J.K. Rowling's characters.
First of all, i would like to write an apology. One of my reviews pointed out my mistake in where i said Severus wasn't a stallion. I got some research mixed up and mistook a Stallion for a neutured, tamed horse, which was what i meant when i wrote the sentence. Yes, you're right, i know nothing about horses. My sister on the other hand, knows practically everything about them so i'll be asking her for advice along with anyone who wishs to give it. There may be a few more mistakes in future chapters and i would gladly accept any pointers. i'll change the mistakes when i've got all chapters out.
Secondly, someone asked for this story to be long. I'm afraid this is probably going to be my shortest story so far (a total of 5 chapters). Haven't done word count yet.
It had been a week since Severus had found the time to be free again, but on a Tuesday night he was able to escape into his clearing. When he arrived, he was surprised to find Harry Potter was already there, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he attempted to cast an extremely difficult charm. The boy didn't even notice the mustang as it watched from the trees.
Slowly, vines crept up from the ground and the trees surrounding the clearing shuddered as someone took control over them. The vines danced around Harry, moving as he told them, criss-crossing and creating a webbed cage. Satisfied with the spell, Harry reversed it. The vines shot back into the ground with a rumble that shook the floor. When all was silent, Severus trotted forward.
He should have just left, not bother to stay in the clearing but find somewhere else instead. He had seen the boy all week in lessons, but instead of merely jumping to conclusions at every action the teenager took, he watched carefully. It was obvious Potter was getting little sleep, dark rings constantly surrounded the green eyes and his concentration was always slipping in class, leaving more then one potion to get blown up. Severus' curiosity got the better of him and he wished to find what problems the chosen one could possibly be suffering from.
Harry heard the light tapping of hooves on the forest floor, he turned to look at the mustang; his mustang. A beam lit up his features and he dashed over to the creature.
"It's good to see you again, I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." Harry stroked down the creatures fine neck.
The comment surprised Severus; just how many nights had Potter been out here?
Potter turned and sat down, leaning back against another tree. Severus followed and sat down next to him. Carefully, Severus moved his head and rested it on the boys lap. The moment he had completed the action, he suddenly became aware of what he had just done. He was resting on Harry Potter's lap! He would have taken it back immediately if it weren't for the fact that Potter's hand was now running through his front mane (and Severus was just too damn comfortable).
A sigh reached Severus ear and he looked up, to see Potter staring into the sky.
"I'm so tired. Not a single night's sleep in a week."
Harry looked down at the horse. He felt safe having it so close, there was something inviting about it.
"Mind if I just sleep here? I feel I'll be able to with you next to me." Harry asked. Without awaiting reply, Harry shuffled back, closing his eyes.
Severus listened as the sounds of heavy breathing filled the clearing. He felt Harry's hand go limp and watched as the boy's face become unguarded. The moonlight lit the pale skin and enhanced the shade of pure black hair and eyelashes. Rosy lips were parted slightly as breaths escaped through them. Severus had never seen Harry like this, never seen him without the pompous act following in his wake. He had never seen Harry without his mother's eyes sending guilt through Severus' heart.
Now he only saw James Potter's face. Well at least he was supposed to. Instead, Severus saw all the differences between James and his son. Harry's eyes and jaw line both held a gentle curve rather then James' harsh jagged lines. Really it was only the hair and glasses, which led everyone to say just how much Harry looked like his father.
For the first time, Severus saw Harry Potter. Every previous thought and view on the boy disappeared and instead he only saw the powerful, courageous teenager he was. Severus felt his heart pump faster and the new revelation and it opened up a new space, dedicated to Harry Potter, just like he had done for Lily Evans. The man kept his eyes open, watching for any signs of trouble whilst keeping an eyes on the sleeping angel next to him. Throughout the night, Severus protected the boy he had previously detested over the last six years.
Wednesday ended with potions for Gryffindor and Slytherin. Severus watched from the back of the class as Harry completed his potion without fault. Severus' teeth dug at his tongue as he fought against his previous self to insult Harry. He clutched his tongue harder at the last thought- he hadn't realised he had taken to calling Harry by his first name, it wasn't right as a teacher.
The dark rings under Potter's eyes had vanished, his skin was still pale but a slight pink, pinched at his cheeks from the heat of the boiling cauldron. He had even seen a hint of a smile on Harry's- damn it- face at the breakfast table; something that had now been noticeably missing since the start of term.
Severus heard a splatter as a potion fell to the floor and hit the stone slabs. He clucked his tongue at Weasley, who had dropped his ladle whilst trying to transfer the unfinished potion into the glass vial. There was a sizzling as the potion burnt through Longbottom's show and he yelped in pain as it hit his skin.
"Evanesco." Severus muttered. "10 points from Gryffindor for an incorrect potion."
The Slytherins sniggered whilst the Gryffindors complained in hush whispers. Severus pretended he didn't here and waltzed to the front of the class.
"Times up. Hand in your potions now." Severus announced to the class. There was a scraping of chairs as the members of the room hurried to cork the vials and queue up at the front desk. The Slytherins came first and Severus gave the mark as each vial was shoved in front of his nose.
"E, E, O, A, O, E, O, A, A, O, E."
Next was the Gryffindors.
"A, A, P, A, D, T, O, D, E…"
There was stock silence as everyone stared at the pupil at the front desk. Severus Snape had just given Harry Potter an E. The boy stood, staring at his professor in surprise.
"Move Potter." Severus snapped, quietly enjoying the sight of a stunned Harry Potter in front of him.
The boy snapped back and practically ran back to his place. He plopped down at the stool in shock whilst Weasley went to bring him back to life, no doubt telling Harry it was some evil plan of Severus' for the unexpected E grade.
The same night of the potions lesson that will go down into Hogwarts a history, Severus returned to the clearing. Not a minute was spent there before Harry arrived. The boy walked straight to the tree he had slept at the night before, and sat down as if he owned it. Severus huffed before trotting to the boys side.
Harry pulled out some parchment, a quill and inkpot. He carefully laid the inkpot on the ground and dipped his quill onto it. The boy closed his eyes. Severus watched from the side, wondering what Harry was doing now. Minutes past before Harry snapped his eyes open and hastily started scribbling.
The sound of scratching was carried though the clearing. It was roughly an hour and a half before Harry stopped. He sucked the end of the quill in thought, before putting the inkpot and quill away. With the lap now cleared, Severus moved over and placed his head down. He looked at what Harry had placed on the parchment.
A plain ink drawing of the potions classroom had filled half the sheet. On it, Severus saw himself, leaning over his desk, marking papers, whilst vials sat in front of him. Hands of different shapes and sizes entered the drawing as they leant against his desk or held more vials. The shading was generally dark, creating an ominous aura to the ink work, but it captured the potions room perfectly. Severus himself was shown in the centre with the utmost detail placed onto him.
Severus was drawn from his gaze when a tentative question rose from above him, reminding Severus of where the artwork had come from.
"What do you think?" Harry asked, looking down at the mustang.
Severus butted his head into Harry's stomach, in what he hoped was a good answer.
Harry smiled. "It's just a scribble. I drew it because the guy in the middle, Severus Snape, my potions professor, gave me an E. Yeah, yeah, it shouldn't be a big deal, but this guy hates me. Like really hates me so the fact he gave me, of all people an E, is a very big deal."
Harry grinned and leant back, stroking Severus' mane. Severus huffed at the boy's arrogance. It really wasn't that big a deal, he's just trying to make his head bigger.
"I wish he didn't hate me. Well, maybe I wouldn't mind if he hated me, but he shows it all the time. Insult my work, distracts me in a potion, purposefully degrades me, gives me a detention as often as possible and loses my house points." Harry sighed. "I wonder if he even notices it. That he's treating me unfairly, even compared to the other Gryffindors.
"And you know what the worst part is. It's not even a decent reason. He only hates me because my father bullied him at school. I mean, yeah, my father was a prick to him, but I've never done anything and I'm not my father, contrary to popular belief."
During the little speech, Harry's voice had risen in anger and his hand clenched around Severus' mane.
Severus pulled his head out of the small hand, startling Harry. Harry looked down in surprise, which quickly changed to guilt.
"Sorry, I guess I got carried away there." He murmured, stroking Severus, who placed his head back onto Harry. He wanted to hear more. The boy's opinion of Severus intrigued him. It gave him a different point of view and even showed that Harry was right; he had been unfair to the chosen one. But it had to be said that what pleased him the most was hearing James Potter's son call him a prick.
Harry breathed in deeply, before making one last comment. "I bet he's just kidding himself with the excuse that it will help to deflate the boy-who-lived's big head. The excuse would be perfectly fine if it weren't for the fact that I hate publicity."
That was it. Harry Potter had just destroyed any resolve Severus had left to continue with his treatment of Harry. He could no longer stick to the belief that Harry was a spoilt rotten brat who delved in the lime light and did everything he could to grab the wizarding world's attention. Severus was wrong. So wrong and now a feeling of guilt swept over him, making him wish to make it up to Harry.
Sitting in the darkness and peaceful silence, Severus pondered on what he could do. It came to him fairly quickly. He will be Harry's outlet. He'll continue to meet the boy at night and allow him to speak his secrets to his animagus form. Then he'll keep the secrets bottled up. It was simple enough but kept Severus' peace of mind.