Chapter 14

The few days before the train was due to leave, there was a steady stream into Severus' office of students who had changed their minds about staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. The excuses they gave were feeble at best, and he knew they were just scared. He wasn't complaining though; the fewer students there were over the holidays, the less likely there would be an attack. Perhaps, and Severus knew it was probably wishful thinking, this issue would be resolved.

Sunday morning dawned cold and snowy, but the students went in droves to Hogsmeade station to go home. Severus thought that spending a few nights at his own home wasn't a bad idea. He wanted to collect some ingredients from London, but he admitted to himself that he wouldn't mind the peace and quiet either. He took out a quill and parchment and wrote a note.

Harry

I'm going home for a few days but I'll be back for Christmas. There are a few errands I need to run and now is the perfect opportunity.

I would like to see you when I get back on Wednesday.

Regards

SS

He folded the note neatly and put on his cloak. He wouldn't mind the walk through the grounds to the owlery to stretch his legs. The hallways were quiet, and the remaining students were probably all curled up in front of the common room fire. As he pushed through the big doors to the grounds, he walked straight into someone coming in.

"Harry?" said Severus in surprise.

"Sorry Sir," said Harry. They stood just outside the door, across from each other, the silence feeling awkward.

"Would you like to join me for a stroll?" asked Severus.

Harry glanced around nervously. "Uh, yeah, alright."

"Hang on a second," said Severus, and cast a disillusionment charm on Harry.

"What was that?" he asked. "It felt like an egg cracked on my head."

"That's just a little spell so that we aren't noticed. A little privacy if you will." They both turned and walked along the edge of the castle towards the Quidditch Pitch. The silence again stretched on between then.

"I was actually on my way to the owlery to deliver a letter to you, Harry," said Severus. "I will be leaving after this to my home in Spinner's End until Wednesday. There are a few things that require my attention elsewhere."

"Sure, not a problem," said Harry. Severus thought he detected a little something in his voice that he couldn't quite place. "Ron and Hermione are staying to... keep me company anyway, you know, with all these attacks going on they didn't want to leave me here on my own."

"I'm glad you have such loyal friends, Harry. Keep them close."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, I really have been quite lucky with them, haven't I?"

Severus paused for a moment. "What do you think of these attacks, Harry?"

He sighed. "First of all, I want to clear up any possible doubt that it was me who did it. Everyone is saying that I had it out for Justin but I really didn't. He's a great guy. These attacks are terrible. Two students, a ghost and a cat have all been petrified. I wouldn't even begin to know where to start with something like that."

"I believe you Harry, of course I do. You've had a little over a year of exposure to the magical world. But people tend to see things as they want to. The other students are terrified, Muggleborns more than most, and they found a scapegoat in you." He looked at Harry curiously. "Did you know you could speak Parseltongue?"

Harry kicked the snow. "I didn't know I was speaking another language, no. But I did set a snake on my cousin Dudley once at the zoo. By accident of course. I didn't have control of my magic then." He looked at Severus then. "I honestly thought it was a normal thing that all witches and wizards did."

"Harry, you know that the last known Parseltongue was-"

"Voldemort, yeah I do..." Severus' stomach clenched briefly at the mention of the Dark Lord's name. "I just don't want this to go on any longer. I mean, nobody even knows who is behind this, or if the attacks will ever stop." He cleared his throat. "I don't want to leave Hogwarts just yet."

"And I hope you won't have to, Harry."

They had been walking in a lazy circle and had by now reached the front doors again. Severus and Harry said their goodbyes outside the doors and Harry went inside. Severus stood outside for an extra minute then slipped in after him.

His bags were packed quickly and, casting a hovering charm on them, he brought them to his fireplace. He stepped through the green flames along with his things and emerged into his own living room in Spinner's End. The single couch that had been there for years was still there, though he had long abandoned it as a bed. He sent his bags up to his room and slumped on the couch. A thick silence enveloped him. There was no ticking of a clock or creaking sounds or occasional student walking past his door. The only sound in the whole house was his own breathing. It was only now that he realised just how lonely it was.

-XXX-

Dear Severus

I see that you are home for the holidays. Would you like to join me for a drink in London tomorrow evening? I have booked a private room in the Leaky Cauldron where we can discuss matters in private.

Regards

Lucius Malfoy

The note arrived not two hours after he had attached to the leg of the eagle owl. Severus didn't even try giving it a treat this time. The bird waited for Severus to compose his reply before flying off.

The timing of the letter after his arrival gave him cause to think that Lucius Malfoy had a watch on Severus' house. This didn't surprise him much; Malfoy probably had a watch on all their former associates' homes, but it annoyed him. This meant that Harry would probably never be able to visit, not while the threat of Voldemort's return still hung over their heads.

This realisation hit him like a ton of bricks. Why did he have to make the stupid naive choices he did as a youngster? He wished he could travel back in time and slap his 15 year old self across the face and tell him not to screw his life up. But that was all wishful thinking. He had made those choices and now he had to live with them.

Dumbledore had better know about this. He pulled out parchment and a quill and wrote.

Albus

It has come to my attention that my home in Spinner's End is being watched. I think the man behind it is, in my belief, Lucius Malfoy, which is not surprising in the least. However, this does mean that Harry will in no way be able to visit this house and living here will be out of the question. I have a feeling that you probably though all of this already anyway.

Regards

SS

He folded and sealed the letter with his own personal seal, and tucked the letter into his coat pocket. He would deliver it tomorrow when he went to London.

-XXX-

London was fairly busy, which meant that Severus could blend in quite easily. Nobody noticed him slip through the old door into the Leaky Cauldron half an hour before the arranged meeting time. The pub was full of magical folk of all kinds, and Severus pulled his hood up over his head until he got into Diagon Alley.

He wasted no time in getting to the Owl Post Office and sending the letter to Dumbledore. It was a disappointment but he knew it was for the safety of all concerned. He paid his three knuts and sent the letter off. Then he made his way quickly back to the pub.

Lucius arrived five minutes after he did. They made eye contact across the pub and Lucius gave a slight nod of the head to indicate that Severus should join him in the back. Severus got up and followed him to the door leading to the back and went through. It was a lot quieter back here in the corridor. Severus walked down to a door that stood slightly ajar and went in.

The room had two sofas facing a blazing fire that warmed the room. There was a decanter of Firewhiskey, to which Lucius was pouring two glasses.

"This is nice," said Severus. Lucius didn't turn around.

"Yes, I should hope so. I asked for the best." Severus sat on one of the sofas and Lucius handed him a drink.

"I noticed that Draco and his friends have decided to remain at Hogwarts over Christmas," said Severus conversationally.

"Yes, I asked him to. Narcissa is staying in France for a few weeks with some friends while I have been dealing with the Ministry raids." He rolled his eyes. "They came to the mansion a few days ago with a court order, so I had no choice but to let them in."

"Did they find anything?"

"Of course not. I got rid of the few unsavoury items before the school term started. Sold them or put them in my vault in Gringotts. It's not ideal but it's better than Azkaban." Lucius visibly shivered.

"That would be unpleasant," agreed Severus. "Why did they come to your residence?" he asked. "I thought you and the Minister were friends?"

"I would hardly call us 'friends'. Besides, an anonymous tip-off came through, and it would hardly be fitting if the Minister showed special favours to certain people. It would be somewhat suspicious."

"I suppose so. Do you have any idea who the tipster was?"

"No. But if I did, I would have dealt with them myself." That sounded rather ominous. Severus would hate to be on the receiving end of his wrath, even if he could hold his own in a battle.

"I was curious to know how you knew I had come home?" asked Severus. He watched Lucius for a reaction, though there was none.

"Oh, Draco sent me a letter not long after you had left. I just assumed you had gone home for Christmas," he said casually. Severus knew this was an absolute lie because nobody could have seen him leave.

"I see. I had thought for a moment you were watching my home, but why would you do something as ridiculous as that?" Severus smiled thinly.

"Ha! Why indeed?" Lucius was a very good liar. Severus dropped the issue and took a sip of his drink. Lucius used the moment to change the subject. "What do you think of all these attacks on the school, Severus?"

"I think they are terrible. Most of the victims save for a cat and ghost have all been Muggleborns. It was as if someone was targeting them..."

"According to Draco, it has something to do with the heir of Slytherin, and we all know how the great man felt about Mudbloods," said Lucius without a hint of sorrow. "Maybe this time Dumbledore will take the hint and get rid of them. That'd solve the problem."

"Do you honestly think so, Lucius?" asked Severus.

Lucius looked at him with his eyebrows raised. "Severus, I know you have a weakness for those Mudbloods, but do you not agree that they should not be allowed into the school?"

"Ah Lucius, this is one point that I would have to firmly disagree with you on. I know how much value you place on blood status, but let's not get hypocritical now."

Lucius' lip curled in exactly the same way as his son. "Very well. But you must agree that Dumbledore needs to do something about these attacks? You are in his confidence, surely you know his plans?"

"There are some things that Dumbledore doesn't tell me. Whether he is any closer to dealing with the issue or not, he has not informed me about it."

Lucius looked down his nose at Severus. "I see. Well, he better get this sorted in a hurry. We don't want the school to close down due to his incompetence."

Severus sighed. He had had enough of the fishing that Malfoy was doing. He pulled out his watch.

"Well, I have to get going. I have things to do, and I don't want to waste any more time." He smiled at Lucius. "Thank you for the drink and the chat, but I must be off."

"Indeed. Keep in touch will you?" said Lucius to his retreating back. Severus left without a reply.

-XXX-

A thought crossed Severus' mind. It was a few days away from Christmas, and he didn't have a gift for Harry. He didn't know where to start. He walked down the alley, looking at each of the shops on either side of him. Sweets? No. A pet? Definitely not, he had Hedwig. Something from the joke shop? Possibly. School supplies? Even Severus wasn't that boring. Books? Not a bad idea.

Severus entered Flourish and Blotts. It was quiet, considering it was one of the more popular shops on the street. At the front of the store was a large display of all of Lockhart's books. Severus found most of the titles to be rather pathetic attempts at being witty.

He wandered around looking at various titles, though none immediately stood out to him. There were books on various creatures, and the best one of the lot, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. There were books on potions, two of which he took for his own purchase. There were biographies of various important wizards, and history books of various topics. Then he found one on Quidditch called The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Quidditch Players in History. It was perfect for Harry.

A/N: Please review if you like it :) I am going to try to finish this in the next few weeks so hang in there :) Thank you to all my loyal readers who have stuck by me in the long hiatus, and to those who nagged me to keep writing. I actually have LostMyHeartToHim to thank for that little nudge that got me writing again!