A Pale Shadow

Harry grumbled to himself as he walked to the door, He was tired of fighting the same battle day in and out with Severus and he was sure that Sev would pick up on that fact. He had told the man everyday now that no matter what happened he would stay with him but the man was bent on trying to shove him away. Good thing he was so stubborn or Sev might have found himself alone again. Opening the door to the hallway, Harry paused stunned to see Neville there, \"Hello mate how are you doing?\"

\"Great actually,\" Neville replied as he smiled back at Harry, he looked a lot better since the last time Harry had seen him. Some of the weight that his dorm mate had lost was finally being put back on and he didn’t nearly look as apprehensive as he once did. He seemed to be fidgeting though, “I was wondering if maybe I could get you to come to down to the green house later and help me.”

Harry nodded as he moved out of Neville’s way, \"Of course or at least I will try but let\'s face it Herbology is your field and not mine.”

Neville chuckled softly to himself as he walked slowly into the room as if afraid of it, “Yes well you aren’t that bad either as you never once killed a plant to my knowledge.”

Harry laughed this time as he shut the door and followed after Neville, “That’s because we were dorm mates remember. You kept all of us from killing our plants by telling us what we were doing wrong.”

Neville sat nervously down on the couch before looking back up to his friend, “Yes well with potions we had to make sure not to lose points in other classes didn’t we?”

Harry gave a sad smile, he knew that Neville suffered worse under the tutelage of Professor Snape than even he did, “Yes well I am sure that you were glad not to have to take anymore of his classes as much as he was.”

“Yes I am sure that he was glad that I was out of his class, though I could make a decent potion if he wasn’t around but I never really did like making them.” Neville folded his hands over his lap as looked around his dread Professor’s living room.

Harry chuckled as he sat down on a chair across from him, “Yes well Severus did say that the field of potions would benefit from you, just not in making them but growing the necessary ingredients needed to make one.”

Neville’s eyes seemed to widen in shock, “He really said that about me Harry?”

“Yes,” Harry looked slightly amused, “A true potion experts knows to respect the skill of gifted herbologist Neville and let’s face it you do have a talent with plants.”

Neville blushed some, “Yes well they aren’t that easy to care for once you know how to do it Harry.”

“I am sure.” Harry said before suddenly hitting his head with his hand, “I am being rude, would you like some tea Neville?”

Neville shook his head, “No really all I wanted to do was set a time that would be convenient for you to help me out. I really must get back to the green houses to help out Sprout, we are trying to repair as well as save those plants that we can.”

Harry looked thoughtfully at his friend, his green eyes taking in the soft face with a shy smile even now present in the shadows of Azakaban, “I should be able to help you around three in the afternoon Neville. Remus is supposed to come by and sit with Severus so I can get some work done.”

“Oh well we can do this tomorrow I would hate to cut into any other work that you have to do.” He said quickly but stopped as Harry waved his hand.

“Stop, really Remus does this every day, so it’s not like I have a set chore that I must get done.” Harry explained, “He says that you have to have sometime for yourself to keep yourself sane.”

Neville looked impressed, “Really sounds like he might be talking from experience Harry but I didn’t know that anyone he knew ever went through this.”

“Sirius,” Harry said softly, still a touch of sadness was wrapped around the name, “They were best mates in school and more afterwards. He was the one that helped Sirius when he escaped from Hogwarts and now he is helping Draco and me with our two victims of that place.”

Neville stood up and gave his friend a sympathetic smile, “I didn’t realize that Professor Lupin and your godfather were so close but at least he knows how to help. I always liked Lupin; he was kind man for all that he suffers.”

Harry nodded as he stood up as well to show Neville out of the room, “Yes, he is a saint amongst us sinners.”

Neville looked puzzled at his friend and Harry opened the door, “Um alright if you say so Harry.”

“It’s a saying,” Harry said in a tired sort of voice before he looked into his old friend’s eyes, “I think he does so well with hardship because he was bite at such a young age, it made him grow up faster. He had to learn to fight impulses that only another werewolf could ever understand.”

Neville nodded his head in understanding before he steps through the door, “You know your ever bit of what was it you said saint, Harry. You did things that would have had me pissing myself but you kept on going, even taking time to teach others how to protect themselves. He..um… Snape is lucky that you are there to help him.”

Harry opened his mouth to say something only to be interrupted by a terrified scream coming from the bedroom. Giving Neville a sorry smile before rushing out his words and shutting the door on him, “See you around three then Neville.”

A slow smile spread over Neville’s face, “Yes I will see you at three Harry, I most certainly will see you and help you.”

AN: Sorry if this chapter is a bit short but I am rather proud that I managed to get two done, as always hope that you like it and thank you for reading it.