Harry Potter and the Misunderstanding

CHAPTER 12

When Harry came downstairs the next morning he made sure to be as invisible as possible.
Waking Snape by yelling out in the night from his bad dream was something he would quite like to forget.

He thought back to last night and repressed a shiver as he remembered. Snape had looked immeasurably irritated to find himself standing over a Harry Potter tangled up in his sweaty sheets. It was a relief that the man had been kind enough to merely order him back into bed, and Harry further supposed that he should be grateful he had been shaken awake from his terrible dream rather than forced to sleep fitfully through it.

But in the cold light of day - for it was a cooler summer day than it had been of late - Harry's dream was surrendered unimportant as his fear of the dark man made him tremble while he got changed out of his pyjamas. Maybe he had been stupid to think that Snape wouldn't punish him for disturbing the silence of the night, maybe Snape had simply been too tired to punish him at that time of the morning.
What if Harry was due a breakfast of water and soap?
He felt sick at the thought, unable to imagine a repeat of that punishment.

When Harry had first suffered a nightmare at the Dursley's (he would always refer to his old house in his head as 'the Dursley's' for it could never be 'home') Uncle Vernon had hammered on his door with his fist. As Harry's nightmares became more frequent as he got older, Dudley had replaced the door banging with a tall vase of cold water - flowers not removed beforehand - to pour over Harry. This was not especially effective for reducing the nightmares, but it did amuse Dudley who enjoyed the upset it brought to his mother when she could blame Harry for the spoilt tulip arrangement. Never mind that her son had been the one to throw the vase over Harry in the first place; it was inherently Harry's fault, and Duddykins was a quick thinker and resourceful for waking up his attention seeking cousin with something near at hand. It was Harry's fault for costing the household their sleep.

And now it was Harry's fault for costing Snape his sleep. If this carried on, Harry was sure he would find himself in the orphanage before the week had ended.

He felt a tickle at the back of his throat and swallowed harshly. He shivered again and put another jumper on. This one was black with a higher neck. It had been one of Dudley's hated presents, and consequently one of Harry's favourites because Dudley hadn't even used it before him; it had been thrown into his cupboard like an unwanted rag. But it was soft, and as dark as his hair, and he even thought he looked kind of cool in it - like he might ride a motorbike one day, or something equally as impressive. Harry finished changing and stopped only to straighten his pillow one more time before he left, closing the door behind him softly.

***

Snape was already sat at the table reading when Harry entered the kitchen. He nervously sat down and, as was his usual anxious tick, flattened his fringe with his hand. He opened his mouth to wish the man a good morning as he usually did but found that his voice would not cooperate. Snape did not acknowledge him, did not even quirk an eyebrow at him. Harry couldn't decide if a silent reception was better than an aggressive tone or the snide comments that Snape usually greeted him with.

'I am going out today, Potter.' Snape finally spoke when Harry had begun to eat the porridge which had appeared before him.

Harry was becoming used to the magical way in which meals would appear, and this was the first time that he hadn't done more than blink at the interruption. He knew now that it was Noddy who could make food appear, having seen the elf snap his fingers when Snape had ordered coffee. Breakfast was a frequent meal in which Noddy would be absent, but food would magically appear at the same time every morning.
Harry supposed that this was the way in which Snape judged Harry's lateness.
And Noddy continued to physically bring Harry his lunches. The deranged elf seemed to take any opportunity he could to glower at Harry with nearly as much strength as Snape managed with his own glares.

'Oh.' Harry said. He wondered if he might get to go outside today in the man's absence and eat some lunch, or if that would be too much to hope for.
Snape looked up to survey Harry over the book he was reading. 'You are coming with me, Potter.' Snape informed him. He looked somewhat ill at the thought. Harry wondered why, if his presence was so distasteful to the man, he would bother to take him.
The Dursleys had always tried to leave him behind as much as they could. Only the legality of school allowed Harry to travel in the car with them. Holidays he had spent in the company of Mrs Figg and her cats.

Snape must have read the look on Harry's face for he replied, 'The headmaster believes you should have more exposure to our world.'

Harry perked up a little at the mention of the other wizard, the headmaster; the man who had told him he was sure he would do well at his school in September. In the brief interaction Harry had had with the elderly wizard, Harry had singled him out as kindly. Not that the man felt old, Harry thought. He was wrinkled and had long silver white hair, and a beard that nearly reached the floor, but he radiated a calm power. Harry wished the man had stayed longer.

Snape narrowed his eyes and sniffed, 'Don't think for one minute that your fame can buy your way into popularity, Potter.' He warned in a low voice.

Harry blinked. 'My fame? Sir.' He added on quickly, thinking of green bubbles and thick, sickly saliva.

'Don't pretend to be stupid.' Snape growled. He finished the last of his porridge and stood up.
Harry had noticed that the man's own portion had boasted a thick trail of honey drizzled over the top. Snape pushed his chair under the table with a wave of his wand, and Harry's breakfast disappeared too. He hadn't finished but he didn't really feel like eating. Harry watched as Snape waved his wand and the bowls and cutlery disappeared.
'Come. We will be leaving through the Floo Network again.' Snape told him, as if Harry had a clue what those words put together even meant.