Better Be Slytherin!

In another Wow, this story won the 'Best Chemistry' award at The Quibbler! Check out that one, plus all the Runner-Up awards I won, too, via my profile.

Several passages in this chapter -- especially the dialogue between Snape and Quirrell -- were lifted directly from Chapter 13 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling.

*Chapter 46*: Chapter 46

Better Be Slytherin! – Chapter 46

By jharad17

Warnings for language and reference to sexual abuse. Nothing graphic.

--HPHPHPHPHPHPHP--

Previously on Better Be Slytherin:

Feeling the blood drain from his face, Severus shook his head quickly. 'No, no, you're right, Headmaster. It will be as you say. He'll go to them for two weeks.' He would just need to be nearby during that time, in case anything more than a few sharp words passed from the Muggles to the boy.

'Excellent. I'm pleased you agree.' Dumbledore resumed his seat and gestured in dismissal. 'Good luck at Saturday's match, Severus.'

'Thank you, Headmaster.' Severus nodded on his way out, not so keen on sharing this news with Harry, after all.

'Mr. Potter. Stay after class.'

Potter threw Severus a look that, for the shortest of instants, was filled with pure terror. But the fear was gone before Severus had any idea of how to react, and the boy's blank mask slipped into place. 'Yes, sir.'

The students finished pouring -- and spilling, naturally -- their Fever Reducer potions into fluted vials and messily labeling them before cleaning their stations and leaving the classroom. Both Nott and Bulstrode gave Potter thinly veiled signs of encouragement, as if the Brat Who Lived to Give Anyone Named Snape Headaches were going to be punished for something.

What the hell was going on?

Severus had not wanted to keep Potter after class; he had wanted to discuss the summer with him during one of their evening chats, when both of them were relaxed, and he could perhaps get a few other questions in about the Dursleys. But the Brat hadn't let him. The last couple weeks had been very odd, and when one was the Head of Slytherin House when Harry bloody Potter was amongst their newest members, that was saying something. For the better part of three weeks, in fact, since the five-minutes-long Quidditch match against Hufflepuff, Potter had declined all of their normal, non-curricular get-togethers. He had not come to play chess or to ask questions about Lily, or to view pictures of her either. He had also not shown up for Occlumency training, and the Bloody Baron had informed him that Potter was busy, with Quidditch and homework and other issues and could not attend. But he could not be that busy, could he?

Severus had thought that the boy had somehow re-discovered the Mirror of Erised, since it had ensnared him once before. But when he mused about it aloud, once more the Bloody Baron had the answer for him. No, Harry Potter had not found the Mirror. Nor had anyone else, which was a bit of a relief, really.

Perhaps the Brat had found something else to hoard his time? Someone else. A girlfriend, perhaps?

'No,' the Bloody Baron told him again. 'Especially not after what happened with Gaius Avery.'

Of course, Severus thought. Then again, ghosts didn't know everything. They could not be everywhere, though the Baron seemed keen to try, when it came to the Potter brat.

All the students were gone from the classroom, and Potter stood in front of him, all alone and looking it. 'You wanted to see me, sir?' His hands were stiff and still beside him, and his eyes were wary, a cold green like the sea on a cloudy day.

If Severus had to, he would admit he was worried about the boy. The last two times he had shunned Severus had been because he was in trouble. The first time, when Potter had also been fearful and wary, had been because of Avery. What if some other student were hurting the boy like that again? Severus was angry just thinking about it.

'I have some news you might appreciate,' Severus said lightly, hoping to light a spark of life in Potter's eyes. 'I told the Headmaster that, at least until recently, you have done well at the beginning stages of Occlumency, and he has agreed to allow you to spend most of the summer holidays with me, so I may continue your lessons.'

Harry's mouth dropped open and the flicker of fear reappeared for another moment before it was banked.

'You will need to only spend two weeks with those Dursleys, Harry,' Severus pushed, in case the boy didn't understand that he would be free of them for most of two whole months. 'And I will be with you while you're in their 'care,' to make damned sure nothing goes amiss.' He was looking forward to it, truth be told. Shaking up Petunia's perfect little world by appearing with her nephew in tow, along with a writ of occupation from the Headmaster. Poking his wand into the enormous belly of that husband of hers and listening to him squeal . . .

'Do I have to?' Potter asked.

It was Severus' turn to drop open his mouth, although he was quicker to recover. 'What's this? Did I hear you correctly, Potter? You want to stay with your odious relatives?'

'No, sir . . . no, of course not. I just . . .' Potter looked away. His shoulders came up as if to ward a blow, as if he thought Severus would be angry enough to hit him, as if . . .