Hiding Under the Ninth Earth
Book 03 : Epithalamium

Part II : Oh What a Difference a Day Makes
Chapter Twenty Four : Shifting Perspectives

25 October 2003 (Continued)

5:15 pm

Staring at the closed door, Harry supposed that if he thought of anyone as a father, it would have to be Remus. Turning back into the sitting room, he couldn't think of a time when Remus hadn't been there for him, and in hindsight, aside from an expected, token resistance, he was glad he'd given the potion to him without hesitation. Remus had enough burdens in his life without him adding more. The danger involved in giving it to someone else had never been a consideration, then or now; he knew whom he could trust and, while Severus topped the list (although it was a 'different' kind of trust than with the others), Remus was almost as close, and to his consternation, Albus stubbornly remained there as well despite Harry's current feelings to the contrary. No, as far as he was concerned, milking the basilisk had been far more perilous than giving the finished potion to his lover, or Remus, or even Albus, would ever be.

When he'd first heard the ward's chiming, he'd reluctantly severed his connection to Severus, hoping it was someone to take him to the infirmary. While he was disappointed, the waiting was far less onerous now than when he'd had less information. And it was comforting to think that if he couldn't be there, it wouldn't hinder him from being there. As he returned impatiently to his abandoned window seat, Harry mulled over his conversation with Remus. At least the sequence of events was clear now, although the unanswered questions as to why Albus had done it this way still nagged him. And Harry had no doubt in his mind the whole thing had to have a purpose.

His back against the stone, he closed his eyes and effortlessly joined with Severus, even though he was still unconscious. The connection secure, he was about to cast Albus' locator spell when he suddenly felt another presence--someone familiar but not Albus. He cast about in his memory until he recognized Professor Quiesta. Relaxing somewhat, he familiarized himself to her feel, once well known from the days when they would 'travel' in tandem through patients while learning his art.

With another "Repario Aperio," the world once again twisted so he could see inside the infirmary as well as inside Severus. He was almost accustomed to the dual sensations although initially he still experienced disorientation. It looked like they'd already started. With Albus' nod from the head of the bed, Poppy raised her wand and within moments, Severus was awake. Harry could feel him again, but given the pain he'd inadvertently caused him the last time he'd tried to make contact, he regretfully clamped down hard on the bond to block him.

However, he didn't need the bond to read Severus' distress, barely hidden by a raging fury. Whatever the cause, it prompted Quiesta to show her usually well hidden compassion when she sat on the side of his bed. Harry ached, wishing he was the one holding Severus' hand and giving comfort instead of someone else. Helpless and torn, he witnessed his lover's raw suffering totally overwhelm him and knew in full how it would be should he ever grow careless. Not all of Severus' despair came from the curse; most of it revealed his lover's true feelings in believing him dead, otherwise the curse could never have been so devastating. He knew Severus' grief-stricken visage would haunt him, a vivid reminder he should take greater care to ensure his mate never wore that face again.

Over the next few, tense minutes, his emotions ran the gamut. He'd wanted to slap Albus for ignoring Severus' panic at being bound. If Quiesta hadn't calmed Severus' breathing, he surely would have tried and had been ready to intervene when Quiesta cast the spell. Holding his figurative breath, he watched the curling tendrils of himself enter his lover. Hope, anxiety, and elation filled him when Severus looked around for him. The soft nudges along the edges of the block Harry so desperately wanted to drop made him want to cry in sorrow as did the flash of hopelessness in Severus' eyes when he failed to breach it. Albus' guilty glance surprised him almost as much as his own temptation to forgive the man when Albus talked to Severus with such love in his eyes. Remus' recitation of Harry's messages made him smile, which turned into a real grin at Severus' genuine laughter over their 'private squicks'. Love and pride swelled his heart as he watched Severus fighting the curse.

When Quiesta moved into place, he prepared himself for her invasion, one that never materialised. What the hell were they discussing now? Damn, he wished he could hear what was going on. The open trust on Severus' face as Albus promised him something gave Harry pause. He studied the others circling the bed. Quiesta's and Remus' faces were hard to read, but Poppy's? Poppy's expression was all too familiar, and though he'd never seen it from the outside, he knew it all too well on the inside--the wistful one that said, 'If only you knew him the way I do'.

With a shift of perspective, he wondered if maybe he was just as guilty of assuming the worst of Albus as those who had hatefully criticized Severus without really knowing him. These close friends had all known Dumbledore for a lifetime longer than Harry and obviously trusted the headmaster with more than their lives. Was it a logical progression that he have complete trust in the man, too? Were his recent impressions more a product of his own frustration and youth (as Quiesta had so aptly reminded him) than any real breach of faith? Harry had no answers, but he did have to ask if not giving all the details made any man, even himself or Severus, necessarily untrustworthy? Harry didn't know the answer to this either, but it was certainly something to think about.

Startled out of his thoughts as Albus raised his wand, Harry held on as a strong surge of magic almost tossed him out. With the unexpected, but painfully familiar presence of the headmaster 'inside' him, he realised he'd just experienced a Legilimens. Desperate to find out what was going on, he was about to risk making contact when he felt a great ripping sensation like when Dudley had pulled duct tape off his arms as a child. It stung and hurt, leaving him dizzy.

While he reoriented himself, Quiesta slid in like a fish through water. With no fuss, she dove into the dark core. Exploring, she tested its strength and resilience, and, more importantly, how much it 'pushed' back if confined. He could feel her probing the place where he resided, but not in a 'How are you doing over there?' kind of way, but more in a 'Hmmm, how best can I use you?' manner. He heard the Sanos and felt its soft warmth fluttering around the ward with gentle prods as if trying to tap into it. Why? To help 'power' her containment?

Instinctively, he knew this was a very bad idea. With great care, he let go of the block he was still holding tight. Immediately, he sensed Severus' elated response to Harry's presence. More than anything, Harry wanted to bask in his lover's presence, but he had to stop Quiesta now, so after a swift, soft caress to let Severus know he was loved, he urgently addressed his former teacher.

'Magistra, what are you doing?'

Startled, Quiesta paused, the Sanos ceasing as she replied with an impatient mental sigh, 'I was trying to tie your ward to the curse to contain it.'

'I'm not sure that's wise.' There was a lengthy pause at the end of which Harry asked, 'Will a connection damage the ward?'

While Quiesta considered it, Harry could feel Severus' interest. Finally, she responded, 'It might, but that is the purpose of such things and it can always be recast.'

Harry sensed the ward was far more than any of them knew; with a flash of ethereal communication, Harry could feel Severus concurring. 'No, unfortunately, it cannot. It may appear simple, but it's actually quite complex--hell, we don't understand the half of it; however, it's tied to a physical object--if you destroy or change it, you could bring down half the castle. And I have no idea what the consequences would be to Severus and myself.'

Quiesta's consternation came through quite clear. 'That is most inconvenient. Since it's your ward, do you have any suggestions?'

'Can you contain the curse without using it?'

'That is the standard practice with curses of this nature.'

'While I admit I've never heard of them before, it seems to me the standard course is the most logical course. Yes?'

He could almost hear the gusty sigh she always gave when irritated about something. 'Very well. One 'normal' containment coming up. You do know it might not hold.'

Harry was well aware of this. 'Perhaps, but--how was it you always phrased it?--Confidence, Mr. Potter--if you can't muster a firm faith in your abilities, you should just pack up your tent and go home--I noticed yours is still pitched, so what's the problem? Or are you just being more pessimistic than normal?'

He felt her amusement and Severus' snort when she retorted, 'Impudent whelp! I am entirely unsure whether you should be permitted to further associate with either Severus or the headmaster any more than necessary; you're devolving.'

Harry chuckled with the first optimistic mirth he'd had in hours. 'A little late now, don't you think? Please, don't let me keep you from it. I'll just sit in my little corner over here and watch the Master at work.' With a mental snort, Quiesta resumed the Sanos.

Intellectually, Harry knew he should raise the shield, but he couldn't just yet. They needed this and with profound relief shared a tender caress. Harry revelled in Severus's loving presence wrapped tightly around him. Emboldened by the comforting contact, he cautiously sent a picture of his hand touching Severus' face. It was a mistake. Pain lanced through his head, blinding him. Without thought, he immediately resumed the block.

The Sanos stopped abruptly; when he could see again, Quiesta was having a heated discussion with Severus. Knowing intimately how much she hated to be interrupted once she started to work, he was unsurprised to find himself ousted at the same time she cast a sleeping spell over Severus. As he soon discovered, Quiesta had effectively blocked him, which didn't bother him as much as he would have thought; with Quiesta working the Sanos, he couldn't have communicated much more with Severus anyway without risking her success.

No, he could safely leave his lover in her capable hands.

5:40 pm

Poppy knew there was no real reason she or Albus really needed to be here, but she supposed a justifiable argument could be made for 'just in case'. Or at least she hoped so. Otherwise they would be forced to resort to such trite phrases as 'Professional Curiosity' (which loosely translated into 'It's quite amusing to listen to you talk to yourself while you work,') or 'It's an interesting procedure,' (which really meant, 'I'd rather watch grass grow, but I'm worried about the silly bugger and want to make sure for myself he's all right,') or even 'Your occasional commentary is educational,' (which could be anything from 'I just want to see what song you make up this time,' to 'Did you know you make the funniest sounds when you suck your teeth?') Of course, all of them would be true, but she was fairly sure no one had ever had the guts to tell Quiesta about the funny noises.

Right now, even employing the Sanos, Quiesta was talking to herself, in itself a normal occurrence; one could usually follow her progress by the level of sarcasm she employed. If the running monologue was anything to go by, she was--frustrated.

"Harry, what the hell do you think you're going on about? Get back in there where he can't see you. Harry! Damn it--well. There. Now you've done it." The Sanos stopped abruptly and was followed quickly by a muttered, "What do you think I'm doing? My nails?" She seemed to be listening; Albus had told Poppy they could 'hear' Harry inside Severus even though he was halfway across the castle. While it certainly wasn't the oddest thing she'd ever heard, one simply had to consider the sources to realise that anything was in the realm of possibility when Albus, Severus, and Harry were concerned. Throwing Quiesta into the mix simply ensured that it might even be a bit more outrageous.

Quiesta's irritation was growing as she obviously answered something Harry had asked her. "Of course it's going to damage the ward, silly boy. I intend to use it up. You do want to get married sometime this century, don't you?"

Severus' eyes flew open. "Carlotta..."

"Yes, Severus?" she asked sweetly. This was never a good sign.

Severus 'listened' for a moment. "Nothing, Harry got it." He sighed, closing his eyes again.

Remus shifted nervously off to the side. Her attention fully focused on Carlotta, Poppy felt a little guilty she'd forgot he was even there. He sidled over to her and asked, "What's going on?"

Poppy leaned over and whispered, "I can only assume Harry and Carlotta are arguing over something." Remus looked around the room and then back at Poppy, clearly confused. She sighed. "Albus said he could 'talk' to Harry..."

She was interrupted by Quiesta's growl. "What do you mean it could bring down half the castle?"

"Actually, only a quarter, but it's close enough," Severus said quietly, opening one eye.

Quiesta hissed at him to be quiet. Closing her eyes, a slew of emotions ran over her mobile face. Consternation, worry, and irritation were all vented in one huge sigh. Her eyes opening wide, she started to chuckle. "Perhaps, but at least mine is not a pup tent."

Severus snorted, then winced. Quiesta looked down at him, shaking her head. "You know there was a good reason I asked you to stay still, Severus. Now that you've had a taste of what happens when you don't, one would assume you wouldn't do it again."

She held her attitude of listening for few seconds more, a soft squeaking sound issuing from her as her mouth worked around her teeth. "Brat. Fine, now may I please get back to work."

She closed her eyes again, taking deep calming breaths when her eyes popped open. "You're both impossible. Can't you two keep your hands to yourselves for just one small moment? You have all bloody life to do that, but NOT if you keep interrupting me."

"Harry?" Severus cried out in pain, his hands going to his head, almost knocking hers out of the way. "No, Harry, don't go."

"Severus, Stay Still!" She firmed her touch to his temples, her fingers working under his hands until she had her normal contact points. She bent down to the stricken man, saying gently, her low voice compelling, "Severus, listen to me. Harry is still there; he has not gone away. He watches, but he's blocking you because he knows that as long as the curse is open, he hurts you. Now, stay still, please. If I don't finish this, you'll never get to touch him."

"Curse? What curse?" he asked plaintively. "Why can't I talk to him anymore?"

Quiesta had been patient, at least for her, but Poppy could see it wearing thin. "Severus, we're a little busy right now--you won't be able to talk to Harry until I get finished, and I'm never going to get there unless you stop talking and stay still!"

"But I can't feel him anymore. I just want to--"

"That's it--Sopophorus!" She regarded the sleeping man a moment before murmuring, "I'm sorry for the abrupt exorcism, Harry, but I need to get this done and you're a distraction to him and me. Merlin, it's tiresome working on cursed patients."

Poppy could sympathise. While the method could have been a little smoother, and she herself might have handled it differently, she also realised that Quiesta was relatively young and an academic; she'd learn in time when it was her own loved one under someone else's care. She glanced to the side and noticed Remus was again standing to the side, watching Carlotta carefully. When had he moved away? Poppy made her way over to him, saying quietly, "Mr. Lupin? I seem to recall you had an appointment with your mattress. I know time is short, but I think it best you have a lie down for a little while before the ceremony."

"Yes, Mum," he muttered. He continued grousing as he left the infirmary, "Won't get a proper sleep in any event, so I don't know why I can't stay. Interfering, meddlesome..." Poppy supposed he should be glad her hearing, selective and otherwise, wasn't what it used to be or he might have found himself with a Hot Seat Hex on his more tender parts. She moved back to where she had been, looking around for Albus. She could have sworn he'd been there a few minutes ago. Drat the man--if he went to prepare the Room without telling her, she was going to...

"Ah, finally--peace and quiet," Carlotta said, closing her eyes. When her face relaxed, Poppy knew she was back in the pathways. For several minutes there wasn't a sound, not even any squeaks. Most unusual; Carlotta usually made a running commentary. Poppy was about to move off to look for Albus, er, straighten the surrounding area when Quiesta muttered, "Ugh! It's like a cesspool in here. The only thing missing is the 'Avery was here' sign. C'mon, c'mon. I know it's here somewhere. Where did you hide it, 'Linnie'? I can't unravel the jumper if I can't find the loose end of yarn. Oh ho! Found it! Had to be blind to miss it, old girl; Albus did everything but paint it day-glo pink. All right, 'Linnie', let's see what you're made of. Sugar and spice and everything nice? No? Didn't think so. Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails seem more your speed, although from what I hear, you're not getting any tail right now. Oh, too bad."

Poppy was relieved it was starting--The Monologue. It meant Carlotta was actively working and a happy healer was a good healer. She listened to the ongoing dialogue Quiesta was having with herself. It seemed she was making progress until about twenty minutes later she exclaimed, "Bloody great git! Damn him, he threw me out."

Poppy watched the determined healer close her eyes to start over, when a familiar hand on her shoulder startled a squawk out of her. She was about to ask Albus where he'd been, when she felt the distinctive chill emanating from his skin. The Orrery. Sudden fury filled her. It was so bloody dangerous the way he worked in it and with the added complications of his dodgy health, it was a wonder he hadn't killed himself yet. But given what he still had left to do, the night was still young. She took hold of his arm and pulled him to her office where they could speak without being overheard.

She'd no more opened her mouth to scold him, when he held up his hands, saying, "Now, love, I only went to check on the schedule for tonight. Nothing more. Carlotta said she would most likely run late and I needed to see how a time delay affected their binding tonight so I would know how to prepare the Room."

"Hmph," she huffed. "That is barely acceptable and you know it, Albus. Must you always walk the edge?"

A small frown marred his brow. "I do not always 'walk the edge', and no, it won't affect the bond, thank-you-very-much-for-asking."

"I knew that," she said raising a brow.

"Oh? Polished up our crystal ball this evening, have we?"

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!" He winced--she'd used all his names. "Of course I knew. What? You think seventy-three years of marriage has left me blind to your ways? If there had been a problem, you certainly would not have come here to tell me about it. You would have sulked in your office for a bit while you reckoned the best course, then you would have gone back in and changed the bloody chronometer in the Room so they could bond on time, and if after all that you were still alive, you'd come back here, all smug-like, acting contrite with any one of the thousands of reasons or millions of apologies you've devised over the last century to justify doing what you damned well intended to in the first place."

Chest heaving, she turned to leave, when he stopped her with a hand on her arm. Swinging her around, he took her tight in his arms, the ensuing kiss long and passionate. "Such fire," he murmured when he released her lips. He kissed her again until she melted against him. Breaking the kiss, she settled her head on his shoulder, his arms warm around her. "Dearest Popples, you have no idea how much I love you, how much your scoldings mean to me." He kissed her temple. "As long as you do, I know I'm loved. Don't stop, all right?"

She swallowed her sniffles. "Albus, please--please be careful. I--I want you around as long as I can have you. Please, don't be foolish," she begged.

He rubbed his cheek on the top of her hair. "Hush, love. My time is further rather than nearer. We only have to get through tonight and then afterwards they'll be ready to start taking over. No more trips alone anymore." He sighed. "I am tired, Popples. Their youth sometimes wears me out, but it rejuvenates me, too. Which is to the good, since one cannot exactly retire from this post. Just another little detail they failed to mention in the 'Headmaster's Guide to Hogwarts'." Chuckling, he continued, "And Minerva is frothing to take over more of my duties." At Poppy's snort of amusement, he said, "I know. I tried to warn her to be careful what she wished for... I think I'll let her handle Septimius."

At that, Poppy pulled away, laughing, as she swatted him on the shoulder. "Oh, you! Redirecting--again--and me? I'm buying it--again." She caressed the side of his face, her fingers smoothing his beard. "Whatever am I to do with you?"

"Love me?" he asked almost wistfully, kissing the palm of her hand.

Her eyes softened. "Always, Wully. I'll always love you. Even when I want to kill you."

"Ah, there's my girl," he said, chuckling. He put his arm around her shoulders as they left her office. "I have to go see Harry now, then I will go direct from there to prepare the Room. Afterwards, I will rest and wait for our guests there. And you. I'll be waiting for you, Popples."

She stopped and lifted her face to him, knowing he would oblige; Albus was many things to many people, but he never could resist a sweet. And it was, soft and gentle, but all too soon, their lips parted, and they continued on their way back to Quiesta's side. As he was about to depart, he turned to face her and leaned over to whisper, "I am sorry I'm going to miss the 'show'. Could you please record her? I suspect it will be singularly amusing tonight."

Poppy was about to reply she would be glad to do it for him, when Quiesta suddenly cried in anger, "Damn it! He did it again. I'm just trying to block your pain centres, you fool. Can't tell the difference between pain and pleasure, eh? Bloody poofter--can't take a woman in there, is that it?"

Albus smiled. "I'll just leave you to it."

"Coward!" Poppy whispered to his departing back.

6:15 pm

With growing optimism, Harry decided that with less than two hours remaining, now would be as good a time as any to start getting ready. Climbing out of the window seat, he heard the Sanos. Astonished, he couldn't recall a time when he'd been aware of someone else Sanos-healing when he wasn't directly involved or very close to the source, which was definitely not the case now. Entering the bedchamber, he placed his hand on his chest and felt the spell resonating through the ward. Well, this was convenient.

The last golden rays of the setting sun, framed by the bedchamber windows, made the crisp white duvet glow against the rich colours of the floor rugs by the sides of the huge four-poster bed. Shedding his clothes in a pile, he donned his dressing gown and, padding to the bathroom, grabbed a bath sheet off of a set of shelves lining the hallway. He hung his dressing gown on the hook by the door, noticing some new plants by the low window. He wondered, as he waded through the scalding water, whether it was Severus' doing or Dobby's, who was always finding them new exotic plants to put in here and the greenhouse. Dobby was becoming quite the herbologist and Harry often relied on his growing expertise learned at the hands of Sprout. He took a seat on the ledge midway where the water was not too hot, but was sufficient to start working the kinks out of his back and neck. While soaking, he let his thoughts drift with the current.

He thought on the potion he'd made for Severus. In the two months it had taken him to brew it, he'd not once thought of other things for which it might be used; after all he had his own for emergencies and his intent this time around had been simple--make something to console Severus should anything happen to him. With careful employment, the vial would have lasted years, although with what he'd seen today, he suspected it would never be enough.

Unfortunately, he was certain that being more concerned about accuracy and timing than conserving the potion, the headmaster had emptied the vial. It was no matter; Albus had found a better use for it and Harry found it brought him one step closer to forgiving the man. Although he was out one wedding gift. Shrugging, he decided he could always make another one--there was plenty of thigh left and dealing with the baby basilisk had been far less difficult than it was generally made out to be. Of course, being a Parselmouth had been a bit of help in that regard; he laughed, thinking there was a damned fine living to be made from it if he were ever so inclined.

His thoughts turned to Severus and this led him to Quiesta, who literally held their future in her hands. While their exchange had been brief, he was heartened she was there; if anyone could help Severus, it would be her. But it had left him with even more questions than before. He resolved to go to the library later to research this curse--if he couldn't find what he needed in the pages of Severus' books, he would just have to consult with Quiesta about it. He wanted this thing gone as quickly as Severus could stand its removal.

Harry closed his eyes and started thinking about the events of the day when a soft hiss, near his ear, brought him swiftly back to reality. Turning his head, he found himself almost nose to nose with Horatio.

Greetingsss, Harry. I sssee you made it back from your trip with the Sssmall One.

Greetingsss, Horatio. I sssee you woke from your nap. The White One sssaid you had quite an adventure today.

Oh yesss, I left the Nessst, but the The White One brought me back and found me a rat to eat. I do not know why I wasss ssso hungry--the little sssnake wasss quite filling. Maybe it wasss becaussse I wasss hurt? But the Big Red Bird (who wasss really ugly today) tried to helpsss and the White One healed me.

Harry pulled back his head in confusion. Horatio, you talk in circlesss. Could you pleassse Ssstraighten your Tail?

Oh. I am sssorry. I forgotsss--you were sssleeping the Winter Sssleep.

Harry mulled this over. Hibernation? The Winter Sssleep.

Well, not exactly. The Massster made you sleepsss, becaussse I could not wakesss you.

By the ssseasssonsss, Horatio, if you will.

Oh! Sssorry. All right. After the Massster left the Yellow Sssquare for you on the Fire Place, the Sssmall One with the Bad Sssmell invaded our ssspace and threw it into the Place Where the Ratsss Sssometimesss Hide. I wanted the mouse he ate very much, but I knew he would hurt me if he found me ssso I ssstayed very ssstill and sssilent. Then he disssappeared, but he never came back for the sssmall sssnake--I think he lossst her--named Esssmerelda, who wasss very cold and, trying to ssstay warm, she climbed on the bed with you, but sssince it wasss not the Time of Mating, I knew she did not belong here ssso I followed her into the Sssleeping Place; she wasss very rude--she bitesss me without a challenge and when she tried to bitesss you I challenged her and made her bitesss me inssstead. It hurt, ssso I killed her and ate her, but after, I wasss ssso sssleepy, I ssslithered into the warm place next to you (where I know I am not sssupposssed to be and I am very sssorry) but I wasss ssso cold and you were ssso warm and...

Reeling, Harry interrupted him. Ssso isss that why I could not wakesss you thisss morning?

Horatio hissed indignantly, I thought you wanted me to Ssstraighten my Tail.

With an indulgent smile, Harry replied, I do, but now I want you to anssswer my quessstion before you do ssso.

Pragmatically, Horatio asked, How would I knowsss? I wasss sssleeping. I wokesss when you and the Sssmall One named Dobby were leaving. May I finish now?

Harry chuckled and slid a finger down Horatio's side, which earned him an affectionate nudge. By all meansss, oh long-tailed one, pleassse do.

Horatio gave an equivalent of a snake harumph. Hmmmsss. I wokesss too hot and after I ssstretched the hot out I fell out of the bed and went to the Place Where the Ratsss Sssometimesss Hide to get the Yellow Sssquare and I almossst had it when Winky, may mitesss infessst her sssilly earsss, tipped me into it. After I tied myssself in a knot I FINALLY essscaped (with the Yellow Sssquare), but I did not know where you were, ssso I left our Nessst to give it to the White One usssing the sssame path the Massster usssed when he took me to eat all the White One'sss mousssesss, but I forgotsss how long it wasss, and after going through the Cold Ssstone Placesss, and almossst getting my tail sssquashed by all the peoplesss I tried to hide from, I finally made it to the Ssstairsss that Move, but I could not get in, ssso I tried to ssslide through the rat hole, but it wasss too sssmall on the other ssside where I could not sssee it, ssso I got ssstuck and the Big Red Bird, who hasss very sharp clawsss, tried to helpsss me, but he almossst broke my back, and when he talked to the people hanging on the wallsss, the Pointy Faced One left to get the White One although he sssaid he did not know 'when' the White One wasss (and I remembered that becaussse it was sssuch a ssstrange thing to sssay). While I wasss waiting for the White One to return, the Big Red Bird caught on fire and, sssomehow, a sssmall baby bird (jussst the right sssize for a light sssnack) showed up and while I wondered how I could get it becaussse I wasss VERY hungry the ssstupid cat attacked my outssside half (and I am sssorry for the sssmelly messs I made for the White One) but she bitesss me and it hurt and after I knocked her off the ssstairsss with my tail (and I don't care if she got hurt) the White One came. He healed me, and after we waited for a while, he talked to the Hairless One and the Loud One, who went away, and jussst asss I was about to eatsss the moussse on hisss desssk, the White One told me I could not, ssso he brought me back here through thisss big black place with ssstarsss, then we found a rat, and after I ate it, I fell asssleep.

Almost dizzy with the telling, Harry commented wryly, I did not know you could hisss and breathe at the sssame time.

Smug, Horatio said, It is a skill necesssary to tell Tailsss.

A very Long Tail, Harry said dryly.

Oh, no. That wasss very short--the Tail of the Firssst Nessst--now that isss a Long Tail.

Harry blinked. Obviously it was something he should not pursue at this time if he ever wanted to finish. You were very brave, Horatio. I owesss you a Life Debt.

You are mossst welcome, Massster's mate, but you owesss me nothing--I was only protecting our Nessst. Did you get the Yellow Sssquare from the White One?

Yesss, he gave it to me and told me you were a hero.

I am very happy you got it--I thought it was important becaussse the Massster left it for you and took a long time to make it. Now perhapsss you will not yell at each other.

All this because Horatio had not wanted them to argue? I did not get it until later becaussse I wasss with your Massster. He hasss been hurt and isss in the Healing Place.

Horatio bobbed in distress. Will he be well?

I think ssso, although he will be late for the ceremony thisss evening.

Horatio pulled his head back, puzzled. Ceremony? What isss thisss ceremony?

Well, this was not going to be an easy one. How best to explain to a snake the idea of a wedding? Harry thought about it a moment and then hissed slowly, The ceremony is a time when your Massster and I will gather with all the People of our Nessst and promissse to be life-matesss.

??? I do not understandsss thisss notion of a 'ceremony'. Are you not already life-matesss? You have twined, you have mated, you did not eat each other. What more isss there?

And that, as they say, was that. Harry smiled, thinking his life would be so much simpler if he could only see things through the eyes of a snake, although he suspected his and Severus' definition of 'eating each other' was distinctly different than Horatio's.

Their. Would there be a 'their'? No, Severus would be all right, he had to keep believing it--assuming, of course, Quiesta was successful in healing him. He looked over at the snake expecting to see his normal bright eyes, but instead his tongue tested the air with sharp jabs as if he was smelling something unusual. What are you not telling me about the Massster? You tassste uncertain. You are not sssure the Massster will be well?

Harry temporized with, The headmassster sssaysss he will be fine.

Horatio, still enamoured of the headmaster, commented as Harry began to bathe, The White One isss very kind and gentle.

Mossst of the time, but sssometimesss he isss very sssneaky and ssspeaksss with three forksss, Harry said, lathering up.

Horatio nudged his ear to get his attention. Harry ignored him, scrubbing his face. I think you have judged the weather wrong. He doesss not sssmell that way. He tassstesss of honesssty and sssummer fruit.

Snorting bubbles, Harry said, He isss, until you want sssomething from him he doesss not want to show.

I am confusssed. Why would you want sssomething from an Elder he doesss not want to give you? Horatio's voice held censure.

Good question. Why did he want it and how would explain it all? I want becaussse I need.

Swaying in distress, Horatio struggled to understand. Now you tassste like the tenssse time before a Warm Ssseassson rain when the light flashesss in the sssky. You are angry with him? Doesss he do thisss in every ssseassson?

No. Mossst of the time, when he will not tell me thingsss, I let it fly with the wind, but today I needed to know becaussse my mate isss hurt and I thought I needed it to help him. And he would not give it to me.

Horatio mused on this a minute and finally said, It isss true I sssee a rat differently when I'm hungry than when I'm not--isss thisss what you mean?

Clossse enough.

Ssso you tell the White One your sssecretsss?

Harry was startled by the question. No, I sssuppossse I do not.

Do you and your mate share sssecretsss?

No, not alwaysss.

Then I do not underssstand. Why wouldsss you asssk more of the White One than you would of your own mate?

I do not like sssecretsss when I need to know. Severusss' sssilence I underssstand.

But sssecretsss are good. It isss the way of the People to hide thingsss--how elssse do you sssurvive? One doesss not reveal where the Nessst isss hidden ssso the eggsss are sssafe. It isss not alwaysss prudent to share knowledge. Sssome thingsss one already knowsss, sssome things one mussst find on one'sss own, sssome thingsss are bessst not known, and sssome thingsss are never known. Isss that not the way of the humansss?

There was quite a bit of truth in such simple statements. He thought back to what he'd witnessed in the infirmary. You know, Horatio, I think you may be right, Harry said finally, placing a soap covered finger on the end of Horatio's nose.

The forked tongue came out and licked the small bubbles off. Mmmm. Tassstesss of sssage and wood, but it isss very bitter. He flicked his tongue several times in the air. You tasssted bitter, too, but your sssmell hasss changed. It isss sssweeter with lesss sssalt. Do you feel better yet? he asked querulously.

Harry dunked and rinsed. Coming back up, he said, Yesss, I believe I do. Thank you again, oh wissse one. First you sssaved my life, then you sssaved the Yellow Sssquare, and now you may have sssaved a friendship. Not bad for a day'sss hunt.

Horatio bobbed in pleasure and moved nearer the mat when Harry hoisted himself up on the ledge. As he got out of the water, standing on the edge, a splash followed in his wake, dousing the rapidly retreating snake. Hey! I am not dirty. Now I am wet. Thisss will not do! With a movement faster than Harry could follow, Horatio whipped his tail around Harry's ankle and pulled sharply. With a yell and a huge splash, Harry fell back into the water. As he came up sputtering, he could hear suspiciously smug snake sounds fading away from him as Horatio said, Na Na Na NA na, while he hid deep in the foliage around the pool.

With a mock growl, Harry called out to the room at large, You have to come out sssometime, Horatio, and when you do...

Yes, he was definitely hearing the equivalent of snake laughter. Oh, I am ssso ssscared. I have fed. I can wait here longer than you can. You have to go to your 'ceremony'. Ssso go.

Harry muttered, I will. When the White One letsss me and my mate isss healed.

Off to the side he could see a snake head poke out from under a philodendron leaf, the tongue flicking in and out in agitation. He was about to go after the prankster, but stopped when he heard the plaintive, The Massster will be well, won't he, Harry?

How could he get even now? He climbed back out of the pool and walked the edge over to Horatio and, sitting on his haunches, he held out his arm. Horatio climbed up and around, settling evenly on Harry's shoulders, his head extended to the fore and turned so they were eye to eye. Your Massster will return to the Nessst, Horatio.

Horatio bobbed his head in response and flicked Harry's nose with his tongue like he always did Severus. Harry chuckled at the gesture, one always given with affection. Do you wish to come with me or ssstay?

Ssstay. It isss warm in here; the other Placesss are too cold. As Harry nodded, Horatio slid off his body and slithered over to the tatami mat Severus always used to cool off. He coiled on the mat just under a leaf hanging over the edge.

Harry understood and left him to his own devices.

TBC