13

Chapter Thirteen

39

Harry still hadn't changed by summer, and returned to Spinner's End with Snape at the end of the school year. To be honest, he had almost forgotten about his condition. He spent his days brewing with Snape and nights relaxing. He still saw Ron, Hermione and Neville on a regular basis, and was only a little jealous when Ron and Hermione announced their official engagement. He knew it was only a matter of time, but it made him realize how difficult finding a girl would be for him; Spinner's End wasn't exactly bustling with available girls, nor was Hogwarts.

Harry turned into a Basilisk the week before his birthday. He didn't change back right away, instead spending the night stretched out in Snape's backyard, basking in the moonlight and loving the freedom. The backyard was blanketed in a concealment charm, his eyes were deactivated, and he could change back whenever he wanted. For the first time since the first attack, he felt safe in his snake form.

He changed back when Snape woke up, and they spent the day adding the final touches to the next generation of potion. There was a lot of anxiety that night. They both stood in front of the potion pretending to work on it for several minutes after it was completed, assuring themselves they weren't procrastinating.

"Okay," Harry said finally. "Okay, I'm ready."

Snape poured out a carefully measured flask and handed it to Harry. "There is no reason to get your hopes up," he cautioned.

"Yes there is, stop psyching me out," Harry said, and downed the liquid, followed by a dose of Oculos Ius. They went into Harry's room and stared at each other. "I want to be a Basilisk," Harry hissed. Never had he been happier for the searing pain of the change. He swished his tail over Snape's feet, and then said, "I want to be a human again." He ground his teeth against the pain as he changed back.

Snape broke into a grin. A large, genuine grin. "It worked."

Harry threw himself into Snape's arms, who hugged him back just as tightly. "Merlin fucking Christ, we did it," Harry exclaimed.

"It would appear so," Snape said. "We still have some—"

"Fuck that," Harry interrupted. "We've got nothing left. We did it." And then, unable to contain himself, he burst into tears. "I can't—you—what we—"

"I admit, I cannot find a flaw with the potion," Snape said, resting a hand on the back of Harry's head. "It would indeed seem we have created a success. We need to test how long it works, and will be doing nightly checks, but even if it lasts only a day—"

"I want to call it Vita Salvus," Harry said, interrupting again. "I'm almost certain those are the right words."

Snape nodded. "They are."

Harry tucked himself further into Snape's arms. "I can't celebrate with anyone but you, and I am so in the mood to celebrate. After all this time…"

Snape kissed the top of his head. "Celebrate we shall."

They got very drunk that night. Around two in the morning Harry abruptly changed the topic of conversation.

"Are you my godfather, then?" he asked suddenly. "I mean, tha'ss sort of weird, but we've been livin' together fer, like, two an' a half years, an' you're prack—partic—family, mostly. An' affer what you've done fer me…"

"I believe that decision was up to your parents, not you," Snape replied. "And they chose Sirius Black."

"Yeah but I'm an adult now," Harry said. "I'll be twenny-one in less than a week. My parents are dead and Sirius is dead and I deserve a proper family thing."

"You're very drunk, Harry," Snape replied.

"So're you," Harry accused. "You're usin' concatrions an' everything."

Snape snorted. "Just because I'm letting my speech patterns fall into a less structured—er—structure doesn't mean I'm drunk."

Harry laughed. "Liar." Then his heart squeezed. "You're avoiding. T's all righ'. Never min'."

"I'm merely concerned you'll regret it in the morning," Snape elaborated. "I know what family means to you, and I don't want you to invite me in when you don't mean it."

"Severus, you're not makin' any sense," Harry said. "Aside from your sentenss struck—trucktrure, you know what you mean to me, I think. Why not make it official?"

"Ask me in the morning," Snape said. "And don't call me Severus."

Harry threw a pillow at him. "Uptight bass-turd."

"I'm looking out for you," Snape said. "We'll talk in the morning."

Harry sighed. "You're juss proving my poin'. But fine. Give me back my pillow then."

Snape tossed it over, and conversation returned to the mundane.

When Harry woke up the next morning, Snape was already up. He had stayed downstairs and was reading calmly.

"I want to try it during the day," Harry said, yawning as he stretched. "I don't know why I've only changed at night, and it's probably a bollocks idea to be a Basilisk during the day, but I should know if I can, don't you think?"

"By all means," Snape said, then switched to hisses. "Change into a Basilisk."

Harry did, and he swished his tail in excitement. "This is brilliant," he said. "I have control over this. Actual, real control. And I still want you to be my godfather."

"It only took two years," Snape mused. "If this was not such a secret, it would be quite impressive."

"It's still impressive," Harry said. "Just between us. Yes or no, Severus. I'm not going to hate you if you say no, I just want to know."

"Yes, but I would not mind submitting a paper on the process to Practical Potions Quarterly," Snape said. "Just when I think you have surpassed your inevitable daftness, I am once again proven wrong. Do not ask questions you already know the answer to."

This double conversation was starting to confuse Harry, especially since he just woke up. "I'm sorry you're so self-centered you can't appreciate the work for what it is," Harry said. "I wouldn't ask if I knew."

"I do appreciate it," Snape said. "I should not have complained. The answer is the same as most—as long as you keep it to yourself, you may do whatever you please."

"This isn't about me doing something," Harry said. "It's your decision."

Snape groaned. "I despise this sort of conversation. Fine. Yes. Now change back."

Harry changed back to his human form. "I want a potion to make the change painless," he said.

"You have the skills to create such a potion on your own," Snape said. "You do not need my help with that."

Harry stared at him. "You think?"

"What do you think?" Snape asked, slipping into his lecturing voice. "What is causing your pain?"

"Turning into a giant snake," Harry replied irritably. He wasn't in the mood for a lesson.

Snape rolled his eyes. "If you do not wish for my help, do not ask."

Harry sighed. "It's essentially sped up Skele-Grow. Everything is stretching and breaking and moving."

"How do you cure broken bones and other internal injuries?"

"Lenimen Curatio," Harry said. "That's too simple, though, isn't it?"

Snape shrugged. "It is up to you to test."

Harry tapped his fingers. "Okay, then. I'll get to work on that. Or, wait, I guess I should learn how to brew Vita Salvus first."

"A wise decision," Snape replied. "It takes two days to make, but it can be made in bulk, and I do not believe it will go bad."

"Okay," Harry said again. "Let's get started."

40

Harry was surprised how quickly he learned to make Vita Salvus. It seemed he actually did know what he was talking about when it came to potions. He had mastered it by his birthday, and was thrilled to have Ron, Hermione and Neville over for birthday dinner and drinks and, for the first time, didn't have to kick him out by eight. They were just as happy as he was, and Harry used the excuse that, at twenty-one, Snape considered him old enough to make his own decisions, and if he wanted to fall behind, that was his choice.

By the time they left around two in the morning Harry was exhausted. Even though he was already in the basement—it was much larger and easier to hang out there than in his room—he dragged himself upstairs to sleep in his proper bed, just because he could.

He was in bed and about to turn out the lights when there was a quiet knock on his door. Eyes mostly closed, still more than a little buzzed, he said, "Come in."

Snape opened the door and leaned against the frame. "How was your first night free from worry?"

"Brilliant," Harry yawned. "Exhausting. I'm in bed."

"I saw your light on," Snape said. "I have a real present for you tomorrow, but, even though it pains me to say it, I know how much it means to you."

Harry frowned to himself. He was tired and drunk, but he still didn't think Snape had actually said anything. "What?"

"We are family," Snape said tightly. "I do not care what label you chose to give me, but I—you and I, we—"

"You can stop," Harry interrupted with a smile. "Thank you. Now let me sleep, would you? I'm fucking exhausted."

"Good night, Harry," Snape said. "And happy birthday."

"Mm, you too," Harry mumbled, closing his eyes, immediately asleep.

Harry, who had forgotten to charm the Firewhiskey hangover free, woke up feeling awful. He stumbled downstairs, pasty and nauseated, unsteady on his feet, collapsing into a kitchen chair.

"Drink this," Snape said, handing him a flask.

Harry did without question, and sighed in relief as the hangover disappeared. "Thanks," he said, setting the flask on the table. "Merlin, that's better."

"I assumed you would not be clever enough to remember on your own," Snape replied.

"You're such an arse," Harry said, though he was smiling. "We're family, Severus?"

Snape had his back to him, cooking. "Don't call me that," he said firmly. "And do not say it like that. In fact, do not say anything at all. I believe I have told you repeatedly how little I like to discuss such things."

"Yeah, fine," Harry replied, unconcerned. "Is that bacon?"

"Such a keen sense of smell, Potter," Snape said sarcastically. "Basilisk senses kicking in?"

"You know I've got them," Harry said.

"You needn't announce such obvious things," Snape replied. "Lest you spend the rest of your life listing all the items in my kitchen."

Harry huffed. "You're in a mood. What's wrong?"

Snape came over to the table with two plates, each filled with bacon, scrambled eggs and toast. "I—" He cleared his throat. "I may have gone overboard with your birthday gift."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? What'd you get me?"

"I will show you after breakfast," Snape said. "Eat while it's hot."

"You're an arse," Harry said again, digging in. "Don't tease me like that." Harry fidgeted all through breakfast, and even more so as Snape led him outside. "Well?" Harry prompted after a few moments of silence.

"I could not think of something I would rather say less, but I was—" He flinched. "—inspired by your father and his friends."

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "What?"

Snape closed his eyes. "Happy birthday, Harry." He started to change, and for a second Harry nearly had a heart attack when Snape's nose receded, leaving Voldemort-like slits on his face. But it didn't stop there, and a moment later a python was in front of him, reared up so it was nearly his height. "Do not ask for an explanation," Snape said in Parseltongue. "I really do not wish to discuss this."

Harry muttered to himself, he changed as well, and two giant snakes dominated Snape's backyard. "This is—you—"

"Shut up," Snape hissed. "My job is to watch out for you, and that includes all your forms. If you wish to go out as a Basilisk, I can keep up with you, and make sure you do not get into any more trouble than possible."

Harry slithered over and wrapped the tip of his tail around Snape's, as close to a hug as he could manage. "You're brilliant. Thank you."

Snape changed back to a human. "I do not wish to speak of it," he said. "Now did you want to work on your pain potion, or lie around and do nothing all day?"

Harry told himself to change back, and he did. Excruciatingly. "Yes, brewing," he said. "Really, absolutely brewing."

Harry had a sudden revelation in the middle of lunch.

"Am I moving back to Grimmauld Place now that we've got everything under control?"

Snape's eyes locked with his, then jerked away. "It is your decision."

"No," Harry said. "This is your house. You invited me here so we could work together. Now that I don't need to be quarantined…"

"You are still my apprentice, Potter," Snape said sharply. "Unless you prefer apparating back and forth every day, I recommend remaining at Spinner's End. You are well aware of the hours I expect from you. If going back to Grimmauld Place for a few hours of sleep is worth it, then by all means return. I think it would make your life far more simple to remain here, but I will not force you to do anything."

Harry had to bite back a smile. "I'll just stay here, then."

"Fine."

Harry had the first batch of Lenimen Curatio finished just before dinner, and was eager to test it. He took a draught of Oculos Ius, then a flask of the curative potion, and moved into his basement room before changing. He didn't need to scream, which was an improvement, but he was still wracked with pain.

Snape stood in the doorway. "A success?"

"An improvement," Harry corrected. "It needs to be stronger. And, hmm, I think powdered rosemary."

Snape nodded. "Very good."

Harry changed back, wincing as he got to his feet and returned to his potion station. He set about powdering the dried herb, adding it and stirring clockwise.

"Do you wish to let it simmer, or are you going to try it immediately?" Snape asked.

"Simmer," Harry said, knowing he was being tested. "For—uh—I added three tablespoons of rosemary, which is a dried muggle herb, so each teaspoon needs—bloody hell, what was it?—twenty eight minutes, so that's nine teaspoons, so…252 minutes, or…four hours and twenty minutes."

Snape smiled. "Very good."

Harry smiled to himself. That was twice in one day Snape had complimented him. He set a timer, and they went upstairs for dinner.

The Vita Salvus had worn off when the timer for the anti-pain potion went off. "Eight days," Harry said, taking a draught of Vita Salvus. "And Oculos Ius lasts through a single change. I'm going to be chained to a potions bench for the rest of my life. Never mind teaching, I'll be stuck making sure I don't kill anyone."

"Do not be so dramatic," Snape said, following him into the other room. "You need to learn to brew in bulk, and preservative protocols. Go through the ingredients of each potion. What needs to be added to each to keep them fresh? How will they stand to being frozen? How large a cauldron would you need to brew how much potion?"

"Yeah, yeah," Harry muttered, then hissed, "Change." A pause as he turned into a Basilisk. "Almost," he said. "Just a few twinges. I think I'll add 25 milliliters of horsetail. Merlin, it was stupid not to start with that. Why didn't you say anything?"

"This is your potion," Snape replied. "I have nothing to do with it. All decisions are yours." He coughed slightly. "You may wish to rethink the dosage, however."

Harry thought for a moment. "Right. Muggle doses are irrelevant compared to Basilisk. Er, two hundred milliliters, then. With more on reserve."

Snape nodded. "A better decision."

Harry changed back, added the horsetail, and calculated how long it would need to simmer. Then he cursed himself.

"I've got to get up at quarter of four to take this off the fire."

Snape smiled wryly. "Another lesson learned."

Harry muttered angrily and set an alarm.

On the bright side, it worked.