Harry gulped back happy tears. His da was amazingly nice to him. Not only did he provide him with gifts for no particular reason тАУ like his broomstick тАУ and assign only the lightest of punishments when Harry was bad, but his professor was now also giving him presents just for following orders? How many other kids were lucky enough to get treats for that?
Snape watched as the boy wonderingly stroked the box as if it were some fragile blossom and struggled not to let the pity he felt show on his face. It was all too apparent that the child had received precious few rewards in his life to date. "Your adherence to our plan permitted me to focus my attention on Pettigrew's capture, rather than on having to protect you from the consequences of any foolish actions," he told the boy. "I amтАж pleasedтАж with you."
Harry looked up at that, a huge smile on his face. "You are?" He felt like his heart would burst out of his chest, he was so happy. His da was pleased with him! He had even said so. There and then, Harry vowed to do whatever he could to get his da to be pleased with him again. This feeling was just too wonderful.
"Mmf." Snape cleared his throat again. "And your instructions to the snakes were similarly appropriate. They did their work extremely well. Had it not been for their actions, Pettigrew would surely have escaped."
Harry beamed.
Later Snape would decide that those green eyes had temporarily unhinged him, for he had had no intention of saying the words that next came out of his mouth, but of course once he had, there was no hope of taking them back. "And so you have earned a second treat for yourself. What would you like?"
Harry's jaw dropped. TWO treats? He was getting TWO? All because he had done what his professor told him to do? This was brilliant. Sure, he'd known that Ron had gotten an extra galleon of pocket money from Uncle Arthur after doing so well on his Transfiguration essay, and Hermione had said that her folks usually rewarded her for good grades with a trip to the bookstore, but he'd never imagined that he might receive similar treatment тАУ especially not when his guardian hadn't even been entirely convinced that Harry's identification of Scabbers was correct! It was just that Professor Snape hadn't been willing to risk the consequences, so he'd argued Moony and Padfoot around and then set up his wicked plan to trap the ratтАж And then, when it worked out and Harry's claim had been verified, his professor actually thought Harry deserved more rewards?
Harry was just relieved he'd been right. What if he'd been mistaken, the way Remus and Sirius had thought? All day long, he'd fretted about it. What if he'd just gotten confused over two similar rats? His professor would be furious at all the wasted effort. And if the Headmaster found out тАУ Harry shivered. He'd likely send Harry back to the Dursleys for being such a stupid, troublesome idiot and causing so much uproar.
Even if Professor Dumbledore never learned of the issue, Harry still figured that if Scabbers turned out to be just a rat who bore a striking resemblance to Sirius and Remus' old classmate, he was going to have a very uncomfortable time of it. His godfather and Remus would probably be too nice to say "We told you so" to Harry, but Harry had a sneaking suspicion that Padfoot, at least, would likely tease Snape about it. And he knew his professor didn't like to be wrong тАУ let alone have his errors pointed out to him.
Harry had thought his guardian wouldn't give him an Uncle Vernon-style smacking even for such a well-deserved reason, but he'd been mentally preparing himself for a harsh tongue-lashing about how only dunderheaded little boys jumped to conclusions. He hadn't really relaxed until the fat man had abruptly appeared on Professor Snape's desktop.
But while Harry had felt intense relief that he had been correct in his identification, he'd just assumed that it meant he wouldn't get scolded. He never imagined he'd be rewarded.
"A тАУ a treat?" he echoed incredulously. "An' I get to choose?"
Snape rolled his eyes, furious with himself. What are you, a Hufflepuff? You already hugged and praised the child! You are going to spoil the brat with such open-ended offers! Merlin only knew what kind of extravagant treat the little brat would now demand! "I said so, did I not?"
He shuddered mentally, imagining what kind of treats Weasley or Malfoy might dream up. Obviously he had to get an answer from Harry before he could consult with the other boys. "Well?"
"C- could weтАж" Harry trailed off uncertainly, dropping his eyes. Too much! It would be greedy to ask for something like that!
Snape's temper rose at the boy's obvious self-censorship. As if he didn't have better things to do than sit here and wait for the little snot to think up ever more elaborate presents. He already regretted his largesse, and if the brat thought he'd spend the rest of the day trying to coax an answer out of himтАж "What do you want, Potter?" he demanded harshly. "Speak up!"
Harry jumped in surprise. "ErmтАж I don't know," he stammered, taking the easy way out.
To his surprise, he felt strong fingers under his chin, forcing his eyes up to meet his da's.
"I will not tolerate falsehoods, young man," Snape said angrily. "It is quite apparent that you have thought of something. Out with it!"
Harry gulped. He was going to sound so greedy and ungrateful! "Erm, well, I тАУ I just wonderedтАж if it wouldn't be too much troubleтАж if you had the time, could weтАж I mean, it's okay if we can't!"
"WHAT?" Snape demanded, his patience at an end.
"Couldwegoforicecreamagain?" Harry blurted, his eyes downcast despite the fingers under his chin. He really didn't want to see his da's annoyed expression when he realized how demanding Harry was.
Snape blinked. That was the boy's request? Another trip to the ice cream parlour? That's all he wanted? And with him? Didn't most children of this age want to avoid being seen in public with their parents?
Snape refused to show how touched he was by the boy's request. "Very well, Potter. You and I will go on an outing to Diagon Alley and enjoy Mr Fortescue's ice creams again."
The boy's shining eyes fastened on his own. "Thank you, Da!" Harry breathed. Merlin, but his da was good to him!
"You may attend tonight's Farewell Feast, though I understand it will be somewhat muted, given today's events. Tomorrow, you will take the Hogwarts Express with your friends as they go home for the winter holidays, then I will meet you at the station and take you on the outing before we return to Hogwarts."
"Thank you!" Harry would have wriggled in delight, except he was still Stuck to the cushions. Now he also got to take the train ride with all his friends!
Snape consoled himself with the thought that he could always pick up some potion ingredients that the stores in Hogsmeade didn't stock. The brat had demonstrated on their previous trip that he was unusually patient during such errands. "I will expect you to conduct yourself with decorum," he warned sternly. "Any mischief or hijinks on the train, and I will bring you straight back to spend the rest of the day writing lines."
"Yes, sir," Harry acknowledged obediently, but internally he scoffed. As if Jones and the other prefects would allow any mischief on the Express! Besides, Christmas was coming up and their parents awaited them at the station. What student would be foolish enough to risk a report of bad behavior under those circumstances?
"Very well." Snape gave the suspiciously compliant boy a sharp look, but he couldn't find a reason to issue more dark threats. He paused. "Are you able to sit properly now?"