Thank you to the beta of this chapter- Born-of-Elven-Blood

Chapter Sixteen- No Longer a Child

"You can't mean to tell me you think this is a good idea?" Dumbledore said, pacing back and forth in Severus's kitchen the next morning. Harry was still asleep in the guest room.

"It's not about what I think," Snape replied. "The boy wants to face him."

"He's only a child," Dumbledore retorted.

"He's fifteen and capable of making his own decisions!" Snape snapped. "I'm not asking for your permission, all I'm asking is for you to keep Umbridge busy so she doesn't notice that I'm gone."

He had already thought the plan out, but he and Harry would be leaving a few hours before dinner and he knew Umbridge would become suspicious if he wasn't in the Great Hall for supper.

Dumbledore let out a sigh, taking off his glasses and cleaning them, which he always did when he was thinking. "This is going to end badly, " he said, placing his glasses back on his nose.

"Perhaps. Or maybe this will help the boy to move on...face his fears? Isn't that what Gryffindor's do?" Snape said, rolling his eyes a little at the last part. "If the boy wants to see Lockhart, I'm not going to stop him."

"And you will be there for him?" Dumbledore asked.

"Of course."

Severus carefully neglected to mention that after the visit with Lockhart he intended to take the child out for supper and a serious talk. It was clear that Harry was living a double life. The boy didn't like playing Quidditch but was afraid to say no. He wanted to be a healer rather than an auror, and from what Severus had discovered in the last few days, he would make a good one.

What else was the boy hiding?

He was brought out of his thoughts as the Headmaster spoke again. "Alright, I will make sure Umbridge stays busy," Dumbledore said, standing. "I would have liked to see Harry before I go, but I have an important meeting and I must not be late."

As he showed him out, Severus wondered just how important the meeting really was.

"Cinsy" he called once Dumbledore was gone. The little elf popped up in front of him. "I would like a light breakfast this morning for both Harry and I, and also a healing potion...please."

Once the elf popped out Severus went to wake Harry.

"Time to get up," Severus said softly, lighty shaking the boy's shoulder until he started to stir.

"...alright," Harry muttered as Snape stepped out to allow him to dress. It was weird being woken up like this, because it reminded of all the times Ron had had to wake him up; the weird part was that it didn't feel all that weird anymore.

By the time Harry came out of his room, Severus was sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming mug of coffee, reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet.

"It shouldn't be long before Cinsy arrives with breakfast," Severus said as Harry sat down at the table. "I also made the appointment to see Lockhart this evening," he added as Cinsy popped in with two bowls of oatmeal and a fruit platter, as well as the potion Severus had requested.

"That soon?" Harry asked, shocked.

Snape lowered the paper. "That is what you wanted, right?"

"...y-yes...I just didn't think it would be so soon, is all…" he replied nervously. "Is there… I mean would… will there be other people there?" His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but the truth was that he was afraid to be alone with the man.

"If it would make you feel better, I could come in with you," Severus offered. "We can also ask that a guard be present."

Harry gave a small nod, relieved and trying not to show it. Still embarrassed, he hastily grabbed a strawberry from the platter and began cutting it up into his oatmeal.

"Take the potion," Snape added, turning back to his paper. "It's for your hand."

Harry gave another distracted nod, uncorking the potion and downing it before tucking in to his breakfast. Severus went back to his reading, very carefully neglecting to comment on the fact that the boy had taken both the potion and the food without any hint of trepidation.