Death Eater Takes a Holiday

Yeah, I wrote Harry as a crappy artist






Yeah, I wrote Harry as a crappy artist. He can't be good at
everything.

 

I read back a chapter or so, to make sure I knew what day it
was, and I realized that Thursday was the longest day imaginable and they had
lunch twice. Oops. I guess Harry in the shower had my mind somewhere else.

 

Chapter 12. Meetings and
Numbness

 

Harry felt the wind on his face as he flew around the
quidditch pitch. He circled the pitch at great speed and looped the rings
before heading around again. Occasionally he would go into a dive. There was no
snitch to catch; he wasn't practicing, he was just flying, flying hard, so hard
it made his cheeks red and raw from the wind, and his legs burn from holding on
too tight. Today he would fly ‘till he was numb. Harry had been out there for a
while. His knuckles were white on the broom handle; his adductors burned. Not
numb yet.

 

This was how Severus found him. He was concerned about what
Dumbledore had wanted to talk to Harry about, and then he didn't see Harry at
breakfast. Ron hadn't seemed concerned. He guessed Harry had left him a note or
something, but he didn't want to ask Ron. Sev didn't know if Ron knew how far
their relationship had gone, or if Harry had talked to him about the meeting
with Dumbledore.

 

Harry had been so focused on his thoughts, flying on
autopilot, that he hadn't noticed Sev sitting in the stands. Sev sat, leaning
on the ledge of the stands, watching Harry fly at breakneck speed around the
pitch. He dove down, pulling up just close enough for the twigs on his broom to
brush the grass. In his hand was the head of a dandelion he had plucked as a
practice snitch. Sweat poured profusely from him as he felt the burn would soon
be turning numb.

 

"Hey," said Sev, as Harry flew by fairly close.
Startled with the sudden knowledge that he wasn't alone, Harry jerked his head
to see who was there. He had promised himself to try to be aware of his
surroundings, so he wouldn't be caught by surprise by anyone meaning to do him
harm. But here he was, exhausted and startled. His sweaty hand slid from the
broom handle making him swerve off. Gaining composure quickly, Harry flew back
around to where Sev was in the stands.

 

"Sorry, I thought you had seen me sitting here,"
said Sev, moving aside so Harry could land.

 

Harry didn't land; he hovered in front of Sev, catching his
breath.

 

"I didn't see you last night, and you missed
breakfast."

 

"I had some things to think about," said Harry,
his face void of expression.

 

"Anything you want to talk about?"

 

"No, it doesn't involve you," replied Harry
flatly.

 

Severus nodded, trying to remain neutral. "I'm here if
you need…" started Sev, but Harry cut him off.

 

"Haven't I told you enough personal stuff about
me?" He said angrily.

 

Sev was hurt. Before he knew it, he had walked down from the
stands. Harry flew one more lap before catching up with Sev's retreating form.
He stepped off his broom just ahead of where Sev was walking.

 

"Severus," Harry called out tenderly. "That
was rude, I came out here to think, and expend some negative energy. I didn't
mean what I said, I'm sorry."

 

Severus gave a slight nod.

 

"You forgive me?" Harry asked almost teasingly, as
he stepped closer, bringing him face to face with the taller wizard.

 

Sev's somber expression broke into a small smile. He knew
that while he was here for a carefree week, Harry still had a life to contend
with. He allowed Harry closer, closing
his eyes as soft lips met his.

 

Harry felt Sev returning the kiss, but his body tensed
still. "Do you forgive me?" he asked, more serious this time.

 

"Yes, but…" answered Sev, giving him a chaste
kiss, "you smell."

 

Harry gasped in mock offence. "I thought you liked me
sweaty?" said Harry, after taking a whiff of his armpits.

 

Sev snorted. "I like getting sweaty with you. I don’t
prefer to start out that way. Go shower, please!"

 

"I have to make a stop first."

 

As they walked together in silence, Ron came by. "Hey
Harry, um, Sev." Ron still felt odd calling him that. "Harry, you
look rough. Getting ready for Mum I see. Can I borrow your broom?" Harry
nodded and handed him the racing broom. "We leave right after lunch. I'll
see you later." Harry gave him a weak smile. They continued to walk to the
castle.

 

They continued walking in silence. Harry chose not to say
what was on his mind, but he seementenntent. Sev also noticed that Harry hadn't
spoken at all to Ron. Either Ron hadn't noticed, or he knew Harry so well that
they didn't need words. The latter seemed more likely.

 

As they entered the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey looked at Harry
remorsefully. His robe clung to his body from sweat and his face was still red,
his hair blown back. "You're going with Mrs. Weasley today?" It was
more a statement than a question. She handed Harry a dose of Pepper-Up potion,
which he drank at once.

 

"Thank you."

 

"You and Ron will have fun, I'm sure," she said
with a reassuring smile.

"Yes Madam. I'm sure we will," Harry said with a
small smile.

 

On the way upstairs to the Gryffindor tower, Harry explained
that Ron's Mum had always treated him as one of her own, and had went overboard
in their sixth year. She felt that Harry had too much to deal with at such a
young age and was concerned with his ability to cope. Little did she know that
Harry had been coping with more than she knew for most of his life, and that
was before Sirius had died. He resented her for talking the Headmaster into
having him go for counseling, but after a while he saw the benefits it served.
He leaned to focus his energy in healthy directions, and whenever he knew he
was going to spend time with her under difficult circumstances, he would vent
beforehand.

 

Sev had remained quiet. He wanted to know where Harry was
going with Ron, but was going to mind his own business if it killed him, and
what the Hell did Dumbledore have to say? Harry could see Sev was nearly
biting his lip to keep quiet.

 

"I have to go do something today with Mrs. Weasley. I
asked if you could come with us, but Professor Dumbledore thought it might not
be safe for you to go out, since you don't remember people who might be a
danger to you."

 

Oh. "I understand." Well, Harry at least
tried to have him along. That made him feel better, even if he didn't know
where they were going.

 

When they reached the tower, Harry fumbled through his
overstuffed trunk for his toiletries before heading for the shower. Sev grabbed
a pamphlet off Ron's bed and leafed through it. "Want to join me?"
Harry asked Sev seductively.

 

Sev looked up from the book, eyebrow raised. "I think
not. If I were to see you naked in a public place again, I don't think I could
control myself. I'll wait for you here." Harry smiled and left Sev there
on Ron's bed reading 'You and the Ministry'. It was a pamphlet
about jobs in the ministry, requirements and how to apply.

 

 

Harry stepped under the steamy water, washing off the grime.
It was like washing off his worries. His mind easily went back to his meeting
with the Headmaster.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Harry walked to the Headmaster’s office, thinking, ‘What if
Voldemort were up to something? Would Sev be drinking that potion in his
pocket, cutting his holiday short? 'Ha,' Harry thought to himself. 'Voldemort
could be ready to attack and I'm worried about my time with Sev being
interrupted.’ Harry's head went in
a thousand directions. There were only a few days left; what would happen when
Severus remembered? He'd told him so much about himself, some he hadn't planned
on sharing, but it just seemed to happen that way. Harry knew it could only
help if Severus understood him better, but if things didn't go the way he had
hoped, he had laid himself out like a sheep ready for slaughter. For the man to
suddenly wake on Monday to find he had had sex with a student, a Gryffindor no
less... Would he remember the times they enjoyed together, or would he just be
blinded by the fact that he was Harry Potter? God, what if Dumbledore
already knew? The man seemed to know everything.

 

Not really. Harry used to think that Dumbledore was all
knowing, but if that had been true, the DADA professor wouldn't have leased out
the back of his head to the Dark Lord. In fact, Harry had held resentment until
he realized that Dumbledore was wise, and quite capable of reading people, but not
all knowing. He also had the ability to remain calm, giving off the impression
that nothing surprised him. Harry prayed that this was one of those times that
the Headmaster was unsure.

 

He barely remembered giving the password and walking up the
steps to Dumbledore's office, when he had already approached the door.
"Come in, Harry" he heard as he reached to knock. God, the man
really does know everything sometimes.

 

"You wanted to see me sir?" he said, closing the
door behind him.

 

"Yes, about a few things, Harry. Have a seat."
Albus gave him a smile and gestured toward the chairs. This was not the timid
Harry that was called into his office when he was in trouble; he saw before him
a young man ready to graduate soon. Harry had had quite a transformation in
seven years. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

 

Harry accepted the tea politely. He had learned over the years
that the older wizard would continue to offer him beverages and candies for a
while. It was best to take the first thing he offered, and get to the topic of
conversation faster. Plus, if he had something in his hands, he was less likely
to fidget.

 

"How is your week off going so far, Harry?"

 

"Fine sir. It's odd to see a young Professor McGonagall
picking flowers outside; other than that it's fine."

 

Albus chuckled. "It is pleasing to see the students
welcome the staff into their activities this week."

 

Harry nodded, he was still thinking about what Severus would
think when he was back to normal.

 

"Is something bothering you Harry?"

 

"No, just thinking, sir."

 

"Were you just thinking about Professor Snape?"
Harry's eyes widened a bit, though he tried to act indifferent.

 

"Harry, I need to ask you something, and I need you to
answer me truthfully."

 

"Yes sir." He almost regretted having the tea as
the cup clinked against the saucer.

 

"It seems that Ronald Weasley was overheard telling
Michael Archer about something that occurred between you and Professor Snape.
There is more gossip flying around this school than there are owls. Usually I
don’t get myself involved in such affairs, but when it concerns the welfare of
a student, I feel it necessary to get to the bottom of it."

 

Harry nodded. Ron knew about him and Sev, but he wouldn't
have told someone, well Hermione maybe, but not someone like Michael. He was a
good kid, but we don’t know him that well. Harry's head was now reeling.

 

"The person who had overheard the conversation did not
hear what Severus had done, only that he had done it while you were asleep on
the common room sofa. When asked if you had allowed him to do it, Ron's
response was that you had said no. You appreciated the attention and effort he
had made, but that you couldn't allow him to do it, but after he had explained
what you didn't understand so that you would be more comfortable, you stopped
arguing about it, even though you knew you shouldn't allow it."

 

Harry gave up on holding the tea still and put it down on
the desk in front of him. "Sir I, …um, did he say anything else?"

 

Albus looked uncomfortable. "Only that Ron had said it
was something he wished Hermione would do for him."

 

Harry's eyes were wide as saucers.

 

"I believe he was discussing Tuesday evening."

 

"Tuesday? Oh, Tuesday! Cram Tuesday is the day we do
our homework. Sir," Harry said quickly, "Ron was talking about my
Potions essay." God even the truth sounded lame at the moment. "I
had fallen asleep doing an essay and Severus finished it for me. I told him I
couldn't cheat, and he spent all this time explaining the material so I could
hand it in with a clear conscience," said Harry, rolling his eyes at the
possibility of handing in the essay like that.

"Harry, I want to trust you, but you must understand it
wouldn't be the first time you saw fit not to tell me when you needed help. Do
you realize what Ron's story insinuates?"

 

Harry lowered his eyes; he didn't blame Albus for having to
make sure. "Yes sir. You could check if you want. My essay is in my book
bag upstairs."

 

Albus nodded and used a summoning charm. Within minutes the
essay was in his hand.

 

"I forgot, I already took off the part Sev wrote,"
Harry added nervously. Dumbledore noticed the nickname, but made no comment.

 

The old wizard looked over the
essay. When he reached the end he waved his wand over the parchment, saying the
incantation "Prior Incantatum." Severus' paragraph reappeared on the
parchment in Harry's handwriting. He recast the spell and the same paragraph
now showed in Severus' handwriting. "It is just as you say." Harry
nodded. "Has Severus or anyone done anything without your consent?"
the Headmaster asked in a very serious tone.

 

"No, sir, he hasn't. No one
has," Harry answered firmly.

 

"I had to check. You
understand that, don’t you Harry?"

 

"Yes sir."

 

"It was after I sent you to
fetch Severus from the lake that I heard the story. I was quite concerned. You
do seem to be getting along quite well, I thought," he said with the
twinkle now back in his eyes.

 

Harry almost blushed. Almost. He
did smile. "Yes, we do get along," said Harry despondently.
"Sir, can I ask you something?"

 

"Of course, Harry."

 

"What's the point? The whole
holiday for the teachers, what's the point in it?"

 

Albus couldn't help but be amused
by the fact that Harry was asking the same question Severus had.

 

"I understand they are
supposed to get to know each other again, but they're so different. I don’t see
where it would matter that much if Professor Flitwick plays a game of chess, or
Professor McGonagall flirts with Ron. They're all so much older now that I
can't imagine they would consider anything they did this week being a
tremendous bonding experience. The only one at least close enough in age to appreciate
what it was like to be carefree enough and maybe try to remember the benefits
of relaxing would be Severus, and I think he's going to freak out when
he realizes he spent his whole holiday with Harry Potter." Harry
took a deep breath after his rant. Suddenly realizing he may have over-stepped
his bounds. "It wasn't my place to question your rationale, I didn't mean
to be disrespectful."

 

"Don't apologize, Harry. It's
refreshing to hear your perspective."


 

"I was thinking about what the
teachers would have gained when they looked back on this week. I don’t see the
girls that much, but I don't see much besides giggling and the times we spend
in the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick played a lot of chess with Ron. While I'm
sure he enjoyed himself, I don't see where he couldn't do that all along. Hard
to imagine he's the same age as the other teachers for this week, he's very
mindful of the rules."

 

"I did not change anyone's
personality, only his or her age. He may be mindful of the rules, but that
doesn't make him any more mature."

 

"Then there's Severus, who of
all people I would think could benefit from a week like this. He could relax;
do the things he likes to do without a worry in the world. I'm even envious. In
theory it sounds good, but I'm not sure I even want to contemplate what he's
going to say when Monday comes around. Wouldn't it make him unhappy to see
where he is now compared to a carefree teen?"

 

"That is a very mature point
of view. It is not surprising that you would be more mature than the average
person your age. Next month you will be the youngest person in the Order's
history to be invited as a member.”

“It's not easy to notice the
changes in a person when you see them growing up every day before your eyes.
Having the Professors spend time with you, with them at your age, serves
several purposes. You get a chance to see that they too were young once. They
are now older and wiser, but not infallible. I know it's hard to see our
teachers as real people. On the same note, they get a chance to see you and how
mature you are in comparison to themselves at the same age, thus making a
smoother transition from student to Order member. In fact, they are a year
older than you, this week."

 

Harry was trying to take in all
that the Headmaster had said. They were there because of him?

 

"I was going to send them off
to a tropical island, but I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone." He
added as if reading Harry's mind. Harry wasn't too sure he couldn't actually
read his mind. "The first meeting for you will be next month. As I
mentioned last week, we felt there was no point in making you wait to join the
Order so that you may continue training, but you will still only attend
meetings as an observer until you are considered fully prepared by those training
you. You may be called upon for your opinion or asked questions, but you will
only address your own questions to me, after the meetings. There is more, but
that can wait ‘till next month. Any questions?"

 

"No, sir." Harry was
thinking about so much, it was hard to be sure why he was called in here in the
first place. Albus looked at a large clock in the corner, it had many more
hands than the one at the Burrow. Several were up at the moment. The Headmaster
was apparently a very busy man. "Was there anything else, sir?" Harry
asked before getting up from his chair.

 

"Yes, actually. The reason I
asked you here originally was that I've received an owl from Molly Weasley this
afternoon. She says the apartment you wanted to see was only available for viewing
tomorrow afternoon. I've arranged for Ronald and yourself to join her here so
you may go check to see if it's to your liking."

 

"That reminds me of another
question," Albus motioned for him to continue. "I was given a list of
apartments available in the area, and I noticed that another boy in the common
room had a much bigger list."

 

Albus' smile dimmed slightly.
"Your list was slightly edited down to people who had a place to lease
that I was quite confident were not Dark followers. Yet, that is not the reason
your list is so small, I'm afraid. The same as a muggle would have a ‘no pets’
policy for their renters, several wizards have found it safer to not offer to
high profile persons such as yourself. They feel it puts their property at less
risk of attack."

 

"I understand," said
Harry. He couldn't help but hear his Potions Professor’s voice from their first
class. "Clearly, fame isn't everything."

 

Harry and Albus spoke for some
time, but it all became a blur after a while. It was late when Harry got back
up to the tower, thinking tomorrow he would possibly be seeing his new home.
Before, he was supposed to leave Hogwarts to go to a new home to share with
Sirius, even if he was still in hiding. Harry lay awake for hours, staring at
the Order of Merlin award on his bedside table. No, he would not let this
overtake him. He thought about all the other students; they all were leaving
their home away from home. All the graduates’ lives were changing; he would be
no different. His new place would be all his own. He could wake up any time he
wanted. Have his friends over for parties. He would not get emotional. Well…


 

I'd better go flying in the
morning.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

When the water in Harry's shower
ran cold, he realized he had been in there a long time. The sweat and worries
washed away. Things had not gone as he had expected, but that was his life. He
certainly hadn't expected to spend the week with Severus Snape. Harry dried
off, thinking about the young Potions Master in his bed, waiting for him. Well,
technically on Ron's bed.

 

Only two days left, and he was
going to make them count.

 

Severus was lying on Harry's bed
when he returned, a blue potion vial twirling in between his fingers.