get a better grasp on
Snape's robes. As he focused upon the other man, Sirius faintly heard
protests from Harry, but disregarded them for the moment to
concentrate upon the present danger before him. "Snape," he growled,
"What were you doing?" Sirius gave Snape a shake to encourage him to
drop the act and speak, but got no response. Snape's greasy hair hung
in front of his face, his head lolling bonelessly. Finally, Sirius
turned to check if Harry was all right, especially as he was tugging
at Sirius' arm.
"Put him down, Sirius," Harry protested, "You've hurt him, and I don't
think he's fully healed from last time." Harry didn't seem to be
harmed, just upset, Sirius decided. Understandable since it seemed he
was forced out into the Forbidden Forest of all places by the Greasy
Git. Getting angrier at the thought of Harry's imagined abuse, Sirius
shook the unresponsive man again to wake him from his nap. When that
didn't do any good, he lifted and slung the other man over one
shoulder despite Harry's further displays of frustration and growing
anger. Harry wanted to get out of the forest, Sirius was sure.
"C'mon Harry," Sirius commanded, not caring when Snape's dangling head
and arms made rough contact with the nearby tree again, "Let's get out
of here and get you safely in Hogwarts."
* * * * *
Harry had never felt this sheer amount of frustration. His anger at
Severus' treatment wanted to be unleashed against the one who did him
harm, but the fact it was his Godfather, Sirius, kept it restrained.
Severus had made an aborted sound when his head made sharp contact
against the old tree, and Harry feared for his previous concussion
being exacerbated by the new injury. The frustration soared to new
heights when his efforts to get to Severus and to explain to Sirius
that things weren't what they seemed proved fruitless. At least Sirius
was taking them back to Hogwarts now; perhaps Harry could get Sirius
to take Severus to the Hospital Ward. Sirius himself looked like he
could use a bit of rest there. That and some food.
Having snatched up the basket of Fluxweed before Sirius could get too
far, Harry was well positioned to try and sneak up behind Sirius, to
try and touch Severus' dangling form. The weak aura flickers from him
made Harry feel almost nauseous in sympathy. But before Harry could
touch him, Severus was swung away from Harry as Sirius turned in
mid-stride to look at him. "You've grown some," Sirius commented
warmly as his gaze traveled over him measuringly. Seemingly satisfied
as to his condition, Sirius turned to continue the trip to Hogwarts.
Conversationally, he continued to look at Harry as he walked, "You're
all right? Snape didn't do anything to you, did he? What are you doing
here in the Forbidden Forest- or for that matter, here at Hogwarts?
Not that I'm complaining any, I'm glad to see you here and away from
those Muggle relatives of yours. Lucky to have run into you, too; I've
come back to report to Headmaster Dumbledore. He'd had me sniffing
around a bit," he finished with a wry grin.
Once the rambling monologue concluded, Harry tried to reiterate his
earlier protests while making an effort to touch Severus without
Sirius noticing. "He wasn't trying to hurt me, Sirius. I was helping
him harvest some Fluxweed for a potion. Sev- Professor Snape brought
me here when I was abandoned in America by the Dursleys-"
"Abandoned?" Sirius exclaimed, halting again as his temper climbed
once more. "By the Dursleys? Likely Snape was sent by Voldemort to
come and get you, but got waylaid by the Headmaster." The glance
Sirius cast at Harry was faintly puzzled, perhaps from Harry's slip on
Severus' name.
Harry was about to continue when his thoughts brought him up short.
Severus certainly had been waylaid. But it was harm caused by the
Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. Frowning, he went on while he had
Sirius' attention. "I think Voldemort bribed them to leave me there.
But Professor Snape found me before the Death Eater did; Dumbledore
sent him." Harry hesitated at that small rearrangement of the facts in
guilt but went on. "He'd been hurt though- hit on his head badly. It
took us a while to get out of America and back here; Dumbledore sent
us a Portkey. We've been here a few days, recovering."
"Well, we'll see that you never get sent back to those muggles again,"
Sirius growled. "I'll ask the Headmaster if he could help me get a
hidden house set up, and you can come there for the rest of the
holidays and during Winter Break as well. That is," he added with a
touch of apology, "If the Headmaster doesn't need me during those
times."
And so, on top of his worries about the rents in Severus' pained aura,
Harry found he now had to decide whether he should let the proverbial
cat out of the bag, or be torn by the necessity of hoping that Sirius
would be on dangerous missions.
It was enough to make him tear his hair out.