Chapter 6

Harry Potter cursed to himself as he looked down at the greasy, skinny and unconscious professor in his arms. He was sure that he had sent his simulacrum back to the Gryffindor tower, he always did, it was automatic after all these months of creating it, after painstakingly researching about it in secret. Somehow leaving the ever-observant Hermione none the wiser on his illicit research. So how had Snape realised he had come here and not followed his duplicate? He wondered if the Gods somewhere were having a good laugh at his expense or whether he had somehow brought this upon himself. For two years he had kept his secret, looking back maybe he had been lucky it lasted that long. There had to be some way to protect his secret, he wasn't about to announce to the wizarding world what he was.

A slight motion from the figure in his arms brought Harry back to Earth, looking carefully and concernedly at the Potions Master he identified the shallow cuts along his lower arm, one gash coming perilously close to the Dark Mark, revealed by the torn sleeves of his robes. He was also worryingly cold. Harry was less affected by the chilly weather, his transfigured school robes saw to that. He knew he had to get Snape back to Hogwarts, but how? In his natural state he could easily carry him, but that would lead to questions he didn't necessarily want to answer. He would barely be able to lift the Professor in his glamouried state, so that was not an option.

He realised standing still was not going to do Snape any good. So, wrapping his cloak securely around the professor, he started off through the forest, heading back to Hogwarts in large strides ducking low branches as he went. He was cradling Snape like a child, bundled up in the cloak he had hastily conjured. An idea came to him as he walked.

It was likely that his duplicate was still in the Gryffindor tower, he had not received the usual indication when it faded. Potentially he could pretend that he and Harry Potter were separate entities and he had happened across Snape in the depths of the Forbidden Forest, when he had followed his tracks in the mistaken thought that Mr. Potter had wandered off. The fact that his simulacrum was still in the tower and could be controlled remotely would aid him greatly. In fact he was only worried about Professor Dumbledore, being the canny candy loving man that he was, finding holes in his otherwise suitable plan. There were other factors such as why he was in the Forbidden Forest and what his alter ego's name was, but he knew with a small smile, that he could handle those. Another reason occurred to him.

Harry himself had long been yearning for a way to escape the confines of his midget glamour, the cramps from it were getting worse since he had reached his final height of 9' 11", the magic taken to maintain it was not so serious since it took a mere fraction of his true power. But as the textbook he had found on the subject stated, the further the glamour from the true appearance of the person, the more uncomfortable it became. The possibility of having to remain with it on for the entire summer at the hell-on-Earth known as the Dursley's made him shudder. There was a certain possibility here to dispose with Harry Potter's persona and adopt a new one, as long as Harry could be removed in a suitable manner… For now though Harry Potter and Severus Snape's current saviour would have to remain in the same building as ingeniously separate people.

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As Harry crossed the boundaries separating the Forbidden Forest from the orderly manicured lawns of Hogwarts he saw a light glowing in the window of Hagrid's cabin. This would be the perfect place to start getting Severus help and would begin his new life, hopefully. Approaching the door, and noticing with humour that it was the right size for him now, used one foot to kick lightly at the door. A strange whining occurred from within, along with some heavy footsteps.

Hagrid opened the door already looking down at the average wizard's height. What he did not expect to see was the broad torso of a person his size, slowly raising his eyes, and eyebrows at the sight of Professor Severus Snape wrapped up in the man's arms, they can to rest on the fine features of a stranger that looked him evenly in the eyes. He narrowed his beetle black eyes at the man in question, then peered worriedly at the unconscious professor in his arms. Finally he asked in a slightly accusing tone.

"Wha's' 'appened to the professor. Wha'ave you done to 'im?"

"My good half-giant, I am merely returning him home, I found him lost in the Forbidden Forest and surrounded by Shadow wolves. Now if you would be so kind as to show me where I can find some medical attention I would be most grateful."

Hagrid narrowed his dark eyes further at the man

"Who are ye'? Wha' are ye'? An' wha' where ye' doin in the Forbidden Forest to begin with?"

"All in good time sir, but it is of more pressing matter to get this man aid. I fear he has the beginnings of hypothermia and the wolves also mauled him. He will get worse if he doesn't get help soon. Now direct me where to go!" Harry said, rapidly losing patience with the suspicious half giant.

Hagrid nodded slowly, looking with down at the figure cocooned in Harry's long cloak.

"Follow me then, an' no wandrin' off while inside the castle." With that Hagrid bent down to pick up his lantern to better light the way up to the school doors. And with large strides easily followed by Harry they trudged across the snow covered lawns up to the main front door. Hagrid paused before opening the door and turned to Harry. "Wha's your name then? I can' jus' call yeh mister."

Harry smiled at his unknowing friend.

"My name is Nova, Aristo Nova."