|
|
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no" ?>
|
|
|
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">
|
|
|
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:epub="http://www.idpf.org/2007/ops"
|
|
|
xml:lang="en" lang="en">
|
|
|
<head>
|
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../Styles/style.css"/>
|
|
|
<meta content="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml; charset=utf-8" http-equiv=
|
|
|
"Content-Type"/>
|
|
|
<title>Chapter 2</title>
|
|
|
<style type="text/css">
|
|
|
/*<![CDATA[*/
|
|
|
p.c1 {
|
|
|
text-align: center;
|
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
|
|
/*]]>*/
|
|
|
</style>
|
|
|
</head>
|
|
|
<body>
|
|
|
<div class="chap-title">
|
|
|
2. Chapter 2
|
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
<div class="chap-text">
|
|
|
<p><em>Thank you all for all the adds and the reviews. You know how to make a girl
|
|
|
loved.<br/>
|
|
|
With special thanks to</em> <em><strong>Pagemaster4TW</strong></em> <em>for making up
|
|
|
one of the Limericks (It's the more provocative one) and for brainstorming with me
|
|
|
for hours! Hours, I tell you! He gave me a bunch of ideas and I'm sure to incorporate
|
|
|
many of them.</em></p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 2</strong></p>
|
|
|
<p>At first, Snape didn't quite know how to respond. Harry was eyeing him
|
|
|
thoughtfully and for a moment, Snape considered if Harry was making a joke. The sense
|
|
|
of apprehension he got from the boy implied otherwise though. Snape opened his mouth
|
|
|
to speak, closed it for a second as if reconsidering, then opened his mouth
|
|
|
again.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Are you sure that you know what that entails?" he asked carefully.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I know what it means," Harry huffed, "It means that you teach potions, don't you?
|
|
|
At Hogwarts or another school for that matter."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It does," Snape said, stroking his chin slightly, "Among other things, of course.
|
|
|
A potions Master might also use their skill in other fields of the magical world such
|
|
|
as healing and scientific research. But am I to understand that teaching is something
|
|
|
you wish to pursue?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's not like I haven't taught anyone before," Harry argued, "I've taught the
|
|
|
D.A. and if I do say so myself, all of my '<em>students'</em> did very well. Why do
|
|
|
you think you have such an abundance in your NEWT class this year?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I didn't ask if this was something you would be able to do," Snape countered, "I
|
|
|
am well aware of your success in teaching before. But is it something you
|
|
|
enjoyed?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry actually smiled at that question. "It was," he admitted, "Very much so,
|
|
|
even. It was amazing to see everyone improve as they did. And to think that I had a
|
|
|
hand in it."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"As a hired Professor, one would need to attempt to teach every child that sets
|
|
|
foot into Hogwarts," Snape said, "Not only the ones who actually desire to learn your
|
|
|
craft as was the case with the D.A. Is that something you can do?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry frowned for a moment as he thought that over but he was quick to recover.
|
|
|
"It is," he said, "I would much prefer that over being an Auror."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape's lips quirked upwards ever so slightly but he tried covering that up by
|
|
|
sipping his tea.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Very well," he said evenly, "But why potions? You've already established that you
|
|
|
do quite well when teaching defence. You could always go in that direction."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry groaned. "I told you I've had enough of that particular field. Besides,
|
|
|
there's something… calming about brewing potions."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You're not saying this to try and please me, are you?" Snape asked suddenly,
|
|
|
"Because you can be whatever you want. Quite literally, I imagine. Who would dare to
|
|
|
turn down Harry Potter?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh, stop it," Harry snarled, throwing a biscuit in Snape's general direction, "As
|
|
|
if I would accept any handouts. No, I like potions and I like teaching. I've thought
|
|
|
about this for a while now and I think that this would be a good choice for me."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You realize that you will need to catch up on your studies for that to work,"
|
|
|
Snape said importantly, "You're about to step into your last year and you haven't
|
|
|
even begun on the development of your Magnum opus yet."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What?" Harry asked, suddenly very worried, "Is a thing like that even expected
|
|
|
from students? Isn't there some sort of higher education for that?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Don't worry, Harry," Snape said soothingly, "It's not as if anyone is expecting
|
|
|
you to cure Lycanthropy or something like that."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry snorted. "I should hope not. If the great Severus Snape isn't able to do
|
|
|
that, how am I supposed to?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"In any case," Snape interrupted, "You are expected to create something new of
|
|
|
your own. And not the – I apologize for saying this – rather clumsy attempt at an
|
|
|
original potion you created two years ago. You will need to perfect it through trial
|
|
|
and error and not stop when you think it's good enough. Good enough is not perfect
|
|
|
and that's what you need."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"While that sounds exciting and all," Harry said, "I don't understand why that's
|
|
|
necessary for a teaching job. Did Trelawney have to do something like that for
|
|
|
divination?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I hardly think anyone ever blows up their teacup just by interpreting it
|
|
|
incorrectly," Snape said, "In many of the courses you take at Hogwarts, it is quite
|
|
|
enough to have a basic understanding of the subject. As a Potions Master, however,
|
|
|
you need to be capable to counteract – in an instance's notice – whatever your
|
|
|
students are able to mess up. You have no idea what kind of volatile concoctions can
|
|
|
be created by students haphazardly throwing things in their cauldron. Seemingly at
|
|
|
random!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>The frustration was evident in Snape's voice and Harry smiled in his hand. At one
|
|
|
time, he had been one of those students.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You need to be able to diffuse any situation and correct or heal any wrongdoings.
|
|
|
Evading permanent damage to any student is advisable, even if their own lack of
|
|
|
resolve and focus are the direct cause of their failure."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It could always be Slytherins throwing things in other people's cauldrons," Harry
|
|
|
offered.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What a silly notion," Snape replied coldly, "That is a very unlikely event. But
|
|
|
even so, that is one more thing you would need to be prepared for. Do you understand
|
|
|
why it is so important to learn everything there is to know about potions? And
|
|
|
knowledge is not enough either. You require a true understanding of the art and that
|
|
|
requires focus and hard work."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry sighed wearily as he envisioned the amount of work that was already laid out
|
|
|
for him. But even when aware of the arduous task in front of him, his resolve did not
|
|
|
falter.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I understand," he said, "And I am ready for it. I want to do this."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"If you are certain," Snape said agreeably, a true smile now on his face.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I am," Harry said proudly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You will need a master to guide you over the years to come," Snape continued, "I
|
|
|
presume that it would be satisfactory for myself to take on that role?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry rolled his eyes at the unnecessary question. "Of course."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You will also need to stay at Hogwarts for another year after this one," Snape
|
|
|
said absentmindedly as he started scribbling away on a piece of parchment, "A
|
|
|
specialisation year so to speak."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Is that what you did?" Harry asked curiously.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape stopped writing for a moment and regarded Harry carefully. "It was not," he
|
|
|
admitted, "But as you are well aware, I was struggling with more than simply my
|
|
|
education at that point in my life."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry flushed slightly. "Right," he said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"But for you, it will work out just fine," Snape said, kindly ignoring Harry's
|
|
|
discomfort. "You need not worry about that just yet, though. You first need to pass
|
|
|
your NEWT's. You will be expected to study independently for a great deal of your
|
|
|
time. And you will be required to share your research with me in order for me to
|
|
|
assist you to the best of my abilities."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Does that mean you'll be looking over my shoulder the entire time?" Harry asked
|
|
|
exasperatedly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"In the literal sense of the word, no," Snape replied, "But essentially, yes."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Wonderful," Harry said sardonically.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"If not, you can always study something else," Snape said evenly, "But if you wish
|
|
|
to pursue the career of a Potions Master, this is what you need to do. What did you
|
|
|
expect? That you could waltz into Professor Dumbledore's office at the end of your
|
|
|
last year and ask him for a job? It's not that easy."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It seems to be that easy for defence," Harry mumbled.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape shot him a devastating look, and Harry quickly realized that Snape had
|
|
|
failed time and time again to land the defence job and had only been able to do so
|
|
|
last year.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Right," he said quickly, "Sorry."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I assure you that it will <em>not</em> be that easy," Snape said, "So if you wish
|
|
|
to reconsider –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I don't," Harry said quickly, "I'll do it. Tell me what I should do."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You will begin – as you have before – by preparing the theorem of what you seek
|
|
|
to create. You are not permitted to start brewing until I have read and approved your
|
|
|
construction."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Right," Harry said, "When should I –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I imagine you can think of what it is you wish to pursue already," Snape said,
|
|
|
"But while my library is by no means insignificant, it is of paramount importance
|
|
|
that you use all the knowledge you can possibly acquire in the construction of your
|
|
|
theorem. Therefore, I suggest that you wait until we are back at Hogwarts for you to
|
|
|
actually begin your research."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Will I still even need to take classes like transfiguration and charms?" Harry
|
|
|
asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Naturally, you do," Snape replied, "No knowledge is ever wasted and besides, you
|
|
|
should always wish to keep as many doors open as possible. If you – for some reason –
|
|
|
should have a change of heart at some point and wish to pursue the path of an Auror
|
|
|
once more, I would be most aggrieved to see you deprived of that opportunity simply
|
|
|
because you didn't feel the need to apply yourself in your final year."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I could spend more time in private research of I dropped those classes, though,"
|
|
|
Harry said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You will do no such thing," Snape snarled, "It doesn't really matter when you
|
|
|
finish your research. There is no time limit, though I do hope you would see fit to
|
|
|
focus enough to finish in a timely fashion. I myself became a Potions Master at the
|
|
|
age of twenty-one."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That's hardly fair," Harry pointed out, "Everyone knows that about you. It was an
|
|
|
achievement on its own, so I hear. So you can't possibly expect me to do the
|
|
|
same."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"My point is that you will continue to do well in your other chosen courses,"
|
|
|
Snape said sternly, "Fail to do so, and there will be consequences."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"And this is why it's hard to have a parent at school," Harry mumbled.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You understand that my being your assigned Master would give me the same right of
|
|
|
chastisement," Snape pointed out, "Even more so than it would for a parent. I will
|
|
|
seek discipline and diligence from you as I would from any other apprentice."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Have you ever had an apprentice before?" Harry asked at the prompt.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"No," Snape admitted, "But I've taught plenty of students. I know precisely what
|
|
|
I'm doing."</p>
|
|
|
<p>At that point, Hedwig flew into the dining room, dropping a letter onto Harry's
|
|
|
plate. She perched on the back of her master's chair, waiting patiently for a few
|
|
|
scraps of bacon.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It would appear that your Hogwarts letter has arrived," Snape pointed out.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"The last one I'll ever get," Harry said mournfully, "Or would I still get one for
|
|
|
this specialisation year you mentioned?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I imagine not," Snape replied, shaking his head, "For I can inform you of the
|
|
|
requirements myself since I will be the one overseeing that year."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry turned his attention to the letter, opening it with a pang of regret as he
|
|
|
glanced at his list of school supplies. His last list. He was officially an adult now
|
|
|
and would soon need to venture into the adult world. Maybe this extra year would end
|
|
|
up being a welcome surprise. He wasn't ready to leave Hogwarts just yet, after all.
|
|
|
One more year was not enough. Not at all.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That's odd," Harry frowned when he took a closer look at the list.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape made a questioning sound as he glanced at his copy of '<em>The Practical
|
|
|
Potioneer'</em> that had also just been delivered.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"There's a history book on my list," Harry said, '<em>Connections through the
|
|
|
ages'</em> by <em>Maya Bell</em>," Harry frowned in disgust. "They obviously made a
|
|
|
mistake. I don't take history anymore."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape had an annoyed glint in his eyes, "There's been no mistake. The headmaster
|
|
|
will explain everything at the start of the year."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry frowned but felt that he shouldn't press the matter further.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Can I go get my things with Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked, "It'll be the last
|
|
|
chance I'll get."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That goes without saying," Snape said, "I too shall come to get the things you
|
|
|
and I both require to get this apprenticeship started.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I just hope you won't be too hard on me," Harry chuckled nervously, "I can just
|
|
|
imagine getting the old Snape back just for this occasion."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I will treat you fairly but I will also be strict," Snape replied, "I have no
|
|
|
patience for dunderheads as you well know."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I know, I know."</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>"What?!" Hermione squealed. Harry wasn't sure if she was elated or just plain
|
|
|
upset. "You're taking a specialisation year? That's possible? Why hasn't anyone told
|
|
|
me about this?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Calm yourself, Ms Granger," Snape chided, "You have not heard about this because
|
|
|
it is a rare occurrence. Most students simply graduate and move on with their lives.
|
|
|
Thankfully."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"But sir!" Hermione replied, her voice trembling with excitement, "If that's a
|
|
|
possibility, I feel like everyone should get that opportunity."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape quirked an expressive eyebrow. "And what specialisation would you have in
|
|
|
mind?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I don't know," Hermione said, "I've never thought about it. I didn't think it
|
|
|
necessary before."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Exactly," Snape pointed out, "If and when a student shows the need or desire to
|
|
|
move forward in one particular subject, arrangements may be made for them. But a
|
|
|
student such as yourself, who delights in learning everything rather than focus and
|
|
|
apply herself to one field of study has no need for specialisation."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"but I could specialize in different courses!" Hermione said eagerly, "Perhaps I
|
|
|
can take two per year for a few more years and then –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Ms Granger," Snape interrupted, "You clearly miss the point of what
|
|
|
specialisation means. Has your third year taught you nothing? Even you cannot
|
|
|
possibly hope to gain that much information in such a short time."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Hermione's shoulders drooped.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I suggest you discuss this with your head of house," Snape finally said, "She
|
|
|
might be able to guide you where you wish to go. But first, you should focus on your
|
|
|
seventh year."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Yes, professor," Hermione agreed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron consoled his now official girlfriend by draping his arm around Hermione's
|
|
|
shoulders and earned himself a coy smile in return. Harry felt a pang of jealousy at
|
|
|
their intimacy and glanced over at Ginny automatically. When he met her gaze, he felt
|
|
|
himself go beat red.</p>
|
|
|
<p>What was wrong with him? He shook his head to clear his mind of any intrusive
|
|
|
thoughts and focused on the task at hand.</p>
|
|
|
<p>They were almost done with their shopping. Hermione had commented that their new
|
|
|
history book was one that had only recently been published, which was odd enough in
|
|
|
itself since Binns didn't seem to accept anything new that happened. He had always
|
|
|
used the same old material, never finding the need to upgrade.</p>
|
|
|
<p>And yet, here they were.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Why do you think we've all been signed up for History classes?" Harry asked,
|
|
|
furrowing his brow, "Didn't we get tortured enough during our first five years? I
|
|
|
thought we were done with that horrible class."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I don't know, Harry," Hermione said, frowning in confusion herself. "It's
|
|
|
certainly odd that the school would make it mandatory again. Do you think it's been
|
|
|
demanded by the Ministry for some reason?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"After Umbridge, I doubt they would try that," Harry said, "On the other hand, I
|
|
|
guess you never know for sure."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron sighed as they stopped in front of the Quidditch supply store</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I wish that I had a new broom<br/>
|
|
|
The one with the bright yellow plume<br/>
|
|
|
Have to use one from school<br/>
|
|
|
Makes me look like a fool<br/>
|
|
|
I just want my own broom that goes zoom."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You have only one more year to go, though," Hermione said cleverly, "Wouldn't it
|
|
|
be kind of a waste to get a broom just for that?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"So I guess that we don't need to eat<br/>
|
|
|
Or to wear shoes that protect our feet<br/>
|
|
|
When I go up and fly<br/>
|
|
|
Venture out in the sky<br/>
|
|
|
More than anything, I feel complete"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That's a tad melodramatic, don't you think?" Hermione argued, "You can't possibly
|
|
|
be comparing flying with basic necessities."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Either he does or he's influenced by the potion," Harry chuckled, "You know, to
|
|
|
be extra poetic."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron glared angrily at Harry and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something,
|
|
|
but closed it again.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Go ahead, Ron," Harry urged, laughing, "What's on your mind?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron whispered in a fierce tone,</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Professor Snape is a cunt,<br/>
|
|
|
I'm overflowing with want<br/>
|
|
|
To hex his hair blue<br/>
|
|
|
His skin and robes too<br/>
|
|
|
And up his arse conjure a shunt"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed loudly, "Language!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Is Ickle Ronniekins at it again?" Fred asked as he captured Ron's head in a
|
|
|
one-armed embrace</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Who knew that one could be so poetically rude!" George added happily.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Which reminds me Forge,"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Do tell, Gred!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We ought to speak to this master of pranks."</p>
|
|
|
<p>They turned around and walked over to Snape who stood a few feet away, perusing
|
|
|
the list he had written down before.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Master!" Fred exclaimed loudly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We bow before your brilliance," George said solemnly as he bowed very deeply, his
|
|
|
arm outstretched in a wholly exaggerated manner.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Mr's Weasley," Snape said curtly, glaring all the while as if he hoped that they
|
|
|
would move away just by encountering his fearsome gaze. Unfortunately for him, the
|
|
|
twins were no longer his students and even when they were, they were never afraid of
|
|
|
the Potions Master.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We need the recipe to that brilliant potion you constructed," Fred said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We will pay you handsomely for it," George added with a wink.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape snorted in amusement. "You'll have to be more specific, I'm afraid," he
|
|
|
said, "I have created many different potions over the course of my life and I'm sure
|
|
|
I know not of which one you speak." But the twitching of his lips suggested
|
|
|
otherwise.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Come now, Professor," Fred said importantly, "You know very well what we're
|
|
|
talking about."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Poetic justice," George sighed happily, "Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? We
|
|
|
want to sell it at our shop."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Can you imagine," Fred said dreamily, "To have an entire class of students who
|
|
|
can only speak in Limericks?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That is not a particularly pleasant idea, Mr Weasley," Snape said icily, "So no,
|
|
|
I don't think I will."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Sleep on it, if you would," George said, "We'll gladly give you a percentage of
|
|
|
the profit."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Ten per cent will do," Fred said, "As well as bragging rights going to Professor
|
|
|
Severus Snape."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Perhaps in another lifetime," Snape replied before stepping forward and joining
|
|
|
his son.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Are you quite finished getting your school supplies?" Snape asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We have everything," Harry replied, chuckling happily as he glanced at his
|
|
|
redheaded friend. Hermione was rolling her eyes and blushing fiercely for some
|
|
|
reason.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"And how are you today, Mr Weasley?" Snape asked, a sadistic smile on his
|
|
|
lips.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron thought for a while before sighing and answering.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I am honestly not very well<br/>
|
|
|
I am constantly tired as hell<br/>
|
|
|
To think of each word<br/>
|
|
|
Is most unpreferred<br/>
|
|
|
Could you please just cast me a spell?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Very impressive," Snape smirked, "You will soon be among the most eloquent of
|
|
|
your age group. As for casting a spell, I'm afraid I cannot."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron looked disappointed and even glared at Snape but didn't speak again.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"There is no spell or antidote to counter the potion," Snape explained, "As I have
|
|
|
told you before. Surely, you have learned by now to not go rummaging through people's
|
|
|
private stashes, haven't you?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron nodded solemnly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I'm sure it will wear off in a few days," Snape assured him, "And so will the
|
|
|
colour of your hair."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron's face coloured a fierce red which mismatched his now green hair terribly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Harry, I have gotten you the things for your extracurricular brewing," Snape
|
|
|
said, earning himself a subtle glare from Hermione which he chose to ignore.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What kind of things?" Harry asked curiously.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You will be needing more than two cauldrons," Snape explained, "So I picked up
|
|
|
five more. I also got you a new pair of dragonhide gloves, a set of precisely
|
|
|
accurate scales, stirrers of each kind of material and cutting tools. I also didn't
|
|
|
neglect to set you up with at least the more basic of ingredients as well as some of
|
|
|
the rarer ones that I'm sure you'll be able to use. And if not, I am certain that I
|
|
|
can use them for myself."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Wow!" Harry exclaimed, "That's really great. But you didn't have to do that."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Don't be ridiculous," Snape huffed, "Of course I did." He handed the shrunken
|
|
|
packages to Harry who put them away in his pockets.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Now was there anywhere else you wanted to go?" Snape asked, "Or could we possibly
|
|
|
go home now?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry gave his friends a longing glance but was also eager to inspect the wares
|
|
|
Snape had bought for him. Maybe, he could even get some ideas going about what he was
|
|
|
going to make. He would see his friends soon enough. And Ginny – who had been tagging
|
|
|
along somewhat abashedly – would also be there.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We can go," he said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Would you want to join us for dinner?" Snape asked Ron, Hermione and Ginny.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Ron frowned.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Coming over is always a thrill<br/>
|
|
|
But this time I don't think I will<br/>
|
|
|
Don't trust your food<br/>
|
|
|
And I'm not in the mood<br/>
|
|
|
I'd sooner go dine in Brazil"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What an odd thing to say," Snape teased. "Very well. As you wish. Shall we go,
|
|
|
Harry?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry hugged Hermione and Ginny – lingering just a tad too long in Ginny's embrace
|
|
|
– and clapped Ron encouragingly on the shoulder.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Hang in there, mate," he said in mock sadness, "This too shall pass."</p>
|
|
|
<p>As Harry glanced over his shoulder, he saw Hermione laughing at Ron's antics while
|
|
|
Ginny looked away as if she had been caught staring.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I've noticed you've taken quite an interest in young Ms Weasley," Snape mentioned
|
|
|
out of the blue. Harry felt himself flush and quickly looked away.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Don't you?" Snape jibed, "It's a shame because I've also noticed that she seems
|
|
|
rather fond of you."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry shrugged, not really ready to share any intimate details of his love life
|
|
|
just yet.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I do hope that you're being careful. If not –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Nope!" Harry interrupted, forming a makeshift cross with his two index fingers
|
|
|
and pointing them at Snape. "We are not having this discussion! And most certainly
|
|
|
not in the middle of the street. Nope, nope, nope!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape rolled his eyes but grinned good-naturedly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Come on," he said, "We're flooing back. And <em>then</em> we can talk."</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p><em>Did you guys like it? I really screwed myself over, giving Ron that potion,
|
|
|
didn't I? Haha.<br/>
|
|
|
I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to update. I'm going to an amusement park, you
|
|
|
see.</em></p>
|
|
|
<p><em>Kindly take the time to write a review if you will. I'm always happy with the
|
|
|
feedback.<br/></em></p>
|
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
</body>
|
|
|
</html> |