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<div class="chap-title">
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23. Chapter 23
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>Thank you kindly for the reviews. I'm glad that you've all enjoyed the
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Occlumency.</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 23</strong></p>
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<p>With the entire night spent due to Harry and Snape's outdrawn adventure, Harry
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found himself sleeping away most of the day. He had eaten breakfast before heading to
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his bed but had skipped lunch entirely in favour of his rest. When the time for
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dinner came around, he came to with the annoying sensation of someone urgently
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shaking him.</p>
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<p>"Wha-?" he muttered, burying his head underneath his pillow in annoyance.</p>
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<p>"Haven't you slept enough?" Ron asked, "It's time for dinner. Get up."</p>
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<p>"I'm not hungry," Harry lied. In truth, he could eat but he would rather stay in
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bed where it was warm and comfortable.</p>
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<p>"Snape threatened that he would come to get you if you weren't down for dinner,"
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Ron warned him, "And I wouldn't put it past him to go through with the threat."</p>
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<p>Harry yawned and smacked his lips. "Fine," he grumbled, "I'm up."</p>
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<p>"You better be," Ron said, "If Snape finds my stash of dungbombs just because you
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were too lazy to get up, you're paying me back for them."</p>
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<p>"I said I'm up!" Harry protested, chucking a well-aimed pillow directly into Ron's
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face.</p>
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<p>"Come along then," Ron said as he tossed the pillow back onto Harry's bed. "This
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is probably the last time we'll see each other in a while. You're lucky I'm still
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here."</p>
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<p>"Oh yeah," Harry said, finally getting up, "Hasn't the Hogwarts express left
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yet?"</p>
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<p>"It has," Ron said, "But Dumbledore said that Ginny and I can take the floo."</p>
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<p>Harry stifled a yawn as he trudged down the stairs, followed by Ron. "Why would he
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do that?"</p>
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<p>"I think the old coot didn't want us to leave without saying goodbye to you," Ron
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replied.</p>
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<p>"Us?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"He offered Hermione the same," Ron explained, "But she didn't accept it. She
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didn't think her parents would appreciate her flooing directly into the living
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room."</p>
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<p>"Muggles don't generally appreciate that," Harry said evenly, "But that's alright.
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It's only for a couple of weeks."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, and she said she'll owl you," Ron added.</p>
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<p>"So most of the students are gone already?" Harry asked, noting the empty common
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rooms. He climbed out of the portrait hole and waited for Ron to do the same before
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moving on.</p>
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<p>"Yes," Ron said, "Some will get picked up by their parents and some of the
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seventh-years are just apparating home after dinner, like Draco."</p>
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<p>Harry groaned. "I can't believe I haven't even begun to learn apparition yet."</p>
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<p>"It's not that easy," Ron said, "I've been trying for a while now but it's a
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difficult skill. I can't believe Fred and George ever got the hang of it."</p>
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<p>"I'm sure I could manage if I just found the time," Harry said, passing the sign
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that led to the great hall. "What kind of self-respecting wizard can't even
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apparate?"</p>
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<p>"The school-going kind," Ron said easily, "Don't worry, Harry. We'll manage. Maybe
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Snape can teach you?"</p>
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<p>Harry laughed. "I'm not sure where he would find the time to do that," he said,
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"I'm already his son and apprentice. When would he squeeze in apparition
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lessons?"</p>
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<p>"I have six siblings," Ron said, "And still my dad finds the time to teach me.
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Surely, Snape would manage if you just asked?"</p>
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<p>"But your father's got your mum," Harry pointed out, "Snape's just by
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himself."</p>
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<p>"Ask him," Ron urged again. He turned the corner sharply to walk directly into the
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great hall where most of the tables were empty.</p>
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<p>Ginny was sitting next to Luna and Draco was sitting by himself at the Slytherin
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table. A gaggle of seventh year Hufflepuffs sat in a huddle at their table, loudly
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discussing the next quidditch match and a few stray students of all houses sat spread
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out all over the great hall. Most of them sat by themselves.</p>
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<p>"Well this is depressing, "Harry noted, "Why are they all sitting apart?"</p>
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<p>Ron shrugged. "Beats me," he said, "Come on, let's join Ginny."</p>
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<p>Harry would have declined politely had it not been for Luna who was sitting next
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to her. "Alright," he said, motioning to Draco as they walked over to the two girls.
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Draco nodded, took his plate and walked over to the Ravenclaw table as well, sitting
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down at the same time Harry and Ron did.</p>
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<p>Ginny seemed surprised by the sudden interruption but Luna smiled knowingly.</p>
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<p>"Good of you to join us one last time," Luna said, "Before the year is over in any
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case."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, where were you during lunch, Harry?" Draco asked, "Ron said you were out
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cold but he didn't say why."</p>
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<p>Harry groaned, "I've had an all-night… Occlumency session," he said, not sure how
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to phrase it otherwise. At the high table, he saw Snape looking at him, smirking in
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satisfaction. Harry wondered why he wasn't tired.</p>
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<p>"Was Snape here for lunch?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"Of course," Draco said, "Why wouldn't he be?"</p>
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<p>"What part of all-night Occlumency don't you get?" Harry said irritably, "Or did
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you think I practised on myself in the mirror."</p>
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<p>"Snape doesn't sleep much as it is," Draco said, ignoring Harry's rudeness, "And
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he always has a lot to take care of before the Christmas holidays. To make sure the
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Slytherins are looked after and all, you know?"</p>
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<p>"That is very kind of him," Luna said honestly, "I know his students won't miss
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their home as much when they realize that someone is looking out for them here."</p>
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<p>"But he won't even be here," Ron objected.</p>
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<p>"He <em>will</em> be if something goes wrong," Draco pointed out, "It's rarely
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necessary but every Slytherin knows that when needed, Snape will come back from
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wherever he goes over the holidays. It's very reassuring, really."</p>
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<p>Ginny snorted. "I never would've seen it in him, really."</p>
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<p>"Really?" Luna asked incredulously, "I think there's no Professor here that cares
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more than him." She smiled as she looked at Snape, waving softly when she met his
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gaze. Snape simply quirked an eyebrow in response but Bell – who was sitting next to
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him – waved back enthusiastically.</p>
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<p>"I like Professor Bell a lot as well," Luna said as she refocused her attention on
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her friends.</p>
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<p>"Now <em>that</em>, I can understand," Ron said, "Just imagine <em>her</em> being
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your head of house."</p>
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<p>"I think it would be great fun," Luna said dreamily as she built a tower out of
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her mashed potatoes.</p>
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<p>"How are you getting home, Luna?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"Oh, I'm not going home this year," Luna said, "My father is out hunting the
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curly-tailed Snarkolks. It will be a while before he's back since they only come out
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at the first sign of snow. He needs to be ready for it."</p>
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<p>"What?" Draco asked incredulously, "I've never heard –" He oomphed when Harry
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elbowed him between the ribs.</p>
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<p>"We can't all be as educated when it comes to magical creatures," Harry supplied
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smoothly, "But don't worry, Draco. If you pay attention, you'll learn."</p>
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<p>Luna smiled knowingly. "I think Draco has already learned a lot lately," she said,
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"But I always knew that he could."</p>
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<p>Draco blinked in confusion before sighing deeply and giving himself a second
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helping of roast turkey.</p>
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<p>"I think you've embarrassed him," Ron teased.</p>
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<p>"Anyone who isn't embarrassed by who they were last year," Luna said, "Simply
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isn't learning enough."</p>
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<p>"Er… right," Draco said, "Well said, Lovegood. How's your uncle doing?"</p>
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<p>Luna smiled at the obvious change in subject but allowed it. "He's busy as
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always," she said, "He's working hard to try and save people's lives every day. I am
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very proud and rather fond of him."</p>
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<p>"Has he told you anything about the magical illnesses that seem to spread among
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the muggles?" Ron asked, now interested.</p>
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<p>"He doesn't seem to know all that much yet," Luna said, "But I believe it has
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something to do with the mixing of wizards and witches and muggles."</p>
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<p>"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.</p>
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<p>"Purebloods have always lived their lives separately from muggles," Luna
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explained, "Or as much as they could. It is a rather recent occurrence for people of
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the magical world to mingle with muggles. I think the muggles are simply not
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resistant to many magical maladies that we are already immune to."</p>
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<p>"That sounds like a sound theory," Draco agreed, "Like when an animal from Europe
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is suddenly introduced to Australia. It might spell disaster for the animals
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there."</p>
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<p>Luna nodded. "And yet," she said, "If we allow ourselves to intermingle more,
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we'll all be stronger for it in the end."</p>
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<p>"Is this about one illness or multiple?" Harry asked, now interested.</p>
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<p>"I'm not sure," Luna admitted, "My uncle hasn't really told me much. This is all
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just speculation on my part."</p>
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<p>"A clever deduction nonetheless," Draco said, "I hope your uncle finds out what's
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happening soon."</p>
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<p>"He will," Luna said easily, "He always does."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>"So what are your plans for the holidays, Severus?" Maya asked. She stood leaning
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against the doorpost of his office, watching in amusement as he angrily shoved a few
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defence manuals back into their rightful place. Why they were catalogued near the
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books on magical law was beyond him.</p>
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<p>"Ritually sacrifice some animals, I suppose," Snape deadpanned, "Perhaps claim
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someone's firstborn as payment for some past favour."</p>
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<p>Maya snorted. She waltzed inside and picked up one of the graded papers that lay
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on Snape's desk, making herself comfortable in Snape's most uncomfortable visitor's
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chair.</p>
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<p>"<em>Perhaps if you could refrain from staring at Ms Davies' hindquarters, you
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would be able to discern the difference between a charm and a hex,"</em> she read
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aloud, giggling afterwards. "A bit harsh, don't you think?"</p>
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<p>"I found it to be rather mild," Snape replied, "I still give him an A, did I
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not?"</p>
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<p>"Oh, and look at this one!" Maya exclaimed as she grabbed the next one from the
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pile. "<em>If you plan to copy someone else's achievements, try not to do so from
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The-Boy-Who-Lived. His exploits – as extravagant as they were – are well-known to all
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and only a dunderhead would claim these as his own. See me in detention</em>."</p>
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<p>Maya laughed out loud and Snape couldn't help but smile slightly at the sound.</p>
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<p>"Did he really do that?" she asked, flipping through the pages. "Oh dear Merlin,
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he sure did!" She snorted, "Did he truly think you would believe him to have fought a
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mountain troll?"</p>
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<p>"It would appear so," Snape said, not able to hide his amusement entirely, "First
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years often still believe they can take certain liberties."</p>
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<p>"You will no doubt dissuade him of that notion," Maya pointed out.</p>
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<p>"If I don't, I will hand in my resignation," Snape said solemnly.</p>
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<p>Maya put the graded papers back and leaned back as she watched Snape pack. "But
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seriously, other than animal sacrifice, what are your plans? Please don't tell me
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you'll be brooding."</p>
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<p>"I will be going home," Snape shared, "And I assure you that Harry will not allow
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me to brood."</p>
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<p>"No," Maya agreed, "I don't expect that he will."</p>
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<p>She remained silent for a while and while Snape understood the social construct
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that urged him to ask her the same question in return, he refused to abide by it. He
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never did care much for empty conversation and he hardly ever did it just for the
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sake of the norm.</p>
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<p>"What have you come here for?" he asked instead.</p>
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<p>"Can't your favourite colleague come and say goodbye to you?" she asked.</p>
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<p>Snape snorted for multiple reasons. "I will merely be gone for two weeks," he
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said, "I am sure you will not miss my company that much."</p>
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<p>"Perhaps not," Maya agreed, "But I will have to postpone my retaliation which is
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less than favourable."</p>
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<p>Snape eyed her suspiciously and smirked when she just smiled innocently. "You
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know," he noted, "That innocent act does not have me fooled."</p>
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<p>Maya tilted her head coyly. "Not everyone wears a mask, Severus," she said, "I'm
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really not that hard to figure out. All you need to do is look."</p>
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<p>"I'm not really looking for anything," Snape replied. He grabbed the stack of
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graded papers and shoved them into his desk, locking the drawer with a non-verbal
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spell. Glancing around, he was pleased to be able to leave his office as neatly as he
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liked it.</p>
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<p>"That might not stop you from finding something, though," Maya replied, "I hope
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you'll have a happy Christmas, Severus. And I wish Harry does as well."</p>
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<p>"The sentiment is appreciated," Snape replied, nodding curtly. "I wish you the
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same."</p>
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<p>"Good day, Sev," Maya said, winking. She was out the door before Snape could
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respond to the unwanted abbreviation of his name. he didn't deem the transgression
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important enough to give chase, though. Instead, he rolled his eyes and went back to
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locking his closets and drawers, finishing up by locking his door as he left.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Harry hadn't realized just how much he had missed his home until he stepped out of
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the floo, managing not to stumble, fall or otherwise injure himself. Snape was
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seconds behind him and seemed amused by that fact.</p>
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<p>"You seem to be getting better at travelling by the floo," he said.</p>
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<p>"I'm long overdue, I think," Harry said.</p>
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<p>"Yes," Snape agreed, "Now hurry and go unpack."</p>
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<p>Harry groaned. "Can't I do that tomorrow?" he asked, "It's already dark out."</p>
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<p>"I believe you know perfectly well how to cast a Lumos, do you not?" Snape said
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evenly.</p>
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<p>"Okay, but I want to ask you something when I'm done," Harry said. Snape raised a
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questioning eyebrow but Harry was already going upstairs, carrying his trunk with him
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as he seemingly forgot that he was allowed to use magic now. Snape shook his head
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fondly.</p>
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<p>It couldn't have been more than ten minutes later that Harry came back down the
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stairs. Snape vaguely wondered when Harry had stopped racing down them two steps at a
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time and sighed as he silently contemplated the speed with which children grew
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up.</p>
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<p>"Is everything alright?" Harry asked as he threw himself into his favourite plush
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chair.</p>
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<p>"I'm fine," Snape replied, "Did you finish unpacking?"</p>
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<p>"Yes."</p>
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<p>"Zippy!" Snape called out. Immediately, the delighted house-elf stood wringing her
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hands in front of her master, looking up at him with glee-filled eyes.</p>
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<p>"Welcome home Master Snape and Master Harry," she said, "I hope yous had nice floo
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travels."</p>
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<p>"Delightful," Snape replied sardonically, "Bring me some tea and a hot cocoa for
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Harry."</p>
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<p>"Right away!" she said happily before hurrying away.</p>
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<p>"Hot cocoa?" Harry argued, "I'm an adult now. Adults don't drink hot cocoa."</p>
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<p>"I still occasionally do," Snape shared, "And you can't tell me that you don't
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enjoy it. Or have you forgotten that I can see you eating every single day."</p>
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<p>Harry flushed stupidly but was saved a reply when their drinks appeared on the
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table in front of them.</p>
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<p>"Now," Snape said as he grabbed his tea and leaned back into the couch cushions.
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"What was it that you wanted to ask of me? If you desire a pet dragon or chimaera,
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I'm afraid I must decline."</p>
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<p>"Well, if you're sure," Harry replied without skipping a beat, "I could settle for
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you teaching me how to apparate instead."</p>
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<p>Snape looked at him thoughtfully. "Apparition," he repeated carefully, "That
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particular skill has indeed escaped my attention. It does seem a tad preposterous
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that you haven't learned how to, yet."</p>
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<p>"I thought so," Harry agreed, "Even if I manage to travel through the floo without
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almost killing myself now, I still think I should be able to."</p>
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<p>"It would have been useful that day in the forest," Snape agreed, "It was less
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than desirable for you to depend on the goodwill of a death eater to get out of
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there."</p>
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<p>"It's a good thing that you're so devilishly charismatic," Harry pointed out, "You
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persuaded that Rabastan fellow quite well. I didn't keep him out of Azkaban,
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though."</p>
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<p>"He knew that was never an option," Snape replied, "But ten years is awfully
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lenient. Lestrange aside, I do believe it would be prudent for you to learn how to
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apparate."</p>
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<p>"Excellent," Harry said, sipping his hot cocoa contentedly. He relished the
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delightfully sweet mixture on his tongue. He really did like hot cocoa.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>The next morning, Harry and Snape were having breakfast when someone knocked on
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their door.</p>
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<p>"Gee," Harry said sardonically, "I wonder who that might be?"</p>
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<p>"Perhaps we should leave him standing there for a while," Snape proposed, "Pretend
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that we're not home."</p>
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<p>"I'm sure that he can see the smoke that comes from the chimney," Harry pointed
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out, "How else does he always know when we'll be back?"</p>
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<p>"I imagine he has it marked on his calendar," Snape said.</p>
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<p>"Right," Harry chuckled, "The date in a big red circle and every date leading up
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to it crossed off."</p>
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<p>The knocking on the door persisted and Snape lazily rose from his chair. "It's too
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early for this," he mumbled.</p>
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<p>"It's never too early for Alex," Harry said, "Come on, I know you missed him
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too."</p>
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<p>Snape muttered something unintelligible under his breath and opened the door.
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Behind it – as expected – stood Alex, wearing that big flashy grin.</p>
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<p>"Severus!" he exclaimed amicably. Without waiting for permission, he took a step
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forward and embraced the dour potions master who sighed wearily and allowed the
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contact for a few seconds before stepping back.</p>
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<p>"Alexander," he said curtly, allowing the man entry. "To what do I owe this
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pleasure?"</p>
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<p>"What, can't I come to visit my best friend?" Alex said cheekily. "I don't know
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about you but I missed - Oh dear God, Severus! What happened to your hand?!" Much to
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Snape's horror, Alex grabbed his injured hand and gasped at the missing finger. "Your
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little finger," he said sadly. "How did this happen?"</p>
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<p>"It's what happens when you mingle with crazy women," Snape said evenly. Alex
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stared at him rather dumbfounded but Harry couldn't help but snort.</p>
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<p>When Alex noticed Harry sitting at the table he rushed over. "Harry!" he greeted,
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"Good to see you." He ruffled Harry's hair and helped himself to a bit of toast.</p>
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<p>"Alex," Harry said, "You look great!" It wasn't a lie. Where Alex had normally
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been dressed in worn-out hand-me-down's that didn't ever seem to fit him right, he
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was now dressed in handsome clothes from top to bottom that almost seemed tailored to
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him. Even his shoes were so shiny that they seemed new.</p>
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<p>"I know I do," Alex replied cheekily, twirling to show off his new look. "And it's
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all thanks to you lovable wizards."</p>
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<p>"I take it your new passion as a tour guide for the magical world is paying off?"
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Snape asked.</p>
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<p>"Absolutely!" Alex replied happily. "I get about twenty visitors a day – though it
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was a lot more at first - and I charge five galleons a person. Three for a child
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under twelve," he added, "It's a price they all seem eager to pay just to hear of
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your amazing battle with Voldemort."</p>
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<p>Harry thought it was rather odd to hear a muggle speak Voldemort's name so
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plainly, and gathered by Snape's wince that he thought the same.</p>
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<p>"And as if that isn't enough," Alex said, "They almost always tip me very well
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afterwards. Apparently, they like listening to my recollection of things."</p>
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<p>"I wonder how much you embellish," Snape said dryly.</p>
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<p>"I don't," Alex said, seemingly sincere, "This is one story that does not need
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embellishment. It's crazy enough on its own."</p>
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<p>"I hope you never pointed out our residence," Snape said in warning.</p>
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<p>"Only the old, destroyed one," Alex said honestly, "Which usually earns me some
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more sickles for my trouble."</p>
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<p>"It looks like the magical world is treating you well, then," Harry said, happy
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for the man. "I'm glad to see it."</p>
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<p>"I even have my own owl now," Alex said, "Emma doesn't know that I do, and I've
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had to tell Bruce to only deliver my mail when I'm outside and alone, but it's
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necessary for when I need to book large parties in advance."</p>
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<p>Snape frowned at the muggle standing before him, happily munching his toast.</p>
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<p>"What?" Alex asked.</p>
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<p>"I just find it supremely odd to find a muggle be so content in the context that
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is the wizarding world," Snape said.</p>
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<p>"It's done me nothing but good," Alex said honestly, "Emma still can't figure out
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what tourists are doing here all of a sudden but she knows not to question a good
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thing when it so readily falls into her lap."</p>
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<p>"How are you exchanging wizarding money into pounds?" Harry asked curiously.</p>
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<p>"I am aware of how to use public transit," Alex said, "So I just head to the leaky
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cauldron and head into Diagon Alley once a month."</p>
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<p>Snape practically choked on his tea. "Excuse me?" he said, "How do you know about
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that? How do you know how to get there?"</p>
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<p>"Albus told me about it," Alex divulged, "He's a regular customer of mine, you
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see."</p>
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<p>Snape groaned loudly. "That decrepit old goat," he growled, "What is his
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game?"</p>
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<p>Alex chuckled. "Don't say that," he said, "Albus has been nothing but kind. He's a
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very amazing man. Needs a shave though. Anyways, he took me to the leaky cauldron
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once – by apparition, of course, - and introduced me to Tom. Now he gets me into
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Diagon Alley whenever I need to be at Gringotts."</p>
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<p>"This is ridiculous," Snape sighed, pinching the bridge of a nose, "A muggle is
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now traipsing around Diagon Alley every month, exposed to everything magical."</p>
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<p>"And I'm loving it!" Alex said enthusiastically, "It's a shame I can't use magic
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myself but it's already so amazing to be able to witness everything about your
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world."</p>
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<p>"Did you ever go into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?" Harry asked, ignoring the rest of
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his breakfast.</p>
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<p>"How could I not?" Alex replied, grinning widely, "That shop is an eyesore if I
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ever saw one. But those twins –" Alex chuckled, "-They're to die for."</p>
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<p>"I <em>thought</em> you might like Fred and George," Harry pointed out.</p>
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<p>"I love them," Alex said sincerely. "They recently came up with this amazing
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candy! It gets you to speak in nothing but limericks for a few hours."</p>
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<p>Snape snorted loudly at that and Harry couldn't help but grin.</p>
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<p>"I didn't know it had hit the stands yet," Harry said.</p>
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<p>"Not yet," Alex replied, winking at the boy, "But I was one of the first to test
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it."</p>
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<p>"Figures," Snape said, shaking his head. "This is getting to be more and more
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absurd by the minute."</p>
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<p>"So, where do <em>you</em> know them from, Harry?" Alex asked.</p>
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<p>"They're my best friend's brothers," Harry said, "And they're my friends too. I
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used to stay over at their place a lot."</p>
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<p>"Used to?" Alex asked.</p>
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<p>"Well, it's not really necessary anymore now," Harry said, blushing slightly.</p>
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<p>Alex seemed to pick up on the trepidation in Harry's voice and aptly changed the
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subject. "So, how are your studies coming along?" he asked.</p>
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<p>Harry glanced at Snape who was smirking at him. "They're going well, I think,"
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Harry replied, "I haven't really made too much progress on my potion yet, but I'm
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getting there. The rest of my classes are going fine."</p>
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<p>"Did you play Quidditch yet?" Alex asked eagerly.</p>
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<p>"One match," Harry said, "And I won, of course."</p>
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<p>Alex groaned. "Of course you did," he said, "Oh, if there's one thing I would love
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to do, it's fly a broom. It's a pity, really."</p>
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<p>Harry rapped his fingers on the table as he looked at Alex' face thoughtfully.
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"What if -" he mumbled more to himself than anyone else, "- I created a potion based
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on foxgloves.</p>
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<p>"With what intent?" Snape asked.</p>
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<p>"If I try and add them to a base of something acidic, I believe that would allow a
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muggle to be able to attune to magic for a period of time."</p>
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<p>"Hmmm," Snape responded, "That's an interesting thought. He wouldn't need to be
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able to use magic to be able to fly a broom. He would simply need to be able to not
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clash with the magic of the engraved runes itself. That might work."</p>
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<p>"Wait," Alex said, "Are you being serious? Could you get me to fly?"</p>
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<p>"Possibly," Snape replied evenly, "But we can't make any promises."</p>
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<p>"Man, if you could manage something like that, it would make me immensely happy,"
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Alex said, "Not that your interference in my life hasn't made me the happiest man
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alive already. I mean, I –"</p>
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<p>Alex seemed to choke on his words for a few seconds before continuing. "- I really
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don't know how I can ever possibly repay you."</p>
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<p>"We'll call you the next time we have a leaky roof," Snape said dryly. Alex simply
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laughed.</p>
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<p>"You're good people," he said fondly, "You have many fans among the tourists that
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come here. They asked me to give you their best wishes but I can't possibly remember
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all those people's names. Oh, which reminds me -"</p>
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<p>Snape pulled a crinkled envelope from his pocket and handed it to Harry. "I know
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your mailbox is probably just for show and everything," he said, "So I took the
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liberty of taking this when I saw the mailman try and deliver it to your old,
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destroyed house."</p>
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<p>Harry took the letter and saw his name on the front. Snape's old address was
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written beneath it. Frowning, Harry turned it over to find the addressee. He almost
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dropped the letter in shock. It came from Dudley Dursley.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>Oooh, my! Please do share your thoughts.</em></p>
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</div>
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