Harry’s stomach, however, leapt on the warm, wholesome scent of porridge and rumbled, desperate to devour the nourishment it had too long been denied.

Sitting up in bed, Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around. It was a small room, with white walls which looked like they’d been roughly hewn from stone; every corner was rounded, every line was a bit wonky. Dark, wooden joists striped the ceiling, brightly polished, golden brown floorboards shone underfoot and a fire crackled in an odd, little, corner fireplace. The room was simply decorated; just a set of shelves stacked with old-fashioned, worn but interesting-looking books, a little bedside table with a blue lamp, the bed (which was dressed in white), a blanket box and Harry's trunk.

Harry stood up and walked over to the little, square window, which looked out onto a beautiful little bay; the surrounding cliffs and the little strip of shore outside the house curving around the indigo water like the crescent moon.

Where Harry was, he did not know but there was such a wonderful feeling about this house, a deep sense of peace and even love. Even the nagging ache in his heart had subsided.

There was a knock at the bedroom door.

“Come in” said Harry nervously.

Severus stuck his head around the door. The second thing that Harry noticed was his teacher’s hair, which was fastened in a loose pony-tail, and the third observation was that the Professor was wearing a heavy, dark blue, woollen jumper and cream corduroy trousers, a sharp contrast to elegant, flowing lines his usual black robes.

However, the first thing that Harry saw was that the Potions Master was smiling.

“Breakfast, Harry?”

OoOoO

Harry and Severus were, in fact, currently staying at ‘Uroborus’; a small safe-house created and warded by Salazar Slytherin himself. The cottage has been designed as a sanctuary for those whose torn nerves and shattered hearts needed peace, tenderness and security. While Slytherin had gone down in history as a harsh, unyielding even vicious man, this was merely a facet of his character, on which, in the public eye, shone the most fiercely; many a man who would have raised his hand in anger, many a woman whose inclination would be to buy luxuries for themselves rather than necessities for their children, paused and took the better path because Slytherin might be watching.

The other aspects of Slytherin’s character were seen by the children in his house, the most important of which was his ability to judge the lazy intellectual from those who did their best, the arrogant rule-breakers from children who struck out through fear, hopelessness and over-wrought nerves. While a strict disciplinarian with those who needed a stiff boot up the backside, Slytherin's empathetic care helped vulnerable children to recover and, indeed, flourish. In many a staff meeting Slytherin set himself against his colleagues, demanding leniency for children who had been stretched to breaking point. And when all else failed, Salazar left his son as regent of Slytherin and accompanied the children here.

All in all, it was an ideal place to take Harry, especially as the Basilisk and the Basilisk alone could freely pass the powerful enchantments surrounding the little house and bay; all others could only enter if Severus freely willed it and the visitor meant no harm to anyone within.

oOoOo

As Severus liberally ladled streaming, milky porridge, laced with brown sugar and dotted with sweet, pillowy raisins, into blue and white striped bowls, he explained to Harry that, following the incident with the troll, the Headmaster had sent them on a good, old-fashioned rest cure.

“But I’m not sick, Sir.” said Harry.

“No Harry but you have been feeling unhappy, haven’t you.” Severus replied, plonking a bowl of fragrant porridge and a cup of cocoa (in which tiny marshmallows were jostling for space) in front of the anxious looking boy.

“I’m okay, Sir, honest.” A terrible thought struck Harry “Please, Sir, please let me return to Hogwarts. I promise I’ll be good.”

Severus’s eyes dimmed “Of course you will be returning to Hogwarts, Harry. This is just a half-term holiday.”

“Half term?” Harry asked, his heart-rate slowing from a buzz to a whine. “but…why didn’t anyone tell me half-term was coming up?”

“You haven’t been speaking much to your friends of late, Harry, and you’ve missed most of the prefects announcements.” Severus said gently “You been leaving the Serpent’s Nest before they wake, you don’t attend meals, you’re always the last to turn up to lessons- and the first to leave- and you only return to the Serpent’s Nest at curfew. They simply haven’t had a chance to tell you.”

“Oh! But why didn’t you tell me we were going away?”

“I wanted it to be a nice surprise.” Severus said. It wasn’t exactly a lie.

“Where are we, Sir?”

“At little seaside residence. It’s called ‘Uroborus’, an alternate translation of ‘ouroboros’, because the points of the cliffs almost touch. Apparently, the view reminded the person who built this house of a huge snake biting it’s own tail.”

“I didn’t think you’d like the seaside, Sir” Harry said quietly.

Severus smiled wryly “Yes, I suppose I look like I’d be more at home in a Transylvanian castle than on a cheery Cornish beach.”

“No” Harry blushed, mortified “It’s just… you don’t like fish, Sir, and you always got annoyed when you heard people whistling seaside songs.”

Severus’s eyebrows nearly met his hairline “You have a very good eye, Harry. Are you considering a career in espionage?”

“I wasn’t spying, Sir, honest!” squeaked Harry. Why did he have to open his big mouth.

“I didn’t think you were, Harry.” Severus hesitated, then put his hand over Harry’s. He could feel the boy shaking. “I was simply impressed that you had noticed. No, I am not fond of the smell of fish or that particular tune. They bring memories which are painful.”

“I understand, Sir” said Harry quietly. Severus’s hand felt warm and Harry wished, for an instant, that he could hug his teacher. It would be so nice to be held again, just for a moment. But, although Professor Snape was being kind- probably because of the scare with the troll- but he couldn’t think that Harry was a good sort of boy, the sort of boy who deserved hugs. The Professor would probably just think Harry was a perv.

Sadly, Harry scooped up a spoonful of porridge; it was warm, rich, velvety and milky sweet. “This is really nice!”

“My father taught me how to make porridge” Severus said quietly. “He was a fisherman, as was his father before him, and we never set off in the morning without a bowl of it inside us to keep off the cold.”

A fisherman? But why, then, did Professor Snape hate fish? It was strange. Perhaps Professor Snape’s father… No! Professor Snape was a very good man so he must have been a good sort of boy too. His father wouldn’t have treated him like Aunt Petunia had Harry. He would never have done anything to deserve it.

“I imagine that you are very good at cooking, considering you prowess in Potions?” asked Severus.

“Yes, Sir. Would you like me to cook?” Harry asked guilelessly. Perhaps, if he impressed the Professor more, he might start to like him a little bit.

“No, Harry. I was just considering whether you might enjoy learning some new recipes. I am a rather good cook myself but I have little time to indulge the hobby at Hogwarts.”

“Oh! Yes Sir. I mean, if it’s not too much trouble.” said Harry, hope stirring a little in his heart “I don’t want to be any trouble. If you like, I could just sit and read in the bedroom I woke up in.”

“Your bedroom, Harry.” Severus corrected, sadly noting the all too careful phrasing. “It’s yours for as long as you want it. However, cooking with you will be no trouble, we both have to eat after all” the Potions Master smiled “You’re here for a holiday so, I’m afraid, you’ll be seeing quite a lot of me.”

Harry smiled shyly, not knowing quite what to say.

Severus patted Harry’s hand and stood up, walking over to the dresser. “You will need to do your half-term assignments, of course, but these will just take up the mornings. In the afternoons, we can go exploring or swimming or maybe visit some nearby towns.”

Severus picked up a copy of the ‘Daily Prophet’ and number of little scrolls. “Today, however, is a leisure day. Your friends wrote you some letters last night, which you might like to read over breakfast.”

“Why did my fr…” Harry paused, no one wanted to be friends with a freak like him “why did they write to me, Sir?”

“They didn’t have a chance to say goodbye last night” Severus explained “You were so exhausted after our encounter with the troll that you fell asleep before we reached the infirmary.” Technically true. The fact that there had also been a little Somnulus spell was irrelevant. Severus continued “As we had such an eventful evening, I decided it would be best to floo here last night, so I told your friends that we were going away and suggested that they owl their farewells.”

He handed Harry the scrolls and Harry, scanning the outside of each scroll (where his name was written) recognised Blaise, Theo, Hermione and Draco’s writing.

“Thank you, Sir” said Harry quietly, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. These letters must contain permanent goodbyes. He guessed it must be easier for nice people like Blaise, Draco, Theo and Hermione to write that they no longer wanted him as their friend rather than saying it to his face.

He looked to Professor Snape, only to see that the teacher was hidden behind a newspaper. He probably thinks it’ll be easier without anyone looking at me, thought Harry, sadly.

Harry opened the scroll from Hermione first.

OoOoO

To: Harry Potter
From: Hermione Granger

1/11/91

Dearest Harry,

Professor Snape has told us about the Troll! We’re all so thankful that you’re alright! It was such a close miss, Harry, so please, please don’t go exploring the castle by yourself any more. Theo and I will always come with you, if you want us. We’re all really missing you, by the way. Our study group is not as much fun without you with us.

I hope you enjoy your half-term. I’m really envious; it must be fascinating to go on holiday with Professor Snape. You’ll learn so much. I hope you’ll tell me all about it when you get back.

Lots of Love,

Hermione xoxo

OoOoO

Harry blinked. It was… unbelievable. Hermione had actually been worried about him, Harry, and had even offered to go exploring with him! Then again, she was a really nice girl and, besides, Harry was useful to her; because he’d read all the textbooks at the start of term- trying to ward off the bad thoughts- Harry had started on course-relevant library books. He’d always shared his findings at the study group meetings. Hermione said it wasn’t so good anymore; she probably just valued Harry’s knowledge enough to be able to put up with him.

Theo’s scroll had a cool, obviously magical sticker holding it closed; it was like a little animation of a wizard in Auror robes casting an exploding spell on- appropriately enough- a troll. Harry carefully peeled it open.

OoOoO

To: Harry Potter

Dear Harry,

Theo, here, mate. Wow! Close call with the troll; I’d have pissed myself. Why weren’t you at the feast with us?

Hope you have a good holiday and don’t work too hard. Looking forward to seeing you again next week; Hermione’s pretty cool but she’s such a stickler for the rules, know what I mean. Not creative like you and me.

Regards, T.

OoOoO

“Why weren’t you at the feast”… It sounded almost as if… Theo had wanted him there. Harry ruthlessly squashed the hope. No, it was probably just strange to Theo- who enjoyed his food- that Harry would miss the big Halloween feast. Harry picked up Blaise’s letter.

OoOoO

To: Harry Potter
From: Blaise

Dear Harry,

Hope you’re okay. I was absolutely horrified to hear about your near miss with the Troll. You’ve really got to be more careful in the future Harry; Hogwarts may be a school but there are some less than safe bits. Not everyone is as nice as you are, Harry, and you could get seriously hurt. Please don’t go around alone in the future. We’d all be really upset if something happened to you.

Hope you have a nice time with Professor Snape. Mum told me that he’s a really good hydromage so you should definitely get him to take you swimming. (Funnily enough, his paternal ancestors were Spanish muggles shipwrecked from the Armada!)

Love Blaise.

OoOoO

Harry swallowed, trying to get rid of the hot tightness in his throat. Blaise sounded so genuinely worried and upset at the thought that he, Harry, might have been hurt. He didn’t know what to make of it.

Almost without knowing what he did, Harry broke open the dark green seal of the last letter.

OoOoO

To: Harry Potter
From: Draco Malfoy

31st October

Harry,

You do realise, don’t you, that you could be dead by now. You were so bloody lucky that Professor Snape turned up in time to save your foolish hide. I’m seriously mad at you, Harry. You frightened the life out of me, not to mention Professor Snape; he was actually white when he came to tell us what had happened. And still shaking. He was really upset.

I really don’t know what’s got into you lately; we used to hang out all the time and now I never see you. Whatever, you are never to go around the school on your own again. If you don’t want to talk to me or the others, you’ll just have to stay in the Serpents’ Nest, where we can keep an eye out for you. Do you even realise how easy it would be for someone to hurt you when you’re alone in the castle?

I hope you enjoy your half-term. Here is a gift-card for Honeydukes, it’s a wizarding sweetshop.

Your best friend,

Draco Malfoy.

OoOoO

Tears were running down Harry’s cheeks. Draco… he sounded so upset, almost as if he hated him. But, if he hated him then he wouldn’t have called himself Harry’s best friend. Or given him a present.

A sob fought it’s way out of Harry’s throat and, a second later, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Tearful green eyes met obsidian and Harry suddenly found himself wrapped in Severus’s arms, his cheek pressing against the soft blue wool of his teacher’s jumper.

“Hush, Harry” a gentle hand stroked his hair.

“Draco’s so mad at me”

“You don’t say. The Malfoys do tend to be pretty fiery, especially when someone they care about endangers themselves.”

Harry sniffled. Severus sighed “When I was twelve, I decided to go into the Forbidden Forest to gather some fairycups- they’re a type of mushroom. I ran into a roc and only got away with my life because Lucius, Draco’s father, had followed me. He was a Seventh year and considered me his protégée. Anyway, when we got back to school, he upended me over his knee and… well, let’s just say I couldn’t sit down for a week.”

“Really, Sir?” asked Harry, looking up towards his teacher’s face. Severus patted the boy gently on the back and released him from his embrace.

“Yes, really. However, if you mention this to anyone, ever, I will, of course, deny it.”

“I won’t say anything, Sir.” Harry said meekly. “Um, did he forgive you?”

“Lucius? Yes, immediately. Another trait Draco had inherited from his father is to combine stick with a fair amount of carrot.” Severus picked up the gift card and handed it to Harry.

“There is a branch of Honeydukes nearby, in Boscastle.” said Severus kindly, “Perhaps you’d like to go there this morning?”

Harry blushed “I, ah, don’t have any ordinary clothes with me. Just my school things.”

Severus’s mouth thinned; bloody Petunia! “I see. Well, I’ll shrink a set of my things for you and we’ll see about finding you some holiday clothing when we’re in town.”

“I…I don’t have any money on me, Sir.”

Severus forced his face to relax “As you are a Ward of Hogwarts, Harry, the Headmaster has given me a rather tidy sum to spend on, in his words ‘ice-creams, dinners out, toys, trinkets, etc’.” Severus smiled: Albus had felt so guilty that, had lightening charms not been woven into the money pouch, it would have been rather difficult to lift with one hand. “I am sure that buying you a few outfits will scarcely dent the balance.”