Sub Rosa
folder
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
65
Views:
4,084
Reviews:
93
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
65
Views:
4,084
Reviews:
93
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Problem with Slytherins
Chapter 19 – The Problem with Slytherins
Severus watched Kathryn hobble from the room with some serious misgivings. He knew that she had been talking to the Headmaster a great deal lately. He knew it had to do with Potter and the earthquakes, but that was all Albus would say. In fact, Albus had been very mysterious about the whole thing, something that made Severus very suspicious. He loved the old man fiercely, something he would deny with his dying breath if asked, but he also knew him far too well to trust him when he got that cheerful, innocent expression. That little smile, usually accompanied by a light in his eyes, always meant trouble.
Severus finished off his coffee, cleared the table and headed out of Kathryn’s chambers. As it was Saturday he decided to go down to his laboratory and get a little work done while he had some free time.
If Kathryn was up to something and she hadn’t said anything to him, there was probably good reason for it. He had a momentary feeling of unreality as that thought wandered through his mind. It was so un-Slytherin of him to just trust her like this. Still, he just knew somehow that she would tell him if it were safe for him to know. He had a strong suspicion that if he knew what she was up to, it would be dangerous to him somehow.
He swept down to the dungeons, completely oblivious to the shadow that detached itself from the wall after he turned the corner -- a shadow that resolved into Draco Malfoy, arms crossed, wearing an expression on his face that would have given Severus much food for thought: an expression of profound relief.
Severus returned to his potions. Besides the cure for Kathryn, he had a couple of other projects going and he was pleased to see that they were simmering contentedly. He added a few ingredients to one, stirred another and muttered an incantation over a third.
A soft knock on his door answered with a muttered permission revealed Draco, dressed in casual trousers and shirt.
“Mr. Malfoy, you are interrupting me.” Severus grimaced as he glanced up at the boy and then back to the cauldron he was currently stirring.
“Professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you?” Severus raised a brow at the unexpectedly hesitant tone of voice
“Make it quick, Mr. Malfoy” For some reason, his own tone had softened when he replied. He had the sense that something important was eating at the Malfoy heir.
“Professor Leblanc is a really good teacher, isn’t she?” Draco asked, still with hesitation, his hands twisting together as he walked forward. Severus conjured a stool for the boy next to the table and waved him into it.
“I have heard no complaints about her from any of the teachers or students.” Severus agreed.
Draco rested forward on his elbows and watched Severus working with an intense gaze. Only Severus knew how much Draco really loved Potions. Since he had been a small child, he had sat just like this in Severus’ laboratory. First, when he had worked at Malfoy Manor in the service of the Dark Lord and later, here at Hogwarts, Draco had soaked up Severus’ tuition with flattering interest and genuine talent.
“I like her.” Draco admitted. Severus looked up at him in surprise, for a Slytherin this was a huge admission, almost equal to a declaration of undying loyalty from a Gryffindor.
“I do too.” Severus returned with a twisted smile that Draco returned. Liking was an uncomfortable sensation for them both. Respect born from fear or skill they understood, the mutual usefulness of allies was familiar, and hatred of an enemy a c a cozy emotion for them both. Friends were liabilities and friends were dangerous for friends could be used against them.
Draco nodded, understanding all of this without the need to articulate it. He was, after all, a Malfoy.
“What are you working on, if you don’t mind my asking, sir?”
“This is a healing potion for venom damage.” Draco’s mouth made a little “o” and he glanced at Severus with something close to affection. e wae was no need to tell the boy that it was for Kathryn -- he knew.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked, doing his best to look nonchalant about the whole thing.
“You may slice this dried mandrake root.” Severus handed him a sharp silver blade and cutting board. Draco nodded and set to work.
It was at that moment that he knew that Draco would never serve Voldemort. He would have cried in relief, but, in the end, he was a Slytherin
Severus watched Kathryn hobble from the room with some serious misgivings. He knew that she had been talking to the Headmaster a great deal lately. He knew it had to do with Potter and the earthquakes, but that was all Albus would say. In fact, Albus had been very mysterious about the whole thing, something that made Severus very suspicious. He loved the old man fiercely, something he would deny with his dying breath if asked, but he also knew him far too well to trust him when he got that cheerful, innocent expression. That little smile, usually accompanied by a light in his eyes, always meant trouble.
Severus finished off his coffee, cleared the table and headed out of Kathryn’s chambers. As it was Saturday he decided to go down to his laboratory and get a little work done while he had some free time.
If Kathryn was up to something and she hadn’t said anything to him, there was probably good reason for it. He had a momentary feeling of unreality as that thought wandered through his mind. It was so un-Slytherin of him to just trust her like this. Still, he just knew somehow that she would tell him if it were safe for him to know. He had a strong suspicion that if he knew what she was up to, it would be dangerous to him somehow.
He swept down to the dungeons, completely oblivious to the shadow that detached itself from the wall after he turned the corner -- a shadow that resolved into Draco Malfoy, arms crossed, wearing an expression on his face that would have given Severus much food for thought: an expression of profound relief.
Severus returned to his potions. Besides the cure for Kathryn, he had a couple of other projects going and he was pleased to see that they were simmering contentedly. He added a few ingredients to one, stirred another and muttered an incantation over a third.
A soft knock on his door answered with a muttered permission revealed Draco, dressed in casual trousers and shirt.
“Mr. Malfoy, you are interrupting me.” Severus grimaced as he glanced up at the boy and then back to the cauldron he was currently stirring.
“Professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you?” Severus raised a brow at the unexpectedly hesitant tone of voice
“Make it quick, Mr. Malfoy” For some reason, his own tone had softened when he replied. He had the sense that something important was eating at the Malfoy heir.
“Professor Leblanc is a really good teacher, isn’t she?” Draco asked, still with hesitation, his hands twisting together as he walked forward. Severus conjured a stool for the boy next to the table and waved him into it.
“I have heard no complaints about her from any of the teachers or students.” Severus agreed.
Draco rested forward on his elbows and watched Severus working with an intense gaze. Only Severus knew how much Draco really loved Potions. Since he had been a small child, he had sat just like this in Severus’ laboratory. First, when he had worked at Malfoy Manor in the service of the Dark Lord and later, here at Hogwarts, Draco had soaked up Severus’ tuition with flattering interest and genuine talent.
“I like her.” Draco admitted. Severus looked up at him in surprise, for a Slytherin this was a huge admission, almost equal to a declaration of undying loyalty from a Gryffindor.
“I do too.” Severus returned with a twisted smile that Draco returned. Liking was an uncomfortable sensation for them both. Respect born from fear or skill they understood, the mutual usefulness of allies was familiar, and hatred of an enemy a c a cozy emotion for them both. Friends were liabilities and friends were dangerous for friends could be used against them.
Draco nodded, understanding all of this without the need to articulate it. He was, after all, a Malfoy.
“What are you working on, if you don’t mind my asking, sir?”
“This is a healing potion for venom damage.” Draco’s mouth made a little “o” and he glanced at Severus with something close to affection. e wae was no need to tell the boy that it was for Kathryn -- he knew.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked, doing his best to look nonchalant about the whole thing.
“You may slice this dried mandrake root.” Severus handed him a sharp silver blade and cutting board. Draco nodded and set to work.
It was at that moment that he knew that Draco would never serve Voldemort. He would have cried in relief, but, in the end, he was a Slytherin