A/N- Hi guys! Here's another update! Hope you like it.
CHAPTER – 10
One morning Harry entered the Potions classroom to again find the benches stacked in a corner and the whole room empty. There was a dummy kept in the middle of the room like Harry always did in his DA meetings.
He went close to inspect it and snorted at the crookedly made eyes, nose and a smile on the face of it.
"I'm afraid Elle's drawing skills remain something to be strengthened." Snape said as he emerged from the office. "Especially the unhinged smile."
Harry grinned. "I don't think I want to hit this dummy. It's just way too cute now."
"Stop being sentimental, Potter." Snape rolled his eyes. "Let's start. Today I want you to try the Stunning Spell. Non-verbally. And I expect you to master it by the end of this session."
"Are you not curious at all about mine and Dumbledore's talk?" Harry asked him as he got ready to duel.
"No, Potter." Snape replied. "I have my role to play and the headmaster has his own."
Harry nodded, Snape's tone indicating that it was the end of the conversation. He then started focusing on his wand, trying to channel all his concentration into casting the Stunning Spell non-verbally. He knew it was a difficult task, one that required not only magical prowess but also intense mental discipline. Harry took a deep breath, pushing away all distractions and focusing solely on the dummy in front of him.
Snape stood to the side, his eyes sharp and watchful. "Remember, Potter, non-verbal spells demand complete focus. You must picture the spell in your mind, feel the magic flow through you, and release it with intent. Now, try."
Harry raised his wand, his thoughts aligning with the incantation, Stupefy. He felt the familiar warmth of magic coursing through him, but when he flicked his wand towards the dummy, nothing happened. Frustration bubbled up, but he quickly suppressed it, knowing that losing his temper would only make the task harder.
"Concentrate, Potter," Snape's voice was a low, steady command. "Clear your mind of all other thoughts."
Harry nodded, closing his eyes for a moment to centre himself. When he opened them, he focused entirely on the dummy, visualizing the spell taking effect. He moved his wand with precision, willing the magic to manifest. This time, a faint red light shot from his wand, hitting the dummy but only making it wobble slightly.
"Better," Snape conceded, though his tone was still critical. "But not nearly enough. Again."
Harry's determination hardened. He wouldn't let Snape's harshness deter him. He tried again, and again, each time the spell growing a little stronger, the light a little brighter. The time seemed to pass, the room echoing with the sounds of Harry's silent struggles and Snape's terse instructions.
Eventually, Harry managed a strong, silent Stupefy, the spell hitting the dummy with enough force to knock it over. He felt a surge of triumph, but Snape was not yet satisfied.
"Good. Now, do it consistently," Snape said, folding his arms across his chest. Harry could see the lines on his face relaxed slightly.
Harry repeated the spell, again and again, each time with growing confidence and strength. The dummy flew back with every hit, and Harry felt his control over non-verbal casting solidify. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he didn't care. He was improving, and that was all that mattered.
As they neared the end of the session, Snape finally gave a nod of approval. "Adequate, Potter. You are beginning to understand the discipline required. But remember, in a real duel, there will be far more at stake. You must be able to perform under pressure, without hesitation."
Harry wiped his brow, feeling exhaustion and satisfaction. "I understand, Professor."
Snape looked at him, a strange, unreadable expression in his eyes. "Good. Keep practicing. Again, but now try the blasting curse."
Harry exhaled softly from his mouth before focusing. This time, he had a grip on the technique and was able to do the spell. He watched with satisfaction as the dummy flew towards the back of the classroom, burnt and black.
He looked at Snape who had a satisfied smirk on his face. "Well done, Potter."
Harry smiled at the compliment. This was the first time in his life that Snape had acknowledged his academic progress.
"I have a grasp of the technique." Harry said after a while as he sat in Snape's office with a bottle of water opened in his hand. "Can I do it for any spell, then?"
Snape looked up from his papers and raised an eyebrow at the boy. "That, Potter, depends on you. Technically, yes you can. But each spell requires a different kind of focus. When you think about performing any spell, you must have the intention and the concentration. While it is easy to do that in the confines of my classroom on a dummy, it is not so easy to do in a duel when you have many distractions and a threat to your life from all the sides."
"How do you manage to do it?" Harry asked him as he sipped the water.
Snape regarded him carefully. "When the threat to your life is serious, you don't think much about what will happen. You just do it."
"That sounds like something Dumbledore would say." Harry muttered darkly.
"Professor Dumbledore. And yes, he does have a way of speaking cryptically. However, never compare my style to his if you want to live to see tomorrow, Potter." Snape grumbled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Where's Elle?" he asked. The girl was usually around, clinging to his professor anywhere he went.
"She is on a play date." Snape said and Harry almost laughed at the way Snape grimaced and said 'play date'.
"She has a lot of muggle friends, then?" He asked.
"Yes, but only a few whom I trust." Snape responded. "I will go and get her in an hour."
Harry nodded.
"She was asking about you yesterday when you failed to show up." Snape said as he leaned back in his chair.
Harry gulped down another sip of water before talking. "I was really tired." He spoke. "I went to bed pretty early."
"Yes, I assume a talk with the headmaster can get tiring." Snape said and Harry shrugged. "However, I do wonder what you talked about."
"You said you weren't curious." Harry said with a slightly teasing tone.
Snape narrowed his eyes before picking up his quill. "That is right."
Harry knew the man was curious. And Harry really wanted to tell him all about it, but he knew he couldn't. Before putting himself in any sticky situation, Harry got up as he closed the bottle.
"Well, I'll be off then." He announced.
"No, please, stay. Whatever will I do without your presence." Snape intoned as he read his papers. Harry rolled his eyes at the man.
"Sarcasm. It's like you eat that every day for breakfast." He said and quickly ran out as he saw Snape raise his wand towards him.
/
"So, it was Horace Slughorn who told Voldemort about the Horcruxes?" Harry asked. He was again sat in front of the headmaster today, nursing a cup of coffee.
Albus nodded. "He didn't mean to, but he is a naïve soul, Horace."
"Well, naïve or not, telling a student about horcruxes, that's foolish, sir." Harry said angrily.
"Well, what is done is done, Harry." Albus said. "Horace has long since retired and has no inclination of teaching anymore students after the disaster of Voldemort."
"Well, good for him." Harry muttered darkly. "But the damage is done, isn't it?"
"When Horace came to me with this information, I instantly vanished all books there are in the library that contained anything related to Horcrux and Dark arts." Dumbledore said.
"Yeah, I noticed." Harry said. "I didn't find anything at all when I went to check."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and Harry growled in frustration.
"I went to check for research, Professor." He spoke. "It's not like I'm going to split my soul and put it in 8 different objects just to one up that rat bastard." His eyes widened at his words. "I mean- Sorry for the language." He said quickly.
Albus chuckled. "It is quite alright, my boy. We all get frustrated some day or the other."
"So, if we go to search for the ring, we go to Little Hangleton, right?" Harry asked him.
"Presumably." Albus nodded.
"Professor, can I ask you a favour?" Harry said as he put his empty cup on the table.
"Anything, Harry." Albus said solemnly.
"I don't want you to tell any of this to Ron or Hermione." Harry said determinedly. Albus looked taken aback.
"They are your friends, Harry." Albus started. "They have been beside you in all fights till now."
Harry tsked. "It's not loyalty I am worried about. I know once they find out about this, they would want to help and I can't put them in that position, Professor." Harry said. "They…they have families, they have a chance at a better life. They stand beside me in all fights, true, but somewhere, that's foolishness. I don't have a family; I don't have such responsibilities as they do. I wish to take this endeavour alone."
"You are protecting them." Albus stated and shook his head. "It's a terrible path, Harry. One which has numerous demons underneath. You can't-"
"Yes, I can." Harry said fiercely. "How many lives are to be lost for me? How many families are to be destroyed because of me? I won't have it. Please, sir, just grant me this one favour."
Albus looked unsure but nodded anyway. "Very well, if you feel that, then sure, I will not let them know."
"And what about Professor Snape?" Harry said after a minute. "He doesn't know now, but are you planning on telling him?"
"He has a child, Harry." Albus said resignedly. "I trust him with everything, but him knowing this information is just going to put his and Elle's life in more danger."
"He is the best occlumens out there." Harry felt the need to defend his professor. "He kept Elle a secret for years from everyone, even Voldemort himself."
"Agreed. But how many more secrets can he hold?"
That shut Harry up.
"He can help, you know." Harry said softly. He knew Dumbledore was right, but he couldn't help but defend the Potions Master and that surprised him.
"I find it quite amusing to see you vouch for Severus." A twinkle shone in Albus' eyes.
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, he's not the person I knew him to be. He is someone else entirely. We have reached kind of a truce, maybe." He shrugged.
"Nothing gives me more joy than that, Harry."
"Yeah, well don't exactly expect me to hug it out with him and call him daddy like Elle next." Harry said as he stood up. Albus gave a loud laugh at that.
"Oh Harry, you seem to have picked up some of his verbal talents during your training sessions." Albus said as he calmed himself down. "How are those going by the way?"
"Very well." Harry said as he remembered his morning's session. "He taught me non-verbal spells."
"Ah, particularly difficult to master." Albus nodded. "And very useful in duels."
"I can just cast a few spells till now." Harry said in a small voice. "I have more to learn, as he says."
"Casting even a few spells in such a short time…" Albus looked at him as if he is a specimen of some kind. "That is beyond impressive."
Harry duked his head and picked up his bag, not really wanting to hear any more praise.
"Before I leave, Professor, how do I find these horcruxes? I mean, can I leave the Castle?" He asked.
"You won't be going alone, Harry." Albus said firmly. "I shall be with you."
"Professor, are you sure?" Harry asked him.
"I might be old, my boy, but definitely not rusty at my spells." Albus winked at him.
"I didn't mean it like that." Harry covered for himself.
"Sure, sure."
"Also, do you have any books left at all for reading about the horcruxes?" Harry asked. Albus looked at him for a minute before raising his hand. Harry watched as a book floated out from the top most corner of the shelf behind Dumbledore and softly thudded in front of him.
"Secrets of the Darkest Arts." Harry read as he picked it up.
"You will find everything in there." Albus said, still looking at the boy with a gaze as if he was solving a very complex puzzle. "Be careful."
Harry nodded and muttered a thanks before heading out. He put the book in his bag and made his way to the Dungeons next.
After Snape's comment about Elle missing him, he felt a little bad and wanted to make it up to the little girl.
He first went to Snape's office which was dark, so that meant the man was in the quarters. He hadn't gone to his quarters unannounced till now and hesitated a little before deciding to go through with it.
He followed the path Elle had shown him before reaching in front of the door. He knocked softly and waited. He heard the locks being open and the door opened, revealing a very dishevelled Severus Snape.
His hair was ruffled, his blue shirt was untucked and sleeves were rolled to his elbows. His dark grey trousers had some stains on it. His clothes were always clean and ironed, but today, Harry could see the wrinkles. He blinked at the appearance.
"Er…Good evening, Professor." Harry said cautiously.
"Potter." Snape said with a sigh.
"Is…everything alright?" Harry asked him. "I can come back later."
"No…maybe you can help me, Potter." Snape said and opened the door, letting Harry come in.
"I couldn't meet Elle yesterday and today you said that she was asking about me, I just wanted to drop by." Harry spoke. "And your office was dark and closed, so I thought you might be here, I didn't mean to intr-"
"Potter!" Severus snapped. "Cease your rambling, I already have a headache."
"Sorry." Harry said instantly. "Where's Elle?"
Before Snape could answer, a loud wailing came from a room inside the quarters. Harry looked at Snape who winced before his expression turned to concern.
"Come." He said and led the way. "As I told you, Elle was on a play date with one of her friends." He explained. "Apparently, her inept parents failed to mention that this friend was sick and Elle seems to have caught the same."
Harry felt a pang of sympathy at that. Snape opened the door in the corridor and the sight made Harry's heart hurt.
Elle was sitting up in her bed, her blanket was wrapped around her and she had all her toys with her on her bed however she did not care for them one bit, her eyes were only searching for her father. Her face was puffy and red due to fever and crying. She was currently wailing and her face relaxed as little as she saw Snape and she put her hands in front of her, as if demanding to be held.
"Daddy." She sobbed. "It hurts." She dissolved in sobs again as Snape quickly went and sat beside her, gathering her and her blankets in his arms and holding her close.
"Shh…" He said as he rocked her. "I told you; you need to drink your potions. However, you seem to have taken to not listening to me at all. If you don't drink them it will keep on hurting, Elle." Snape gestured Harry to come inside and Harry entered and sat on the chair beside her desk.
He put his bag down and looked around the room. Elle's room was a haven of warmth and whimsy, a reflection of both her gentle spirit and the careful attention of her father. Tucked away in a corner of Snape's quarters, it was a sanctuary designed with love and care.
Soft, lavender curtains adorned the charmed windows, allowing gentle light to filter through them. The floor was carpeted in a plush, cream-colored rug, perfect for little feet to tread upon.
Elle's bed, nestled against one wall, was a low, canopy-style bed draped in green with curtains cascading down. A collection of stuffed animals—some magical, some mundane—sat at the foot of her bed, ready to comfort her in moments of distress such as right now.
The room was not large, but every corner was utilized with care. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with a curated selection of children's stories and magical tales. A small rocking chair sat in one corner, where, Harry imagined, Snape often spent evenings reading to Elle before tucking her into bed.
His thought returned to the present where Snape had finally calmed the girl down and she was hiccupping.
"Look, who came to meet you." Snape said gently as he turned the girl towards, Harry.
Harry could see Elle's eyes shine for a moment before she drowned in fit of cough. Snape rubbed her back gently as her fit subsided.
"Harry?" She asked hoarsely.
"Hey Elle." Harry said as he leaned forward in his seat so that he could be visible to her. "I see you caught a nasty flu." He spoke. "I came down here to make you feel better." He picked up his bag and took out a few candies he had gotten from his excursion in Hogsmeade.
"I got you some treats." He said as Elle watched him put it on her table, her crying forgotten. "And I even got you a story book!"
He said with a grin as he took out a small children's book of fairytales. He had found that Florish and Blotts had not sent him his Potions text as they had no stock, and sent them a mail for some other book. In that, he had included this fairytale book as well for Elle which he thought she would enjoy.
Elle sniffed softly and raised her hands towards Harry, asking him to pick her up. Harry looked at Snape who nodded and held her out for Harry.
Harry soon took Snape's seat as he sat with Elle on his lap while Snape had gestured him that he would be back shortly. The man looked like he needed a break and Harry didn't mind sitting with Elle.
He showed the girl all the pictures in the book which she could colour as well. He kept talking to her and narrating small stories from the book, getting soft giggles from her as he read in different voices according to the character.
Snape returned after a few minutes, holding a small tray with potions and a small salve. He took a seat beside them and looked at Elle pointedly.
"Now, young lady." He started in a stern tone which Harry recognized from his classes. "I will not have you denying these potions, you hear me? Who is in pain and discomfort?"
"Me." Elle said softly as she buried her face in Harry's chest. Harry gently grabbed her head so that she looked at Snape. He didn't want to come between the father and daughter, but felt like he should at least help Snape in this situation.
"Are you still going to refuse to take the potions?" Snape asked her firmly as he grabbed a small bottle which Harry recognized as Fever Reducer for kids.
"It tastes bad, Daddy!" Elle cried as tears welled up in her eyes.
"It will make you feel better, Elara." Snape said, his face firmly set in an expression which Elle knew too well. It meant business.
"I can tell you trick." Harry said before she could cry again. Snape looked at him with a raised eyebrow and Harry just shrugged. Elle looked at him confusedly.
"You need to close your nose, like this." He softly showed her as he pinched her small pink nose. "And then you drink the potion. No taste."
"Are you sure?" Elle asked, her voice high due to Harry holding her nose. He chuckled softly at her before nodding his head.
"100%. Tried and tested." He spoke. "Plus, you know, that potion is going to make you feel so much better. Professor Snape really makes very effective potions."
Elle looked at Snape and then at the potion in his hand calculatingly. She sighed softly before nodding.
"Okay."
"Oh, thank Merlin." Snape muttered as he uncorked the vial and put the potion on a spoon. "Come on, two spoons."
Elle closed her nose as Harry had instructed her and drank the potion her father put in front of her mouth. She shuddered and coughed a little but looked at Harry with a smile.
Harry gave her an encouraging nod as Severus fed her 2 more potions for her congestion and one for her pain in her stomach.
She slumped forward a little on Harry after drinking them all and the boy rubbed her back soothingly.
Snape went around the room, gathering a few pyjamas for her before asking Harry to lay down the now sleeping girl.
Harry softly laid her down on her back and moved back to grab his bag. He watched as Snape carefully untangled the sleeping girl from the blankets and proceeded to change her clothes.
Feeling a little out of place, Harry instantly moved out and towards the living room. He wondered if he should sit or leave.
"Quit dawdling, Potter. Sit." Snape said as he came out of Elle's room and went into the kitchen.
Harry sat on the corner of the sofa near the armchair, leaning over to take the book kept by Snape on the table.
"I didn't know you read Shakespeare." Harry said as Snape offered him a cup of tea. "Thank you."
Harry felt a warm glow in his stomach as he noted the same teal cup, which he had been offered the first time he was in Snape's office. It was as if it was his cup now.
"Personal indulgence." Snape said casually as he sat on the armchair. "Thank you for your help with Elle. I was ready to pull my hair out."
He felt a little relaxed with his professor now after the past few weeks. Snape was decent to him, he was helping him, and he had daughter whom Harry doted on. Sure, the man still passed harsh comments at him and there were still times when his behaviour frustrated Harry more than anything, but it wasn't the same as before. Harry still wasn't sure what kind of person the man was, but Albus trusted him and that was enough for Harry.
"Well, kids do get cranky when they are sick." Harry said.
"Have you had experience taking care of children?" Severus raised an eyebrow at him as he took a sip.
"A few times, yeah." Harry nodded. "The Dursley's sometimes left me with Mrs. Figg when they went out. And Mrs. Figg usually babysat for a few parents in the neighbourhood. So that's how I know a thing or two." He shrugged. He never told that to anyone, not even Ron and Hermione. It just never came up.
"Well, I, for one, am thankful." Snape said. "And thank you for the book. You didn't have to."
"I know." Harry said. "But I wanted to. Elle…she's just…she makes me feel at home." He confided softly.
Snape nodded. He took great pride that his daughter could make a broken soul like Harry Potter feel at home. But Elle was always like that, she made everyone feel safe and loved.
"Meeting with headmaster?" Snape asked him as he looked at Harry's bag.
"Yeah." Harry nodded. Hoping that Snape didn't ask him anything further. And fortunately, he didn't.
"Professor, I don't mean to cross any line, but Elle's mother…" He trailed off.
Snape sighed and rubbed a hand over his tired face. He knew it was going to be a difficult night with a sick Elle. She was bound to get up many times and cry for him. It would either end with him sleeping in the rocking chair in her room or shifting her entirely to his room.
"Did you have dinner?" He asked Harry.
Harry shook his head. "I directly came from the Professor Dumbledore's office, sir."
"Come. We can eat and chat." Snape said. "Fizzby."
The elf appeared instantly. "Can you please prepare two plates for dinner for me and Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, Master Snape."
"And call me instantly if Elle wakes up."
"Yes, Master Snape." He disappeared as Snape led Harry to the small kitchen in their quarters.
There was a dining table against the wall with three chairs in it. There were a few books and papers along with unopened letters and issues of Daily Prophet littered on the table. Snape gathered them all up and organized them along the wall to make space before the duo sat down. Food instantly appeared and Harry waited for Snape to start first before picking up his cutlery. It didn't feel normal to have dinner with Snape in this condition, but it didn't feel uncomfortable either.
Harry hadn't forgotten his question, but did not dare to repeat it again.
"Elle wasn't exactly planned." Snape said out of the blue. "7 years ago, very much like yourself, I too, in drunken stupor, made a mistake."
Harry almost spit out his food but controlled himself and saw Snape smirking.
"Elle was kept on my doorstep after 9 months." He spoke.
"How did you know she was yours?" Harry asked.
"A simple paternity charm, Potter." Snape said and rolled his eyes as he got up to get some water. "Water?"
Harry nodded and thanked him when he kept a glass in front of the boy.
"If you were in such a position even back then, why did you keep her?" Harry asked he looked at his food. It was a personal question and he did not expect an answer, but he gave it a try.
"I thought a lot about it." Snape surprisingly answered. "But…in the end, she was my child. It wasn't her fault and she did not deserve to be sent off in some godforsaken orphanage."
Harry felt a respect developing in himself for the man sitting in front of him. A respect he never thought he could feel for Severus Snape of all people. The man had not abandoned his daughter, and risked it for the sake of her even after being a spy.
"That's…admirable, sir." He said softly. If only he had someone in his life who thought like that. Maybe he too could have been raised differently then.
Snape snorted at him. "Some say it is foolish. If the Dark Lord ever finds out, it will be disastrous for me and for her."
"How do you keep her memories locked away when Vol-He searches your mind." Harry asked him.
"It's called defection, Potter. I show him many other memories which are of interest to him and he doesn't probe further. Plus, I am an accomplished occlumens and I can hide memories even from him." Snape said.
"Are you not scared that he might find out about her from me?" Harry asked in a small voice. "I am not as adept at occlumency as you."
Snape looked up at him. It was true, he did fear that. He kept for a minute, watching the boy squirm under his gaze.
"Potter, if he ever finds about her from you, I will kill you first." He said and Harry visibly shrank. "However, I do not think you will ever reveal her to him."
"Why do you have so much confidence in me?" Harry asked with a small laugh as he pushed his food around in his plate.
"Because occlumency is not just about techniques and practice. It also a play of emotions." Snape said. "You hid your memories about your relatives from me last year. How?"
Harry shrugged.
"Because you loathed me enough and were scared enough to tell your brain that you did not want me to see them, however much I probed."
Harry sat back as he contemplated that. "So…I can subconsciously hide it?"
Snape nodded as he tapped his empty plate and it disappeared. "Yes, in rare cases."
"Every time I learn something new." Harry muttered and shook his head in amusement as his plate disappeared too.
"How are you doing, Potter?" Snape asked him after a minute of silence. Harry looked at him, baffled.
"How am I doing?" He repeated. "I am fine. Why do you keep on asking me that?"
Snape gave him a disappointed look. "I will keep on asking the question until you give me the truth, Potter."
Harry evaded the man's eyes. "There is no truth. This is the truth."
"Another lie." Snape stated.
Harry gave him a smile. He knew it was a lie. And it felt good that Snape cared even a little bit to ask him the question again and again. But Harry wasn't sure if he was ready to tell the man anything.
"You care. I think you're going soft on me, Professor." He said teasingly.
"Don't get too comfortable, Potter." Snape warned him mildly. "You have a week's detention still left in my care. I hope you did not forget that."
Harry winced as he remembered how Dumbledore had given him a week's detention for his letter after the school started again.
"Yeah, maybe we can work something out." Harry tried.
"You tell me the truth; I will think about the detention." Snape said and Harry laughed.
"That's a very cheap price to pay." He said lightly.
"Well, then we wait and I will expect you in my office at 7 promptly on 2nd September." Snape said with a smirk.
Harry was about to open his mouth to say something when suddenly Snape hissed in pain and his hand flew to his dark mark. He looked at Harry who was clutching his forehead as well.
He was calling.
"Potter." Snape gritted out.
Harry didn't respond, he was too busy trying to occlude the pain in his mind.
"Potter!" Snape barked again as he stood up.
Harry finally looked up, his eyes red, but he breathed a sighed of relief. "He's calling you." He said in a tight voice.
"Are your shields up?" Snape asking him in urgency.
"Yes." Harry nodded as he watched the man run inside his room.
He winced in pain before downing the water in his cup and stood up. He waited near the sofa and saw as Snape came out, his hair straight and dressed in his back robes with his Death Eater mask in hand.
"Potter, I need to leave." He spoke. He looked at the boy uncertainly before making a decision. "Will you stay here? In case Elle needs something?"
Harry nodded instantly. "Don't worry, sir. I will take care of her."
"Her potions are kept on her table. You know the dosage; you saw me giving it to her." Snape instructed as he fastened his cloak. "She might need her stuffed dragon." He said and threw the toy at Harry from where it was sitting on the sofa. Harry caught it and blinked in surprise.
They were just having a quiet dinner not 10 mins ago. Everything was happening so fast.
"Inform Dumbledore if I don't return by tomorrow afternoon." Severus said. He looked at the boy before nodding to the cupboard behind him. "There's a pain reliever in there. Take it for your head." Harry nodded mutely. "And Potter…"
Harry looked at him, waiting for more instructions. "Keep those bloody shields up."
With that, the man rushed out of the quarters, leaving behind an open door and a Harry Potter hugging a dragon.
Harry came to his senses and went and closed the door. He looked at the dragon in his hands before going to Elle's room.
The girl was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the outside world, and Harry wished she remained that way. He kept the dragon near her head and checked her for fever. Her skin was cool to touch and Harry sighed in relief. He had experience in taking care of kids, but Snape's kid was a different story.
He kept Elle's door slightly open and made his way to the living room, turning off the lights in the corridor.
He settled himself on the sofa and for the first time registered his situation.
He was in Snape's quarters, eating and laughing over dinner, and now, taking care of Snape's sick daughter while the man went and put his neck out on the line for the wizarding world.
He almost burst out laughing. It was comical. He sat quietly for a while, closing his eyes and strengthening his shields as taught by Snape and the books.
After a few minutes he opened his eyes. His head was throbbing and he knew his scar would be inflamed. He walked to the cupboard Snape had pointed at and searched for the pain reliever among the plethora of vials.
He finally found it and downed it in a gulp. Next, he also saw the cooling salve and applied a little on his scar, instantly feeling a cold relief washing over him.
He again resumed his position on the sofa and looked around. There was nothing to do but wait. He was obviously not going to sleep. His eyes fell on his bag and rook out the book Dumbledore had given him.
He needed to while away the time; this was probably the best way. He kicked off his shoes and propped his legs on the sofa before opening the book. He was in the middle of a chapter on Horcrux's abilities when he heard a soft whimper.
He quickly closed his book, threw it on the table before making his way to Elle's room. The girl was having a nightmare. He touched her forehead and found that her fever had returned.
He exhaled through his mouth and sat beside her, softly stroking her hair and calling her name.
"Elle?" He spoke gently. "Hey, come on, wake up."
Her eyes blinked open sleepily and she looked around wildly before they settled on Harry. The boy slowly grabbed her under her armpits and sat her up.
"You alright?" He asked her and brushed her hair away from her face.
"Harry?" She asked. "Where's dad?"
Harry gulped before smiling at her. "He had to leave really urgently, Elle. He asked me to take care of you while he is out."
More tears fell down her face. "I want him. I want daddy." She said miserably. Only Severus made her feel better when she was sick.
Harry gathered her in his arms and rocked her like he had seen Snape doing. "Shhh…it's okay. He will be here by morning. When you wake up, you will find dad- your dad here." He consoled her.
"Where did he go?" She asked, her sobs ebbing a little.
"He had some urgent work. Someone called him." Harry said, his face a mixture of concern for Elle and fear for Snape. "He told me you are a brave girl, and you will take your potions, and go right back to sleep."
Elle sniffed as she nodded in Harry's neck. "I don't feel too good."
"Oh, I know, Elle." Harry said and rubbed her back before grabbing the potions kept on the table. "Let's take your potions, okay? You felt better after taking them, didn't you?"
Elle nodded reluctantly. She closed her nose as Harry gave her all the potions. Her sobs had reduced to small sniffles now as Harry rocked her.
"Daddy will be here in the morning, right Harry?" She asked him, her eyes half closed.
Harry didn't know what to answer and just nodded. "He will." He grabbed the stuffed dragon and gave it to Elle who graciously hugged it before her eyes closed and she fell asleep. Harry didn't get up instantly. He sat there for a while holding her. As much as she needed him, Harry knew he needed her too.
After a few minutes, he untangled her hands from his necks and laid her down, tucking her in nicely before leaving the room.
He looked at the clock. It was 1:28 AM. Snape had left around 10 PM and Harry wondered what would have been going on. He checked his shields before deciding to make some coffee for himself.
He had vowed not to sleep before Snape came. It was because he knew he might slip up on his defences if he fell asleep and also, he was…worried for the potions master.
He entered the kitchen and saw Snape's muggle coffee machine. Aunt Petunia had a similar one, so Harry knew how to work it. He quickly put in the coffee and waited as the machine did its work.
He was dying for a smoke. But he knew he had smoked all of his cigarettes the night before. He was supposed to sneak out and get some more today, but he couldn't now. His fingers tapped his thighs in anxiety as he waited for the coffee impatiently.
As soon as it was done, he poured a full cup for himself in his teal cup and took it back with him to the living room. He picked up his book and resumed his reading as he sipped his coffee.
The book had a lot about Horcruxes. It actually gave a whole detailed description on how to make them and even had the ritual in it. Harry found it rather gruesome, but kept reading on.
Around 3, Elle woke up crying again and Harry had to give her her potions. But this time, she wasn't giving in so easily. She kept crying for her father again and again, and it broke Harry's heart. Finally, after 15 minutes of coaxing her, she took her potions and fell asleep on Harry. She had a death grip on him and after 2 unsuccessful tries of getting her to lie down, Harry finally gave up and carried her, her blanket and her stuffed dragon with him to the living room.
Harry decided that the sofa was spacious and comfortable enough for both of them. He sat down with his legs spread over the length of the sofa and settled the girl on his chest, her blanket draped around her comfortably. With one hand, he picked up his book and with other, he rubbed her back soothingly.
After a few minutes, his eyes started drooping too and he put the book down. No, he couldn't sleep. He shook himself away and started to keep his mind occupied with something else. He picked up Snape's Shakespeare and started reading that.
But soon, his thought drifted to the horcruxes, Nagini especially. Till now whatever he had read about the horcruxes, all talked about non-living objects. There wasn't any mention of a living object becoming a horcrux. It had definitely said that if a living creature touched the horcrux, it could get possessed by the dark magic of it.
The clock read 3:45 and Harry was again feeling sleepy. He wondered where Snape was. It was a very very long meeting. He summoned the coffee pot and warmed it with a charm before pouring himself another cup.
Elle shifted in his arms before gripping him more tightly and settling down. She wasn't about to leave him tonight; he thought with a sigh.
He adjusted her blanket so that it was covering them both and sighed. He knew he didn't want to sleep but his body was giving up now. He hadn't slept well last night as well, and even his second cup of coffee was not working.
The clock read 3:54 AM and Harry's head lolled to the side and the book slipped from his hands as his eyes became heavy and sleep engulfed him.
Exactly 10 minutes later, the door the quarters opened and Snape stumbled in. It was a long night with Voldemort today. He wasn't subjected to any curse fortunately, but lack of sleep and exhaustion had gotten the better of him.
His eyes fell on the sleeping Harry and Elle. A small smile tugged at his lips but he composed himself. The boy looked uncomfortable, but his hands were protecting Elle fiercely, holding her tightly to him.
Snape went over there and decided against waking them up. The coffee cup was still hot, it meant the boy had waited up for him and had fell asleep recently. Something shifted in Snape but he dismissed it.
He picked up the fallen book amusedly and kept it on the table. His eyes fell on Harry's 'Secrets of the Darkest Arts' and he frowned. As far as he knew, the book was banished from the library. Where did Potter get it from? Putting the thought at the back of his mind, Snape gently tugged the blanket around both the sleeping children. After contemplating for a second, he took off Harry's glasses and deposited them beside the books before flicking the lights off.
A crick in the neck was a small price the boy could pay; he thought before going into his own room and collapsing on his bed. Yes, it had been a very long and surprising night.
A/N – Please leave a review!