kbinnz - Harry's New Home

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*Chapter 29*: Chapter 29

"тАжAnd I suppose it just goes to show that sometimes even when something seems to be ill luck, it can have a good outcome," Poppy finished. "I don't know how much longer Quirinus could have managed on his own."

Snape glowered at the desktop. Hearing that shoving the stuttering fool down the stairs had actually benefitted the man was distinctly annoying. He had certainly not meant to do the idiot a favor тАУ far from it!

"What do you think has made him so ill? Is there any kind of threat to the students, from either a magical or Muggle malady?" Albus asked. The other teachers made noises of concern while Snape rolled his eyes in irritation. However, since this was his usual behavior during staff meetings, no one paid much attention.

Poppy sighed. "I don't really know. My spells don't show anything abnormal, but there's somethingтАж fuzzy about them. I'm not sure what's causing it. Given his rundown condition, I'm beginning to wonder if he's picked up some kind of Muggle parasite when he was wandering around those forests in Albania. He's lost a great deal of weight, he's anemic and weakтАж but he insists that he doesn't have any of the flatulence or diarrhea that normally is associated with parasites, although I'm thinking that if I use a Muggle device that allows me to look up his тАУ"

Now the other faculty looked like they regretted having encouraged the medi-witch, and Snape seized his opportunity. "Poppy, kindly restrain yourself from discussing people's bowel habits. We are not your colleagues from St Mungo's and we don't care about Quirrel's shi-"

"I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery," Albus cut in quickly. "Please tell him so for us and assure him he need not worry about his classes."

Poppy stopped glaring at Severus long enough to nod. "I'm sorry that I can't give you an estimate of when he will be well enough to resume his teaching duties, but until I figure out what is draining him of all his energy, I doubt he'll be a very effective teacher anyway."

Dumbledore ignored Snape's snort of derision and merely nodded and smiled. "Then he shall remain in the Infirmary until you have solved the mystery. I am quite enjoying taking his classes тАУ it's been too long since I had daily interactions with the students."

Pomfrey looked awkward. "I really do think he should be transferred to St Mungo's тАУ"

"No." Dumbledore's tone was adamant. Snape glared again at the table. He wouldn't feel safe until Quirrel was gone from the castle and had no further access to Harry, but Dumbledore was insistent upon keeping the man nearby until they had a better sense of his allegiances.

Poppy looked mutinous for a moment, then sighed. "Well, for reasons he refuses to disclose, Quirinus insists upon staying here too. I suppose that since he's not getting any worse, there's no harmтАж And he is a little stronger now that he is able to stay in bed and conserve his strength, but I just wish I knew what was causing his problem. I can't sustain him forever with potions and other artificial means!"

"I'm sure you'll find the answer," Albus said comfortingly, and Poppy managed a smile.

Snape considered. It sounded like Quirrell was in no hurry to leave Poppy's pampering, and that might give Albus the chance to track down his movements during his time in Albania. Their best theory thus far was that he had fallen in with some Death Eaters on his travels and they, knowing that Harry would be entering Hogwarts this year, had convinced Quirrell to join their cabal. Snape hadn't thought that many of Voldemort's followers in Eastern Europe had survived his disappearance, but all it took was one or two of the more dangerous faithful тАУ like Bellatrix тАУ and all hell could break loose anew.

"Any other business?" Albus asked.

The others shook their heads, and the meeting was adjourned. As they exited, Flitwick pulled Snape aside to comment on Harry's rapid progress in his extra classes. "Most impressive, Severus! I have even begun the boy on some very basic wandless magic exercises, and I've been astonished with Harry's aptitude. He's really quite a powerful little boy," Filius finished admiringly.

Snape huffed. Yet another member of the Potter Fan Club тАУ how typical! They all thought the brat was the reincarnation of Merlin, rather than stopping to imagine that he might be coaching the brat through several practice sessions a week. Oh no, it couldn't be his hard work that was responsible тАУ much better to regard The Brat Who Lived as a prodigy.

Hmf. Some prodigy. It had taken two scoldings and five chocolate frogs before the little monster would even consent to try wandless magic тАУ and all because he had read that it was something only the most powerful mages could do. Since Harry still had the self-esteem of a flobberworm, he had promptly convinced himself that he could never do it, and Snape had been forced to indulge in a great deal of sentimental gooeyness to persuade the boy otherwise. He had nearly needed a stomach-calming draught after having to spout all that sickening praise, but Slytherin cunning had (as usual) prevailed over Gryffindor obstinacy, and the brat had lapped it up, then promptly тАУ and effortlessly тАУ levitated a feather without his wand.

But would Flitwick appreciate that? No. Of course not. "Then if the boy is so talented, I assume you are quickly advancing him through the material? I would like him to start dueling later this year."

Flitwick, himself a champion dueller, blinked. "So early? Well, I am sure his magic will be up for it, butтАж"

"Excellent. If you will start him on the appropriate offensive and defensive spells, I will ensure that he is aware of precisely what will befall him if he uses any of those spells outside of a supervised classroom."

Flitwick tutted. "Harry seems like a very responsible boy, Severus. I'm certain you don't have to worry about such things, and I really don't believe a heavy handed approach is indicated."

Snape huffed but didn't answer. If truth be told, it was rather a relief to learn that at least some of the faculty still thought he was strict with the brat. He had feared that Harry's ingenuous revelations had thoroughly demolished his Evil Bat reputation, but obviously some beliefs die hard. "Not all children respond well to corporal chastisement, Severus," Filius was continuing carefully, ever-cautious of his younger colleague's temper, "and from my experience with Harry, even a few sound smacks will likely do him more harm than good. He is very different from his father, you know."

Snape turned a deadly glare upon the shorter wizard. "Meaning what exactly?" he purred dangerously.

Flitwick was unfazed. "Meaning," he replied clearly, "that as a boy, James was тАУ for all his charm тАУ overconfident to the point of arrogance and a bit of a bully to boot. A few sharp corrections to his behavior would not have come amiss and might have reined in his excesses well before he finally matured on his own. Harry, on the other hand, is quite shy and uncertain in many situations, and I feel praise and encouragement, rather than threats and thrashings, will best bring out his potential."

Snape stared at Flitwick in surprise. He had never before realized that the little man had been wise to James' character flaws and, he had to admit, his assessment of Harry's character was quite astute as well. Which made it all the more surprising that he was so blind to Severus' own.

To be honest, it was both annoying and gratifying тАУ annoying that he was so easily perceived by his peers as a cruel git, but gratifying that the brat hadn't managed to convince everyone in the school that he was a big softy. "I can promise you that the boy receives exactly what he deserves at my hand," he told Flitwick loftily, then spun away with a swirl of his robes.