The Headmaster

Chapter 11 The Headmaster

Harry was in a foul mood. The hospital visit left him in a fouler mood than he had been in since before Severus left for Azkaban. He tried to make a cup of hot tea, only to drop the cup and saucer when his hands started to shake so badly he was unable to hold them any longer. When he tried to repair the dishes, they exploded, leaving a fine residue of dust on the puddle of tea that lay at his feet.

“Crap.” Harry summoned a house elf to clean his mess up and headed for his chamber. Taking a mild analgesic, he closed the curtains tight and crawled up onto his bed, closing his eyes to any light that may have been able to creep in.

The pain eased slightly, when he heard the door to his room squeak.

“Harry? Are you awake?” Adam asked, crawling next to the young wizard.

“Blinding headache.” Harry rolled over and tucked his head into the man’s shoulder. Adam ran his hand soothingly up and down Harry’s back. Soon Harry started to snore softly.

“There goes our conversation for the evening. Right after breakfast we’re going to have a long discussion. One I believe you will find irritating.” He gave a gentle kiss to the Harry messy hair. He snuggled down into the bed and made himself comfortable. Within a few moments he joined his friend in sleep.

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Minerva was up an hour before anyone else. Breakfast was on the table by the time Hermione and Remus appeared from their bedroom.

“Do you two always sleep so late?” she questioned.

“Minerva, I love you and I understand that you are in a tizzy about seeing Severus today but please give Remus and myself a few moments to wake before you start nagging.” Hermione grabbed for the coffee. She moaned her appreciation as she swallowed her morning brew.

“It’s still dark out and the boat isn’t planning on leaving until eight. We have plenty of time to get ready. Why don’t you think of something we can take to him that will cheer him up?”

“A splendid idea. Too bad Honeydukes isn’t open. Severus does have a renowned, sweet tooth. Perhaps a book or two… I’ll check to see what I have on hand.” She scurried off to her room.

“She’ll have our head if were late.” Remus snickered.

“Does that mean no morning sex?” Hermione smile mischievously at her mate. Remus was no longer hungry for breakfast. Standing he took his fiancé’s hand and led her back to their bedroom.

“I like to live dangerously.” He locked the door behind him.

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Harry stared at the many shapes and hues of lights that were his results from the day before. “Each one of these strings of lights is either a hex, curse, or spell that has ever been used on you,” Adam explained

“That’s quite a few.” Harry was almost mesmerized by the colorful swirling of the lights.

“About average for most… until you get to the final battle. There are so many curses from that day, I am surprised that you can even function.”

“Except for a headache now and then, I feel fine.”

“They’re affecting every aspect of your life. From the way you sleep, eat, and look at your fellow wizards. It has even affected the way you look at Snape.”

“I can’t believe that I could hate Snape anymore than I already do,” Harry said smugly.

“Just the opposite.”

“Would you get to the point?” Harry was exasperated.

“Do you see the bright red string with the black thread wrapped tightly around it?”

“Yes. So?”

“That curse is called the ‘death of love’. It not only kills any feelings for the person you love most of all, it makes you loathe that person.”

“I still don’t get what you’re saying. There is no one I loathe except for Snape… no…” Harry started to uncontrollably giggle. “You’re not trying to tell me that I am in ‘love’ with Snape?”

“That is exactly what I am saying.”

Harry considered for a moment what Adam had just explained. With a smirk Harry broke the silence. “No loss.”

“Harry!?”

“No, really. If I ever had any feelings for the greasy bat, I don’t now and hating him feels so… good.”

“It is a big deal. This curse is depriving you the chance to be with the one you love.”

“Loved, the one I loved, past tense. It’s over and I’ve moved on… thank Merlin. Can you imagine being involved with Snape? Yuck! I bless the evil son of a bitch that cursed me and saved me a life with Snape. What else did you find?”

“Harry, we must talk about this.”

“I. Don’t. Have. To. Do. Anything. I. Don’t. Want. To.” Harry took a deep breath, letting it out slowly he smirked at Adam. “I’m an adult I can make up my own mind now and I don’t ever want to speak about the possibility that I was ever in love with that bastard. Understand?”

“Harry,” Adam pleaded.

“UNDERSTAND?” Harry yelled between clinched teeth.

“Yes, Harry I understand.” He shifted away from the young man and pointed to the other curses. “The darker the hue the stronger the curse, they need to be removed before they start interfering in your life…”

Harry drifted away from the conversation. He couldn’t, it seemed, take his eyes off the dark red strand. He was running a delicate finger around his lip when he remembered the warm feelings of Severus’ lips on his. That moment, with Snape, was perfect. Harry bit down hard on his finger, breaking the skin and earning him a mouthful of blood. Yelping, the sweet memory of Snape faded leaving him another reason to hate Snape… a bleeding finger.

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Remus, Hermione, and Minerva met Draco at the dock. Instead of a boat, a small cruiser was waiting for them. It had all the amenities, from a luxurious bathroom, with Jacuzzi tub and a shower message, to a formal dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.

Draco helped the ladies aboard and led the trio into the lounging area where hot drinks and a warm room waited for them.

“Please make yourselves at home. Luna was planning on coming but a bout of morning sickness kept her home. She’s such a trooper, never a complaint. Even in labor she never uttered one.” He explained, as he poured his passengers a hot toddy. “Please drink up. It will keep you warm on the island and make the journey a little bit more bearable.”

Draco picked up a brightly wrapped package from the coffee table. “Minerva, I knew you didn’t have enough time to buy a gift for my godfather. Please, take this box of chocolate covered blackberries. It’s his favorite and I know he would appreciate it.”

“Only, if you accept my payment for them. If I am to give Severus a gift, I want it to be from me.”

“Fair enough,” Draco agreed. “I took it upon myself, to have a talk with Healer Montague, who is temporarily in charge. He has no problem with us visiting Severus but he would like us to go in one at a time and stay but a few minutes. I was told that Severus has had a very hard time in prison.” Draco took Minerva’s hands in his and spoke directly to the witch. “The healer doesn’t want us to react negatively when we see Severus. He asked us to keep our emotions in check and act like nothing is wrong. Otherwise he won’t let us visit.”

“Are you implying that I have no self-control? Do you have any idea how much control a teacher has to have not to throttle each and every one of her students on a daily basis and it was twice as hard when I had to deal with Slytherins and Gryffindors.” She straightened her back. “I will act as if we are having a nice Sunday brunch and not as though he has been in prison for months.”

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Minerva head was nuzzled into Severus’ shoulder crying her eyes out. Weak as Severus was he found the strength to gently pat her back.

“Now, now, everything is going to be fine… there’s no need of tears Minerva,” Severus whispered hoarsely.

She pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve as she straightened up. “I was supposed to be strong and I find myself bawling like a first year.”

“Sorry if I scared you.” He gave her a feeble smile.

“Severus Snape, I have seen you much worse, which is a very sad state of affairs but my tears are those of joy. I have missed you deeply dear friend.”

“I have thought of you often and wondered how, in Merlin’s name, the warden kept you from getting in to see me.”

“It was quite a struggle. Being in this hell hole, I suspect that you haven’t heard that in a few days hence you are to be given a new hearing. Draco has hired a superb barrister to plead your case. I wouldn’t want to get your hopes up but we’re hoping to have you out in a week’s time.”

Tears threatened to flow from the Potion Master’s eyes. “Where would I go? I am nothing more than a cripple.” He slammed his fist as hard as he could to his lifeless legs.

“Smyth never gave you the potion I brought every Sunday?” Severus looked towards the barred windows, letting the tears flow freely. “My dear boy, I was here like clock work. If I ever get my hands on that rodent I will have to show him that one does not rile a Scotsman. He will learn more about the dark arts in a few hours than the students of Hogwarts learn all semester long.”

Severus had to snicker. He believed that Smyth will one day rue the day he crossed path with Minerva McGonagall.

Wiping his own tears away Severus tried to pull himself up on his pillows. Minerva was right by his side and helped him to sit up.

“You brought me presents.” He rubbed his bony hands together. “You do know how I adore them.”

“Yes, you were always a greedy little thing.”

Minerva thought back to the first time she gave a skinny first year a present. A life time of neglect and abuse left him sullen and withdrawn. His parents were one step from the poor house and couldn’t supply him with the basic needs of an eleven year old. The school and the governing bodies, each year, helped a handful of destitute children. Severus, even then, was proud and refused their charity. Minerva had to finally tell him that it was his birthday and they were presents to celebrate the occasion. She wrapped each piece of clothes and his school books in wrapping paper and presented them to him with a cake that the elves had made. Dumbledore and a few of the other teachers sang and wished him a happy birthday. The joy on Severus’ face, as he opened the presents, even though the clothes were used and the books old, was one of wonder.

Severus, being the Slytherin he is, now as an adult, insisted that they celebrated his birthday twice a year; once on his real birth date and the one that Minerva declared it to be. Cakes and presents were insisted upon. Minerva, not wanting to look like a prevaricator, gladly arranged the cheeky boy his parties.

Severus had the wrapping paper and the chocolates stuffed in his mouth before Minerva could sit down. Moaning in delight and a mouthful of confections, he thanked his friend.

“Manners!” Minerva scolded.

Severus swallowed. “Thank you. You have no idea how good they taste.”

“I imagine they do.” Well, now was as good as any to get to the point. “Severus, I have a question for you and I expect you to answer me truthfully. No hemming or hawing around, no subterfuge, no changing the subject. I want the absolute truth. Do you understand?”

Severus nodded as he stuck another chocolate into his mouth.

“Are you now, or have you ever been in love with Harry James Potter?”

Severus started to choke on his treat.