Unexpected Happenings

PT.2

The boy should be here any moment. I still don't see why I should have to receive him. It should be Minerva; she's his Head of House. She's probably having a lovely little laugh about the whole situation...damn her! Where is that boy?

'Ouch!' said Harry, who had just fallen out of the fireplace and onto the cold, hard floor of the Great Hall.

'Ask and ye shall receive,' muttered Severus sarcastically.

'What?'

'Very graceful Potter.'

Harry glared at Snape and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off before he could start.

'Rudeness will not be tolerated Potter,' said Severus silkily, 'we may be in the holidays, but I am still your professor, now follow me.'

Severus bewitched Harry's trunk to float behind them. Harry looked slightly surprised at the gesture.

'You will not be staying in Gryffindor Tower, but in the Slytherin dormitories. It will be easier that way.

Harry scowled, but otherwise offered no complaint.

'The password is "Vindicta," said Severus when they reached the entrance to the Slytherin quarters. 'Take a bed in whichever room you wish. Classes begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Monday morning in my office. Do you have any questions?'

'Umm- er- are meals the same?' In the Great Hall?'

Severus rolled his eyes.

Of course the boy would only be thinking of his stomach, but I suppose the question was reasonable. I can't believe I just admitted that. I must be going soft. I shouldn't have levitated his trunk either.

' Sir?'

'What? Oh, yes, meals are the same. There is one table in the centre of the Hall like during the Christmas break.'

A look of forlornness crept up on Harry's face and once again Severus found himself doing something that he should not, in his opinion anyway.

'But,' continued Severus, 'if you wish you may have your meals in the common room. There is a bell on the mantelpiece. Ring it and a house-elf will come.

'Thank you sir,' said Harry eyeing his teacher strangely.

'Well, if that is all I will take my leave,' said Severus.

He turned and swept past Harry with his cloak billowing out behind him.

'Severus, there you are,' said the merry voice of Albus Dumbledore.

Severus stopped in his tracks feeling blood rush to his face. He did not want to speak to him right now...or ever.

'Good day Headmaster,' said Snape trying and failing to be cordial. His smile came out as a grimace.

'I trust you are well?'

'As well as can be expected Headmaster.'

'You can drop the forced pleasantry and title now. I hope I made myself clear before when I told you that I expect you to look past what ever differences you might have had with Harry, his father or godfather in the past,' said Dumbledore suddenly serious. 'It is most important that he master Occlumency as you are already aware. Now that he knows the truth he will not fall prey to Voldemort's false visions, but that does not mean he will be able to stop Voldemort from manipulating him. That is of course, unless he was to learn Occlumency. He must learn.'

Severus had the grace to look slightly abashed.

'I understand Albus.'

'Excellent. Now Severus,' said Dumbledore returning to his cheery state, 'might I tempt you with a cup of tea in my office? Or perhaps a Fizzing Whizzbee?'

What the hell...I could use a sugar fix.