Chapters 4-5
Rated: PG
Summary: Harry and Snape are forced into hiding, Snape under orders to brew a protective potion from Harry's blood. In their forced exile, Harry and Snape learn many surprising things about each other. But will they survive their seclusion without killing each other?
CONFRONTATION
"How long has he been like that?"
"Only a few minutes. Lucky you happened to come over."
"I had to make sure both of you were still alive. I still see the risk in expecting you to put up with each other all by yourselves for such a long time. Did everything work out nicely?"
"No major problems."
"I am relieved. What made him faint?"
"Oh, you know... growing children... they sometimes have these..."
"Severus? Are you not telling me something?"
"Well, he did have problems cutting his own skin. Can't see blood, I suppose. But I believe I could be of assistance."
"That's good to hear. (smiles)"
"How long will we have to stay in here, though? I must admit it is somewhat tiring in the long run."
"If you have changed you mind..."
"It has nothing to do with ME. I'll do this as long as the situation requires it."
"And nothing else I expected from you. (smiles again) But you will have to tell me immediately if you think either of you can't bear this anymore. Can you promise me that?"
"I think I can."
"Good... Oh, look - he's waking up. I'll take my leave then."
"All right, headmaster, see you later."
"See you later, Severus."
...
"Awww... my... head..."
"Feeling better, celebrity?"
"What happened?"
"(contemptuous look) You passed out."
"I... ouch - oh yes, I remember."
"I bandaged the wound - don't move! You've nearly cut off your own arm."
"Did... did I just see Professor Dumbledore?"
"I don't know what YOU have seen, Potter, but I can't recall any visitor since the day we went into hiding. Perhaps you were having hallucinations..."
"(grins) Perhaps."
"Try if you can sit!"
"It hurts, but I'll be able to get up."
"No way! If you pass out again the headmaster will be after my blood."
"So he WAS here?"
"... Just briefly. To check if we were still alive. And if either of us had changed our mind. I told him we'd manage, though."
"What a surprising attitude of yours..."
"Unlike OTHERS, I know my duties, Potter. You have to make sacrifices sometimes. And bearing THIS is the least each of us can do to support the war against the Dark Lord."
"Suppose you're right..."
"Get used to the fact that I always am."
"Oh, of course! I'll remind you of your words next time I see you bullying Neville Longbottom."
"Longbottom? What has HE got to do with anything?"
"Oh, come off it! The way you treat him is scandalous. It has always been. Don't you know what happened to his parents?"
"Of course I do."
"Then why treat him like that? Even YOU can't be that heartless..."
"He needs to learn. Needs to start defending himself. How is he ever going to be able to stand up to others if everyone keeps pampering him?"
"I don't understand..."
"You don't? Well, it is the same with you and your annoying relatives, really. Why did you think the headmaster did not look for a decent wizarding family to take you in? He didn't want you growing up either admired or pitied by EVERYONE you meet. It is a learning progress."
"You mean... THAT's why I had to live with them? Because you all think I would grow up to be HORRIBLE otherwise?"
"(smirks) Shows that even Dumbledore's plans can fail... (more serious) But of course the main reason you were to live at Privet Drive was the spell... that ancient piece of magic which your mother used for your protection. It works only with blood relatives. Ridiculous, if you ask me. It is like Diana McGonagall always said..."
"McGonagall? Professor McGonagall? But-"
"Not Professor McGonagall. Her daughter, you fool. Did you think someone like her could live for seventy years without finding someone to marry?"
"But... how come YOU know Professor McGonagall's daughter?"
"We've been in the same year at Hogwarts. A remarkably clever girl. And a great witch. If it hadn't been for your brainless godfather, she would still be alive - and HE would never have found you... Come to think about it, I wouldn't be stuck in here with you in that case, but oh well... (sarcastically) that's what war is like."
"I... don't see a connection."
"Well, you wouldn't. Did you think one spell was all you were protected with?"
"Oh... right. But - did you know her? Properly, I mean?"
"We were... partners. On countless missions. She was the cleverest witch I ever met."
"Like Hermione?"
"Like who? Oh, no. Nothing like HER. Diana used to be very modest... very quiet, too."
"You seem to have liked her a lot..."
"And YOU seem to have fully recovered. Off you go - to your own room. Move! NOW!"
***********
BICKERING
(THIRD DAY)
"Sorry to disturb you, Professor, but..."
"I am very busy, Potter. Come back later!"
"Er..."
(a few hours later)
"I... er... would like to know..."
"(jumps) Aaargh! You ruined my potion! OUT!"
(FOURTH DAY)
"Professor, I was wondering..."
"Get out! I am exceedingly busy!"
"But you don't even..."
"Clear off!"
(FIFTH DAY)
"If you don't mind, Professor, I'd like to ask..."
"(sigh) I WON'T tell you about your parents! Not about their life, not about their profession, nor can I tell you anything about their relationship to the Dark Lord."
"(astounded) How do you know... I mean - that's NOT what I was going to ask!"
"(idly) Indeed..."
...
"What's THAT?"
"Intelligence potion. Not quite thought through, though. I am short of experimental subjects."
"I hope you don't count on me."
"(smirks) Don't worry! I need someone with brains."
"..."
"Why so surprised?"
"Er... What are you concocting potions for anyway?"
"Why not? It is a very uncomplicated way of entertaining oneself."
"I bet. What's this?"
"Squid cream. Go away and draw a picture of the Gryffindor common room!"
"Er...?"
"...or whatever. Start writing a diary! - No, that's probably the only thing you definitely can't do in here. Completely useless, I guess. (grins at himself)"
"Why can't we talk?"
"(menacingly) I have no intention of talking to you, Potter. Now get away - or I will make you!"
(EIGHTH DAY)
"There isn't any food left. What are we supposed to eat?"
"There will be a delivery this afternoon. Professor Dumbledore said he would send someone."
"There isn't any water either. Can't we just go and fetch some?"
"We mustn't leave this house, imbecile. The spell doesn't work outside these walls."
"We could use magic then."
"You CAN'T conjure food out of thin air. Even if the start-of-term banquet makes it look like that. All of its food is prepared by house elfs."
"I know, but..."
"How- (sarcastically) Oh, of course - I forgot. Pompous Potter has, of course, made use of his Invisibility Cloak every now and then. Been sneaking into the kitchen for cookies and tea, have you? Sorry, but I can only offer you some sleeping potion."
"Jerk! No, thanks! I'll go and continue writing into my diary."
"(stops stirring and looks up) Your WHAT? Tell me you haven't really..."
"I was bored. What was I supposed to do? (defiantly) That's why I keep asking about my parents - I had to think about them. I don't know anything about myself, because I have never met my parents. But YOU won't understand why that is important for me, of course."
"(frowns) Since you have already decided that I won't, you might as well leave and give me the chance to finish the potion."
"That's not fair! You know a lot more about my own parents than I do! You might as well tell me, or I won't know for ages! No one ever tells me anything!"
"(sneer) Tough life, isn't it?"
"I HATE you! (leaves the room)"