Fic: No Hiding Place book Three: The Cottage (3/28)

[sua_lay]

Title: No Hiding Place: Book Three: The Cottage (3/28)
Author: Rimau Sua Lay
Rating: overall NC-17, Angst, Drama, Action/Adventure, First Time
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairings: Harry/Snape, Ron/Draco, (Sirius/Remus)
Date: December 2002 - ?
Disclaimers: Not mine, borrowed without permission, am not making any money. Please don't sue. Sherbet Lemon?
Summary for Book Three: -Does being a good guy mean you also have to be a nice guy? Draco is about to find out. Companionable silences and fist fights are a good way to hide deeper emotions.
Warning: This part contains mild violence, explicit sex between men, confusion about sex (not non-con really!) and as you can guess, angst. .

The earlier parts of the fic can be found here.

Part 3

Freedom was truly an amazing thing.

Draco Malfoy had never really thought about his life in terms of freedom and imprisonment. It had never occurred to him like that, not before the Yuletide.

When he'd realized what reality behind the masks and Dark Marks was like, his whole world had come crumbling down. Everything familiar to him had become a prison; his heritage, all the grand plans he had for his future. Even his position in Hogwarts, being the unchallenged leader of the young Slytherins.

He'd wanted to become the Head Boy. Just out of spite for Potter and his idiot goons, to show that he could do something others couldn't. But his father had said no. It was more important to guide everything from behind the scenes. It was too early to be so visibly in charge of everything. Better to sneak around in the shadows and wait for the perfect opportunity to stab his enemies. In the back of course.

Duty was something he was familiar with. It had been his whole life. It had been the first abstract concept he'd ever understood. Even before things like love and friendship.

Now everything was different.

Looking up from his cup of tea, Draco was still amazed by the ludicrous sight in front of him. They were all gathered in the dining room of the small cottage, Potter and Weasley on the other side of the table. Him alone on this side. Professor Snape sitting at the head of the table.

The deranged little family. Or maybe a gathering of the doomed, a few minutes before execution.

Draco smiled a little at the thought. No, they were definitely not a family. Not exactly prisoners either, for he had never in his life felt so free.

These past days had been wonderful. Different from anything he'd ever experienced. After the potions Snape had told him to take had worn off, and the nausea had passed, he'd felt strangely light inside.

It was actually quite disgusting how good he felt.

Staying in a small cottage with professor Snape and his two arch enemies hadn't really made him feel anything at first. He'd tossed away his destiny, and had been glad to have someone to guide him. As long as it was in the right direction. Even while being under the influence of veritaserum he'd listened closely to what Snape had said, glad that he was making the decisions and not the Headmaster.

Quite frankly, he didn't trust the old man. He was too absolute in his so called goodness. People who had such convictions in their own morality were usually the worst kinds of monsters.

Like the man worshipped by his father and his friends. Former friends, actually.

Life seemed to be full of quiet moments, and during some of those moments, Draco allowed himself to wonder just what exactly was going on in that shady world he'd left behind. Was Millicent or Pansy taking his place? Or did Voldemort stand behind his misogynous convictions and promoted only male progeny of his most trusted pureblood Death Eaters? The thought was always amusing, considering that with Marcus Flint's questionable parentage the only real options were Vince and Greg.

They would undoubtedly mess up everything. Dumbledore's people wouldn't have anything to worry about.

Snape excused himself after finishing his tea, casting a warning glance at the Gryffindors. His gesture at Draco was quite easily deciphered. It made the boy follow Eppy silently to the kitchen.

Things had really changed. From the professor's pet into just one of the students. And now this.

Since there was no one to see -- Eppy was dozing off in the corner and Potter and Weasley were in the living room -- Draco grimaced as he put his hands into the soapy water. He didn't like the idea of working like a common Muggle. They had the power of magic, so why not use it? There had to be a charm for this. He should be reading through his books to find one, not wasting time with soap and water.

He wasn't going to disobey Snape's orders. Some things hadn't changed. The professor's authority was definitely one of those things.

Once Snape had finished testing him for various curses, triggers and other things he had no idea of, the professor had told him to sit down and listen.

It had been a weird conversation, unlike any he'd ever had with Snape. He'd sat there, listening to the man make quite accurate comments about how he felt right now. About his options in life. He'd simply nodded, saying 'yes, sir' every once in a while.

Then, after a moment of scrutiny, Snape had told him to get out of his room and stay out of trouble.

So here he was.

Instead of staying in his room for the whole day, he remained downstairs after finishing with the chores. Ignoring Ron Weasley's glare, he curled on the couch with a book. He'd just continue with the way things had been, not paying attention to the others and not cursing them to the next century even if they deserved it.

The sound of raindrops tapping the windows was a soothing sound, and pretty soon he was lost in the world of the novel, completely forgetting about his surroundings.

There was a silence in the small living room. Harry had already sprawled on the couch, looking a bit bored. Ron had followed him, looking equally bored.

He'd brought a Quidditch magazine with him from their room, but wasn't really interested in reading it now. Wasn't in the mood for reading. After spending the past weeks doing nothing but reading, he needed to do something else. Anything else.

It had taken a few days for Ron to realize that this was going to be really tedious.

At first, he'd been really happy to have the old Harry back. The one eager to explore. They'd searched through the whole house -- except for that one room downstairs and the place where Malfoy hid -- and then walked around the grounds a couple of more times. There wasn't much to see, and soon they were both just spending most of the time in the living room, trying not to look as bored as they felt.

It had been nice and quiet inside the cottage. Malfoy had stayed upstairs for most of the time. That was always a good thing. He couldn't really stand seeing his smug face. Snape had spent his time in his room, undoubtedly turning the small and probably cozy place into something dank and dismal. The only time they'd all been forced to spend together had been during meals. Usually no words beyond common courtesies had been exchanged while they ate.

Glaring at the blond boy sitting by the window, Ron wished things had stayed that way.

He was beginning to wonder about the wisdom of his decision to come here. He didn't regret it, but to be quite honest, he hadn't thought about what it would be like to spend months in close quarters with two Slytherins. Especially these two. He'd spent years trying to avoid Malfoy and his goons. Hated Snape both inside the classroom and outside it.

Things were probably going on as usual in Hogwarts. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he wondered what people were doing right now. It was too late for dinner, so they were probably studying in the library or relaxing in the common rooms. He could see it now; Hermione sitting in the library with a big pile of books, casting dirty glances at Lavender who was undoubtedly sitting by Wayne Hopkins from Hufflepuff, kissing him and giggling.

It was strange. These past seven years, Hogwarts had become a second home to him, and he realized he missed it. He'd made plans for his future, dreaming of following his father's footsteps in the ministry or maybe even becoming an Auror, but before all that, there would be dreaded exams, and then the Leaving Feast.

Simply leaving on one hour's notice wasn't exactly in his plans. Leaving behind everything he knew, and disappearing from the wizarding world completely.

He wondered if Harry missed his Quidditch practices right now. It was better than wondering if his parents were worrying about him. Because that was the one thing he couldn't talk with Harry. About relatives who might be worried sick. Or who wouldn't care at all.

Ron decided not to think about that.

Now it was raining again. Not the gentle dribble that didn't really bother anyone, but a cold hard rain. There was nowhere to go, really, all trips to the outhouse made in haste as the short journey there left them shivering even in their robes. They were cooped up inside.

It reminded him of springtime at Hogwarts. Weather up in Scotland was not unlike it was here, which made him kind of suspicious. The fact that the shrubs outside looked very much like the heather and thistle lining the Quidditch pitch only added to his suspicions. It was dreary. And it rained. Constantly.

"Two months of this." Ron shook his head in disgust. "Nothing to do out here. Well, we can go out and try to de-gnome the garden, but even that will become really annoying after two or three hours. Especially if it continues raining. "

Running around the Weasleys' garden chasing the gnomes was a happy memory, always making Harry smile a little. He could remember it becoming real work when repeated every day for a week. "Yeah. We'd better think of something else."

The problem was, there wasn't much to do. He hadn't brought his Firebolt with him. They had a board of wizard's chess here, but he wasn't going to spend months playing. Going to spend time with Snape would have been nice, but he couldn't justify that now. Not to Snape, and certainly not to Ron.

Ron squirmed a little, his gaze unfocused. He tried to think of something. Anything. "Well, there are always chores." The grimace on his face already told what he thought of that. Washing dishes and stuff like that wasn't all that bad, really, but suffering through Eppy's sighs and bitter ramblings was.

"We can only clean this place like once a day. So no. What else?" Harry couldn't believe he was actually missing the studying. What an insane notion.

"Let me think."

A long silence followed Ron's words. All three boys were lost in thoughts, trying to think of a way -- any way -- to end the boredom.

There was a rustling sound from the couch, and then Draco Malfoy said quietly, "We could ask professor Snape to tutor us in Potions." He sounded uncharacteristically subdued.

Harry raised an eyebrow. He was a bit surprised to have the Slytherin actually talk to them. Malfoy had been locked inside his own glum thoughts for the past few days. Not that it was really a wonder.

"Yeah, right. Why would we want that, Malfoy?"

Ignoring the hostility in Weaslry's voice, Draco shrugged. "Just a thought. It seems stupid to waste all the time I spent studying for the N.E.W.T.s. I bet Snape could give us the exam here, and when we go back to Hogwarts, we'd have one less thing to worry about."

He didn't really need to take the exam right now. Years of studying for the class held by the Head of his House had been enough for him to accumulate enough knowledge to pass any test.

Studying would be better than spending all his time trying to evade Potter and Weasley. It would also take his mind off the dark thoughts that seemed to accompany him everywhere no matter how hard he tried to escape them.

"Well it's a stupid idea." Declaring his opinion quite clearly with both words and tone, Ron turned his back on Malfoy. "Just shut up."

Harry didn't say anything, knowing that it would just make it worse. Once, he'd hated Malfoy just as much as Ron so obviously still did, but it didn't matter anymore. Malfoy had been a threat, now he was only a nuisance. As long as he didn't get in his way, he didn't care.

As if he'd expected that answer, Draco shrugged. A moment later he collected his book and sneaked back upstairs without even looking at the two Gryffindors.

Waiting until Malfoy was clearly out of hearing range, Harry looked at Ron who was still looking angry. "Actually, Ron, he has a point." He was agreeing with Malfoy. What a strange thing. "I know you read the Potions stuff as well as the Arithmancy." All the hours spent at the library were still making him shudder.

Hermione would make a fine teacher one day. If she chose not to become one, she could find work as a drill sergeant at a boot camp.

There was an angry silence. Then Ron nodded. "Yeah." The word was squeezed from behind clenched teeth.

Nothing had changed. Turning his back on Voldemort didn't erase years of being a complete bastard. Some people might go soft on Malfoy, but Ron was definitely not one of them. He would not comment on Malfoy's stupid attire or the way his gel free hair seemed to curl stupidly, or punch him in the face for simply breathing. But he was not going to forgive him either. And he was definitely not going to admit him he was agreeing with him about anything.

"So we should ask Snape to teach us?" Harry could have probably just asked if he should ask Snape. From Ron's expression it was clear that he wasn't going to do it.

Ron nodded, looking a little hesitant. It would be best if Harry talked to Snape. At least that way Malfoy couldn't take credit for the whole thing, even if it was his idea. But asking Harry do it wasn't really fair to his friend. After all, they all knew how Snape usually reacted to anything they said. "Are you sure you don't want Malfoy to ask him?"

"No, I'll go," Harry hurried to answer. He'd been waiting for such an opportunity for days now, and wasn't going to let it go.

Besides, he'd seen how Malfoy acted with Snape. It was clear that things had changed. Snape had agreed to protect Malfoy, but Malfoy obviously had no idea how to behave with Snape.

Harry smiled a little. Yes, everything had been so simple when they'd still believed in the roles they had played in school. Especially Malfoy's role. Now they knew it was a lie. He would never again get away with his supremacist attitude or cutting jibes. At least with Snape around.

"Well, it's your funeral." Even though he meant it as a joke, Ron still shook his head. He still couldn't understand Harry's attitude towards Snape. Being a member of the Order didn't really change things all that much. "I wouldn't go to him even if you paid me."

A genuine smile followed the comment. It was not all that often he made jokes about money, but this time there was a hint of honesty in the words.

"Ron... He's not a total monster." Seeing that the words didn't have any impact on his friend, Harry shrugged. It was really weird. He could barely remember how it was to be scared of going to see the man.

Rolling his eyes, Ron nodded. "Yeah. Right. I believe you. And maybe Malfoy's not a twit either. We've just misunderstood them all along."

Harry didn't even bother to say anything to that.

"So you'll ask him if he'd... er..." Wondering just how could anyone ask Snape about anything, Ron just went with, "Teach us. Right?" He wondered if he could get away with calling Snape a nasty git to his face after passing the exam. After he'd passed, the man wasn't going to be able to flunk him. Of course it didn't mean he wouldn't be able to throw a curse or five at him.

"Yeah. I think he'll agree. It's not like he has anything better to do here." Boredom would be a common enemy. Snape had said something about DADA, but he'd probably be overjoyed to teach Potions.

Ron blinked as he saw Harry get up. "You're going there now?" He'd thought Harry would approach Snape after breakfast the next morning or something.

"Why not?" No need to stall. Harry padded to the door, trying to ignore the look on Ron's face. "I'll be right back." Realizing he didn't really want to hurry with this, he hesitated. "Actually, there are some things I need to talk with him. So you shouldn't worry if this takes me a while."

He hurried out of the room before Ron could say anything.

Knowing Harry couldn't see it, Ron nodded anyway. His expression was dark. He knew he'd worry as long as Harry was there with the sadistic bastard. It didn't matter he was a member of the Order.

It'd be best if he waited here.

Harry walked across the small entrance hall towards Snape's door. Malfoy's suggestion was a good one, and he was sure Snape would agree with that. He didn't mind sitting back and enjoying the peace and quiet, but this didn't sound bad either. Besides, they'd have weeks and weeks to just be after the exam. He doubted their studying would take all that long.

Instead of simply touching the door, like he always did back at Hogwarts, he rapped his knuckles against it.

"What is it, Potter?" The voice called out even before the door was opened.

"How did you know it was me?" Harry stepped through the doorway, closing the door after him. "It could have been..." The words faded away as he remembered the strangely identical looks of apprehension on Ron and Malfoy. "Oh."

Snape didn't comment, but there was a faint smirk ghosting over his features. "Oh indeed. Well. Come on in, then." He gestured at the chair across from where he was standing.

Since it was the only place to sit on -- if one didn't sit on Snape's bed, and Harry was certain that wouldn't go well --, Harry slumped down on the chair.

He didn't even try to hide his curiosity as he looked around the room. There were jars and bundles of various potions ingredients everywhere, books piled on the table. A cauldron was simmering not far from them. He wondered where on earth had the man packed all this. After all, he'd brought just one trunk with him, like the rest of them.

The scent of herbs was already thick in the air, making the small room smell very familiar. Harry couldn't help smiling at that. In just a couple of days Snape had managed to make this place feel like home.

It was funny how they'd seemed to have brought the sense of home with them. In the room he shared with Ron, the familiarity of his friend's messy habits and the soft sound of his breathing in the dark lulled him into safety. Here, it was the scents surrounding him, like in the dungeons at Hogwarts. Not only the herbs that soothed him, but also the less pleasant smells.

Potion ingredients that had always been an annoyance were now building memories of peace and calm.

"So, to what do I owe this honor?" Snape asked as he realized Harry was just going to gawk at his room. "Or are you just on a sightseeing tour?"

"I like what you've done to this place." There was quiet honesty in Harry's voice.

He didn't expect for an answer. None was offered. Snape just stood there, waiting for more as he looked around the room once again.

Seeing Harry in such informal surroundings was a bit strange. It had been easy at Hogwarts. There the boy had been a student inside the classroom, a fellow member of the Order in his rooms. Everywhere else, it depended on the situation. If he was running around and screaming with his friends, a student. If he was not breaking any rules, an ally. Simple.

It wasn't that simple anymore.

Then again, nothing in the world was really simple. At least not in the world Snape lived in. Where friends could be enemies, and annoying brats could turn out to be human beings after all.

Harry returned his gaze to the man. "Actually, we have a favor to ask." Seeing the encouraging nod, he said, "Since we're going to be here for a while, and all of us spent a lot of time studying for the N.E.W.T.s, we'd like to take the exams here. The Potions exams. And we kind of thought it'd be great if you tutored us before it. If it's all right with you."

He felt a bit light headed after saying that.

The surprised expression on Snape's face was a genuine one. Harry Potter asking him if he could actually teach? And he'd said 'we'. Weasley was eager to study?

"Shocking, isn't it?" Harry grinned. Somehow it felt as if Snape was not laughing at him. With him, maybe. Even though Snape was just standing there. Not really laughing at all.

"To be quite honest, yes." The sarcasm in the deep voice was definitely not cutting this time. "You want me to finish teaching you this year's course and then give you the exams?"

The astonishment on Snape's usually guarded face was so blatantly obvious, Harry kept grinning while nodding. "Yes. Ron is bored out of his mind, and quite frankly so am I. Besides, it might help to defuse the tension a bit." He wasn't stupid. Malfoy was acting meek, and Ron was doing his best to ignore him, but that wasn't going to last forever. Even in the silence, there were
all kinds of angry feelings floating around those two.

That certainly got Snape's attention. "So you think of classes as a diversion?" More scathing this time.

"No. I didn't say that." Harry rolled his eyes. "I think of them as a good way not to waste all the hours we've already spent studying for the N.E.W.T.s. The fact that they'll help us all live here together is a bonus."

Snape brushed his fingers over the freshly cut clover leaves on the table, thinking about it. It did make sense. More than he had earlier credited Harry with.

He'd wondered how long it would take for those three to get bored of simply being. It was a bit surprising how quickly they had come to him. Still, he was glad he hadn't suggested this himself. He'd had some time to think and now he could teach without being resented for it.

What a novel idea.

Teaching Potions hadn't really crossed his mind. He'd thought about defense and teaching how to survive. He didn't want to be a part of any delusion of safety.

They would have time for DADA classes as well. Snape gave in to the temptation to be a simple Potions master. It had been such a long time since he'd had time to only teach.

"All right." Ignoring the smile on Harry's face, he added, "We'll meet in the living room after breakfast. Classes for two hours then and four more before dinner. You can spend the extra time studying."

It sounded exactly the way Harry had imagined. Hard work. "Sure." He was also sure Ron would skin him.

"I expect you all to behave yourselves during the classes. No talking during the lecture, no sleeping. I will treat you as students, but due to our special circumstances, I do not feel comfortable in handing out House points out here. It would feel like favoritism."

Harry waited for a moment, unsure if it was a joke or not. Since Snape's expression didn't waver, he just nodded, "Yes. Of course."

"Good." It would be interesting to teach such a small group. Snape's most recent experience of tutoring was with two of his own students who were mentally equivalent to house elves. Really stupid house elves. Even though he had no illusions about Weasley's or Harry's intelligence --especially in Potions class -- this would be better than just sitting here.

Of course it would also keep the youngsters in line. Having too much time in their hands would be dangerous.

"So... When will we start? Tomorrow?" Harry asked. It was probably best to start right away. That way Ron wouldn't have the chance to kill Malfoy.

Since there was nothing more important to do, Snape nodded. He'd probably manage to finish with the potion he was brewing in an hour or so, and then he'd have time to plan for the classes. "Yes." He was already thinking about what he would have to teach before the exams. To young Malfoy, probably nothing. To Weasley... Well, they did have only a couple of months here.

He would do his best. It would be up to the annoying teenagers to pass or fail.

Harry had never felt this happy about the possibility of actually going to a Potions class. It was making him a bit giddy. "Thank you!" He might regret this later, but right this moment he didn't mind that.

Snape waited for a moment. When Harry didn't say anything or make a move to get up, he asked, "Was there something else you wanted?" His voice indicated there's better not be. He had work to do.

"Well... No. Not really." Disappointed, Harry shook his head.

A grunt was the only reply he got. Snape turned his attention back to the salve he was brewing. It had simmered in peace for long enough. It was time to add more ingredients.

For a moment, Harry wondered if he should ask for a permission to stay. Seeing Snape concentrate on the potion made him decide against it. Asking would be stupid.

Instead of leaving, he sat there, waiting for a curt order to get out. When none came, a small smile appeared on his lips. It was a bit weird how he'd missed spending time alone with Snape. He hadn't really thought about why.

Didn't want to think about it now either. He was just happy to be here.

He knew that studying would keep them busy and drive the boredom away for a while. Hopefully, it would be warmer when they finally passed their exams, and they could then spend more time outside.

It would be weird to be finally free of the Potions class. Ron for one would be happy to be rid of it. Harry smiled a little. Yes. His friend would probably feel relief after the exam. He knew Ron worried about Snape's presence, and at least a bit of that worry would be erased when it was sure nothing they did could postpone leaving school.

Snape wouldn't be their teacher anymore. Of course he was still a professor and an adult, but he wouldn't hold enormous power over them. For some reason that was important to Harry, even though he couldn't really say why.

Trying not to look too deep into the whole thing, he curled on the chair, simply enjoying the moment of peace.

Snape added the ingredients slowly to the potion. He didn't even need to check out the order from the book. He'd only brewed this particular potion once before, but he'd memorized it long ago, knowing it could well save his life some day.

His mind was wandering while he stirred the thickening liquid. The potion was a perfect example of how his life had changed, and he wasn't certain if it was a good thing or not.

This was reality now. Hiding. There was no place on earth where he'd be completely safe. There would be people after him and nothing would change that, except the death of his former Master. He had no idea what would happen after that.

Life would go on. He'd return to his quiet life in Hogwarts, finally able to stop thinking about the past. Even if the mark he had of his teenage folly would probably never let him completely forget.

Brewing a potion was always calming. Even this potion. Snape enjoyed the silence and peace of his room, glad that the youngsters were staying away from here. He was willing to spend some evenings in the living room, to act as a buffer between young Malfoy and Weasley but it was far from an ideal way to spend the evening.

He'd accepted the duty to protect the boy. That meant he'd even suffer through tedious evenings with idiots.

The potion was almost done, the liquid turning into the deep green salve-like subject it was supposed to be. Snape pulled the ladle out of the cauldron, careful not to drip any of the potion on the books that were open on the table.

Now he had to wait before adding the rest of the ingredients.

A movement on the other side of the room caught his attention just as he was reaching out for a jar of Plimpy livers. Trying to remember if he'd heard the door open, Snape abandoned his movement towards the jar and spun around, his wand ready. Seeing Harry sit there was definitely a shock. He'd thought he'd already left.

"What? Is something wrong?" Harry made a move towards his own wand as he saw Snape twirl around. "Is someone coming?"

Snape just stared. Then he put his wand back on the table. His expression was poisonous. "I thought you'd already left." He was more angry at himself than at Harry. He'd got so used to the boy's presence, he didn't even register it anymore and that wasn't exactly wise.

It was probably the first time he'd ever relaxed like that in someone's presence. He'd never dropped his guard like this before. Not even with Albus Dumbledore.

"Oh." Harry felt something shrivel inside of him. He did his best not to show his disappointment. "Sorry." There was even some sarcasm in that one word. It was the best he could muster.

With a withering glare, Snape turned back to his potion. Not saying a word.

He didn't know why he wasn't just throwing Harry out of his room. It was obvious the Gryffindor didn't need him. That illusion had been shattered a while back. There was no trace of desperation in him anymore.

He still thought Harry Potter was annoying. What else could he think? He certainly didn't worship him like most of their world seemed to do. He would never again worship anyone, not even if they deserved it. And Harry didn't deserve being worshipped. He was too human for that.

Annoying! Snape slammed the ladle back into the cauldron. He did not want to think about an idiot child as a human being. Students weren't humans. They were irritating twerps who never listened, never paid attention to what adults told them.

Stirring the potion, Snape reached out for the Plimpy livers again. He grimaced as he felt his sleeve get even wetter as his fingers finally found one small liver in the jar. He was going to finish the potion now, not caring he wasn't alone. Starting from the beginning the next day would be stupid.

He could deal with slight discomfort. It was nothing compared to most of the things he'd been through. Soggy clothing would be better than pity or horror from the boy.

Almost anything would be better than that.

Harry couldn't keep his attention away from Snape for long. He could sense something was wrong with him, but had no idea why. Feeling the heat from the fire make perspiration run down his face, he wiped his forehead. Suddenly he realized Snape must feel the heat even worse than he did. But still, he didn't take off his frock coat. He squinted. Snape's sleeves seemed to be all soggy as well.

It hit him hard. Of course Snape wouldn't want anyone to see him take the robes off. Even professor Sprout used light summer robes at the end of school year, but no one had ever seen Snape in anything but his heavy robes.

He had a flash of image from the dueling club five years ago. Snape had left his outer robes off then. Still, he'd been hidden neck down in black cloth. He was always like that. Never relaxing. Always looking forbidding in his clothes, covering his skin.

Covering his left arm.

The small chair clattered back as Harry stood up in a hurry. He hadn't even thought that he was probably intruding, that Snape would want to do things in private. Sense of duty would probably keep him from asking him to leave.

That didn't mean he should stay and ignore the fact that Snape didn't want him there.

"Stop making a mess, Potter!" Snape glanced over his shoulder, looking pointedly at the chair until Harry raised it up again. He was still holding the jar. Fortunately he hadn't spilled any of the liquid. "What is it?"

Harry opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.

"Just when you almost had me convinced of some trace of intelligence, you contradict it with idiotic behavior." Never mind the fact that he had actually said something nice. Snape's voice was definitely not kind.

"I... I..." Hand still on the back of the chair, Harry stuttered, feeling like an idiot. His movement had been spurred by surprise, and now he had no idea what to do.

If this was about anything else, he would just say what he had thought but Snape's past was not something he could comment on.

He swallowed, and closed his mouth. Better not say anything. But it was clear some kind of an explanation was needed right now.

"Maybe I should go." It was clear Snape was angry. Maybe not at him, but he wouldn't bet on it. "I have things to tell Ron, and you need some..." Harry bit his tongue as he almost said something they'd both regret later.

He moved quickly towards the door. He'd better get out of here right now.

"Stop!"

Harry froze at the sound of Snape's voice. It had rarely sounded like that before; full of barely contained fury. Somehow it was worse than malice or rage. "Y...Yes?" He was sure he was insane, because he still couldn't feel real fear. Only strange churning in his stomach.

"Pray tell me what do I need, Potter." Realizing he was squeezing the jar so tight his fingers ached, Snape stared at Harry. This was good. The idiot would probably stutter something inane, and then leave; exactly what he needed right now, to be reminded of how he hadn't lost his touch.

To be once again proven that this foolish young creature was indeed worth every single angry thought he'd had ever had about idiots.

"Privacy." Amazingly, it came out without a stutter. Harry met Snape's stare with a calm expression. He didn't make a move towards the door.

Snape hadn't really expected that. "What do you mean?" He'd never needed privacy while brewing a potion. He was a Potions master, a teacher. It wasn't as if he had a performance anxiety. Especially not with this young man. "Why would I need that?"

"Er..."

The hesitation made Snape squint his eyes. Something was going on. It didn't take a genius to know what Harry was thinking about. He could see the furtive looks at his arm.

It was amazing how it made him burn inside. He'd been through all the pain and anger years ago, so why did it still hurt when this happened? He accepted the consequences of his actions, but he would never accept this. Not the condescending comments, not questions or carefully phrased remarks.

Still, when Harry didn't say anything, he raised an eyebrow and prompted, "Yes?" He wasn't going to stand here and wait for whatever the boy had to say.

"You know. You could. I mean, I have... I know..." Harry hated the way Snape's lips curled into a sneer. Taking a deep breath, he blurted out, "Look. I know you have the damn Dark Mark. Okay? It's hot as hell in here, and you shouldn't need to..."

He didn't know how to form the feeling into words. What had begun as a thought about hiding had turned into something else.

Needing to finish the sentence, he muttered, "You shouldn't need to hide it. Not because of me." It sounded stupid.

There was a horrible silence in the room.

It was awkward. Undercurrents of anger and pain and rage were palpable in the oppressing silence. It was as if everything had stopped moving, the whole world waiting for an explosion. Snape stood as still as a statue.

After a moment, Harry said, "I didn't mean to make things all uncomfortable again. I apologize for that. I just wanted to say that I know and that I don't care." Care was probably not the right word here. Not at all. "I mean... Crap! I don't know what I mean." He gave up, spreading his arms.

Snape kept his gaze on him for a long time. His expression was unreadable, probably meaning he was boiling with rage. The potion in the cauldron was bubbling, and he absentmindedly placed the jar back on the table and stirred the liquid. Still staring at Harry.

It made Harry squirm, but he didn't even think about leaving right now. If he ran away, things would never be the same again.

"Stop hovering there. If you want to leave, leave. If you're going to stay, make yourself useful." Slowly pulling the ladle out of the potion, Snape made sure the liquid was steaming before adding, "Open the window."

Harry blinked. "Huh?" Then a grin spread to his face. "Sure." He practically ran to the small window.

"Oh, and Potter." Glancing at his houseguest, Snape looked actually amused. "If we were still at Hogwarts, you would lose five points for the use of profanities." With that he concentrated on the potion again.

Snape considered 'crap' to be a profanity? Harry was definitely not surprised.

Fresh, cool air replaced the stagnant stench of burned clover. Harry stood by the window for a moment, breathing in the scent of spring. He didn't want to turn back to Snape just yet. Didn't know what to say to him.

He'd been certain he'd be thrown out. Hexed. Probably beaten with a cauldron. Even with all the evenings spent at Snape's quarters, there was a line he'd never crossed. Not until now. For some unimaginable reason, he'd felt it necessary to actually make a personal comment to the man.

A comment that should have ruined it all. It hadn't. He didn't know exactly what had happened.

Harry turned to see Snape still working on the potion. The task seemed to actually make the man happy. As if brewing was to Snape like flying was to him. A deep passion.

He was still wearing the frock coat, but it seemed like he'd rolled the sleeves up just a little. Not enough to actually reveal anything, but it was something. He didn't look tense anymore.

Deciding not to try to break the silence with inane babbling, Harry went quietly to get a broom from one corner, and then swept some of the leaves off the floor, staying out of Snape's way. "I will not scrub any cauldrons, though. I may be nice, but I'm not a complete idiot," he muttered softly so that Snape could decide whether to comment or not.

Snape snorted, but didn't say anything.

They didn't really talk after that. Harry kept sweeping the floor, a bit wistful as he held the broomstick in the unfamiliar position. It didn't matter that the floor wasn't all that dirty. He enjoyed the soothing motion of the broom.

When Snape had poured all of the salve into small jars and finished cleaning, it was already dark outside. Knowing he couldn't stay, Harry still cast a longing look at the chair. Then he muttered good night to Snape.

He wasn't at all surprised when the words were muttered right back.

Tiptoeing across the hall, Harry peeked into the living room before heading upstairs. Seeing Ron asleep on the couch made him smile a little. It was clear his friend had waited for him and then dozed off right there. He decided not to wake him up.

Ron would definitely need the sleep before tomorrow's class.

---

Comments

[ravenrosebud.livejournal.com]

I really like the interaction between Harry and Snape in this part. Should be interesting for them to be back in class again without the actual classroom. I'm curious to see just how Snape behaves without the pressure of house points etc.

[lyr]

Really enjoyable chapter! Things seem to be moving along nicely, and the dynamics between all four of them are interesting. In particular, I like the scene bewteen Harry and Snape a lot. Well done!

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

It's really funny how Harry's managed to actually sneak around Snape's defences. :D They do seem to deal fairly well with being people around each other instead of just a teacher and a student.

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

It would have been really easy (and porny) to just write Harry and Snape going on a little trip to the countryside... I really like all the problems and the tension and weirdness Ron and Draco bring to the mix.

And poor Snape! I can see him sitting in his room later on, wondering just when did things spin out of control... :D

[hambares.livejournal.com]

I don't know how I missed the start of this series. Found it now though. I am looking forward to Draco and Ron's interactions. Harry seems to have found his courage to talk to Snape again.

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

:) Yup. I thought it'd never be betaed and then one day it was done and got to post!

*dances*

There'll certainly be more interaction between all the guys in the near future. Take away all they're familiar with and what they turn out to be will be most intriguing.

[volatile.livejournal.com]

I just found this and thought I'd let you know it's awesome.

That's all. *waits patiently*

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

:) It's always cool to stumble onto something new and nice.

Patience is a virtue! Especially since we're about 1/3 through the fic at this point...