The Potions Lesson

[bleedingangel84]

Title: The Potions Lesson

Author: bleedingangel84

Beta: None

Pairing: Harry/Severus

Rating: PG

Warnings: UST

Word Count: 365

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made.

Written for: hogwarts365 Prompt #151- Quote prompt: "But she gave me the perfect gift."

"What?"

"You."

Inspired by this quote from the author Cynthia Hand; Innocuous; Replicate

Notes: More Harry/Severus this week. This follows Professor.

Summary: Severus continues to teach Harry.

The Potions Lesson

“If you’ve brewed your neutralising potion correctly, it should nullify the effects of most poisons, rendering them innocuous.”

“I’m nervous about this. I’ve never done well with potions, Severus.”

“Yes, well, things are different now, Potter. You seem to have done an admirable job. It is the correct colour and consistency.”

“It helped when you explained slowly. It didn’t hurt that you’ve left off glaring.”

“You’ve not given me reason to glare of late. You are learning Legilimency quite admirably.”

“Who are you and what’ve you done with the real Severus Snape? Are you sure someone didn’t replicate your body?”

Harry saw Severus’ lips twitch with reluctant amusement before he responded.

“Back to work, Potter. Don’t force me to take points from Gryffindor.”

“There you are. I thought for a minute you might be a different person. I know you can be nice, but I thought it was against your personal code to be nice to James Potter’s son. ”

“You are far less obnoxious than your father ever was.”

“I know he was a bully to you, and—I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t do any good, but on behalf of the Potter line, allow me to offer apologies in my father’s stead, for both of us. I shouldn’t have invaded your privacy that way, but I was…intensely curious. I apologise.”

“It’s done. I have seen your private thoughts as well. I would say that squares things between us.”

“Are you not even going to discuss what you saw?”

“What good would it do? You don’t really love me.”

“I do. Whether you believe that or not, it doesn’t make it any less true. I learned something from my mother in that pensieve. She gave me the perfect gift.”

“What?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“I saw you there as she saw you. She loved you. I—learned to look at you through different eyes.”

“She loved James. She didn’t love me.”

“You were her friend. She saw the good in you. Seeing her through your eyes—I felt it. You are a good man, Severus Snape, for all you try to hide it. I do love you. You—make me feel safe.”

“Finish your potion, Harry.”