Snape laced his fingers together and leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling. "I do not live in Professor Sprout's pockets, Potter."
Uh-oh, Potter. Well, Harry didn't need to be told three times to back off. He glanced over at Remus and mouthed the word hopeless. Remus smiled and nodded.
"Stop talking about me," Snape growled, his gaze still fixed to the granite overhead.
Harry couldn't help it; he burst out into giggles. Now Remus was glaring too, telling him to cut it out, but Harry couldn't. The laughter some sort of release valve on all the tension, he began chortling, his sides actually starting to hurt he laughed for so long.
"What's so funny?" Dudley asked, ambling over. He sat on the floor without a qualm, and began to fiddle with the ring he was wearing around his neck. Lily's ring. Harry stared at it, a strange sort of pain enveloping his heart. The dream had helped with some things, but not with that.
Unusually perceptive, Dudley saw his look and quietly said, "You'll get it back, Harry. Soon, huh? No offense, but as soon as that spell gets redone, I'd like to be on my way."
The prospect of Dudley's imminent departure sparked something in Snape. Well, he always had been unfailingly patient and kind with the Muggle boy. It was almost out of character for him, but Harry knew why he was doing it. They needed Dudley to complete the spell, and Snape, Slytherin as they came, was astute enough to realize that Dudley couldn't possibly cope with his usual temperament.
"So, Dudley," Snape drawled, moving to sit in a more normal position, "have you given any thought to your plans?"
Dudley all at once looked rather uncomfortable, his glance at Harry apologetic. "Um, I thought I'd spend Christmas with Aunt Marge, actually. I know Marsha said she might make me backtrack into bad habits with my diet, and um... hating your guts, but she's family too, you know, and..." He gulped. "She did just lose her brother."
"I know," Harry said. He'd never forgiven Marge for those horrible things she'd said, but that didn't have to involve Dudley. "Say hallo from me," he added, just a touch of malice in his voice. "Tell her I'm sending her a balloon bouquet for Christmas."
Dudley cleared his throat. "Uh, she doesn't remember The Incident."
Harry knew that. "Pity," he said, and Dudley hid a laugh behind his hand.
"After Christmas, I'll look about for a flat and a job," Dudley said, sighing. "Mum and Dad spent most of what Dad brought in, but there's a little money there to tide me over until I find something. Um, there's no phones here, right? So what do I have to do to write you, buy an owl?"
"I'll write you," Harry promised. "Care of Mrs. Figg, who can use Muggle post to get the letters to you. Keep her current on your address, and send her anything you want me to get here. She can take care of owling things to me. How's that sound?"
"Complicated," Dudley sighed. "But maybe as good as it's going to get."
Remus stretched his long legs out before standing up. "Harry. It's been wonderful to see you, and see you doing so well, but I have a number of tasks ongoing for the 'old crowd' which I should really return to."
"I understand," Harry murmured, standing up and walking Remus to the Floo. "Um, when can I see you again, though? Oh..." a thought occurred to him. He glanced back to see Snape pointedly ignoring the conversation. Harry wished he knew what that meant. "It's probably up to Professor Snape," he admitted, a little bit glum. It was good, of course, that Snape had let Remus visit finally, but Harry couldn't help but be aware that it had taken a pretty serious need to make his teacher relent. It didn't seem to have thawed the ice any, more's the pity. He didn't want Snape and Remus at odds, he just didn't!
"Actually," Remus volunteered, "I'm shortly off on a trip abroad. You remember Hagrid's mission, recruiting... allies? Mine is similar."
Harry got that at once, and knew Remus was speaking cryptically so as not to alarm Dudley. "Oh," he said, disappointed though he knew it might be valuable, having the werewolves on their side. "Well, good luck."
Remus leaned down to speak much more quietly. "The mission is well and good, but I also think the headmaster has another goal in mind."
"What?" Harry whispered back.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," Snape erupted. "I can hear you! The other goal is just Albus playing chessmaster as usual. He thinks you and I need time to adjust to our new situation, without other parental influences interfering." He cast a slightly derisive glance towards them. "Enjoy Germany, Lupin."
Remus nodded, and with a last smile at Harry, Flooed away.
Harry went to sit back down, and the waiting continued. What is Draco saying in there? he wondered, wishing Snape would cast a listening charm or something. It would be the Slytherin thing to do, wouldn't it?
Draco finally emerged. "She's ready for the two of you," he said without expression, his hand elegantly waving toward Harry and Snape. "Excuse me, I must go finish my project."
"What is this project?" Harry pressed.
"You'll find out. Soon, I think."
Harry didn't know what to make of that. Shrugging, he made his way down the hall after Snape.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Snape had apparently gotten the casewitch more than a mere cup of tea; a china pot decorated with animated roaring dragons was sitting on a trivet on his desk. From time to time one of the dragons let loose a volley of fire, after which the pot would steam. It was one of the more clever self-heating spells Harry had seen. Beside the pot sat a little cup frowning indignantly. Harry wondered if that was because it was almost empty and wanted to be refilled.
The other two cups appeared contented enough. Snape poured tea for both himself and Harry, and topped up the casewitch's portion, at which point the little cup brightened considerably.
The casewitch was sitting behind the desk, which Harry thought rather impertinent even if he'd wanted to sit there earlier, himself. Maybe she just needed the space, however. She had most of the surface covered in sheets of parchment. She was filling one out, her script careful, precise, and rather ornate. Harry noticed as he sat down that everything she wrote was being magically transferred onto all the other sheets as well. She glanced at them from time to time, presumably to be sure everything was well in order.
Snape took the other armchair, balancing his saucer on a crossed knee, and waited silently for Amaelia Thistlethorne to speak. It took a while; she was intent on her paperwork. Finally, she looked up. "Everything here appears satisfactory," she said. "However, Professor Snape, I wonder if it has occurred to you how your changed relationship with Mr. Potter is likely to affect Mr. Malfoy? We emancipated him because it was necessary to ensure his safety, but his having been prematurely made a legal adult does not mean he has the emotional resources of one."
"I'm well aware of his jealousy," Snape coolly admitted. "There's not a great deal I can do about it."
She paused, appearing to delicately balance confidentiality against practical needs. "I'm sure, then, that you've realized he looks on you rather as a father figure? Unsurprising, as you've managed to achieve what he no doubt wishes his own father would."
"Leaving Voldemort," Snape acknowledged. "I understand how he feels, yes."
"Have you not considered then...." she paused, clearly at a loss for how to proceed. "That is, at present both young men have fairly equal claims on your time and attention, but the adoption will skew the balance in Mr. Potter's favor." She glanced at Harry. "Mr. Malfoy would not be normal if that didn't greatly perturb him. I think he'll have a difficult time dealing with the situation."
"What do you suggest I do?" Snape asked, though clearly without meaning it. "Eject him from my quarters if his behavior troubles myself or Harry? I can't do that, Miss Thistlethorne. His safety, not to mention that of Slytherin in general, depends on him staying here for the time being."