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Death Eater Takes a Holiday	By : LeeLeePotter Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 42271 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21 (And the truth will set you free)

Xikum my amazing Beta, I bow to her greatness.
*Bow* nice shoes xi. ;)

Chapter 21 Potions class

Severus sat at his full desk of quizzes yet to be
graded, visions of a very young Harry in his head. Why was he in that�what
was it, a broom closet? Was that his punishment? He added the question to
his ever-growing list. He thought more about the tiny room. If it had stored
brooms and cleaning supplies, then it would appear that he'd been thrown in
there as punishment. But with the drawings and the cot, not to mention, it
didn't seem like Harry was overly upset about being in there. He had kept
himself occupied. Perhaps Harry had been in trouble so often that he decided to
make it homey. Not that that sounded logical, but he was sure that Harry had
told him of Sirius Black blasting the bars off a window; there must me a rooith ith a window.

Severus� thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his
door. Now who the hell is bothering me?

"Enter." Draco Malfoy sauntered in to see
his head of house. "What can I do for you, Draco?"

"Hello Professor, I wanted to know if I could
work on potions for some extra credit." Damn spoilt brat, couldn't be
bothered to do the potions homework last term and thinks he can make up for it
with a ten minute potion. Severus pointed to a workspace in the back of the
class and assigned a potion any third year can whip up. No matter, he'll
purchase any potions he needs like all Malfoy's do when he finishes school.

Severus checked his watch. He wasn't sure which
class Draco was supposed to be in, and didn't question it. Sev had time before
his next class to go talk to that creature, "Dobby," he corrected
himself, as Harry had last week. He hated when little things from last week
entwined into his current life. He liked to think the two were not connected,
but there were little reminders of the fact that they were the same in many
ways. On holiday he had no problems and was carefree, so Sev of last week was a
very different entity than that of Sev as he lived it many years back. But he
was still Sev, he still liked to ride horses; he had enjoyed Quidditch in his
youth, although it has less appeal now than it had when he was a student.

As he thought about his youth, or at least the
happier parts of it, Severus arrived at the kitchens only to find that Dobby
was off somewhere in the castle. Undeterred from his mission, Sev continued
down the corridor. Luck was with him today as he saw a familiar head of bushy
hair off in the distance. Following her
up to a classroom door, Sev thought he'd missed his chance, but she hadn't
entered the class. She was looking through the window on the door. A familiar
redhead was sitting in the back of the class. She pointed her wand at him,
casting a spell with a whisper. Childish romantic, Sev thought as he
watched Ron turn is head after he felt someone blowing softly in his ear. She
smiled and waved from the window to her boyfriend, who was winking back at her.
Hermione turned back around; the smile on her face quickly fell as she turned
to face her potions master staring down at her. He was most intimidating.
"Where should you be, Miss Granger?" asked
Severus, smirk in place.

"Advanced Arithmancy," she said
confidently. "The professor sent me on an errand, and let me leave class
early." She held up a pass to the library.

"This corridor is not on the way to the library
from your Arithmancy class, Miss Granger; take a detour did you? He said,
snidely glancing over in Ron's direction. She lowered her eyes feeling a bit
less confident than before. "Detention tomorrow, 8:00."

Hermione's eyes grew wide. She hadn't had detention
in two years. To think, this year's Head Girl in detention.

"Sir, I have to attend the prefects� meeting as
Head Girl tomorrow at 8:00." Severus knew this when he suggested the time.

"I'm sure your attendance is far too valuable
to miss such an important event," he said sarcastically. "It's
tomorrow night �or," he looked at his watch. "I'm available
now."

Hermione looked down at the library pass in her
hand. She was going to spend the extra time researching a project they had in
Arithmancy. She also planned on seeing Ron after the meeting. Seeing no other
options, she sighed.

"Now it is, I suppose," she said glumly.
Severus smiled an evil smile and proceeded to walk down to the dungeons. He
knew he was walking too fast for her, but kept at his pace. He held open the
door of his classroom, allowing her to enter, when they caught sight of Draco
Malfoy working on a potion. I forgot he was in here.

Hermione was heading to the back corner of the room
where the cauldrons were when Severus stopped her.

"You will be serving detention here Miss
Granger," he said pointing to a desk across from his own. She looked back
from the cauldrons she thought she would be cleaning with a confused expression.
"Mr. Malfoy, please inform Miss Granger what our rule of thumb is in
Slytherin."

"Use recourses wisely," he said in a
superior manner.

Hermione sat at the desk feeling slightly
uncomfortable being so close to Snape. He handed her a pile of quizzes from
first to third years to correct. After five minutes or so Severus took a quiz
off the top of the stack. She had been none too lenient on her own house. She
was not as bad as Snape, but marked off for small details. Students should be
glad that she had no plans for teaching. Severus unlocked his desk drawer, and
pulled out the small jar Filius brought him. Hermione's eyes grew wide as she
recognized the jar as being Harry's pensieve project. Severus returned the quiz
to the pile, handing her a new one.

"Would you say numbers 4, 7, and 9 are fairly
accurate?" he said in a low tone, so he wouldn't call Draco's attention.
Hermione took the parchment expecting it to be a quiz. There was his list of
questions about Harry, now re-written, new questions added at the bottom, and
many crossed out. She suppressed a giggle when she noticed that #8 was crossed
off twice. Severus looked up at Draco again, and dismissed him, giving 10
points to Slytherin for his efforts despite the fact that the potion was not
finished. He sauntered out of the classroom, closing the door behind him.

1.
Was Harry out of the closet?

2.
Does Albus know he's gay? Yes

3.
Why did Dobby fear him?

4.
Do I know why Harry takes potions? --Stress
headaches from nightmares?

5.
Do I remember Sirius Black?

6.
What do I know about the attack at his home?

7.&;&nb;
Why were there bars on Harry's windows? --To keep him
in, or Voldemort out.

8.
Harry is ticklish.

9.
Why did I have to leave the hospital, but not Ron? --Because
Pomfrey knows I'm gay?

10.
Is Tuesday a good day to help Hagrid with the flying
horse? Tuesday 9:45

11.
Why did I not reach my goal to become a potions master?

Where did Harry and Ron go with Ron's Mum?

Why was he in the broom closet? � For
punishment?

Hermione perused the list once again. She had been
surprised to see #4 wrong. Turning the parchment so he could see what she's
talking about.

"You don't know?" She was flabbergasted.
"I think Professor Dumbledore would have to answer that one,"
Hermione stammered. She knew many of their professors knew what Harry went
through. Why not him?

"Seven is half right, keep Harry in, owls out,
but we found ways around that. Small owls he he could just untie the note from
through the bars. I didn't know when they were replaced after Ron pulled them
out with the car in second year. That may have been last year. I always
included paper and pencil with my letters in case the Dursley's had taken away
anything that Harry could use for letters." Severus was staring at her,
and Hermione closed her mouth realizing she had given a much more in-depth
answer than he had expected, or maybe wanted.

"Er, a few of these are not my place to answer.
For the last question though, were you referring to the pensieve? Severus
nodded. "The cupboard wasn't the punishment," she paused hoping she
wasn't telling him something too personal about her friend. "It's where he
slept. I think when his Hogwarts letter was addressed to the cupboard under the
stairs, his family got nervous about being watched, and they gave him his own
room after that."

"I see, thank you Miss Granger," he said
politely. Hermione knew the
conversation was over, and picked up her bag and began to leave.

"Sir?" she said hesitantly. "I hope
you find the answer you're looking for." Both knew she wasn't referring to
any of the questions on the parchment. She left, not wai for for a reply.

Severus now realized he was wrong on most of his
assumptions even after he'd reassessed Harry's life. Maybe it was time to stop
looking into the past as miserable as it was, and take a better look at the
present. While it irritated him to hear Harry rant on about what would happen
if he tried to expel him, he'd have to admit Harry had thoroughly researched
the possibilities. Considering all he's been through, and his knowing that he
still has hard times ahead, Harry is very confident and well adjusted. He would
rethink his list. He still wanted to know where Harry was going with Ron and
his Mum that would make him upset, and what the potions were for.

The rest of the day went on fairly uneventfully.
Albus wanted to talk to Severus about pain potions and if he were missing any.
Something about a talk he was going to have with Weasley on Friday. Ron had
certainly gone out on a limb that day to try to replace Harry's potions. There
must be a reason for them not going to Pomfrey for more. The memory of
Harry�s silent screams, his cringing in pain, was very disturbing. He would
definitely brew Harry some new ones. How could I have been so thick-headed
to not remember that when Ron was asking for replacement vials? A little
voice in his head reminded him that he wasn't thinking of Harry in pain, he was
thinking of what they had used the potions for.

It was yet another time that Harry had really
thought things through. It wasn't until Harry had really thought about Severus'
good qualities that he decided to give in to Sev's advances and pounce on him.
Severus put out the lights in the sitting room and continued his train of
thought in the bedroom. Robes were removed leaving him in a pair of silk
boxers. Cotton is too clingy and doesn't allow proper billowing of robes as he
stalks down corridors. Severus climbed
up on his bed; he was getting hard just thinking of the last time they used the
potion vial. Harry was so eager and responsive. The way he seemed to melt in
Sev's arms when a wicked tongue caused his inability to form full sentences.
The look on his face the first time Sev thrust in to hit that sweet spot, the
sounds Harry made when he was lost in ecstasy. Severus didn't remember when his
boxers reached his thighs; he continued to fist his cock while images of Harry
flashed in his mind. His pace quickened as images went from Harry's mouth
sucking him to the look on his face when Sev slid into Harry's tight arse the
first time. Severus thought he should have placed that memory in a pensieve so
he could see it from the third person point of view, as he thrust into him, to
see Harry from the front as he pounded him from the back, reaching around to
stroke him to completion. Sev stayed with that one thought until his own climax
overtook him. He laid his head back, thinking. He would allow Harry to get to
know him, even if it meant losing him. Severus wouldn't have a relationship
with a student, even if he were of age. It wasn't ethical. It would take that
long for Harry to get to know him well enough, anyway. Albus would sure find
some way for that to happen regardless of what Sev wantede tre training
involved for Harry later would be just the excuse Albus would have. Severus was
sure Albus didn't know just how far their relations had gone, and he did so
enjoy the rare times he could surprise the man. He wondered briefly if he could
time it well enough to truly shock the old man. He, after all, wanted revenge
for his life being so manipulated, even if it was to his advantage.

~ ~ * ~ ~

Severus was about to open his classroom door to
allow the students in, when he heard what he was sure was Harry's voice.

"No, I've got the real one to work on."

"Liar, you can't tell me that you don't miss
him, bet you wish you were back in last week right now." This was Ron's
voice. Sev pulled his hand from the door and listened.

"It was great," Harry said coyly.
"But like any vacation, it's nice to come home again. It's hard to be with
someone so carefree all the time. It makes me look like a needy head case with
all these problems. I want to know what he's really like, and I want him to
know I'm not just some love-struck teen."

"Speaking of 'love-struck teens', I noticed
your Ravenclaw friend was put-out at breakfast when you told him you weren't
interested," said Ron, laughing. Harry snorted.

"That asshole offered to give me a Charms
tutorial tonight. I'm in the top 5 of our year in Charms. He said it right in
front of people who know he's gay. Out me, why doesn't he. That's all I bloody
need. I'm finished with him anyway. I should have taken him up on it, and then
told him how impressed I was with his bravery, since anyone publicly with me
puts themselves at risk with Voldemort."

"That would scare him away, the loser,"
said Ron. He didn�t notice the door slowly opening.

"Severus wouldn't be," said Harry
decisively. "He stands by me even
if he does hate me."

"Harry, he's standing by you right now."
Ron said discreetly pointing behind his friend. Harry turned around slowly to
see Severus standing behind him, expressionless as always. He turned and
stalked into the classroom, allowing the seventh years to filter in behind him.
Severus grinned as he could hear them whispering behind him. "How should I
know how much he heard? Hey, did you get a note from Hermione today?"
Severus stopped grinning. How could I forget about that blasted note? Just
then he could hear her voice.

"Phew, I made it," Hermione said, making
it just barely on time. Severus quickly turned around, his robes whipping
around in his wake.

"Miss Granger," he snarled. Good,
startle her before she gets a chance to pass the note to Harry. "You
may sit over here today," he said, pointing to an empty seat by a Slytherin
girl with a face only a mother could love (a mother warthog). Hermione smiled
and sat down. Severus turned to face the class, "Today you will be
preparing�" he rambled off the potion they were to brew, and the list of
ingredients written on the chalkboard. Harry made notes with a pencil and began
setting up his scales.

"What's that for?" Ron asked, pointing to
Harry's desk.

"It's a pencil, muggles us it to write
with."

"I know what a pencil is you prat, what are you
using it in here for?"

"Hermione told me to keep it on my desk today.
I guess I'll find out why later," explained Harry. Ron grinned, realizing
what she had done.

The class continued on as usual; they chopped,
stirred, and brewed. Occasionally Draco would make a remark that would set off
a few people. Severus was only too happy to see Hermione getting harassed. If
it kept up she wouldn't find a way to pass Harry the note Sev had sent her when
he was young and stupid.

Harry stirred his potion. It was almost done. Across
the room Hermione waved her wand in his direction. Harry watched in amazement
as the pencil on the worktable started to transform in to an envelope. Ron
leaned over and whispered that Hermione had gotten it in the mail days ago with
instructions to give it to Harry in class. He recognized the handwriting; it
was a tad sloppier than that of his now adult potions master. Harry smiled and
began opening the envelope. As Harry opened his note, the said potions master
realized what he was opening.

Just ignore him Snape, he said to himself,
watching Harry from the corner of his eye. Whenever anyone dared pass notes in
his class they had the dubious honor of having it read aloud, much like he'd
done to Harry when that Rita Skeeter cow wrote a horribly inaccurate article about
him. If Snape acknowledge the note and didn�t read it aloud it would raise
suspicions. Yes, defiantly ignore him. Try as he might, Severus looked
up to see Harry reading. He inwardly cringed remembering what he wrote to Harry
that night, when he�d slipped out of bed with the boy to send it.

Dear Harry,

Do you miss me? I was lying next to your hot
body thinking about how I will no longer be able to hold you next time we're
together, so I sent this along with a friend. Am I being a fool now that we are
not together? No matter what I act like, you know the truth is that I want to
hold you. If I could I would be sucking on that neck right now. Are you in
class? Am I speaking now? Do you hear the voice I know you love? Imagine it's
whispering in your ear, telling you I want to have my wicked way with you.

Harry looked up to see Severus keeping his eyes on
the parchments on his desk. In fact, Severus spoke very little in this class
today. He must be squirming. Harry smiled.

Harry, don't allow me to push you away. I know
that we must keep our secrets, but know that I am still me, and I want to be
with you. Remember how I teased you when you were trying your best to stay
away? This could be pay-back time. You know I want you and care for you.
Where's Filch when you need him?

Harry almost laughed out loud
when he read the last part.

Did you get an answer from me yet? It should be
Wednesday now. If you haven't gotten an answer by now, then you must know that
I will tell you I want you. I want to
press my aching cocainsainst yours. I want to hear you scream my name when you
thrust into me.

Harry's face started to
heat up. He looked up again to see Severus desperately keeping his eyes
anywhere but looking at Harry. Malfoy glanced around the room. He needn't pay too
much attention to his potion since his partner was doing all the work. He
spotted Harry Potter smiling. He was hiding a parchment behind his cauldron and
not doing a very good job of it. Draco looked back from Potter to Snape only to
be disappointed. Snape was busy with papers on his desk; in fact he seemed
almost too intent on the papers in front of him. If his potions master were
busy, surely he would want Draco to call this matter to his attention.

"Something interesting Potter?" Draco said
loud enough for them both to hear, intending to call the professor�s attention.
Snape looked up casually from his papers.

"Potter, no using notes. This potion is to be
made from memory. Ten points from Gryffindor."

Harry read the lasne ane and pocketed the note.

Even if we can't be together, know that you
mean so much to me.

S

Draco stared slack jawed. He was disappointed in his
results. 'At least Gryffindor lost house points,' he thought, but he was not
satisfied. He waited for his opportunity, while Harry was distracted; he
slipped the parct frt from Harry's pocket.

"Dear Harry," Draco began reading aloud.
"How I long to hold you in my arms again," recited Draco with a
sneer. Harry was seething, he tried to jump Malfoy, but Goyle was sitting
behind him with a strong hand on his shoulder, and a wand in his back.
"Granger is this from you? To think you dumped the boy who lived for the
Weasel here."

Ron turned beet red and wanted to hex him for his
scathing remarks, but Severus stood up and held his hand out for the note.

"I'm sure we heard a lifetime worth of Potter
praise, don't make us suffer though more of this drivel," he said walking
over to the side of the room where Draco was. Unfortunately Draco had been
reading ahead spotted an interesting tidbit half way down; his eyes were as
wide as saucers. He looked as if Christmas had come early. By this time Harry
and his friends were throwing themselves at him to reach the note, but it was
too late.

"I want to press my aching � " Draco was
cut off when the parchment he was holding went up in a ball of blue flames.
Severus looked to where the spell had been sent from to see Hermione holding
her wand. Good girl, but too late.

"Merlin Potter, you�re a poof!" Draco
laughed heartily as Harry's face burned red. "You can't even deny it, you
were smiling like a Weasley finding a galleon while you read it." By this
time Severus glared at everyone to get back to his or her seats.

When did I lose control of this class?

Ron pulled Harry back to his seat. Seamus helped upright
the bench that they had knocked over in an attempt to get the note. Dean,
Seamus and Neville were the only ones, plus Hermione and Ron, that already knew
of Harry's preference for men. All the others were whispering amongst
themselves. Harry was thankful for the slight distraction as a cauldron had
been upturned and Snape was now supervising the clean-up.

"Hey Potter, who's 'S'? Is it Simmons, the
prissy boy in Hufflepuff?" taunted Draco, looking for a reaction in Harry.

"If they find out the truth, they'll kill
him," Harry whispered to Ron. Neville peered around his cauldron asking,

"You mean 'S' is a guy in Slytherin?"
whispered Neville. Harry looked to Ron, who shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't a
lie, even though he was referring to the Death Eaters. Harry nodded to his
friends.

An hour later the same thing was going on, only now
it was in the great hall during lunchtime. All four of the house tables were
abuzz with the news of Harry Potter being 'outed' by Draco Malfoy. Harry had
left the potions class without a glance to his professor. He wouldn't take the
chance. Snape was grateful; he was also feeling a little guilty knowing this
was entirely his fault. He now sat at the head table not touching his food. The
news was bound to come out eventually, but that didn�t make him feel better. Damn
it this is Albus' fault. I refuse tel gel guilty for this. He growled,
inwardly trying to convince himself.

By dinnertime Potter was still the topic of
discussion, but now a few of the masses were braver and asking him questions
directly. For whatever reason, one girl slapped Weasley in the face. Severus
was straining to hear some of the conversation. He heard a girl ask him when he
went gay. Stupid twit.

"When did you go straight?" Harry
answered.

Many wanted to know who the mystery man was? Harry
just shook his head telling them it wasn't important since they weren't
together; but they were a relentless bunch. His own housemates pressured him to
the point of insanity. 'Who is he?' 'Why did you break up?' 'Is he a
Gryffindor?' 'Are you dating Ron and Hermione?' Ron cringed at the last
one.

"Leave him alone!" Someone shouted. It was
a Gryffindor 7th year with a thick brogue. "You're supposed to
be his friends, leave 'im alone!"

"It's ok Seamus, I'm leaving," Harry said,
thanking his friend for his help, and got up to go. Despite his friend�s words,
several students continued to be obnoxious. Someone from the Hufflepuff table
asked if Seamus was 'S'. Harry looked pleadingly at his friend unsure of what
he would say. He was scared for Severus. Word was already getting around that
the teachers had been here on holiday. Someone was bound to put it together.

"I'm sorry Harry," said Seamus
apologetically. He got up and walked over to Harry. "I don�t know how you
put up with being in the public eye like you do. I can't compete with
that." He paused. "We're through." Anyone in hearing distance
was nearly silent waiting to see what Harry's reaction would be. He looked
shocked, and bit his lip. He certainly hadn't expected that from his friend.

"I...I understand Seamus," said Harry, now
facing him. "We gave it a shot."

"Friends?"

"Sure," answered Harry extending a hand.
Seamus grabbed his hand and pulled hard, making Harry off balance. Before he
could even get his footing, Harry was held in a tight embrace, being firmly
kissed. Severus remained expressionless. He told himself the odd feeling he had
was certainly not jealousy. Harry was
left standing stock-still, most surprised by his friend's actions. As Seamus left
the hall some of the students were applauding. Not that they wanted to see
their savoir dumped, but they seemed to have a happy ending of sorts, and
everyone loves a happy ending. There were no more questions about 'S' after
that.

When Harry got to his room, he quickly put on his
father�s cloak and headed out. Thankful that it was Wednesday and he friends
wouldn't look for him. He tickled the pear on the painting allowing his access
to the kitchens. Dobby greeted him with his usual flair.

"Dobby is most happy to have you back to be
cooking withby, by, Harry Potter!" Chattered Dobby. Harry smiled at the
hyper house elf. Harry told him they would be making something sweet for Albus
this time. "Dobby was missing you last week when the teachers were young
wizards. Only eight more cooking Wednesdays left before Harry Potter is done
with school. Is you certain you is not needing a house elf in Harry Potter's
new home?" he pleaded.

"Sorry Dobby, my home isn't very big to be
needing a house elf, and I'm looking forward to having some time to myself for
a change. I promise to visit." The elf's ears fell until the last part. He
then told Harry that Professor Dumbledore had requested something with
strawberries. Harry had learned to cook with the Dursley's, but he couldn't
make anything Petunia didn't and he was careful not to make it much better than
her. Out-doing his aunt in the kitchen was taken as an insult to her, and he
would be punished. One of the reasons he never made deserts was that it was her
specialty, so he would never chance making something sweet. For the past five
Wednesday nights, Albus and a few select friends had had the chance to enjoy
some of his culinary attempts.

While Harry was pouring ingredients in a bowl, Albus
was in his office pouring tea for Severus.

"Tell me Severus, any news on the trials? When
you spoke to Lucius did he indicate anything to you?" the headmaster said
while handing Severus a cup of Earl Grey. Severus was grateful Albus wasn't
discussing the note Harry received in potions. Shocked, but grateful.

"Nothing Albus; he had Draco with him and
wasn't saying too much. Lucius will get the dirty work done while keeping his
hands clean. Voldemort has a few lackeys trying to buy a few ministry heads.
While most won�t take a bribe, some of them are still afraid of retaliation.
Now that the general public is aware of Voldemort's return, the fear of coming
home to the Dark Mark over their house has returned also. Lucius will choose a
few trails that are safe for him to support, (non-Voldemort related) and use
his influence to get a few hard to bribe officials working on those cases
giving the Death Eaters a better chance at getting off." Severus took a
sip of his tea. "It worked for Goyle." Albus nodded and sipped his
tea. None of this was news to Albus; Severus wondered why the old man really
had him here?

Suddenly a house elf appeared with a tray. A large
piece of strawberry shortcake and a plate of enormous strawberries dipped in
fine chocolate. Albus held up his hands, fingers wiggling as he decided what to
eat first.

"My this does look scrumptious. What can I
offer you, Severus?" asked the headmaster cheerfully. Severus shook his
head. The man is like a child in a candy shop.

"Nothing, thank you Albus. If you don't need
anything else, I've got a potion I wanted to brew."

"No, no I don't need anything, I just wanted to
touch base with you. How are you coming along with the questions on your
list?" You mean did I tell Harry if I hate him yet?

"Fine,&quSeveSeverus answered curtly, and left.
Albus smiled at the potions master, knowing perfectly well that he had just
tucked into one of Severus' favorite deserts.

Harry was drizzling the remaining melted chocolate
from the pot over his shortcake when the portrait opened. Dobby spotted the
tall dark professor and ran off, returning with a box.

"Harry is making your favorite treats
tonight," said the elf, as he filled the box with dipped berries and cake.
Severus turned to see Harry at a workstation, and glared at the creature.

"These are your favorite?" asked Harry,
quickly regretting it. Dobby cowed away when Severus glared; he had told a
secret of the professor�s. Before he could whack his head on the table Harry's
hand flew to prevent him from hurting himself. "NO!" Dobby scurried
off; a crash could be heard as he ran headlong into some pots and pans another
elf was carrying in the next room. Harry shook his head at the stupidity of it
all.

"What are you doing down here Potter? The food
everyone else had wasn't good enough for you?" Chided Severus, ignoring
the fact that he himself was here for a little something to snack on.

"I'm here every Wednesday night. The headmaster
knows this." Oh, I'm sure he does, the conniving old man.
"It's not like I could have had much of an appetite for lunch or dinner
with the gossiping feeding frenzy going on," said Harry dismally, pushing
his plate away, his appetite once again quelled.

"About that, Potter, I regret the outcome of
the note today." It was as close to an apology as he could get.

"It's okay," said Harry. Severus looked at
him a skeptically. "Really, I've been dreading this day. You kind of get
used to being watched all the time, but I'm still a very private person. I
thought this would be the worst day of my life when it finally happened, but
actually I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders." Severus
understood this, and nodded. "At least now I don�t have to worry about
putting up a fa�ade for the end of year formal," he said lightheartedly,
with a smile.

"I guess I should bring this up to Seamus as a
thank-you for today's performance," he referred to the dessert at hand.
"I was so shocked. He's not even gay."

"Why did he do it?" Severus had been
wondering if it was all set up. "Does he know�about last week?

"No, he knew 'S' was a Slytherin and would be
in danger if found out."

"He did that to protect a Slytherin?" You're
kidding.

"No, he did that to protect someone I care
about." Harry waited for Severus� comment on the typical Gryffindor
behavior, but none was coming. He grabbed a box and filled it up for Seamus,
said good-bye to Dobby, and headed for the portrait. "Good night".

"Good night," said Sev, just as the door
was closing. He just caught sight of Harry winking at him as the painting
closed.

Severus took his box-full of strawberries and headed
back to the lab to finish Harry's pain potion.

Tbc
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Death Eater Takes a Holiday