Chapter XVI

The next two weeks proved to be very busy for Harry. He found himself swamped in a deluge of assignments from teachers. It was as if they were determined to drill something into their head before they went off for the Christmas break. So Harry found himself in the library during most of his breaks working on the assignments so he could have his evenings free. And even then, he was still busy working past nine.

One day he found himself in a small corner of the courtyard, doing a fairly good job of remaining unseen. He was extremely annoyed by all the looks he was getting every time he walked into the Great Hall to eat lunch or dinner. So he found himself usually eating breakfast only. Of course, placing yourself on the fringes had its benefit. He could clearly see everything that happened between the houses. And he wasn't too pleased by what he saw. Gryffindor was fairly antagonistic. Slytherin usually kept to themselves, only responding to a barb of some sort. The more he watched, the more he saw it over and over again. He was starting to wonder just how Gryffindor was the loved house by all. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw certainly wouldn't be glad if Gryffindor was targeting them.

But otherwise, everything was going fairly well. So on a bright Tuesday in November he was surprised to see Sora and Ron standing at the foot of his bed. He looked between the two of them, with a questioning look on his face.

"Harry," Ron began. "Are you...well that's Sora and I've noticed that acting weird in Potions."

"How so?" Harry asked; Laetitia Kuromatsuto was still here, sitting in on Snape's classes for reasons beyond him. Hopefully no one didn't notice he was always the last one in and the first one out.

"You hide it very well," Sora said, seating herself on the edge of the bed. "You spend half the class working on the potion we've been given and the other half daydreaming."

"I don't daydream," Harry said.

"I think staring off into space, thinking about something else counts as that mate," Ron said. "Just what were you thinking about that much?"

Harry felt his face go bright red. He wasn't about say that his little daydream had involved Snape, handcuffs and a can of whipped cream. So he had daydreamt a little bit about the man he wanted. It wasn't his fault that he would practically hear Snape's voice dripping with lust, asking Harry to-

"Harry!"

Ron's exclamation brought him back to attention. "Yes?" Harry asked, trying to not let his embarrassment show.

"See what we mean?" Sora said in a nonplussed expression. "You make it look like you're staring at something else. But the way you-"

"Oh for Merlin's sake, enough tiptoeing around!" Ron interjected. "Just tell us who she is! Even I'm not that blind."

Harry felt his face pale slightly and he started to fidget a bit. "Ron, I really think that Hermione should-"

"'Mione," Ron said firmly. "Has enough to deal with in between S.P.E.W., schoolwork and other stuff. Plus, she managed to freak herself out about the N.E.W.Ts at the end of the year."

So much for that. Harry remained silent unsure if what he should say, much less say anything at all. Merlin knew what would happen if the Daily Prophet found out that Harry Potter himself was lusting after Severus Snape the supposed Death Eater. Not that he suspected that his friends would say anything, but this kind of thing had a funny way of being found out by some blabbermouth.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about Harry," Sora said with a slight pause. "Is it Luna Lovegood? Or Terri Murphy, that sixth year?"

"No, it's not Luna or Terri," he said making a face of disgust. "Certainly not those two."

"You got back with Cho?" Ron asked. Harry gave him a dirty look. "Sorry, should have known better."

"Is it a girl we know?" Sora tried.

"No." Harry replied; he wasn't lying in the slightest.

"What house?" Ron asked.

"Sora's." Harry replied easily.

"Slytherin?!" Ron looked like Harry had broken some cardinal rule. "Are they at least good looking?"

"That was incredibly shallow," Sora tsked. "Are they a good person?"

"Yes." Harry was sure there were plenty of people who would choose to disagree with him.

"You sure she's in Slytherin?" Ron asked, scratching his head.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Harry said with a smile.

"Can you give us a name?" Ron pleaded.

"Ron, that's Harry's choice. If he doesn't, you'd better not-"

"Aw, come on! What's her name?" Ron tried again, ignoring Sora's admonition.

"Well," Harry said; he couldn't help but grin at Ron. He was so determined to know. Sora was suddenly quiet. He glanced at her; she looked deep in thought. "It starts with 'S'." he said, looking at Ron.

"First of last?" Ron followed up immediately.

Harry shrugged. Anything more than that would certainly give it away.

"You know, you're being incredibly difficult about this? How am I supposed to meddle properly if you don't tell me anything?!" Ron said indignantly. "Though, I should be grateful it's not Bulstrode or even Parkinson."

"As am I," Harry said with laugh. "So you found out I have a cru-"

"Harry," Sora began, cutting him off.

"Yes?"

"Is it another guy?" Sora asked archly.

Harry was sure his face was going red again. He watched Sora, who was looking at him as if she was putting together the pieces of some puzzle. Then, suddenly, her face split into a wide toothy grin. Harry was sure his face paled this time; he suddenly felt like he'd eaten a few Billywigs and they were zipping around inside his stomach crazily.

"You OK mate?" Ron asked, peering at him intently. "You went from pink to green like that!"

"I'm fine." Harry said a bit weakly.

"Well then, what's wrong?" Ron looked totally puzzled.

Harry paused, looking at Sora again; her brain was working in overtime and he had better stop it soon. "It does bother you guys? That I like other guys?"

Ron, and Sora, gaped at him in amazement, disbelief written all over their faces. After five seconds Sora closed his mouth and shook his head, leaving Ron to speak.

"Why would that bother us?" Ron asked. "So you're gay; big deal. Just so long as you don't hit on me."

"I know you're with Hermione," Harry said in a slightly exasperated voice.

"Honestly, Ron," Sora laughed. "Maybe you should find Hermione now and tell her, so she doesn't yell at you."

"No, no," Ron said suddenly. "'Mione has enough to deal with. No telling 'Mione. At all. All right?" Ron looked between the Sora and Harry of them.

Harry wasn't exactly inclined to disagree with Ron when he had such an adamant look in his eyes. "All right," he said slowly. "I won't tell Hermione."

"Sora," Ron rounded on her.

"How can you honestly expect me to swear I won't do something when you have no basis for asking me that?"

"Trust me, there's basis enough. Promise me." Ron said easily enough; but the tone in his voice dared her to try and broach it further.

"Fine," Sora said with a pout, crossing her arms. "I won't tell Hermione." she said Hermione's name in a nasty little singsong voice.

Ron scowled at her but sighed a moment later. "I know, it seems kinda irrational-"

Sora snorted in slight disdain at that. "Kind of, Ronald?"

"Fine, really irrational," Ron conceded. "But don't tell 'Mione yet, all right? Wait awhile before you do. After break should be fine."

"Very well. But if she comes after me asking why I didn't tell her sooner, I give you no guarantees as to my reaction."

"Fair enough." Ron said.

"Well," Harry said. "In all truth, if Hermione finds out, I can just say: "Ron told me not to." and play innocent. And I won't have to suffer her lecturing." he grinned at Ron knowingly.

"Great, thanks for reminding me." Ron said in dry resignation.

Harry gave a sigh of grateful relief as he dumped his schoolbag on the study table. He just had Care of Magical Creatures and was done for the day. So he decided to squirrel himself away in a secluded spot in the library to give his essays some due attention. They needed it today if he didn't want to be scrambling with them the night before.

This particular spot was tucked away in the far back of the library, between two bookcases and the wall. There was just enough room for two people to sit in here comfortably. Not everyone came to this spot. So far, Harry was starting to think he was the only one who knew about it. He drew out the rolls of parchment, ink pot and quills. Better he started on one of these monstrosities. Of course, choosing between Transfiguration, Potions or Dark Arts was going to be difficult.

He looked between the three rolls, twirling his quill in between his fingers before picking up the Transfiguration one; get the hardest one out of the way first. He unrolled it, dipped his quill in ink and started to write. But he only got out one sentence before he stopped. He really didn't feel like working at all today. Maybe he should just-

"Honestly, Potter. Why do you seem to already be in some place when I try to find a moment to myself?"

Harry looked up to see Draco leaning against a bookcase, a smirk on his face. Harry chuckled slightly. "You're more than welcome to hide out here from Parkinson if that's the case. If not, then piss off Malfoy; I have work to get done."

Draco took a seat, shaking his head. "I have enough work to do myself. So I think I might stay here and bother you. Much more preferable to pissing off, wouldn't you agree?"

"I'd have to say no on that one." Harry replied. He glanced down at his essay. "Not that I was getting far on this one."

Draco plucked it from the table. "Transfiguration? Again? You must be suicidal."

"Well, you need it in order to become an Auror." Harry said, taking his essay back. "Of course writing six feet about certain types of human transfiguration and their merits and shortcomings is far from fun. And I still have that Potions essay and Dark Arts one."

"An Auror? You are suicidal." Draco said after a brief laugh.

“Tell me about it.” Harry said, stretching his arms with a yawn before he picked up his quill. “So what exactly are you doing here? Decided to seek out my charming company?”

Draco shrugged. “Beats doing nothing.” He paused. “Although, I must say, I’m not all that thrilled with you. I am not some little child to be chastised like that. There are things that I am all too aware of.”

“And I should have let the two of you go at it on the stairs?” Harry asked mildly, twirling his quill around. “Come on Malfoy; if it hadn’t been me, someone else might have broken the two of you up. And that, I think, you’d rather not have happen.”

“Are you always so smug when you’re right?” Draco asked a bit cynically.

“I must have picked it up from Hermione,” Harry said. “I wasn’t right all the time.”

“You are now.” Draco pointed out.

Harry shrugged. “I have to be. I mean, I can’t exactly be the incompetent Auror, now can I?”

“Of course, not,” Draco said in a disgusted tone. “You have to perfect. Don’t ever wonder about it?”

Harry nodded his head. “I've wondering myself too." He paused. "Are you doing nothing after you graduate in the summer?"

Draco gave him a withering look. "I easily could, but I'm not. I'm looking into a job in the Ministry; a decent respectable job. I refuse to sit on my arse simply because I can."

"That's refreshing; you certainly aren't your father." Harry mused. "What field?"

"Maybe an Oblivator; Flitwick says my charms are good enough," Draco shrugged. "But I think maybe something in trade or international relations would be more interesting; working with other ministries around the world, that sort of thing."

"Politics?" Harry gave Draco an incredulous look. "Wouldn't that involve magical law, trade regulations and that kind of stuff?"

"Yes. I already took the necessary courses. I'll need an apprenticeship from someone in the Ministry though to get started. I’ll more than likely end up in International Magical Cooperation."

"Now who's suicidal?" Harry quipped with a smirk.

"Oh shut up." Draco shot back. "How can you honestly want to be an Auror? The same thing your father was?"

"You know, I was wondering the same thing," Harry said. "But it doesn't matter what I do because someone is bound to put the spotlight on me for some reason. I become an Auror; I'm following in my father's footsteps. Do something else, and the noise people will make will be much worse."

"Become a bum. No one would expect that." Draco suggested. "And my father does work. Investment."

"Ah."

"But it does look like he does nothing at all." Draco mused. "I wish I could say the same for the rest of my family."

"Scheming?" Harry suggested.

Draco nodded. "It was worse when Bellatrix was still around. Everything was a nightmare. And she managed to get my mother and Sora's mother to join Voldemort."

Harry remained silent for a moment. "I think they might even make me becoming a bum seem like a big deal. I guess Sora going to continue what she's doing?" he had to try and lighten the mood.

"Yes," Draco said suddenly with a sour look on his face. "Just so long as she doesn't drag me back there again."

"'There'? Just where is 'there'?" Harry asked.

"The Caribbean. She went to some island to study the habits of tropical puffskeins. Puffskeins!"

Harry cleared his throat politely. "It doesn't sound so bad."

“Potter, my definition of nice does not consist of steadily baking through the day and going through deep freeze at night. When it reaches 122* Fahrenheit, I start to burn. And she just had to go into a Muggle area.”

"When it's boiling in the day and you've managed to burn yourself within an hour of waking up and then have to suffer a frigid night with sunburn, I'd like to see you say the same thing."

"You didn't stay in a town?" Harry was hard pressed to not let his mirth show on his face.

"Oh there was a town. We went there to get supplies, since Sora wanted to camp out with Muggle tents and the like." Draco scowled. "It was the single most miserable experience of my life."

"Must have been. No air conditioner." Harry caught the strange look Draco gave him. "A Muggle device used to make air cold."

Draco snorted. "Next time, if she drags me with her, we're staying in a place with that...thing."

"But her study went well?"

"I should say so, since I woke up one morning to find a puffskein making a meal of my bogies." Draco said dryly. "The little bugger decided to stay around our campsite. Take a wild guess what Sora did next?"

"What?" judging from the reaction on Draco's face this was going to be good.

"She named the dratted thing...Boo Boo."

"She named a Puffskein Boo Boo?" Harry choked out in between his laughs.

"Boo Boo." Draco said with a nod of his head. “I found this out when I awoke to find the thing making a meal of my boogies. She waited a few minutes and said, ‘Off you go Boo Boo.’”

Harry bit his lip, stifling his laughter; if he laughed, Madame Pince would be sure to hear him and throw him out swiftly.

"Have you gotten control of yourself Potter?" Draco asked a few minutes later.

Harry nodded his head. "At least she managed to get her study done. Right?"

"Yes," Draco said, curling a lip in distaste. "She got it done. I was the first one packed and ready to leave."

Harry chuckled. "I can just...imagine..."

A silence fell between them as they each inspected their quills, not quite willing to broach the underlying subject.

“It’s too quiet.” Draco murmured suddenly.

“What did you expect?” Harry snorted. “It’s a library.”

“Not the library,” Draco said, drumming his fingers lightly against the table. “Out there. With You-Know-Who.”

“Oh, Voldemort,” Harry frowned when Draco shuddered. “What is wrong with you people? If you fear his name, what the Hell will you do if, Merlin forbid, you come face to face with him?”

“Some of us, Potter,” Draco began. “Are not as comfortable using the Dark Lord’s name for obvious reasons. We’re too ensnared in his madness to come out until he dies.”

Harry didn’t say anything for a moment. “Don’t tell me you have a Mark.”

“I don’t,” Draco shook his head. “But if Mother has her way…”

“Narcissa?” Harry looked mildly surprised.

“Yes, my mother Potter. I always knew Bellatrix was a bad influence. And the fact that she got to Leiko as well…” Draco didn’t say anything for a moment, a look of grim thought on his face. “It’s bad enough that Bellatrix ruined my life, but she ruined Sora’s as well, a complete innocent. I am always amazed at that woman’s twisted depravity.”

“She killed my godfather.” Harry said quietly. He stopped twirling the pen around, staring at the spots on the feather. “It has been quiet; far too quiet. First Vo- err, You-Know-Who becomes active by the end of fifth year. But come December, there’s nothing. Then this little blip on the map of killing Yukiko.” Harry rubbed his temples. “It certainly doesn’t make sense.”

“And it is making me nervous,” Draco said quietly. “Father says He’s always this quiet when He has something planned - something very big.”

“But He doesn’t even have a quarter of the forces He used to have.” Harry said, running his fingers along the solid cartilage of the feather. “That is, more than likely, according to Dumbledore.”

“Don’t tell me you actually buy that.” Draco sneered.

Harry gave a sardonic snort. “If someone can resurrect themselves, I’ve made it policy to never put anything past them.”

“Good policy. I should adopt that particular one.” Draco mused.

Harry’s expression flickered to Draco, who had a slightly worried expression in his eyes now. “Lucius will be fine, don’t worry.”

Draco’s eyes darted to Harry’s warily. “What are you babbling about Potter? Of course my father will be fine.”

“Of course he will be.” Harry echoed a bit hollowly; according to Alexandre, Lucius’ position was precarious, as was Snape’s. “Of course he will be.” He repeated again, nodding his head slightly, trying to not think of the possibilities that could lie in store for the two men.

“Potter?” Draco shifted forward slightly. “Potter?”

“Sorry,” Harry said with an apologetic smile before he inspected his quill again. “Just...it’s been on my mind too. Didn’t want to talk about it, but…it…was…there…” he trailed off with a wince. His scar started stinging like mad.

"What's wrong now?" Draco asked in slight impatience.

Harry gasped and clutched his head; it suddenly felt like it was going to explode. He felt angry, enraged at something. 'Voldemort...' A fresh wave of pain ricocheted through his head and he closed his eyes, pressing his hands harder against his skull as if he could drive it off. He opened his eyes and everything seemed disjointed, blurring rapidly in darkness. He could see vague shapes, some one sitting in a tall chair, with a robed figure bent in obeisance. Harry squeezed his eyes shut again as voices started to trickle through to this ears.

'And all is ready?' Voldemort's voice sounded far from pleased.

'Yes, my Lord.' the person whispered so softly he couldn't tell who it was. 'The new recruits are prepared and I have gathered more supporters as you wished.'

'How soon?' Voldemort's displeasure was waning.

'Soon, my Lord. Things are being positioned as we speak. This may displease you, but in order to ensure full success, may I humbly suggest that we wait three weeks before we start?'

'You are right; that does displease me.' Voldemort raised his wand. 'Crucio.'

The figure sprawled against the ground, writhing. 'My Lord, people's ...guard will be...down...then-' the person gasped and arched their back in a soundless scream. 'Then...and only...' the body twisted with a particularly vicious convulsion. 'Then, will your....triumph be complete.'

'Clarify this further.' Voldemort demanded, ceasing the curse.

The person picked themself up, seeming to suffer no ill effects. 'They will be far too busy with preparations and the like. You can move in, create chaos and, in that very chaos, take over. And there will not be a thing anyone can do.'

'You are forgetting Dumbledore.' Voldemort mused.

'I am not, my Lord. We lay siege to Hogwarts castle. They cannot stay in there forever. They will run out of food eventually. They may have fresh water, but a person can only last two weeks on water, less than that.'

Voldemort seemed to consider this. 'You do raise a valid point. Dumbledore is old. He will probably be the first to go.'

'Indeed, my Lord.'

'Rise. You most certainly deserve a reward for that. Approach and remove your hood.'

The person walked up to Voldemort, pulling the cowl back. Harry felt his blood chill as he saw Leiko's glowing face. She had the same look that Bellatrix had. Voldemort reached up and caressed her face with his skeletal hand, making a motion with his other one.

A door opened from somewhere else and a few moments later, Peter Pettigrew was dragged in by two Death Eaters and thrown at Voldemort and Leiko's feet. He picked himself up, blubbering the whole time.

'My Lord, please, let me explain-' Pettigrew began.

'You nearly cost me the support of many families and people. Leiko, I leave it to you to dispose of him as you see fit. We'll deal with the other traitors at the next meeting.'

'My Lord!' Pettigrew began in a shrill voice. 'Please my Lord, I had no intention of-'

'My my, I have a rat. What to do with that?' Leiko began in a singsong voice as she took a step down. Pettigrew scrambled back from her fearfully. Leiko continued walking down. 'Break his tail? Or pull out nails?' she continued walking forward, and Pettigrew continued to scramble away from her. 'Rip out his spleen? And hear him scream?' Leiko smiled sweetly, toying with her wand. 'Make his ribs go snap? Make his wrists go crack? Oh, what to do with that rat?'

She stopped right in front of Pettigrew who was pressed against the wall as much as he could. Leiko reach forward and grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt as Pettigrew tied to crawl away. Pettigrew let out a long piteous scream of terror that was only cut by the slam of the door.

Voldemort let out a long laugh, stroking Nagini as she came and curled around his arm. 'Leiko's song was lovely, wasn't it?' he mused, stroking the snake's head. 'One rat down and two more to go.' He laughed again, manically.

"Harry! Harry! Stop that insane laughing! Snap out of it!"

The words exploded through his mind, making him blink rapidly. Draco was standing over him, shaking him briskly. Harry’s head snapped back and forth as he gripped Draco’s hands hard. “Draco! Stop! Before you give me whiplash!”

Draco’s eyes flashed with relief before anger descended. "What the hell was that, Harry? You just zoned out! And then you started muttering, and laughing! I won't even go into that sadistic little song you were singing."

Harry held his head as he looked around. It was just him and Draco in the small spot. He looked round confused. "I was singing that song? And laughing? How come Madame Pince hasn't thrown us out yet?"

"I placed a silencing charm around here." Draco said as Harry shook his head. "I'm the only one that heard the song and the laughing."

"No one else heard?" Harry asked in a daze.

"No one else heard," Draco said. "Are you going to tell me what the hell that was, Harry?"

Harry didn't reply. He scrambled from his chair, bolting from the library and flying down the stairs. What was he doing to do? Should he tell Dumbledore? No, not Dumbledore, not yet. Harry ground to halt. He was already on the second floor, heading to the gargoyle statue. Snape! Snape was the answer! Harry started running once more, nearly falling a few times. When he found himself at the door to Snape's classroom, was breathless and pounding on the door.

Harry pushed the door open and found the classroom empty. Snape's office; Snape had to be in there. If he wasn't Harry wasn't too sure what he was going to do. He pounded on door. Muted mutters greeted him from the other side. Harry wasted in no time opening the door and stumbling into the room and falling to the floor.

Snape was seated on a chair, his shirt draped over the back. Laetitia was smoothing a bright green unguent over his chest, where fresh scars gleamed in the firelight. Laetitia was looking at him in surprise while Snape looked ready to hex him until he was a puddle of goo.

"What is the meaning of this, Potter!?" Snape bellowed as he stood up, giving Harry a look that could make him combust into flames. "You do not simply barge into my office as if-"

"Pettigrew. Dead." he managed to get out. "Leiko. Voldemort. Plans. Attack." he rested his hands on the floor, chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He looked back up after a few seconds, looking Snape right in the eye. "Need. Occlumency. Again."

Snape looked about ready to chew Harry out when Laetitia came and helped Harry up guiding him to the large couch to sit down. She left him and came back with a luminous white potion and handed it to him. A Soothing potion, it was just what he needed. He tried to unstop the bottle but found his hands shaking. Laetitia took it and opened it, putting it to his lips and tilting it. Harry gratefully swallowed the contents.

"Feel better?" Laetitia asked, rubbing his shoulder in small circles.

Harry nodded, gazing at his hands. They were still shaking.

"Then you can explain your hasty actions." Snape snarled, crossing his arms across his bare chest.

Laetitia glared at Snape. “You will butt out of this. Obviously, something’s shaken him and you bullying will not help at all, Sevvie. Let me handle this.”

"And let you coddle him? He's old enough to quit acting like this." Snape snorted.

"Sevvie, you will shut up and let me handle this. You can be utterly crass sometimes. I have three sons and know how to handle this." Laetitia said firmly, giving Snape a look before she looked back at Harry. "Do you feel ready to talk?"

"You have three kids?" Harry asked.

"Three sons, and one girl." Laetitia smiled. "I married a very wonderful man named Kenji."

Harry nodded, looking at his hands once more; the shaking was subsiding, which meant the Soothing potion was working. "I saw Voldemort and Leiko. They're planning something, some sort of attack. I don't know when for. Pettigrew is probably dead by now. Voldemort let Leiko dispose of him. He said there were two more rats to take care of."

"Look-" Snape began.

"No, Sir, I saw it." Harry said firmly. "I need Occlumency lessons again. I can't let the same thing happen again. Not after last time. I can become that kind of liability again."

"This is-" that was all Snape managed to get out.

"Please, Sir. I need Occlumency lessons again. I-I didn’t want to go to Dumbledore with this. Not yet. I thought of coming to you and asking first before I went." He squirmed a bit. "I don’t want You-Know-Who to use me again like he did before. We both know how that ended up." Harry said in a quiet voice. "Please..."

An uncomfortable silence descended around room before Laetitia spoke a few minutes ago. "Sevvie, you can't mean to-" she began.

"Shut up Laetitia." Snape said, never taking his eyes from Harry. "You want Occlumency lessons again?"

Harry nodded; silence would probably best now.

"Saturdays at nine p.m. You are to show up on time; since you have very little work, the only allowance I will make is if you have Quidditch practice. Should a repeat of last time happen, you are never to ask me for Occlumency lessons again. If you do, I will not hesitate to hex you, even if you are a student."

"I understand Sir." Harry slumped against the chair in relief.

"Sevvie-" Laetitia began.

"Once I am done, we are going to talk to Dumbledore. Now, if the both of you will excuse me," Snape's voice was dripping with condescension. "I have to finish looking after my wounds in private."

Laetitia ushered Harry out quickly following behind him. As soon as they set foot outside, Snape slammed his office door shut with a resounding thud. Harry looked at it for a moment before looking back at Laetitia. She was leaning back against the desk, staring at her fingernails far too intently.

"Mrs. Kuromatsuto?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Call me Laetitia Harry. Or Lailai. Everyone calls me Lailai." Laetitia said with a small laugh.

"Are you all right...Laetitia?"

"I'll be fine." Laetitia said with a shrug. "Just a bit homesick is all. I miss my family."

"Oh."

"My kids are around your age. Two are older," Laetitia looked at him, tears in her eyes. "This is honestly the longest I have been from home."

"When are you going back?"

"Soon." Laetitia looked away, tears spilling from her eyes. "God, I am such a weeper. It drives Kenji and the kids crazy." she dashed them away with her sleeve only to have them replaced again.

"It's all right. I know the feeling." Harry murmured. Sometimes he just wanted to go back to Whytemoor Manor and vanish away from everyone's sight. "Did you write to them?"

"Of course I did," Laetitia gave him a mock scolding look. "My two younger kids want to study in other countries. So I might bring them around to Hogwarts during the Christmas break."

"They'll probably like it here."

"Harry, I want to ask you something." Laetitia said suddenly. "Can you promise me something?"

"Perhaps." Harry had already made enough promise he wasn't sure he could keep. No need to add another one. "What is it?"

"Don't let Severus go to the next Death Eater meeting." Laetitia said. "I'm afraid that he won't come back if he goes. And what you said you heard Voldemort say-"

"I don't think I can promise you that," Harry said. "I doubt Snape will want to see me outside class and the Occlumency lessons."

"Then at least try to stop him from going. I don't want him to end up dead. He's all I have left."

"I'll try my best." Harry said. "That's the most I can promise you."

"Thank you." Laetitia said, wrapping him in a swift, and surprising, hug. "Severus is very lucky to have you in his life."

Harry had to arch an eyebrow in surprise at that. "I think he may have a very different opinion Laetitia."

She chuckled, about to reply, when Snape's office door opened with a creak. Snape walked out, an impassive look on his face. He glanced at Laetitia and she scurried back into Snape's office. She gave Harry a look and a brief nod of his head. Harry nodded, with a sigh before he followed after Snape silently. Why did he feel as if he were walking into a massive spider’s web?

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Fifteen || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Seventeen