Areas of Expertise

-- Ok people. Hope you like this one. I had a sit down mid way through and worked out the next few chapters *sob* - there are going to be at least another 5 before we get back to the main story *sobs again*.



-- Jilliane: Sorry I upset you honey. As I wrote that line I felt myself getting upset, as it hit me a bit hard too.



-- I forgot to mention last chapter that Dray/Luc won't be a major thing in this story (yummy tho it is!) it's just the big secret Draco wants hidden. If his dream *really* squicks you out, pretend it's Harry and Sev. After all, dreams don't have to make sense! The last two dreams I had freaked me completely! I gotta stop eating weird things before I go to bed! SP



Chapter Twenty-Four



“The body says what words cannot.” Martha Graham



***



Another week was enough to drive Harry stir crazy. He knew it was a huge risk to leave the Room of Requirement, after all he had a noticeably swollen stomach, although it could (just about) still be passed off as fat. All he wanted was to stretch his legs and see something other than the apartment. He waited until he had a study period, but most of the school was still in lessons, and then waddled out of the Room, patting the tapestry vaguely as he passed it.



He was back wearing Dudley’s cast offs, as they were the only things that fitted over his bigger frame. He had tugged a school cloak on as well, although it gaped rather a lot in the front. His wand was stuck into a jeans pocket, and he also had the invisibility cloak with him. He could still remember the argument he and Severus had had regarding its use.



“But I could wander around the castle and no one would see me!” He had protested.



“No.”



“Grrr. Why not?”



Snape had raised a black brow at him. “One, what if you have an accident and fall? I would hardly be able to find you, would I? Two, we do not know what damage might be done to the baby if it has prolonged exposure to invisibility spells. I’d rather have a child I could see, thank you. Three, someone might still bump into you and injure you without meaning to. Four, it is just simply stupid to wander about the castle when we know the Dark Lord is aware of your condition. Every time you leave this room is a risk.” He then paused before saying, “So, no.”



Harry had opened his mouth to mention the Marauders’ Map, but something had stopped him. The part of him that was most like his father had resisted sharing that particular secret with Snape.



He had seen the force of the other’s arguments, so had remained in the Room. But now, Severus was teaching – and would be doing so all day – most of the school were in lessons, and he would be safe just to get out and maybe see the Quidditch pitch, or even go and visit Hagrid.



Still, he had his wand, and the cloak should there be a problem. He had also, fighting down the feeling of betrayal, left the Marauders’ Map showing his whereabouts on it. He felt, therefore, that he had taken all necessary precautions, and he and Hamlet could go for a little wander without it being an issue.



He still felt vaguely uneasy that he was deceiving Severus. The other believed him safe in the Room, not wandering the castle and its grounds.



He trod softly over the stones, taking his time and enjoying the feeling of freedom. Hogwarts was surprisingly quiet. He could hear the vague buzz of teachers, and felt the shiver of magic being used, but the sense of calm of the place filled him. He took a deep breath, he imagined the air clearing out his lungs. Harry soon reached the front door. He hesitated. Should he leave? It was a big risk, even with all the precautions he had taken.



He pushed on the massive piece of wood, irritated that it resisted him for a few moments. Still, he got out eventually, and winced as the bright winter sun shone in the frosty blue sky. He shivered slightly. Despite being less than a week away from March, winter still held the castle tightly. He crunched along the path, until he bored of the noise and stepped instead on the white tinged grass. It snapped slightly under his feet, the frost having made it brittle.



It felt good to be alive.



He rubbed a hand over his belly, talking softly to Hamlet.



“I can’t wait to meet you, Hamlet. Me and Severus really want to see you. I can’t wait to find out who you take after. Will you have my eyes? I hope you’ll have my nose not Sev’s! Will you be good at Quidditch? What House will you be in?” He sped up his rubbing as he talked. “Oh, I can’t wait to meet you!”



Harry was surprisingly tired. He hadn’t walked this much in a long time, and certainly not since he had gained so much weight. He saw the Quidditch pitch nearing, and decided to aim for that.



His steps grew slower and slower. He felt so tired.



At last, at long last, he reached the area and stood still for a long moment, gasping slightly for breath, just drinking in the feel of the arena. So much emotion had been exuded here. So many hopes destroyed. So many dreams realised.



He sat on a bench at the side of the pitch. He remembered that usually Madam Pomfrey sat there in case there was an injury.



He looked up, almost enjoying the burn of the brightness on his eyes. He missed getting on his Firebolt and zooming through the air. Idly he wondered about the Gryffindor team. Ron didn’t mention it much when he visited, so Harry assumed it wasn’t doing very well.



He sighed.



He closed his eyes for a moment, imagining the noise and buzz on a match day. He smiled.



”And this year’s Gryffindor team is really something special! Captain, Harry Potter, has made some startling changes yet they are so far, unbeaten! And here comes the captain now. He shakes hands with the Slytherin Captain. That looks unpleasant! Madam Hooch is speaking to the two boys.



“A hush descends as the fourteen players mount their brooms. Is that? Yes, the Bludgers are being released. And the Snitch. And the Quaffle. The game BEGINS!



“Wow! That was a fantastic grab by Robins! Quite a find by Potter this year! And that’s Zabini of Slytherin trying – and failing – to get the Quaffle. WHAT A THROW! Robins hurls the ball across three Slytherins to Katie Bell – returning Gryffindor Chaser, and she shoots, narrowly misses. The ball’s fumbled. She gets it. She SCORES!



“What the hell are you doing here, Potter?!



“And Snape has joined the game as Seeker. He seems to be circling Potter rather than searching for the Snitch. Still, typical Slytherin, using another’s skill.



“Harry! Wake up!



“And Potter just fails to grab the Snitch. Looks like he’s suffering from some turbulence up there, he’s shaking so much.”



“HARRY! WAKE UP!” Snape was shaking the boy almost painfully, voice frantic and scared.



“Wh-what?” Harry yawned. Then, “OW! Hey, Sev, I’m fine. Let me go.”



Severus’ pale face looked a few shades paler. “What are you doing out here?” he asked, voice tight with emotion. “You know how dangerous it is! I thought you’d been…” he stopped, shook his head, and glared – or tried to – at the other. He pulled Harry into a painfully tight hug and held on. At last he let go and stood up, professional manner back in place. “We will return to the castle, and once back in our room, you can explain to me there why you put yourself and Hamlet in such danger.”



Harry stood up, legs aching from the long walk. He grabbed for Snape’s cloak, and with the older man’s support, began the long walk back to the castle.



Oh shit!