Disclaimers: Neither the idea of Harry Potter nor the characters belong to
me in any way. They are the sole property of JKR. I do not make any money
of this story either.
Chapter 2 - Confusion
"I tell you, Albus, the Muggle looked like Harry. Only the scar on his fore-head was non-existent." Snape was pacing in Albus Dumbledore's office; having refused to 'sit and relax' as his old friend so nicely put it. "I want to investigate this further, find out who he is, before Rita Skeeter starts to unearth one of her infamous stories." Dumbledore just sat there, drinking his tea and eating some of the sweets Snape had bought for him on his last undercover mission. Minstrels. Who in his right mind would call sweets minstrels? Especially if one considered that they did not even hum a tune.
"I think you are completely right, my boy." Taking another sip of his calming chamomile tea, he watched a definitely agitated Potion Master try to put a dent into his hardwood floor. "And I know just the right wizard for this mission." Watching as Severus turned around his face set with stubbornness, he knew that this time he wanted the job. "Remus would be overjoyed to see if what you suspect is true or not."
Years of practise had taught Albus that sometimes it was good if his people thought that they could actually get their way. Making sure that never happened in the important things was a part of his position that Albus enjoyed very much. Popping another minstrel into his mouth he leaned back and assessed the changes in his Potion Master's stance. It spoke volumes of how much Harry still meant to him, even after a whole year of absence. Albus knew first hand what kind of a man Severus Snape was to his friends and the people in his inner circle: Passionate, loyal to a fault and someone who you could count on in dangerous situations.
"You can't be serious, headmaster. The dolt wouldn't be able to find his own shoes, never mind a Muggle that could be Merlin knows where in that city. If you allow, I will search myself and perform the Cognosco spell to find out if he indeed is Harry." With a forceful movement he turned around to intently study one of the many paintings hanging on the walls of Dumbledore's office. "The voice, Albus, he sounded exactly like Harry."
Taken aback by the softening of Snape's tone, Albus decided to drop the charade, both of them were aware was being played. "Severus, my boy, do what you have to do. Find out who that man is and report daily. You know I was only joking."
"I know, headmaster." He had found his composure again and dared to turn around now. "He got to me, Albus. For the first time since I finished Hogwarts, someone got to me. And he had to go and get himself killed. Now I find out that he might not even be dead, but in a Muggle hospital, in a coma and, to top it off, without memory."
"I know how you feel," Albus couldn't bear the hurt in Snape's voice. The man had endured so much already and now this.
"No, old friend, I don't think you know how I feel. You have no idea how I feel at all. But that's okay." 3 years ago he would never have used the word 'okay'. He would not have used many of the words he seemed to be using nowadays. It was one of the many signs as to how Harry had influenced him when he had still been there. "I want to know what happened."
Taking one last sip from his tea Albus nodded gravely. "Don't forget to send me daily updates via owl. You'd better be going now."
Severus eyes snapped up to share a glance with the headmaster. After an answering nod he turned around and left the office almost at a running speed.
"I hope you find what you are searching for, Severus. I hope you find him, for us all." Fawkes settled on his lap at that moment and made reassuring noises. "Thanks, my friend." He sat there for a long time, petting the phoenix absentmindedly and looking at the door Severus Snape had left through.
A/N: Comments? Criticism? Suggestions? Review :). I'd appreciate it.
Chapter 2 - Confusion
"I tell you, Albus, the Muggle looked like Harry. Only the scar on his fore-head was non-existent." Snape was pacing in Albus Dumbledore's office; having refused to 'sit and relax' as his old friend so nicely put it. "I want to investigate this further, find out who he is, before Rita Skeeter starts to unearth one of her infamous stories." Dumbledore just sat there, drinking his tea and eating some of the sweets Snape had bought for him on his last undercover mission. Minstrels. Who in his right mind would call sweets minstrels? Especially if one considered that they did not even hum a tune.
"I think you are completely right, my boy." Taking another sip of his calming chamomile tea, he watched a definitely agitated Potion Master try to put a dent into his hardwood floor. "And I know just the right wizard for this mission." Watching as Severus turned around his face set with stubbornness, he knew that this time he wanted the job. "Remus would be overjoyed to see if what you suspect is true or not."
Years of practise had taught Albus that sometimes it was good if his people thought that they could actually get their way. Making sure that never happened in the important things was a part of his position that Albus enjoyed very much. Popping another minstrel into his mouth he leaned back and assessed the changes in his Potion Master's stance. It spoke volumes of how much Harry still meant to him, even after a whole year of absence. Albus knew first hand what kind of a man Severus Snape was to his friends and the people in his inner circle: Passionate, loyal to a fault and someone who you could count on in dangerous situations.
"You can't be serious, headmaster. The dolt wouldn't be able to find his own shoes, never mind a Muggle that could be Merlin knows where in that city. If you allow, I will search myself and perform the Cognosco spell to find out if he indeed is Harry." With a forceful movement he turned around to intently study one of the many paintings hanging on the walls of Dumbledore's office. "The voice, Albus, he sounded exactly like Harry."
Taken aback by the softening of Snape's tone, Albus decided to drop the charade, both of them were aware was being played. "Severus, my boy, do what you have to do. Find out who that man is and report daily. You know I was only joking."
"I know, headmaster." He had found his composure again and dared to turn around now. "He got to me, Albus. For the first time since I finished Hogwarts, someone got to me. And he had to go and get himself killed. Now I find out that he might not even be dead, but in a Muggle hospital, in a coma and, to top it off, without memory."
"I know how you feel," Albus couldn't bear the hurt in Snape's voice. The man had endured so much already and now this.
"No, old friend, I don't think you know how I feel. You have no idea how I feel at all. But that's okay." 3 years ago he would never have used the word 'okay'. He would not have used many of the words he seemed to be using nowadays. It was one of the many signs as to how Harry had influenced him when he had still been there. "I want to know what happened."
Taking one last sip from his tea Albus nodded gravely. "Don't forget to send me daily updates via owl. You'd better be going now."
Severus eyes snapped up to share a glance with the headmaster. After an answering nod he turned around and left the office almost at a running speed.
"I hope you find what you are searching for, Severus. I hope you find him, for us all." Fawkes settled on his lap at that moment and made reassuring noises. "Thanks, my friend." He sat there for a long time, petting the phoenix absentmindedly and looking at the door Severus Snape had left through.
A/N: Comments? Criticism? Suggestions? Review :). I'd appreciate it.