agneskamilla (agneskamilla) wrote in adventdrabbles, @ 2014-12-15 09:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | contributor: agneskamilla, dec15, fandom: harry potter, prompt13, year: 2014 |
Dec 15; Harry Potter; Snape, Harry, Draco; Rescheduling
Title: Rescheduling
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing/Characters: Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy
Rating: G
Word Count: 912
Warning(s): AU
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I write this only for entertainment purposes, no money is made by me.
Prompt: Ugly sweater (I am doing some make up work here)
AN: Unbeta'd. Written for adventdrabbles 2014; Day 15. I have had this idea for months and now I will attempt to write it in December... so TBC. Follow up to Departure, Encounter, Storm, Night-time, Introductions and Observation.
Harry arrives for breakfast a few minutes before eight o’clock. After his tomfoolery in the garden he is a bit flushed but definitely refreshed. Creating snow angels was a favourite activity of theirs with his mother and after his discussion with Master Snape the previous evening and a long, sad night spent in an unfamiliar house he needed a reminder of the good times they had with his mum.
If it had depended on Malfoy, Harry would have died from starvation: it was still early afternoon when he sent Harry to his room and he didn’t bother with offering dinner, only threatened him not to be late from breakfast. Fortunately Dobby served dinner to Harry. The elf turned out to be good company, if a bit overly excitable.
Breakfast is an awkward affair; Harry tries to remain as inconspicuous as possible, Malfoy eyes him with obvious suspicion, and sends disgusted looks in the direction of Harry’s Christmas sweater which features an amorphous reindeer on its front. It is true that the jumper is quite ugly, but it was a present from his mum – from her period of trying then failing to become a knitting-expert – and Harry currently needs the comfort it offers. Meanwhile Snape is lost in his thoughts, hardly looking up from his untouched dish. He is extremely pale and worn-out. Harry suspects that he didn’t sleep at all.
“Are… are you… um, all right, sir?” Harry’s mouth stutters the question without his brain’s permission. As soon as the words are out, he realizes how inane the question is: of course the man is not all right, he has just lost his friend. Harry blushes deeply.
Snape looks up and his gaze mirrors Harry’s opinion about the stupidity of the inquiry and the one who uttered it.
Malfoy sends Harry a calculating look and turns in Snape’s direction with narrowed eyes. After a short examination he puts his hand on Snape’s wrist somewhat possessively – at least in Harry’s opinion.
“You look pale, Severus. Maybe you should rest and I…” Malfoy starts to suggest but he is interrupted.
“There is no cause for your concern,” Snape says impatiently. “I am perfectly fine and capable of taking care of myself.” He is clearly irritated.
“As you wish.” Malfoy retreats sullenly.
Harry casts his eyes down.
“Mr Potter, have I accurately concluded from your mother’s letters that you were home-schooled?” Snape’s attention focuses on Harry.
Harry looks up to answer shyly. “Yes, sir.”
“Why was that?” the man wants to know.
“My mother thought it was for the better, given the hype surrounding Father and Sirius,” Harry replies, and he isn’t lying just not telling the whole reasoning behind his mother’s decision. At the mention of his father and godfather, Snape’s face darkens. “And lately this arrangement had the advantage of me being able to help her around the house,” Harry adds with bittersweet nostalgia.
Snape’s lips narrow into an impossibly thin line. Harry suspects that he is angry about Lily not informing him about her decaying health.
“Have you taken any exams independently?” Snape asks sternly.
“I received passing grades on my NEWTs in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Herbology, sir,” Harry gives Snape a rundown.
Malfoy’s eyebrows rise in clear disbelief.
“Indeed?” Snape asks; his expression is not so easy to read.
“Yes, Mum insisted. She was especially good with Charms and Potions, but she also tutored me in the other subjects,” Harry says.
Snape contemplates that for a few moments before he asks, “What kind of education do you seek from me?”
“You are a renowned spellsmith, sir,” Harry says and a blush colours his cheeks once again. “I’m sure that I could learn a lot from you in the area of spellcrafting. It’s a fascinating subject.” By the time he finishes, Harry’s face is beet-red.
“Yes, that is true; I can also teach you defensive magic and I may be able to enhance your knowledge in Potions, if you wish so,” Snape offers.
Harry is quite awed; Master Snape is definitely a multi-talented individual.
“I would really like that, sir,” Harry agrees enthusiastically.
Malfoy’s gaze flickers between the two of them, getting nastier by the minute.
“What kind of goal would you like to achieve by learning all of this from me?” Snape goes on with his semi-interrogation.
“I haven’t decided on a particular area yet,” Harry admits. “I’m interested in healing but not sure yet.” He shrugs embarrassed. In someone’s eyes who is as knowledgeable as Master Snape, he must seem to be stupid with his wobbly plans and ideas.
“I see,” Snape only says. “I will present a detailed schedule for you soon enough, but for today, we shall meet in my basement laboratory in one hour.” It is more of an order than a request.
“But Severus, what about my training?” Malfoy protests indignantly.
“You can work on the research I appointed to you,” Snape tells him calmly.
“But the morning is usually the time for my practical lessons with you,” Malfoy argues.
“With the arrival of Mr Potter some rescheduling is needed. Surely you can understand that, Draco?” Snape asks a tad impatiently. “Later on, as a senior apprentice, you will have a part in Mr Potter’s training.”
That last bit of information placates Malfoy somewhat; he nods reluctantly, but his acceptance seems insincere to Harry.
With that established, Snape leaves the room, without touching his breakfast. Malfoy gives Harry an angry look before storming after Snape
.