An Afternoon at the Cinema

Snape removed the sign from the ground. The dunderheads would be returning tomorrow.

He had achieved all his goals and was ready to reward himself with a visit to the cinema. Dressed in muggle denim with a black top Snape entered the theater, purchased his ticket, and perused the snack counter. Having obtained his goodies he found a seat 12 rows back and right in the middle.

Harry snapped the lock in place on his bike and made his way up to the ticket booth. He had never been to a movie theater before and was excited to try this new experience. His Aunt of course thought he was at the Y.

Harry looked over the display case. There were so many types of candy he had never tried before, but with the limit on his allowance he couldn't buy them all. He eventually decided to buy a small popcorn, a medium soda and a Mars bar.

Harry entered the dark auditorium, made his way to the fifteenth row and sat down. He sipped his soda and looked around. Then froze. He recognized the back of that head. Snape was here!

Harry gathered his items and moved one row forward and sat on the edge of the seat jiggling his foot. Harry glanced Snape's way again. Then Harry gathered his things and moved another row closer. He sat there for a few minutes looking Snape's way every few seconds. Harry gathered his courage again and moved to the row Snape was sitting in and sat in the very last seat. Two minutes later Harry started to move again and placed his drink in the cup holder three seats over.

A harsh whisper reached Harry's ear. "Get over here!" Harry made his final move and sat in the seat next to Snape. Harry did his best to appear stoic on the outside, as he had trained himself to do at the Dursley's. On the inside he was bouncing up and down; he was at a movie theater, a public place and an adult wanted to spend time with him!

"Did you learn to dive yet?"

"Still working on it."

"Have you been playing in the deep end outside of class time?"

Harry inched a little further from Snape before responding. "Yes, but I really was safe! I'm really good at swimming now."

Snape gave Harry a mild cuff on the back of the head. "That restriction wasn't about safety."

"It, it wasn't?"

"It was about earning a privilege by achieving a goal. The next time I give you a goal-privilege requirement I expect you to achieve the goal first. If you fail to do so there will be consequences."

"Yes sir," stated Harry.

"I will not allow you to turn into a spoiled, arrogant twit. We will prevent this by teaching you to have restraint. When you come of age you will find yourself to be very wealthy, but if you don't learn restraint you will not keep that wealth for long."

Both sat silent for a few minutes, watching the ads for soda and snacks.

"Have you tried McDonald's apple pie?"

Harry looked askance at Snape, the question seemed so odd coming from him. "No sir."

"Chocolate sundae?"

"No sir."

"Cheese Danish?"

Harry could feel himself salivating. "No sir."

Snape nodded, "You are forbidden to do so until you have achieved your goal. Or any of their other sweets."

"Goal sir?"

"Did you not write to me saying that you had spent some of your allowance on their French fries and that you wished Hogwarts had a fast food night?"

"Yes sir."

"Well then."

Harry's thoughts tumbled as much as his words, "But how am I supposed to do that!"

"Always start by writing or drawing your goals. Then do the same with your plans. You may have to devise several plans before deciding which to act on. But whichever plan you decide on it must use discretion. You are to achieve your goal without becoming the school's hero. By the time the dunderheads are munching on taco supremes and Big Macs you and I should be the only people aware of who arranged it. Once you achieve your goal you will have earned your privilege and I will see to it that you get to try McDonald's pies, sundaes and Danishes."

Harry wasn't sure what to think of this new challenge. He wanted Fast Food night to be a reality, but he was twelve. How was he supposed to accomplish this? It was an insane idea. Then he smiled recalling Snape's nickname for him: Mr. Insane.

Mr. Insane settled back in his seat, ready to enjoy his first afternoon out at the cinema. His first time spending a casual afternoon out with an adult that didn't detest the fact he was there.

The lights dimmed, dark music seemed to come from all sides and a bat winged across the screen.

The End

Author's note:

I have received many wonderful reviews, some of which included great ways to continue the story. There is a good chance I will continue this story line, but since Snape has achieved the goals he set out to achieve this seems like a good place to stop Forbidden. I have yet to decide on a theme/name for the continuation. Once I have, I will add a notice chapter as to the name of the new story.

A tiny, unrelated one shot of mine that could happen due to all that "You Know Who" business:

The Importance of a Name

A group of teens sat around a table in the Three Broomsticks. One said, "I heard a rumor that Voldemort is back!"

"Who?" asked the other teens, nonplused.

"He Who Must Not Be Named," stated the first.

A shiver went around the table.

"How come you reacted to his nickname and not his real one?"

"We've never heard it before. No one ever says it."

Story Suggestions

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Occlumency Corner by Guiding Hand (me)

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Make a Wish by Rorschach-s-Blot

(my personal all time favorite)

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Force Sensitive by LunaStorm

(Harry watches Star Wars and realizes he is a Jedi -humorous one shot)

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The Stag and the Dragon by StarFlight

(Darth Vader becomes a Hogwart's professor. I know it sounds odd, but the author makes it work.)