bertas (bertas) wrote in severus_sighs, @ 2009-11-15 18:53:00 |
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Entry tags: | ficlet, member: bertas, pairing: none, rating: g |
Realization by BertaS
Title: Realization
Author: BertaS
Pairing: None
Rating: G
Word Count 1264
Summary: Severus realizes something that he and others should have seen a long time ago. End of 5th year.
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: We frequently see only what we want to see. Unfortunately no matter how I want to see it, I still don’t own them.
A/N: Just a little fic I promised ya'll could have. Perhaps I'll call it an Un-Birthday Fic.
Realization
Severus Snape snarled when he saw the boy sitting in the window seat. “Potter, have you any idea what time it is? Do you really believe the rules only apply to others?”
The boy turned his head to look at the irate Potions Master and sighed. “My watch doesn’t work anymore, but it must be close to one.” he said quietly. He ignored the man’s other question.
Something about the boy’s attitude unnerved Severus. He was not used to an apathetic Harry Potter and snapped, “Why are you not in bed?”
Harry snorted as he lifted his hand to rub his forehead and said, “It would be a really bad idea to try to sleep right now.” He briefly closed his eyes. “HE’s in a right state at the moment.”
Severus sneered, “If you had bothered to learn Occlumency when you were supposed to, this would not be a problem, now would it?”
Harry looked exhausted as he leaned his head against the glass. He spoke softly, “Maybe.” He shrugged. “If someone had bothered to explain the process of clearing one’s mind and how to go about throwing an intruder out. As well as why it was necessary, instead of just shouting at me, I might have learned.” He knew it wasn’t all Snape’s fault, but he couldn’t help partially blaming the man for Sirius’ death.
Severus stared at the boy thinking, ‘How can he say he doesn’t know?’ He then sneered, “Potter, did you even look at your primary books?”
Harry blinked at the man. “What primary books?” he said slowly.
“The books all Wizarding children are given, you impertinent brat.” Severus nearly shouted.
Blinking again, Harry sat up straight and leaned toward the Potions Master. “Just when,” he asked frowning, “do Wizarding children usually receive these books?” Seeing the Professor puffing up and turning pink Harry quickly continued, “Because I didn’t know I was a wizard until Hagrid brought my letter and took me shopping. He didn’t let me get anything that wasn’t on the list other than an ice cream.”
Harry had never seen the Potions Master look so confused. Severus sank onto the seat next to Harry, and said, “But you… Lily…” he turned to search the boy’s face before finishing, “Petunia knew.” He almost seemed to deflate.
Harry snorted. “I suppose that’s true, but it doesn’t mean I did.” His shoulders slumped. “Do you know what she told me when I asked about my parents?”
Severus shook his head bewildered at the change of topic and Harry let out an odd, half laugh half sob. “You’re going to like this, Sir. She said they died in a car crash, because my dad was a drunken lay-about that never worked and that mum was a whore.” There were tears in his eyes that he angrily whiped away.
Severus’ shoulders sagged as he leaned forward and put his face in his hands. Harry barely heard him mumble, “Oh Petunia, did you really hate us that much?”
Harry frowned, “Professor, do you know my Aunt?”
Severus shook his head as he as he snorted. “I used to think I did.” He then looked at the boy. “I… may owe you an apology, Mister Potter.” He sighed. “I assumed Petunia would act, much as her mother did at having a wizard in the family.”
Harry shook his head. “I don’t think so. The one time she spoke… well, more like went off on a rant, about it; it sounded like her mum thought it was pretty wonderful.” He looked down. “Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon just think I’m a freak.”
Snorting Severus said, “Much as it pains me to say it, Mister Potter. Your father was far too energetic to ever be considered a lay-about. Although I am not certain what he did, other than managing the Potter estate.” At the shocked look on the boy’s face, he added, “Your mother was doing research on spell crafting. I believe she created several useful Charms while working on her Mastery. She was also excellent at potions.”
“Thank you.” Harry said softly. “No one’s ever told me so much about my parents.”
Severus sighed. “Perhaps you haven’t asked the proper questions.” He smirked slightly at the frown that appeared on Harry’s face. “Speaking of questions, during our lessons I would frequently see a small space. Could you tell me what that was?”
Harry whispered, “My cupboard.” He glanced at Snape before continuing to speak to his knees, “Under the stairs. It’s where I slept before my first letter arrived.”
Severus raised an eye brow at the boy. “First letter, Potter?” he asked even as he wondered why the boy would sleep in a cupboard.
Harry nodded. “It came about a week before my birthday. Uncle Vernon took it away before I could read it. He took them all, burnt them in the fire place. There were so many of them he made us go away. That’s when Hagrid brought me one.” He shrugged. “They gave me Dudley’s second bedroom after the first one though. They thought someone was watching the house because it came addressed to: Harry Potter, Cupboard Under the Stairs.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose Severus said, “Student letters are magically addressed, the only reason anyone would look at them would be if there was a problem with delivery, which it sounds as though you had.”
Severus leaned back next to the young man speaking in a more or less conversational tone, “Muggleborns frequently have to have their letters hand delivered. Because they disregard them or think it is some kind of joke. I have never heard of Hagrid attending to any deliveries, McGonagall or Sprout usually see to them.”
He sighed and shook his head. “I see now that even though you are Wizard-born, you should have been treated as a Muggleborn.”
Harry hung his head. “Can you recommend some books?” He sighed. “I can’t guarantee I’ll be allowed to read them, but I’ll try.”
Severus glared. “What exactly does that mean, Potter?”
Harry looked away and shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain, I mean…” He sighed. “Saying my Aunt and Uncle aren’t very tolerant of Wizards is a pretty big understatement.” He suddenly smirked. “Kind of like saying Voldemort isn’t tolerant of Muggles.”
Harry was surprised when Severus let out a short bark of laughter. “I see.” he said with a smirk. “I will have a word with Petunia and her husband.”
Harry’s eyes widened and he shook his head, “No! I mean… That would… I…” He seemed to shrink in on himself as he whispered, “Please don’t.”
Severus frowned as he put the pieces together and a horrible suspicion took root in his mind. He raised his hand to grip the boy’s shoulder, only to have Harry gasp and shy away, before simply staring at him, confirming Severus’ suspicions.
Harry was breathing hard, ashamed of flinching. He hadn’t been prepared to feel threatened. Snape had never attempted to touch him before. Eyes still huge Harry whispered, “I’m sorry, Sir.” He wasn’t even sure why he was apologizing.
Severus heaved a deep sigh as he gently settled his hand on Harry’s shoulder, “So am I, Mister Potter, so am I.”
The End