Unpredictable Life

~ Chapter 7: Gryffindor's Revenge ~

Tuesday, 13^th August 1996. In the evening.

Harry felt Snape looking at him as he ate but the Gryffindor was checking his supply list and calculating his expenses. Things were definitely uneasy between the two of them and Harry mostly kept to himself unless the Potions Master wanted to make him practice Occlumency. He quickly finished his dinner and cleaned up.

"'Night," Harry said quietly to the older wizard. He did not wait to hear Snape reply and he trotted up to his bedroom.

He locked his door and began to prepare the things he needed for the trip to Diagon Alley the next day. He got out the dark gray robes Dumbledore had sent him as a birthday present and he noticed that the Nike shoes would go well with it too. Forty-five Galleons. That should be enough to buy my school things. Maybe I ought to change some for British pounds too.

"Hey Hedwig," he called his owl and she responded by flying over to him. "Sorry that you can't come along tomorrow." She hooted softly and Harry hugged her carefully. The Gryffindor had been surprised when the Potions Master had handed him the supply list two days earlier. Harry was even more puzzled when the older wizard informed him that he would be going along.

After his initial breakdown the night Snape pushed him away, Harry had become even more determined to get the Potions Master. It was a challenge after all, and the Gryffindor couldn't help but respond to it. I'll make him want me. He smiled and Hedwig looked up at him with big, inquisitive eyes.

"It's nothing, lovely one." He dreamily went on stroking her feathers. I'll give it five more days. If he still does not respond, I guess more drastic measures will have to be applied.

~*~

In Dumbledore's office.

"I wonder what he is smiling at," Dumbledore mused as he stared into the small crystal sphere.

:Severus probably,: Fawkes answered in a bored tone.

"Why are you so interested in their lives?" McGonagall asked, not looking up from her book. "Aren't you supposed to be worried about him?"

"All work and no play makes a man's life dull, Minerva," Dumbledore replied, smiling mischievously.

"Hmmmm..." The Transfiguration professor calmly sipped her tea. "What is the best way to get your partner to do what really needs to be done?"

"Coaxing? Sweet-talk? Flattery? Gifts?" the old wizard suggested. "Strip-tease?"

McGonagall choked on her tea and glared at her husband. "Did I ever do that when I needed to get something into your thick skull? You've been through it before, Albus," she hinted.

Dumbledore pondered on the clue. Then Fawkes squealed loudly. In actuality, the phoenix was chortling. :Fawkes? What is it?:

:Your wife is right. You've been through it. Several times in fact.: Strange squealing noises continued to fill the silence. The wizard still had no idea what his wife had implied. To stop himself from sulking, he called Kingsley to ask the Auror about the results of their surveillance on their prisoners.

~*~

The next morning.

Harry missed hearing the alarm but was quickly awakened by Hedwig's insistent calls and the light pecks on his toes. He sighed and fumbled around the bed for his glasses. Checking his watch, he was glad he hadn't overslept. He only had one hour to get ready. The distinctive smell of blood wafted through his bedroom and he immediately looked for the source. He examined the small bowl containing cubes of fresh meat on his desk.

"Did Sev come up here?" he asked his owl and she nodded briefly. "Oh ... better eat that quickly, before the flies do." The boy grabbed his light blue towel and headed for the bathroom. He could hear the Potions Master mumbling but it did not sound as if he wanted to fetch Harry. He assumed that the wizard was casting some protection spells before they left the house.

As Harry got into the shower, he smiled at Snape's thoughtfulness. The idea of coming back to your stronghold only to find that your enemies were waiting for you was too daunting to ignore. It wouldn't hurt to secure the house with more spells. Just when am I going to the Headquarters? The boy frowned slightly, remembering the date that the Dursleys were due to return from their holiday. Surely Dumbledore doesn't want them to know about Sev.

It was a quarter past nine by the time his bath was over. He thought he would take his time going down for breakfast but his plans were cut short when Snape burst into the room, scowling darkly and coldly instructing him to hurry. The Gryffindor didn't have to fake his expression of disdain as he put on his new trainers. He quickly brushed his hair, knowing that putting more time and effort into combing it still would not make him look neater.

Breakfast was a combination of toast, eggs and bacon strips. Harry indulged himself with a cup of the coffee the Potions Master had prepared as well. Snape didn't join him and the boy assumed that the wizard had probably eaten earlier. The Gryffindor's thoughts meandered as he mechanically munched the food in his mouth. He was of two minds about going to London. Hermione and Ron already knew about Snape being his temporary guardian, but he hadn't told them that the professor would be joining them. An unspoken fear began to spread through him and he suddenly felt like he shouldn't go to Diagon Alley.

"P- Harry!" Snape poked his head through the doorway.

"Okay!" Harry cursed under his breath, wondering why the Potions Master was hurrying him. He checked his watch as he washed the last of the plates. We still have ten minutes. He wiped his hands on the kitchen towel and headed straight for the couch in the living room. He hid the smile that threatened to break out as he watched Snape pace the length of the lounge.

Ah, he's nervous. That makes sense. He stared at the black-robed Potions Master intently, watching as his cloak rippled about him fluidly. I remember now ... His hair isn't greasy after all...His hair is thick - that's why all of us got the impression that it was greasy. Shiny, healthy hair; I wish I could say the same about my own. His eyes traveled up to the wizard's torso and Harry imagined what the skin beneath the man's vestments would feel like. He licked his lips sensuously, brilliant green eyes overshadowed with unspoken longing, and ignorant of the stares of the older wizard.

~*~

Snape wondered if Harry knew just how sexy his tongue delicately licking on his lower lip was. The older man was too aware of the fact that his attraction to The Boy Who Lived was robbing him of his senses. Severus Snape! Grab hold of your libido. It is not a good time -- or idea -- to ravish him on the couch.

The Potions Master took a deep breath to regain control of his body. Don't fall into his -- or Dumbledore's -- traps. Harry might not be aware of it, but he is trying to seduce me ... Oh for Merlin's sake! Stop wriggling in your seat! Snape thought in exasperation as his eyes were drawn to Harry's slim legs and ... The alarm on Harry's watch went off and Snape was glad of the distraction.

"I'll go first. You've Flooed before, haven't you?" he asked the green-eyed boy in a neutral voice.

"Yes. I just hope that I won't end up in Knockturn Alley by mistake," Harry mumbled and Snape couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in inquiry. The boy sighed. "It was entirely my fault but I doubt I'll make the same mistake twice." Snape turned and scooped some of the Floo powder into his hand. The Dursleys' still had the electric fireplace. Snape had transfigured it to an older, more classical version the night before. He was just about to drop his hand when he saw Harry smiling slyly at him.

"I swear, you will regret it if you even think about making me wait for you," Snape said sternly and the Gryffindor tried to feign an innocent look. He stabbed another fierce look at the younger wizard and Harry waved him off, eyes looking back at him with surprising gentleness. Curse me. I'm beginning to think him more as a lover than as a student.

"Diagon Alley," Snape uttered clearly. He reappeared in the Leaky Cauldron several seconds later, directly before a very stunned Mr. Weasley. The Potions Master quickly scanned the inn, spotting Hermione, Ron -- an extremely tall Gryffindor indeed -- and Ginny staring at him warily while Mrs. Weasley smiled at him. He turned back and prayed that Harry would appear through the fireplace immediately. The boy did and the Potions Master wished he had had the sense to steer clear away from the fireplace since Harry ended up sliding straight into his chest.

"Sorry," the boy apologized and stepped back from him instantly. They stared at each other without speaking.

Snape was having an internal dilemma. Should I set the pace? Or should I take on the position of bodyguard? Mrs. Weasley solved it for him by leading her children and Harry away. He felt a brief flash of irrational anger, not liking the thought of being too far away from the emerald-eyed Gryffindor.

"I guess we'll have to move along," Mr. Weasley spoke uncertainly and Snape answered in a non-committal way. Their first stop was the bank and he chose not to follow Harry to his vault, trusting the Weasleys to keep the boy safe from harm. He queued up to get to his own bank vault.

"Professor Snape," one of the goblins greeted him solemnly and Snape inclined his head slightly in salutation. "Key?" The Potions Master handed him a small golden key, eyes flickering quickly to examine the hall. It didn't escape his attention that a group of goblins and a small group of witches were staring at him openly.

This was one of the main reasons he rarely socialized in the magical community. There were too many calculating and prying eyes, even in the small world of Wizarding Britain. The witches looking at him were actually a group of former schoolmates from Ravenclaw. They're probably trying to figure out who I am. And the goblins...

Snape managed to hold a bland expression on his face as he followed two of them. The goblins knew things about people they shouldn't have. By the time he had finished the business of re-filling his money pouch, Harry and the rest were already back in the main hall. Why is he looking so smug? Mrs. Weasley, upon seeing that he had returned, whisked the youngsters off. However, Harry did not walk with the rest of his friends but slowed so that he kept pace with the Potions Master.

There was an annoying little smile on the brat's face that set his alarms off. "What the hell are you smiling at?" he asked without moving his lips. Harry only smiled brightly at him. "You are raising suspicions."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked impishly.

"Your friends are looking our way, you imp. Do you want them to get ideas about us?" Snape snarled, glaring at the shorter wizard walking beside him.

"Really? You think so?" the Gryffindor asked gaily. "What kind of ideas by the way?"

"Harry..." Snape hissed and the boy chuckled softly. As they neared the bookstore, the teenager's expression became thoughtful, almost brooding.

"Sev."

Snape's heart skipped a beat as he heard the Gryffindor's soft call. Harry continued to walk on without glancing at the older wizard.

"Do you see that dark aisle over there?" Harry jerked his chin toward a walkway situated in between Madam Malkin's shop and the bookstore. Snape quickly studied the area before his eyes rested back on the young Gryffindor's face.

"What about it?" the Potions Master asked in a low voice.

"I've imagined kissing you senseless in there." He had said it so flippantly that Snape gaped.

Bloody Gryffindor! He is still determined to get me!

Snape thought frantically and changed his pace, striding forward so quickly that Hermione jumped in surprise when she saw a dark blur dart past her.

~*~

The panicked expression in the wizard's coal black eyes amused Harry greatly and it was even more comical when Snape had fled. Harry kept a tight rein on his mirth and caught up with his friends.

"What's with him?" Ron bent his head down slightly so he could whisper into Harry's ear.

"I dunno. I guess he doesn't like the idea of being a bodyguard," Harry answered in amusement. They entered the bookstore and immediately began their search for textbooks. Hermione and Ron, who remained close to him, had the shock of their lives when Snape absently handed the emerald-eyed Gryffindor several Potions books and some of the textbooks he needed. His redheaded friend gaped at the Potions Master's tolerance and at the fact that he had aided Harry.

"Harry, are you all right?" Ron questioned him as Hermione looked at the raven-haired boy thoughtfully.

The latter just gave a smirk worthy of any Malfoy.

"Harry, surely you haven't cursed him!" Hermione exclaimed and Harry laughed, a bit self-consciously.

"Of course not. I was too close to getting myself expelled last year. That won't happen again ... I hope." Harry smiled at his two best friends tentatively.

"Hey mate," Ron began, clearing his throat nervously. "Are you all right? I mean ... about Sirius?" That came in a whisper.

Harry pretended to study a thick book as he contemplated and searched his heart for the answer. "The pain has dulled somewhat," he said quietly. "I just wish..." his voice trailed off.

"You wish..." Hermione gave an encouraging smile.

"I just wish that they could find some way to get his body," the raven-haired boy answered in a soft, sad voice. Turning into an isolated corner of the bookstore, Ron draped an arm about his slender shoulders while Hermione took hold of his free hand and squeezed gently. Harry smiled gratefully at them and impulsively begged their forgiveness for his behavior the previous year.

"It's all right, bro," Ron said with a smile. "Kids growing up do act oddly."

"What did you say Ron?" Hermione asked sweetly.

"Uh ... nothing," the redheaded boy replied quickly. "You still taking Potions then?" he asked Harry suddenly.

The latter nodded and pointed his chin at the books he was carrying. "Does it look like I have a choice?"

"What's more surprising is that he accepted you into his class," Ron commented. "I couldn't make it, even though I got an A for the subject."

"How are your Occlumency lessons? Harry, are you doing okay with that?" Hermione inquired anxiously.

"I've finally grasped the technique, so yeah. That's been going on just fine," Harry responded truthfully. Hermione made a small noise at the back of her throat as they saw Snape browsing at a nearby bookshelf. Again, Harry couldn't help but smile as he watched the rapt concentration on the Potions Master's face.

"You know what, Harry?" Ron muttered. "For some reason, I think you're enjoying his company."

Harry saw Snape's eyebrow lift upon hearing that remark. "Obviously, Ron. Enough to torment the poor professor." He smirked again. Snape looked up from his book and stared deeply into his eyes. Harry smiled gently at him and was pleased when the wizard's cheeks began to redden slightly.

"Dears? Are you done yet?" Mrs. Weasley's voice reached them and the trio hurried over to the counter.

"Aren't you pushing your luck with him?" Ron asked Harry quietly.

"Do you really expect him to poison me?" Green eyes glinted faintly with amusement.

"Well ... he -- you know what I mean," Ron mumbled. Harry chuckled lightly but stopped quickly when Draco Malfoy stepped into the room with his usual company and his mother. Conversations died as heads turned to focus on the new arrivals.

Ron, who was just about to make a snide remark to Harry, was quickly stopped by Hermione and Ginny giving the redhead a look that signaled 'I will kill you if you make a scene'. Harry followed Malfoy's movements as he disappeared through a column of bookshelves, completely ignoring the group of Gryffindors in the store. Curiously, Harry did not feel even the slightest twinge of hatred for the Slytherin.

That's odd, he noted. "I say we finish our business here quickly," he suggested to Hermione and the girl nodded her head fervently. The boy glanced at Snape but if the presence of his Slytherin students bothered him, the Potions Master didn't show it. Harry paid for his books and stepped outside where Mr. Weasley was waiting for them.

"There's the twins' shop!" Ron pointed at a shop with a very eye-catching sign.

"Do you think we could pop in for a while?" Ginny asked her mother wistfully. Since Mrs. Weasley looked a little apprehensive if she should say yes and kept giving Snape several guilty glances, even Hermione decided to put on the adorable puppy-eyed expression.

Harry happened to walk directly behind Snape. When the wizard paused at the joke shop's entrance, the Gryffindor purposefully touched him on the small of his back and nudged him forward gently. His fingers nearly moved of their own volition to rest on the side of the Potions Master's hip but Harry was successful in removing himself as far away from the wizard as possible.

The twins were about to hail him merrily when they stopped in their tracks, faces displaying their horror. Abruptly they turned to their mother and said in unison: "Mum! Are you out of your mind bringing him here?! We're going to get sued for sure!"

"For heavens' sake!" Ginny rolled her eyes in aggravation. "You guys set up this business! Obviously, people are going to sue you sooner or later, isn't that right?"

Fred waved his hand, grimacing. "Yes, we do have to deal with that ... it's unavoidable. However, this imminent disaster could have been prevented!" he said dramatically and Snape snorted.

Harry glided in between his friends and tugged at George to whisper in his ear. "Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't do anything silly."

"Oi, what do you mean you'll make sure he won't do anything silly?" Fred steered both of them to a more convenient part of the store.

"Just trust me. If it ever comes down to that, I think I can help you with blackmailing him," Harry responded slyly.

Fred raised his hand and touched the younger boy's forehead. "Are you sure you are all right, Harry?" he asked in mock concern.

"Is there something going on in your home that we should know about?" George eyed him suspiciously.

"You'd be surprised at the information I've gained while he's been teaching me," Harry said sententiously.

"Mister Potter," Snape called out in a deceptively sweet tone. "We don't have all day to get your supplies and I don't fancy taking an omnibus back to Privet Drive."

"Tsk tsk tsk ... that's some strict keeper you have, Harry." Fred shook his head slightly. "Although he does has a knack for rhyming."

"Potter!" Snape barked sharply and Harry sighed.

"Look, don't you worry about not being able to replenish your joke supplies. We'll make sure to bring some for you to analyze when you get to Headquarters, all right," George said brightly. Mrs. Weasley poked her head in the archway and motioned Harry to get moving.

"I'll see you guys soon." Harry smiled and waved at them.

Harry and his friends made their rounds to the other shops in Diagon Alley and finally reached the Apothecary. The owner was startled when Snape entered the store. The emerald-eyed boy exchanged a baffled look with Hermione, wondering why the wizard behind the counter looked frightened. Just as the group was about to pay for their purchases, the Potions Master recited his own supplies, intending to restock his potion ingredients for classes starting in September.

The reason for the owner's despair became clearer as a lively bargaining session took place, attracting a crowd of parents and their children in the shop. Harry, Hermione and Ginny even got discounts for their ingredients. They made their way to the Leaky Cauldron for a brief lunch and Mrs. Weasley looked at Snape in awe as they ate. The Potions Master was anything but happy, looking like an angry storm cloud that threatened to drop fist-sized hail onto the earth. The reason for his bad mood was because Harry had directed his friends to sit with Dean, Seamus and Luna, who looked as though they had been waiting for the group.

As Harry fed on steak, he observed his best friends silently. Hermione was trying not to fume but was failing as she helplessly watched Luna trying to flirt with Ron. Harry also noticed that Snape glanced at him for the seventh time since their meal had begun. Seamus then included him in the conversation about their OWL results and asked him if he was still taking Potions.

"Yes. I did all right with my results and I guess he accepted me into his class," Harry answered just as soon as he had swallowed his food.

"Guess?" Dean asked in puzzlement.

"Well, I didn't ask him anything before today but since he was the one who handed me the Potions textbooks ..." Harry let his sentence trail off, hoping they would get the drift.

"Is he treating you all right?" Ron cut in with a hushed voice. Harry hid a smile. Luna had an annoyed look on her face, probably unhappy that the red-haired boy was trying to change the subject.

"He is. And no -- he is not starving me to death," Harry said quickly, interpreting Ron's look accurately. "He is a great cook too," he added. Seamus choked suddenly and Dean quickly clapped his back.

"Harry, you're scaring us," Seamus said in a raspy voice.

"Do I look like I know how to cook?" the emerald-eyed Gryffindor protested.

"It's not that!" Seamus leaned in closer. "I mean ... you actually ate his meals?"

"Yeah ..."

"Seamus, he is unlikely to give small doses of poison to Harry," Hermione said in amusement.

Well ... he is poisoning me with something else ... Harry thought to himself. He didn't need Snape to remind him that it was time for him to leave; his alarm went off and Mrs. Weasley hugged him. The embraces came more naturally, though Harry made sure that his hug with Ron was strictly brotherly. Hermione called him and made typing motions with her fingers and he winked just as Snape Flooed home.

~*~

Back in Number Four.

Harry stepped unsteadily away from the fireplace and carefully dropped his parcels on the table. Snape, already recovered, instantly retransfigured the fireplace -- and part of the wall -- back to their original state. The boy sat on the couch to rest, feeling a little nauseous. He was still unused to Floo-ing and was comparing different ways of transportation in his mind and wondering which was worse. He heard the Potions Master sitting down on the furthest armchair from him. When Harry opened his eyes, Snape was staring dreamily out the window. The boy gave a silent sigh and gathered his things. He then went up to his room. On to Plan B.

~*~