In Somnis Veritas

8

Severus Snape was thoroughly enjoying having the castle largely empty.

That afternoon, they'd shipped the majority of the students off for the annual Hogsmeade outing, and this year, he had not drawn the short straw when it came to chaperoning.

That meant he had the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening to browse the library, perhaps get some batch brewing out of the way and just generally enjoy a peaceful existence for once.

Entering the quiet library, the potions master headed towards the restricted section – he hadn't perused those books in a while, and there was something in particular he was looking for presently.

As he made his way through the rows of ancient books, something caught his eye. Or rather, someone.

There, at the one of the desks in the centre of the library was Harry Potter. The boy was sat alone, playing a game of Wizard's Chess against the evidently enchanted board.

Severus stopped.

He hadn't seen the boy outside of class for some time. Harry's Friday evening visits had come to an abrupt stop once Quidditch had started up, and the professor could only think that practice was taking priority over the boy's studies.

Emerald eyes flicked in his direction.

"Good afternoon, Mr Potter," he said silkily, going to stand in front of the boy.

Harry mumbled a response, moving one of his pieces, which was promptly smashed to smithereens.

Severus took a seat at the desk, as the chess board made its move.

"Why aren't you in Hogsmeade with your little friends?"

Harry shrugged.

"That isn't an answer, Potter," the potions master said, raising a brow.

"My aunt and uncle wouldn't sign the slip, sir," he sighed. "So I wasn't allowed to go."

"I see."

Harry picked up another chess piece and went to move it, but the potions master stopped him with a silent wave of his hand, gesturing for him to move another piece instead.

The boy did as he suggested, and took one of the opposing knights.

"Thanks," he said, smiling faintly.

"Tell me, Potter. How are your studies?" Snape asked.

"Fine, sir, I think. Why d'you ask?"

"No reason. It simply came to my attention that I had... not seen much of you, since the Gryffindor-Slytherin match," Snape said carefully, after all, it wouldn't do to let the boy think he cared – it was simply an observation.

Harry visibly tensed at the comment, and Snape frowned.

"Problem, Potter?"

The child hesitated.

"Go on."

"It's just... That day, at the Quidditch match... my broom went out of control..." Harry began.

"I recall."

"And... well, at first I thought it was me, sir. After all, I've barely had any flying lessons," he explained. "But Ron and Hermione said..."

"Ye-s?" Snape drawled, wondering when the whelp would get to the point.

"They said someone was jinxing my broom," the boy replied. "And... they thought... I mean, they said that..."