"Potter"
Harry paused, clenching his fists and forcing himself to calm down lest he turn the owner of the irritating interruption into paste on the walls. "Yes professor?"
Snape's lips twitched into a sneer as he made his way towards his target, "It is past curfew, what are you doing out of the common room?" He had received an alarm, from the Charm he had chosen to setup at the start of the year, that the Common room door had opened and immediately went to investigate. No reason to give Slytherin any cause to lose points this early into the school year.
"Just taking a walk sir, I need some fresh air."
"Not without approval, and I certainly did not approve. You are turning out just the same as your father Potter. You believe that the rules do not apply to you, that you are somehow special, better than everyone else. I am here to tell you that you aren't, in fact…"
The Potion master froze as a shiver rolled down his spine, something was wrong. It was fear, but of a different sort than he was used to, the kind long since burned into the instincts of mankind, both Magical and Muggle alike. It was the feeling one had when standing at the edge of a cliff, there was no direct danger, nothing presently threatening him… but it was the inevitable danger that crept along the edge of his mind, warning him about progressing further.
Focusing in the man noticed the tensing of the teen's muscles, the way that the hallway seemed darker than before, the dimming of the lights…
"I find it odd professor," the boy replied, his voice sounding cold, like the whispers in a graveyard that you felt more than heard . "All these years and you continue to go after me, continue to push and challenge me despite everything else that has happened. Did you do the same when Dumbledore stood by and allowed the Dementors free reign? Did you speak up against his choice of Defense instructors when Quirrel and Lockhart were chosen? Or did you nod your empty head like all the other sheep. I wonder if you are already blind to what is happening this year as well…"
With that he continued on his path, leaving his Head of House standing frozen behind. Less than a minute later and Severus Snape was back in his personal quarters, reaching for a bottle of Firewhisky, before halting as he took a hold of the alcoholic container.
His hand was shaking, not trembling, not twitching… but shaking, as if he had just survived an encounter with a Dragon and barely emerged with his life.
"Bloody hell…"
...
A boy stood alone before a tombstone, his eyes staring vacantly at the names inscribed upon it. It was the first time he had ever been in this place, the first time he had ever felt enough confusion to seek out solace with the dead.
"Mom… dad…" his whispers went unanswered save for the wind in the trees. "I… don't know what to do. I just… I have always chosen my path, always had a clear goal and means to achieve it but now… I need guidance, I need someone to help me…"
The shadows seemed to waiver on their own accord, like the gentle hand of a parent comforting their child.
"Please…" he plead, but the dead cannot answer the living, they can offer no reassurances or answers, no warmth of a hug or encouragement. Harry Potter remained in the cemetery for the rest of the night, falling asleep on the ground where his parents lay in their final slumber.
...
"Mr. Potter."
Harry had returned the following morning just before breakfast, only to find Severus Snape standing at the entrance to Hogwarts, apparently waiting for him.
"Professor"
"You have returned I see."
"I have."
Snape paused, uncertain for a moment on how to continue, it was a well known fact that he wasn't skilled in comforting students in anyway shape or form, but he was still a Head of House and thus expected to take care of his own.
"I wish to apologize to you for last night, I should not have made accusations nor brought up the deceased, I am sorry."
The teen halted mid stride, before giving a slight nod and continuing on, slowing down enough for the instructor to keep stride with him. After another few moments he chose to speak, "I went to see their grave for the first time."
That single statement nearly caused the older to trip, "You… were never there before?"
"No, Sirius and Remus were the first to inform me of the location, and offered to take me if I wanted but…"
"But you wanted it to be personal, solemn…"
"Yes"
"I am sorry, I have not been very kind to you since your start here."
Harry shrugged, "I was told that you and my father did not get along in school."
Snape felt the corner of his mouth twitch up in a smile, "That would be putting it lightly, yes."
Nodding the teen continued on towards the Slytherin common room, "I am sorry to hear that, but I am not him."
"I… see that now, and I should have far earlier. I understand your need to get away from things as it were, I only request that you inform me should you choose to do so in the future."
"Of course, professor."
By that point the two had entered the area, and Harry continued on to the location of his personal chambers while the man held back, "Mr. Potter…"
The teen halted just as the gateway opened for him. "Yes professor?"
"If you were to have any problems in school, perhaps with a professor…"
He turned to look back at the darker man, before giving a slight nod, "I will do so, I do have a question though on a potion sir."
"Yes?" how curious, the boy was a genius in the subject, for him to ask for assistance…
"How often would one need to drink Polyjuice in order to maintain a form?"
Snape answered almost without thought, "Once an hour on average."
"I see… thank you professor."
With that he entered, and the wall, protected by a portrait of Salazar, reformed leaving the Head of House to ponder the teen's odd inquiry.
....
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