#bones update

Harry sighed. “I’m fine at Charms,” he said. “Potions, on the other hand—“

Snape scoffed. “Yes, that’s a fair assessment.”

Harry glared at him then watched, annoyance fading into bemusement, as Lily turned to Snape and they proceeded to have a silent conversation with just their expressions. Harry had been able to do something similar with Hermione and Ron; he’d always been able to tell that Hermione was particularly annoyed by the way her eyebrows scrunched or whether Ron was joking or serious by the tilt of his mouth. It was weird seeing it in action from the outside, though.

“Fine,” Snape bit out at Lily, apropos of nothing. “Have it your way. Potter, we would be pleased if you deigned to share your so-called expertise with us. In exchange, I will do my best to make you less abysmal at Potions.”

Even a few days ago, Harry might have said no—Snape was too clever and Harry was shit at pretending. Being around him more than he already was was asking for a disaster. But Harry had made a promise to Mrs. Snape and… Harry glanced at Lily from the corner of his eye. Would he have a better excuse to get to know his mother than this?

"This may come as a surprise to you, but I survived just fine for years before you showed up, Potter. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, Snape. That's not why—"

"I didn't need you butting your nose into my business, interfering in my affairs—"

"—I helped, I just couldn't stand by and—"

"—making things worse for me! Potter and his little buddies are going to be furious about this—"

"—watch them hurt you!"

Severus stopped mid-sentence at Potter's shout. Potter looked away from him, focusing on the house-elf activity. When he spoke again, his voice was much quieter.

Harry stiffened as Mrs. Snape turned on him. He almost felt like he was back in Potions class during his own time, being judged and found wanting by his hateful professor. But then, even at his cruelest, Snape had never scrutinized him so closely. Snape had always firmly believed he knew exactly what and who Harry was.

“And yet I find just a boy,” Mrs. Snape said after several long moments. Her mouth curled down. “Ordinary aside from the Potter blood. But then the rumors say he’s a bastard.”

“Mrs. Snape.”

She barely looked at Dumbledore, even though Harry flinched at his hard tone. “Tell me, Mr. Potter—do you have any particular skills? Anything worth mentioning?”

Harry’s only real skills were Quidditch and nearly getting himself killed. He doubted either one would appease Mrs. Snape.

“You read a lot,” Harry said before he could stop himself.

It took a long moment before Snape’s head rose, so slowly that Harry thought he couldn’t believe Harry would dare to address him. He sneered.

“I find that reading helps stimulate the intellect,” he said. “Sadly, I doubt you have enough to bother.”

Reminder: My ask/request box is open! Feel free to send me a prompt, ask a question, or just say hi!

Here’s a picture of Charlie for an offering! xx

So anyways…