Where Others Fear to Tread
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
50
Views:
105,130
Reviews:
543
Recommended:
6
Currently Reading:
4
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Snape
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
50
Views:
105,130
Reviews:
543
Recommended:
6
Currently Reading:
4
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.
What's Mine is Mine
Chapter 26
“I know it doesn’t look like much…..” Jasper glanced over his shoulder at the two wizards as he led the way down the gravel path leading to the little sandstone cottage at its end.
“It doesn’t.” Snape muttered to his brother who glared at him before finding the large brass key for the front door.
“It looks cozy.” Harry whispered, rather more interested in the rolling fields the cottage sat on than the cottage itself.
“Well it is Harry, very cozy.” Jasper smiled at Harry behind Snape as he pushed open the door and led the way into the cottage. Severus instantly began checking the place out, structurally and magically. Being a single level cottage there really wasn’t a lot to the place but Harry got a feeling of warmth the moment he’d stepped in into it. Snape disappeared into what Harry assumed was the kitchen, the potion masters wand flicking methodically about the place as he went. “So do you like it Harry?” There had been little conversation in the car traveling from the train station to the cottage, Harry had merely sat in the back seat of the emerald green mini, listening to the two brothers discussing wizarding issues.
“Oh yes it’s homely.” Harry muttered as he watched Jasper begin pulling dustsheets from the furniture, revealing aged red oak furniture beneath the layers of dust.
“Yes, it is isn’t it that’s why I brought the place, though I hardly get time to stay in it what with the pub and all.” Jasper began piling the dustsheets in the hall. Harry put down his trunk and began helping Jasper clear the dustsheets, eager to reveal more character of the little cottage.
“The kitchen window was broken, but I’ve fixed it. The place will need a good clean, but thank-fully it’s already well warded.” Snape strode determinedly from the kitchen, across the dusty living room and into another room, Harry assumed was the bedroom. Jasper huffed a contemptible laugh at his brother and rolled his eyes at Harry, who managed to stifle his smirk.
“Well I wasn’t exactly going to leave it unprotected was I Sev, besides I warded this place myself as soon as I knew you were coming.” Jasper smiled at Harry warmly as he threw the last of the dust cloths into the doorway before flicking his wand at them and banishing them. Harry frowned a little in curiosity as he took in Jaspers wand. Unlike his own standard shaped wand, Jaspers appeared to be slightly thicker, and the grip of the wand was carved from the wooden shaft itself, rather than added after from a separate piece. The wand was also made of a dark hard wood, chestnut in colour with a spiral of red burnt into its length. Jasper noticed Harry’s interest in his wand, and smiled secretly.
“It’s unusual isn’t it?” Harry snapped his head up from Jaspers wand to the wizards face. When Harry didn’t answer straight away, Jasper gestured to his wand by way of explanation.
“Oh yeah, I’ve never seen a wand like it.” Jasper stepped towards Harry having spun his wand expertly around between his fingers so that the grip was facing towards Harry. Harry was silently impressed by the skill in wand handing the man seemed to have.
“It’s red cedar, 13 inches. Would you like a closer look?” Jasper offered Harry the wand and the boy nodded eagerly, opening his palm ready to accept the wand offered to him.
“Expelliarmus!” Snape’s charm rang clear through the dust hanging in the air, the bright blue flash sweeping effortlessly between them to send Jasper’s wand flying from his hand. Harry spun around to face Snape stunned, clutching his hand to his chest where the charm had grazed his hand causing a small burn. “Jasper, you’re a damn fool.” Swearing at his elder brother who was now retrieving his wand from where it had been thrown into the hall, Snape strode hastily over to Harry. Harry didn’t know what he’d done as Snape took his burnt hand in his own and inspected it closely for signs of injury. When it was clear there was no other injury save the burn Snape turned to glare at his brother who was leaning smugly against the wall in the hall, his strange wand tucked into the waistband of his pants, and his arms folded across his chest
“I did wonder if he was going to actually take it.” Jasper inquired curiously his eyes locked firmly on Harry, even though he was addressing his brother. Harry instinctively moved back behind Snape feeling suddenly like a child.
“He would have had I not stopped him.” Snape growled angrily, Harry noting with some dismay that Snape still had a firm grip on his own wand.
“But that’s basic defence Sev, are you trying to tell me a wizard of Harry’s age doesn’t know about wand possession?” Harry swallowed nervously as he watched Jasper glance from him back to Snape in question.
“Harry has for the most part of his life been brought up by muggles Jasper. He knows only what he has been taught at Hogwarts, where the syllabus doesn’t include dark wand creation and possession.” Harry watched from behind Severus as Jasper’s face fell a little, the strange smile he’d been wearing all afternoon falling away to leave a pale-faced man behind.
“Oh sweet Merlin, I’m sorry Harry I didn’t mean you any harm.” Jasper looked genuinely concerned that he’d hurt the boy but Harry merely shrugged his shoulders, not really knowing himself what he’d done. Snape nodded and spun around to face Harry who was looking nervously at the floor.
“Rule one Potter. Never, under any circumstances ever take a wand offered to you by another wizard.” Harry nodded quickly although not really understanding why.
“Why not? I mean I touch yours all the time, and Ron’s and Hermione’s.” Innocently Harry gestured to where Snape had tucked his own wand back inside the sleeve of his jumper.
“Because it is likely that it will not be your friends or me who are offering you the wand in the future. We may not wish you harm but there are many wizards out there that do. A wand is your lifeline to the wizarding world and your magic, without it a wizard is vulnerable. Any sensible wizard will not part willingly with their wand, just as a dark wizard would not be separated from his without death. If a wizard is offering you his wand, he’s either lost his mind or he wants you to let your guard down so that he can pounce, which in this business is much more likely.” Snape paused allowing Harry to comprehend everything that he’d just been told.
“Alright I won’t make that mistake again.” Harry muttered cursing his upbringing. If he’d been brought up in a wizarding family he might already know this stuff. Snape nodded quietly and gestured with his head back at Jasper who was leaning stiffly against the wall, still a little upset by what he’d just done.
“Further more all dark wizards have protection spells on their wands, that prevent others using them. While the spells vary, all of them usually result in permanent loss of limb or something equally horrifying. I for a fact know my brother over there has a rather nasty curse attached to his. His wand is also unregistered and hand crafted with elvan magic, something you Harry should not be meddling with.” Jasper looked apologetically at Harry as the boy realised just how closed he’d come to probably loosing his hand. “Now why don’t you go unpack and begin cleaning the bedroom, I’m going to go have a look at the barn down the back where you’re going to be starting your training tomorrow.” Harry nodded and with a weak smile at Jasper collected his and Snape’s trunk and wandered silently into the bedroom. From the bedroom Harry caught the last of the two brothers conversations outside.
“Honestly Sev, I didn’t realise we were starting his training from the very beginning. It’ll take him years to learn all this sort stuff.” Harry sat down sadly on the edge of the dusty bed, grimacing as the springs of mattress groaned and squeaked ominously.
“Harry’s intelligent enough, he picks things up relatively easily. And we don’t have years to teach him this, we have six months if that.” Harry heard the front door of the cottage creaking open.
“Six months? You’ve got to be kidding me, Auror’s don’t even start full defence training until 12 months into the program.” Jasper sounded shocked and Harry just heard Snape’s reply before the voices disappeared.
“We’re not teaching him to be a hero Jasper, just a survivor.” With that the front door to the cottage slammed closed and Harry sighed heavily as he stared around at the dusty dark furniture of the bedroom. Harry had a terrible sinking feeling that his stay in this cottage was not going to be one he’d idly forget. Kicking himself into action Harry took his wand and began charming brushes, dusters and brooms to begin cleaning the rooms. If his stay was going to be hell, at least he could rest in a clean home at night….
TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“I know it doesn’t look like much…..” Jasper glanced over his shoulder at the two wizards as he led the way down the gravel path leading to the little sandstone cottage at its end.
“It doesn’t.” Snape muttered to his brother who glared at him before finding the large brass key for the front door.
“It looks cozy.” Harry whispered, rather more interested in the rolling fields the cottage sat on than the cottage itself.
“Well it is Harry, very cozy.” Jasper smiled at Harry behind Snape as he pushed open the door and led the way into the cottage. Severus instantly began checking the place out, structurally and magically. Being a single level cottage there really wasn’t a lot to the place but Harry got a feeling of warmth the moment he’d stepped in into it. Snape disappeared into what Harry assumed was the kitchen, the potion masters wand flicking methodically about the place as he went. “So do you like it Harry?” There had been little conversation in the car traveling from the train station to the cottage, Harry had merely sat in the back seat of the emerald green mini, listening to the two brothers discussing wizarding issues.
“Oh yes it’s homely.” Harry muttered as he watched Jasper begin pulling dustsheets from the furniture, revealing aged red oak furniture beneath the layers of dust.
“Yes, it is isn’t it that’s why I brought the place, though I hardly get time to stay in it what with the pub and all.” Jasper began piling the dustsheets in the hall. Harry put down his trunk and began helping Jasper clear the dustsheets, eager to reveal more character of the little cottage.
“The kitchen window was broken, but I’ve fixed it. The place will need a good clean, but thank-fully it’s already well warded.” Snape strode determinedly from the kitchen, across the dusty living room and into another room, Harry assumed was the bedroom. Jasper huffed a contemptible laugh at his brother and rolled his eyes at Harry, who managed to stifle his smirk.
“Well I wasn’t exactly going to leave it unprotected was I Sev, besides I warded this place myself as soon as I knew you were coming.” Jasper smiled at Harry warmly as he threw the last of the dust cloths into the doorway before flicking his wand at them and banishing them. Harry frowned a little in curiosity as he took in Jaspers wand. Unlike his own standard shaped wand, Jaspers appeared to be slightly thicker, and the grip of the wand was carved from the wooden shaft itself, rather than added after from a separate piece. The wand was also made of a dark hard wood, chestnut in colour with a spiral of red burnt into its length. Jasper noticed Harry’s interest in his wand, and smiled secretly.
“It’s unusual isn’t it?” Harry snapped his head up from Jaspers wand to the wizards face. When Harry didn’t answer straight away, Jasper gestured to his wand by way of explanation.
“Oh yeah, I’ve never seen a wand like it.” Jasper stepped towards Harry having spun his wand expertly around between his fingers so that the grip was facing towards Harry. Harry was silently impressed by the skill in wand handing the man seemed to have.
“It’s red cedar, 13 inches. Would you like a closer look?” Jasper offered Harry the wand and the boy nodded eagerly, opening his palm ready to accept the wand offered to him.
“Expelliarmus!” Snape’s charm rang clear through the dust hanging in the air, the bright blue flash sweeping effortlessly between them to send Jasper’s wand flying from his hand. Harry spun around to face Snape stunned, clutching his hand to his chest where the charm had grazed his hand causing a small burn. “Jasper, you’re a damn fool.” Swearing at his elder brother who was now retrieving his wand from where it had been thrown into the hall, Snape strode hastily over to Harry. Harry didn’t know what he’d done as Snape took his burnt hand in his own and inspected it closely for signs of injury. When it was clear there was no other injury save the burn Snape turned to glare at his brother who was leaning smugly against the wall in the hall, his strange wand tucked into the waistband of his pants, and his arms folded across his chest
“I did wonder if he was going to actually take it.” Jasper inquired curiously his eyes locked firmly on Harry, even though he was addressing his brother. Harry instinctively moved back behind Snape feeling suddenly like a child.
“He would have had I not stopped him.” Snape growled angrily, Harry noting with some dismay that Snape still had a firm grip on his own wand.
“But that’s basic defence Sev, are you trying to tell me a wizard of Harry’s age doesn’t know about wand possession?” Harry swallowed nervously as he watched Jasper glance from him back to Snape in question.
“Harry has for the most part of his life been brought up by muggles Jasper. He knows only what he has been taught at Hogwarts, where the syllabus doesn’t include dark wand creation and possession.” Harry watched from behind Severus as Jasper’s face fell a little, the strange smile he’d been wearing all afternoon falling away to leave a pale-faced man behind.
“Oh sweet Merlin, I’m sorry Harry I didn’t mean you any harm.” Jasper looked genuinely concerned that he’d hurt the boy but Harry merely shrugged his shoulders, not really knowing himself what he’d done. Snape nodded and spun around to face Harry who was looking nervously at the floor.
“Rule one Potter. Never, under any circumstances ever take a wand offered to you by another wizard.” Harry nodded quickly although not really understanding why.
“Why not? I mean I touch yours all the time, and Ron’s and Hermione’s.” Innocently Harry gestured to where Snape had tucked his own wand back inside the sleeve of his jumper.
“Because it is likely that it will not be your friends or me who are offering you the wand in the future. We may not wish you harm but there are many wizards out there that do. A wand is your lifeline to the wizarding world and your magic, without it a wizard is vulnerable. Any sensible wizard will not part willingly with their wand, just as a dark wizard would not be separated from his without death. If a wizard is offering you his wand, he’s either lost his mind or he wants you to let your guard down so that he can pounce, which in this business is much more likely.” Snape paused allowing Harry to comprehend everything that he’d just been told.
“Alright I won’t make that mistake again.” Harry muttered cursing his upbringing. If he’d been brought up in a wizarding family he might already know this stuff. Snape nodded quietly and gestured with his head back at Jasper who was leaning stiffly against the wall, still a little upset by what he’d just done.
“Further more all dark wizards have protection spells on their wands, that prevent others using them. While the spells vary, all of them usually result in permanent loss of limb or something equally horrifying. I for a fact know my brother over there has a rather nasty curse attached to his. His wand is also unregistered and hand crafted with elvan magic, something you Harry should not be meddling with.” Jasper looked apologetically at Harry as the boy realised just how closed he’d come to probably loosing his hand. “Now why don’t you go unpack and begin cleaning the bedroom, I’m going to go have a look at the barn down the back where you’re going to be starting your training tomorrow.” Harry nodded and with a weak smile at Jasper collected his and Snape’s trunk and wandered silently into the bedroom. From the bedroom Harry caught the last of the two brothers conversations outside.
“Honestly Sev, I didn’t realise we were starting his training from the very beginning. It’ll take him years to learn all this sort stuff.” Harry sat down sadly on the edge of the dusty bed, grimacing as the springs of mattress groaned and squeaked ominously.
“Harry’s intelligent enough, he picks things up relatively easily. And we don’t have years to teach him this, we have six months if that.” Harry heard the front door of the cottage creaking open.
“Six months? You’ve got to be kidding me, Auror’s don’t even start full defence training until 12 months into the program.” Jasper sounded shocked and Harry just heard Snape’s reply before the voices disappeared.
“We’re not teaching him to be a hero Jasper, just a survivor.” With that the front door to the cottage slammed closed and Harry sighed heavily as he stared around at the dusty dark furniture of the bedroom. Harry had a terrible sinking feeling that his stay in this cottage was not going to be one he’d idly forget. Kicking himself into action Harry took his wand and began charming brushes, dusters and brooms to begin cleaning the rooms. If his stay was going to be hell, at least he could rest in a clean home at night….
TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>