Chapter 3: Understanding
Several weeks past and Harry had managed to avoid the potions master with the exception of class. He was normally the last person in the room and the first to leave. He never mentioned anything about that night to Ron or Hermione, and was never going to. 'Only a few more years' he kept thinking to himself, 'only a few more years and I will never have to see Snape again'. He was wrong, of course.
One night when Harry was out taking one of his routine nightly walks he found himself in the same hallway he had overheard Snape and Malfoys conversation in. He stopped for a moment and strained to listen for voices. Harry did not want to be caught eaves dropping again after the last time. After a few minutes he heard nothing and decided to continue on his way. He rounded a corner where he literally ran into his potions master. He froze hoping the elder man wouldn't notice, but, of course, he was wasting his time with hope.
"Potter, my office, now!" Was all Snape said as he turned and headed down the hall to that all too familiar room.
Harry didn't remove his cloak, nor did he want to. He figured he was safe if Snape couldn't see his nervousness. He paused at the doorway but only for a moment before entering and sitting down. He didn't know what to say, especially after his last trip to his teachers office.
Snape cleared his throat and shook his head slightly. "Take the cloak off, Potter."
The boy did as he was told starring down at his feet the entire time. "I'm sorry for being out past curfew, Professor."
"What…No, Potter, that has nothing to do with me bringing you in here tonight. I could honestly careless about you roaming the halls this late." The man fiddled with his robes for a second before sitting down behind his desk. "I need to talk to you about what I said the last time we spoke."
Harry froze. He was afraid this was the reason. "I.." He paused. "I don't think there's anything we need to talk about. I haven't said anything to anyone about it."
The potions master took a deep breath and tried to organize his thoughts so what he was about to say wouldn't make the poor boy, sitting in front of him, feel anymore uncomfortable than he already was. "I was under the influence of the potion I have been working on. I was testing when Lucius was here. The Dark Lord sent Malfoy to check the progress. He was in my head, Potter and I said what I did to get him out." Snape paused for a moment to study the boy's expression. "Do you understand what I said, Potter?"
Harry nodded. That's all he could do.
"Potter?" Snape said. "Are you alright?"
Again, Harry nodded then quickly stood up to leave. He picked up his cloak from the back of the chair and paused to stare at his teacher. He smiled slightly as he slung the cloak over his shoulder. "So, who is it?"
"I'm still not telling you. Now leave before another teacher catches you out of bed and decides to put you in detention." With that being said Harry quickly threw the cloak over his head and walked out of the office. On the way back to Gryffindor tower he found himself picturing everyone in the school and making a list of reason why Snape would or wouldn't be in love with them. He would figure it out, he vowed to do so. Even if that meant enlisting some help from his friends.