Situational Ethics

Situational Ethics

By Mizzfreestyle

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HP related. It all belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Inc., Warner Bros., and any other entities involved.


Chapter Six:

“Snake in Lion’s Skin”

Snape was away that Saturday morning, nonchalantly purchasing much needed potion ingredients for a special potion he was preparing for the Order. It was a most opportune time as ever for Harry to show his Slytherin sides. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Harry?” Hermione had to ask Harry for the fourth time in the last five minutes.

“No, you two go on. I have some stuff I need to catch up on.”

A chilly wind swathed around Ron, and the boy shook like mad. “You sure?” asked Ron, “We don’t know when the next Hogsmeade trip will be.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Hermione and Ron hesitantly walked backwards as they carefully inspected Harry’s face, hoping to see some change in their dear friend’s eyes. “Ok. Don’t get into trouble,” said Hermione as the two of them turned and walked away.

Harry waved as they disappeared in the group of Hogwarts students, then he too left the scene, but into the castle. This was the perfect opportunity to get to know that Snape woman. Who was she really? Did she feel for Snape nearly as much as Harry did? Impossible. Did she even know who he was? Better yet, did she even know who she was messing with?

Down in the dungeons, because that’s where Harry anticipated that Mrs. Snape would be, he furtively opened the door to Snape’s classroom and not surprisingly he spotted Mrs. Snape brewing a potion. For a few seconds, she just sat there stirring the cauldron, then she walked away to fetch a specific ruby bottle. Harry opened the door just a bit more and just in time to see Mrs. Snape rubbing her stomach while she sipped some tea. There wasn’t a bump or anything. What was she feeling for? Maybe she had an itch. She couldn’t possibly be able to feel her baby yet.

Harry opened the door a bit more, and blast! The door creaked. Mrs. Snape looked up and smiled, “Good morning, Mr. Potter,” she said in a surprisingly sweet tone.

Harry feigned a smile. The boy has already been exposed to people who feigned sweetness, while they are really evil doers beneath their façade. Professor Umbridge was a perfect example. “Good morning.”

“Professor Snape said that you would drop in for a visit.”

Harry was definitely flabbergasted. “He said that?” Hmm… Snape knew Harry far too well.

“Well, he said that there was a chance,” her voice wasn’t very high or loud. It was gentle and… just too sweet. What was Snape doing with her? He probably scared the docile witch into marrying him. “Would you like some tea?”

“Um, yes please.”

Mrs. Snape hurried over to pour Harry a cup of tea, “There is some sugar and cream here.”

Harry helped himself then took a seat. There was absolute silence lingering until Mrs. Snape said, “I feel uncomfortable when people are silent in my presence. I always feel as if they are plotting against me.”

“Sorry,” said Harry. She was a witch with an intuit sense of danger, only she didn’t know it… yet, “What would you like to talk about?”

“I’m not as loquacious as you may be, but I’m up for anything.”

“Ok,” Harry would have to start off small… then work his way up. Yes. He’ll have to start his interrogation later. “Well, where did you attend school?”

“I was home schooled. I was teased a lot when I was younger, and so my parents decided to keep me at home.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not very sociable, but let me assure you, I’m easy to get along with.”

“Do you like Quidditch?”

“Yes. I try to go to as many matches as possible.”

“Did you ever play Quidditch?” Harry asked as he set his tea down.

“No. I’m scared of heights and flying fast.”

Harry chuckled, “That’s most unfortunate.”

Mrs. Snape took a seat, “I suppose so.”

For the next two hours or so, Harry had quite a lovely conversation with Mrs. Snape. He discovered that she was a lady of a few talents, but Mrs. Snape insisted that potions were her expertise. She didn’t seem like such a bad person, which was going to make revenge a little harder for Harry. When lunch time came around, Harry knew that Hermione and Ron were going to be back, so he decided to say his goodbyes, “Come back and chat with me anytime. You’re a very interesting fellow, Mr. Potter.”

“As are you, Professor,” Harry smiled and was off. He had to remember though that manners and patience will win him favour with the witch.

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

“Bloody hell,” Harry chucked a rock as a near by tree as he balanced Hedwig on his shoulder. “Snape didn’t mention that she was a goody two-shoes.” Hedwig blinked a few times, then flapped its wings violently. Harry flinched, “What’s the matter, girl?”

Hedwig flew up and landed on a tree branch. She then stretched out her neck and blinked. Harry turned around and nearly tripped over his feet. “A goody two-shoes? Did you expect a miss out-to-ruin-your-life?” Snape asked while he stood a good distance away from Harry with crossed arms. He then smirked and chuckled a bit. “I was barely gone for a few hours and already you’ve interrogated my wife?”

“Fuck you, Snape.”

“Touchy.”

“I was just having a friendly conversation with her. There’s nothing mischievous going on.”

Snape crossed his arms and then said, “There are plenty of other professors in the school. Why don’t you talk to someone else for a change?”

“Why wouldn’t I want to talk to Mrs. Snape?”

“What is it about her that fascinates you so?”

“She’s a sweet lady. She won’t tell smart ass comments or put you down like some other teachers. And she won’t push you away.”

Snape took out his wand, and held it out towards Harry. “You have something up your sleeve. It’s not like you to go and be friendly with… female teachers.”

“What? Jealous?”

“You would flatter yourself.”

“Give me a break, Snape.”

“I suppose that if you wish to make frequent visits to see my wife, I can’t stop you. But if you try anything funny, I won’t hesitate to come after you.”

“Are you threatening me?” he took a step closer; purposely allowing the tip of Snape’s wand to press into his chest.

“Yes, Mr. Potter. I am.”

“It’s funny, you know,” Harry began in a softer voice, “Just a few months ago I was the only person you wanted to protect.”

“Things change, Mr. Potter. You are still in my care as my student, but further than that and I couldn’t careless about what happens to you.”

Harry was flaming inside. He pressed his own wand to his throat and then spat phlegm onto Snape’s shinny shoe. Snape grimaced and looked away.

Harry backed away and then walked off feeling rather shitty after everything that had happened. He then began to wonder if everything he was planning was really worth the man he was fighting for.

SEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPE

“How are you doing today, Mrs. Snape?”

“Already back for another visit? My, Mr. Potter, you are quite a friendly man,” Mrs. Snape took a seat and offered Harry a scone. “This is what? Your seventh visit since school started?”

“Yes,” Harry said with a smile, “I like these little chats.”

“Well, keep this up and there won’t be much more to converse about,” Mrs. Snape giggled and then charmed the tea pot so it would float to their table. “How are you doing in class? Did my tips help you in your charms class?”

“Yes! Very much, thank you.”

“Yes, they helped me too when I was being privately tutored.”

Mrs. Snape adjusted herself on her seat and then rubbed her stomach again. “Are there any visible signs yet?” asked Harry.

“Not just yet. I’m almost three months pregnant. If anything has changed, it’s my eating habits. I’m eating for two now, but it doesn’t matter how much I eat, because in the end, most of it goes to the baby anyways.”

“It is going to be a girl or a boy?”

“I don’t know actually,” Mrs. Snape shrugged. “I hope it’ll be a girl so we can play tea party together, but Snape wants a boy in order to carry out his name.”

“Well, say it’s a girl, will you have another child?”

“Yes! Oh yes, most definitely!”

Harry was taken aback. “You like children?”

“Like? I love the little darlings! They are so cute. It’s once they hit their teenage years that I don’t want them anymore.”

Harry had this scared look plastered upon his face.

“Don’t worry, dear. I think you’re a splendid young lad. I hope I’ll have a son or two just like you.”

“How many kids do you want?” Harry was curious.

“I would like to have two of each, but Severus insists on keeping it down to just two.”

“Oh. That’s good I guess.”

“Hmm… It would be really nice to have twins though. Can you imagine two girls in one try?” Mrs. Snape giggled. “I don’t know why I mentioned that. I guess it’s because I feel rather comfortable around you.”

“That’s great news. I like being around you too, Mrs. Snape. You’re almost like a mother figure to me.”

“Thank you, Harry.”

Just then, Severus Snape walked in and stared at the couple having some tea. “Aren’t you two friendly.” He commented distastefully.

“Good day, darling,” said Mrs. Snape, “Won’t you join us for a spot of tea?”

“’Fraid I am running on a tight schedule, so you’ll have to enjoy your tea without my presence.”

Mrs. Snape shook her head. “I’ll save a scone for you.”

Snape nodded, fetched a grayish colored tube from his desk then left.

“Oh, it’s that potion he has been working on for Nymphs.”

“What for?”

“Some Muggle illness has infected a few of the Nymphs and he’s trying to create an antidote.”

“Do you think that potion will work?”

“Most certainly. I specialized in potions for Nymphs and fairies so I have faith in that potion.”

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

It was towards the end of October and already there were slight signs of pregnancy. Harry was once again visiting Mrs. Snape and while she was sitting down correcting homework, Harry went ahead and decided to decorate Snape’s Potion room. “I think the skeleton needs to be a bit higher,” Mrs. Snape commented.

“Sure thing,” Harry raised his broom a bit and tugged on the rope a little more. “How about now?”

“Splendid, Harry, you’ve done a fantastic job!”

Harry lowered himself on the broom and then said, “Do you think Snape will mind?”

“Yes. He will. He may even get furious and tear down everything.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “And you don’t care?”

“I’m his wife. We share this classroom. If I want decorations, there will be decorations.”

Harry laughed and so did Mrs. Snape. “You’re pretty cool, Mrs. Snape.”

“You think so?” Mrs. Snape blushed, “No one has ever said that to me.”

“You’re like one of my friends, Mrs. Snape.”

Mrs. Snape giggled and blushed even more, “Stop. You’re teasing me.”

“I’m serious!”

“Hmm, you know what? You can call me Caitlin, but only when there are no other teachers around, except for Severus. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“Caitlin? That’s your first name?”

“Yes. It was Caitlin McCoy, but now… Caitlin Snape.”

“I see…,” Harry’s eye settle on Mrs. Snape stomach. There was just a small, yet apparent bump. “When is the baby due?”

“Just in time for spring,” Mrs. Snape smiled.

Harry tried to hide the anger that was steadily building up inside of him. She was going to have a child with the man that Harry loved. “Caitlin, do you mind me asking you a question?”

“Not at all, Harry.”

“What do you do during the holidays?”

“Well, I visit my family back in Ireland. I was planning to have them visit me though this Christmas because of my situation I prefer not to have to fly around.”

“That’s nice.”

“What will you be doing, Harry, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’ll be here. Bored out of my mind while everyone I know will be away.”

“Aww. That is very sad, Harry. Don’t you have any family to visit?”

“No. No one other than my Aunt and Uncle, but they don’t want anything to do with me.”

“Hmm…,” Mrs. Snape had a lovely idea. “Let me talk to Severus and we’ll see if you can come along with us for the winter break.”

There was a bit of flare in Harry’s eyes. No one would’ve guessed by his appearance that that was exactly what he was aiming for. “That would be fantastic!”

“Wouldn’t it be? Then I can introduce ‘The boy who lived’ to the entire family!”

Harry nodded. “Well, I’d better go now. I have to get some homework done and Hermione is supposed to tutor me in this other class.”

“Well, then you’d best be on your way. Come back again soon. I want you to help me make some batty cookies.”

“See you later, Caitlin.”

“Bye, Harry dear.”

SEVERUSSSNAPESEVERSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPE

“Back at last?” Ron asked as Harry walked entered the Gryffindor common room.

“Ron, did you get the assignment for history?”

“What do you do when you are with that Snape woman?” Ron asked.

“Bugger off. I’m just getting to know her.”

“Why? She’s the greasy git’s wife!”

“I don’t know. I guess she’s just fun to talk to.”

“And we’re not?” Ron asked.

“Let him alone,” Hermione said as he walked into the room and set upon the table two large books covered in dust. “Have you started your project for history, Harry?”

“We have a project? Since when?”

“Since yesterday. Weren’t you paying any attention?” Hermione asked.

“For the most part.”

“Harry, it’s on World War Two and it’s due before the break. I tried to collect as many books on the subject as I could, but most of our books barely touch on anything.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“You better get to it fast. It’s a huge term project. The rough draft is due in a few weeks. The final thing isn’t due until the end of the semester.”

Harry nodded, but everything Hermione was telling him was going in one ear and coming out the other. He had other things he had prioritized, like sabotaging that Snape lady… or better yet, finding a way to get Snape to come back to him. The lady was nice… perhaps too nice, but Harry needed his Snape. What was a man to do?

A/N: sorry for all the dialogue. There is a point to all of it if you’ve read any of it. Thanks for reading, now are there any questions, comments, or concerns? If not, just review the chapter for me. What do you think so far?
And yes, I’ll describe what Caitlin looks like eventually.

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