A/N: I had Saturday School yesterday (ekk) which basically meant seven hours of absolutely nothing haha, so I had time to write a couple chapters =) Dunno how many I'll post today though. Thanks for all the reviews!!! I love you guys ;)

"Small Package Surprises"

Early Saturday morning found Harry at Snape's side near the edge of Hogwart's anti-apparation wards, preparing to leave for Muggle London, where their mission would officially begin. Snape squinted his eyes at Harry.

"You are positive you—"

"Yes, I'm absolutely sure, for the tenth time, I've brought everything I think I'll need, and if you ask me again in two minutes, my answer will still be the same," Harry said exasperated. Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously, so he swiftly added, "Sir."

"I am only trying to ensure that we—"

"There's only so many times you can ask though!"

Harry suddenly felt Snape's hand clamp down on his shoulder. A jolt of shock and... something else... ran through him as he stared up at the man's face, which had somehow gotten very close within the last five seconds. He tried to pull back, but Snape's hand only gripped him tighter.

"Interrupt me again, Potter, and I assure you the penalty will not be pleasant. For you, at any rate."

Funny, not in a "haha" sort of way though, but Snape seemed to be acting less and less agreeable the more time they spent in each other's company. Although Harry knew that part of it (...okay, most of it) was his fault, he also knew there was something weighing heavily on the Potion Master's mind this morning. The man was distracted, not completely there, and kept asking him the same stupid question.

Okay, so the question hadn't been stupid the first time he heard it. But nine repeats later? Yes, stupid.

A wave of annoyance washed over him, and for a second Harry reveled in it, embraced it even, until a realization hit him. Only about half of the emotion was his.

Refocusing his attention on Snape, the messy-haired teen saw a dark scowl covering the man's face, but oddly enough it wasn't directed at him. The hand on his shoulder clutched him harder, and yet Harry could tell the action not deliberate on Snape's part. Following his gaze, Harry immediately understood.

"Ah! Harry and Severus. Fancy running into you two on my walk."

Oh please, Harry thought, like you didn't know we were here, barmy old codger.

"Headmaster." Snape nodded his head curtly at Dumbledore.

"Where are you off to this fine morning?"

"You know very well where we are going."

"Indulge me."

Snape sighed. He knows Dumbledore's just here to bother us and ask questions, too, Harry thought with a satisfied smile. The man's hand was still holding on to him almost painfully, but Harry didn't mind since he knew Snape was drawing comfort from the touch. Then he hastily shoved away the part of him intercepting Snape's feelings.

"We are headed for Muggle London," the tense Potions Master ground out.

"Oh yes! The mission. For a moment it completely slipped my mind," Dumbledore responded amiably. Harry resisted the impulse to roll his eyes.

I believe that the way I believe Dudley's a swim wear model. An image of his cousin in a Speedo rushed into his head; Harry cringed, the movement drawing two pairs of eyes to him.

"All set then, Harry m'boy?"

"Err... yeah," Harry mumbled awkwardly.

"Good, good." The wizened old wizard smiled brilliantly at them, his eyes twinkling madly. Harry hoped he wasn't epileptic.

"I came down here to give you both something you might find useful while you're gone!"

"I thought you were simply taking a walk?" Snape glared.

"And you'd forgotten all about us leaving today?" Harry chimed in.

"Did I? I don't recall."

The green-eyed teen felt his jaw drop.

"You just said it! Not more than five minutes ago!"

"Hmm," Dumbledore hummed, noncommittal. "Well, do remember that I'm getting old, Harry. Sometimes I forget things. One minute everything's there in my mind, the next—POOF!"

Harry scowled, remembering the talk he and Dumbledore had had yesterday. Next to him he heard Snape mutter just low enough that the Headmaster couldn't hear, "Something's missing from your mind, but it isn't just your memories." He hastily covered his laugh with a cough.

"Anyway! Back to my gift."

Dumbledore began rummaging through his pockets, a faint frown of concentration evident on his features. Then his hands surfaced, a small black leather box clutched in them.

"These have a subtle, but strong, charm on them that creates a connection that helps you find your way back to each other should you get separated. They also allow you to pass messages back and forth after you recite the proper code."

Harry had to admit it sounded like a pretty good idea. Having a method of communication could definitely come in handy. But what exactly were "they"?

As though reading his mind, which the teen thought was a distinct possibility, Dumbledore smiled.

"Oh yes, I suppose you should see what I've come up with."

A quick resizing had the box to its proper size, which really wasn't that much larger. Smaller than a shoe box at least.

"Now, the moment you've all been waiting—"

"You are not a Quidditch commentator, Headmaster!"

"Oh...yes. That's right."

Dumbledore slowly, gradually lifted the lid, clearly enjoying Snape's impatience and intending to make the absolute most of it.

Utter silence. Harry and Snape stared at the contents of the box, completely still, not saying a word. Harry looked, uncomprehending, at what they were expected to use to communicate. Then he found his voice.

"You want us to wear matching underwear??!!"