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<div class="chap-title">
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11. Chapter 11
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</div>
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 11</strong></p>
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<p>Harry was strongly aware of the warm sunlight on his face coupled with the strong
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winds that flew past him as he raced around the Quidditch pitch.</p>
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<p>"Ronald Weasley managed to stop the quaffle again," came Luna Lovegood's
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commentary, "He's doing this weird move that makes him look like a starfish. It
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seemed entirely accidental to me at first but since he keeps doing it, I no longer
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think so. Either way, no one has managed to score yet."</p>
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<p>She was right. They had been in the air for about thirty minutes if Harry's
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estimates were somewhat correct and neither team had managed to score a single
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goal.</p>
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<p>The Ravenclaw team had done some restructuring and since Cho Chang had graduated,
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they replaced their seeker as well. Harry wasn't sure if she was any good yet since
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this was the first game of the school year but he knew better than to underestimate
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his opponent. Currently, she was circling the pitch the same way he was but on the
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opposite end. At one point she had made an admittedly clumsy attempt at a
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'<em>Wronsky Feint'</em> that Harry had simply ignored.</p>
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<p>"Ginny Weasley got the quaffle and she's rushing towards the goalposts. Oh – Oh
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dear, the bludgers are closing in. Careful Ginny or they'll get you."</p>
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<p>Ginny looked over her shoulder to try and spot the threat Luna had perceived and
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therefore missed the approach of the bludger right in front of her. It collided with
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her shoulder, causing her to spin uncontrollably for a few seconds until she regained
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control of herself.</p>
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<p>"I told you to watch out," Luna said airily, "Roger Davies got a hold of the
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quaffle this time. I wonder if he's still in touch with Fleur. I never did ask him
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how that ended up. Did you all know 'Roger' means 'famous spear'? It might mean he
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will become a famous chaser one day. Or perhaps a famous spearman. Are those still
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around? Ah, he couldn't get the quaffle past Ron. Those Weasleys are really good,
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aren't they?"</p>
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<p>Harry laughed. He really loved Luna's commentary. While not very useful and to the
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point, it kept his mind occupied and entertained.</p>
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<p>Harry whooshed past the stands to see if any of them were hiding the snitch but
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came up empty. He saw that McGonagall looked amused and not at all as annoyed as she
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had been with Luna when she only just begun commentating. Even Snape seemed to be
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entertained by her antics. Probably because he was not really a Quidditch fan and
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appreciated Luna's dreamy monologues.</p>
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<p>When Snape caught Harry watching him, he pointed towards the pitch as if to tell
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him to get back to it. Harry gave him one of his cheekiest grins, glanced around one
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last time and returned to his post. In doing so, he passed Ginny who gave him a
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murderous glare. Harry rolled his eyes and kept scouring the grounds, ignoring the
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song that was erupting from the Gryffindor stands.</p>
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<p class='c1'><em>Weasley is our King,</em><em><br/></em><em>Weasley is our
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King,<br/>
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He didn't let the Quaffle in<br/>
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Weasley is our King.</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>Weasley can save anything,<br/>
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He never leaves a single ring,<br/>
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That's why Gryffindors all sing:<br/>
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Weasley is our King.</em></p>
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<p>Harry smirked. How fantastic was it that the Slytherins had given the Gryffindors
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the opportunity to hail Ron in song. They had only needed to change some of the
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words.</p>
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<p>But then again, the Ravenclaw keeper was pretty good himself. Suddenly, Harry
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caught Ron waving at him with all the subtlety of an ostrich in a tea shop. When
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Harry looked at him, Ron waved vaguely at an area behind him. Harry didn't need to be
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told twice.</p>
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<p>"It almost looked as if Ron Weasley was performing some kind of mating dance,"
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Luna said happily, "Perhaps he was trying to regain Harry's interest for his sister.
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Either way, it seemed to have worked because Harry is quickly headed his way."</p>
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<p>Harry noticed that the Ravenclaw seeker was not following him. Perhaps she thought
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that Ron simply wanted a word about something. The beaters – however – seemed to be
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sharper of wit and they both launched a bludger Harry's way. He dipped dramatically
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in order to evade them, then pulled up sharply in between both beaters, laughing
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joyously as he did so.</p>
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<p>No matter what, Quidditch always made him feel alive. Even when it almost killed
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him.</p>
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<p>Finally, the Ravenclaw seeker caught on but it was far too late. Luna was yelling
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something with much excitement but the wind rushing past Harry's ears left him nearly
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deaf for everything else around him. He rushed past Ron who smirked triumphantly
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while the Gryffindor beaters knocked a bludger straight into the rival seeker's path,
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slowing her down even more.</p>
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<p>It wouldn't have mattered anyway. By now, Harry had spotted the snitch fluttering
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somewhere near the edge of the pitch and snatched it out of the air, making a U-turn
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to show off his catch as Ron nearly jumped him while they were still in mid-air.</p>
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<p>"Harry caught the snitch for all the points," Luna said dreamily, "I suppose it's
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all over now. Gryffindor wins. Thanks for coming and I hope to see you all again next
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time."</p>
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<p>Harry landed his broomstick and was swarmed by the rest of his team. Davies shook
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Ron's hand politely, the two boys smiling at each other.</p>
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<p>"Nice keeping, Weasley," Harry heard Davies say.</p>
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<p>"Your keeper was bloody brilliant as well," Ron said amicably, "This could've been
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anyone's match, really."</p>
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<p>"Not when your seeker is Harry Potter," Davies chuckled, "Good game anyway."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, good game."</p>
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<p>Harry couldn't help but notice how much Ron had matured.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Snape was on his way to his private quarters where Harry was waiting for him to
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get started with his next Occlumency lesson. He was rather unhappy with the prospect
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of hurting Harry more like this as well as viewing those horrible memories of his
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childhood that never failed to fill his own heart with anger but there was nothing to
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be done. This was what Harry wanted and Snape did not want to deprive him of the
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opportunity.</p>
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<p>That didn't mean he had to like it though. And his displeasure with the situation
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was clearly manifested on his face as he swept through the corridors, his fierce
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glare enough to force most of the people who would cross his path to move away.</p>
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<p>Yes. Most of them.</p>
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<p>"Severus, do you have a moment?"</p>
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<p>Of course, Professor Bell was not to be swayed by his malice. Couldn't she get
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lost somewhere? Preferably in the vicinity of the forbidden forest or something?</p>
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<p>"No," he replied curtly, not halting his movement. And yet, the persistent woman
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did not falter behind. In fact, she kept up with him even if that meant somewhat
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skipping or half-running to do so.</p>
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<p>"Come now, Severus," she said, huffing with the fast steps she was forced to take.
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"I just want to talk to you."</p>
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<p>"I'm not available right now," Snape said, glaring darkly at the spritely woman,
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annoyed when she simply smiled sweetly at him.</p>
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<p>"I just want to talk to you about Harry."</p>
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<p>That stopped Snape dead in his tracks. It took Bell a few moments to realize his
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arrest and almost tripped over her own feet as she turned around to face him again,
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her hair swaying as she moved.</p>
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<p>"What about him?" Snape growled, narrowing his eyes at her. "Is something
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wrong?"</p>
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<p>Bell seemed to think that question over for a moment. Not at all sure of how to
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respond to that. "Well –" she said hesitantly, "I was wondering if you could
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enlighten me about the relationship between the two of you."</p>
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<p>"I beg your pardon?" Snape asked, quirking his eyebrow. "Whatever do you
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mean?"</p>
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<p>"It just seems a bit odd," Bell continued as she brushed a stray strand of her
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hair behind her ear, her gaze seeking Snape's. "And I'm probably wrong about this but
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I'd rather be wrong and embarrassed at the end of this than be right and not have
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done a thing about it."</p>
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<p>Snape's earlier foul mood was lifting slightly as he felt amusement at what Bell
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was saying. She couldn't actually be implying…</p>
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<p>"And what – pray tell – is this situation you speak of?"</p>
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<p>Bell seemed to steel her resolve as her fierce gaze bore into Snape's eyes. She
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tilted her chin ever so slightly and Snape couldn't help but cross his arms and lean
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against the wall he was standing near as he watched her gather herself. <em>Oh, this
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would be good</em>.</p>
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<p>"Is it normal for an Apprentice to seek refuge in his Master's private chambers as
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often as Harry does?" Bell asked.</p>
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<p>Snape exhaled sharply as he tried not to laugh. He couldn't believe she had
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actually gone there. "No," he said easily, "Not at all."</p>
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<p>Bell frowned, staring at Snape as if he were some anomaly she couldn't quite
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figure out. "Then, what are you doing with him?"</p>
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<p>Snape pushed himself away from the wall and continued walking. "Follow me," Snape
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said briskly, "And I will show you just what it is we do together."</p>
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<p>It didn't take long for Snape to hear the tell-tale sound of another pair of shoes
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hastily trying to keep up with him. Ever so slightly, he slowed down. Not enough for
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her to notice what he was doing, but enough to be sure he wouldn't lose her along the
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way.</p>
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<p>"Are you saying he's there now?" Bell asked.</p>
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<p>"Of course," Snape supplied, "Where else would he be?"</p>
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<p>"In Gryffindor tower," Bell snapped, "In the library? Anywhere else."</p>
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<p>"Oh, but he so much rather spends his time with me," Snape said maliciously.</p>
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<p>"He always looks so tired when he returns from you," Bell accused, "Just what are
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you doing to him?"</p>
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<p>"Nothing he hasn't asked for," Snape replied. Oh, how he was enjoying this back
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and forth. It was fun to tease this woman who was obviously quick to mislead. Had
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truly no one told her about the relationship between Harry and him?</p>
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<p>"Here we are, Maya," Snape said, smirking as he opened the door to his quarters
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where Harry was already sat on the floor as he read through one of his books. There
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was obvious surprise in his eyes when he looked up.</p>
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<p>"Professor Bell," he greeted half-heartedly, quickly getting up from the floor and
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brushing himself off. Harry glanced at Snape, clearly seeing the amused twinkle in
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the man's eyes, not quite understanding what was happening.</p>
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<p>"Why has all your furniture been moved aside?" Bell asked as she stepped
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inside.</p>
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<p>"We need a lot of room," Snape replied, "for when we –" he walked over to Harry
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and casually draped an arm around his shoulders. "-Practice."</p>
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<p>Harry groaned when he finally realized what Snape was up to. Unfortunately, Bell
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seemed to take that noise of annoyance as something entirely different.</p>
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<p>"Are you ready for today, Harry?" Snape asked more caringly than he had ever done,
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"Or haven't you quite recovered yet?"</p>
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<p>Harry decided to play along. "I'm still a bit sore," Harry said pitifully, "but
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I'll do as you say, sir."</p>
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<p>"Harry!" Bell exclaimed, "What's going on here?"</p>
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<p>Snape snorted and at that moment, Harry couldn't keep it together anymore. He
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burst out laughing as he teasingly pushed Snape's arm away. Snape chuckled and
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ruffled Harry's hair roughly enough for Harry to bend his head slightly.</p>
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<p>For a moment, Bell was shell shocked but then she departed, slamming the door shut
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as she went.</p>
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<p>"Oh uh," Harry said, "You might've gone too far."</p>
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<p>Snape shrugged. "Let her be," he said, "She's the one who wanted to meddle in
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things that weren't her business."</p>
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<p>"You can be really heartless sometimes, you know that?" Harry said, "I'll be right
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back."</p>
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<p>Not listening to Snape's objections, Harry left the room and went after Bell. If
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anything, she was still his history teacher and he did not want to end up in her bad
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books.</p>
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<p>Lucky for him, Bell never got very far, already confused at the first tangent.</p>
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<p>"Professor!" Harry called out. Bell saw him approach and sighed.</p>
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<p>"Mr Potter," she greeted, "What more have you to say to me?"</p>
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<p>"Professor, I'm sorry," Harry said, "I didn't mean to embarrass you."</p>
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<p>Bell looked a little bit frustrated. "I just don't understand," she said, "What's
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going on between the two of you?"</p>
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<p>Harry smiled warmly at her. "I suppose no one told you yet," he said, "But Severus
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– well – he got me out of a really bad spot."</p>
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<p>Bell's expression softened as she listened to Harry. "What do you mean?"</p>
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<p>Harry scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as he sought for the right
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words. "You see," he said, "The family I was living with, they… they were bad for
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me."</p>
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<p>Bell frowned. "Bad? Harry, did they –"</p>
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<p>But Harry shook his head furiously. "It doesn't really matter, Professor," he
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said, "But I was in a bad way and Severus got me out of there. He offered me a home
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–" Harry couldn't help his voice from trembling as he went on, "- He offered me a
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family, even if it was small. He still allowed me to call it my own." Harry wiped at
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his face with his sleeve, something he knew Snape would reprimand him for. "And last
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Christmas –" Harry swallowed thickly and met Bell's compassionate gaze. "- He adopted
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me."</p>
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<p>The smile that crept on his face was unstoppable and seemed to warm Bell's
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heart.</p>
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<p>"Harry," she said, "I didn't know."</p>
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<p>"He used to be much harsher, you know," Harry chuckled, "He was the fearsome
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dungeon bat of Hogwarts, though I suppose he still goes by that name."</p>
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<p>Harry shook his head at the image of him and Snape fighting in the classroom,
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before… well, before everything. "I think <em>he's</em> happier as well," Harry said,
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"Maybe still not as happy as I would like him, but better."</p>
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<p>Bell smiled at him warmly, and without warning, she drew him into a tight hug.</p>
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<p>"Oh, you silly child," she said, "You're so sweet I could squeeze you to death
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right now!"</p>
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<p>Thankfully, she didn't. She let go and quickly wiped at her eyes. Harry graciously
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pretended he didn't notice. "But why did you feel the need to trick me like that? My
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heart nearly stopped!"</p>
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<p>"I think Severus just wanted to mess with you a bit," Harry said, "He has a weird
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sense of humour."</p>
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<p>Bell rolled her eyes. "I'll say. You can tell him that I'll get even with him for
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that!"</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled. "I will. And if you need help with that, I'm your man!"</p>
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<p>"Interesting," Bell said as she thoughtfully ran a finger across her lips. "I'll
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keep that in mind. Now, where do I go from here?"</p>
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<p>"Just go left, Professor," Harry chuckled, "And then you go straight ahead. Call a
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house-elf if you get lost."</p>
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<p>"Will do," Bell said cheerfully and she disappeared behind the bend.</p>
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<p>Glad to have that over with, Harry returned to Snape.</p>
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<p>"You're bloody mental, you know that?" Harry said after he closed the door.</p>
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<p>"Language," Snape droned.</p>
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<p>"Says the man who implied a sexual relationship between the two of us to a
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completely innocent Professor."</p>
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<p>Snape laughed. "And where did you gather she is innocent of anything?"</p>
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<p>"She just looks like it," Harry shrugged.</p>
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<p>"Of course," Snape, "A solid foundation to build your trust on, the way someone
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looks. Tell me, were you more enamoured by her long locks or by her amber eyes? No,
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perhaps it had more to do with the chest area."</p>
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<p>Harry grinned maliciously "Ah, so you <em>are</em> aware of the finer things in
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life," he said, "And here I thought you were blind to any such observations."</p>
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<p>"You are quite wrong," Snape said, undeterred, "I would have made a lousy spy had
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I not been able to grasp the finer details of my colleagues and their interests in
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others, male or female."</p>
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<p>Harry stood there grinning for a while before playfully hitting Snape on the
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shoulder.</p>
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<p>Snape took it without flinching. "What do you think you're doing?"</p>
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<p>"Just thinking," Harry shrugged, "About the possibilities."</p>
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<p>"Mind your cheek, brat," Snape said, "Or I'll give you the undiluted version
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already."</p>
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<p>"No you won't," Harry said easily, plopping himself back down.</p>
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<p>"And what makes you so sure of that?" Snape said as he grabbed the diluted Drink
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of Despair off the shelf.</p>
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<p>"Because you're my family," Harry said matter-of-factly, "And I know you because
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of it."</p>
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<p>The somewhat delighted expression on Snape's face made Harry look away as he felt
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himself flush.</p>
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<p>Snape cleared his throat. "Well, shall we begin?"</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>It was a dreary Tuesday when Harry found himself seated next to Hermione and Ron
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in the morning, picking at his scrambled eggs. Ginny sat a few spots further away.
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She didn't seem angry anymore but she seemed distant. That was fine with Harry. Ron
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didn't even seem to fault Harry for anything for which Harry was grateful. The
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redhead had indeed matured.</p>
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<p>When Harry looked up at the ceiling, he became aware of the pouring rain that was
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going on outside. Dark clouds blotted out the sky so much, it almost seemed like the
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middle of the night. Every now and then, lightning struck in the distance, followed
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by the ominous roar of thunder.</p>
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<p>"Blimey," Ron said, "It's a good thing we don't have Quidditch practice today. We
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would probably be thrown off our brooms if we tried to fly."</p>
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<p>"Trelawney seems to agree with you," Harry said, nodding towards the high table
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where Trelawney was standing next to Flitwick, dramatically motioning towards the
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skies and jumping with every approaching rumble.</p>
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<p>"Maybe she's just scared," Hermione said.</p>
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<p>"Or mental," Ron mumbled, shoving another spoonful of porridge in his mouth.</p>
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<p>Harry was in the midst of peeling a banana when the doors to the great hall flew
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open dramatically. The hall was illuminated by another strike of thunder, revealing
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the form of two shadowy creatures in the doorway. Some students yelped in surprise.
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Others drew their wands. But none were prepared for the people who strutted into the
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great hall as they dripped all over the floor.</p>
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<p>"Everyone, listen up!"</p>
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<p>"And gather round,"</p>
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<p>"For I, Fred,"</p>
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<p>"And me, George,"</p>
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<p>"Have returned from our glorious mission!"</p>
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<p>"It's Fred and George," Ron exclaimed unnecessarily, "What are they doing
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here?"</p>
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<p>The Weasley twins looked beyond awful. Not only were they dripping wet, they were
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also dirty beyond belief. They were smeared with mud, stinking clay and even blood.
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Some barely healed scratches were visible on the both of them and Fred seemed to be
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favouring his right leg. They looked thinner than they were before and honestly, they
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looked like they've been to hell and back. And yet, underneath the muck, grime and
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obvious fatigue, they were both grinning ecstatically.</p>
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<p>The twins bowed exaggeratedly and made their way to the high table, parading
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proudly as if they were peacocks, ready to impress their potential mate.</p>
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<p>"Hello, ickle Ronniekins," Fred said, ruffling Ron's hair as he passed.</p>
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<p>"Good to see you, sis," George grinned, patting Ginny's hair.</p>
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<p>"I can't believe it," Harry smirked when he noticed George carrying a book of
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sorts. He looked at Snape and saw that the Potions Master's face was a mask of
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indifference. He seemed cool and collected and not at all surprised to see the
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Weasley twins. But Harry recognized that glint in his eyes. Snape was very pleased
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indeed.</p>
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<p>Dumbledore's eyes twinkled but he made no move to greet the Weasleys. It was
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almost as if he already knew that they weren't there for him.</p>
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<p>"Here you are, Professor," George said as he dropped the book onto the high table
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with quite the exaggerated bang.</p>
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<p>"Told you we could do it," Fred said proudly.</p>
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<p>Snape raised his wand and used it to scan the book that was practically dropped in
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his lap. When nothing happened, he opened the book and scanned its contents.</p>
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<p>"Did you copy all of it?" he asked evenly, staring into Fred's eyes as he
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answered.</p>
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<p>"Every single thing," Fred sighed, obviously exhausted.</p>
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<p>"Well –" Snape said as his lips curled into a smile, "- you obviously lack
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subtlety but I commend you on a job well done. Your mother has received the formula
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some weeks ago. You may retrieve it from her."</p>
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<p>"What?" George exclaimed, "You already sent it?"</p>
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<p>"But what if we had failed?" Fred asked in disbelief, "You thought we couldn't do
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it! You said so yourself."</p>
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<p>"Did I?" Snape asked, "Well, you've certainly proved me wrong, gentlemen." He
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smirked as he perused some more of the pages. After a while, he noticed that the
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twins were still standing there, looking quite dumbfounded.</p>
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<p>"Well?" Snape asked, "What more do you expect? A kiss on your cheek and a hug
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goodbye?"</p>
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<p>"Severus!" Dumbledore admonished, "Fred and George have obviously been through
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much."</p>
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<p>The headmaster faced the twins with a cheerful smile and opened his arms wide in
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greeting.</p>
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<p>"Please," he said, "Take a seat and eat with us. You are most welcome."</p>
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<p>"Thanks, Professor," George said, taking a roll from the bowl that stood in front
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of Snape.</p>
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<p>"We'll take you up on that offer," Fred agreed, winking at the headmaster.</p>
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<p>They walked back over to Ron, Fred pulling him close in a one-armed embrace,
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rubbing his knuckles over his baby brother's head. "Missed us?"</p>
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<p>"Not one bit," Ron grumbled, "Get off, you smell awful!"</p>
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<p>"Scourgify," Hermione muttered as she cleaned the twins as best she could,
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sniffing in disgust at the puddles they left behind.</p>
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<p>"Where have you been?" Ron asked, "And what was that recipe Snape was talking
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about?"</p>
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<p>"Ah, little brother," George said, "Prepare for a fascinating tale of trials and
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mischief. Filled with wonder and amazement."</p>
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<p>"Monsters and ancient magic," Fred added, "As well as love gained and lost."</p>
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<p>It almost appeared as if the entire student body was leaning in to listen to the
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tales spun by the twins, while Snape was happily perusing his texts, vaguely aware of
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Bell looking over his shoulder with much interest.</p>
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