AN: Not mine, Never was, Never Will be. Poor white girl playing with someone else¡¯s toys. JK Rowling¡¯s to be exact. Her toys ONLY! Get yer nasty minds outta the gutter! :grin: THIS BE THE BETA'D VERSION!!
On a side note, and a serious one. People seemed to have stopped reading this. I asked my beta about it, and she informed me that it was because it was too serious. I wont apologize for that. The story is SUPPOSED to be serious. I know as she pointed out that it doesn't cater to the masses, but I'm not afraid to be different. However, I am compromising and some of the story WILL be reworked to add lighter bits throughout it. I'm fond of comedy and lighter stuff myself, as you would see if you read my other story "Three broomsticks confrontation". With that said, I'm accepting suggestions for logical places in the story where lighter stuff could be put in, and what that stuff could be. leave your email address along with your suggestion and i'll get back to you about it. :) So please review :)
**********************************************************************************************************************************************
Severus Snape, dressed in black trousers, a black sweater, and black shoes, glared at the piece of paper that had just revealed its message to him. "I am the Potions Master. Not Potter," he sneered. "He thinks he can tell me what a potion needs? Idiotic Gryffindor!" Raising his hand, he rapped three times hard on the door, in with specific timing, and force. It was only with his powers of perception when it came to magic that he saw the faintest golden ripples as the wards protecting the door recognized the signal, and his magical signature.
A split second later, the door unlocked and swung open, admitting him into the cool interior.
Snape took a moment to look around, noting the pictures of the Weasleys?though mainly of Harry and the youngest Weasley?that were scattered upon the walls seemingly haphazardly, although he could pick out the pattern to it. A gentle smirk, the closest he ever came to a true smile, replaced the black expression on his face, as he remembered the young Gryffindor, who'd refused to be beaten down by her first year at Hogwarts, and had grown to be a force that rivaled her twin brothers when she set her mind to it. She was unquestionably bright, which was her saving grace, as she wasn't a bossy know-it-all like Granger. Hence the teachers, even himself, were more likely to let her get away with a bit more. Of course he could never openly display anything, and had resorted to taking points away, only to add them back in a whispered breath as they were exiting the classroom. He did give her quite a bit of detentions, but instead of some of the more disgusting jobs he could have assigned, he pushed the girl mentally and never let up.
In her seventh year, she'd thanked him for it, with an impulsive hug shortly after her NEWT Potions Exam.
He'd smirked, given her a week's detention, and presented her with the opportunity to apprentice her to him to earn her Masters in Potions. After that, he earned the Gryffindor's hatred most strongly, for almost constantly having the girl in "detentions." In one of the pictures, as Harry looked away, Ginny gave a wave and small smile. Severus shook his head, nodded back at the picture before he realized what he was doing, and then hurried through to the potions lab.
Once in there, and for once not under the tension that Potter created just by being in the same room with him,Snape allowed himself a chance to really look around, and had to admit that there was quite a selection of ingredients in stock, and allowed speculation over the fact that so far Harry'd not blown anything up. But then again, the reason why was obvious. He'd been married to an exceptionally bright Potions student. This was obviously her lab. /Away from you, Severus, Harry developed quite a knack for potions./ A lilting voice echoed in his mind, and only his reflexes and training made sure that Severus didn't jump in surprise.
He turned, looking around the room, searching out hidden corners, even going so far as to sweep the room for magical signatures. All he found was the faint traces of Ginny, from the time and magic spent in this place, and Harry's most distinctive signature, which was like a violently green swath across the other magical energies. After a moment, he shook his head. He'd allowed his imagination to get away. That was all it was. But still, as he moved over to the simmering potion that the two of them had been working on, it was hard to shake the feeling that he was being watched. "Paranoid old man. Turning into another Mad-Eye." he muttered, and repressed a shudder at that.
However, just the thought was enough for him to comfortably resume the act he¡¯d kept for so long, one that was so vitally necessary for him to carry out his many deceptions.
Sitting down on one of the stools lining this particular workbench, Severus read over the list of ingredients that Harry had written out, a frown creasing his brow. Some of the things listed just didn't make sense. Why would the boy deliberately add so many odd ingredients? /Because he has to come up with something new?/ The sarcastic thought popped into his head unbidden, and the black-haired man hurriedly looked around the room again. One time was explainable. Two times was disturbing. Uneasy, he turned his attention back to the list of ingredients, and went over the past few times they'd worked on the potion in his mind. It was then that he realized he'd seen Harry call for ingredients that weren't on this list. "Idiot boy. You must always properly document your notes when working on inventing any new potion!" he sneered.
The feeling he'd got from their last talk returned full force, and the sneer turned to a look of guarded speculation. Potter had as much as told him something was up. The question was- what? Standing up, the Potions Master retrieved a clean glass bottle, and carefully ladled some of the viscous pale blue liquid into it, and after stoppering it, placed his own unbreakable charm on the bottle, and slipped it into his pocket.
He had research to do. He'd heard the Muggles called it reverse engineering. Snape called it a challenge. After giving the potion in the cauldron a perfunctory examination and one counter-clockwise stir, so that he could say he'd done something while there, Severus headed from the room at a brisk walk. As he closed the front door behind him, before the soundproofing wards took over, he heard what sounded like the sound of light, feminine laughter.
Ginny's laughter.
He almost broke into a run to get outside the Apparation-blocking wards, and as soon as he'd safely Disapparated to outside Hogwarts wards, couldn't resist giving a sigh of relief. Then he headed towards the school, and directly into his personal quarters to immediately start work. He didn't want to dwell on any of the possibilities of what had been going on at Potter's house. Instead, he wanted to find out what Potter was up to and find an antidote for whatever it was that he was creating.
Albus could NOT die.
Snape had no one else to forgive him.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Pushing back his chair, Harry lifted his arm above his head and stretched, breaking out into a wide yawn that almost sent him toppling over in surprise. The twins howled with laughter, and Ron snorted into his soup. Molly just looked at him with a content sort of pride in her eyes. She'd fed "her boy" well, and knew he'd enjoyed himself. She opened her mouth, intending to ask Harry to spend the night, and was embarrassed when no words came out. Only sound.
A very unlady-like belch echoed like a shotgun blast through the room.
Bill stared at her in astonishment, and then sniffed, and clapped a hand to his heart. "I'm so proud, Mum. That was one worthy of a Weasley."
"BILL!" Molly went beet-red, and the while the rest of the table laughed openly, except for Arthur, who suddenly found his suit VERY interesting, and Harry, who ducked under the table to laugh helplessly. When he resurfaced, the twins had decided it wouldn't do to have their mother out-burp them, and had chugged their drink.
In typical Gred and Forge style, they burped like they'd rehearsed it. At exactly the same time, a "growl" sounded from them that built up into a full out roar, and then fell silent. Bill, Charlie, Ron, and Harry all applauded and wolf-whistled.
"Th-h-a-a-an-nk Y-y-y-you!" Fred belched.
George, trying to outdo his twin, opened his mouth to deliver his own thank you, but all that emerged was a very feminine squeak.
The whole table cracked up, though Molly and Arthur tried to hide it, and after a few minutes, Harry stood up to make his good-byes. He wanted the visit to end on a very high note.
It almost did.
But then Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder as he was walking towards the fireplace, and whispered low. "Mate, can I talk you?"
/No./ Harry thought, but couldn't think of a reason why not, so fidgeting awkwardly, he nodded and gave his best friend a half smile, following him out the door of the Burrow, and plopping down beneath the shade of one of the larger trees on the property. "What's up?"
His answer was exactly what he feared. "It's Hermione."
/Bloody hell! How do you tell your best mate that his wife and closest friend barring yourself is a Death-Eater? Such a good one that she could even put your best friend under Crucio?/ He fervently hoped that it was possibly something else that Ron needed to talk about, but a sinking feeling told him that it wasn't, and a moment later, the red-head confirmed it. The jet-haired young man barely bit back a groan. /Well, the hat DID want to put you in Slytherin. Maybe you can get through this. If you can't.../ He didn't allow himself to continue that line of thought, instead, realizing Ron was talking, he turned his attention to him fully.
"...job taking over her life. I mean, at first, I was happy for her. She'd gotten a job doing research, and we both know how much she loves that." Ron snorted and rolled his eyes at Harry, who frowned. "But now, I don't know. It's like she's not happy anymore, and when she is...Most of the time it's forced. I know I'm thick, but I'm not THAT thick. I mean the answer's obvious."
Harry's eyes widened, and he caught his breath, only to exhale in relief.
"She's having an affair."
"Er...wow. You think so?" he said haltingly, resisting the urge to thank the Creator several times, and loudly. He looked away from Ron, digging his fingers into the soft thick grass and plucking blade after blade. Unaware, in his relief, that Ron was looking at him strangely, noting his weird behavior.
"Mate?" Ron said slowly, his temper starting to rise, "Is there something you aren't telling me?" Accusation laced his voice, and Harry looked back at him, blinking incredulously. He opened his mouth to say something to deny Ron's words, but nothing came out at first. Instead he just got slowly redder, until finally, he managed in a strangled voice.
"Ron! It's HERMIONE! Of course I don't! I couldn't! It's...it's...it's HERMIONE!" He leapt to his feet, shaking his head violently. "That would be like you thinking of GINNY like that!" Harry scrubbed at his face with his palms, thoroughly shocked by what Ron was insinuating. Yeah, Hermione had grown a bit more pretty since their first years as friends, but he certainly didn't think of her like /that/.
Ron stared at him for a long moment, tense as a board, and then suddenly relaxed, running his fingers through his hair. "You're right, mate, I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't do anything behind my back; if you would, you'd have done it long before now. I'm just...worried. Things, well..." The tips of his ears went red. "Things haven't been the way they should be between Hermione and I in a long time. We even sleep in separate bedrooms now. Its just..." He sighed. "I... I'm a jealous prat. I know that Hermione isn't happy with me, but, she's /mine/. The idea of her doing anything with anyone else makes me see red, and we know how easy that is for me." He joked lamely, and rose to his feet. "Anyways, I need to get home to her, and Ginny's probably wondering where you a-"
They both froze, and Ron groaned. "Aw, hell, Harry, I'm sorry."
After assuring him it was okay, Harry left in record time, and as soon as he was gone, suspicions started up in his best friend's head again.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************
Beta-reader's note: My fault entirely that this beta-ed version was so long in coming out. Sighhh. Anybody else trying to finish their senior year of college? Yeah? OK, so you feel my pain. ;) lol. Everyone else: be grateful. ? lol.
On a side note, and a serious one. People seemed to have stopped reading this. I asked my beta about it, and she informed me that it was because it was too serious. I wont apologize for that. The story is SUPPOSED to be serious. I know as she pointed out that it doesn't cater to the masses, but I'm not afraid to be different. However, I am compromising and some of the story WILL be reworked to add lighter bits throughout it. I'm fond of comedy and lighter stuff myself, as you would see if you read my other story "Three broomsticks confrontation". With that said, I'm accepting suggestions for logical places in the story where lighter stuff could be put in, and what that stuff could be. leave your email address along with your suggestion and i'll get back to you about it. :) So please review :)
**********************************************************************************************************************************************
Severus Snape, dressed in black trousers, a black sweater, and black shoes, glared at the piece of paper that had just revealed its message to him. "I am the Potions Master. Not Potter," he sneered. "He thinks he can tell me what a potion needs? Idiotic Gryffindor!" Raising his hand, he rapped three times hard on the door, in with specific timing, and force. It was only with his powers of perception when it came to magic that he saw the faintest golden ripples as the wards protecting the door recognized the signal, and his magical signature.
A split second later, the door unlocked and swung open, admitting him into the cool interior.
Snape took a moment to look around, noting the pictures of the Weasleys?though mainly of Harry and the youngest Weasley?that were scattered upon the walls seemingly haphazardly, although he could pick out the pattern to it. A gentle smirk, the closest he ever came to a true smile, replaced the black expression on his face, as he remembered the young Gryffindor, who'd refused to be beaten down by her first year at Hogwarts, and had grown to be a force that rivaled her twin brothers when she set her mind to it. She was unquestionably bright, which was her saving grace, as she wasn't a bossy know-it-all like Granger. Hence the teachers, even himself, were more likely to let her get away with a bit more. Of course he could never openly display anything, and had resorted to taking points away, only to add them back in a whispered breath as they were exiting the classroom. He did give her quite a bit of detentions, but instead of some of the more disgusting jobs he could have assigned, he pushed the girl mentally and never let up.
In her seventh year, she'd thanked him for it, with an impulsive hug shortly after her NEWT Potions Exam.
He'd smirked, given her a week's detention, and presented her with the opportunity to apprentice her to him to earn her Masters in Potions. After that, he earned the Gryffindor's hatred most strongly, for almost constantly having the girl in "detentions." In one of the pictures, as Harry looked away, Ginny gave a wave and small smile. Severus shook his head, nodded back at the picture before he realized what he was doing, and then hurried through to the potions lab.
Once in there, and for once not under the tension that Potter created just by being in the same room with him,Snape allowed himself a chance to really look around, and had to admit that there was quite a selection of ingredients in stock, and allowed speculation over the fact that so far Harry'd not blown anything up. But then again, the reason why was obvious. He'd been married to an exceptionally bright Potions student. This was obviously her lab. /Away from you, Severus, Harry developed quite a knack for potions./ A lilting voice echoed in his mind, and only his reflexes and training made sure that Severus didn't jump in surprise.
He turned, looking around the room, searching out hidden corners, even going so far as to sweep the room for magical signatures. All he found was the faint traces of Ginny, from the time and magic spent in this place, and Harry's most distinctive signature, which was like a violently green swath across the other magical energies. After a moment, he shook his head. He'd allowed his imagination to get away. That was all it was. But still, as he moved over to the simmering potion that the two of them had been working on, it was hard to shake the feeling that he was being watched. "Paranoid old man. Turning into another Mad-Eye." he muttered, and repressed a shudder at that.
However, just the thought was enough for him to comfortably resume the act he¡¯d kept for so long, one that was so vitally necessary for him to carry out his many deceptions.
Sitting down on one of the stools lining this particular workbench, Severus read over the list of ingredients that Harry had written out, a frown creasing his brow. Some of the things listed just didn't make sense. Why would the boy deliberately add so many odd ingredients? /Because he has to come up with something new?/ The sarcastic thought popped into his head unbidden, and the black-haired man hurriedly looked around the room again. One time was explainable. Two times was disturbing. Uneasy, he turned his attention back to the list of ingredients, and went over the past few times they'd worked on the potion in his mind. It was then that he realized he'd seen Harry call for ingredients that weren't on this list. "Idiot boy. You must always properly document your notes when working on inventing any new potion!" he sneered.
The feeling he'd got from their last talk returned full force, and the sneer turned to a look of guarded speculation. Potter had as much as told him something was up. The question was- what? Standing up, the Potions Master retrieved a clean glass bottle, and carefully ladled some of the viscous pale blue liquid into it, and after stoppering it, placed his own unbreakable charm on the bottle, and slipped it into his pocket.
He had research to do. He'd heard the Muggles called it reverse engineering. Snape called it a challenge. After giving the potion in the cauldron a perfunctory examination and one counter-clockwise stir, so that he could say he'd done something while there, Severus headed from the room at a brisk walk. As he closed the front door behind him, before the soundproofing wards took over, he heard what sounded like the sound of light, feminine laughter.
Ginny's laughter.
He almost broke into a run to get outside the Apparation-blocking wards, and as soon as he'd safely Disapparated to outside Hogwarts wards, couldn't resist giving a sigh of relief. Then he headed towards the school, and directly into his personal quarters to immediately start work. He didn't want to dwell on any of the possibilities of what had been going on at Potter's house. Instead, he wanted to find out what Potter was up to and find an antidote for whatever it was that he was creating.
Albus could NOT die.
Snape had no one else to forgive him.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Pushing back his chair, Harry lifted his arm above his head and stretched, breaking out into a wide yawn that almost sent him toppling over in surprise. The twins howled with laughter, and Ron snorted into his soup. Molly just looked at him with a content sort of pride in her eyes. She'd fed "her boy" well, and knew he'd enjoyed himself. She opened her mouth, intending to ask Harry to spend the night, and was embarrassed when no words came out. Only sound.
A very unlady-like belch echoed like a shotgun blast through the room.
Bill stared at her in astonishment, and then sniffed, and clapped a hand to his heart. "I'm so proud, Mum. That was one worthy of a Weasley."
"BILL!" Molly went beet-red, and the while the rest of the table laughed openly, except for Arthur, who suddenly found his suit VERY interesting, and Harry, who ducked under the table to laugh helplessly. When he resurfaced, the twins had decided it wouldn't do to have their mother out-burp them, and had chugged their drink.
In typical Gred and Forge style, they burped like they'd rehearsed it. At exactly the same time, a "growl" sounded from them that built up into a full out roar, and then fell silent. Bill, Charlie, Ron, and Harry all applauded and wolf-whistled.
"Th-h-a-a-an-nk Y-y-y-you!" Fred belched.
George, trying to outdo his twin, opened his mouth to deliver his own thank you, but all that emerged was a very feminine squeak.
The whole table cracked up, though Molly and Arthur tried to hide it, and after a few minutes, Harry stood up to make his good-byes. He wanted the visit to end on a very high note.
It almost did.
But then Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder as he was walking towards the fireplace, and whispered low. "Mate, can I talk you?"
/No./ Harry thought, but couldn't think of a reason why not, so fidgeting awkwardly, he nodded and gave his best friend a half smile, following him out the door of the Burrow, and plopping down beneath the shade of one of the larger trees on the property. "What's up?"
His answer was exactly what he feared. "It's Hermione."
/Bloody hell! How do you tell your best mate that his wife and closest friend barring yourself is a Death-Eater? Such a good one that she could even put your best friend under Crucio?/ He fervently hoped that it was possibly something else that Ron needed to talk about, but a sinking feeling told him that it wasn't, and a moment later, the red-head confirmed it. The jet-haired young man barely bit back a groan. /Well, the hat DID want to put you in Slytherin. Maybe you can get through this. If you can't.../ He didn't allow himself to continue that line of thought, instead, realizing Ron was talking, he turned his attention to him fully.
"...job taking over her life. I mean, at first, I was happy for her. She'd gotten a job doing research, and we both know how much she loves that." Ron snorted and rolled his eyes at Harry, who frowned. "But now, I don't know. It's like she's not happy anymore, and when she is...Most of the time it's forced. I know I'm thick, but I'm not THAT thick. I mean the answer's obvious."
Harry's eyes widened, and he caught his breath, only to exhale in relief.
"She's having an affair."
"Er...wow. You think so?" he said haltingly, resisting the urge to thank the Creator several times, and loudly. He looked away from Ron, digging his fingers into the soft thick grass and plucking blade after blade. Unaware, in his relief, that Ron was looking at him strangely, noting his weird behavior.
"Mate?" Ron said slowly, his temper starting to rise, "Is there something you aren't telling me?" Accusation laced his voice, and Harry looked back at him, blinking incredulously. He opened his mouth to say something to deny Ron's words, but nothing came out at first. Instead he just got slowly redder, until finally, he managed in a strangled voice.
"Ron! It's HERMIONE! Of course I don't! I couldn't! It's...it's...it's HERMIONE!" He leapt to his feet, shaking his head violently. "That would be like you thinking of GINNY like that!" Harry scrubbed at his face with his palms, thoroughly shocked by what Ron was insinuating. Yeah, Hermione had grown a bit more pretty since their first years as friends, but he certainly didn't think of her like /that/.
Ron stared at him for a long moment, tense as a board, and then suddenly relaxed, running his fingers through his hair. "You're right, mate, I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't do anything behind my back; if you would, you'd have done it long before now. I'm just...worried. Things, well..." The tips of his ears went red. "Things haven't been the way they should be between Hermione and I in a long time. We even sleep in separate bedrooms now. Its just..." He sighed. "I... I'm a jealous prat. I know that Hermione isn't happy with me, but, she's /mine/. The idea of her doing anything with anyone else makes me see red, and we know how easy that is for me." He joked lamely, and rose to his feet. "Anyways, I need to get home to her, and Ginny's probably wondering where you a-"
They both froze, and Ron groaned. "Aw, hell, Harry, I'm sorry."
After assuring him it was okay, Harry left in record time, and as soon as he was gone, suspicions started up in his best friend's head again.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************
Beta-reader's note: My fault entirely that this beta-ed version was so long in coming out. Sighhh. Anybody else trying to finish their senior year of college? Yeah? OK, so you feel my pain. ;) lol. Everyone else: be grateful. ? lol.