Chapter 43

It was only half-past ten and Severus was already irritated. Not that Severus' irritation was a rare occurrence, but given it was the first day of the spring holiday, most of his usual irritants, ie the pupils, were not present and he should be able to relax for once. Instead he had been summoned, for the second time in two days, to Magical Law Enforcement to be interrogated by the Aurors.

He had already made a statement which gave the Aurors as much information about the attack as Severus had, so their continued questioning was unnecessary and time-wasting. Severus' relationship with the Auror department remained sour and mistrusting and their base-level of animosity was confounded by his refusal to allow them access to Potter. Fortunately, as both Minerva and Poppy were in agreement, the Aurors could not force their way in to see Harry.

The boy in question seemed to be doing remarkably well considering. Severus would always be grateful, and indebted, to the phoenix that saved Harry's life. Another reason that the Aurors' questions irritated Severus so greatly was that he couldn't bear to relive those moments when Harry's life was in such peril. It made him feel sick to remember the fear in Harry's face when he was portkeyed away. Severus was almost paralyzed by the overwhelming emotions when he thought of Harry struck down by a version of his own spell and when he pictured Harry lying bloody in his arms.

Severus shook off the cold trickle that ascended his spine as he thought of Harry's pale face and marched through the corridors towards the hospital wing. He would reassure himself quickly of Harry's continued recovery and then head back to his rooms to make a start on the mock OWL exam papers he had set the 5th years before the break.

He entered the Hospital Wing with the same confidence he entered every room, but was dismayed to find the entire wing, including Harry's bed, empty. His initial panic was squashed by a quick search of Harry's bed area which suggested he had not been taken by force. His wand, clothes and Fawkes, who had not left Harry's side since he saved his life, were all gone. He hoped that meant Poppy had discharged the boy, but he would be surprised if she had, given how drained Harry's magic had been when they brought him in.

Severus went into her office and then knocked on the door to her private chambers.

"Poppy!" The medi-witch appeared at the door promptly, used to emergency calls. "Where is Potter?"

"Potter?" Poppy frowned, stepping through to her office. "He should be in his bed."

"You haven't discharged him?"

"Certainly not." They moved into the ward so Poppy could see Potter's absence for herself. "He's going to need to be closely monitored for at least a week."

Poppy picked up the chart from the end of Potter's bed, which magically updated Harry's progress. "He was still sleeping when I brought his breakfast this morning, but his chart says he ate it when he awoke. It seems as though Mr Potter has decided to discharge himself."

Severus sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly through his teeth. "I will find him."

He stormed through the corridors with his robes swishing behind him ominously as he once again searched for Harry Potter. He headed up towards Minerva's office first to see if the Headmistress had seen him, but he suspected he would uncover the boy in the Gryffindor or 8th Year dorms. It was with some surprise therefore when he turned a corner and nearly bumped into the boy-saviour himself.

"Potter." He growled. "What in Merlin's name are you doing out of the Hospital Wing?"

"Er –"

"Before you lie to me, Potter, do remember that I have just seen Madam Pomfrey who informed me that she categorically did not discharge you from the infirmary."

Harry gulped, swallowing down the lie that he had begun to formulate. Instead he shrugged and told the truth. "I just left to take Fawkes back to his perch."

"Really?" Snape drawled, looking pointedly at Albus' ridiculous bird. "Then why is he still here?"

"Er, well," Harry scratched the back of his head, beginning to feel tired again. "Dumbledore said Fawkes has chosen me now. That's why he won't leave me."

That brought Severus' rant to a momentary halt. "Dumbledore?"

"His portrait." Harry clarified. "We spoke for a bit."

Severus surveyed the young wizard's expression closely to assess the emotional impact such a conversation may have had, but he seemed fine.

"I see. While I am glad that you have had chance to speak with Professor Dumbledore, that does not excuse the fact that you chose to sneak out of the Hospital Wing."

"I didn't sneak!" Harry denied.

Snape lifted an eyebrow. "Did you or did you not look into the corridor before you stepped through the Infirmary doors?"

"Er," Harry grimaced. "Fine, I sneaked out, but only because I feel fine!"

"You'll have to forgive me, Potter. I hadn't realized that you had passed your Healer's mastery."

Harry rolled his eyes at the professor's sarcasm.

"Sorry, Sir." He offered with some sincerity.

Severus gave him one last glare before swishing around with his usual flare. "Come, Mr Potter."

Harry hurried after the Professor. "Where are we going?"

"I am returning the fugitive." He drawled without turning back.

Harry didn't complain. Though he didn't think he really needed to be in the hospital wing, he was actually starting to feel quite tired.

Suddenly the corridors of Hogwarts seemed immensely long and the trip he had done from the Infirmary to McGonagall's office was apparently twice as long in reverse. A moving staircase at one point forced them off of the quickest course and Harry struggled to keep up with his long-legged teacher as they ascended another set of steps.

Fawkes was starting to squawk discontentedly again which distracted Harry enough that he fell even further behind Snape.

"Sir, can you slow down a bit?" Harry panted. He was actually beginning to feel quite unwell. At the other end of the corridor he saw Snape turn but grey spots were beginning to appear across his vision.

"Potter?" He heard Snape ask in concern.

Harry stopped to lean against a wall. "Sorry, Sir, I'm feeling a bit…tired." He closed his eyes for a second, feeling the waft of air over his face as Fawkes flew nearby.

"Harry!" Severus shook his shoulder in alarm.

The Gryffindor's eyes fluttered open to prove that he was still awake. "M'okay." He slurred. Snape's face was up close to his, scrutinizing him with concern. "Just really tired…all of a sudden."

"Yes, that happens when you're suffering from magical exhaustion and you go traipsing through the castle."

Severus looked around them. They were still a fair way from the Hospital Wing, but Severus happened to know of a Tapestry nearby, through which a shortcut would lead them quickly to his own quarters in the dungeon. He looked at Potter once more and made his decision. Throwing one of Harry's arms around his shoulders and putting his own arm around the boy's narrow waist, Severus supported much of Harry's weight.

Harry didn't put up any resistance, stumbling along wherever Snape led. It was only as they passed through the Tapestry that Harry frowned through the fog of his exhaustion.

"This isn't the way to the Hospital Wing."

"Correct"

"This goes to the dungeons." Harry said through the dizziness. The drain on his energy seemed to leave him dozy and filter-less, like he'd had one too many drinks.

Severus twisted his neck awkwardly to look at the boy-Saviour's dopey expression. "And how exactly do you know that, Mr Potter?"

"Got a map." Something niggled at the back of Harry's brain like he had forgotten something.

"Really?"

"Yep." Harry popped the 'p'. "Wait," he remembered. "The Hospital wing isn't in the dungeons."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Very observant of you, Mr Potter," he praised sarcastically, though the pleasant smile on the young wizard's face said he had taken it sincerely. "The Infirmary was too far, we're going to my quarters."

"Oh." Harry said, yawning widely. "Okay."

He was quiet for the rest of their trek, with Severus keeping one eye on him to ensure he didn't lose consciousness. The Professor let them all into his quarters, including the phoenix, and led Harry to his spare room where he helped him into bed.

Snape left for a minute and returned with a potion which Harry took without question, too tired to consider what was actually happening.

The professor cast a spell over him and then patted his shoulder comfortingly. "You'll be fine once you have slept. Provided you stay in bed this time.

"Thanks, Sir." Harry said quietly. He didn't hear if Snape said anything in response, his eyes were already shut and he was drifting away to peaceful sleep.

It was over eight hours before the alarms Severus had set up in his spare room alerted him to Harry waking up. In that time he had informed Poppy that he would keep the runaway patient in his rooms for the rest of his recovery and he had checked on said patient numerous times.

Hearing the quiet charm, Severus requested a light supper for the Gryffindor from the house elves and went to see how he was doing.

Harry blinked up blearily when he entered, not yet fully awake. Severus ignored him, giving him time to adjust while the professor ran some medical scans on him. Satisfied to see significant improvement in the test results, Severus stepped back from the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

Harry shuffled up slightly in bed so his shoulders were raised by the pillows. "Pretty good."

A tray of sandwiches appeared on a side table. "Good, your core seems to have replenished well. Are you hungry? You missed dinner."

Harry nodded, sitting upright so the tray could be levitated onto his lap. "God, how long was I out for?"

"A solid eight hours." Severus sat in a nearby armchair and nodded at the sandwiches encouragingly. "Eat."

Harry happily picked up a chicken sandwich. "I can't believe I slept through the whole day."

"This is what happens when you leave the infirmary before you are fully recovered."

Harry had the good grace to look a bit ashamed. "I'm sorry. I really did think I was all better."

"Eat." Severus reminded him and Harry took another bite of the forgotten sandwich in his hand.

"Do I need to go back to the Hospital Wing now?"

"It has been agreed that you will remain here until you are fully recovered."

Harry dropped his hand as it reached for another sandwich. "What? Here? How come?"

"Eloquent as ever, Potter." Harry only huffed in response, looking at Snape expectantly until he explained. "I have agreed with Madam Pomfrey that I will oversee the rest of your recuperation so as to avoid any further attempts at escape." Severus rose his eyes pointedly.

"I wouldn't have left again." Harry pouted but he didn't argue any further; staying here at least seemed more interesting than being stuck in the hospital wing.

"And now I shall make sure that you don't." Harry sighed and the professor smirked. He petted Harry's arm gently. "Rest, Mr Potter. I would very much like to make it through three consecutive days without seeing you collapse."

For the next 36 hours Harry was the perfect patient. He spent most of the time sleeping and when he wasn't asleep he was eating, since Snape seemed to have decided he was too thin to miss any meals. By Wednesday morning, however, he was back to feeling absolutely fine and being completely and utterly bored.

Harry thought Madam Pomfrey was bad, but Snape was being bloody tyrannical about his recovery. He hadn't even allowed Harry to study yet; he'd had to ask Kreacher to smuggle his textbooks in so he could revise in secret. Hermione would be proud.

Harry spent the afternoon thinking up arguments to convince Snape to let him out of bed only to be stunned into silence when the professor came in before dinner time.

"Come, Potter, I think you are well enough to come and sit at the table for dinner." Harry jumped out of bed enthusiastically only for Snape to fling a jumper and a pair of slippers at him. "Self-preservation, Potter." He muttered and turned out of the room.

Harry might have expected dinner with his formerly most hated professor to be an awkward affair, but it turned out to be quite relaxed. His mouth watered at the sight of salmon and creamy potatoes, his appetite strong as his body recovered.

"The Aurors are coming tomorrow." Snape said as they ate. "They want to take your statement about what happened."

"Okay." Harry shrugged. "I'm surprised they haven't spoken to me sooner to be honest."

Snape was suspiciously quiet. "What?" Harry asked, watching the man chew his food inconspicuously.

Severus sipped his water before answering. "They wanted to interview you sooner."

"But?"

"Madam Pomfrey…and I, asked them to wait until you were further recovered."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I probably could have managed an interview."

"Perhaps." Snape offered no more comment and Harry was left wondering if the man's actions were an attempt to spite the Auror Department or another way in which he intended to demonstrate his protectiveness. It made Harry's stomach feel unsettled so he decided not to dwell on it either way.

"What time are they coming?"

"Ten."

"Can I see my friends afterwards?"

"Friends?"

"Ron, Hermione, Ginny."

"You want me to have four Gryffindors in my personal living space at once?"

"Or I could go and meet them in the tower."

Snape glared. "I think not."

"Then yes, I would like you to have four very quiet, well-behaved, well-mannered Gryffindors in your quarters, please?"

Severus sighed dramatically. "Perhaps. We will see how you are feeling tomorrow. If you are well-enough you may be able to see them after lunch, provided you nap once the Aurors are gone."

Harry wrinkled his nose at the word 'nap', but was otherwise satisfied with the terms. "Thanks, Sir."

"So, when do you think I'll be well enough to go back to my dorms, Sir?" Harry asked as they finished their meal.

"Bored of my company already, Potter?"

"Harry." The Gryffindor corrected. "And no, of course not. I like talking to you, Sir." He said sincerely. "I'm just not good at being cooped up."

"We will need to keep monitoring your magical energy levels, but you should be relatively healthy by the weekend."

The plates were magically cleared and a moment later bowls of rhubarb crumble appeared in front of them accompanied by a jug of custard. Harry looked at it hungrily, surprised by his own appetite. They ate for a few minutes in companionable silence. Harry couldn't believe how comfortable he was eating dinner in Snape's private rooms. The quiet, however, alerted Harry, once again, to the unsettled feeling that kept coming upon him, that same slick, slimy dark feeling that he had felt in Hogsmeade. Suddenly Harry's appetite was gone and the delicious dessert he had been savouring moments earlier made him feel sick. He slowed the hand which held his spoon, taking smaller bites of crumble, but still moving so as not to alert Severus' suspicions.

Another thought occurred to him as he distracted himself. "You never did tell me what you found out about my magic."

Severus put his spoon down. "Perhaps now is not the time for this conversation."

"Dumbledore had a theory about it." Harry said, ignoring Snape's avoidance.

Snape sighed, wiped his mouth on his napkin and put it down purposefully. "Yes, he usually does."

Harry felt the professor's eyes on him, but he looked down into his own bowl, stirring the custard idly.

"I'd like to know what you found out too." Snape didn't speak so Harry looked up into his dark assessing eyes. "You're making me think you discovered something awful. That I'm going to turn into a monster or something."

"No, Harry, not at all." Severus denied quickly. "There is nothing bad or wrong at all in what I have learnt. My only reluctance in telling you stemmed from my belief that it was not what you wanted to hear."

Harry shrugged. "I'm a big boy. I can take it."

"Are you finished?" Severus indicated Harry's half-eaten, now mushy, pudding. Harry nodded. "Then let's move to the sitting room."

There wasn't really a definitive barrier between Severus' dining area and sitting room, but the furniture within the large open room had been carefully arranged to give the appearance of two distinct spaces. The 'sitting room', to which they moved, was made up of a navy two-seater sofa and matching armchair positioned strategically around the fireplace. A side table between the pieces held a lamp, no personal photos or nick-nacks, while the numerous shelves that lined the walls overflowed with books.

Snape sat in his usual armchair and waited until Harry was settled on the adjacent sofa. "From what I have read, magical power like you have been experiencing is rare but not unheard of." Harry was listening closely, nodding along with interest. "There have been wizards and witches who have exhibited similar traits including sensing magic in the way you seem to." Severus paused for just a second. "There is no evidence that something happened to trigger this magic in these historic cases. They are believed to have just been incredibly powerful wizards."

"No hope of a reversal then?"

"No, I do not believe so." Severus assessed Harry's expression closely, surprised by the flippancy in his tone.

The boy shrugged. "Dumbledore didn't think so either."

"What did Albus say?"

"He thinks I was always supposed to be this way but that the horcrux blocked my magic. And maybe that made me work harder with my magic and it made it even stronger." He shrugged again. "And now that the horcrux is gone my magic can come out freely."

Severus was suddenly reminded of a conversation with Miss Lovegood in the library. She had recommended a book on soul magic when they had been discussing Harry. Severus had looked into it briefly but couldn't see the connection to Harry's surge in magic. With Albus' insights it became clearer how Harry's magic may have been affected by the horcrux dwelling within him.

"That fits with the research I have done." He agreed gently, taking in Harry's calm expression. "You are more accepting of this than I had thought you would be."

Another one of his infernal shrugs. "I've had a few days to think about it, I guess. It's good to know that it is my own magic at least." Harry sighed, world weary. "I would just rather be normal; to not have to constantly be aware of the power behind every spell."

"It will get easier, Harry." Severus replied sympathetically. "You will not always need to be as in control as you do currently. Already you have made substantial progress in managing your magical power. What you have already achieved, your ability to release your magic in waves as you did down by the wards, is remarkable."

"Thanks, Sir."

"Harry, I know I've said this before, but it still stands. I want you to know that I'm here for you; if there's anything you ever want help with or to talk through, I'm here."

Harry nodded. "I know. Thank you, Sir."

Severus nodded too, somewhat satisfied. He hoped Harry would begin to internalize what he had said, that he would see Severus as someone he could go to for advice. He wanted to be that person for Harry. He just hoped Harry would let him.