Twiglefix

Severus cursed, his drinking glass clunking to the table from his sharp movements as he began to pace the room.

"He knows. Was I that obvious? How could Potter know? And what's with that infernal sign- 'Severus, Please come over'? Fuckin'ell."

Twiglefix sat up, her glare unwavering as she pulled back her mouth in a sneering hiss.

'Would you kindly calm yourself? I'm willing to bet that the floor is weary of your intent to place holes in it. And what, may I ask, is the big deal if Harry Potter knows? This could be an opportunity. Stop wasting it.'

Severus glared angrily at the feline before returning to the table where he'd left his drink and downed the contents.

'Oh right. I thought you were smart? Are you intending to go to Harry Potter's completely flogged? I'm sure Potter would love to see you drunk- to see your vulnerable side...' came the intruding voice in his head again.

He spun around, glaring daggers at the blue ball of fur.

"He will not see my vulnerable side- nor am I pissed. If I was, I would not be going over there. I do know my limits when drinking, you know, and one glass has never affected me before."

He paced the floor once more and stared out the window.

'There's no need to fear. One such as yourself should not be worried over so menial a thing.'

He looked at the feline sharply.

"I don't know why I keep you about! You've been nothing but a pain in my backside since the time you mysteriously showed up in my house! I ought to have you put down, you miserable rodent!"

'You wouldn't dare. You enjoy my company far too much. Besides, this isn't about me; this is about your lover boy in the building next door. Go to him; see what he wants, and leave me to my sleep.'

She began her daily routine of washing herself then, as though to emphasize the point that she would not be bothered with his lack of patience.

He swallowed indignantly for a few seconds, mentally sorting out his thoughts. He didn't dare question her assumption that it was Potter he had feelings for, and in some small satisfactory way, he felt comfortable with the knowledge that someone else knew.

He went to where he'd hung his jacket and returned it to his back. He hid his wand in his pocket, and quickly put on his shoes. He then opened his door, and went into the stairwell, locking it behind him as he went. He walked quickly down the stairs, and soon stood on the sidewalk outside his building, gazing up at the solid stone tower of Harry Potter's flat.

'Just do it. See what the boy wants!' came Twiglefix's sharp voice.

'Could you possibly leave me alone for the afternoon? I despise having another person in my head other than myself' was his sardonic reply.

No reply.

Hoping that that was the last that he'd hear from her for the afternoon, he ran across the road, and stood transfixed outside the door for the stairwell. It was sandwiched between a 'Hard Rock Cafe' and a 'Midnight Goth' shop, otherwise initiating a popular hangout for teenagers.

'Typical of Potter. Always feeling the need to be in the midst of it all.'

He sighed, straightened his shoulders, and opened the door. Following the stairwell upstairs, he came to three apartment doors- Potter's being the only one without graffiti.

'He must have placed an anti-vandalism charm on it. Somehow, I'm surprised, though. I'd have placed Potter under the 'act like a teenager, leave a mess like a teenager' category. I don't think I've done my job very well if I'm still surprised with him.'

Severus sighed, thinking about how long he'd been at watching Potter. It'd been 4 years, leaving him a grumpy old man and acting out as baby-sitter. In all that time, Potter had never let on that he knew of Severus, and Severus now wasn't sure if he wanted to know how long he'd been a horrible spy.

He reached out slowly, unsure how to knock, and gently began to rap on the door. There were footsteps inside, causing Severus's heart to beat faster at the thought of meeting Potter face to face after so many years of stalking him, and fought the mad urge to Apparate to his home.

The door swung open, and revealed Harry with long black hair draping broad shoulders, dazzling green eyes, and a wide smile. He wore simple Muggle clothing- the blue muscle shirt hugging his somewhat slender frame with ease, and the black Levis a proper fit. His smile grew wider as Severus took his perusal of him.

Pulling the door open even more, Harry stepped back, inviting Severus into the room.

Severus hesitantly entered, annoyed with the confidence and ease of his ex-student before him. The silence was getting to him too, what with the lack of conversation, though what could have been said, Severus had no idea.

Finally, it was Potter who broke the silence.

"I'm glad you decided to come, Severus."

Severus nodded meekly, intent on the deep, rich and smooth voice of Harry. He'd admired the boy from afar for so long, that it seemed that he should savor every possible moment he had with him.

Harry closed the door and locked it, motioning for Severus to sit down.

"Make yourself at home. Would you like a cuppa? I've just made some."

Severus nodded again, slightly registering what it was he'd been asked. At the moment, if Potter asked him to kiss a 'purple monkey dishwasher', he'd simply agree and focus on the way Harry moved.

He sat down on the couch and surveyed the room. It was meticulously neat, to Severus's continued surprise. It was like a loft- everything in one large space except for the bathroom and the bedroom. The living area was separated from the rest by the 7-up green on the walls and the white leather seats. The dining area was off the kitchen side and that was separated by its cornflower blue and the large oak wood table with matching chairs. The kitchen itself was a pretty medium orchid, upgraded with all the latest Muggle appliances, which left the study room with a Navajo white, to highlight the Muggle computer on the cedar desk.

'Not too bad. I half expected a small cupboard sized place with no room to move. 'Should have known- what with it being Potter.'

Harry nodded at the man's study of his flat, slightly put out with the silence his old professor managed to harbor, and went into the kitchen, pouring two cups of tea and throwing some milk, sugar, and cookies onto a tray. He carried it out to the lounge where the older man sat, and placed it on the coffee table. Preparing his own cup with milk and sugar, he sat back on the white leather loveseat across from the man, watching as his ex-professor leaned forward, picking up his tea- obviously preferring to drink it black.

Harry took a sip, becoming very uncomfortable with the growing silence. This was not going the way he wanted.

"So... err... Severus... It must be easier to keep an eye on me from within the same room, eh?"

The reaction was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

Severus spluttered, just managing to stop himself from spilling his tea. He leaned forward, glaring at the boy in front of him.

"Fucksocks, Potter! Do you always start a conversation like that?"

Harry laughed, placing his cup of tea on the table separating the two of them.

"Nice language- and please, call me 'Harry'. We're not at Hogwarts anymore, and I won't have you calling me 'Potter' as though I am still your student- not after all we went through to eliminate Voldemort together. And as for my conversational techniques, well, that's the way I am. Forward and Direct. So, are you going to answer my question?"

Severus growled; his embarrassment over his lack of stalking skills, his irritation to being reminded of Voldemort and Potter's point-blank confrontation getting the better of his temper.

"Pot- err... Harry, I can only answer so much for what is involved in that question. Are you aware of the implications that that one question contains? As for your 'conversational techniques'... well that is grossly misstated. It should be 'interrogation city'."

Harry smiled again, his small chuckle sounding barren throughout the large room.

"You seem to have as much trouble as I do for keeping names straight. I keep envisioning you as 'Professor Snape'- a bastard with temper, thus making me want to call you as I've always called you- 'Professor.'"

Severus leaned back, unsure how to take the boy's criticism. Never had it been before that an old student had had the nerve to be so brazen and open when discussing him with them. Sure, they'd implied it, but never had one said it so... perfectly.

Harry laughed again, at seeing the uncomfortable way in which his old mentor was shifting in his seat, clearly shocked at his rashness. Surely this was nothing new to him... wasn't it?

Wiping the smile from his face and sitting up straighter, he picked up his cup of tea and took a tentative sip before replacing it on the table.

"Err... sorry Severus... I thought you knew how much your students loathed you- other than your precious Slytherins, of course."

Severus shook his head, his mind reeling.

'Yea Gods, this boy has changed.'

He shrugged his shoulders, and placed his tea cup on the table.

"Harry, I always knew how my students felt about me. I always knew they hated me, so there is no surprise. I've just never had it put so bluntly to my face, is all."

He sighed, still wishing he could disappear.

"So, is there any particular reason that you've requested my company? I mean, it's obvious you knew about my following you, but still, was it really necessary for a confrontation between the two of us after all this time?"

Harry's face became impassive; his lips straight, his eyebrows no longer raised in laughter or puzzlement.

"Actually Severus, I didn't know about your little spying all these years. I was in total oblivion to it all- until Ron told me about it. He's married to Hermione now, of course. That's probably not a surprise. Anyway, he's a partner with Fred and George, but Hermione works for the Ministry. Apparently, she discovered the accusation that you were following me around and told Ron- who, obviously, told me. Then, to find out if it was true, I'd placed the sign in the window, thinking that if Hermione was right, you'd see it. A rather clever plot, if you ask me."

Severus felt himself turn pink at the explanation. Here it was, he just blurted the fact that he'd been stalking Potter for years, assuming that the boy knew, and yet, he'd now have to explain himself because of some clever ruse to find out if a rumor was true. Damn it all.

He shifted in his seat some more.

"Well- err... you see... Let me start off with a fact. It was not my idea."

Harry nodded, enjoying the intimidation that he seemed to hold over the man before him.

Severus continued.

"There were... threats... to the Ministry."

Harry leaned forward.

"Don't you mean Hexes? Jinxes? Curses?"

Severus looked up at him sharply, finding the interruption unexpected.

He spluttered on.

"Yes... there were many of those. Well, after the fall of Voldemort, it was assumed that you would be the sole person who was truly in danger- what with all the Death Eaters still at large and being that you are The-Boy-Who-Lived... Well... you get the picture. I suppose they thought that I had nothing better to do, so they sent me to stalk- err... watch you. And, well, that's pretty much what my life has consisted of for the past few years."

There was a pause before Harry commented.

"Would you change your phrasing?"

Severus felt himself frown with confusion.

"Phrasing? I hardly think there was anything wrong with my phrasing."

Harry smiled a slight smile- merely a twitch at the corners of his mouth.

"You seem intent on referring to me as 'The-Boy-Who-Lived. As you can see, I am no longer a boy."

"Oh."

"When you say 'a few years', what exactly is it that you mean?"

That was unexpected. Severus shuffled his feet slightly on the floor before mumbling his answer.

"Exactly as I said... a few years... 3 or 4..."

Harry snorted disdainfully.

"Four years? But surely they could have traded you off with someone else? To give up four years of your life to watch me is a little much and tiring, isn't it? You must be angry at me for causing you to go through all this."

Whatever Severus had been hoping for in a conversation, it was all flying out the window.

He sighed heavily, drawing short breaths as he fought the urge to spill his whole story. No, that wouldn't do. Telling the spoiled brat the truth certainly wasn't going to solve anything.

He stood up, momentarily straightening out his black Muggle fashioned robes, and glared at the young man.

"I think, Mister Potter, that this conversation has gone on long enough. I believe I should take my leave. Perhaps I can persuade the Ministry to cut back on the watch for you, as you certainly seem to be getting along fine by yourself. If you'll excuse me, I'll be off."

Harry stood up with him, a moment of disappointment etched across his features. If Severus hadn't been glaring at him, he never would have seen it, for it disappeared as quickly as it'd come.

He walked to the door, determined on making his escape from the complete turmoil that this conversation invoked in him. He unlocked the bolt, and as he pulled on the brass handle, he received a shock. Cursing, he tried it again, only to get the same response. He turned, glaring at Harry- who stood nearby holding his wand at the ready, and sneered.

"Potter, open this door! This is not how you treat a guest, nor is this the proper time for jokes!"

Harry scowled at the tone the older man used and gave the man a sneer equal to the one he'd just received.

"Really Severus, I had hoped that this would have run more smoothly. I wished to speak with you; to find out your progress and how you fared in watching my every move, but it seems that you prefer to stay on the outside, to look down on me like an exhibit. I am here to tell you that I am not an exhibit- nor am I something that needs to be looked after. I suggest you go back to wherever it is that you were before you were sent to this detail, and leave me alone!"

Severus felt his face frown at the imposing tone the boy used and sighed.

"Potter, I told you. I'm on duty for this. I cannot merely go back. And as I've told you, it's not my idea. And no, I don't watch your every move! Perhaps it's what you'd like me to do- is that it? You think I wished to be here? That it's all I've wanted- to be the silent protector of the Harry Potter? Understand this, boy, and understand it very clearly. I am not responsible for what has happened. Next time you think to invite me over, think clearly about what it is you're asking and know that I am to watch; to protect; and not to fawn over you."

He reached for the handle again, and this time, as he gripped it, he felt no shock. He looked back at Harry one final time and looked at the impassive face that matched his own. He threw open the door and quickly walked through the narrow hallway to the stairwell. He shuffled down the steps as fast as he could, and huffed when he reached the bottom, waving open the door and marching out onto the street.

He took a gulp of the fresh air and groaned inwardly. He quickly dodged traffic on the street and slowly took the stairs to his billboard house, opening the door, closing it, all the while cursing his unfortunate luck.

He locked the door, took off his coat and shoes, and drudgingly walked to the liquor cabinet, where he fixed himself a scotch. He'd downed the contents and was pouring himself another when a faint rapping at the door sounded.

Shaken from his vague attempt at a drunken stupor, he walked to the door, checking out the Muggle peephole, and groaned.

Outside his door, stood Harry Potter.