Death Eater Takes a Holiday

Holy Crap 41 reviews






Chapter 17
The Storm

 

Severus
continued to storm around the dungeons for the next three hours, smashing
things every twenty minutes or so. He continued on this path, muttering to
himself all the while. Currently he was pacing the potions classroom with memories
of the week flashing in his mind. It was worse than the flashbacks he used to
have from when he was a Death Eater, before he'd turned spy; to do such things,
to happily defile a student mindlessly and all the while under the care of
Albus Dumbledore. Did the man who seemed to know everything truly know
everything? He wanted to go up to the twinkle-eyed monster and scream,
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" He put a randy teenager in a dorm full of
boys and said, “Have a great holiday!” Damn you Albus! Severus shook his head.
No, this was not all his fault, though I will never tell him otherwise. He had
wanted to introduce everyone first thing at dinner when they arrived. Ha…
Potter never would have come near me if he knew right off whom I was. Merlin
had I even unpacked before…The memory of pressing the young Gryffindor up
against the wall for their first kiss filled his mind. Harry had been coy and
careful not to allow them to go too far too fast. I had been the aggressor,
he thought angrily to himself, as another beaker met its end against the wall
of the potions classroom.

 

~*~

 

After ice creams Hermione dragged
the boys to the bookstore. She and Harry were talking about the course he
wanted to take at the school she was going to after she graduated Hogwarts.

"What do you mean you've taken
the class already? Why didn't you tell me about it? I would have gone with
you." Harry protested. He was referring to a class that muggle born
wizards attended to acquaint themselves with Wizarding customs and traditions.

"I went over the summer last
year." That was really all she had to say. Harry was recovering most of
the summer and had been too emotionally drained from Sirius' death to do
anything more than eat, sleep and count the dots on the ceiling of the
infirmary.

"If it makes you feel better
Harry, there is a grade requirement, and I don’t think you would have
qualified." My extra Arithmancy class was just enough for me, and it's
twice the points you get from Divination."

"Oy Harry," said Ron.
"Maybe if you had actually died like in the predictions, Trelawney would
have given you extra points."

"Ronald! Don't say such
things," scolded Hermione. Harry and Ron continued to laugh as she huffed
into the bookstore ahead of them.

"Hey Ron, I just got a great
idea for the twins. Trick tea leaves. Guaranteed to show a grim in every
cup!" They received a look from their friend as they entered the store
laughing. "Relax Hermione, it's a book store, not a library."

 

An hour or so later the trio
started walking back. They were starting to get tired, bored, and ready to go
back. Harry hissed in pain; his hand rose automatically rubbing his scar. His
two friends waited to see if it would get worse, but the pain came and went
just as quickly. Harry assured them he was fine, and wondered what was going on
with Voldemort.

"Dad said there would be a lot
of trials coming up this month. Most of the Death Eaters that were caught last
summer had trials, but some were still left, and a few of them had given up
names of other Death Eaters who were now going to have a trial." Ron
paused, looking at his friend where the scar was peaking out past his hair.
"It might be a tough time for you," he said thinking about how much
pain Harry could receive during that time if the trials convict a lot of dark
followers. "Um… Harry, you are a little low on your potions supply aren’t
you?" said Ron with a blush. He was trying to delicately remind his friend
that he had used up some of his supply with Sev. Harry felt just a tinge of
pink on his cheeks as he nodded.

"We need to get more without
Pomfrey finding out," said Harry. This is when Hermione chimed in.

"Don't tell me you two did
something as childish as taking pain potion. You know, that stupid Hufflepuff
is still in St Mungo's detox ward."

"I'm not the one
inappropriately using potions," said Ron pointedly. He hadn't been able to
embarrass Harry in a long time, and now that he knew Harry knew about him and
Hermione dating for a long time, he was getting payback for all the times Harry
harassed him about his letters from her. Harry glared at the redhead.

"Ron shut up!" Harry
yelled incredulously. Hermione watched the exchanges of various accusing looks
and glares.

"What?" asked Herm
la
laughingly? "What did you do?"

"Makes sense," said Ron,
"he is a potions master." Harry turned redder; he couldn’t believe
Ron was having so much fun with this. It may be time for a rubber spider in his
bed.

"Ron, that’s personal,"
said Harry thin lipped and rolling his eyes toward Hermione.

"I don't get it. How can taking
a pain potion be personal?" Ron was hyperventilating with laughter at her
question. Harry pulled her aside, away from the now hysterical Ron.

"Hermione," he paused
looking at Ron and back to her, not letting Ron see him smiling. "What the
PRAT is trying to say," What the hell, may as well go for shock value,
he thought. "It wouldn't be personal if the pain potion was used orally."
Hermione lowered her brows thinking that through for a moment. She blinked in
realization of what he was implying. Her mouth opened wide, a hand clapped over
it.

"Oh my God, Harry! I can't
believe it. When? You really did?" she squealed and threw her arms around
him, rambling on, "Oh Harry, I knew you wanted to wait. You didn’t want it
to be just anybody. He must mean so much to you. I can't believe it," She
repeated. "Oh, and after the last date with what's his name…the strawberry
blond, I didn’t think you would get close enough to someone for a while. He was
too self centered to take care of your needs…I can't wait for later so you can
tell me all about it. We'll pick up some butterbeer to bring back with
us." Harry laughed at her rambling, while Ron had stopped laughing about
half way through.

"How do you know all these
things about Harry's … well, his dates and things?"

"Honestly Ron, just because
you have a 'no details' rule," she bent her fingers in quotation
marks, "doesn't mean I don't want to hear it." Ron gaped at her.

"I don't want my girlfriend
hearing all the details about that kind of stuff," he said pulling a face.
"Ew, it's just…"

"Grow up Ron," she said,
effectively cutting him off. "Did you honestly think it was Pansy that
gave me pointers on most the things I do?" Ron's eyes went wide. He didn't
want to know how she knew how to do that thing she does with her tongue,
only that she had only done it to him. Hermione had been tempted to tell him
about the demo Harry did for her using a well-formed banana, but thought that
would send Ron over the edge.

 

When everyone had calmed down, they
realized the reason this started was Harry's need for more pain potion. They
attempted to purchase some, but the shopkeeper wouldn't sell it to them.
Although they were adults in the wizard world they were still students and it
was a restricted item. Damn that Hufflepuff, idiots like him ruin it for
everyone else. While they were waiting in line an owl swooped into theotheothecary. Harry froze when he heard the clerk call out to the resident
potions maker.

"Must have been another
explosion at Hogwarts potions lab. There's a big order here replacing all sorts
of glass beakers, vials, and such." The three friends left the shop in
silence.

"Maybe a meal at The Three
Broomsticks would be good idea, no reason to hurry back," Ron suggested.
No one argued.

 

During the quiet meal, Harry
contemplated what he could do to get to know Severus, assuming he doesn't have
him expelled first. Meanwhile back at Hogwarts, a large tawny owl delivered a
message to Albus Dumbledore.

Dear
Albus,

I do hope this finds you well. From the recent
orders I can only hope Severus is still in one piece. I am sorry to bother you,
as you have more pressing matters at hand, but I'm afraid this must be brought
to your attention. The youngest Weasley boy, Ronald I believe, was in my
apothecary today attempting to purchase pain-killing potions. As you know my
normal policy is to alert the parents, but as Arthur is a good friend of us
both, I felt it best you handle the matter personally. Certainly a formal
letter to the Weasley household would have to go on record, and I'm sure you'll
agree that's not necessary. I trust you will handle the issue at hand. Thank
you for your attention in this matter.

Yours truly,

Ferdinand
Jiggers of Slug & Jiggers Apothecary

 

Albus sighed and placed the letter in his desk drawer.
He would have to look into this. A note thanking Mr. Jiggers for bringing this
to his attention, assuring him he had done the right thing in contacting him
was sent back out with the tawny owl. Albus decided he needed to deal with the
more pressing matter first, and threw some powder into the fireplace.

"Severus," said Albus, deciding it was
time for them to have a talk. As soon as he spoke the name a glass vial
containing some green substance shattered on the mantle, nearly showering the
headmaster. "Severus! I think you need to come to my office so we can
discuss this over a cup of tea." Snape growled and sent sparks to the
other corner of the room. It was out of Albus' line of vision, but from the
sound of the squeak, some poor house-elf, trying to clean up, was just
frightened from the room. Albus stepped from the fireplace into the room.
"I don't see why you're so upset, you got along with Harry splendidly.
What is it that upsets you the most?" Severus stopped pacing for a minute.

"The fact that I can't get my hands on a time
turner." Albus sighed.

"You're overreacting. Do you remember our
conversation by the lake Tuesday? You need only to be honest with yourself. If
you don't hate Harry, tell him so, and we can get on without all this
nonsense," the headmaster said, gesturing to the broken glass all around
the outskirts of the room.

"It's not that simple," said Severus,
still pacing around the room. "Yes it is. You need to get out, get some
fresh air and calm down. Why don't you save a few owls the trip and go pick up
your order at the apothecary." Severus looked surprised for a moment. How
did the man know I put an order in? Severus thought to himself. He wanted
to argue, but Albus' suggestion for a walk was closer to an order. Knowing the
old man wouldn’t let up, he went for his walk.

 

As Severus walked to the edge of the wards to
apparate, he passed that spot by the lake. He thought that he may see Harry
sitting there, waiting for the sun to set. But no, he was not there. Severus
refused to think if that was disappointment he was feeling. Almost sunset,
another hour or so, and the train arrives, and once again the halls will be
full of obnoxious students. Albus is a senile old man if he thinks everything
is so simple. If he were to be truthful with himself, Sev hadn't given it
much thought if he hated Harry or not. He was still too irritated over the
whole thing to think if he hated the boy, well- man, if he was being honest.
Severus rarely allowed himself to feel too much, and the memories of this week
were an overload of emotions he'd thought were long since dead in him. For all
his many hats, Death Eater, spy, Order member, and professor, it was a matter
of self-preservation that you didn't allow yourself something as frivolous as
caring for another person too deeply. Or perhaps that was an excuse he used to
keep people at bay?

 

Harry sat facing the window in The Three
Broomsticks. Hermione and Ron sat together opposite Harry. Hermione spoke of
how jealous she was that Harry and Ron both could apparate, but her parents
wanted her to wait longer before taking the test. Harry was only half-heartedly
listening; he was still thinking about Sev.
At first he thought it was because he was thinking of him so much that
he was starting to see people that looked like Snape. But no, there walking
down the street was the tall, dark, contemplative looking man. Harry watched
the brooding potions master walk along deep in thought. He seemed to glide when
he walked. Harry wondered if he had to work at it to make his robes flow behind
him like that, or if he did it effortlessly. Looks effortless. Harry watched
Sev’s arms at his sides barely swinging, and his button up shirt just visible
at the top. His emotionless face…was staring right at him. Harry startled. He didn't
realize the man had seen him. Harry blinked a few times in surprise, and
offered weak smile. Severus glared and strode off quickly.

 

The sky was not bright, the pub was well lit; that
allowed for Severus to spot those bright green eyes at a distance. Harry had
been gazing out the window looking particularly lost in thought. It had been
obvious when the boy had spotted him. It was a strange sensation knowing
someone is checking you out. When was he going to realize that I see him
doing it? Ha, now he knows. His expressions are so easy to read, the
blush looks good on him. He is unsure, but smiles at me, and I feel the corners
of my mouth begin to curl. Quickly the mask is up. I am furious at myself. I
see him for two minutes and almost smile. Damn him. I don't smile!

"Damn Potter, and I can't kill him!" he
muttered.

"No Severus, we can't, but don't worry, his
time will come," came the familiar drawl. Snape's head snapped up to see
his old partner in crime.

"Lucius, Draco," Snape said with a brisk
nod. I’m off my mark if they can approach without my notice. To be this
distracted is dangerous.

"Hello Professor," said Draco politely.
Always polite, he was a Malfoy after all.

"Busy week at the Ministry, Lucius?"

"Why yes, very busy," Lucius said with
malevolence. "Nott's trial will be at the end of this week; the outcome
will be significant," he paused. "For either side." Severus did
not speak, but slowly nodded in concurrence.

 

Tbc