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Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Harry followed Snape down to the dark depths of the castle and into the dungeons. Harry didn't exactly like this area when he was having classes so having to stay down here for the remaining five weeks was going to be a nightmare. They came to stop outside a portrait of Salazar Slytherin and Snape looked to Harry.
"The password is Enlightment, it will stay like this until school starts." Then looking to the portrait he continued. "Mr. Potter will be staying in these quarters for the remainder of the school break. Please grant him entry with the password."
"Very well. Welcome, Mr. Potter." Salazar said to Harry and he looked up and nodded slightly to the portrait.
It swung open and Harry hesitated before following the man inside. It really wasn't what he expected and to his surprise it felt warm and inviting. The walls were painted in an olive colour with white skirting boards and a beige coloured carpet. Standing just in from the doorway to his left were three doors and to his right was a large writing desk that was littered with parchment and books with another door next to it. Straight ahead there was a large fireplace with a generous mantel and either side of the fireplace were two large bookcases that were stacked completely full with books. In front of the fire was a large couch and an armchair off to the side that were a natural brown colour and looked plush and inviting.
Snape was regarding Harry carefully as he took in his surroundings and it looked as though Harry was quite surprised. Amongst Harry's surprise was also caution, he could sense from the boy's auror that he was anxious and nervous. He didn't blame him, he now basically had nothing, no home, no family and had to spend the rest of his holidays with the one he hated most. He couldn't possibly imagine what not having at least one member of loving family would be like and it further broke down his preconception of the boy. He cleared his throat so he could get Harry's attention and saw the boy look over to him.
"Your room, Mr. Potter." He said pointing to the furthest door and opened it indicating that he could go inside.
Harry slowly walked towards the door but looked down as he entered so he wouldn't have to look at Snape. Looking up when he went inside he was again surprised that the colouring was the same as the living area except the double bed had a maroon duvet cover and gold pillows. Obviously trying to make me feel at home, he thought. He saw his trunk on the bed and Hedwig's cage was on the floor by the writing desk that was along the right hand wall. He idly wondered where his bird was; he hadn't seen her for a few days.
"I can't possibly understand why the Headmaster can't have you staying in the Gryffindor tower, but here we are." Snape commented, bringing Harry out of his thoughts.
Harry went to sit on his bed and he looked up at Snape who was leaning in the doorframe. An odd sight and one that made Harry's insides go all funny so he looked down as his face started to blush.
"I have some rules, Mr. Potter and I expect them to be followed even though it is still the holidays." He didn't get an answer, only a nod so he decided to get on with it and leave him in peace.
"I enjoy my solitude, but I am not confining you to your room. You are more that welcome to sit in the living area, provided you don't make too much noise. I expect you to follow normal curfew rules whilst you are here so I know where you are; and lastly, under no circumstances are you allowed to enter my room or my private lab. The door next to this one is the bathroom, of course you may use it but please keep it tidy. Any questions?"
Apparently it was a day full of surprises and Harry listened to the man's speech. There was no animosity, no venom, no sarcasm, nothing. It was like he was talking to Harry in a civil manner, if was baffling. He risked a look up at the man once he'd finished speaking and he shook his head.
"No, sir." He said quietly and looked back down again, his hands in his lap.
"Very well, I'll leave you to it. Oh, and meal times are held just the same." He added before he turned to leave, shutting the door in the process but not without one last look at the broken boy sitting on his bed.
Harry sighed before falling back onto his bed. He felt numb, like he didn't really know what to do with himself. There was a clock on his bedside table and he turned his head to look at the time. Twelve o'clock, nearly lunchtime, he thought and went to stand. He decided he'd use that time to unpack the necessary items before he went to the hall, he was starving.
Meanwhile, Snape went straight to his lab, but he left the door open a little so he could hear if Harry left his room. It was a strange feeling he was currently experiencing and he felt uncharacteristically guilty about how he'd treated him for the past few years. Although, in his defense everyone thought he was pampered and treated like royalty and the girls at school did fawn over him. That was another thing and he stopped before adding the next ingredient to his potion. Harry was gay, wasn't he? He had no idea, it was a little peck that he'd witnessed and Harry really hadn't acknowledged it when it happened, but now that he thought about it, and not that he took much notice of the teen at school, he'd never seen Harry with a girlfriend. Why do I even care about that? He asked himself before continuing with the potion, pushing thoughts about Harry to the side.
Harry looked over at the time and saw that he had a few minutes before lunch, so he decided to head up, he knew it was going to be a long walk anyway so that would make up the time. He looked down at his clothes and cringed, he really didn't want to go up there looking like this, perhaps they'll let me go to Diagon Ally so I can get some money. He thought he'd ask the Headmaster, or was it Snape he was supposed to ask? Either way he was going to get some new clothes. He found the clothes he was given by Mags and slipped them on quickly and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked like crap if he was honest, the big black circles under his eyes made him look tired and older than he was.
Opening the door carefully, he walked out into the living area and saw the door opposite where he was standing ajar, there was a blue/green hue to the room and he figured that must have been the private lab. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to just leave or tell Snape where he was going but he didn't need to because the man came out and their eyes met. They didn't say anything, and it was a little awkward but he followed the man as he walked towards the portrait and out into the corridor.
Harry was nervous, he didn't know if the other professors had been told about him staying in the castle, and he hoped they didn't know why but he supposed they probably would be told. Great someone else who knows, the idea made him feel uncomfortable; they were his teachers, he shouldn't be ashamed but he was. Their 'Golden Boy' their favourite student, and he happens to have a dark secret. Slumping his shoulders he slowed his pace.
Because his head was down, he didn't see Snape look over his shoulder frowning but he didn't stop. Harry was in his own little world as he walked to the Great Hall and he went straight to the front of the Gryffindor table where there was a place setting already waiting for him. He suddenly wasn't very hungry although his stomach had been growling a few minutes ago so he just looked down at his empty plate as lunch progressed. It was odd for Harry that no one approached him even though all the teachers were present, this only confirmed the fact that they did in fact know about why he was there. He sighed.
It had only been ten minutes but seeing as he wasn't going to eat anything he got up and went to leave the hall. The teachers that were present plus Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape all watched Harry as he left and some looked at each other but not commenting before turning back to their normal conversations. Harry himself felt like crap so instead of going back down to the dungeons he went outside to walk around the grounds. He found this oddly refreshing, but with too much time on his hands now for thinking all he could do was think back to the previous nights that he was out with Peter and Tony. Tony. He should probably acknowledge the fact that he did in fact like Tony in the romantic sense, Peter even got his heart skipping a beat but he didn't know if this meant that he was gay. Sure there were pretty girls that attended Hogwarts but he never got the burning desire to kiss any of them. They were just that, pretty.
Finding a spot by the Black Lake and sat down looking out over the shimmering water. It was quite a warm day, he was happy about this, it meant he didn't freeze to death because he had forgotten to grab his only jacket before leaving the dungeons.
"'Arry? 'Arry is that you?"
Harry turned to see Hagrid coming toward him and he got up, cracking the first real smile, a grin even, for a couple of days and went over to hug the Grounds Keeper.
"Hagrid!"
"Whatcha doin' 'ere? School don' start for a few weeks."
Apparently not everyone had been told and Harry's mood soured immediately as he let go of his long time friend. He looked at the ground, and sensing Harry's mood Hagrid put an arm around his shoulders and puled him close, directing him towards his cabin. Once inside Harry found a giant seat next to the fire and sat down and was handed a large glass with a small amount of amber liquid inside it. Sniffing it his eyes went wide and he looked at his friend.
"This is alcohol, Hagrid." He said disbelievingly and Hagrid chuckled.
"An' if ya tell anyone bout it I'll feed ya to Buckbeak." He laughed and Harry smiled.
His mood lifted incredibly when he thought he now had somewhere he could get a drink of two. He took a sip, never having tried this drink before and after tasting it he still didn't know what it was but he chucked half of it back anyway before looking up at his friend who was looking at him expectantly. Harry sighed, he guessed he'd have to tell him if no one else was going to.
"The Dursley's…" He trailed off, he really didn't know how to say it so he decided blunt was best.
"They beat me. I arrived here yesterday unconscious and Madame Pomfrey fixed me up." He shrugged and took another sip of his drink. There was nothing little about the glass nor the contents so he knew he was going to be extremely tipsy if he went straight back down to the dungeons.
"Oh, 'Arry." Hagrid said with a sad look on his face.
He reached forward and took Harry's free hand n his own and gave it a little squeeze. He had no idea that this was happening and he felt extremely upset that it was he that took him to that house in the first place. He knew Harry wouldn't blame him, but he couldn't help but feel like he had some part in this.
"It's okay, really. I'm fine now." He gave his friend a weak smile and took another gulp feeling the effects already. Snape's going to kill me.
"Well, if there's anyfin I can do for you 'Arry you let me know 'kay?"
"Sure, Hagrid. I will." He smiled and soaked in the warmth from the fire and from inside as the alcohol warmed his stomach.
They spent the next hour talking about different things and when Harry was finished with his drink and he went to stand he had to blink a few times to focus on the ground. He was drunk. No doubt about it. He had half a mind to ask if he could stay with Hagrid, then he realized he should have asked Dumbledore in the first place if he could have stayed with his friend. Too late now, he slurred in his head and he cringed at himself.
"Well. Hagrid, my friend. I shall leave you to it." He said matter of factly and he had to giggle at how ridiculous he sounded.
They hugged and he helped Harry outside. Harry walked very slowly up towards the castle and had to take extra care in how he got there, he knew for a fact he was at risk of falling down the stairs if he wasn't paying attention. He narrowed his eyes in concentration and without incident he made it to the portrait of Salazar. Narrowing his eyes in concentration again he tried to remember what the password was. Shit, shit, shit, shit. What is it? I know it's something to do with light. Uh, lighter… no that's not it.
"Are you alright, Mr. Potter?" Salazar asked and Harry looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Uh… Just trying to remember the password?" He said unsurely and the man looked at him impatiently.
"Oh, Enlightment." Harry said at last and the portrait opened and he wobbled in.
He cursed himself when he saw that Snape was sitting in the armchair with a book in his hand, so he made his way straight to his room without saying anything and wasn't stopped as he did so. He missed the curious look on Snape's face though as he was carefully walking to his room. The man thought it odd the way he was walking but didn't question him, instead turned back to his book.
With his door shut, he flopped down onto his bed smiling. He remembered the last time he was on a bed drunk and there was a boy on top of him kissing him deeply. Rolling onto his side he jutted his hips as a wave of arousal hit him and he immediately groaned at the unfortunate situation he was now in. He refused to touch himself in the man's quarters, that was completely weird and the idea that at any moment the man could walk in and catch him didn't help. He couldn't help it though and palmed himself through his jeans, making little noises here and there before he gave up and ripped his jeans down to his knees and stroked himself roughly. He thought about Tony as he grinded against him, how he kissed him and the longing look the boy gave him when they made eye contact. He didn't last long and with a muffled moan as he threw his head into his pillow he came his last thought being the touch of elegant hands on his chin, holding his breath as the pleasure rose through him.
He was completely embarrassed and immediately reached out to grab his wand and clean the mess before righting his jeans and rolling onto his side again. He was drunk, sated and now sleepy, so he decided to have a sleep for a little while and hopefully some of the alcohol would work it's way out of his system.
A few minutes before dinner was ready, Snape got up and went over to Harry's bedroom door. He hadn't heard any noise in there for a few hours and it didn't sound like he was going to come out for dinner so he gently knocked on the door but there was no answer. Knocking a little louder, there was still no answer so he quietly opened the door to find Harry sound asleep on top of the covers. He was in two minds about whether to wake him or not. He knew that Harry would probably be pissed that he was in his room and woke him, but on the other hand he hadn't had anything to eat all day and wondered how he wasn't hungry. The sleeping form rolled over so he was facing Snape and then his stomach rumbled loudly. That was all Snape needed to confirm his next course of action.
"Potter?" He whispered but there was no movement. He repeated it a little louder and reached out to shake his shoulder.
Harry woke with a start and when he saw Snape's face he got a fright and jumped back just far enough to not fall off the other side of the bed. He watched as Snape stood up straight and Harry looked at him in confusion and he blushed as he remembered why he'd fallen asleep in the first place. He was brought back to the present moment when Snape spoke.
"I apologize for scaring you, but I thought you might like to know that dinner is about to be served." Snape said politely and Harry carefully got off the bed.
"Oh, thanks." He muttered and walked past Snape and out the door, swaying a little in the process.
Dinner was a slow process but he did eventually eat something much to the joy of his stomach. He looked up to Hagrid who was up at the Head table and he smiled down at Harry and Harry gave him a tight smile in response. He still couldn't really believe he'd given him alcohol; he was underage and a student no less. He hoped no one found out about that because Hagrid would probably be fired. By the time dessert appeared Harry was over it and he stood to leave, again before anyone else.
When he got back to Snape's quarters, he looked around the room and realized there really wasn't anything exciting to do so he wandered over to the bookshelf and started reading the titles. As he reached the top shelf he realized there were some interesting sounding books and he took one of them down to start reading it. Much to his surprise it was actually a Potions textbook that he knew for a fact wasn't on the book list so he scanned the table of contents and stretched out on the couch to start reading.
It was about twenty minutes before Snape came back into the room and he went over to the lab where Harry heard some clinking and bristling noises before the man came back out and went over to a cabinet that was by the desk and produced a bottle. Coming to sit down in his chair, Harry could see out the corner of his eye the man also had a book but he had a glass of amber liquid and he briefly wondered if it was what Hagrid had given him. He knew for sure though that Snape wouldn't dare give him any, he wouldn't accept it anyway, he had a wicked headache right now.
"Well wonders never cease. A Potions book, no less." Snape commented with slight amusement and Harry sat up as he looked up at him and wondered if he'd done the wrong thing.
"Uh, yes, sir. Sorry, it's one of yours, I hope you don't mind." Harry said quietly and the man merely gave him a small smile.
"You are more than welcome to read any of the books, Potter. Just make sure they get put back." He replied as he read his own book.
Harry was satisfied that the man wasn't angry or even the least bit annoyed, but it unnerved him. He was sure that the man had gone crazy when he smiled and at first he thought that it looked good on the man. What the hell? He was confused at where that thought had come from. For the millionth time that day he was confused at his thoughts and actions so decided to immerse himself in the book again. He really did find it fascinating.