|
|
<?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 30</title>
|
|
|
<style type="text/css">
|
|
|
/*<![CDATA[*/
|
|
|
p.c1 {
|
|
|
text-align: center;
|
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
|
|
/*]]>*/
|
|
|
</style>
|
|
|
</head>
|
|
|
<body>
|
|
|
<div class="chap-title">
|
|
|
30. Chapter 30
|
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
<div class="chap-text">
|
|
|
<p>Thank you all for your reviews! I hope this next chapter answers some questions
|
|
|
and gets some things moving.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 30</strong></p>
|
|
|
<p>Suffice to say that Harry's brief but emotional encounter with James Potter was
|
|
|
more than enough motivation he needed to get right back to work on the potion. As
|
|
|
much as he would have preferred to skip class altogether the next day, he knew that
|
|
|
his father and master would never let him live it down, so he had to painstakingly
|
|
|
make it through the day. Time passed by slowly, except in potions class.</p>
|
|
|
<p>They were creating a level ten antidote that would work on even the foulest of
|
|
|
poisons. Exceedingly difficult to make because the ingredients needed to be added
|
|
|
rather swiftly and in the correct order. Sometimes it was a matter of seconds in
|
|
|
which the ingredients needed to be absorbed by the fluid so there was absolutely no
|
|
|
room for contemplation.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Not a single student was talking and even Professor Slughorn kept his mouth shut
|
|
|
as he moved about the classroom, not quite as silently as Snape would have, but
|
|
|
almost equally so.</p>
|
|
|
<p>As far as Harry was concerned, this potion – though definitely one of the more
|
|
|
complicated ones – was no problem at all. He had practised brewing it many times
|
|
|
under the watchful eye of Snape. And he was grateful to have done so because the
|
|
|
first time he had attempted this particular brew, his cauldron had spat blue fire all
|
|
|
over the lab because he hadn't added the chimaera hoof in time.</p>
|
|
|
<p>It was almost like a competition. More and more students had to give up as
|
|
|
Slughorn needed to intervene to prevent disasters from happening. The number of
|
|
|
things that could go wrong was astounding! So far, one cauldron had exploded while
|
|
|
another had imploded. One student had produced the same blue fire Harry once had and
|
|
|
one Hufflepuff's concoction suddenly started overflowing excessively, coating the
|
|
|
floor in horrible blue sludge.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Near the end, even Hermione needed to be rescued when she added the fire-lizard
|
|
|
tales just a tad too quickly and black smoke erupted from the potion. Slughorn
|
|
|
banished it immediately and told Hermione to clean her station.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's quite alright, Ms Granger," he told her as she was no doubt pouting about
|
|
|
the mishap. "For getting this far, you at least deserve an Exceeds Expectation. I
|
|
|
hardly expected anyone to get to the last step."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry heard Hermione sigh and mumble something under her breath but was much too
|
|
|
focused to care. As far as he could tell, there were only three people left in total
|
|
|
who were still brewing. Him, Draco and Michael Corner, his defence partner.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry stirred the potion feverishly. If he stirred too calmly, the entire potion
|
|
|
would harden like cement and be ruined. His arm was starting to hurt but he would not
|
|
|
let up now. He would definitely not be outbrewed by a Slytherin.</p>
|
|
|
<p>He heard swearing coming from Draco and glanced over. His stirrer was standing
|
|
|
upright in his potion, seemingly stuck. <em>Like cement</em>.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Alright, time for the gryphon feathers. Harry needed to add twelve in total, but
|
|
|
not at once. Slughorn had come to stand between Harry and Michael, carefully
|
|
|
surveying the both of them. The other students were standing on the side-lines,
|
|
|
silently watching on as if Harry and Michael were the last contenders in an amazing
|
|
|
competition.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry threw in the fifth feather. He had arranged them carefully according to size
|
|
|
beforehand and was throwing them in from smallest to largest as to not upset the
|
|
|
concoction too much at once, much like when you add warm milk to a mixture of beaten
|
|
|
eggs. Only a bit at a time or the eggs would react. But his potion didn't. It kept
|
|
|
bubbling gently, as Harry stirred with all his might.</p>
|
|
|
<p>He grinned as he thought that maybe seventh-year potions class was not at all
|
|
|
boring, after all.</p>
|
|
|
<p>When the last feather was absorbed into the potion, Harry kept stirring
|
|
|
feverishly, carefully diminishing the ferocity as the seconds passed by. Eventually,
|
|
|
he found himself stirring very slowly until he finally stopped. Rather than hoisting
|
|
|
his cauldron of the fire, he doused the flames with a basin of water he had kept
|
|
|
nearby. It wouldn't do to reintroduce movement to the potion now.</p>
|
|
|
<p>When it seemed that the potion was perfect and would not still implode nastily,
|
|
|
Harry wiped his brow with his sleeve and looked over at Michael. He too was dousing
|
|
|
his fire, an intense and focused look in his eyes.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well done, boys," Slughorn said enthusiastically, "Harry, I knew you would be
|
|
|
able to do it. Well done to you and Michael, I see that you've studied hard!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thank you, Professor," Michael said, "I did indeed."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Twenty points to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw," Slughorn said happily, "And we will
|
|
|
be using those potions to restock the infirmary. As for the rest of you –" he turned
|
|
|
to face the rest of the class. "- I assure you that failure in this potion's
|
|
|
completion did not lead to a failing grade. You will all write an essay on the
|
|
|
creation of this potion and where you specifically went wrong and how to prevent that
|
|
|
in the future. This will be the deciding factor of your grade for today."</p>
|
|
|
<p>He winked at Harry and Michael. "You two don't need to write the essay, of
|
|
|
course," he said, "And you both receive an Outstanding for your work. If there were a
|
|
|
grade higher, you would have received it today."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thank you, sir," Harry said, happy with the praise. "Now, run along. You wouldn't
|
|
|
want to keep your next professor waiting, now would you?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Slughorn received a general murmur in response as students packed their bags in a
|
|
|
hurry and left his classroom.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>"Is something wrong, Draco," Harry asked as they walked to their charms class.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Wrong?" Draco asked, "No, why do you think so?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You seemed a bit distracted today," Harry shrugged, "It doesn't seem like you to
|
|
|
botch a potion just because of a lack of stirring."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "It's nothing," he murmured.</p>
|
|
|
<p>When Harry looked closer, he could see the dark circles beneath his friend's eyes.
|
|
|
With a surge of determination, he grabbed Draco's wrist and stopped walking, glancing
|
|
|
at Hermione to signify that she should keep going.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Harry –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Don't lie to me, Draco," Harry said softly. He waited until everyone had passed
|
|
|
and then let go. "Something's wrong and I'm not going to wait forever for you to tell
|
|
|
me."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I told you that nothing's wrong," Draco snarled.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You look like death warmed over," Harry pointed out, "And you can't focus." He
|
|
|
moulded his facial expression into one that conveyed concern. "Draco," he sighed, "I
|
|
|
know what it's like to struggle with certain things on my own. And it's not
|
|
|
healthy."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh yeah?" Draco growled, "I know for a fact that you have been keeping secrets
|
|
|
from me. So why should I tell you mine?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What are you talking about?" Harry asked in genuine confusion.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco laughed bitterly. "I noticed when I was at your house," Draco said, "You
|
|
|
mentioned something about your relatives and closed off immediately after that. In
|
|
|
fact, you never did tell me why you went to live with Snape."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry took a step back and glared at Draco darkly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"But it's fine for you, is it?" Draco snapped. Harry thought he looked like he was
|
|
|
about to burst into tears but said nothing of it. "<em>You</em> can keep your secrets
|
|
|
but <em>I</em> should just tell you whatever is going on in <em>my</em> life? It
|
|
|
doesn't work like that."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Draco," Harry sighed, "I haven't even told Ron or Hermione the full story."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco glared at him and then smiled cruelly. "Then I think you're in no position
|
|
|
to lecture me."</p>
|
|
|
<p>He picked up the bag he had dropped on the floor and hoisted it onto his shoulder,
|
|
|
starting to walk off. Harry grabbed Draco's shoulder and pushed him roughly against
|
|
|
the wall.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Fine," he spat, "But if I ever hear you repeating this to <em>anyone</em> else.
|
|
|
Anyone at all, we are no longer friends." Harry noticed Draco's sharp intake of
|
|
|
breath and worried eyes.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Of course," Draco said, "That's only fair."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry realized that they were probably running late for class by now but he didn't
|
|
|
care anymore;</p>
|
|
|
<p>"The reason I live with Severus now is that my family… well –" Harry sighed and
|
|
|
averted his eyes, "They beat me up. They starved me and they locked me in my room or
|
|
|
my cupboard. I've come close to death on more than one occasion."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry let go of Draco's shoulder and took a few steps back, licking his upper lip
|
|
|
nervously.</p>
|
|
|
<p>After a long pause, Draco finally spoke. "Harry –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Don't," Harry urged him, "It's all in the past now. I don't need any reassurances
|
|
|
and I don't need your pity."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco sighed and averted his eyes, clearly not sure of what he should say.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What I do need from you, Draco," Harry said, "Is for you to trust me and tell me
|
|
|
what is wrong. Waiting for the problem to resolve itself does not work."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Severus already knows," Draco said, "He's trying to help me."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"With what?" Harry urged.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"My mother," Draco said softly, "She's having problems. The healers think it's
|
|
|
because of the stress of everything that's happened with my father; the prosecutions;
|
|
|
the stares…"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry furrowed his brow in sympathy. "What problems?" he asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"They call it stress-induced dementia," Draco said, "It's quite uncommon but of
|
|
|
course, the Malfoy family should be so lucky." Draco laughed bitterly. "Severus gave
|
|
|
me something that might help her."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Does it?" Harry asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"A bit, I suppose," Draco sighed, "But not that much. I think she's getting
|
|
|
worse."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I'm sorry, Draco," Harry said, putting a comforting hand on the blonde's
|
|
|
shoulder. He shot Harry a challenging look.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"So, now that I've told you, how are you going to help me?" he asked
|
|
|
defiantly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"By being here for you," Harry said without skipping a beat.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That's not enough," Draco replied softly, his voice quivering. And yet, he leaned
|
|
|
into Harry's touch.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"No," Harry agreed, "But that won't stop me from trying."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco chuckled. "You really don't leave someone alone once they've become your
|
|
|
friend, do you?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Never," Harry said truthfully.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>After the last lesson of the day – which was the charms class to which Draco and
|
|
|
Harry had shown up exceptionally late – Harry had gone straight back to the dungeons
|
|
|
where he would continue working on his potion. He would absolutely need to substitute
|
|
|
some of his ingredients. Perhaps if he –</p>
|
|
|
<p>He walked into the potions lab, and stroked Hedwig absentmindedly in passing,
|
|
|
walking straight over to the ingredients cabinet. He perused them all as if hoping
|
|
|
that one of them might tell him that it was what Harry needed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Hi, Harry."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry bumped his head harshly against the shelf when the voice startled him.
|
|
|
Groaning, he pulled back and turned around, rubbing the sore spot on his head.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Luna," he said in surprise.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I didn't mean to startle you," Luna said dreamily, "Do you have a guilty
|
|
|
conscience?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What?" Harry protested, "No, I just don't expect anyone to come here.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"But Hedwig is here."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry stared at her for a moment before laughing softly. "Yes," he agreed, "Hedwig
|
|
|
is here."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Are you going to brew that potion again?" Luna asked, "I would very much enjoy
|
|
|
meeting the ghosts as they come here."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I'd rather not repeat that, actually," Harry chuckled, "And no, there won't be
|
|
|
any brewing today. I need to revise some of my ingredients."</p>
|
|
|
<p>He took a seat and unfurled his theorem. He barely even noticed when Luna took the
|
|
|
seat next to him and stared at the parchment in his hands.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Vulture tongues do not seem right," she mentioned.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Why not?" Harry asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Vultures aren't welcoming to the dead at all," Luna pointed out, "They would
|
|
|
rather feast on their flesh, wouldn't they?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Hm," Harry agreed, "So perhaps Jackal fur instead?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That does seem like a splendid idea," Luna said as she clapped her hands
|
|
|
together.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Anything else that seems dodgy to you?" Harry asked, extending the paper so Luna
|
|
|
could take a closer look.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"The white cloves seem too narcissistic," Luna said, "This shouldn't be about you
|
|
|
but about them."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well –" Harry said thoughtfully, not finishing his sentence.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I am very fond of ghost pipe," Luna said happily.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Monotropa Uniflora," Harry said eagerly, "Unpollinated, of course. Luna, you're a
|
|
|
genius!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I'd really rather not be," Luna said evenly, "Genius inspires resentment. I
|
|
|
wouldn't want you to resent me."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I would never," Harry replied seriously.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh, well that's good," Luna replied, joyously accepting Harry's words.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry regarded her for a moment, seriously wondering what Luna was even doing in
|
|
|
the potion's lab. She wasn't brewing anything nor had she brought any books to
|
|
|
study.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Have people been bothering you again?" he asked as he carefully changed some of
|
|
|
his arithmetic formulae.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh no," Luna said, "Not at all. People are usually kind, aren't they?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry looked up from what he was doing. "Are you sure?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Luna nodded peacefully. "I am quite content, actually. And I think other people
|
|
|
might have noticed that. I've been left alone."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's a pity that those idiot's don't see how wonderfully your mind works," Harry
|
|
|
growled. It was out before he had thought about it.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Luna chuckled. "Eventually, everyone is able to see what sits in front of them,"
|
|
|
she says, "It takes those that look to others just a bit more time, that's all."</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>After a long day where he had been hard at work, Snape liked going to his quarters
|
|
|
and sit there in peace, reading a book and indulging himself with a singular glass of
|
|
|
Fire Whiskey. But for a while now, the solitude and calm of his private quarters had
|
|
|
obviously been disturbed and he was getting increasingly annoyed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>McGonagall had called him crazy or sleep-deprived but Snape knew for a fact that
|
|
|
his stack of essays had been rearranged. He knew with one hundred per cent certainty
|
|
|
that some of his potions appeared to have been relabelled and it was beyond clear
|
|
|
that his books seemed to be moving of their own accord, never respecting the order in
|
|
|
which Snape had so carefully placed them.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Today, the glasses Snape used to pour himself his beloved Fire Whiskey no longer
|
|
|
sat on the top shelf. No, instead, they were moved to the bottom one. Why would
|
|
|
anyone go this far to torment him? Initially – when it had all began – he had
|
|
|
suspected Maya to be behind this all but he had to reconsider. These were his private
|
|
|
quarters and Maya did not have the ability to get in here without enlisting Harry's
|
|
|
help. And Snape knew for a fact that Harry had been engrossed in his studies and
|
|
|
hadn't been in his quarters for a while now.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape huffed, and with a wave of his wand, he moved the glasses to their rightful
|
|
|
place, foregoing the fire whiskey for now since his mood had been dampened
|
|
|
considerably.</p>
|
|
|
<p>He was just about to read through one of his novels '<em>The Signal-Man'</em> by
|
|
|
<em>Charles Dickens</em> when he heard a knock on his door. Annoyed to be disturbed
|
|
|
when he desperately needed some alone time, he considered simply not opening the
|
|
|
door. But the knocking resounded a second time. Snape sighed, put his book aside and
|
|
|
stalked over to his door.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What?" he asked as he opened his door rather swiftly. He was more than a little
|
|
|
bit surprised to see Maya standing at the other side. He raised an eyebrow and
|
|
|
smirked at her.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Are you lost again?" he asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Maya chuckled but it sounded a bit forced. "Not this time," she said, "The signs
|
|
|
you put up have helped me greatly in manoeuvring through the castle."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape took in Maya's fidgety appearance and frowned. "Is something the matter?" he
|
|
|
asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"May I come in?" Maya asked in return.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"If you are not planning on releasing a family of mice or anything of the sort,"
|
|
|
Snape said evenly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Maya chuckled again and Snape noted that it still didn't sound genuine. "Very
|
|
|
well," he said, "Come in and have a seat."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thanks," Maya said, sitting in front of the fireplace. "Oh," she added as she
|
|
|
noticed the book on his side-table. "I didn't peg you for a Dickens-enthusiast."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"On occasion," Snape told her, pouring her a cup of tea. "Now," he said sternly,
|
|
|
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I believe we need to talk," Maya said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape was genuinely confused. "About what?" he asked, "Did something happen with
|
|
|
Alex?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh no," Maya said, "Nothing of the sort. No, I meant that we needed to talk about
|
|
|
that article. You know, -" she added when Snape raised an eyebrow, "-The one in Witch
|
|
|
weekly."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Ah yes," Snape smirked as he sipped his own tea, "It was a nice try but you
|
|
|
forget that you're dealing with the head of Slytherin house."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Maya regarded him carefully, staring as if Snape had grown a second head.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What?" Snape asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Do you truly not realise?" Maya asked, "Or are you being deliberately
|
|
|
obtuse?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape furrowed his brow at the History Professor and gently placed his cup on its
|
|
|
saucer. "Surely, I have no idea what you're implying," he said carefully.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Maya turned rather red as she too set down her cup. She clasped her hands firmly
|
|
|
in her lap and breathed in deeply as if she was gathering courage.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Maya –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I like you," Maya blurted out. Snape's eyes widened slightly and he found himself
|
|
|
staring at the woman in front of him.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"All those things I wrote in the article – well – I believe them all to be true,"
|
|
|
she said, "I really admire you and I have for a while now."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape's lips tightened and his stare hardened. Up until now, their pranks had all
|
|
|
been innocent and fun but this? This went too far.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That's a rather cruel thing to say, don't you think?" Snape said harshly. "I
|
|
|
would think that an intelligent woman such as yourself would understand such a thing
|
|
|
as boundaries but clearly you do not."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Severus, I-"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"No," Snape interrupted coldly, "I don't know who put you up to this or what gave
|
|
|
you this idea but you can consider this relationship we've had between us to be
|
|
|
over."</p>
|
|
|
<p>To Snape's shock, Maya actually began to cry. A fine actress indeed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You don't understand!" she pleaded, "I never –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Spare me your redundant excuses," Snape snarled, "I've heard enough. Please
|
|
|
leave."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"But I-"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"NOW!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape had never seen a fellow teacher scatter before his gaze as quickly as Maya
|
|
|
did at that point. Usually, it was only the students in which he could instil such
|
|
|
fright. But frankly, she deserved it. Harmless pranks and jokes were one thing. But
|
|
|
playing with a man's heart like that. A man that knew very well that he was unlovable
|
|
|
and would remain alone at that. Well, it was beyond cruel. And Snape didn't want a
|
|
|
thing to do with a woman that would think such actions funny or acceptable.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Beyond angry, Snape aimed his wand at the book that lay waiting for him and
|
|
|
blasted it into a million pieces. Bits of parchment floated around him as he sunk
|
|
|
into his chair, burying his face into his hands.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>At breakfast the next morning, Harry had piled a lot onto his plate. He was
|
|
|
absolutely starving, possibly due to the excitement of the day before.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"So the Monotropa Uniflora has white blossoms when it's unpollinated," Harry
|
|
|
explained to the only ones that would listen: Hermione and Neville. " But when its
|
|
|
pollinated, the blossoms turn brown."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Fascinating," Neville said sincerely, "Which blossoms would you need?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"The white ones would be best, I think," Harry said easily, "Just to preserve
|
|
|
purity."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I think there might be some in greenhouse three," Neville told Harry, "If you
|
|
|
want, I could ask Professor Sprout if I can harvest some later."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That would be great, Neville," Harry said, "Thank you."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Owl post," Ron said, glad to be able to interrupt their 'boring' conversation.
|
|
|
Harry glanced at the owls but didn't see his own snowy white among the mix. Of
|
|
|
course, she would still be in the dungeons. What he did see was a very formal looking
|
|
|
barn owl head his way.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Without much ado, the owl dropped the next issue of '<em>The Practical
|
|
|
Potioneer'</em> next to Harry's plate where it wouldn't get dirty. Harry glanced at
|
|
|
the head table to see if Snape received his issue as well. He saw that he did but
|
|
|
frowned when he saw Snape sitting there, looking utterly forlorn. For some reason,
|
|
|
Bell sat quite a few seats away from the dour man, seemingly just as depressed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>'<em>What's wrong</em>?' Harry wrote on his cuff.</p>
|
|
|
<p>After a second, he saw Snape look at him with a dark scowl. Harry pointed at his
|
|
|
own cuff as a signal and Snape sighed exasperatedly before looking at it. He took
|
|
|
much too long to read the short sentence and did not bother replying. Instead, he
|
|
|
looked at Harry pointedly before turning his attention back to his eggs, though they
|
|
|
were untouched.</p>
|
|
|
<p>'<em>Staring at them isn't going to get them into your stomach.'</em> Harry
|
|
|
wrote.</p>
|
|
|
<p>This time Snape didn't look at him or the cuff. Instead, he got up from the table
|
|
|
and left the great hall.</p>
|
|
|
<p>What in the world?</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Harry, I can't believe you got published again!" Hermione said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Momentarily distracted, Harry looked at Hermione to see that she was already
|
|
|
leafing through his magazine.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Did I?" Harry asked in surprise. "What with? The magic muggle potion?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"The potion that lets you summon ghosts," Ron said as he glanced over Hermione's
|
|
|
shoulder, "Useful for clearing out old haunted houses, I'd wager."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry could not bring himself to feel too happy about this new publication.
|
|
|
Something was wrong with Snape. Wrong enough to not even smirk at Harry in
|
|
|
satisfaction as he found out about the article. What was going on?</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>Oh goodness. Do let me know how you feel about this chapter if you can. The next
|
|
|
update will be on Monday. *dodges rocks*</p>
|
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
</body>
|
|
|
</html> |