A Walk With The Boy-Who-Lived
ONE
Harry woke up to bright light shining on his face. He opened his eyes and found that he was in a hospital type ward, surrounded by white. He immediately recognized Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. He groaned a bit at the thought. School hasn't even started and I'm already in the Hospital Wing, he thought irritably. He sat up, surprised to find that he wasn't in any form of pain. His stomach was still a bit upset, but not as bad as it had been on previous days. He supposed it was because of Snape's potion.
Harry wasn't at all surprised that Dumbledore had sent Snape to 'rescue' him from his nightmares, although he doubted very much that Uncle Vernon had called them that in his letter. Dumbledore had a strange sense of security and he always seemed to think that Snape could help somehow. Harry and Snape were so different from each other that Harry thought it was impossible that they would ever mesh well together. It was like trying to mix oil and water.
Harry pushed thoughts of Snape out of his mind as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He realized he was in Hogwarts issued pajamas and decided to make a pit stop in Gryffindor Tower to get some clothes before going for a long walk on the school grounds. Perhaps he could go down to the lake and watch the giant squid splash around for a bit. Just as he stood up, Madame Pomfrey came into the room. Harry had been hoping to avoid her.
"What do you think you are doing, young man?" Madame Pomfrey said in a sharp tone.
"Going for a walk?" Harry suggested sarcastically.
"I think not," Madame Pomfrey said. She walked briskly over to him and pushed him back down into the bed, covering him with the blankets. She was a petite woman with her head covered in a white cap. She was wearing white robes and she was fussing over him.
"I'm fine, Madame Pomfrey," Harry said.
"Don't you tell me if you're fine or not," Madame Pomfrey scolded. "I'm the Medi-witch, aren't I?"
Harry sighed and sat still. "I suppose if you look at it that way," he muttered.
She looked him over and straightened up. "You're fine," she said.
Harry smiled smugly at her.
"But I don't think you should be going on long walks just now," she went on.
"I can't stay in the Hospital Wing for the rest of the summer," Harry complained. "I need to feel the sun and the wind. I haven't been outside in three weeks! Please, just a short walk, and then I'll rest all you want."
Madame Pomfrey sighed heavily. "Fine," she said grudgingly. "But you're taking Professor Snape with you."
Harry groaned audibly.
"I know you and he don't mix well together, but he's the only person available to go with you."
"Can't I go alone?"
"You are not going anywhere alone." Madame Pomfrey fixed him fierce glare. "If he doesn't go with you, you don't go either."
Harry sighed, resigned to spend the afternoon with his most hated professor. "Yes Ma'am," he said.
"I'll go and fetch Professor Snape for you then." Madame Pomfrey walked into her office briskly.
Harry could practically see Snape's face when Pomfrey told him that Harry wanted to go for a walk and needed a babysitter to do it. He groaned at the thought.
"He's on his way," Madame Pomfrey said from her office.
"Yes Ma'am," Harry said miserably.
TWO
Severus was having a good day. Mike had come back the previous night saying that he had acted hastily when he left previously. They had mind-blowing make-up sex and then Severus had found the key ingredient he had been missing in an experimental potion. He was now sitting in front of his fire, reading a book and sipping on a cup of strong, hot tea.
The fire sparked, turned green briefly, and then Poppy's head was popping out of the bottom.
"Might I ask a favor of you, Severus?" she asked politely.
Severus lowered his book and leveled a bone-chilling glare at the plump Medi-witch.
"What do you want, Poppy?" he asked impatiently. "If you hadn't noticed, I am relaxing today, an activity I seldom enjoy."
"I do hate to bother you, Severus," Poppy said, not looking as though she meant it, "but young Mr. Potter is becoming restless."
"He's barely been in your care for a day!" Severus snapped.
"I understand that, Severus," Poppy replied, beginning to become irritated herself. "He says he has not been outside in three weeks. He was very adamant that he wishes to go out, and I think it would do the boy good to get some sun."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"I'd like you to go with him."
"Why?" Severus was starting to wish he had left Potter at his relatives to suffer alone. He hadn't even been at Hogwarts for a day and already he was invading Severus' solitude.
"In case something should happen to him," Poppy replied as though this should have been obvious.
In fact, it was obvious to Severus, but he didn't want to leave his rooms. He didn't understand why the woman was forcing him to spend time with the brat.
"What would happen if he had a vision out there?" Poppy went on, ignoring Severus' glare as only she and Albus could. "He would pass out and we might not find him for hours, or even days. How would that weigh on your conscious when you think back on it, knowing you had a chance to go with him and protect him, but didn't take it?"
Severus thought about Potter out near the forest, passed out and in pain. He smirked. Then he thought about the repercussions if that should come to pass. Albus would not be pleased with him. Furthermore, Potter could be found by some wild beast and dragged off into the forest, no hope of ever seeing humanity again. The Dark Lord would have no real competition to fight against and take over the world, and then kill Severus for the traitor he was. Damn Poppy for making him think this much.
He sighed in resignation and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Very well, Poppy," he said. "I'm on my way."
Severus put his book down on the coffee table and stood up, taking one last sip of his tea.
Mike came in giving Severus an appraising look.
"Where are you going, Severus?" he asked. He was in a good mood and it was starting to annoy Severus. Mike always became very talkative when he was in a good mood. Severus hated talking.
"I must escort a student around the grounds," Severus replied shortly.
"Is it Potter?" Mike asked.
Severus looked at him as though he were stupid. "Are there any other students here?" he asked, raising his eyebrow in question.
"No," Mike replied, not affected by Severus' cold tone. "Why do you have to take him around? He knows his way, doesn't he?"
"In case he should collapse during his walk." He walked to the door brusquely, turning when he reached it. "No, you may not accompany me. I will return later." With that, he closed the door sharply.
THREE
Harry was looking at the clothes that had been brought up for him with distaste. Snape had never seen him out of his school robes, and Harry didn't think that Dudley's old clothes were going to make a good impression. Not that he cared what Snape thought, per say, but he didn't want anyone to see him around in Dudley's old things.
"Madame Pomfrey?" he asked politely.
"Yes dear?" Madame Pomfrey asked without turning from the cabinet she was rummaging through.
"Could you please shrink these clothes a bit for me?"
Madame Pomfrey turned to him with a puzzled expression. "Why don't you do it?" she asked.
"Well," Harry said. "Technically I'm still on summer holiday so I'm not allowed to do magic."
Madame Pomfrey smiled kindly. "I suppose," she agreed softly. She waved her wand making Harry's clothes fit him perfectly. They looked rather stunning now that they fit because Aunt Petunia always insisted that Dudley wear the best designers.
"If you don't mind my asking," Madame Pomfrey said carefully. "Why are all of your clothes so big?"
Harry felt himself turning a bit red. "Oh," he said, "my aunt and uncle didn't really have enough money to spend on me so I got my cousin's old clothes."
"Is he much older than you?" Madame Pomfrey asked, going back to the cabinet.
"Erm," Harry said, willing his blush away. "Only a few months."
Madame Pomfrey turned to him again and eyed the clothes skeptically. "I suppose that makes sense," she said, sounding as though she didn't think any such thing.
Harry sat down to put on his shoes….
FOUR
Severus was extremely annoyed that he had to come and baby-sit Potter as if the boy were only five-years-old or some other such nonsense. He walked briskly, his robes billowing behind him as though to illustrate his irritation.
He swept into the infirmary and stopped in his tracks. Potter was sitting on the edge of his bed, bent over, tying his shoes. Severus waited impatiently for the boy, tapping his foot audibly on the tile floor.
Potter straightened up slowly, turning to look at Severus curiously. He turned his back again and stood up, stretching his arms slowly over his head. Severus noted that Potter was wearing designer Muggle jeans and an emerald green designer jumper. He felt his irritation increase.
"Hurry up, Potter," he drawled. "I haven't all day to escort you around the castle."
Potter sighed and walked toward him. "I'm ready," he said simply. He walked passed Severus, setting a slow pace out of the castle. The two walked in silence until they were out on the grass near the lake.
"Why," Severus asked with annoyance, "are we walking so slowly?"
Potter turned to look at him, tilting his head back in order to look into Severus' eyes. "I didn't want you to come along," Potter said matter of factly. "That was Madame Pomfrey's idea. All I want to do right now is walk and enjoy the sun and the wind without having to worry about anything else. I haven't been outside in almost three weeks. Can't you just allow me this small pleasure?"
Severus looked at the boy with mild surprise. Potter didn't sound upset or irritated in any way. He simply explained things in a calm voice that radiated nothing but weariness. Severus simply held out his arm to indicate that Potter should continue his walk and then followed behind the boy silently.
Potter walked slowly once more, looking around as though he had never seen the school grounds before. Eventually he moved to the edge of the lake and stood quietly, looking out over the water with what seemed to be content. He smiled wistfully, tilting his head back, closing his eyes and holding his arms slightly away from his body.
Severus thought that perhaps the boy had gone into a trance so he moved closer.
"What are you doing, Potter?" he asked.
Potter didn't move. "Sh," he said. "Can you hear that?"
Severus listened, but he didn't hear anything. "No," he said dryly.
Potter still didn't move. "Listen," he said, his smile growing larger. "Haven't you ever listened for it before?"
Severus stared. 'Listened for what?' "What are you talking about, Potter?" he asked, starting to get annoyed with the boy once again.
"Haven't you ever just stood still and listened?" Potter asked, finally moving. He turned to fix Severus with a gaze from those piercing green eyes. "Just close your eyes," he said. "And you'll hear it."
"Hear what, exactly?" Severus asked. 'I think the Cruciatus Curse has made the boy daft.'
"Bliss," Potter replied, going back to his listening.
Severus blinked. Bliss? What was Potter talking about?
"Just stand still, close your eyes, and listen," Potter instructed. "I can feel my heart beating and the air coming and going from my lungs. I feel the breeze when it tickles across my skin and warmth as the sun touches my face. I hear the water of the lake ripple as the wind passes across it. I can hear the rustling of the leaves and insects buzzing as they get on with their lives. It's as close to bliss as I've ever been." He opened his eyes again and turned to look at Severus again.
"You are a strange boy, Potter," Severus commented.
"I know," Potter replied. "But when all you know is pain, the little things take on more meaning." He bent at the knees, crouched by the cool water of the lake. He looked down and scooped up a beetle from the grass. Severus recognized it as a Spinster Poison Beetle. He took a step forward.
"Do you know what you're holding, Potter?" he asked. 'Trust Potter to not know danger when it's right in front of his face.'
"It's a Spinster Poison Beetle," Potter replied calmly.
Severus blinked again. 'What?'
"Its poison is the most potent of all poisons known to man," Potter went on. "Ironically, it is used in most healing potions, the other ingredients rendering the poison harmless."
Potter was full of surprises. The boy placed the beetle gently back on the grass and straightened up. He looked at Severus with sadness on his face. "They only bite when provoked," he said. "Fascinating creatures."
Severus stared at the Boy-Who-Lived wordlessly. Potter never did well in potions class, yet he knew everything about the deadly beetle. Potter turned and began walking back toward the school.
"Finished with your 'bliss' already?" Severus sneered.
"I wouldn't want to keep you from your work," Potter replied patiently. "I know that you probably have some potion or other that you're working on. I also know that you in no way want to be out here baby-sitting me. I'll ask if Madame Pomfrey will bring me out again tomorrow. Sorry to be such a bother." With that, he walked briskly into the castle.
Severus was dumbfounded. Did Potter just apologize to him for being a bother? Severus was thoroughly confused by the encounter. Potter was nothing like he had assumed. It troubled him that all of his assumptions about Potter had been destroyed by one fifteen-minute walk. Perhaps the boy was not himself today. He had been exposed to Crucio not 20 hours before. It was possible that he was still being affected by the experience. His knowledge about the beetle could not be explained away so easily.
Of course, it was possible that Potter had been studying, but the Spinster Poison Beetle wasn't covered until advance seventh-year potions. Potter was entering his fifth year. It was logical to assume that Potter shouldn't know about that particular ingredient.
He walked back to his dungeons and attempted to resume reading his book. Unfortunately, he couldn't get his little walk with Potter out of his head. Damn the boy for getting into his head. Damn the boy for being deeper than his stupid scar. Damn the boy for being so much like his mother.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks again to my wonderful beta, Victoria Ennis. Here's to you, love! raises glass Thanks also to…
Starangel2106: Good to have you back, deary. I hope you enjoy as much now as you did before.
Sliver of Melody: I would have to agree with you there. Mike is most definitely a loser.
Ktoddhim: I'm most glad to hear that. If you happen to have 'New Threat' saved, you might consider sending it to me, just to make sure that you don't have more than I do here. I would be most obliged.
Rosiegirl: I'm sorry, but I was most thorough in my disposal of works. The only reason this is going back up is because I have been barraged with emails asking for it. I'm glad you've enjoyed it.
Monica85: Four times? Seriously? blushes I feel truly honored by that. I hadn't realized it was that good. You humble me, m'dear, truly you do.
IceQueenNabiki: I thought it seemed like something Albus would take a liking to. He's an odd old man, don't you agree?