Pretty Boy

Chapter 12

The Ingenious Idea

Harry groggily woke up, wondering what on earth was going on, the last thing he could remember - the shower, Snape, and being held close. A big part of Harry wanted to get angry, yell at Severus for not listening to him. Yet another part, a small part that hadn't been crushed by the world around him, screamed out to be taken care of. To allow Severus to take care of him and keep him safe. Unable to see or use his hands, his magic hadn't reacted despite his dire situation. Fear unfortunately, if it's experienced in such a way, it just froze you and your magic. Especially in adults, children didn't experience fear the same way, it's why they were actually a tactical advantage in war. They had a clear view of things, and dealt with them in a pure uncomplicated manner. The eye of the innocent can help sometimes better than those who was inexperienced. Not something the magical world would admit to, or heaven forbid realize. Wizards despite protests to the contrary from Muggle born's, believed themselves above Muggles.

"How are you feeling?" asked Severus, his voice roughened with sleep.

"Fine, how long were we asleep?" asked Harry trying to get up, and failing to do so. Severus didn't just have his arms wrapped tightly around Harry's middles, but his feet locked around Harry's legs. Stopping him from being able to move the slightest in Severus' strong hold. Although admittedly if he'd been adamant about it, he probably might have been able to. He didn't want to fight, or struggle come to that, it would just remind him of yesterday…and he didn't want to think on that. He would not let it get him down, he refused to let them win the arseholes that they were, whoever they were.

"Seven hours, it's lunch time." said Severus looking at his watch in apparent surprise. They'd slept seven hours, give or take half an hour. He definitely let Hogwarts at six thirty, then Apparated towards the now clueless Muggle. It had only taken ten, fifteen minutes before he was here. Shaking himself awake, he had more important things to think about than what he'd been doing. "Rizzy?" called the Potions Master, receiving an 'Are you out of your mind' look from Harry, there was no one here. Even Hedwig, as he'd decided to call her, was out hunting.

"Yes sir?" answered a creature standing at the entrance of the room, not the slightest big perturbed to see him in bed with someone. Although if one had looked close enough, they'd have seen a sparkle of satisfaction within that gaze.

"Lunch for two please, and nobody must know about this Rizzy, do you understand me? No one." said Severus, the elf probably did know this was Harry, they were smart like that and could sense who was who. How else would the elves be able to find their masters or a particular Wizard or Witch come to that?

"Of course sir," said Rizzy no emotion showing, but Harry could have sworn he saw its mouth twitch before it disappeared.

"That Harry was Rizzy, a house elf, a Hogwarts elf; they cook, clean and do everything necessarily to serve their Masters. Yes they are servants, but they need the magic boost to survive, no free elf can survive long, or if they are hurt and inevitably die. Now if a house elf was bound, he'd have no choice but to comply with their Master's wishes, thus being unable to die." said Severus, hopefully Harry wouldn't get patriotic on him, he'd had enough with Granger going on about S.P.E.W which was all that came out her mouth - bloody spew.

"Understood, lunch?" enquired Harry.

"Yes, Rizzy will get us it, neither of us is cooking. I'm talking; you on the other hand are going to listen. It will happen one way or another, believe me." said Severus adamantly.

"Yes Siree." said Harry, said like 'SIR'EEE' feeling amused by Severus' sudden shifts in emotions.

"Good." said Severus. As soon as she'd spoken a large feast was laid out for them. Rizzy had gone well beyond the call of duty this time.

"Oysters? Chocolate covered strawberries? I think Rizzy is trying to tell you something." sniggered Harry trying to hold his amusement in and failing to do so. Before long a large bout of laughter broke out, until his chest was unable to cope with it and he had no choice but to stop or not breathe.

"Not funny," said Severus but his lips twitched giving him away at the very last second. He banished the oysters; he absolutely loathed sea food other than battered fish. At least they were cooked, unlike the food he'd just banished. The chocolate covered strawberries though he kept.

"Here," said Severus handing over a plate filled to the brim with food. Which thankfully didn't also turn out to be a bed of oysters! Just a normal Hogwarts meal, at least what they ate at lunch time anyway.

"Thanks," said Harry bemused. "So talk then." he said afterwards, refusing to admit he was just curious about what they'd be discussing.

"Eat first." said Severus, "I do not talk with my mouth full like a disgusting pig." like one particular red headed boy he'd seen just earlier that morning he could name.

Harry snorted at the image that painted in his mind, but decided not to mention it.

Severus smirked at the noise; he'd successfully distracted Harry from what happened, good. Although he knew it wasn't the end of it, and things would be difficult for a while, he would pull through. He'd pull Harry through kicking and screaming if that's what it took. He was passed caring that he cared too much; for once in his life he allowed his emotions to guide him. If he didn't want to end up alone forever, he would have to give some leeway. If it was with this gorgeous young wizard…well who was he to argue?

Severus eat lunch quickly, actually rather hungry, Dumbledore had pulled him away from his bloody breakfast. All he'd eaten was one forkful of scrambled egg before a red headed bovine had come charging into the Great Hall. Scaring ten years out of him by yelling at the top of his lungs they'd caught Potter that Granger was following him.

"You will pack all your belongings in this flat, anything you want to keep that is. You won't be coming back here, that I can promise you. Even if I have to make you leave kicking and screaming." said Severus honestly, regarding Harry pensively as he said this, but Harry didn't seem unduly upset by his words or angered.

"Want any fries with that?" asked Harry an eyebrow rose in disbelief he couldn't believe what Snape was saying. He composed himself, despite the fact part of him wanted to wave around, grin in happiness. He wasn't about to go to the magical world, he didn't want to be their stupid little hero.

Severus twitched as if he wanted to say something particularly nasty but only managed to stop himself. "Nobody would know that you are Harry Potter, you will be taking an Aging Potion. The more potion you consume the older one gets, but its not permanent you don't have to worry. Despite your outwardly appearance changing, your internal organs despite getting smaller or bigger in this case will still be the same age. It's for that reason; De-aging oneself to cheat death does not work. Inevitably your organs would deteriorate whether you were in the body of a one year old or twenty year old."

Harry so didn't like that idea. "Sounds painful." objected Harry, but not very strongly, so Severus knew he had Harry ensnared, it was just whether he could keep him as such.

"It is the first time, after that it should be no problem at all." said Severus. "You will be aged to the same as myself. You will become my apprentice, and learn everything you can about Potions. Sitting right under the old fool's nose and he will be none the wiser."

Harry smirked "Now that is err…rather devious." said Harry his green eyes glittering with eager anticipation. "Take him down from within."

"Indeed." said Severus smirking rather viciously, if Dumbledore could have seen this, well he would have been running for the hills. Yes Dumbledore was powerful, but not more so than these two Slytherins (despite being sorted into Gryffindor on Harry's part) were.

"So when do we put this plan into motion?" asked Harry.

"Actually I cannot tonight, I have to attend another odious meeting, with Dumbledore and the Order." said Severus, "I also have to brew the potion myself, it's not something I ever envisioned needing, thus I never brewed it. I wouldn't trust anyone else to brew it either, so you will have to bear with me until I get everything in order." said Severus, disappointed he couldn't just swoop Harry out of there. "Just do not go out, keep safe in the flat, or as safe as one can get. I'll add a few more spells to it, everything will be safe I promise." he wasn't sure where Harry had been hurt, but if it was the flat he had to think of something.

"Its fine Severus," said Harry, Severus jolted in surprise, it's the first time he'd heard Harry say his name. "I'm safe in here." the Slytherin he was, he realized what Severus was asking without actually asking the question. Slytherins - everything had to be complicated.

"Good," said Severus relaxing just a tad.

"But potions?" said Harry, "You do remember what happened the last time I was in a room with one?"

"You are nineteen years old, not eleven; Dumbledore won't be standing over you while we brew. We have nothing to prove, it's just a means to keep you safe." said Severus. "It's not just Potions, I will be teaching you in Defence Against the Dark Art's and anything you'd like to learn more about. Ancient Runes however, you will need to continue learning on your own." he hated Ancient Runes, he hadn't taken it but Harry took to it like a duck to water. He seriously enjoyed it, but as he'd said Harry had to learn that one particular subject independently.

"I'll need to leave and get ready for the meeting," said Severus looking at the time once again cursing. He'd originally forgotten about it, when his ideas began forming…now he would have to go.

"Get Ready?" echoed Harry, "What do you have to wear some sort of uniform?" a grimace left him lips, a shudder racking his frame, at the thought of what kind of uniform, Dumbledore would force upon everyone. He doubted Dumbledore's taste in wardrobe had changed much. At the time he'd liked him, his start and moon royal blue robes, and twinkling eyes and the Santa look about him. Of course his opinion on a great deal of things had changed drastically.

"Indeed, no but I need to leave before sanitising myself then attending the meeting." said Severus.

"Sanitising yourself?" echoed Harry beginning to feel as if he was a parrot, or missing something that should be obvious. Was it something to do with him? He couldn't have helped the thought crossing his mind if he'd tried. He was insecure, even if it was only inwardly; nobody saw the raw gaping wound of insecurities lying under the surface.

"It's nothing to do with you. Your father's best friend, Remus Lupin is a werewolf." replied Severus as if sensing Harry's vulnerability. With this Wizard anything was possible; he could see things other people couldn't. "He would most certainly remember your scent and immediately realize I had been in contact."

"Then leave it, he might come in handy." said Harry, "We will need all the help we can get if he's loyal to my father. I do have some questions for him as well." his eyes had darkened in a way that suggested it wasn't good, happy, reminiscent questions he wanted to ask. Severus was tempted to just Apparate the werewolf here.

"I'd be happy to get Lupin here for you," said Severus grinning sadistically, "What about your godfather?"

"You say Lupin and 'Godfather' with poorly concealed disgust and hatred, what happened between you all? Other than his immaturity of course." said Harry curiously. He'd also hated Harry's father if his words when Harry was eleven were any indication.

"Indeed, you would hate them also if they tried to kill you." said Severus his anger obvious.

"Kill you?" asked Harry bewildered, "What happened?"

"Your godfather goaded me into going after Lupin; I wanted to know why he kept leaving every month. The idiot I was, I went down there intending on finding out, anything to get one over the Marauders, which was their name in school and out of it come to that. If it wasn't for your father finding out and coming after me, I would have most certainly been killed or worse mauled and most certainly and inevitably turned into a werewolf." said Severus.

"He saved your life, no wonder you hated him." said Harry in understanding, such a thing an enemy to have over you. "What age were they?" even at that what they done could never be excused.

"Sixteen." said Severus.

Harry winced, definitely not excused.

"I have to go, I've never been late for a meeting," said Severus, or for anything since he was a young boy for that matter. They could say what he liked but Severus was and always had been very punctual.

"Alright." said Harry.

"I'll be back tonight, with any luck." said Severus, but he made no promises, because he wasn't one for breaking them.

"Be careful," replied Harry as Severus got up he replied "Always." and Apparated away.

Severus materialised outside Grimmauld Place, thinking of the words clear in mind. A few seconds later, like ripples in a pond, the townhouse materialized into view. Knocking impatiently, he waited for someone to answer; when they did he slunk in before they could open it properly.

"Severus, its good to see you again!" said Molly without her usual exuberance, but out in the hall she couldn't speak as she normally would, in her overbearing manner. She did not want to put up with the screeching of Sirius Black's mother. If there was a portrait she wouldn't mind burning, knowing such disrespect wasn't tolerated, it would be that woman.

"Indeed," said Severus as he made his way up the black hall, it was aptly named, it was a grim place. Or rather grime might be more appropriate, it was absolutely disgusting. He made his way into the kitchen, probably the only safe place one could enter.

His eyes immediately scanned over everyone, stopping on Remus Lupin, waiting for the inevitable. It was near the full moon; no doubt the man would sense it almost immediately. The amber eyes went wide; nobody seemed to notice anything too busy talking to one another. Waiting on the Headmaster, the head of the Order and the leader to arrive.

Severus shook his head; his eyes filled with seriousness, confusion filled those amber eyes. Remus stared at Severus unable to comprehend; he was trying to understand what Snape was trying to tell him without words. Yet it eluded him, blinking rapidly, he remained silent as Snape made his way over, sitting next to him.

"Any luck finding our boy?" asked Albus speaking after vacating the Floo Network.

The quite 'No' came from dozens of people.

Remus opened his mouth, but gasped in pain instead of saying anything as Snape stomped viciously on his foot. Enough so that it was still hurting ten minutes later, he wanted to curse himself or Snape he wasn't sure which.

"We are sorry Remus," sighed Tonks sadly, assuming Remus was hurting because they hadn't been able to find Harry. Not because he'd just been hit by Severus Snape.

"Its fine," choked Remus still smarting from the kick.

Severus just smirked in devilish amusement, causing Remus to be taken aback; he hadn't seen that look on Snape's face since school…since before their sixth year. Mostly when he'd successfully managed to get back at them for their pranks or words.

"We must continue our search, Severus you are the best tracker we have. I am sorry but you must help the search. Take Remus with you, between you both hopefully you will get somewhere." said Dumbledore.

Severus' lip curled, "I refuse to work with the mangy cur." replied Severus.

"Severus." said Dumbledore gravely.

"Fine," scowled Severus petulantly. Under the pretence of giving up, as he always did eventually under Dumbledore's demands. "Move." he snapped at the werewolf, getting up and leaving the meeting without Dumbledore telling them they were dismissed in a rare move of disrespect.

"He wants us to search around Privet Drive." said Remus, as they walked out, keeping up the pretence. At least until they got somewhere, where they'd have at least some privacy to talk. Since Severus seemed to be unwilling to talk with an audience, whatever's happening was actually terrifying him. His thoughts were dark indeed, and he wanted to know what was going on.

They ended up Apparating to Privet Drive together.

There we go :) the next chapter :P i think Rizzy likes Snape and is trying to find him a mate dont you? Oysters and chocolate covered strawberries! :D hehe R&R PLEASE