Chapter 10: Afternoon Tea

There was knocking on his door. Snape slipped though the arms of Harry Potter and slumped sleepy to the door. The closer he got to the knocking, the more he was waking up. He wondered why he wasn't anger at Harry for being there and hitting on him. Also, he wondered why he hadn't been irritated after the end of the meetings about the four champions. By the time go got to the door, he realized why, the headmaster must have slipped everyone a calming potion in their tea so they would eventually get to bed that night. Snape smirked at the thought, Dumbledore could be so sneaky.

Snape opened the door. There stood Filch and he had an amused look on his face. "Professor, there seems to be a student missing and everyone is in an uproar 'bout it."

He motioned him in. "Really."

"Oh, yes sir." Filch smirked, "Its seems that 'Arry Potter disappeared from Gryffindor Tower. Poor Professor McGonagall is in a frenzy with worry."

"Quit right, the poor dear, indeed." He smiled rather evilly.

"I'll let you know," Filch stated. "That right now, Ms. Norris is pacing right in front of this corridor in hopes that someone would come by."

Snape sneered. "I hope she finds someone."

"Oh, she will. For she and I think that McGonagall will here any moment to tell us he has been found but until then we will have to keep looking. Won't we?"

He frowned. "Of course, we will."

Filch smiled most sinisterly. "Personally, I think he'll been in the make shift bed that I found in an abandon classroom not to far from here."

Snape returned his smile. "I think you may be right."

"I'll check there in five minutes," He nodded. "Hopefully I find him in time before his head of house so I can lecture him. Maybe give him detention myself. Ms. Norris won't let him get out of the corridor unless McGonagall get here first."

He indicated the door. "Very well, keep me informed. I suppose I'll see you later this afternoon."

Filch grinned ear to ear. "Oh, yes sir. I can't wait to tell you what happened with Harry Potter."

Once, he gone Snape turned around and planned on going to his bedroom and waking Harry but Harry was standing in the doorway. Snape snorted. "I suppose you heard everything."

"I did." Harry meekly replied.

Snape nodded. "Then I suggest you get to the end of the hallway where the unused classroom is."

Harry grabbed his invisible cloak and headed towards the door. "Will you get in trouble?"

"No but I will have to deal with a highly amused Filch asking me if I am fucking you." He answered.

The boy snorted. "Just tell him, that you're not fucking me. That I am fucking you."

Snape laughed. "Get going. Don't worry about McGonagall, I'll deal with her. If you need anything, let me know."

Harry grinned and ran out the door.

Snape got dressed very quickly and mentally prepared himself for dealing with his favorite old cow. He didn't have to wait long. The knocking on his door was frantic but definitely feminine. He opened it lazily and sneered. "Are you trying to break down my door?"

Professor McGonagall huffed. "Where is Harry Potter?"

He narrowed his eyes at her and glared at her dangerously. "How should I know."

"Where is Harry Potter?" She repeated.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine, feel free to check around then get the hell out of here."

She pushed him out of the way. She searched frantically but didn't find anything. She returned to the sitting room where Snape was lounging comfortably. She opened her mouth to say anything but he cut her off. "Happy, now get out."

She flushed furiously and opened her mouth again but Snape waved his wand, throwing her out the door. He had other things to worry about then Minerva McGonagall

At breakfast, Snape could feel the glares of Professor McGonagall and Hermione Granger. The hatred and loathing radiated off them was so intense that he had to repeatedly shift to feel more comfortable. It really amazed him how similar the two women were. The other professors were chatting to each other about why in the world would Harry Potter sleep in old classroom and why would Ron Weasley be mad at him. Apparently, talk had already started about the missing boy-who-lived. When found in tumble of old blankets asleep, Potter received a detention with Filch for it and lessened the house points for Gryffindor by 30 points.

Ron Weasley came down to breakfast and wolfed down a plate of eggs and sausages. He looked bitter not like his usual friendly mood. He refused to talk to anyone about the Tournament.

When Harry came in the great hall, he seemed reluctant and anxious. He stared around at the other students as they quieted and gawked at him. He slowly walked to the other side of Granger and quietly sat. She murmured something in his ear and he nodded. She seemed pleased and he looked glum. Slowly the students returned to their conversation but much more subdued. It was obvious to Snape that the students were talking about him. His suspicions were confirmed when Draco Malfoy smirked at Harry and the Slytherin table burst out laughing. Harry ate very little and left fairly quickly. Granger hissed something to Weasley and he shrugged. She frowned at him and followed Harry out.

By lunch, Snape was disappointed to find out that Harry's fears that the school would turn on him to be true. The Hufflepuffs were furious in their good mannered way. They refused to look at Harry and were softly murmuring insults about him. Snape could understand their reaction, famous Harry Potter was in direct completion with their house hero, Cedric Diggory. Hufflepuffs didn't get much glory, they hadn't won the house cup in a decade, and this was a chance to prove themselves to the rest of the school. The Slytherins were openly against Harry because he had bested them at quidditch too many times and had robbed them of the house cup a few times with his heroics. The Ravenclaws were siding with the Hufflepuffs because they thought Harry did it on purpose and was after more glory for himself. Snape didn't understand their logic about their decision but he figured they must have debated with each other last night about this. The oddest thing was that the Gryffindors who usually sided with their own house mates had seemed to spilt into two about whether to support Harry or not.

The other teachers told Snape that Harry was subdue during classes. He refused to look anyone in the eye and was paler than usual. According to Hagrid, Harry looked ready to burst into tears when Malfoy began insulating him about the Tournament. Malfoy stated he was, like any good Hogwarts student, would be supporting Cedric Diggory, the real Hogwarts champion and he had the buttons to prove it.

Snape secretly mailed a letter to Harry using a house owl. The letter was brisk and to the point that was his style.

Harry,

Don't worry. I'm still here whenever you need me.

S.

Secretly, he wanted to assure him that the school would return to liking him or at least tolerate him but Snape wasn't so sure that they would. Deep down inside, he figured by the first task they would cheer him on but there was some doubt in his heart and he didn't want to give him false hope in case he was wrong.

The afternoon, Snape sought out Argus Filch after giving himself a pep talk. He found the caretaker waiting patiently in his office for him. Filch was reading over the latest Weasley Twin prank in his files and his cat, Ms Norris, appeared to reading over his shoulder. He had teas and cakes waiting for the potion master's appearance.

"Filch." He said.

The old man smiled showing his crooked green teeth and pointed to chair. "Professor Snape."

He frowned and sat waiting of him to speak. Filch looked him over and was clearly amused. He smiled deeper and said. "Why don't you set us up some privacy, sir."

Snape grumbled then waved his wand. Now, they wouldn't have outside ears listening in. Filch poured them both tea and Ms. Norris some cream with a tint of tea in saucer on his desk. She purred at him with look of contentment on her kitty face after a taste.

Filch gulped at his tea and said. "So, are you fucking him?"

He frowned but really wasn't upset by the question. He and Filch had an odd but understandable if not direct relationship. They didn't really judge each other but accepted each other as they were. He didn't care that Filch was a squib bent on punishing the little hellions that continuously destroyed all his hard work. Filch didn't care that he was a darker wizard and a greasy git bent on punishing everyone that annoyed him, mostly Gryffindors. They both hated McGonagall and her better than anyone else attitude. They were both often annoyed with the headmaster because of his jolly if not odd ways. They both hated Peeves. In fact, if either had really thought of it, they were similar.

"No. In fact, he said if you asked to tell you that he was fucking me."

Filch cackled. "I think I'm starting to like that boy."

Snape sipped his tea. "So am I."

He pretended to have a concerned face and said. "Are ya now? Is McGonagall right? She thinks that you're leading him astray."

He rolled his eyes. "Stop it. You and I both know that's not true."

"You know I'm just teasing." He sighed. "I don't think ya do him any harm. I know your trying to help him like you said. It's just odd and everyone is talking about it. You and Potter. Even the headmaster stopped by to ask me if I knew anything. Him, knowing we're friendly and all."

Snape snorted and handed Ms. Norris a cucumber sandwich. She meowed happily and gobbled it up.

Filch moaned. "Don't give her that. It'll upset her delicate system."

"Her, delicate. She could take down any cat in the castle as well as half the first years."

The caretaker smiled and petted her head quit proudly. "I just thought you might like to know that Potter has detention with me on Friday. Thinking about having him clean this office."

Snape smiled. He knew what Filch was offering, a chance for him and Harry to be alone. He knew that he didn't think that he was hurting at all but helping as he had been saying for weeks. Snape wondered where he heard about this but then remembered that the old caretaker knew more or less about everything that happened in the castle. "I think you should. Though I might stop by, I have made you cleaning solution."

Filch smiled and nodded.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about if they ever go their hands on either Peeves or the Weasley Twins as they did often. Each trying to out due each other's punishment. They talked about the Tournament and the rumors of the possible release of Gilderoy Lockheart, much to their horror. They even played a few hands of exploding snap. In the end, it was a rather enjoyable afternoon.

Snape observed Harry for the rest of the week. He was sure he received his note because Harry flashed him a relieved grin during breakfast the day after he sent the note. Other then that moment the boy was quiet and depressed. For the most part he refused to talk to anyone except Granger and their conversations seemed forced. Often he sat staring at nothing and in deep thought. The school continued to be angry at him for being the fourth champion and Weasley went as far as to say that Harry wanted the attention that being in the Tournament would bring.

Malfoy and his friends started a conversation that ended with two students being sent to the infirmary. One, to Snape's satisfaction, was Hermione Granger and her teeth were growing at an alarming rate. She looked like a saber toothed beaver. When Weasley and Potter complained on her behalf about the Slytherins, he calmly told them he saw no difference with her appearance causing Granger to burst into tears and run off. He was very satisfied indeed with this. Harry seemed very angry at his behavior but personally he didn't care. Granger got on his nerves and she need to put in her place.

He did make the potion he told Filch that he would make for him. He asked him when would be a good time to drop it off. Filch looked amused and said around 7 o'clock. He nodded. Thursday night, he mentally prepared himself for a talk with Harry Potter. He decided not to force anything but let him talk about what ever he wanted. He was sure though he would want to talk about Weasley and how the school was treating him.

When he arrived, he was greeted by the harsh laugh of the caretaker and sweet giggle of Harry. Snape put on his best glare and entered the room. "Filch, I have your potion. Hmm, what is so funny, pray tell?"

Harry smiled at him. "Mr. Filch was telling me about the time you and Hagrid decided to serenade Professor McGonagall."

Snape huffed at Filch, who grinned wider. "We were not serenading her, per say"

Filch cackled. "What would you call it then?"

"One too many pints." He sulked.

They both laughed.

"Look, she was complaining for weeks about Valentine's Day, saying students should concentrate on their work, and Hagrid thought it was because she never enjoyed it. Frankly, I didn't care. He thought we would loosen her up a bit. I thought it was just annoy her and it did work. She wouldn't talk to me for a month and I was pleased about that. Hagrid on the other hand was somewhat disappointed; he's rather fond of her."

Again, they both laughed and he glared at them.

Filch smiled and said. "Now, that's why you shouldn't get Professor Snape drunk."

Snape smirked. "Really, maybe you should tell him about the time you thought Ms. Norris was pregnant and you-"

Filch cut him. "Now, now, Professor, none of that. You'll scar him."

He smirked and turned to Harry. "How has your week been?"

"It's been like I thought it would be." He sighed. "The school hates me, Ron hates me, and I going to be killed."

Filch frowned. "Nah, you won't be killed, maimed maybe but not killed."

"You've always been the beacon of hope around here." Snape snorted.

He huffed. "I'm just sayin' that the headmaster wouldn't let you get killed. I think this whole thing is stupid, just more students dirtying my castle."

Harry smiled shyly and the potion master rolled his eyes. Filch grumbled. "Must be going, got a castle to repair."

After he left, Harry said. "What did he do when he thought Ms. Norris was pregnant?"

"That's a story for another time." He laughed. "If you're good, maybe I'll tell you."

The boy frowned.

"How's McGonagall treating you?"

He sighed. "She thinks I was with you the other night and Filch is covering for you. She's been trying to get me to talk about you again. Gave me a damn good lecture about reasonability after she found me with Filch. She's says my behavior is unbecoming for a Gryffindor and a school champion. She says the whole school was in frenzy about my not being in my dorms."

Snape smirked. "I wouldn't worry. Students have been sneaking out for years and I think she gives them the same lecture every time. Why is Ron Weasley mad at you?"

"He's jealous. That's according to Hermione. She says it's hard being my best friend with all the attention I get and he also has all these brothers to compete with."

"She's being very insightful," He said. "He probably is jealous. He'll get over it."

Harry snorted. "Like I don't have enough problems without him being a prat."

"And Granger?"

Harry groaned. "She's mother henning me. She thinks that I'm depressed and your playing with my mind and she has to protect me all by herself because Ron is being a prat."

"Weasley is a prat." Snape smirked.

He moaned lightly. "But he's my prat. He was my very first friend."

"Don't be so mundane, you and he are just having a fight. He'll be back to annoying you in no time."

Harry looked dejected and a little thoughtful. Snape didn't like that look on his face. "Maybe."

"Do you have anything you want to talk about?" Snape exhaled noisily.

Harry thought this over. "No."

"Harry?"

He turned away. "I'm okay. I'm just tried of this crap, you know."

"I understand," Snape nodded. "I'm not going to push you. I 'm here if you need me and you know you can come to me anytime. Don't worry so much."

He nodded back at him but Snape noticed he wasn't looking at him. He realized Harry was trying to be brave and he knew he couldn't get him to open up just now. He had to wait. He reflect on this terms events and was even more thoroughly pissed at McGonagall, if she hadn't interfered Harry would be more on the road to recovery if one can recover from so much. He had to get more one on one time with him but how?

He dismissed him from his detention and went to think things over a scotch.