Severus kept an eye on the boy during meal times. He seemed a bit more willing to eat, though his appetite left much to be desired. He sneered and looked away. This was a bad situation. A bad, terrible situation.

If the boy failed to occlude and showed Voldemort that he was teaching him occlumency, he was a dead man. And then who was going to keep the stupid boy alive.

He should tell Dumbledore. He needed to tell Dumbledore. He couldn't have this with the brat. This thing connecting them. Potter was never supposed to know of his full part in this and the last war. No one could know. And yet why was he allowing Pomfrey to order him around, to demand he see the boy weekly? He would have used it for occlumency but he figured the brat had yet to learn how to clear his blessed mind.

Just then a puffy runt owl thumped against the small narrow window of his office and he turned, staring blankly at the dead looking owl that now lay still outside the window, on the little stone flap that extended a little from the window, short legs up in the air. He stared at it a while longer before opening the window, taking the letter the owl cooed but stayed where it was, trying to recover from the blow. Snape hated it when the headmaster sent training owls to him. Most of the time they didn't even remember the letters.

Snape shut the window uncaringly and opened the letter. There was only a short note inside.

'Hello Severus, could you kindly pop in for a visit? I dare say you must come to tea.' That was code for 'we have to talk about Harry'.

Well, might as well take the opportunity to tell him the truth. Yes. With that resolve he stood up and made his way to the headmaster's office.

He had sworn loyalty to Dumbledore, not Harry Potter. He was sure the child would probably feel betrayed but that was none of his concern.

"Ah! Severus my boy, come in. Tell me, how are Harry's occlumency lessons going?" he asked. Severus walked in, sitting down as Dumbledore motioned to the chair. "Lemon drop?"

"No. Potter's lessons are going abysmally. The boy cannot control his emotions. He's an emotional wreck." Snape said. Dumbledore frowned sitting back on the chair and sighing.

"This concerns me too. Admittedly I cannot find time to teach him myself." He said.

"Yes, well… you had not mentioned Potter's home life." Snape said carefully.

"Yes, unfortunately his family is not very fond of magic. However he must stay there every summer, his mother's wards protect him there." Dumbledore said.

"How considerate of you Albus." He said leaning back on his chair. He had to say it now.

"You seem troubled boy. Anything else I should know?" Dumbledore asked and Snape looked up. His lips opened and the response left his lips before he could process it.

"Nothing." Albus nodded.

"Well, do let me know if anything comes up. Now, I'm calling an order meeting in ten days." Severus' grimaced, already doing the math.

"That's the yuletide. It will hardly be a quiet night to have a meeting with the golden trio and the Weasley kids causing havoc on the eve of Christmas."

"I hear Molly's planning a magnificent roast turkey." Dumbledore said.

"Call me when the meeting starts. I will not come a moment sooner and I will not stay a moment after." He said.

"Of course Severus." Though Severus had the uncanny feeling that the headmaster was plotting something.

"If that is all, I'll take my leave." He said and stood.

"Severus? You'll let me know if anything new comes up?" Severus looked back at the man.

"Of course headmaster." With that he left. Half way down to the dungeons he paused and sighed. He was an idiot. He should have told the headmaster.

He glanced out the window. It was a grey and cold afternoon, snow covered the fields and he could see a few students playing in the snow. He would have kept walking had he not spotted the idiotic boy making his way to Hogsmeade by himself. A quick survey of his surroundings confirmed that Weasley and Granger were not with him.

He reminded himself that it was none of his business what the boy did. However, Potter shouldn't be wandering off the grounds on his own. Students had to be in pairs at a minimum to go to Hogsmeade.

He looked up at the dark corridor that led to the stairs heading to the dungeon. The rumble of moving stone told him the stairs had changed direction. Well, he needed to top up on some potions ingredients anyway. With that thought in mind he turned around and made his way down another flight of stairs that led to the front gates, striding confidently in the direction of the village nearby. He was just the right distance away that he could see the brat at the end of the path.

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

Harry had the strange feeling that he was being followed. However, when he decided to look back, he was already in Hogsmeade and there were a lot of students and he couldn't distinguish anyone in particular. He just hoped it wasn't Malfoy coming to annoy him. He just turned back and went to pick up a couple of presents for his friends.

And something for Sirius. He tried not to grin as he remembered the moment Sirius told him he'd be allowed to go for the Christmas break. He couldn't wait to see his godfather again. It would be good to take his mind off the week's happenings.

Thankfully Ron wrote to them to tell them that Mr. Weasley should be out of the hospital by Christmas. So he should get something for him too. Who else?

He paused as he saw Snape heading into the apothecary and winced as he looked away in shame, embarrassment and had to take a moment to supress any memories of his stay at the Dursleys.

Should he get Snape anything? Not for Christmas of course. But to thank him. He had kept his secret for now, and he had followed Madame Pomfrey's demands to ensure Professor Dumbledore didn't know the truth just yet. He didn't have to. Just like he didn't have to feed him last time they spoke.

But what could he get the sour man? He hardly knew him enough to know what to get him. He huffed in frustration as he sat on a boulder, trying to figure out what to buy. Then he stopped himself. Stupid idiot. He was so stupid. Was he so desperate for affection that now he was actually considering getting his most detested teacher to like him? What did he care what Snape would want. He stood up and nodded. With his mind made up he went to spend the last bits of money he had on himself and started making his way back to the school.

"Out on your own scar head?" Harry groaned and grabbed his wand, turning to look at him, seeing Zambini, Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle with him. He was outnumbered. Perfect.

"Why Malfoy, I didn't think you'd want to keep me company." Harry said. Draco sneered, his handsome face turning ugly whenever he showed that expression.

"Potter!" Harry flinched slightly as did the Slytherins who backed away, putting their wands away as Snape made his way to Harry. "Rules state that to go to Hogsmeade you must remain in pairs. I don't suppose mister Malfoy is the one accompanying you?"

Harry scoffed. "As if." Snape sneered and grabbed him roughly by the shoulder and dragged him toward the ancient castle. The Slytherins laughed but walked back to Hogsmeade. It wasn't until Hogsmeade was hidden by trees as the road curved that Snape loosened his hold on his shoulder. Then it dawned on Harry that the other had defended him from the Slytherins.

"Is there a reason why you're on your own? Or are you so confident with your abundant abilities that you think you can fare fine by yourself?" Snape asked. Harry didn't say anything at first. The man had not been concerned for him. He was not. So Harry had to clear that idiotic and disturbing notion from his mind.

"I'm going to see Padfoot this Christmas, I had to buy my presents now." He said.

"The rules are there for a reason! Not as a challenge to you." Harry huffed and changed the subject.

"The train leaves this Thursday night. Do I have to go to your office?" He mumbled.

"That is Madam Pomfrey's mandate." Snape sneered, still pulling him along by the shoulder.

"Hmm." He didn't know what else to say. This was tense and awkward enough as it is. "I tried going to the restricted section. Can't find any on Occlumency." He said.

"I take it you've relied on Miss Granger all this time for researching your homework. Occlumency is an art of the mind, therefore it's under books regarding…"

"Skills of the mind. Ugh. I'm so stupid. Must have passed by ten of those." He grumbled. He had briefly thought of that, but he had been hoping he would find a single book on occlumency alone.

"And what's this?" A sweet, sugary voice asked. Harry tensed and they turned to see Umbridge coming toward them.

"I caught mister Potter sneaking around Hogsmeade on his own. Rest assured I have already issued punishment." Snape said calmly, not stopping any longer for her and dragging Harry along.

"Well then, as head inquisitor I will want to know what he has been up to. You will serve a detention with me tonight mister Potter. And I'll take those, until they are properly-"

"You will excuse me professor Umbridge, but those packages are mine. I was merely having mister Potter make better use of himself." Snape said blandly and took Harry's presents from Umbridge.

"Oh, well then, I'll see you after dinner tonight mister Potter. An hour writing lines ought to remind you on the rules." Harry glared hatefully at her. She simply smiled and stepped out of their way. Snape walked away, taking Harry's packages with him. Harry understood. Umbridge was still watching them. He decided to go back and ask for them later. For now he made his way to Gryffindor tower and tried to ignore the gratitude he felt toward Snape. Of all people. It was far too confusing to think about right now.

He rubbed his hand just thinking that he had to see that horrid woman tonight.