Then, coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
Chapter 5: Then, coming out
Harry sighed, holding up a piece of tattered cloth. The day had been going so well, too. Fred and George seemed to have managed to get him out of that check-up pickle and he hadn't needed to spend too much time in that dark alcove. He hadn't seen Snape since and could only imagine that to be a good sign. If the man had suspected any form of cheating, there was no doubt in Harry's mind that he would have come to find him immediately.
Being in good spirits after his first victory over the Slytherin head of house, Harry had gone back up to his dorm room to get his new things organised, only to find most of them in tatters. The grinning faces greeting him when he had clambered into the common room should have been warning enough and, sure, Harry had wondered when the inevitable bomb would drop but he was still…
He didn't know what to feel. Flabbergasted? No, he saw this coming. Maybe not this, per se, but he knew that something was going to happen. Sad? Couldn't be. He never expected to be welcomed with open arms into this hellhole of a house. Let alone into the room where the Malfoy heir resided. Heck, he couldn't even bring himself to be angry at this point. What had he expected to happen, leaving his new things on his bed like that? Of course, the Slytherins were going to lash out.
Harry picked up one of the books. None of those had been ripped or torn but they had been callously tossed aside, leaving many a page wrinkled and stained. Even his quills and ink jars were in reasonable shape. Harry suspected that the Slytherins – not being fools – didn't want the teachers to find out about what they had done which is why they left his school supplies mostly alone. Even his Hogwarts robes were still fine.
But there was not a single item of clothing that was left untouched. They were ripped up, holey, dirty and sometimes even singed as if someone had used the clothes for target practice.
There was nothing for it. At this point, Harry saw three options. He could ask Hermione to help him repair some of his things, though that would mean admitting to her how rotten the Slytherins were being. Somehow, he really didn't like that idea. He could go on wearing whatever was still wearable and bear with it. He had done the same with his old cast-offs from Dudley – though those weren't nearly in as bad a shape as these clothes. Or he could just order a new wardrobe from his own money. Not that he was particularly rich, but he had enough money to at least replace these rags.
Telling on the Slytherins didn't even make it on the list. Who would he tell anyway? Snape? As if that bastard would ever take his side. McGonagall? She wasn't his head of house anymore and she sure as hell didn't seem to be in any condition to care at the moment. As for Dumbledore – well – the man meant well but he seemed all too happy about Harry's new placement. It didn't seem right to tell him about this.
Harry neatly folded the ruined clothing to put them away for now. He would just order new things. That would be the easiest thing to do. Until he could, he would just wear whatever would not fall off of him and repair them to the best of his abilities. Though that particular spell was arguably not one of his best. His robes would simply need to hide the rest.
How dare the boy?
Severus peered at the two near-identical pieces of parchment set side by side on his desk. The only difference in appearance was the name filled out in the top right corner. The left one read 'Fred Weasley' while the other one read 'Harry James Potter'.
Severus severely doubted that the two boys had encountered the exact same accidents and illnesses throughout their lives. Not only that but being muggle-raised, Potter could never have sustained such injuries such as gnome bitemarks and the like. It was a severe insult to his intelligence that those Gryffindor brats thought they could get away with this. Did they suspect he didn't read the reports? That he merely demanded these check-ups purely for the discomfort and embarrassment of his students? Or did they believe him to have the attention span of a needle? Surely, they would have realised that the low number of new reports coming in would have him instantly recognise any wrongdoing of the sort?
Oh yes, they were not going to get away with this.
The real question was, why did the brat seek to defy him over such a simple matter? What was he hiding? Severus assumed that the boy didn't trust him with any sensitive information – an insult in and of itself – or that he simply didn't want his new head of house to know about some of the mischief he had been getting into.
The more he thought about it, the more aggravated Severus became. Honestly, did the brats not even stop to consider the widely known yet extraordinarily rare past injuries the boy's check-up should have revealed? A basilisk bite, for example? Not to mention the killing curse he survived as an infant.
No, it was not only the act of attempted deception that had Severus so peeved. It was also the poor execution of it. It was – once again – a plain sign that none of those idiots belonged in Slytherin.
Now, how to best handle the situation?
The brat would get his check-up, like it or not. More out of principle than anything else, at this point. But first, Severus would try and provoke the truth out of him. Play with his mind a bit. Perhaps that could teach him the value of a well-spun lie rather than one that had only been subjected to a medium amount of effort at best.
Severus stacked the two pieces of parchment and slid them into his desk drawer.
Harry sat in the library, making another essay for potions while Hermione clicked her tongue in disapproval.
"Honestly, Harry, I cannot understand why your books are in that state."
Ron groaned and put his head down on his crossed arms. "Give him a break, Hermione," he said. "He's got it by now, alright? I'm sure he'll pay more attention next time."
"The same goes for you, you know," Hermione snapped at the redhead. "Look at you. You get brand new books and there are already so many folded corners!"
"Take it as a sign of my hard work," Ron said. "Day one and already I was forced to join the Hufflepuffs daily study session. And no, it's not optional."
"Well, I think that's wonderful," Hermione said. "Maybe you'll finally learn how much hard work pays off. I, for one, have been enjoying the company of my fellow Ravenclaws. They are all so smart, I can ask anything and there will always be someone who knows. And the best part? Even if no one does, we will all look it up together!"
"You're still a Gryffindor," Ron pointed out. "This arrangement is only temporary."
"I know that," Hermione sighed. "But is it really so bad to enjoy it while it lasts?"
"Of course not," Harry said. "I'm glad at least one of us is having a good time."
"That bad, huh?" Ron said. "Though I'm not really surprised. Dumbledore did kind of throw you into a snake pit."
"The hat did that, Ron," Hermione said.
Ron snorted. "Do you really think that the hat isn't influenced by Dumbledore? Not even a little bit?"
"The sorting hat is a powerful artefact," Hermione said. "Which you would know about if you ever bothered to read 'Hogwarts: A History.' It can't be tricked or bullied into making a decision it doesn't agree with."
"So, what did they do, Harry?" Ron asked, deciding to ignore Hermione entirely. "Anything I need to get them back for? You know I will."
"No, nothing," Harry lied. "They've mostly kept to themselves, really. Even Malfoy hasn't made a move yet but I suppose it helps that Fred and George are there with me."
"Yeah," Ron laughed. "You know, mum wasn't even surprised. Said she never understood why those two weren't sorted into Slytherin from the get-go what with their constantly getting into trouble and whatnot."
"Slytherin is not the house of rule-breakers, you know," Hermione pointed out.
"Yeah, I think that might actually be Gryffindor," Harry pointed out.
"Yeah but what we do is innocent," Ron said. "What the Slytherins do is worse. A lot worse."
"So tell me again why your brothers belong there, then?" Hermione asked.
Ron turned red. "I never – it was mum who – You know what, I'm sure it was just a joke anyway. No need to get all huffy about it."
"Oh, Harry, by the way," Hermione said. "Since you weren't there for the last Defence class, Professor Lupin asked me to tell you that he can't make the next Patronus lesson."
"What?" Harry said. "Why not?"
"I don't know his personal schedule," Hermione huffed. "He just told me to tell you that the lesson was postponed for a week."
Harry carefully crossed out one of the ingredients he wrongly added to his potion essay before filling in the correct one. "Fine, I guess," he said. "It's not as if I'll be flying anytime soon, anyway."
"Didn't the school replace your broom, then?" Ron asked. "That's ridiculous!"
"Well, his old broom was already gifted by the school," Hermione pointed out. "Maybe they don't want to splurge on a second one. Especially since they had to pay for so many of our belongings."
"Besides, it's not as if I'm in any team, anyway," Harry pointed out.
"You should just try out," Ron said. "You're much better than Malfoy is and it's not as if you'd be taking the cup away from Gryffindor or anything."
"I really don't need another reason to get on Malfoy's bad side, I think," Harry said. "After last year, his father already wants to skin me alive. What would he do if I took the seeker position away from his precious baby boy?"
"Cry to Dumbledore about it, I imagine," Ron laughed. "Or call a board meeting or something."
"Drama I could really do without," Harry confessed. "Maybe it won't be too bad to not be in the spotlight for once."
"I don't know," Ron said easily. "Harry Potter in Slytherin? I guarantee you that you'll be the talk of the school for a long time to come."
"Ron," Hermione hissed. "You're making it seem worse than it is."
"Think about it!" Ron argued. "Last year, they thought he was the heir of Slytherin. Well, this year, he's closer to the snakes than ever."
"Geez, thanks," Harry said sarcastically. "I simply can't take all the loving encouragement you're dishing out."
"Yeah well, for once, we're all sort of in the same boat as you," Ron said. "I think Hermione's the only one who's happy about the change."
Hermione mumbled something under her breath that Harry didn't quite catch.
"Hey," Ron suddenly said as if he had an amazing thought. "Maybe Snape will sign that Hogsmeade form for you!"
"You're kidding, right?" Harry exclaimed. "As if that git will ever want to do me any kind of favour."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Ron said, bending over his divination essay again. "I guess I'm just doomed to go with Hermione."
A quick swat to the back of his head shut him up after that. Meanwhile, Harry still stared at the words 'Porcupine quills' on his parchment. He could always ask, couldn't he? Surely, Snape would not hex him for trying.
Severus was still in his office, working to get some final preparations done for the next week when there was a knock on his door. It wasn't strange for his Slytherins to come knocking on his door when they were in need of assistance or anything of the sort, but for them to do so in the weekend was a bit more rare. He set down his quill properly and folded his hands on his desk before calling out to the mysterious knocker.
"Enter."
What was entirely unusual was for it to be Harry Potter himself to come strolling into his office without being told to do so. Severus inwardly told himself to not give away his surprise and watched the son of his nemesis shuffle inside as if he were a shy child. He wore the clear body language of someone who was about to ask for a favour. Just what he needed.
Severus quirked an eyebrow and gestured with a hand towards the empty seat sitting across his desk.
"Have a seat, Mr Potter," he said smoothly. This would be the perfect time for him to bring up the ruse between him and the twins but Severus preferred to bide his time.
The boy nodded and sat down, placing his hands in his lap where they started to fiddle with a loose strand of his robes. A behaviour Severus loathed. When the boy didn't speak he scraped his throat. "I'm certain that you and I both have things we would like to get back to sometime today, Mr Potter," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral. "If you would care to tell me what I can assist you with…"
That's when the boy reached into his pocket only to reveal a carefully folded piece of parchment that he unfolded before handing it to Severus. It was the permission slip to go to Hogsmeade.
Severus hid his surprise. What was he to do with it? It was unsigned. And how did the boy not loose this in the fire?
"I was just wondering if you - as my head of house – would be willing to sign this for me," Potter asked. "My uncle didn't get the time to do this."
Idiot child. If he had said that the form had been filled out and was simply lost in the fire, Severus would have had no trouble believing him. Certainly, he didn't like being lied to but it was another thing entirely to appreciate an opportunity taken. And this one was wasted.
Nevertheless, whatever the uncle's reasoning had been, this was probably for the better.
"What makes you believe that I have the authority to sign that for you?" Severus asked. It was true that he was in no way entitled to do so. And he wondered where the boy got the notion from.
But he seemed to already know that, judging by the resigned look on his face accompanied by the gritting of teeth.
"I know that," Potter said. "Technically, it's not allowed, right? But I imagined that you… that maybe –"
"Knew of a way to circumvent said rule?" Severus finished for him. "You would ask me to try and deceive the headmaster just for the sake of you being allowed to buy candy and toys?"
That's when that defiant look that reminded Severus so much of James Potter returned. "I would expect you to be happy when I'm out of the castle," he exclaimed rudely. "The less you see of me, the better, right?"
Ah, there was that lack of decorum again. "Do you typically speak to the people you wish favours of in such a crude manner?" Severus asked coldly. "Does it often work out to your advantage?"
The brat had the decency to look at least a tad contrite. "No," he said.
"Then what in Merlin's name gave you the idea that you would be able to convince me with such blatant lack of respect?" Severus asked. "What in the time you have spent in this castle eluded you to think up such ridiculous tactics?"
"It wasn't a tactic," Potter defended himself. "I was just a bit upset."
"Being unhappy with the outcome of your request does not give you the right to throw a tantrum," Severus admonished. "You are lucky that you did so in the privacy of my office or there would need to be consequences."
Potter said nothing to that. No words of gratitude for Severus' leniency or sound advice.
It's not as if Severus didn't understand the boy's willingness to go to Hogsmeade just like his year mates would. And any other year, they might have been able to figure something out. But now…
"You are aware, of course, that there is a convicted serial killer on the loose," Severus said. Potter's head snapped up and there was newfound fury in his eyes that befuddled Severus.
"I don't see how that has anything to do with me," he said. "People keep telling me that I need to be careful but, so far, the dementors have done me more harm than Sirius Black. I'm not convinced that he's after me."
"In an instance such as this one, it is better to be safe than sorry," Severus said sternly. "I would tend to… agree that it is rather farfetched for Black to be after your hide specifically but the fact remains that he was close to the Dark Lord and might therefore try to seek revenge for his demise. A demise that he believes to be your fault."
Severus sighed and rapped his fingers in quick succession on the edge of his desk.
"As for the dementors, I am fully aware of their effect on you. It is, however, merely another reason why it is preferred you stay in the castle."
"How is that fair?" Potter exclaimed. "It's not my fault they're here."
"It is not," Severus agreed. "And yet, you might very unfairly risk the lives of your friends if you go out before Black has been caught. Is it fair? No. Regrettably, though, life isn't fair."
The brat dared snort at him. "No," he said. "I realised as much."
"Act your age, Potter," Severus warned him. "I will not have you throwing tantrums and hissy fits as you see fit. You've already broken enough rules for which I still need to give you a detention."
"But I –"
"I have warned you beforehand that I am not as indulgent as your previous head of house was. You will not be allowed to run around unchecked the same way your father was back in the day."
"He wasn't –"
"There are worse things in life than not being allowed to go on some sort of frivolous outing once every few weekends. If that is too much for you to bear, I suggest you take it up with Professor Dumbledore, though I can assure you that his stance on the matter will be no different from mine."
The anger and disappointment in the boy's eyes were somehow pleasant to Severus. Not only because he was absolutely correct in denying the boy his request but also because he was still peeved about the stunt he had tried to pull today.
He expected more push back and was slightly surprised to only hear, "I understand" from the boy.
"Good," Severus replied. "As for the aforementioned detention for not being on time at the breakfast table as well as roaming the hallways by yourself, you will serve two evenings of detention with me on Monday and Tuesday."
"Two?" the brat exclaimed.
"Two transgressions, two punishments," Severus said evenly. "Unless you rather I took the cane to your back." That last sentence was in jest but Severus didn't miss the horrified expression on Potter's face.
"Relax, Mr Potter," Severus said. "Physical punishment hasn't been allowed in Hogwarts for decades, much to Mr Filch's disdain."
And for a boy who regularly faced powerful foes and gruesome injuries without so much as a single shed tear, Severus doubted it would have a lot of effect anyway.
"Now, was there anything else you wished to discuss with me?" Severus asked, scrutinizing the boy closely. If he had the sense to come clean now, Severus might still show mercy. But the boy shook his head.
"Nothing, sir," he said.
"Very well," Severus replied. "Best be on your way then. Don't forget that you have a Potion's essay due Monday."
"I know," Potter said. Then he got up without so much as a thank you and walked out of Severus' office, closing the door just a tad too lightly for it to click shut. Annoyed, Severus got up from behind his desk and closed the door properly.
Honestly, what in the world had the boy thinking that he would ever agree to sign his form? Chances were that he had already asked Minerva the same thing but not even she would agree to such favours at a time like this.
Severus sat back down, sinking heavily into his chair. He didn't actually believe that Black was after Potter's life. Deranged or not, there was simply no real reason for it. But if that was the case, what was the man really after?
He took a sip of wine.
It was horrifying that Lupin was teaching the boy to cast a Patronus simply because those dementors seemed to like coming especially close to him. He just hoped that this new arrangement didn't mean that he would have to converse with Lupin about the boy's progress. He would if he had to but he just wasn't sure that he could get through a prolonged conversation with the man without hexing him.
And there we have it. Chapter five. Please let me know what you thought!
