Where Others Fear to Tread

Chapter 18

“So you really are staying here all summer Harry?” Hermione, Ron and Harry stood on the train platform, the red Hogwarts Express still loading the students for the trip home for summer.

“Yeah, it’s not that bad. At least it’s not the Dursley’s.” Harry smiled at his friends who both nodded their agreement. It had come as shock to everyone to find out Harry would be spending his summer holidays at Hogwarts now, under the care of Dumbledore. It had also sparked more than a few malicious rumors about Harry’s health and his relationship with his guardians but Harry had ignored them.

“True and at least you can practice for your apparition license, I bet Vernon wouldn’t have let you do that.” Ron patted his friend warmly on the back as a few lingering students ran past eager to find their carriages on the express.

“And you will come and visit won’t you?” Hermione implored as the whistle of the train blew signaling to the last of the passengers to get their act together.

“Yeah, I’m spending a week with Sirius in a couple of weeks time so I’ll come see you then.” Harry called as Hermione dragged Ron onto the train and opened the window so they could still talk to their friend. The station guard began to check and lock the doors and Harry stood on the edge of the platform opposite Ron and Hermione’s carriage window.

“Make sure you owl us when you get your exam results too, I want to know how dismally you did at potions this year without me.” Ron chuckled brightly as the train’s whistle blew one final time and the carriages began to pull away from the station. Harry laughed and nodded at his friend doing his best to keep up with the moving train. By the time Harry reached the end of the platform the train was already rushing past him, Harry could do little but wave to his friends as the train disappeared from view. Not that he’d have admitted it but Harry was a little sad he wouldn’t be returning with his friends to muggle London for the summer. With a sigh Harry made his way off the deserted platform and towards the gravel road that led back to Hogwarts. Having ridden the carriages down to the train with his friends Harry had decided to walk back instead, giving him time alone to think of what he was going to do with himself all summer.

Harry strolled lazily along the grass verge of the road, picking and eating blackberries from the bushes he came across. The sun was warm on his back and Harry hummed quietly to himself, pleased that he’d survived his second last year at Hogwarts without too much dilemma. Unconsciously Harry twiddled the ring on his finger as he thought about the school year just gone.

It was midday by the time Harry reached the castle and the boy strolled easily into the deserted hall, his fingers and tongue stained with blackberry juice. It seemed strange walking the halls and not seeing the other students. Knowing it was about lunchtime, Harry made his way to the great hall looking for something to eat. What he found was somewhat unexpected. The long banquet tables that had only last night hosted the end of school year feast were now stacked on the side of the hall and only the head table remained. Dumbledore, Severus and McGonagal were the only professors sitting there, the three of them dressed in their own informal robes. The rest of the professors returned to their homes for summer, most usually going away with their families and the like.

“Ah Harry, we were waiting for you.” Dumbledore looked up from his conversation with McGonagall drawing attention to Harry who stood fresh faced in the entranceway.

“Oh Sorry, I dawdled along the way.” Self-consciously Harry wiped his hands down the front of his jeans as he joined the professors at the head table, a spare seat and space having been made for the boy beside Snape. Harry smiled apologetically at the three professors as he sat down.

“What on earth have you been doing Potter?” Harry looked up from his empty plate as Snape grabbed hold of his hands inspecting the blue stained fingers with disgust.

“Picking Blackberries.” Harry laughed cheekily as he poked out his tongue displaying his matching blue tongue. Snape rolled his eyes and handed Harry his napkin, having dunked it quickly into his glass of water to wet it. Harry gratefully accepted the napkin and wiped what he could of the stain off his fingers.

“Mmm roast beef sandwiches, with chips and gravy.” No sooner had Dumbledore muttered his praise than the meal appeared on the table. Harry smiled and began helping himself, his stomach growling after his exercise.

“So Harry, what are you planning on doing this summer?” McGonagall who was sat on the other side of Dumbledore leaned forward to grab the gravy jug. Harry swallowed his mouthful of sandwich politely before continuing.

“Nothing really, this will be the first summer I won’t have to work in the garden and do chores everyday.” Harry took another bite of his sandwich washing it down with a swill of pumpkin juice. Out of the corner of his eye Harry noticed Snape struggling a little to pour some gravy on his chips and the boy automatically reached over and took the jug from him and proceeded to do it for his mate without being asked. While Snape’s fingers were all but physically perfect again, the man still found some tasks awkward. “Say when.” Harry muttered as he poured on the gravy.

“When.” Snape whispered, barely audible but still managing to sound a little pissed at assistance. Harry ignored Snape though and continued with his own meal.

“I assume you’ll be practicing for your apparition test.” McGonagall continued seemingly delighted that she had someone else to talk with aside Dumbledore and Snape, both men as quiet as the other.

“Oh yeah, that’s priority one.” Harry laughed as he speared a few chips with his fork and shoveled them into his mouth. “I thought I might also do some reading, and perhaps some walks around the area if that’s okay.” Harry looked to Dumbledore and Severus both of whom nodded quietly in agreement. Secretly there were a few other things Harry intended doing this summer but he wasn’t about to put voice to them. Harry had, just as their marital contract had stated, moved in to Snape’s chambers this morning. Admittedly Harry didn’t have his own room, and he would be sharing a bed with Snape every night from now until the end of the holidays but it was better than being alone in the Gryfindor tower. Harry was even hoping to spend some more time with Snape now the man wasn’t teaching and Harry wasn’t attending class.

“Your godfather has arranged for you to visit him in two weeks time, Lupin will come for you on the Monday morning.” Harry wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed his now empty plate away from him, having thoroughly eaten his fill. Snape was still eating his way through his sandwich, even as Dumbledore reached for second helpings.

“And what are you going to do without me for a week?” Snape looked sternly up at Harry the boy’s cheeky grin instantly faltering as he realized his mistake. While Snape accepted help he didn’t like it being rubbed in his face.

“I have managed 37 years without you Potter, I’m sure I can manage for a week by myself.” Snape snapped nastily in Harry’s direction the boy quietly turning his gaze back to the tablecloth. “Besides, I’m attending a dinner party that night and Draco will be staying with me for the rest of the week while his parents are away.” Snape added the last part quickly but Harry didn’t miss a word of it.

“What?” Harry snapped now just as pissed as Snape had been a minute ago.

“I beg your pardon Potter?” Snape looked affronted at Harry’s abrupt attitude change and the silence from the Dumbledore and McGonagall was deafening as the other two professors watched the marital spat unfold.

“Why does that slime ball have to stay with you, isn’t he old enough to be left alone by himself?” Harry crossed his arms over his chest, the familiar jealousy rising in him again at the mere mention of Draco’s name. Harry knew his jealousy was getting beyond a joke but he just couldn’t help himself, his emotions taking hold. Snape’s gaze narrowed but Harry wasn’t backing down, his jealousy overriding the rational part of his brain that screamed at him to not piss Snape off.

“That ‘slime ball’ you’re referring to Potter, is my godson and you would do well to respect that fact.” Snape growled low in his throat at Harry, very much aware that his fellow professors were watching on.

“Like I can forget that fact with him constantly in my face, popping up unexpectedly in your rooms like it’s a fucking motel. What would you have done had I been here that week? Would you have shunted me off back into the tower? I know we have to keep it a secret but this is fucking ridiculous having to watch my own back constantly because that slimy little shit is keeping tabs on me?” Harry stood up angrily from the table tossing his napkin back onto the table irritably. “I’m going to the library to read.” With that Harry strode off hastily from the hall shaking a little with the intensity of emotions raging through his body. Harry wasn’t sure why he’d reacted so angrily knowing Draco was going to be staying, after all he shouldn’t give a shit but of late he was beginning to think he did actually care about Snape.

Reaching the library Harry smiled as he surveyed the perfectly lined shelves of books, every one of them returned for the holidays and all at Harry’s disposal. Stretching Harry walked over to the card catalogue and began looking for the word he wanted.

“Seals, wax, family.” In triumph Harry pulled out the card, noting quickly the sections the books were catalogued in before replacing the card. Wandering quietly between the shelves Harry sought the section and when he found what he was looking for pulled several large dusty tombs from the shelf and read the titles aloud to himself. “Correct ways of using wax seals.” Harry replaced that book quickly and moved on to the next. “Sealing Wax and Stamps.” Harry replaced that book too. “Wizarding Family Seals.” Bingo. Putting the rest of the books back on the shelf Harry carried his find over to the large reading tables in the center of the library. During school he hardly used these tables, with them far more frequently used for gossip sharing than actual study. Now though with the library to himself Harry could sit where he liked without being hindered. Sighing to himself Harry settled in for an afternoon of solid reading. Snape and Draco may have denied the existence of Draco’s tattoo but Harry knew what he’d seen and was going to find out what it meant.

TBC>>>>>>>>>