Or at least, not that Harry knew of. But he felt fairly sure that Snape would have mentioned it if he'd adjusted the House Counters.
"Yes, sir," Harry murmured. "I understand."
Snape gave him a look that seemed to say, You don't understand nearly as much as you think, which made Harry really wonder what his father was plotting. There was something Slytherin going on here, he was sure of it.
His lips twisting wryly, Harry decided that maybe Ron's real punishment wasn't lines at all. It was having to put up with a whole evening spent in the last place he would want to be.
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Draco didn't come out when the door parchment announced Ron, which Harry took to mean that the Slytherin boy was going to make himself scarce -- as Snape had suggested. In the circumstances, Harry thought that a pretty smart move.
Snape went to open the door, and Harry followed along, a little anxious. He knew Ron wasn't likely to be in a good mood; Snape's detentions were never very enjoyable, and he knew how he'd have felt if last year, he'd been ordered to serve one in the Potion Master's private quarters... but still, it had been almost three weeks since Ron and he had had words. Didn't that mean the whole thing had probably already blown over?
Harry tried not to think about how fourth year, it had taken all the way until after the First Task for Ron to apologize for his behavior.
"Mr. Weasley," Snape greeted the boy, his voice about as deep and dark as Harry had ever heard it. Anger simmering just beneath the surface, it actually sounded sinister. Or... maybe malevolent. Like Snape was going to very much enjoy this particular detention.
For all Harry knew, though, he enjoyed them all.
"Professor," Ron replied in a sullen voice.
"Do come in."
As Ron moved past Snape, Harry saw that the boy was carrying a package wrapped in paper that featured a group of children grinning as they pulled Christmas crackers. Hope rose in for just an instant, that everything was going to be all right---
Ron squelched the hope by shoving the present in Harry's general direction, averting his eyes as though even looking at Harry might contaminate him. "From my Mum," he ground out, adding, "If it was up to me I wouldn't so much as deliver it, but I don't want to get a month's worth of Howlers!"
Harry winced, gathering from that that Ron had endured a miserable Christmas, indeed.
"You aren't here to be rude to my son, Mr. Weasley," Severus sternly announced, shutting the door with a definite thud.
Not the least bit cowed, Ron said through his teeth, "Perhaps I ought to write my lines elsewhere, then, sir!"
"Perhaps you'll be writing another full set when you finish the first one, if you speak that way to Harry again," Snape informed him. Arms crossed, he glared down at the boy, almost daring him to object. When Ron didn't, the Potions Master gave a brisk nod. "Go to the dining table then, and get to work. I've laid out a quill and inkwell for you, but you may use your own parchment."
As Snape turned his back, Harry saw Ron mouth something rude. It looked a bit like Thanks for nothing, you great greasy git, but he couldn't be sure.
Ron pounded his way across the room, slammed his bookbag onto the table, and with a muttered oath, flopped into a hard wooden chair. More noises followed as he violently fetched parchment from his bag, making a great show about how unfair he felt his entire consequence was.
Harry had felt the slightest bit sorry for him earlier. Now, Ron's complete unwillingness to acknowledge that he might deserve a comeuppance for his words made Harry glad Snape was making him write a few lines. He watched as Ron dipped his quill--actually splashing ink in the process--and began to scratch out a sentence. Curious as to what it was, Harry took a step toward the table. He got close enough to see Ron copying something, but not close enough to actually read it, before Ron was barking out, "Going to just stare at me all night long, are you, Potter?"
Potter... Now that made him mad, it really did.
"No, think I'll just have a look at this present and then write your Mum a chatty thank-you note," Harry gibed. "Anything you'd like me to tell her for you?"
Ron glared, but still didn't actually look at Harry. He was glaring at a point over Harry's left shoulder. "Yeah," he drawled. "Tell her there's a box of Sugar Quills I tossed in the trash. Ask her to give them to someone who might actually want them, since I don't."
Well, at least Harry knew now how well his Christmas present to Ron had gone over. "I'll be sure to mention that," he said, vindictively hoping Ron did get a Howler for such terribly childish behavior. With that, Harry was doing some stomping of his own, going over to the couch and plopping down to rip open the box from Mrs. Weasley.
Another jumper... Gryffindor colors as usual. There was a plain parchment card atop it, though. That was different from previous years. A little apprehensive, Harry pulled it out and opened it to read,
Harry dear,
Severus owled to tell us your splendid news. He also explained in rather distressing detail Ron's unfortunate reaction to the situation. Be that as it may, I want you to know that Arthur and I are very excited for you. Of course we've heard complaints about Severus for years and years from all the children, but honestly, what can you expect? Nobody ever likes their Potions instructor, and as much as I love Fred and George, I shudder at the thought of what they must have gotten up to in class. It's no wonder Severus feels a need to be strict with his students, Ron included, so don't you let any complaints from that quarter trouble you.
Arthur and I know Severus quite well from from our work with the old crowd, and to tell you the truth, dear, I've never had cause to regard him with anything but respect. I know the two of you have a bit of history to overcome, but all that really matters is that you feel comfortable taking that challenge on. I'm hoping that Ron will come to his senses soon. I'm also hoping that you'll remember one thing: Ron has always had a large family surrounding him. If he seems unsympathetic to your wanting a family bond with Severus, I'm sure it's because at heart, he can't imagine longing for a family. I'm afraid he rather takes us all for granted.
You're quite welcome to visit us at the Burrow whenever you wish, with or without Ron. You're special to us, Harry, and had things worked out differently, we'd have been pleased to include you in our family. Perhaps it's best this way, though. I think in some respects, Severus can support you in ways that would be beyond us.
Love,
Molly Weasley
Harry was smiling by the time he finished the letter.
"Good news?" Snape casually asked as he came out of his office, a pile of scrolls in his hands.
No longer in the mood to rub things in, Harry didn't want to say too much in front of Ron. "Yes... here, I'd like you to see. It's nice."
Snape took the letter and perused it with hooded eyes, then merely nodded. "As we finished revising all your lessons over dinner, this evening, I thought you might have time to help me with these essays?"
"Oh, sure." Harry started to walk down the corridor toward Snape's office.
"No, I thought we'd work at the table."
Was that just so he could supervise Ron's lines?
Shrugging, Harry took a seat opposite Ron --about as far away as he could get-- and unrolled a scroll at random. "Just spelling this time?" he checked, taking a green never-out quill from Snape's outstretched hand.