Walk the Shadows

Harry tensed. 'Er . . . yes, sir.'

'Good. I live to foil your expectations.' He savored the confusion on the boy's face for a moment before continuing, 'The words themselves I find no fault with. The manner of their delivery, however, left much to be desired.'

'I'm sorry, sir. I know I shouldn't have yelled.'

'No, you shouldn't have yelled. Respect for your elders, and especially for those with special authority, such as professors, should be employed at all times.' He allowed a small twitch of his lips, and said, 'Just remember, when you use a respectful tone and form of address, the content of your invective is more often heeded.'

Harry's brow was still furrowed as he went over what had just been said, and Severus could almost see when the light went on in his mind. 'I . . . okay. I understand.'

'I'm sure you do.' He waited for Harry to look at him before saying, 'I imagine Lupin will be around in the next day or two, to offer you his own apology.'

'Really? Why?'

Managing – just – not to roll his eyes, he said, 'Even though your delivery lacked a certain level of courtesy, the message was received nonetheless. Lupin wishes to unburden his guilt.'

Harry opened his mouth several times and then closed it without saying anything. Just as well, as Severus was not sure he would be able to defend the wolf more than he had already tonight.

'But do not think that your lack of respect towards the wolf is beneath my notice,' Severus reminded him and watched appreciatively as the boy's expression turned wary. 'I have allowed some leeway with regard to your outbursts here, in deference to your particular circumstances, that I will not tolerate outside of these rooms. I trust you understand my meaning?'

Ears and neck reddening, Harry murmured, 'Yes, sir.'

'Very well.' Severus glanced at the clock. 'Early to bed then, tonight. Use the extra hour to clear your mind, using the breathing technique from the book. Not the stone. Any questions, on that or other topics?'

'No, sir.' Harry rose and headed to his room, and paused at the door. 'Good night,' he offered.

'Good night, Harry,' Severus replied, then considered again the debacle from earlier in the day and the likelihood of the boy having nightmares as a result. He quickly Accio'd a potion from his room which he handed to Harry. He knew Harry recognized it; he'd taken it often enough. 'I suggest you take this when you're ready to go to sleep.'

Some residual tension drained from Harry's body, and he smiled a little. 'Thank you, sir.'

Severus waved a hand at him and closed his eyes as the boy quietly shut his door. Only two weeks before classes started up. The true test would be the trip to Diagon Alley. If Harry managed that without having a panic attack or flashback, Severus would be more inclined to think he would enter classes on time. As it stood now, though . . . he just didn't know.

TBC . . .

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A/N: Look at that, a new chapter after just one day! Thank you to all who read and/or review! Next chapter should be out by Monday at the latest.

*Chapter 29*: Chapter 29

Walk the Shadows

By jharad17

Chapter 29

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Honest. She's rich, I'm not.

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Aug.17, 9:30 am

Yesterday I didn't write. Didn't feel like it. So Snape says, 'No flying then,' and that was okay, because I didn't feel like that either. But then he goes, 'Quit moping,' and then he got angry when I yelled at him that I wasn't moping and that he should just leave me the fuck alone and who asked him anyway?!

So, um, I got pretty well acquainted with the inside of my room yesterday, is what I'm saying.

And Remus didn't come by.

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Harry finished writing and tucked the journal into his bedside table, then grabbed the hat he was supposed to wear today and went out into the sitting room. Snape was sitting in his chair near the fireplace, paging through the Daily Prophet.

'You actually read that rag?'

Snape looked up. 'Know thy self and know thy enemy,' he said, making it sound like a quote.

'What's that from?'

'Sun Tzu.'