How Does He Do That?
ONE
Harry spent most of the day studying, unwilling to think about the previous night. Snape was being unusually friendly, and kept looking in a black notebook and mumbling to himself. Harry was curious about that book, but decided that it would be better not to ask.
Around seven that evening, Snape came out of his bedroom dressed in black velvet dress robes.
"I am going now," he said. "I'll try to leave the gathering as soon as possible, but it will still be late."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied.
"I want you to stay here," Snape went on. "Don't go out into the castle by yourself. If you feel you must leave, make sure someone goes with you."
"Yes, sir," Harry said again.
"Have a good night," Snape said, moving to the door. Harry saw that Snape's hair was bound at his nape in a leather thong.
"You too, sir," Harry said. Snape left without looking back.
Harry stood in the center of the room, looking around. He was most curious about the kinds of books on Snape's bookshelf, so he walked over to it. Most of the books were advanced potions books or books about the Dark Arts. Harry pulled out random books and flipped through the pages, but didn't find anything overly interesting.
It was as he found a book that looked promising that it happened. Harry opened the book and found that it looked fairly interesting. He turned to go to the couch and looked up from the pages to see where he was going. His eyes fell on the black notebook that Snape had been poring over. It was lying on the coffee table, the glow of the fire reflecting off of the smooth black surface.
Harry knew that Snape would probably be angry if Harry went through the notebook, but curiosity got the better of him. Harry put the book he was holding back on the bookshelf and crossed the room to the coffee table. He picked up the notebook and turned to the first page.
"A potions notebook," he said to himself, glancing at the ingredients listed on the first page. "I should have known." Snape's handwriting was messy, but Harry's was worse so he had no trouble reading it. The first potion in the book was the Wolfsbane Potion. The writing was faded, but clear. This was the process Snape had gone through to create the potion that Lupin so relied on.
"Fascinating," Harry whispered, going over the trial and error format the notebook was written in. After some of the instructions there were comments written such as, 'it explodes when stirred that way' or 'do not add so much of the wolfsbane at once.'
Harry turned the pages slowly, reading over ingredients and the different effects that Snape had recorded in the little book. Harry saw that some of the potions were incomplete, Snape never having found key ingredients needed to make the potions work.
About half way through the nearly filled notebook, Harry found one called The Inhibiting Potion. Harry raised his eyebrow as he read the directions for it. He could practically see it change colors as the ingredients were added and meticulously stirred in.
"This is the potion he gives me when I'm hurt with Crucio," Harry said. He could picture the potion turning a vivid metallic blue as the crushed unicorn horn was added. "Amazing! How does he do that?"
Harry continued to peruse the notebook, fascinated by Snape's ability to create such useful potions. The time passed quickly, and Harry didn't notice the times when Madame Pomfrey or Dumbledore appeared in the fireplace to check on him.
Harry flipped the page as he neared the end of the book quite some time later and found something that surprised him.
The Potter Curse Blocking Potion
I have recently taken charge of a boy who is affected by several damaging curses on a regular basis. This potion is being created to block the effects of those curses to save the boy's physical and mental well-being. I must not fail to find a way.
As Harry read, his mind began to put it all together, picturing the reactions of this substance with that, and the effects of each on a particular symptom of his. Then it was like something clicked in his mind and he thought that he might be able to solve this puzzle.
"Of course!" he said, his eyes darting across the page as he pictured the potion frothing and changing in the cauldron. "Oh, it's so simple!"
He pointed his wand to his rooms. "Accio parchment!" he said, and a fresh roll of parchment came from his room and landed softly in his hand. "Accio quill!" His quill flew into his hand as well. "Accio ink!" The scarlet ink came in and Harry moved everything to the coffee table. He sat on the floor in front of it and began to scribble his own notes on the parchment…
TWO
Severus walked to the Apparition Point quickly, determined to return to Hogwarts as soon as possible. Mike was waiting for him, wearing loose silk dress robes. The spiked dog collar was just visible upon his neck. He had his hair pulled back into a loose braid that fell between his shoulder blades.
"You look good," Severus said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, Caretaker," Mike replied, and they Apparated to Malfoy Manor together.
They appeared in front of large oak double doors, behind which music and chatter could be heard. Severus rang the bell and waited.
The doors opened and Lucius Malfoy smiled as he saw who it was. Draco was behind Lucius, wearing black velvet and a smooth leather dog collar attached to a matching leash, which Lucius held. Draco looked as though he were having the time of his life. Severus' stomach turned over at the thought.
"Severus!" Lucius exclaimed. "So good of you to come!"
"Hm," Severus replied.
"Come in. Enjoy," Lucius said, standing aside. Severus walked in and found that most of the Death Eaters were present. That is to say, there were about a dozen people there. The Dark Lord stood near a window on the opposite end, watching everything maliciously.
"So," Lucius said, coming to stand next to Severus. "What do you think of the turnout?" He put his hand on Severus' shoulder.
"Don't touch me, Lucius," Severus said coldly. "Macnair didn't come."
"Oh, come now, Sev," Lucius said airily, not removing his hand from Severus' shoulder. "Don't be cold. I'm only being friendly."
"Don't," Severus sneered. "Come, Michael." He walked away with Mike in tow and sat in one of the chairs near the far wall. He conjured a very soft pillow and placed it next to his chair. Mike sat on this and placed his hand on Severus' knee.
"Are you all right, Caretaker?" Mike asked after a moment. They were both looking out over the dance floor.
"I hate these parties," Severus replied.
"Let me ease your tension," Mike said, moving his hand up Severus' thigh.
"What did you have in mind?" Severus asked, moving Mike's hand back down to his knee.
Mike pouted slightly. "What do you want?" he asked.
"You know I despise public debauchery," Severus said, raising his eyebrow.
"Look around you, Sev," Mike said with a smile. "No one will notice."
"Do not call me Sev," Severus said. He looked around and found that Mike was right, much to his disgust. Nearly everyone in the room was engaged in some form of sex. Severus sighed.
"I am not them," Severus said at last.
"You're really putting a damper on things, Sev," Mike said sulkily.
Severus snatched up Mike's hand and squeezed it painfully. "I've told you to never call me Sev! I will not lower my standards because you're horny, so stop asking!"
"I'm sorry, Caretaker," Mike whimpered, straining his hand against Severus' painful grip. "It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't," Severus said coldly, releasing Mike's hand.
"Yes, my Caretaker," Mike said fearfully. He placed his hand back on Severus' knee and didn't mention sex again.
Severus sat quietly, looking at everything around him with disgust. Draco was rocking more fervently on Lucius lap, and the four-way was becoming very loud, the sound grating on Severus' nerves. The Dark Lord was currently kissing the young red head fervently. The boy's Caretaker was standing nearby looking thoroughly pleased with himself. Severus closed his eyes and leaned back wearily, trying to block out the sounds of public lewdness around him. He began rubbing his temples irritably when he was interrupted by Lucius' aristocratic voice.
"Sev," Lucius said from Severus' left. Severus turned to look into Lucius' cruel and amused eyes. "You're sitting here like a stiff board." Draco was on a pillow much like Mike's, his cheeks slightly pinked from his recent excursions in incest with his father.
"Hm," Severus replied, looking out over the dance floor. A few people were dancing, and the young brunette was now giving her Caretaker a lap dance.
"If you're not going to take advantage of him, why don't you let me play with your Vent for a little while?" Lucius asked. "I wouldn't mind a nice three-way."
"No one touches my property," Severus replied coldly. "I don't like to share."
"Oh, you're not being courteous, Sev," Lucius said with irritation.
"I do not care what you think," Severus replied. "You are being disgusting."
"I see," Lucius replied. "Well, if you're going to be so boring, I'll go find more interesting company."
"You do that," Severus said.
"Our Lord wishes to speak to you before you leave tonight, Sev," Lucius said, standing up. "Be sure that you are more courteous to him than you've been to me."
"Quite," Severus replied, watching Lucius walk away with great dislike. After several more minutes of obligatory attendance at the party, Severus decided to talk to the Dark Lord and then leave as quickly as possible. "Come, Michael," he said, standing up. Mike followed suit and the pillow he had been sitting on vanished in a cloud of purple smoke.
The Dark Lord was still by the window so Severus walked that way. He bowed low and waited to be acknowledged.
"Severus," the Dark Lord said. Severus moved forward and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robes. "I have something you may do for me."
"I would be honored, my master," Severus replied.
"It is my understanding that young Mr. Potter is staying with you for the time being."
"Yes, Master."
"Gain his trust, Severus. Make him believe that you care for him."
"Yes, Master."
"Once you've done that, he will follow you without question. Bring him to me. I give you until the first of October."
"Yes, Master."
"And tell me if young Draco passes the message along after the start of the new school year.'
"I will, Master."
"Good. Now go. I want to enjoy this party."
Severus bowed again and he and Michael left the party. Severus was feeling disgusted and ashamed by the time he reached the castle. He walked slowly down to the dungeons and opened the door to his chambers. Potter was sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, poring over a piece of parchment. Severus could see his potions notebook open on the table. He was amused by the scene and decided to see how long it would take Harry to notice him.
"No, no," Harry said to himself, nibbling the end of his quill. "If he does that… oh, but the legs! Of course!" He began to scribble on the parchment. Severus smiled.
Just as Severus was beginning to enjoy the show, the fire flared up and Poppy's head appeared.
"Oh, Severus!" she exclaimed. "Good. I'll bid you good night then." She disappeared with a pop.
Harry had spun around to the door when Poppy had said Severus' name. He was now staring at Severus apologetically. Severus smirked at him.
"You just left it on the table," Potter said, motioning to the notebook. "I got curious. I didn't mean to pry."
Ah, we're back to this discussion. "You seemed very absorbed," Severus commented.
"Yeah," Harry said. "I saw my name on that last potion and thought that maybe I could help."
Severus moved to the table. "May I?" he asked, motioning to the abandoned roll of parchment.
Pot – Harry looked a bit surprised, but got over it quickly. He nodded uncertainly.
Severus picked up the parchment and unrolled it. It was at least three feet long and covered in messy writing. "Good lord, Potter," he said.
"Well," Harry said, "I still have to go to Diagon Alley so I thought I could just pick up more parchment there."
Severus shook his head and began reading. Potter's notes were far more organized than his own, despite Harry's extremely messy writing.
"This is rather neatly done," Severus commented.
"That's what happens when you have Hermione for a friend," Harry replied with a slight smile.
"Quite," Severus said and continued reading.
Potter's understanding of the potion was remarkable. He had rearranged the order in which some of the ingredients were added as well as changing amounts. There were notes telling of the reactions that would occur with each bit added and how to stir it as though Potter had actually attempted to make the potion. As Severus reached the bottom of the notes, he found what he'd been looking for all along.
"Of course," he whispered, rubbing his finger over his bottom lip. Harry had decided that the Spinster Poison Beetle would be the key to pull everything together. One ounce of venom, six crushed legs, two powdered wings, the damaging effects countered by unicorn tears. "What…"
"Well, the venom is a powerful healing agent if stewed properly," Harry said. "The legs will increase the potency of that aspect. The powdered wings will contribute a powerful magical blocking agent to prevent the spells from breaking through. The unicorn tears will counteract the poison in the venom without dulling its healing abilities."
"I know all of that, Pot – er – Harry," Severus said, hiding the fact that he was very much impressed by Potter's knowledge of how ingredients mesh together. "I was going to ask, what made you do this?"
"I just wanted to help," Harry replied quietly.
"Well done," Severus said. "Ten points to Gryffindor, Potter."
"Really?" Harry asked, smiling.
"Yes, now go to bed." Severus continued to peruse the parchment quietly. Just when I thought that I had the boy figured out, he surprises me again. How does he do that?
He didn't notice when Harry quietly got up and left the room, still smiling at the surprising reaction he had gotten from Severus.
Author's Note: I would like to thank Victoria Ennis for her hard work on this fic. Thanks also to…
Shiemi Shimabukuro: Funny thing, that. There is an orgy in this chapter, but you'd have to view it at another site to get the full effect. I laughed so hard when I got your review. Try hpfandom . net, or ensnared . thehexfiles . net It'll be uncensored there.
Monica85
Sliver of Melody
Shadow Eclipse: Check hpfandom . net or ensnared . thehexfiles . net for the NC-17 version of this fic.
Volume
Purplepaper: Always more action, m'dear. Always.