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Blood Quill Consequences	By : EarthandWater Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 31160 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We make no money from the writing of this.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
WARNING: Malfoy & Mom moment, Harry being attacked by the green eyed monster.
Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We gain only amusement from writing this.
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Hermione watched as Ron came up to her, somewhat nervously, obviously needing help with something. It was their last Hogsmeade weekend before the Christmas holidays and as usual there was a flurry of students purchasing gifts for friends and family. She sighed and tilted her head. "Alright out with it. What do you need?"
"Well if you were a girl." He noticed Hermione's glare and was quick to apologize. "Sorry, sorry I know you're a girl but I mean a real girl..." He fiddles with the strings on his knitted hat. "What would you like for Christmas, as a girl I mean."
She blinked at him for a few moments before her lips curved up an a knowing smile. "You want to know what to get for Pansy don't you?"
The fiddling worsened. "Well...yeah...you know, just a little knick knack maybe." He blushed redder than his hair and avoided looking at his friend. "Can you help me? I know I'll mess up if left on my own...You know my gifts."
The smile developed into a grin. "You don't give bad gifts Ron, they're just not...girl gifts." She fell into step beside him. "So let's think here. Pansy, girl though she is, is not your typical girl. She might like unicorns but as a rule, warm fuzzies and cute are not on her list of pleasant gifts." She tapped her chin consideringly. "What's your budget?"
Ron fished out a small pouch filled with jingling coins from his pocket. "It's not a lot but I think it's enough for something decent. I sold myself to Fred and George." He bowed his head. "I've promised them to be their test subject for the entire break." He handed the pouch to Hermione.
The girl looked inside and did a few mental calculations. "Hmm it's certainly enough for something nice. If Fred and George do something too excessive though I'll tell your mum they only paid you two Galleons. Being a test subject for their more extreme products should pay more." She considered the shops around and considered Pansy then smiled. "I think I know just the thing." She tugged Ron over to a variety shop and through it to a display of hair ornaments that ranged in material from polished wood to precious metals. "She's got all that pretty, thick, straight, black hair and it's always getting in her way. Something pretty to keep it up should do the trick."
"My brothers are business men to the core, they recognize desperation when they see it." Ron grumbled but looked at the hair ornaments with interest. His gaze caught on a silver dragonfly with green and blue stones on its glittering wings. "Which one do you think is prettiest?"
"I, Ronald Weasley, am not Pansy Parkinson. You've spent a good month spending your spare time with her so you'll have to rely on your own judgement for what she'd consider pretty. I'd stay away from Gryffindor colors however. Now I'm going to do some looking for a couple gifts myself." With that she left him there to contemplate and went to find first a gift for Draco and also one for the blond boy's mother. She imagined Lady Malfoy would be getting far fewer gifts than usual this year and wanted to make her feel welcome at Hogwarts.
Ron stayed, looking at all the hair pins, from flowers to animals to sparkling designs but after agonizing for close to an half hour he settled on the dragonfly. He imagined how it would look against her inky dark hair and blue eyes. Ron payed for the ornament and had it wrapped before running to find Hermione and Harry.
Hermione was sitting in the Three Broomsticks with Harry. She'd easily found something for Lady Malfoy, a lovely forest green cashmere shawl, and though she'd havered a bit over what she'd chosen for Draco he would be receiving a new cloak with a sliver dragon as the clasp. She sipped a butterbeer and looked at the pile of receipts Harry was trying desperately to organize. "You went mad with the presents didn't you?"
"Just a little maybe." Harry grinned somewhat sheepishly. He still wasn't used to having money, to be able to give his loved ones gifts so when he could he almost always went a bit overboard. He sorted the receipts into different piles and then stuffed them into his wallet. Harry had certainly gone mad with Snape's gift but he truly hoped that the Potions Master would like the antique measuring set in silver that he had found.
Ron came in panting as if he'd run a marathon. "It's a madhouse out there I tell you, a madhouse." He shuddered dramatically and sunk down next to Harry in the booth.
Hermione smiled at him. "You think it's bad here you ought to see Muggle London during the season. You're likely to be trampled there." She settled more comfortably into her seat. "The wizarding world is still so entrenched in politeness that it's refreshing and much calmer."
"It's true, out in the Muggle world people actually get trampled in the Holiday rush." Harry made a face, he’d never got any presents at Christmas but he’d always been with Petunia when she shopped, to carry the bags. "This is so much better."
"It's still crazy." Ron said stubbornly. He couldn't even imagine what his two friends were talking about.
Hermione just smiled. "Well you've finished it all now. You said you'd done all the shopping for your family and such last trip so you won't have to do any more. Unless your mum has you out with her anyway."
"Oh Merlin, please don't even whisper of such a horror." Ron paled. "She can take Ginny, girls like to shop."
Harry chuckled. "You'll be alright Ron, you're a big boy now." He handed the redhead a butterbeer. "It's okay if I send my presents to your family with you yeah?"
Ron nodded. "Of course it is. I only wish you two could have come with me, both mum and dad wanted you there."
Hermione slid over to give him a one armed hug. "Thanks Ron but I want you to have fun on our behalf. Help the twins stage some kind of ridiculous prank you can write to us about or see if you can convince your Dad to bring you to the Ministry and introduce you to more Aurors that you can grill them about what's needed to become one."
Ron hugged her back, he still wished that his friends could have come home with him but he really did long to see his family. "Thanks Mione, I'll have fun and you'll be bombarded with owls telling you all about it."
"That sounds great Ron." Harry chuckled. He didn't want his best friend to feel guilty for spending Christmas with his family, thankfully it sounded as if Hermione had helped with that. "Have fun, I heard that even Charlie is coming home this year, must be great to see him."
Ron nodded. "It is, it's not often he can tear himself away from his dragons. It'll be nice to get to spend some time with him." He curled his fingers around the butterbeer bottle and brought it to his lips.
"It's gonna be a great Christmas for all of us." If someone had told Harry last year that he would look forward to spending Christmas with Snape and a pair of Malfoys he would have called them mental but the weird thing was that he actually was looking forward to it.
Hermione raised her butterbeer. "Cheers to that." They all clicked bottles and took a sip before changing the subject to Ron's holiday 'job' with grimaces of sympathy for the redhead.
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Narcissa stepped through the floo in Dumbledore's office much more smoothly and elegantly than most people and then immediately swooped over to her son, who was waiting for her, and caught him in a hug. "My baby, oh I'm so happy to see you."
Draco caught her and wrapped his arms tightly around her slender form. Usually he would have bristled at being called a baby amongst others but right now he didn't care. His mother was here, safe and well and without any purple black bruises marring her pale skin. That alone made everything worth it. "Mother, I'm so happy to see you too, are you alright?"
Dumbledore stayed in the corner of his office, trying to let the Malfoys have their reunion in somewhat peace.
The woman smiled and leaned back just a bit, brushing her son's hair out of his eyes in a motherly fashion. "I'm just fine my little dragon." She released him completely and took a critical survey of his appearance. Aside from his hair the only visible change was an easier, more relaxed look to his face, clear of the worry Lucius constantly presented. "You look so handsome my son. I would say freedom agrees with us no?"
"It does." Draco agreed, his mother looked ten years younger now that she was free from Lucius tyranny and there was a sparkle in her eye that Draco barely remembered and was thrilled to see. "It really, really does." He gave her another hug. "I'm glad you could come here for the Holidays, I've missed you."
"I've missed you too bebe." She pressed a motherly kiss to his brow then turned to the people who were looking everywhere but at them so as to afford the Malfoys privacy. She sent a smile Harry's way and stepped forward, offering him a hand. "Mr. Potter, I can not thank you enough for being willing to help my son and myself."
"No thanks needed lady Malfoy." Harry shook her hand and gave her a smile. "Of course I'm willing to help, anyway that I can and I can't thank you enough for keeping Sirius on his toes and managing to get some order into that ruin of a house." He offered her another smile. "It's an honor to officially meet you." He had only seen Narcissa Malfoy once before and that had been at the Quidditch world cup, he didn't count that meeting since no words had been exchanged.
"Thank you. It is an honor returned. And I am just happy I got to the house before it fell down around Sirius' ears." A smooth laugh came from Lady Malfoy before she looked over at Hermione, held out a hand, and her eyes took on a slightly knowing twinkle. "Miss Granger, I am very pleased to meet you in person at last. It's always refreshing hearing about witches clever enough to hold their own against not only other students but also preconceived notions."
Hermione smiled nervously and took Narcissa's hand. "Thank you. As I'm quite certain you are where Draco gets his smarts from I consider that the highest of compliments."
Draco let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as he watched the meeting between Hermione and his mother. It was difficult to part with old preconceptions entirely and Draco had to admit that he had been worried about how this meeting would go. Granger was a mud...Muggleborn after all and Narcissa a pureblood. Now that he saw them together he should have known that he hadn't have to worry. His mother was a much better person that he'd given her credit for.
"Isn't this just wonderful?" Dumbledore came up to them, eyes twinkling like little stars. "Why don't you Mr. Malfoy show lady Malfoy to her guest quarters, give her a chance to put away her things and then we'll meet back here for a nice cup of tea."
Narcissa pursed her lips and glanced around. "Yes, that does sound lovely only, there is someone missing. Headmaster Dumbledore you will floo Severus and have him come up as well won't you? As he's practically family he should join us for tea." Though her words and tone were mild her eyes held the force of a true pureblooded wizarding lady expecting to have her request met with compliance.
Dumbledore's smile grew a tiny bit strained at the commanding tone of Narcissa's voice but he only nodded. "Of course I will call on Severus to come and join us lady Malfoy, he will be here when you return from your room."
Harry looked at Narcissa with even more respect. He had found it strange that Snape wasn't there to greet lady Malfoy to begin with. He wondered if Dumbledore had even told him what time she was coming. "You don't have to floo him Sir, I can run down and get Professor Snape." The words were out of his mouth before Harry could stop them.
Dumbledore fixed Harry with a sharp glare and an unreadable expression but gave a nod all the same. "Yes my boy, why don't you go ahead and do that."
Bowing his head Harry excused himself and run down the familiar path down to the dungeons.
Snape was measuring out an ingredient for an experimental potion in his heavily warded test cauldron, when a portrait frame that was normally empty filled with the hook-nosed blond visage of Uriah Prince. "Young Lord Prince, the green-eyed boy is knocking on your door. Should I tell him to leave?"
The potions master blinked at the portrait in mild surprise before shaking his head. "No, let him in and give him directions back here." He turned his attention back to the potion as the figure in the portrait left to do as requested. He was curious as to what brought Potter to his door so early in the holiday season but he wasn't about to take back his invitation. He removed a few granules of the ingredient he'd measured out and carefully began stirring it in.
Harry came walking in carefully, green eyes wide after having been ushered in by the portrait. "Hello Sir, I'm sorry for intruding. Lady Malfoy has arrived and you're invited to tea up at the headmaster's office." Harry stepped closer, peering at the cauldron. "May I ask what you're working on?."
"Hm." In the back of his mind the paranoia that came part and parcel with being a spy stirred at mention of Narcissa's arrival and the lack of information he'd received on when it was but he passed it over in favor of concentrating on the potion. That and Potter's oddly distracting presence. "This particular potion is an attempt at bettering the Skele-grow recipe."
Having been exposed to the Skele-grow potion intimately Harry found that very good news indeed. "I wish you the best of luck with that Sir, both the taste and the agony you experience from it now are horrid." He looked up at Snape, a tiny glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "Will it hold if you go for tea? Neither Dumbledore or lady Malfoy seem the overly patient kind."
"I am quite well-acquainted with the current potion and as for this- oh. Well." Snape stood back, hands on his hips as the wards of the cauldron glowed brightly just before the potion exploded from it. They were kept safe from any spatters by the shield spell embedded in the wards that kept the exploding potion contained and rather than the scowl on Snape's face that appeared when potions blew up in class, the man's face held an intrigued and half-resigned expression. He made a quiet mutter and flicked his wand at a parchment and quill to mark down the reactions of the ruined, rather virulent, purple potion. Once it had ceased exploding, he scooped a sample into a small vial, then vanished the remainder. "No need to wait nor have it hold as it turns out."
"No it doesn't look like it." Harry wasn't sure what to say, he was amazed by Snape and he was finally beginning to realize the kind of patience that was acquired for a Potions Master. "Shall we go then Sir?"
"One moment. If I appear in my brewing robes Narcissa will have a minor fit, and likely proceed to transfigure them into something more 'acceptable' for tea. For your own safety, feel free to look around but do not touch anything." He turned and headed to a hidden door in order to change.
Harry placed his hands behind his back, telling him not to touch anything always lead to a compulsion to reach out and touch anything and everything he could get his hands on but he didn't want to disappoint Snape. He looked around while he waited, careful to keep his kink in check and his fingers to himself.
It didn't take the professor long to change into soft gray semi-casual robes. He was the first to admit his wardrobe was mostly colorless, and he preferred it that way thank you very much, simply because he wasn't exactly fond of sticking out in a crowd. Plain black robes, even the expensive tailored ones, were so common that he just became one of a massive crowd when wearing them. He knew, however, that if he appeared in front of Draco's mother wearing black robes she'd turn them pink so he compromised with the gray. Exiting his bedroom he felt his lips twitch and a brow lift when he saw Harry peering closely at a large jar full of preserved serpents. He wondered if the boy recognized the species. "Juvenile basilisks. The skin of a basilisk is a potent ingredient but the adults are too difficult for potion ingredient harvesters to kill or even go into claimed territory to get the shed skins of so they catch juveniles slipping out to find their own territory."
It was hard to believe that the monster he had fought down in the chamber had been this small once. Still sometimes Harry could feel bad for having killed the basilisk, it had only followed orders after all. "Have you harvested the giant one right under your feet?" He asked and looked up at Snape, feeling his mouth go dry at the sight of the professor, gray was a really good color for him.
"Are you aware of how asinine that question is? Only one person in Hogwarts can get into the Chamber of Secrets if you recall. In addition magical law prohibits anyone to touch the corpse without your express permission and presence." Snape folded his arms in classic dungeon bat manner and met Harry's gaze. His tone had been softer than true mocking or chastising and the lack of hostility on his face made it clear he wasn't doing anything but poking at the teen.
"I did not know that." Harry blinked. "I thought for sure that professor Dumbledore had some way inside." Harry really hadn't thought much about it, mostly he had pushed the events of what had happened in the chamber of secrets to the back of his mind. As usual with him the memories weren't happy. "Do you want to? Harvest it I mean." If it could be of use to Snape then Harry could go back there...At least he thought so.
"Do I want the chance to harvest an ancient basilisk which has more potency in a single scale than the entire skin of the obscenely expensive juveniles I am usually reduced to relying on? What do you think Mr. Potter?" Snark and amusement practically shimmered in Snape's eyes. "Of course I would like to. What do you wish in return?" It was said without an ounce of suspicion or bitterness, making it clear that he didn't believe Harry was going to attempt to take advantage of him.
"Can I get back to you on that one?" Harry asked with a small grin. "It's not like I have a price ready for the giant snake corpse lying in the basement, I didn't have any idea that it was mine." They started to walk towards Dumbledore's office. "No, jokes aside I don't want anything for it, I'm just happy if it can be of use...If there's even anything left of it after all this time."
Snape glanced at the young man walking beside him. "Remind me to lend you a book on the Chamber. There is an unknown preservation spell within the walls of Slytherin's Chamber that essentially 'freezes' all non-living, non-sentient beings and objects inside it as they were when last a living or sentient being or object was inside the chamber. The corpse will be precisely as you left it in second year." He looked ahead. "I believe that once you master Occlumency to the level necessary to block him that Draco and I should tutor you in wizarding customs and such. The corpse of a magical creature belongs only to the one who slays it or, if the creature died of natural causes, who claims it first. For others to use anything from the corpse they must have the permission of the owner, something of value must have been exchanged, and the owner must be present to ensure that the other does not attempt to cheat him or her."
"I have no idea about any of this, why haven't anyone told me?" Harry was growing irritated with Dumbledore, sometimes it felt as if the old wizard liked to keep secrets only for the sake of keeping secrets. "As much as I loathe to admit it I think I really do need some tutoring in wizarding customs, I'm tired of fumbling my way through everything." They got to the statue that marked the entrance to Dumbledore's rooms and Harry did his best to let go of the irritation he felt, it would do no good.
"If you can stand him, Draco will be...willing to assist you in his and your spare time. It's likely Miss Granger should join in that as well, there is only so much you can learn from a book." He gave the gargoyle a baleful look and drawled the password, "Ice Mice," stepping in when it moved aside and immediately being accosted by Narcissa Malfoy.
"Severus!" She caught him into a hug before he could evade it. "It's good to see you my friend." She shook her head and tsked. "Severus really gray? You really should wear more green, and perhaps blue. Color looks so wonderful on you. And your hair," another tsk, "really you should at least clean the tonic out when you're not working."
"Narcissa." The flat tone somehow managed to convey exasperated affection and welcome at the same time. "I trust you are well?"
She hooked her arm through his and tugged him out of the way to give Harry enough room to come in before heading to the tea area. "Very well. It's been pleasant to be back in a Black household."
Harry was surprised by the dark feelings that rose in him when he saw Narcissa's hands on Snape. It had nothing to do with him but he still felt the urge to stalk over and brush her hands off of Snape and tell her that Snape was good just the way he was, that he didn't need colored clothes or to change his hair. A bit scared of his feelings Harry slunk over to the table and sat down in a chair next to Hermione.
The girl gave him a smile, a curious light in her eyes. "Is something wrong Harry?"
"No, nothing's wrong." Harry tried to smile back but it came out more as a grimace.
"You look as if you've swallowed a flobberworm Potter." Draco piped up from Hermione's other side.
"Well nothing's wrong, maybe I just look like that." Harry sunk deeper into the chair, not wanting to talk about it.
"Excellent, you're all here now....good, good." Dumbledore walked to the table to. "Let's sit down and enjoy this little feast that has been made just for us."
Narcissa's brow twitched in mild irritation as she settled herself onto the couch, making sure that Snape was between herself and the Headmaster. Something about that old man put her off and really he was being dreadfully rude. It was odd and uncommon for Dumbledore to be so and whatever was pinging against her instincts was new as well since she'd never before felt uncomfortable in his presence. She turned her attention to pouring the tea as a lady did and chose to push the oddity out of her mind for the time being. "Mr. Potter how do you take your tea?"
"White, no sugar thank you." Harry bowed his head and smiled at the lady. Really he had to get over whatever this was, Narcissa hadn't done anything at all besides being perfectly lovely.
She fixed his tea, asked Hermione how she took hers, and prepared the cups of all the others with a grace bred of many years in practice. She handed Severus his tea, well it was more like a little tea with his cream and sugar, and took her own cup in hand, sipping delicately. "Miss Granger my son's grades in his Muggle Studies have risen a bit like a rocket, I understand I have you to thank for that."
The muggleborn witch's cheeks gained a soft pink to them. "He's responsible for his own success Lady Malfoy. He's clever and catches on quickly to the object's operations and he doesn't need any help whatsoever with law or any of the other aspects. Though he surprised me with his cooking marks at first, then I remembered how close cooking is to potions. He told me you taught him how to brew at an early age and I must say, he's brilliant at it."
Narcissa beamed. "He is yes. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he takes Severus' position here one day."
"Thank you mother but we shouldn't think that far in advance. Let's just get me through school to begin with." Draco's voice was as dry as usual but his his cheeks were flushed bright red as he listened to Hermione and his mother's conversation. He didn't know if he should feel flattered or utterly mortified.
Harry couldn't help but hide a grin at the Slytherin's expression. It couldn't be easy when your family and your love interest got into conversations regarding one self...Not that Harry would ever have to experience that. That was a sobering thought and Harry took a sip of his tea.
"This is the year to think in advance Draco dear. You will be asked about your future aspirations after taking your OWLS. Speaking of future aspirations, Miss Granger what are yours?"
Snape hid his knowing smirk behind his tea cup. Narcissa was, in her way, testing Granger's worthiness to be seen with Draco but he had a feeling that Narcissa would find herself surprised by the Gryffindor.
Hermione took a sip of her tea. "I'm thinking of working in the Ministry, perhaps starting in the DRCMC to see if I can straighten out some of the hideously stupid laws considering the rights of magical creatures, just to start."
Once again Harry grinned, not even bothering to try and hide it. Hermione was the smartest person he knew and Harry knew she had ambitions and he had no doubt what so ever that she would achieve them. If she ever decided to go dark then Voldemort wouldn't hold a candle to her. She could be terrifying and devious and still have the people begging for more.
Draco looked at Hermione with stars in his eyes, he admired that driven streak in her, it mirrored his own.
Narcissa blinked and hid her smile at her son's expression. "A weighty and admirable ambition. What about family, children, do you have any hopes for perhaps finding a bondmate some time in the future?"
Severus nearly choked on his tea. He absolutely could not believe Narcissa had gone right out and asked that question...on second thought he could believe it. It was precisely a Narcissa move.
Hermione's cheeks took on a bright red glow and she cleared her throat, a bit embarrassed yet at the same time she was not about to show herself up an empty-headed coward. "Perhaps, one day far into the future. If I find someone who can figure out when to support me, when to let me stand on my own, and someone clever enough to talk me out of doing something that might be...reckless." Her lips twitched a bit. "I've been referred to as a nightmare before so it will take someone who views the nightmare as a dream I suppose."
"You just need someone with ambitions of their own. Someone who doesn't expect you to be second to their goals. Someone who can compromise and who knows that it's all about give and take. Sometimes you're on top and sometimes your bondmate might be." Draco was surprised and a little bit horrified that his mouth was running away with him and that he didn't seem able to shut up. "As long as there is understanding and love then I don't think there is anything as a nightmare...Only unintelligent gits who don't know a treasure when it's right under their nose."
Narcissa took in her son's expression and the Granger girl's blush with satisfaction. "My son is quite right. I do hope you boxed the ears of the one who called you a nightmare."
Hermione's face was burning and Draco's words made her stomach flutter like a whole flock of butterflies or one big snitch was in it. "I box Ron's ears often though not for that. We weren't quite friends just yet when he said that."
Draco's mother blinked. "You became friends with a boy who called you a nightmare?"
The girl nodded. "Amazing what facing down a troll will do for a friendship."
Narcissa turned to Snape, a brow raised imperiously, and he explained about the Halloween of Harry and Hermione's first year at Hogwarts.
Harry remembered that year too, especially when he was told about it in Snape's smooth voice. "Ron can have a case of mouth diarrhea but he has a good heart."
Draco only raised an eyebrow. If he hadn't seen what Ron had done in the Pansy situation he would have been tempted to say that the weasel was beyond hope.
Hermione closed her eyes tightly then looked at the brunette teen. "Not exactly the best terminology but he does have a bad habit of letting his mouth run without his brain's consent. He's getting better though." She tilted her head in consideration. "Has been since he got serious about becoming an Auror actually, that or," her lips twitched and curled up secretively, "well he's getting better is all that matters really."
Snape took a drink of his tea, amusement flittering through him. He knew exactly what the other impetus to Weasley's change was. The little queen of Slytherin house already had the redhead wrapped around her little finger.
Narcissa smiled. "Well that's good, that he's improving whatever the reason."
Draco nodded and stirred his tea with a dainty little spoon.
Dumbledore didn't say much, he just sat twinkling watching the people at the table, behind the lenses of his glasses. "I think Mr. Weasley will make an excellent Auror, just like you will my boy."
"Um...Actually I'm not sure that's the path I'm going to follow Professor." Harry squirmed in his seat.
"I see." Dumbledore's smile was still in place but his eyes sharpened considerably.
Narcissa poured another cup of tea for Snape. "What is it that you would like to do Mr. Potter?"
"I would like to teach milady." He gave her a small smile. "Especially muggle/wizard relations from an early age, to promote knowledge and understanding."
Pale blond brows arched up and a considering look appeared on her face. "That is a rather clever idea. A large reason many purebloods have so disliked muggleborns coming into our society is that they bring all their preconceived notions with them and know nothing about our traditions and societal rules. There are obscure magical laws that have been inadvertently broken by muggleborns who simply aren't aware of what they're doing and it causes havoc every time."
Harry nodded. "I did not know magic even existed until I started Hogwarts and there is so much I still don't know. If both muggleborn children and wizard children learned about each other from the get go I think that would solve a lot of the problems between them."
"It's an admirable goal. I do know that you've been given the position of Teacher's Assistant in Defense Against The Dark Arts. How is it?"
Snape made a soft exhale. "He's fairly tolerable as a teacher I must say."
The woman chuckled. "Coming from you that is a ringing endorsement indeed."
Harry grinned with flushed cheeks and turned to Narcissa. "I like it a lot, all the students here are so willing to learn and Professor Snape is an excellent teacher. He truly knows the subject he teaches."
She nodded. "Yes he always was brilliant. Lu....Lord Malfoy and I were four years ahead of him and he still managed to put us to shame in many subjects. Potions and spellwork being his most excelled in subjects. It was rather adorable in his first year, this tiny little scruffy boy carting around books half as large as he was and tagging along with L-"
"Narcissa perhaps we should leave the past reminisces for another time?" Snape's cheeks were mottled with faint red as he interrupted the woman but there was something more than embarrassment in his eyes, something painful.
"Yes mother, I don't think this is the time or place for that." Draco agreed after a glance at his godfather. "Tell me instead if you have any special wishes for the Holiday celebrations, I will do my best to fulfill them."
Harry was watching Snape too, feeling something curl in his stomach at that look and wanting to do anything to make it disappear. For some silly reason he had the urge to reach out and take the older man's hand, Harry had to grip the teacup tightly to stop himself from doing just that.
Snape relaxed and gave a brief, grateful nod in Draco's direction. He was aware of Harry and even Granger's eyes on him but neither seemed inclined to comment on nor mark his reluctance to discuss his school years. For the mere fact of their circumspection he found himself grateful.
Narcissa smiled at her son. "Oh Hogwarts has always been rather festive. I really can't think of much of anything aside from a Hogsmeade trip. The village is always so charming this time of year."
Hermione cleared her throat delicately and aided Draco in turning the subject to holiday festivities rather than Snape's childhood. A suggestion for a sleigh ride was met with a beaming smile and ladylike eager agreement. The tea continued in a like vein until the pot ran dry and they all went their separate ways for the evening.
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Blood Quill Consequences