Unpredictable Life

~ Chapter 3: Unanticipated ~

Snape abruptly woke from his sleep. He froze in the armchair and tried to recollect his wit and memories as to where he was. Gods ... another blasted nightmare. With that in mind, he studied the young Gryffindor anxiously. Harry lay undisturbed on the sofa and the Potions Master heaved a sigh of relief. At least I didn't scream.

The room gradually brightened and Snape swore softly under his breath. How long had it been since he had overslept? He slowly rose from his chair and winced when his knees gave a sudden twinge, reminding the wizard that he wasn't used to sleeping on a chair. Hah! It means you're getting old, you peacock. He snorted.

He checked again on the boy; Harry had shifted slightly, turning his head in the Potions Master's direction.

I have time to wash up and perhaps see to breakfast. Snape stared down at Harry's face for another moment before walking off, trying to decide if he should use magic to clean up or if he was daring enough to use the Muggles' bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Snape descended the stairs, scowling. His hair was very wet and he was clad only in the white towel he had wrapped about his hips. He ignored the damp mess he had created by walking on the carpet and headed straight for his trunk, quickly charming the locks off. He squatted next to it, ignoring the thought of how his students would laugh at his lack of propriety if they had seen him. His insides went cold when he heard Harry swearing clearly from the couch with, 'Snape, you sneaky bastard,' the loudest of all. The Potions Master quickly grabbed his clothes and dashed back upstairs in a hurry.

~*~

Harry sat up slowly, massaging his aching neck and his tingling arm. Where the hell are my glasses? Before he could even look for them, his scar started to throb again and he gasped, not really prepared for the pain. He began to break out in a cold sweat. He closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch, waiting for the pain to alleviate.

He didn't hear Snape cross the threshold but the Gryffindor was aware when Snape leaned toward him. Harry held his breath, wondering what the Potions Master was up to. He finally got the courage to open his eyes but all he saw was a dark brownish blur. Strands of wet hair touched the side of his face and he nearly squeaked. He knew that his eyes were wide and thought he heard Snape snort in amusement.

A second later, he felt pressure sliding down on his ears and finally, his vision cleared. Snape was indeed smiling. Well, not really, but his eyes were. Harry's anger tripled but the Potions Master had turned away from him and exited the lounge.

Oh god! Did he enter my room? The Gryffindor's thoughts turned frantic. His face burned and he groaned. In a moment of panic, he ran up to his room, forgetting the fact that his scar hurt. Please ... oh Merlin please ... Not his goddamned sketch! he thought frantically. Hedwig was still snoozing and he checked his bed, but nothing was amiss. He knocked the pillow aside and pulled his sketchbook close to his chest. He was doomed if the professor ever knew that he had an entire sketchbook of him in erotic circumstances. He looked about his bedroom, searching for a safer place to hide the article.

Bloody hell, Harry. What are you thinking? What are you trying to hide? His thoughts slowed. Damn...

~*~

Snape's right eye ticked wildly in anger. He took a deep breath and summoned all of his control, trying not to scream at Harry or his absent relatives. What were those foolish Muggles thinking?! Letting the boy rely on the Order for food?! Or is the Order making him rely on them to restock his kitchen? Or is the brat too lazy to go shopping on his own? He closed the refrigerator -- although he was tempted to slam it -- and stormed out of the kitchen. A quick glance in the living room told him that Harry wasn't in it.

Turning back to his left, the Potions Master smiled grimly as he quietly ascended the stairs. He did not care about what Harry would think when he barged into the Gryffindor's space. Seeing the door slightly ajar made his plans a little easier. Snape burst into the room and stopped the door from slamming hard against the wall.

Well, well, well ... Is he trying to find somewhere to hide it? Snape forced his expression to remain impassive. Harry was standing by the bed and gaping at him in shock.

"Wash up and get dressed, Potter," Snape spoke in a very displeased tone. "We're going out."

"What for?" Harry asked quietly after several moments.

"We're going out so that I can buy and store some decent food in that kitchen of yours," Snape hissed angrily.

"I'm not going," the boy answered him.

Stubborn brat. He began to scowl but Harry wasn't cowed by it.

"Fine. Then I'll just buy something for myself." Snape stared at the emerald-eyed teenager silently. A gentle tap from the window startled him and he saw that there was a screech owl waiting patiently on the sill. Harry cautiously retrieved the envelope while eyeing the Potions Master suspiciously.

~*~

Harry tossed his sketchbook on the bed and carefully broke the seal. His fingers gently pulled the note out and he read it quickly. It was from Tonks and the young Auror was apologizing quite profusely on the parchment. He blanched when he finally read the body of the letter.

Harry, I am so sorry about this but Dumbledore had just reassigned us (Moody, Remus and myself). We're not able to visit you but Dumbledore assured us that you have been entrusted in the care of one of our own. Harry, please reply as soon as you get this and tell us who your guardian is. The one thing that I'm glad for is that this new guardian of yours will be staying with you for the entire summer. I'm really sorry, kiddo, Remus sends you his love and Moody says to watch your back all the time. Maybe we can all see each other again at Headquarters ... when Dumbledore gives us the green light. Take care now!

PS: Please DO NOT go shopping on your own, Harry! Go with your guardian!

He felt disappointment well up in him quickly. I am in isolation with Snape. Of all the things that could possibly happen to me. He folded the note and placed it on his desk. His gaze suddenly fell upon a very smug professor. Damn him! He knew about it!

"Fine, I'll go," Harry said reluctantly.

"Glad to hear that. Don't take your time."

Harry watched the Potions Master walk off, listening to the footfalls as the older wizard went down the stairs. He thought Snape actually meant what he said. It's your lack of proper sleep, Harry. You're imagining things. Since the owl looked like it was waiting for his reply, Harry quickly scribbled a note but he only described Snape vaguely. After he carefully passed the note to the owl, the Gryffindor looked through his wardrobe for something decent to wear. Did Snape come up here last night? Okay, maybe he did. He took his towel and sauntered toward the bathroom. Oh, he left the heater on. Was that an act of consideration or did he forget? The thought that the Potions Master was getting forgetful as he got older was just too amusing.

Harry placed his glasses on the sink and began to strip. Well, back to the subject. Maybe Snape did enter my room, probably to get pillows or something. But then, the pillow on the couch wasn't mine. I don't think it was from the Dursleys' rooms either. He stepped into the shower and turned the tap on. Hot water hit him and he sighed, feeling comforted as his aching muscles relaxed. I hope he didn't see the sketch. He started soaping his body. Thank goodness I feel insecure about leaving my drawings in plain sight. He nodded grimly to himself. At least he didn't see anything that screams that I am actually infatuated with him. He was wearing his clothes when a thought drifted through his mind. Infatuated with him? Since when was I sure that I'm infatuated? I am going to be stuck with him for the summer. There's no way that I can please myself when he's around. He worried on his lower lip as he brushed his thick black hair. Dare I? Harry looked down and noticed that his trousers were tenting visibly due to his thoughts. He cursed loudly, surprising both Hedwig and the Potions Master.

~*~

Harry walked slightly behind Snape as they approached the small grocery shop. Two old women came out through the door and stared at him in surprise. The boy groaned silently when the slightly taller woman whispered into her friend's ear, all the while eyeing the Potions Master and himself with disgusted looks.

Ignore them, Harry. Ignore them. The wizards passed the women and Harry was shocked to hear Snape being called a pederast and the Gryffindor a catamite. Bloody hell! I'll be in a lot of trouble if Vernon hears that from them! His dismay must have been evident to Snape for the Potions Master commanded Harry to enter the store.

"What?" the boy asked as if he hadn't heard the command clearly. Snape gave him a chilling stare and Harry quickly disappeared through the entrance.

~*~

"Why did Petunia and Vernon leave him in the house on his own?"

"I don't have the faintest idea, Rose. The boy's bad blood. Bringing in strangers..." Harry's neighbor shook her in disapproval.

Snape snarled and pulled his wand. "Obliviate." The two women froze in their tracks. The Potions Master managed to get closer to them without being too obvious about it. "You saw nothing. You didn't see the boy or me. Concentrate more on your partners instead." With a satisfied smile, he turned and went back to the store.

~*~

Harry walked along the aisle, waiting for the Potions Master to turn up. He said he is going to shop. Did he bring any pounds with him? Or is he planning to rob the store? One of the store assistants looked at him suspiciously and the Gryffindor decided that he had better look like he was going to buy something.

I have to thank Bill for exchanging some money for me. At least I know that I can buy something without depending on Snape. Harry went to get a trolley and headed for the drinks section to get milk -- mocha flavored. He was debating with himself if he should buy orange juice when something brushed his shoulder lightly and he saw -- in an almost detached manner -- a hand carefully place a bottle of coffee beans amongst the milk drinks. Turning his head slightly, he saw it was Snape -- the wizard was already on his way to get some vegetables. The boy remained with the trolley and watched the Potions Master choosing vegetables carefully.

Alabaster, Harry thought as he stared at Snape's hands. He followed the Potions Master without saying a word as the older wizard visited every aisle of the store. He must be good at cooking. He suddenly thought of all the meals he had eaten in Hogwarts and his mouth watered at the memory. Will he cook for me too? Will he ask me to cook? He shuddered. I hope not. When Snape decided that he had gathered everything he needed, he motioned the boy toward the counter. However, Harry was having problems maneuvering the loaded trolley. The older wizard muttered something under his breath but helped to pull the trolley on one side. The cashier gave them odd glances occasionally as she handled their groceries. Snape altered her memory as well when they stepped out.

"Sir," Harry said in a strained voice, "would you please help? I'm about to lose my grip."

Snape gave him a death glare but lifted two of the packages he had carelessly piled on Harry. The two magical folks walked slowly back to the Dursleys' home, unaware that a pair of dark crimson eyes was watching them.

~*~