The Hero and the Spy

Not During Training

Summary: Harry, Ron, and Hermione do some battle training with Professor Snape.

Character(s): Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger

Relationship(s): Harry & Ron & Hermione (canon); Harry & Severus (platonic friendliness, though nature up to interpretation); Ron & Hermione & Severus (platonic friendliness)

Setting: implied later Hogwarts years

Warnings/Tags: very minor arranged violence, minor language, established friendships, humour

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Not During Training

"He can't stop all three of us at the same time, can he?" Hermione whispered, peeking around the huge boulder they were crouching behind for cover.

"It's Snape, Hermione, of course he can!" Ron whispered back snappishly.

"And that's the whole point of this," Harry said. "Learn to coordinate attacks."

"I do not recommend remaining stationary on a battlefield," Snape called out, sounding far too casual for the fact that he was essentially hunting them.

"He's right," Ron said. "Staying still gets you killed."

"Well, what's our plan then?" Hermione asked.

"We need a diversion, an offense, and a defense," Harry said. "Diversion draws his attention while one of us attacks and the other defends us."

"Harry, you—"

Ron was cut off as their boulder began to shiver. They all frowned and turned around, facing the boulder while slowly crawling away from it. It started to glow orange, brightening to red, and all of them scrambled to their feet with wide eyes as they realized what was happening. They ran as the boulder exploded, feeling pieces of stone hit their backs.

"You are here to fight, not run!" Snape called.

"Oppugno!"

"Protego!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Oh, bloody hell!" Ron groaned as each of their spells was deflected at once and the three of them found themselves flying up into the air, dangling upside down by their ankles.

"We really need to talk more during these," Harry said with a huff, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched as Snape strolled up to them, looking ridiculously smug, even upside down. He scowled.

"Mr. Potter—"

"Harry," Harry interrupted.

"Not during training," Snape said. "Mr. Potter is correct. You need to communicate."

"Fine, let's try again," Ron said.

"In fifteen minutes," Snape said. "Take the time to formulate a strategy. A real strategy."

When the professor began to walk away, all three of them started spluttering.

"Professor!" Hermione cried and the man turned around.

"Yes?" Snape said, raising an eyebrow.

"Let us down!" Ron demanded.

"In fifteen minutes," Snape said and resumed walking away.

"Severus!" Harry yelled, affronted, and all three of them struggled against the spell, waving their arms and loose legs wildly, nearly smacking and kicking each other. "Severus!"

"Not during training, Mr. Potter," Snape called back casually.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione gaped at him before crying together, "Bastard!"

Fin