Well, the summer is well underway, and I got a JOB!!!! And some things have
prevented me from being able to go to the library and post this. But I have
had plenty of time to write more in between working and reading 6 books for
summer reading. But it's time for me to continue this story.......by the way,
would anyone like to have my mom for free??? She's driving me
CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J/K. LOL! Mom, if you're reading this, luv ya!
Actually, she's one of the few people that know I'm writing this story and
it's always good to have a little support than none at all, you know?
I have your reviews, but I haven't had the chance to respond to them, but
I'll put them into chapter 16, as I'm posting 14 and 15 today.
Anyways, on we go!
".....and your exams will take place in the second week of June. All will be held in the Great Hall, and yes, that includes your Potions exam, for those of you in Professor Snape's Advanced Potions classes," Professor McGonagall was saying. Harry was jotting down the dates of his exams as quickly as he could, as the bell was about to ring.
"Make sure you get the times down correctly, unless you'd rather spend another year in this school," she said, just as the bell rang.
Harry grabbed his books and folded up the parchment that had the exam schedule on it. He waited for Hermione so they could walk to the common room together.
"How many do you have to take?" He asked her.
"Just four," she replied. "Thankfully. You?"
"I have to take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, yada, yada, yada. The usual."
She laughed. "Nice to see you still have your sense of humor."
"Yeah, too bad I don't feel too humorous," Harry said dryly. "I feel like a dead person."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault." Harry looked at his watch. "I have to go do something, so I'll catch you later?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Alright, then. See ya."
Harry made his way through crowds of students heading to dinner, until he reached the third floor, where he made a quick left turn. He didn't want to raise too many suspicions even though he was sure several people knew there was something going on between him and Severus.
He skipped down the stairs three at a time and walked silently through a darkened hallway to the rear of the dungeons, far from the prying eyes of Slytherins. He went through seven rooms until he reached the main Potions hallway and entered the larger classroom.
"Hello, Harry." A voice called from the shadows.
"Severus," Harry responded. Severus stepped into the light.
"So." There was a moment's silence. "You finally decided to show up. I was beginning to think you might have forgotten I existed," Severus said. "Not that I would've been surprised. After all, no one else wants to spend much more time with me than absolutely necessary."
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not like anyone else," Harry said, his voice holding a warning tone.
"Must you always jump to conclusions, Mr. Potter?" Severus walked towards his desk and sat down.
"Only when people start talking comparing me to others and making assumptions about me."
"Who said I was assuming anything about you?" Severus leaned his arms on his desk. Harry sat on a table and started to speak, but was cut off.
"I was merely making a statement based on what I normally see out of people, especially young people with raging hormones such as yourself. As for assuming anything about you, I wasn't, though I have over the years. Can I ask you a question, Mr. Potter?"
"You just did, but go ahead," Harry replied.
"Is it that time of the month?" Severus smirked.
It took Harry a second to recover from shock.
"NO!"
Severus burst out laughing. Harry could feel his face get warm. "Asshole," he muttered.
"Yes, I know," Severus said between laughs.
"And here I was, thinking I would be safe coming down here. I guess I was wrong," Harry said, smiling a little.
"You're never safe. You should know that by now," Severus responded, leaning back in his chair. "You ought to smile more often."
"I would if life didn't have so many miserable parts in it," Harry said. He walked over in front of Severus's desk and sat in one of the class desks.
"Don't let those parts get to you," Severus told him. "And life isn't just misery; there's happiness in it too."
Harry snorted. "Yeah. Where? When?"
Severus shrugged. "You never know. But it comes, and when it does, you shouldn't be so miserable that you miss it or can't enjoy it."
"That must be why children are happier than adults. Their sadness never lasts long."
"That's also because they don't understand life like their elders do. And they're not always happy. Like you and me....." he trailed off. His face was closed for a few minutes, and Harry didn't dare speak until Severus came out from his moment of thought. Harry thought he saw a flicker of pain cross the older man's face, but it was quickly replaced with his usual calm mask.
"You should be studying for your exams," Severus said suddenly. "Before you know it, there won't be any time left to do so."
"Time flies when you're having fun, I guess," Harry said. "Perhaps that's why I like it here so much."
Severus snorted. "Yeah, right."
Harry stood to leave. "Have a peaceful evening."
"And the same to you."
Harry left, leaving Severus to stare at his desk, his mind elsewhere.
'He was right,' Severus thought, 'Time does fly when you're having fun.'
It was the Saturday before exams were set to start. There wasn't a sound in the school, for all the students were studying. It was quieter still, because the memory of the recent battle lurked in the back of everyone's mind.
Professor Dumbledore had yet to find a suitable replacement for teaching Herbology and Head of Hufflepuff House. Also, the staff was short a Quidditch teacher, as well as a professor for Ancient Runes. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall was as equally talented in Ancient Runes as she was in Transfiguration and Animagi.
Severus wandered the halls for several hours before the evening set in. There were a few stragglers here and there, either quizzing one another or engrossed in numerous parchments containing the notes they had taken throughout the year. He rarely saw Harry, not that it was all that surprising. He did see Granger and Weasley quite often, mostly in the library or down in the Great Hall. He suspected Weasley still hadn't bothered speaking to Harry again. Severus knew from experience that the Weasleys were very adamant with their opinions and were rarely quick to admit their wrongs. However, he thought that being Harry's closest friend and supporter for five years would've made Weasley a smarter and better person—unless it was just that Harry was associating with everyone's most hated professor.
Severus sighed. Someday, they would know the truth about him, and that Harry was right. There were a lot of people who seemed to have lost some faith in the Golden Boy because of Severus. It wasn't fair, but then again, what in life is fair?
He found himself in a corridor that was rarely used. There were cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and upper corners of the door frames. There was very little light in this corridor. In fact, the nearest torch was more than four meters down the hall, and it was draped in cobwebs and dust. The hall seemed familiar to him, very familiar. Something about it triggered a faint memory in Severus' mind, of darkness and stale classrooms. And fear. There was that too.
Severus frowned. What could be so great about a dusty old hall in a school that could bring a slight sense of fear? He thought about turning around and heading down to the Hall for supper, but he really wasn't all that hungry. So he kept walking down the corridor, occasionally brushing back loose webs.
Severus was just about to turn and go back when something caught his eye. He stepped forward, towards the door at the far end of the hall. In the faint light, he could barely make out what was left of the writing on it. His blood froze and his breathing became shallow. He could swear the temperature in the hall had dropped significantly.
Arsenius
That was all that could be made out, for the rest was smudged and faded from age. Severus knew what it was supposed to read, but he refused to let himself think of those things. He turned around and walked swiftly out of the corridor, back to the relative warmth of his rooms.
"One more exam to go, one more and I'm done!" Harry said, talking to himself as he walked out of the entrance hall and up the stairs. He was in such a good mood that even Draco Malfoy's taunting couldn't bother him. In fact, he just smiled and walked away, leaving a stunned Malfoy in the Great Hall, staring after him with his mouth hanging open.
Go figure. His last exam was Potions.
'Yeehah,' Harry thought.
"Hey, Harry!"
He turned around on the stairs. The owner of the voice was Ron.
"Yes?"
"McGonagall says that Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office before you go upstairs," Ron said, coming up to Harry. "She said it had something to do with your summer arrangements and the Dursleys."
"Great," Harry said. He could feel his happiness ebbing away.
"What the hell did you say to Malfoy?" Ron asked, as they continued up the stairs. He hadn't apologized yet, but he wasn't sure how to put it into words. He shrugged it off mentally, figuring he could say it later. "The look on his face was priceless!"
Harry smiled. "Wasn't it? I didn't say a damn thing to him, though he had some words. I just smiled at him and left him standing there." He looked at Ron. "Did he say anything to you?"
Ron shook his head. "No, but he asked that kid Zabini what drugs you were on, but he just shrugged."
They had reached Dumbledore's office.
"Well, catch you later?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, later," Harry responded, sounding slightly distant. He waited for Ron's footsteps to die away, thinking about what the password might be. He had an idea.
"Strawberry Crunch Bars."
The gargoyle leapt aside to let him in.
He entered Dumbledore's office and found only Severus there. They looked at each other for a moment.
"Are you here for the same reason I am?" Harry asked.
"Probably." Severus grumbled. He was obviously in a sour mood. "Is it about your summer arrangements?"
"Yeah," Harry said in a resigned voice, flopping in one of the chairs. Fawkes swooped down to greet him. "Hey, Fawkes," he said quietly, stroking the phoenix's feathers.
The fire glowed green, and a large figure with a long beard stepped out of it.
"Good afternoon, Harry, Severus. Lemon drop?"
Both Harry and Severus shook their heads. Dumbledore sat behind his desk and put his hands together, looking at the two in front of him.
"Harry, you know that you must return to Privet Drive this summer, correct?"
"Yeah," Harry said.
"Even though Severus is very much against it, you must go back. You do remember why this is, do you not, Harry?"
"That doesn't mean I have to like it, does it?" Harry asked, looking Dumbledore straight in the eye, defiantly.
"No, it doesn't."
"Good," Harry said, with a touch of an attitude in his voice. "Because I don't."
Severus looked at Harry. The sixteen year-old's jaw was set and his body was slightly tense, as though getting itself ready for something it did not want, but had no control over. He knew that Harry was afraid, but was trying not to let himself think about what was going to happen to him when he returned to Muggle London.
"Severus, do you understand now?"
"Yes, Headmaster, though I don't like it either."
"Rest assured, you two aren't the only ones who don't. But I have no other option right now that would keep Harry safe."
Harry stood suddenly and turned on his heel in a very Severus-like manner, and stalked out of the office.
"I wonder where he learned that," the headmaster said, his twinkling gaze on Severus.
"I wonder," Severus said sarcastically. Then, on a lighter tone as he stood to leave, "Don't let that twinkle fade, Albus, but don't let it cloud your judgment either."
"I won't, Severus."
Harry was walking towards the carriages outside the castle that would bring him to the Hogwarts train alone, somewhat in thought.
"Potter!"
Harry turned. It was Severus.
"A word, please."
Harry walked quickly back to the Hall. Severus led him to a room just off the hall.
"If anything happens—"
"Tell you immediately, I know." Harry looked at him. "But what if I can't?"
Severus looked into Harry's green eyes. What he wouldn't give, to let himself get lost in those eyes, forever.
"I don't know."
Harry looked at the floor. He didn't want to leave for the hell that was waiting for him beyond the barrier at King's Cross. But he knew he had to. He just hoped he lived to return to Hogwarts.
Severus lifted Harry's chin so he could look into his eyes, hopefully not for the last time. Harry took hold of Severus' collar and pulled him down to kiss him. He tried to convey his desperation and fear through it, and thought he was successful. Severus held him as close as he could, before he pulled back.
"You have to go," Severus said, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Yeah," Harry said. They walked out of the castle together, but Severus stood on the steps while Harry joined Ron and Hermione. Before climbing into the carriage, Harry looked back at Severus. He gave him a devilish grin and a wink, and snapped his fingers. With a swirl of his robes and a flash of green light, he disappeared into the carriage.
Severus smiled. He was proud of his talented 'apprentice'. He just hoped his magic would save him this summer.
As he turned to re-enter the castle, he felt something in the pocket of his robes. Reaching in, he pulled out a note and a chain with a small emerald orb.
Severus,
I know you'll be worried sick if you don't hear from me this summer, and chances are, you probably won't. I know what's in store for me the second I step into that damned house, but there seems to be no way for me to avoid it. And besides, it's where my mother's blood dwells......anyways, if I'm in absolute life-threatening danger, I can make the orb glow red. It also burns a little when it turns red. I have the same chain, charmed to be invisible so the Dursleys don't know I have it. The only other thing I'm bringing is my wand. Hermione and Ron will have all my other belongings, because it's safer that way.
I'm going to try to work on the mental magics this summer, when I get a moment of peace. Aside from that, I wish you a safe summer, and please, don't worry too much about me. With my luck, I'll live, just not without pain. Love, Harry
Severus took a better look at the orb. It wasn't just green, it was almost transparent, with what seemed to be green clouds swirling inside it. He gripped it, closing his eyes.
I love you, Harry
Don't worry, there's more to come. Besides, I have some explaining to do, because there are some new things in this chapter that pertain to Harry's seventh and final year at Hogwarts.......and of course, I posted chapter 15 for you all to read, and 16 is on it's way. I just have to finish typing it up. I finally got the weekend off from work, so I'm trying to get this story updated and work on my six books of summer reading at the same time. Anyways, R & R!
".....and your exams will take place in the second week of June. All will be held in the Great Hall, and yes, that includes your Potions exam, for those of you in Professor Snape's Advanced Potions classes," Professor McGonagall was saying. Harry was jotting down the dates of his exams as quickly as he could, as the bell was about to ring.
"Make sure you get the times down correctly, unless you'd rather spend another year in this school," she said, just as the bell rang.
Harry grabbed his books and folded up the parchment that had the exam schedule on it. He waited for Hermione so they could walk to the common room together.
"How many do you have to take?" He asked her.
"Just four," she replied. "Thankfully. You?"
"I have to take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, yada, yada, yada. The usual."
She laughed. "Nice to see you still have your sense of humor."
"Yeah, too bad I don't feel too humorous," Harry said dryly. "I feel like a dead person."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault." Harry looked at his watch. "I have to go do something, so I'll catch you later?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Alright, then. See ya."
Harry made his way through crowds of students heading to dinner, until he reached the third floor, where he made a quick left turn. He didn't want to raise too many suspicions even though he was sure several people knew there was something going on between him and Severus.
He skipped down the stairs three at a time and walked silently through a darkened hallway to the rear of the dungeons, far from the prying eyes of Slytherins. He went through seven rooms until he reached the main Potions hallway and entered the larger classroom.
"Hello, Harry." A voice called from the shadows.
"Severus," Harry responded. Severus stepped into the light.
"So." There was a moment's silence. "You finally decided to show up. I was beginning to think you might have forgotten I existed," Severus said. "Not that I would've been surprised. After all, no one else wants to spend much more time with me than absolutely necessary."
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not like anyone else," Harry said, his voice holding a warning tone.
"Must you always jump to conclusions, Mr. Potter?" Severus walked towards his desk and sat down.
"Only when people start talking comparing me to others and making assumptions about me."
"Who said I was assuming anything about you?" Severus leaned his arms on his desk. Harry sat on a table and started to speak, but was cut off.
"I was merely making a statement based on what I normally see out of people, especially young people with raging hormones such as yourself. As for assuming anything about you, I wasn't, though I have over the years. Can I ask you a question, Mr. Potter?"
"You just did, but go ahead," Harry replied.
"Is it that time of the month?" Severus smirked.
It took Harry a second to recover from shock.
"NO!"
Severus burst out laughing. Harry could feel his face get warm. "Asshole," he muttered.
"Yes, I know," Severus said between laughs.
"And here I was, thinking I would be safe coming down here. I guess I was wrong," Harry said, smiling a little.
"You're never safe. You should know that by now," Severus responded, leaning back in his chair. "You ought to smile more often."
"I would if life didn't have so many miserable parts in it," Harry said. He walked over in front of Severus's desk and sat in one of the class desks.
"Don't let those parts get to you," Severus told him. "And life isn't just misery; there's happiness in it too."
Harry snorted. "Yeah. Where? When?"
Severus shrugged. "You never know. But it comes, and when it does, you shouldn't be so miserable that you miss it or can't enjoy it."
"That must be why children are happier than adults. Their sadness never lasts long."
"That's also because they don't understand life like their elders do. And they're not always happy. Like you and me....." he trailed off. His face was closed for a few minutes, and Harry didn't dare speak until Severus came out from his moment of thought. Harry thought he saw a flicker of pain cross the older man's face, but it was quickly replaced with his usual calm mask.
"You should be studying for your exams," Severus said suddenly. "Before you know it, there won't be any time left to do so."
"Time flies when you're having fun, I guess," Harry said. "Perhaps that's why I like it here so much."
Severus snorted. "Yeah, right."
Harry stood to leave. "Have a peaceful evening."
"And the same to you."
Harry left, leaving Severus to stare at his desk, his mind elsewhere.
'He was right,' Severus thought, 'Time does fly when you're having fun.'
It was the Saturday before exams were set to start. There wasn't a sound in the school, for all the students were studying. It was quieter still, because the memory of the recent battle lurked in the back of everyone's mind.
Professor Dumbledore had yet to find a suitable replacement for teaching Herbology and Head of Hufflepuff House. Also, the staff was short a Quidditch teacher, as well as a professor for Ancient Runes. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall was as equally talented in Ancient Runes as she was in Transfiguration and Animagi.
Severus wandered the halls for several hours before the evening set in. There were a few stragglers here and there, either quizzing one another or engrossed in numerous parchments containing the notes they had taken throughout the year. He rarely saw Harry, not that it was all that surprising. He did see Granger and Weasley quite often, mostly in the library or down in the Great Hall. He suspected Weasley still hadn't bothered speaking to Harry again. Severus knew from experience that the Weasleys were very adamant with their opinions and were rarely quick to admit their wrongs. However, he thought that being Harry's closest friend and supporter for five years would've made Weasley a smarter and better person—unless it was just that Harry was associating with everyone's most hated professor.
Severus sighed. Someday, they would know the truth about him, and that Harry was right. There were a lot of people who seemed to have lost some faith in the Golden Boy because of Severus. It wasn't fair, but then again, what in life is fair?
He found himself in a corridor that was rarely used. There were cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and upper corners of the door frames. There was very little light in this corridor. In fact, the nearest torch was more than four meters down the hall, and it was draped in cobwebs and dust. The hall seemed familiar to him, very familiar. Something about it triggered a faint memory in Severus' mind, of darkness and stale classrooms. And fear. There was that too.
Severus frowned. What could be so great about a dusty old hall in a school that could bring a slight sense of fear? He thought about turning around and heading down to the Hall for supper, but he really wasn't all that hungry. So he kept walking down the corridor, occasionally brushing back loose webs.
Severus was just about to turn and go back when something caught his eye. He stepped forward, towards the door at the far end of the hall. In the faint light, he could barely make out what was left of the writing on it. His blood froze and his breathing became shallow. He could swear the temperature in the hall had dropped significantly.
Arsenius
That was all that could be made out, for the rest was smudged and faded from age. Severus knew what it was supposed to read, but he refused to let himself think of those things. He turned around and walked swiftly out of the corridor, back to the relative warmth of his rooms.
"One more exam to go, one more and I'm done!" Harry said, talking to himself as he walked out of the entrance hall and up the stairs. He was in such a good mood that even Draco Malfoy's taunting couldn't bother him. In fact, he just smiled and walked away, leaving a stunned Malfoy in the Great Hall, staring after him with his mouth hanging open.
Go figure. His last exam was Potions.
'Yeehah,' Harry thought.
"Hey, Harry!"
He turned around on the stairs. The owner of the voice was Ron.
"Yes?"
"McGonagall says that Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office before you go upstairs," Ron said, coming up to Harry. "She said it had something to do with your summer arrangements and the Dursleys."
"Great," Harry said. He could feel his happiness ebbing away.
"What the hell did you say to Malfoy?" Ron asked, as they continued up the stairs. He hadn't apologized yet, but he wasn't sure how to put it into words. He shrugged it off mentally, figuring he could say it later. "The look on his face was priceless!"
Harry smiled. "Wasn't it? I didn't say a damn thing to him, though he had some words. I just smiled at him and left him standing there." He looked at Ron. "Did he say anything to you?"
Ron shook his head. "No, but he asked that kid Zabini what drugs you were on, but he just shrugged."
They had reached Dumbledore's office.
"Well, catch you later?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, later," Harry responded, sounding slightly distant. He waited for Ron's footsteps to die away, thinking about what the password might be. He had an idea.
"Strawberry Crunch Bars."
The gargoyle leapt aside to let him in.
He entered Dumbledore's office and found only Severus there. They looked at each other for a moment.
"Are you here for the same reason I am?" Harry asked.
"Probably." Severus grumbled. He was obviously in a sour mood. "Is it about your summer arrangements?"
"Yeah," Harry said in a resigned voice, flopping in one of the chairs. Fawkes swooped down to greet him. "Hey, Fawkes," he said quietly, stroking the phoenix's feathers.
The fire glowed green, and a large figure with a long beard stepped out of it.
"Good afternoon, Harry, Severus. Lemon drop?"
Both Harry and Severus shook their heads. Dumbledore sat behind his desk and put his hands together, looking at the two in front of him.
"Harry, you know that you must return to Privet Drive this summer, correct?"
"Yeah," Harry said.
"Even though Severus is very much against it, you must go back. You do remember why this is, do you not, Harry?"
"That doesn't mean I have to like it, does it?" Harry asked, looking Dumbledore straight in the eye, defiantly.
"No, it doesn't."
"Good," Harry said, with a touch of an attitude in his voice. "Because I don't."
Severus looked at Harry. The sixteen year-old's jaw was set and his body was slightly tense, as though getting itself ready for something it did not want, but had no control over. He knew that Harry was afraid, but was trying not to let himself think about what was going to happen to him when he returned to Muggle London.
"Severus, do you understand now?"
"Yes, Headmaster, though I don't like it either."
"Rest assured, you two aren't the only ones who don't. But I have no other option right now that would keep Harry safe."
Harry stood suddenly and turned on his heel in a very Severus-like manner, and stalked out of the office.
"I wonder where he learned that," the headmaster said, his twinkling gaze on Severus.
"I wonder," Severus said sarcastically. Then, on a lighter tone as he stood to leave, "Don't let that twinkle fade, Albus, but don't let it cloud your judgment either."
"I won't, Severus."
Harry was walking towards the carriages outside the castle that would bring him to the Hogwarts train alone, somewhat in thought.
"Potter!"
Harry turned. It was Severus.
"A word, please."
Harry walked quickly back to the Hall. Severus led him to a room just off the hall.
"If anything happens—"
"Tell you immediately, I know." Harry looked at him. "But what if I can't?"
Severus looked into Harry's green eyes. What he wouldn't give, to let himself get lost in those eyes, forever.
"I don't know."
Harry looked at the floor. He didn't want to leave for the hell that was waiting for him beyond the barrier at King's Cross. But he knew he had to. He just hoped he lived to return to Hogwarts.
Severus lifted Harry's chin so he could look into his eyes, hopefully not for the last time. Harry took hold of Severus' collar and pulled him down to kiss him. He tried to convey his desperation and fear through it, and thought he was successful. Severus held him as close as he could, before he pulled back.
"You have to go," Severus said, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Yeah," Harry said. They walked out of the castle together, but Severus stood on the steps while Harry joined Ron and Hermione. Before climbing into the carriage, Harry looked back at Severus. He gave him a devilish grin and a wink, and snapped his fingers. With a swirl of his robes and a flash of green light, he disappeared into the carriage.
Severus smiled. He was proud of his talented 'apprentice'. He just hoped his magic would save him this summer.
As he turned to re-enter the castle, he felt something in the pocket of his robes. Reaching in, he pulled out a note and a chain with a small emerald orb.
Severus,
I know you'll be worried sick if you don't hear from me this summer, and chances are, you probably won't. I know what's in store for me the second I step into that damned house, but there seems to be no way for me to avoid it. And besides, it's where my mother's blood dwells......anyways, if I'm in absolute life-threatening danger, I can make the orb glow red. It also burns a little when it turns red. I have the same chain, charmed to be invisible so the Dursleys don't know I have it. The only other thing I'm bringing is my wand. Hermione and Ron will have all my other belongings, because it's safer that way.
I'm going to try to work on the mental magics this summer, when I get a moment of peace. Aside from that, I wish you a safe summer, and please, don't worry too much about me. With my luck, I'll live, just not without pain. Love, Harry
Severus took a better look at the orb. It wasn't just green, it was almost transparent, with what seemed to be green clouds swirling inside it. He gripped it, closing his eyes.
I love you, Harry
Don't worry, there's more to come. Besides, I have some explaining to do, because there are some new things in this chapter that pertain to Harry's seventh and final year at Hogwarts.......and of course, I posted chapter 15 for you all to read, and 16 is on it's way. I just have to finish typing it up. I finally got the weekend off from work, so I'm trying to get this story updated and work on my six books of summer reading at the same time. Anyways, R & R!