Twiglefix

Severus grumbled as he pulled open the door.

'This is not my day.'

Harry stood in front of him, his Muggle blazer merely sitting on his shoulders. He wore the typical Muggle trainers- black with blue stripes, and a look that said he had plenty on his mind.

Severus grudgingly opened the door. Harry stepped in, surveying the room with a roving eye while sliding his feet out of his shoes as though he owned the place.

Staring with wide eyes at the few furnishings of the room, he stood in the middle of the empty space, while taking his shoes off.

"You've been here 4 years, and yet this is all you've got? You don't even have pictures on the walls. How do you stand it?" he asked, not seeing the furrowing brow of his former teacher.

"You should mind your words in the homes of others, Potter. One might think that you were rude," Severus snarled, closing the door and shutting his eyes tightly for the patience that he was sure he would need.

He opened his eyes after a deep breath, turned around, and blinked in surprise as he took in Harry's form. Standing in front of him. Less then a foot away. On his toe.

How Harry had managed to stand on his toe without him realizing it, Severus would never know. All he knew was that Harry Potter was too close for comfort.

Taking two steps back, Severus found himself lightly pressed against the door handle. His eyebrow moved of its own accord, raising a notch into his usual somewhat surprised scowl that had been his trademark when he was potions master.

Stepping around the younger man, he motioned towards the couch - offering Harry a chance to sit down while silently reminding himself that he was supposed to be hospitable.

Harry looked at Severus through a calm exterior- nothing escaping his mask of patience. He smiled slightly, and sat down on the couch, barely disturbing a spring.

Severus took another deep breath, slightly unnerved by Harry's coolness.

"Would you like a drink?" he asked the young man on his couch, who had stretched his arms across the back of the piece of furniture and who was looking every inch the dominator that Severus fantasized about.

Harry smiled one of his beatific smiles and nodded his head. Severus slid a hand over his face, pulling his features taut and then releasing them while walking towards the small kitchen that was barely visible through a doorway at the side of the house.

He set about preparing two cups of tea and soon had the two on a tray with milk, sugar, and some cookies.

He walked back to living room where he'd left his uninvited guest and placed the tray down on the oak coffee table in front of the couch, sitting at the end of it.

Harry, as if knowing what Severus was waiting for, leaned forward and prepared his own cup, taking a cookie from the plate and eyeing it.

"Maria? You actually like Maria© cookies?"

Severus' brow furrowed a bit more, making one line across his face as he realized that Harry had spoken. He shrugged it off, and realized that Harry was talking about cookies.

"They're typical Muggle cookies; one of the few brands that I prefer."

Harry grinned, nearly setting Severus' heart into overload.

"And what brands do you dislike?" he asked, biting into the cookie.

Severus diverted his eyes before they could follow Harry's every movement and leaned forward, making his own cup of tea.

"I despise Oreo cookies- enough sugar in those things to set children off as fireworks. The dollar store cookies are not so bad- once you get past their horribly loathsome exterior."

Harry shrugged his shoulders, a raised eyebrow his only answer. Silence fell between them, and it took a few moments for Harry to break it.

"I'm surprised that you enjoy Muggle cookies," was all he said.

Severus looked at the young man beside him, letting him only see his indifferent side.

"Muggles are not as inept as the wizarding world thinks. Apart from their ignorance, they seemed to have refined the art of good cookies."

Harry raised both eyebrows in surprise. Severus fought back a glare at the man's surprise, and Harry quickly sought to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I'm still quite shocked that you would be one for 'Maria' cookies- delicious things that they are."

Severus kept his mouth in a tight line.

'Stop frowning- he's going to think you're angry with him' came Twiglefix's voice, calmly intruding into his thoughts.

'That's the idea' he threw back, looking about for the feline.

'Come now, is that any way to treat your love?' her teasing reply persisted.

'I hardly find it possible that you might know anything about it.'

'Severus, you're having a conversation about cookies. Doesn't that say something?'

Severus inwardly seethed with anger. It boiled and receded with his passing attempts at restraint and as he watched the cat wander into the room, he bit his tongue to keep from sneering.

Whether Harry noticed the inner conversation going on with his former teacher, he didn't show it as Twiglefix strolled up and jumped up onto the couch beside him. Severus watched as she reached out with a curved paw and tapped Harry's leg.

Harry looked down at the cat, his eyes brightening as he eyed the blue fur. He reached out and gingerly scratched her behind the ears.

She stepped forward and tipped onto her side, purring wildly while cocooning herself to the side of his leg.

Harry chuckled and Severus inwardly groaned.

'Why does this boy get past my defenses? Why is it that every little expression or sound he makes either infuriates me, or makes me weak kneed?'

'Because you hate that you love him.'

Severus stared into the yellow eyes of the feline and felt the familiar nudge of losing control.

"My Severus, I never expected to see you with a pet- particularly a cat," Harry's voice broke through his thoughts of anger.

Severus raised his chin defiantly, projecting no suspicion of weakness.

"Yes, well it's not a matter of having a pet... it's a matter of a pest that refuses to leave," he stated in a clipped tone.

'Ouch, that really hurt' came her sardonic reply.

"Come on, Severus. She can't be all that bad. She seems like a lovely cat. What's her name?" Harry persisted, all the while rubbing her furry stomach.

Severus choked back a snort at 'lovely cat'. Returning to the question, he replied in a abrupt voice; "Twiglefix."

Harry gave him a quick look and returned his gaze back to the furry belly, but not before Severus saw the surprise in his eyes.

'What is he so surprised about? What, am I not allowed company?'

Severus stared down at the feline as she rolled about the worn leather as though it were the greatest backscratcher. She purred wildly for a moment, but not before hopping up and leaping to the floor, where she quickly padded off to the kitchen.

"She's an oddity. Wherever did you find her?" Harry asked, once again distracting Severus from his thoughts.

Severus blinked.

"Perhaps the question should be 'wherever did she find me?'" he replied coolly. "She appeared one day and has been an annoying vixen since. I've yet to figure out how she managed to get into my house."

He looked back at Harry.

"So. Is there something that I can do for you, Harry, or are you here for a sneak look at the dwellings of your old professor?"

Harry seemed to hold back a grin, before staring intently at Severus.

"Actually, I'm here for two reasons. One was to see your apartment- to see what you'd done with it since Abigail moved out, and two- to find out the truth."

Severus' glare fell slightly.

"You knew Abigail?"

Harry smiled.

"But of course. You didn't think I'd leave an invisible house sitting on two billboards alone without checking to see if there was a wizard abroad, did you? She was a nice old lady... although I can't say she had an enthrallment for cats. It was parrots, if I recall right."

"Your memory is correct. She had an overactive enthusiasm for the birds, although she did manage to keep that beaver content in the aquatic center she'd magic-ed. Understandingly, I had to disassemble the thing, as I'd had no use for it."

Harry nodded while continuing to gaze around the room.

"I need to know some things, Severus."

Severus looked up from inspecting the floor and gave Harry a sharp look.

"And what might that be?" he asked, nearly biting his tongue to keep back a retort.

Harry gave him what appeared to be a sheepish look.

"I need information- about the war."

Severus couldn't hold back an indignant snort.

"The war? Why do you want to know about that? You were there, Potter. I hardly think you want me to bring up a subject that would only cause aggravation. You should have all the information you need."

Harry leaned forward, his dark emerald eyes blazing with intense scrutiny.

"That's just it. I don't have the information."

Severus lowered his eyebrows and replaced his entire expression with one of neutral guard.

"What the hell are you going on about?"

"Exactly as I said." Harry sighed heavily, leaning back slightly into the plush leather. "I have no recollections of the war. I'm told I killed Voldemort on the fields of Hogwarts. One would think I'd remember something as significant as that. I don't."

Severus glared at the man before him, trying to read him for a hint of a joke or plot behind that expression of deep curiosity.

"You know, if you paid this much attention to your studies in Hogwarts, you would have faired far better in your grades," Severus mused aloud.

Harry waved it away with an impatient hand.

"So can you tell me what happened that night?"

Severus looked at Harry with mounting scrutiny.

"Why, Mister Potter, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were desperate. I can't tell you what I know. At least, not until we understand why it is that you've no memory."

"We? So you do remember it?" Harry input, giving an eager face.

Severus paused, his mind running over everything that has happened that night. Flashes of what seemed like moving pictures trailed across his mind, piecing pieces together to create a semblance of chronological order. As the last image rolled through his mind, he sighed, focused, and stared at Harry.

"Why are you asking me, Harry? Surely you could ask Dumbledore or Mrs. Granger or Mr. Weasley, or whatever they're going by nowadays... One of them would have the answers you are looking for."

Harry gave an exasperated sigh.

"You've no idea how many times my questions have been ignored. Out of everything, Dumbledore, Hermione, Ron, you and I- plus Remus and Tonks know what happened- or at least know of what happened. I don't remember a thing, Tonks and Remus are in St. Mungo's, Ron and Hermione were sworn to secrecy to such an extent as their memories will obliterate the moment they try to remember, and Dumbledore's ill. There's no one that really knows what happened who is able to tell me other than you." He paused. "You do know about Dumbledore, do you not?"

Severus nodded. Harry continued.

"He's in no state for talking. I think it's because of what happened to McGonagall."

Severus nodded again.

"It was unfortunate that Minerva had been in the wrong place at the wrong time... Perhaps it is the guilt of not enough warning that makes Dumbledore the way he is. He probably feels regret for losing his love."

Harry glanced at him in shock, the first form of heightened emotion for the entire afternoon.

"Love? So the rumors were true?"

Severus rolled his eyes.

"Yes Harry. Where do you think the gossip came from? We knew. They were in love- the old codger and the woman. I feel that he regrets failing to warn her- either that, or he knew he'd have to give her up somehow, and is finally dying of a broken heart. Whatever the reason, I understand your dilemma."

Harry gave him a hopeful look, thus speeding Severus' heart rate.

'Stop looking at me like that' he silently pleaded, looking down at his tea to avoid the intense gaze.

'Admit it, you like it when he does that!' Twiglefix' voice came through.

'Go Away. You are not wanted.'

'Oh, but I am. You see, at this particular moment, a distant part of you is visioning Harry in nothing more than a pair of shoes- and even those are starting to fade.'

'BLAZING HELLS!!! STAY AWAY!!!'

'Fine- for the moment.' Her presence disappeared.

Severus looked back up at Harry and sighed. A headache was starting form, and that meant that his temper was going to start flaring if he didn't do something to fix the situation.

"Harry, although it pains me to request this as it will affect how soon you depart, I must ask you to leave this topic until another time. Now is not a conducive time for anything on this topic."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and stood up, placing his teacup on the coffee table and walked to the window, looking out.

Harry, disappointed by the brush off, followed Severus' lead and placed his teacup down while standing up and walking around to the back of the couch.

"All right. I understand."

Severus turned around, slightly surprised by the sympathy he heard in the young man's voice. He stared into the bottomless green depths for a few long minutes, and forced himself to tear his eyes away from them.

"Severus, would you like to get out of the house tonight?"

Severus' head swung back to glare at Harry with confusion on his face.

"I'd rather not, Potter. More time spent openly in your presence means more chance of death."

Sadness flashed across Harry's face as the comment took its intended mark. Its stinging words crept closer to the bared soul that the younger man carried on his sleeve.

'That was cruel' came Twiglefix's scolding voice.

'You have to be cruel to be kind' pointed out Severus.

'Pf! You do not, and you know it. It's all some ego trip for you. Grow up.'

'I assure you, I don't know what you're talking about.'

'Apologize.'

Severus inwardly laughed.

'Apologize? To Potter? The next thing you'll be trying to do is to make me ask him on a date! You really ought to find better uses for your time.'

'Miserable Git. If you won't apologize, I suggest you accept his invitation.'

'Or what, you'll cough a hairball on me?'

'Oh, much worse. Ever fancy yourself as a Eunuch?'

Severus gulped. There was no chance he'd be able to get rid of the feline- ever, and the chances that she was bluffing were minimal. He sighed.

"Alright Harry, let's go."