In Somnis Veritas

10

The first day of the Christmas break passed with very few happenings, which was much to Severus Snape's liking.

Most of the students had cleared out the day before, with the stragglers being seen off that morning. It was an unusually quiet year, he noted, with only a handful of students staying at the school: three Hufflepuffs, two Ravenclaws and one Gryffindor which was, of course, the Potter brat.

He had spent the majority of that day brewing, having a number of potions to prepare and send out before the festivities began.

He chose not to eat in the Great Hall that evening, instead having the elves bring food to his quarters. Dinner was an altogether silent affair (just how he liked it), after which he settled on the large black sofa by the fire with a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Before he knew it, it was nearly 10 o'clock, and Severus Snape was very nearly considering an early night when it happened.

Knock knock knock.

He sighed.

The rhythm of the knocking was familiar, and was low enough down on his door for him to guess who was on the other side.

Knowing that there was absolutely no point in ignoring it, the potions master got up and went to open the door, ready to give the impertinent whelp a piece of his mind.

Harry gazed up at him blearily, teeth chattering as he stood there in his pyjamas and dressing gown, nothing on his feet save a pair of odd socks.

"Potter, what are you...?" Snape began. "You are well beyond curfew, young man."

"I know, sir. It's just... awfully quiet in the Gryffindor tower..." the boy began, sheepishly. "It's a bit... you know, creepy."

"Ah. So naturally, you saw it fit to travel across the castle and through the dungeons alone, in the dark," he drawled.

Harry shrugged. "I just... wanted to sit with you for a bit, if it's okay?"

Severus Snape resisted the urge to sigh, opening the door wider to allow the child in.

"Very well. For a short time, after which I will personally escort you back to your tower, before Filch finds you out of your bed."

The potions master sat the boy on the sofa then, summoning one of the elves to bring a cup of hot cocoa before returning to his original seat and back to an interesting article he had been reading on research into a potential cure for maledictus curses.

For a while, they sat in a comfortable silence that seemed to occur naturally between them.

Severus was so wrapped up in the article that he barely noticed that the boy had edged across the sofa towards him until it was too late.

Realising that he had appeared at his side, the potions master lifted up the newspaper to give the child a stern look. The movement of his arms, however, was taken in an entirely different way by Harry, who took the opportunity to scoot in even closer, pressing his head against the man's chest.

So this was what the little brat wanted.

"What're you reading?" he mumbled, making himself comfortable.

"The newspaper," Severus replied, so taken aback that it was all he could muster up.

Harry sniggered softly. "I know that, sir. I'm not stupid."

"Hmph. I think that is entirely a matter of opinion, Potter," he said, turning the page.

What should he do now? Send the child back to the other end of the sofa? Tempted though he was, Severus decided it against it – perhaps if he indulged the child for a short period, he'd be rid of his presence much more quickly.