Death Eater Takes a Holiday

Chapter 20 (Tealeaves, flights, and a shiny new light bulb)






Chapter 20 Tea leaves, flights, and a shiny new
light bulb

 

 

Harry sat in Divination, checking his watch. Ron
poked at the bottom of Harry's cup with a spoon so the dregs of tea leaves
would take on an interesting shape. He was going to make a grim, but after last
night thought better of it. Harry glanced down at his cup.

 

"Looks like a blob to me," commented
Harry. Ron poked a little more, but before he could finish the professor came
over to have a look. Harry rolled his eyes as Trelawney gasped and announced
his bleak future. Apparently if he were to live until the end of term he would
be a miracle. Harry had been so tempted to get out the Magical 8 Ball Hene
ne
gave him for Christmas. She felt the muggle toy had just as good a chance, if
not better, than the old at mat making a real prediction. Harry checked his
watch again. "Professor, do you really think I may not make it to the end
of term?" Ron bit his lip to hold a straight face and not laugh. They had
sat in the back corner of the class, so they were as far away as possible from
the others. Harry scrunched up his face, trying to look pathetic.

 

"I'm sorry Mr. Potter, the tea leaves are
seldom wrong," she said with a pitiful look, but her eyes bright with
excitement. She could hardly contain her joy at predicting his demise. "If
this is upsetting you dear, perhaps you would like some of my herbal calming
teas?" Harry just looked down at his feet, and gave Ron a kick when he
snickered. "Maybe you should lie down, and then give yourself some time to
get your affairs in order?" Harry practically jumped up.

 

"Yes, I think laying down would help."
Harry quickly grabbed his book bag and headed down from the class. Ron gave him
thumbs-up as he ducked out of sight. As he ran to the Gryffindor tower to ditch
his books and grab his invisibility cloak and broom, Severus was in his private
chambers getting dressed.

 

Severus hung up his teaching robes. He was wearing a
loose white shirt tucked into a pair of brown leather riding pants, and high
black boots that hugged his calves. Looking through his wardrobe, he moved
several roout out of the way, looking for just the right one. There in the back
with the other robes that were seldom worn was a long black robe. Severus put
on the robe, and at first glance it looked very similar to any other robe he
wore, with a few exceptions; it had fitted arms and buttoned from about
mid-chest down the front to the waist. Along the waistline there was a row of
buttons. Severus unbuttoned the waistline buttons to reveal the robes were in
fact open in front and crossed over to appear as one piece, but when opened and
re-buttoned around the back, the legs were exposed in front to allow him full
movement.

 

As ‘tall, dark, and sexy’(and now leather clad),
walked briskly through the halls he was now very glad he had gone through the
trouble of getting his free period when no one else had. That meant the
classrooms were filled, the corridors empty. This allowed him to enjoy his free
time without the nuisance of people around. Severus didn't care for other
people around when he was enjoying himself. His grandmother had once told him
that if he made a job fun, then it would not seem like a job. His father on the
other hand felt that if he was having fun, then he wasn’t concentrating hard enough
on the task at hand. The moral of the story had been, 'Never let them see
you have fun'.

 

Harry hovered on his broom under the invisibility
cloak, near Hagrid's hut. The large man was off tending to the flying beauty in
the stables, preparing him for his first flight since he'd arrived over a week
ago. Harry caught sight of the large oak doors opening and almost fell off his
broom when Sev came into view.

 

"Is that leather he's wearing?" Harry had
realized that he had never seen his potions professor's legs before (well, at
this age anyway); he had always worn traditional robes. Sure, in the dueling
club Snape wore special fitting robes and there were trousers showing at the
loose bottom, but never exposing the legs fully from the waist down, and certainly
not in soft brown leather. Harry was nearly drooling. Severus walked past where
Harry was hovering and continued at his brisk pace to the stable. Harry flew
silently at a safe distance back. He had been mad at himself for pulling the
dishdish stunt yesterday, and hoped it didn't mess up his chances with Sev. He
had, after all, looked into Harry's eyes for a bit longer than expected and
that seemed like a good sign to Harry.


Lost in his thoughts of falling into Sev's arms, he
suddenly realized Sev had reached the stables without him. When Harry caught up
he could hear the two men talking.

 

"You don’t know his name?" said Severus
incredulously. "You've had this animal for over a week, haven't you?"

 

"Sure I 'ave, it's just that when Olympe’ told
me 'is name I din't rightly know how to say it. She wrote it down for me, but I
can't seem to find the piece of paper. He don' take to no command in English
neither. He only listens in French, I ‘spect. Do you speak French,
Professor?"

 

"I assure you, a good rider needs only to
communicate with body language," said Severus with a curt nod.

 

"So you don't speak French then," said
Hagrid almost sarcastically. Severus tried not to glare at the other man, as he
was grateful to be to riding again. It had been a while. He had ridden many a
Pegasus, but they had been put into a category of creatures nearing extinction
and were now illegal to have in captivity, without special exemption.

 

Severus took the reins and held the bit of the
bridle to the winged horse’s mouth.

"Ouvrir." Hearing the command, the horse
opened his mouth, allowing Severus to put in the bit. He smirked at the
surprised expression on Hagrid's face. Severus looked up at the saddle and
stirrups; they were three feet higher than those of a normal horse. This
nameless beast was the size of an elephant. Hagrid pulled over a step stool;
Severus nodded in thanks and stepped up. Even with the step up, he had to get
his foot pretty high to reach the stirrup. In one sinuous motion he swung his
right leg around landing smoothly in the saddle. His robes swung around
fluidly, so they were now draped over the back and sides.

 

Harry watched intently as Sev pulled a strip of
black leather from his sleeve. Severus held it in his teeth, sliding his index
fingers through his hair from his ears back, pulling only the hair from the top
of his head in a small ponytail. With his hair now tied securely with the
leather cord he lead the flying horse out of the stable.

 

"Enjoy your ride Professor, see ya when ya've
landed," said Hagrid as Severus headed out. Harry watched in awe as
Severus started off. He had only seen this kind of horse fly in tandem with a
team pulling the Beauxbatons carriage. His Sev on a single horse trotting along
the grounds was quite a different sight. Severus sat tall in the saddle.
Despite the sheer size of the creature beneath him, Severus had a commanding
presence. His heels dug in to encourage the horse faster, and they took off at
an incredible speed. Harry flew along, far off the side so as not to be heard
as his robes flapped in the wind. Severus’ robes were also now flowing behind
him like the tail of a large bird. The sound of the thundering feet across the
grounds suddenly stopped and was replaced by the flapping of wings, as they
took to the air.

 

High up in the air, flying alone, was a very
liberating feeling. No one to see you, no one to judge you, you were just you.


Harry suddenly felt as if he were intruding on a
private moment as he watched Severus enjoy his ride, but he couldn't pull his
eyes away.

As the horse reared up to avoid the whomping willow,
Severus held on tight. Harry could see him grinning when he flew a little too
close for Harry's comfort. It was hard to imagine an animal that size could
change direction so fast. The flailing tree had that effect on everyone, Harry
suspected. After a few close calls with his invisibility cloak, Harry decided
to land on the astronomy tower to watch from there. He watched them fly around
various towers and turrets of the castle, but since the astronomy tower was so
high, Sev tended to always fly back towards it. Harry had the perfect spot.
Hagrid had been right; Severus did have more muscles now. In the fitted leather
pants Harry could see the muscular legs gripping tight. He pulled the reins
with the ease of a skilled equestrian. Practiced or not, it was clear that this
animal demanded a firm hand.

It was an exhilarating ride to watch, and Harry was
sure that Sev was enjoying himself.

 

After a while when he looked to be landing, Harry
climbed back on his broom and flew near the stable. The ground shook as the
hooves touched down, and continued to run along before slowing in front of the
stable. Severus gave him a pat on the neck and dismounted. He walked to the
front of the horse, saying something in French Harry didn't understand, then
reached up to pet the horse’s face gently. This is the man I met last week.
There is still some Sev left in Severus, even if he doesn't allow anyone to see
it. Harry slipped out of the stables before he was caught.

Hagrid must have heard him land and was now walking
over to the stable.

 

"How'd he perform for ya Professor? Did he
behave?" nbspnbsp;

"Yes, he responds well with the proper
handling. I thank you for the opportunity to ride."

 

"I'm grateful to ya fer letting him get some
exercise. Yer welcome to ride him any time," said Hagrid, as he hung a
bucket of single malt whiskey for the winged palomino.

 

Harry could just hear the two men saying goodbyes
and agreeing on a tentative time for Severus to ride again, then he was out of
earshot. He placed his broom in the shed behind several school brooms, and
placed a few wards around it. After tucking his cloak under his robes he set
off to the castle entrance. No sign of Sev, he must still be talking to
Hagrid. Harry opened the large oak door and walked into the entrance hall.
With a quick glance back, looking for signs of the leather clad sex god, Harry
turned back around and walked right into Severus’ back. Harry was so shocked he
fell backwards in an attempt to get as far away as possible from the man. He
didn't want to irritate him like he had yesterday; not after saying he would
leave him alone.

 

"Excuse me, I didn't see you there. I didn't
mean to…" Harry mentally slapped himself for rambling on like an idiot.

 

"Potter, where..." Severus glared as the
Headmaster cut him off. Harry hadn't even seen the older wizard standing there
in front of Severus.

 

"Harry, are you not expected to be in
Divination at this time?" Albus said with a twinkle in his eye. He looked
to be thrilled to have a chance to get these two together.

 

"Yes, sir, I was. Professor Trelawney let me
out early so I could get my affairs in order," said Harry, trying not to
laugh as he said it. He was sure he heard a slight chuckle from the old man. Harry
noticed that Sev had been holding some kind of leather cord. Oh, his hair
was down again. Sev started twisting his ring. Harry almost beamed at the
revelation. As a teen, Sev would make the same kind of movement when he wanted
to ask a question, but was holding back. It seemed like he did that a lot last
week. Harry thought an explanation for Sev's benefit wouldn't go amiss.
"Apparently my pending death is closer at hand then we thought, and she
allowed me to leave, so I can compose myself and maybe make out my will."
Harry did snicker as he said that; Severus did not look amused. Albus looked to
be contemplating something.

 

"Harry, we talked about these predictions; did
you need to compose yourself?" asked Albus in a serious tone. Harry
thought about his answer for a moment. ‘If I'm going to get anywhere with
him, he needs to know that I'm not giving up on getting to know him.’ Harry
said to himself. And the truth
shall set you free.

 

"No, sir, Hagrid told me that Se- Professor
Snape would be riding today, and I knew he had been looking forward to it all
last week. I wanted to come out and watch." He turned to Severus, "I
didn't mean to intrude." Albus smiled, Severus was stunned, although his
face revealed nothing. When Harry had come through the oak doors, Severus had
suspected that Harry was out there while he was riding. He hadn't expected
Harry to be honest about the fact. He was torn between aggravation over having
an audience while enjoying his ride, and shock that Harry had said what he did.
"If there's nothing else, I don't want to keep you from your
conversation."

 

"No, Harry, nothing else. Have a good
day," said Albus with a smile.

 

"Thank you. Oh, Professor," said Harry
directing his question to Albus. "What are you in the mood for later,
something sweet maybe?" The smile on Albus' face grew as he contemplated
his choices.ry dry decided not to tell Severus what he was referring to. He was
surprised the Head master didn't explain it to Severus himself. No matter he
doesn't have to know every thing. Harry thought to himself.

 

 

"That would be splendid," said the old
wizard. Harry chanced a look at Severus, once again seeing the ring twist on
his finger. Harry gave him a smile. Severus watched Harry's eyes move from his
face back to his hands again, realizing what Harry was looking at his folded
his hands and scowled at him. Harry sighed, he certainly wouldn't see that
again. Severus wouldn't allow such an obvious sign to continue now that Harry
recognized it. He was a Death Eater spy after all, and knew not to do such
things, but Albus had made him feel relaxed talking about Hagrid's Pegasus.

 

"See you in class, Professor," Harry said,
pulling Sev from his thoughts.

 

"If you're sure you can get your affairs in
order by then," said Severus with an edge of sarcasm.

 

"Was there something you wanted me to leave you
in my will?"

 

"No, if I can't kill you myself, I don't want
anyone else to have the privilege."

 

Harry knew he had already made all the witty
comments he was going to come up with in one day, and decided to quit while he
was ahead. So, if you can't have me no one else will? Harry just gave a
nod and smiled as he walked away. Albus was overjoyed; he would get them to be
friends if it killed them. Not him, them.

 

Later in the day Severus was thinking back on the
conversation. He had meant to shut Harry up with his snide remark, not
encourage him. He looked up from the huge pile of pop quizzes that needed
grading when someone knocked on his door. He was about to tell whomever it was
to go away, when he heard a squeaky voice.

 

"Are you in, Severus?"

 

"Come in, Filius," Sev called, waving his
wand at the door to unlock it. Filius Flitwick entered Snape's office looking
around at the jars of various slimy potion ingredients. Filius was almost never
down to his office, so he wondered what the little wizard wanted. "What
can I do for you Filius, I've got enough quizzes here to last me a month."

 

"Hello, Severus, how is it to be teaching
again?" asked the perky charms professor.

 

"Fulfilling as ever, Filius," said Snape
rolling his eyes. "Surly you didn't come all the way down here to discus
the rewards of teaching?" The diminutive man's face suddenly took on a
more serious expression.

 

"It's about Harry," et tu Filius?
"How is he doing in potions?" Severus shrugged.

 

"He's passing if that’s what you mean." Is
he going to make a point soon?

 

"I wanted you to confirm for me if his potion
was made properly for the pensieve class we had this morning."

 

"I don't see why not. It was the last day before
break, they were restless, but I checked every cauldron knowing you needed the
potions for your class. Only one didn’t come out right, and I gave Longbottom
some of Grangers." Professor Flitwick took out a jar with the shimmering
silver pensieve liquid in it. Severus swirled the jar around to check the
viscosity of the contents. He opened the jar and smelled it. As far as he could
tell it was fine. "It's fine, what's the problem?"

 

"When I look into the memory, I can hear some
quiet sounds for a few minutes, but the image is completely black."

 

"What was the assignment?"

 

"The standard one I use every year. What was
their favorite gift they received on their tenth birthday?"

 

Note: Since school is in session most of the year,
save the few months of summer, and holidays, many students celebrate birthdays
away from home. Because of this, it is a common wizarding custom to have a
large celebration on the tenth birthday, before their start in Hogwarts. It is
a milestone most remember well.

 

"He was raised by muggles, who's to say that
his tenth was any different from any other party he's had?" Severus
sneered at the pleading look on Filius' face. "Fine, I'll take a look at
it later when I have time. I'll give you my analysis then. Will that be all, or
did you want me to find out what color the balloons were?" Filius pursed
his lips to keep the scathing remark he was about to make to himself, and
instead thanked Snape for his help.

 

When Flitwick was gone, Severus started to think
more about Harry. He had been so busy being mad at him, or thinking of reasons
why Harry shouldn't get to know him, that he had forgotten a lot of what he had
learned last week. Obviously his relatives almost killed him last year. How
long had it been since they started with the beatings? Didn't Harry say at one
point that it had gotten worse after he was accepted to Hogwarts? "Their
hatred of me grew when I got my Hogwart's letter and I found out I was a
wizard, but it didn't get real bad until I was older."

What kind of kid was he if they hated him so young?
Was it that he just remembers it that way? When Harry said it didn't get ‘real
bad’ until he was older, what did he consider ‘not too bad’? Not getting
killed? Severus decided he would look at the mini-pensieve from Filius' class.
Memories can get distorted over time, but a memory in a pensieve was a true
account.

 

Severus transfigured the jar into a wide shallow
bowl to allow better viewing. Touching his wand to the liquid caused it to
swirl and change. Soon the shimmering surface was black. Slight sounds could be
heard; he tapped his wand on the side of the bowl, reciting an incantation to
amplify the sounds. Harry's small, young voice could now be heard, along with
some shuffling sounds. He seemed to be humming something.

 

"9 x 6 = 54,
9 x 7 = 63, 9 x 8 = 72, 9 x 9 = 81." He's reciting his times
tables? How long did Filius say he listened, a few minutes? Severus decided
to keep listening. The potion was correct and the spell seemed to work since he
could hear Harry. He would wait until the final swirl to see if Filius missed
anything.

After five minutes of hearing nothing but tapping
sounds, sounds like someone drumming their fingers; Severus was startled from
his stupor. "STOP MAKING THAT INFERNAL RACKET!" a man's voice bellowed.


"Not like there's anything else to do in
here," mumbled Harry. There was more silence for a few minutes, then the
tapping started again. Severus wondered if Harry had done it unconsciously or
had he done it to aggravate the man?

 

Why the Hell is everything black? What did he do
wrong while casting the spell for the pensieve?

 

The man's voice boomed again, and Severus was again
startled because he had been staring into blackness, and suddenly there were
strips of light across the whole surface. As his-- or was it Harry's-- eyes
adjusted to the light, he was now able to see through the long slotted holes.
There was a partial view of a large face with a moustache.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THAT NOISE!" he
bellowed, followed by a woman's voice. "For heavens sake Vernon, give him
the bulb, it's been long enough!" she said checking a calendar. Suddenly a
small door where the slotted holes had been, opened, light flooded the little
space, and Severus could see a young Harry Potter sitting on a cot. He was so
very small. This must have only been a year before Sev met him here at school.
Did he have a growth spurt after that, or did Severus just not remember Harry
ever being so young and small?

 

A large, beefy hand came reaching into the small
space, and Harry flinched away from it. He then realized that the hand was not
going to hit him, but was handing him a light bulb. "Happy Birthday,"
the man grunted and slammed the door closed again. There was a snapping sound
and the slotted holes were gone. Blackness once again overtook the place where
Harry sat; Severus watched. After hearing soore ore shuffling noises and a
click, the light bulb was lit and the little room was in clear view for the
first time. The cot fit the full length from wall to wall; there was a small
shelf with a drawing of a motorcycle with wings, next to that was another
picture done with crayons, it looked like a lighte bol bolt with a green haze
around it. Severus shuttered at the thought. There on the shelf was a marble
and three half crayons, barley nubs of colored wax, but they were lined up like
prized possessions. Harry hummed Happy
Birthday to himself, and squeezed his eyes closed as he concentrated on his
wish, than blew at the bright new light bulb before turning it off. The black swirl
twisted around, becoming once again a silvery liquid.

 

Severus stared blankly at the surface as it returned
to normal. Ah, Hell.