Walk the Shadows

all.

So I told Snape I would give it a miss, and he said he had assumed that would be the case, but he was required to attend, and he asked if I would be all right alone. I told him yeah, sure, 'cause nothing's likely to come after me in his, I mean our rooms, unless it's Dumbledore. He got all quiet then, and I did, too, and then I said I was sorry, even though I wasn't really, and he nodded, like he understood what I meant.

Ron and I went flying yesterday after we visited for a while. Hermione came along to watch our backs, so Snape wouldn't have to, even though he offered. Even though the offer made Ron look a bit green. I know Ron's still probably in shock about everything, and I know he'll blow up at me at some point, and wonder what the hell I'm thinking to be living with Snape, but if that argument can wait a few more days, it'd be cool.

After supper last night, we all went to visit Remus (although now he's Professor Lupin again, or will be in a couple hours), so Snape could get some last minute potions stuff done for class. Remus didn't seem to need the extra time to get ready – although he's not had a messed up teenager to deal with all summer, like Snape has, so he hasn't fallen behind like Snape. We stayed until almost 11, which I guess is my official curfew, though the last hour or so I fidgeted so much that Remus asked me a couple times what was wrong. I said, 'nothing,' but I couldn't help but remember the last time I visited Remus, and then came home to find Snape had been poisoned.

This time, Snape was fine. He even sneered at me when I rushed in, calling for him and asking how he was. He hasn't sneered in so long, it was good to see.

This morning he told me he has a meeting with Dumbledore about something that might help me with attending classes. I'd already suggested last week – and only half joking – that I might use my Dad's cloak, and just sit in the back row all quiet like, so no one would know I was there. He said he had an idea that might be a bit easier on my nerves, but he would have to wait till Dumbledore approved it.

I hope it works, whatever it is. I don't want to fall behind in my classes, but I'm really not ready to deal with Malfoy and them. . . . especially after what happened last week at the Ministry.

---

'Ready to test it out?' Snape asked.

Harry was on the settee, Transfiguration textbook perched on his lap. He had hoped to get a better grasp of the concepts they were due to cover in the first couple weeks of class, but the reading was slow going. He had just gotten his own set of Sixth Year textbooks by Owl order a couple days ago – he'd used some old ones of Snape's before then – and had decided to go through them all to prepare as best he could for class. The question of whether he could actually make himself attend class was still up in the air.

Or maybe not. 'Yeah, all right.'

Snape lifted an eyebrow in his general direction, and Harry grinned. 'Sorry. Yes, sir. I would be most pleased to test out this wondrous system you've designed.'

'Excellent,' Snape drawled. 'Now, each of your professors will be given a specific incantation to say when your class begins, which will release the spell from stasis, until they repeat the incantation at the end of class. When the spell is active, you will be able to see into the classroom, but only the professor will be able to see you or hear you . . . and only if they are looking precisely at the place where the spell is set. Clear so far?'

Harry nodded. 'Yes, sir.'

Snape nodded. 'All right. I will go to my classroom, and release the spell from stasis. You will sit there,' he said, pointing at the table where they ate many of their meals, 'as that is where the spell is aimed in our quarters. Questions?'

'No, sir.'

'Good.' Snape left, and Harry moved to the table, taking his Transfiguration textbook with him. Less than ten minutes later, he heard his name called, and he looked up. In the center of a misty sort of bubble which hovered a few feet in front of him, he could see Snape quite clearly at the front of his classroom. 'Obviously you can hear me,' the professor said. 'Are you able to see me as well?'

'Yeah, it's great,' Harry said. He wondered how fine tuned the spell was. 'Can I hear you even when you aren't staring at me?'

'You should be able to, though it will not work in the reverse,' Snape said, even as he turned to his board and started writing the steps for a simple Shrinking Solution. 'Does it work?'

'Perfectly.' Snape didn't turn around or say anything else, and Harry recalled that the professors wouldn't be able to hear Harry unless they were looking right at him, so he waited till Snape finished writing and had turned back around before repeating, 'Works perfectly.'

Snape smirked. 'I thought it might.'

'You thought right.'

'I'm putting the spell back in stasis now,' Snape said. 'But I have a few more things I need to set up for the dunderheads who will grace my presence tomorrow. Will you be all right for a few hours?'

'Yes, sir. I'm fine.'

'I doubt I will return before the Feast. Make sure you have dinner. I don't want to hear otherwise from the House Elves.'

Harry gave him an odd look. Would Snape really ask the House Elves if he ate? Weird. But Snape was obviously waiting for his response, so he said, 'I will. Don't worry.'

Snape's response was merely a raised eyebrow, as if to say, he could not do anything except worry. For Harry, it was a weird feeling altogether, to have someone – an adult, specifically – worried about him, worried that he wasn't eating enough or getting enough sleep, or that he wasn't comfortable around other people. A weird feeling, but kind of nice, too.

'After the Feast, I will need to meet with my Slytherins, Harry. I hope to be back before midnight, but you should not expect me before then.'