A Twisted Web We Weave

CHAPTER 28

“Well come on show us yours too Harry.” Harry sat on the edge of the pool his feet dangling into the depths of the cool water. This truly was a treat that the three of them were making the most of. After the full moon last week Snape had conjured a small swimming pool in the backyard in the hopes of aiding the battered and bruised werewolf recover. Unfortunately it had turned out that Remus didn’t swim but the pool had not been wasted with Draco, Harry and Paris claiming it as their own before Snape could make it disappear again. For the past three days they’d spent every free moment swimming around in the pool, playing silly games as they enjoyed a rare sunny break in the weather.

“No.” Harry pouted as he listened to Draco whine beside him.

“Why not.” Draco pouted as he leaned forward and pushed Paris’ head beneath the water as he past making the slightly younger boy splutter and cough as he rose back up to the surface.

“Because I don’t want you looking at it.” Harry muttered as he slid off the side and stroked easily across the length of the pool to the other side and then back. Harry had known Draco long enough now, to know that his friend wasn’t going to give up easily.

“Oh come on Harry, Paris showed me his.” Draco whined as Paris sat himself up on the edge of the pool beside Draco, letting Harry tread water in front of them.

“Well then if you’ve seen his you don’t need to see mine, besides I don’t know why you want to look, it’s just a ring through my foreskin that’s all.” Harry bit angrily as he paddled over to the stairs and hoisted himself out of the water. “And Snape better not know about it either.” Harry snapped as he grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his shoulders, aware now of the chilling bite to the breeze.

“No I haven’t told him Harry, but if he sees it for himself I’m not going to deny it.” Harry turned abruptly on Paris who was drying himself on his own towel.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Plan on showing him your cock do you, or perhaps you’ve already given him a guided tour you slut!” Without bothering to collect his things Harry stormed off back into the house leaving Draco and Paris staring after him in shock.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Draco whispered as he stuffed his things into his arms and began collecting Harry’s as well, knowing the boy wouldn’t come back for it. Paris shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t know he’s been pissed off all week at me, I think it’s because I had to move into Severus’ room.” Paris helped Draco collect Harry’s things and they both made their way inside.

“That’s not your fault, Lupin is unpredictable when he’s on the change, you can’t share a bedroom with a werewolf, what’s his problem?” Draco muttered as they stopped by the laundry and dropped in their wet towels and dirty clothes. Paris shrugged his shoulders again and shook his head. Harry had been nasty all week, like a caged bear with a sore foot. Nothing anyone could do was right, and Draco and Paris had tried to keep their distance from the other boy’s mood swings.

“What’s going on, Harry came through here with a face like thunder just a moment ago?” Remus was sitting at the table opposite Dumbledore when the two boys entered the kitchen. The werewolf’s face was scratched, bruised and torn, and he looked pale and thin. Paris shrugged his shoulders and flopped down in the chair beside Severus who had his nose buried in a copy of Potion Monthly that had arrived yesterday by owl.

“Don’t know. He’s been pissed off all week about something, can’t say anything to him unless you want your head ripped off.” Draco reached for a rock cake from a plate in the middle of the table, where the three elder wizards had been sharing tea. “If you ask me, it’s tension related.” Draco mumbled around his mouthful of cake. Severus who had been half listening to the conversation glanced up from his magazine and glared at Draco half way down the table. If the other two wizards hadn’t picked up the blonde’s meaning Severus certainly had.

“Imply that again Draco and I’ll personally hold you down and ‘scourify’ your mouth out for you is that understood.” Draco swallowed his mouthful of rock cake his face one of incredulousness. Since Lucius was still on the run, Severus had taken Draco under his wing. The boy had been on a steep learning curve from the moment he’d learnt the truth about Severus being a spy. Unlike his stubborn father though, Draco had learnt quickly where he was better off and had fitted in well with his new life with Severus as his guardian.

“What! It’s true, if I hadn’t wanked for as long as he hasn’t I’d be pretty tightly strung too!” Almost simultaneously Remus and Dumbledore choked on their tea at Draco’s declaration but before the boy could continue Severus had pulled out his wand and charmed the blonde’s mouth firmly shut.

“Enough! Use that language again in my company Draco Malfoy and you’ll regret it. Now the both of you have chores to do, beginning with the dust in the attic now get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you again before dinner.” Like lightening Paris and Draco were scrambling up the stairs towards the attic leaving Severus practically fuming at the kitchen table.

“Is it true Severus?” Severus glanced up carefully a little shocked that Albus had asked that of him. When it was clear Albus wanted an answer Severus sighed and slammed his magazine down flat on the table.

“How should I know headmaster? The private times a young boy has with his right hand are none of my concern. Admittedly as traumatized as Harry is over his rape and abuse then there is to be a certain plausibility to Draco’s statement but it is impossible to know for sure without asking the boy….of which I have no intention of doing so!” Severus quickly added not wanting to leave himself open for attack from the scheming headmaster. Albus nodded quietly and sipped from his tea. Severus turned back to his magazine but he knew instinctively there was going to be something more. It took a few moments of silence before Albus spoke up again.

“Perhaps you could talk to the boy Severus. You have surely had dealings with this kind of thing being head of Slytherin for many years. Harry needs guidance, some advice to get over his fear perhaps. Physical wounds heal much quicker than the mental one’s Severus, you of all should know that.” Albus glanced over the edge of his teacup at Severus, who didn’t miss the knowing twinkle that lit up the wizard’s eyes. Irritated but knowing he’d been manipulated into doing something he didn’t want to again, Severus slammed his magazine down and swept from the kitchen. Storming up the stairs Severus didn’t even pause as he swung open Harry’s bedroom door. Harry was sitting in the window seat his knees tucked up to his chest and his distant gaze focused on the garden below.

“What is the matter with you Potter?” Snape snapped angrily his frustrations easily taken out on the boy. Harry didn’t acknowledge the comment and merely continued to stare out of the window, having heard Draco and Paris come thundering past his bedroom door just before, no doubt in trouble. “Potter! Are you going to answer me or not?” Snape watched as Harry glanced darkly over his shoulder at him before silently turning back to face the window. Sighing in frustration Snape tried again, this time trying to remove the irritation from his voice. He was supposed to be resting before returning to Hogwart’s and he did enough pandering of students fickle emotions during work without having to do so outside hours. “Harry if you want to talk.” Snape was surprised at how easily the boy broke, swinging his legs around to stare miserably at the elder wizard.

“No one cares do they?” Snape resisted the natural urge to roll his eyes at Harry’s comment, silently wondering when it was he’d learnt to modify his behavior for the boy sitting before him.

“Cares about what?” Snape inquired as he sat himself down cautiously on the wicker chair beside the fireplace.

“Me.” Harry answered simply his gaze not leaving the floor, as he played idly with a thread hanging loose from his t-shirt. Snape let the comment hang in the air for a moment, wondering if there was an appropriate reply to such a vague comment. When he didn’t speak Harry sighed heavily and turned back to the window, his eyes falling closed. “Don’t worry you don’t understand.” Harry whispered obviously deciding better about discussing his life with Snape.

“Then explain to me Potter, what it is you mean? I can’t help you if I don’t know how to.” Not to be discouraged Snape continued. It would be pointless going back downstairs to the werewolf and the interfering old man’s questions without having found anything out. When Harry again made no move to reply Snape sighed inwardly and went to stand up from his chair, but as he did so Harry spoke again his voice laced with sadness.

“Now he’s gone and I’ve served my purpose they don’t care anymore. Everyone’s acting like it never happened, like I’m not here just like it was before the war, before me.” Snape sat down again and watched in silence as tears fell from Harry’s chin onto the windowpane he was leaning against. Snape knew they’d have to talk about this sooner or later and while he’d unconsciously put it off to give Harry time to recover it had now gone on too long. The combination of the ‘constantine’ potion and Harry’s emotional state was making it harder for the boy to cope with everything.

“Before the war people were happy, safe and content Harry, do you begrudge them those things now just because you believe you’re hard done by?” This was unfamiliar territory for Snape, and knowing how strained his and Potter’s relationship was, wasn’t willing to push too far less he lose the boy’s trust entirely.

“That’s not it.” Harry muttered irritably as he pulled the thread from his t-shirt and viciously snapped it off.

“No? Then what is it Harry? Are you unhappy because the world has gone back to being a normal unthreatened place, are you mad because you’re no longer the center of attention, or are you sad because the people who made your world happy aren’t here anymore?” Snape wondered silently if he’d struck a cord, as he watched Harry’s shoulders shudder as the boy began to sob openly.

“It hurts so much.” Harry whispered from between his sobs, his hands covering his face muffling his speech further. Standing up from his chair by the fire Snape moved over to sit on the edge of the bed, cautious not to touch Harry and upset the potion, but close enough to offer support. “Everyone’s forgotten already, but I won’t. Ever. They don’t care that he hurt me, that I can’t look at myself in the mirror when I get up in the morning without remembering what he did to me. I sacrificed everything, I did stuff I never wanted to do and yet no one cares. I didn’t even kill Voldemort, you did!” Harry’s voice was bordering on hysterical but Snape still resisted touching the boy. Harry had to hear this on his own without the potion clouding his senses.

“Hero’s come in the most unlikely of forms Harry, and while it’s unfortunately true people like to forget the bad times along with the hero’s that banished those times.” Harry sniffled and wiped at his nose crudely on the sleeve of his jumper. Disgusted by the lack of hygiene but not willing to comment Snape drew out his wand and conjured a box of soft tissues, offering Harry one before setting them aside. “Yes I killed Voldemort but not without you. The curse I used was sourced from ancient texts when wizardry and witchcraft were still young and there were worse foes than Tom Riddle to be faced in the world.” Snape paused as Harry blew his nose and dabbed at the tears that had now completely soaked the front of his t-shirt. “I am very sorry Harry for what has happened to you both recently and in the past but I, nor anyone else can undo those things as much as we may wish to.” Harry looked up at Snape, surprised somewhat that Snape even knew the word ‘sorry’ let alone that he would ever use it. “You should be thank-full that unlike our ancestors you were not alone in your fight and that there are some of us still willing to help you through the aftermath.” Harry nodded silently in realization of what Snape was saying. It seemed strange to be comforted by something his potion master had said but Harry was.

“Thanks.” Harry whispered suddenly feeling the familiar swell of the potion in his blood and trying to fight it. Now wasn’t the time for this, he needed to appear strong rather than dependant on Snape. Thank-fully Snape picked up on the change in Harry and quietly reached across and placed his palm face down on Harry’s knee. The touch was enough to satisfy the need and Harry closed his eyes and sighed with contentment. It had been almost a week since he’d come into contact with Snape and the pain in his chest had steadily been growing making him nasty, bad tempered and sharp.

“You’re still fighting it Harry, you need to give in or this is going to be a drawn out and painful experience.” Snape looked seriously at Harry who shook his head defiantly.

“No, I don’t want to give in, I’m not dependent on you.” Harry whispered silently fighting the overwhelming feeling of ecstasy at just having Snape’s hand on his knee. Snape sighed and squeezed Harry’s knee tightly making the boy look up at him with tired eyes.

“I know you’re not dependent on me Harry, but this substance that’s polluted your body is and so if you want your life back quickly you need to ride this out the easiest way you can. I can’t say I’m enjoying this experience, to me its just another mess my brother’s left me with but I’m dealing with it tolerably just as you should do.” Harry nodded again as Snape finally took his hand from his knee. “I know what my brother did to you Harry and I know this is tough, but to make things easier I’ll help you. Just casual brushes of arms, and hands are enough to keep the potion under control, you’ve seen yourself how Paris does it, I hardly even notice him doing it now.”

“Makes it easier he’s sleeping in your room.” Harry muttered beneath his breath the green-eyed monster he’d been fighting with all week rearing its ugly head. The last thing Harry needed was to deal with the jealousy he’d felt steadily growing since Paris had become a permanent resident at number 12, Grimmauld Place. Inwardly Harry knew it was just the potion talking in his head but it was whenever he saw Paris and Snape together tight fisted knots of anger twisted in his stomach.

“Is that what this weeks dramatics’ have been about?” Harry swore to himself having hoped Snape hadn’t heard him. Harry muttered a ‘no’ beneath his breath and avoided eye contact with the elder wizard. “Honestly Potter, you know as well as I that Remus is dangerous during his full moon cycle it was out of necessity that Paris take the spare bed in my room.” Snape was a little taken back by this knowledge; jealousy wasn’t a symptom of the ‘constantine’ potion he’d ever come across before but then again no wizard had been stupid enough to given the same exact potion to more than one person before.

“It’s nothing.” Harry muttered as he stood up from the window seat and walked over to grab some clean clothes and his towel from the dresser. Having come straight from the pool the chlorine had dried on his skin making him sticky, so he needed a shower. Having assumed their heart to heart was over Snape rose as well and followed Harry out into the corridor, the boy already heading towards the communal bathroom.

“I’ll leave my bedroom door unlocked tonight, if you need me.” Snape watched as Harry glanced over his shoulder at him, the smile on the boy’s face betraying the unspoken thanks. “And I suggest you take a little more time in the bathroom Potter, no one enjoys being around someone as uptight as you are right now.” Harry had already gone into the bathroom by the time Snape finished his final comment and the wizard paused a second waiting for the inevitable reaction. Like lightening Harry stuck his head back out of the bathroom door, his expression horrified as he stared at the elder wizard. Snape merely smiled and with a dismissive wave turned to begin down the stairs, amused somewhat that he’d shocked the boy. Snape was determined to keep a closer eye on Harry. If the boy was as depressed as he seemed the potion running through his body would only complicate the issue and having kept Harry alive this long, Snape was damned if he was going to lose the boy now.

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