Summary: The past will come back, the present will change them, now what will the future hold?
Disclaimer: I do not own them, sad but true
A/N: Yes this is an AU fic. Reviews are welcome, flames are shared with friends for amusement.
Chapter 11
An hour later, sitting at the dinner table in Severus' quarters, Harry picked at his food. Here was his so-called father already dishing out punishments. He could get that from the Dursleys. Everyone turned when there was a knock on the door.
Grumbling about his meal being interrupted, Severus opened the door.
"Severus, I am afraid I have bad news. We believe one of the Ministry is coming to remove Mr. Potter from your care, under orders of Voldemort. We do not think it wise for you or Harry to be here when they arrive. Is there somewhere you can take him?"
"We will just return to the cottage, but what about the Weasley boy. Are his parents coming to get him?"
"I'm sorry, Severus. Arthur and Molly have gone to Egypt to visit one of their other children and asked if you would mind Ron staying on for a few more days."
"You mean not only do I have to hide out, but I have to take both of them with me. No contact with the outside world?"
"Don't be silly, Severus. Remus knows where you will be staying, and he will be popping in to see if you need anything."
"Why does that not bring me any comfort? As you wish, Albus. We will leave right after dinner."
After a few more words, Severus returned to the table and found two very wide-eyed boys. "Hurry up and eat, as you heard we will be leaving after dinner. Do not think, however, that I have forgotten your tardiness today."
Harry was furious. "Yes, let us not forget to do some stupid essay, while Voldemort searches for me. I wouldn't want you to worry about me at all."
"I would hold my tongue on things I do not know about. Of course I care, but you should learn that being late can have its drawbacks. Now go and get ready."
Harry stormed out of the room, and Ron, boiling mad, swung around to Severus. "You know it wouldn't kill you to act like you gave a damn for five minutes. You don't have to be a git all the time, do you?" Slamming his fist down on the table Ron got up and followed Harry into the room.
Severus was awe struck. Did he really come across like that? He would have to make sure to show Harry that he did care. He was only beside himself with worry today, and he must have come across as angry. It would be hard to learn to show his feelings again.
An hour later all three were walking into the cottage, and Harry, without saying a word, walked into his room and slammed the door. Ron shrugged off the look Severus gave and followed Harry. When he walked in, Harry was sitting on the bed, rocking back and forth. "He doesn't care. All I wanted was for him to act like he gave a damn."
"I know, Harry, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks, mate. He just doesn't have any emotions it seems."
Both boys sat down in silence for a long minute, and then they heard the knock on the door. "I will be in there in thirty minutes, I expect you both to be in bed."
Both boys got ready and climbed into bed, but Harry soon jumped back up. "How silly of me, I almost forgot! I have the potion." Running over to his bag, he pulled one of the two vials out, but looked at Ron. "Ron, promise me on our friendship, you will not tell anyone about this."
"Why would I tell anyone? Serves him right for making you miserable. Go ahead, before he gets in here."
Smiling Harry placed two drops on his tongue and crawled into the bed, placing the vial under his mattress. Instantly he felt like someone had turned up the heat in the room, and motioned Ron over. "Do I feel warm to you, because it is hot in here all of a sudden?"
Ron felt Harry's head and quickly snatched his hand back. "Harry, you are burning up! Do you feel all right?"
"I feel fine except for being hot. Now be quiet, Severus is coming." Harry, not being able to take the covers even laying on him, threw them off as Severus walked through the door.
"Well, it is good to see that you can at least get ready for bed unassisted," Severus said as he walked into the room. "Tomorrow we will begin working on the paper I asked you for." He walked over and blew the candle out beside Ron, and then walked over to Harry's bed.
"Why have you thrown the covers off? It is not hot in here," he said, pulling them back up to cover Harry.
"Well, I am hot, and the covers are making me hotter," Harry said, throwing them back off. Harry flinched as Severus neared him. He was sweating, and he knew it.
"Harry, is there something wrong with you? You are sweating." Severus then placed his hand on Harry's head and drew it back quickly. "Harry, you have a fever. Did you and Mr. Weasley get into something in Hogsmeade?"
"No, and I will be fine. Do not worry, your essay will be completed tomorrow. Now I am tired and want to go to sleep."
"Very well, it is probably the after effect of all your running around anyway. I will see both of you in the morning. Breakfast is at seven o'clock sharp. If you are late you simply will not eat."
Severus walked out of the door, and Harry waited a few minutes to make sure he was gone. "It worked. The potion really worked. I'm not writing his stupid essay, and I am not going to be at breakfast promptly at seven," he mocked.
Giving Ron a high five and then crawling back into his own bed, Harry drifted off into dreams.
