Jigsaw

CHAPTER 23

“And I’m telling you again sir, I have had no contact with my godson since the day of his birthday. If you continue to harass my business partner and I like this I will be forced to report you to higher authorities. Now please leave my premises immediately!” Harry smiled as he watched his godfather stand up abruptly from the stool behind the counter, his finger pointing angrily at the door.

It had taken Harry nearly ¾ of a hour to get himself and Snape over into the backyard of his godparent’s business, the pair of them climbing over three fences before arriving safely and undetected. Thankfully the backdoor of the business had been open and Harry had quietly crept inside, keeping Severus close to him and under the invisibility cloak just in case. Now though Harry had to wait, the two auror’s inside the shop intensely questioning his godfather and Remus. Finally though they seemed to get the picture, but not before Sirius had lost his temper with them.

“Sorry to have bothered you with this matter Mr Black, but you must understand we have to investigate all suspect tip-offs especially those concerning dangerous characters such as Severus Snape.” Harry glared at the auror’s wondering how any of them got off thinking Severus was dangerous. Harry didn’t miss the answering glare that both Sirius and Remus spared the two auror’s as the opened the door to leave.

“We’ll be in touch.” With a parting shot the pair of auror’s left, taking with them the two guards who’d been standing outside the shop.

“I have no doubt you will.” Sirius snapped sharply, when the Auror’s had gone. Harry smiled as Remus and Sirius came through the door into the back of the store, the two of them instantly turning around to face directly towards where he and Severus was under the invisibility cloak.

“Harry we can smell you.” Remus stated calmly his wolf senses having picked up Harry’s scent long before Harry had arrived and Sirius had picked up the familiar whiff of his godson. Harry chuckled and pulled off the invisibility cloak, revealing both himself and Severus, who automatically straightened his back and scowled in the direction of his old enemies.

“Sorry, I didn’t know anywhere else to go.” Harry muttered as Sirius pulled him into a strong hug, his godfather sighing heavily as he looked at Severus over Harry’s shoulder. “Don’t say it Sirius, it’s in the past.” With a stern glance of warning Harry stepped back away from his godfather knowing already what the man would have said in regards to Snape being in his home. Taking hold of Severus arm, Harry guided the man to a seat at the kitchen table and sat him carefully down, ignoring the shocked glances from his godparents. “We just need a place to hide out for a while, we’ve found the cure for the curse but it’s going to take a little time to work.” Harry sat down beside Snape, taking the cup of tea that Remus offered him. Automatically Harry picked up Snape’s hand, guiding the man’s fumbling fingers to the warm mug of tea Remus had placed in front of Snape unthinkingly. Harry didn’t miss the knowing glances that passed between his godparents at the gesture, but he chose not to challenge it, especially in the presence of Snape. Harry had humiliated himself one time to many in front of his potions professor he didn’t want to add to his tally by arguing about his feelings for the man in front of him.

“Alright, but you can’t stay here they’ve got the place under 24hour watch. It’s a fluke you even got in here without being found.” Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief but bit his lip in worry. If his godfathers couldn’t house him, then he didn’t know where he was going to go next. It briefly crossed his mind he should have thought his plans through when he’d first went in search of Snape.

“…but we do have an alternative, one not so obvious place they’d not think of looking for you.” Harry watched as Remus smiled and walked across to the pantry door. For a moment Harry thought the werewolf was suggesting they stay in the cupboard, a prospect that after spending 11 years under the stairs at Dursley’s was certainly not appealing. However before Harry could comment Remus had knocked three times in a quick pattern on the back wall of the pantry, and then from nowhere another door appeared. The door opened and Harry smiled as he recognised the twin faces of the two men in the doorway.

“Harry!” Stepping through the pantry, Fred and George instantly engulfed him, hugging him and ruffling his hair as if they hadn’t seen him in a lifetime. “We thought you’d gone AWOL permanently, especially when Hermione told us about our anal brother, we couldn’t believe he’d done it to you. It’s no wonder Hermione’s left him, if he’s going to be like that, after all you’re practically family.” Harry smiled distantly, a small part of him sad to hear that Hermione and Ron had split up because of him.

“Ah, Professor Snape, nice to see you again.” George spotted Snape first and stepped away from Harry, offering his hand to the elder wizard in polite greeting. Naturally Snape didn’t take it, but before George could take offence Harry quickly grabbed hold of Snape’s hand physically putting it in George’s.

“It’s Fred and George, the Wealsey twins.” Standing behind Snape, Harry whispered gently into Snape’s ear, watching as the professor smiled in the twin’s general direction and shook the wizard’s hand in his.

“Ah yes, I do believe some of your pranks have become legends among the students of Hogwart’s.” Harry watched as George stared at Snape intently for a moment the twin snapping out of it as Snape dropped his hand, feeling acutely the strained silence.

“Well, enough of this meet and greet, Harry and Severus need a favour.” Remus broke the uncomfortable silence, drawing the twin’s attention from the blind professor. Harry was silently thankful that Remus had enough forethought to diffuse the situation, without leaving Harry to explain

“Oh, yes we figured that. Saw the stiff’s come into your place this morning, I guess we know what they were after.” Fred smiled sympathetically at Harry and Snape.

“It’ll only be until Snape can finish his course of potion’s, we’ll share a room naturally.” Harry discretely crossed his fingers behind Snape, hoping against hope the twins would help. Fred looked and George in question and then almost simultaneously they nodded in agreement.

“Sure thing Harry, besides after what Ron’s done to you it’s the least we can do.” With a smile Fred gestured to the entranceway through the pantry, and Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak, and helped Snape up from the table.

“Thanks guys, I know what a risk it is.” Harry thanked the twins again as he guided Snape into the pantry, allowing Fred and George to gingerly take the elder wizard through the walkway, careful not to walk him into the multitude of obstacles. Harry hung back a little and in turn hugged Remus and Sirius each tightly.

“You’ll be okay Harry, we’ll see you when things have calmed down a little.” Sirius smiled at his godson, and waved cheekily as he stepped into the pantry.

“Good luck Harry.” Remus offered as Harry stepped through the door into the twin’s shop next door, the door closing and sealing itself shut behind him.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>