Potions and Snitches
Snape and Harry Gen Fanfiction Archive

Author's Chapter Notes:
(Otherwise titled: Moonlight Sonata)
Chapter 23

The days soon settled back into their regular schedules. Although Harry was often busy, juggling around homework and Quidditch Practise, he still found time to just relax and think.

Today, he sat down in the Slytherin Common Room in front of the brightly burning fire. It was Saturday. Most of the school was in Hogsmeade, but he hadn't felt like going. He sighed softly, staring at the fiery blaze. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt slightly lonely and out of place. Yes, he had his friends, but it was ... different. Draco was the son of a Death Eater. He wasn't sure whose side of the war the blond was on, therefore could not trust him completely. Ron was so... tactless that there was no point in talking to him about something important. And Hermione and Eliza... they were girls with their own problems. They wouldn't understand how he was feeling.

He sighed again, moodily. It was at times like this that he missed Sirius the most. He had always taken comfort in talking or writing to his godfather when he felt this way in earlier years, but now, Sirius was dead... He felt as if he couldn't truly talk to anyone. Sirius was gone, and Remus only knew him as Sebastien Frostpine. The only person he felt he could rely on, to his surprise, was Severus. But Severus only liked Sebastien, not Harry Potter. As soon as the Potions Master found out his true identity, he would once again go back to being treated like scum in potions class. The thought bought tears to his eyes. He wasn't sure he could stand going back to the way things were now that he had gained Severus' friendship.

He stood up, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. He decided to practise his music like Rowena had instructed him to. He hadn't really had time to practise before.

He didn't feel like playing the violin though. The only other instrument he knew how to play was the piano. It would have to do.

He headed out to the seventh floor, walking up several flights of staircases. He came to a tapestry as he walked back and force several times, thinking hard.

The next thing he knew, a door appeared on the previously blank wall. Stepping up, he pulled the doorknob.

He gasped slightly. Inside was a beautifully furnished room with chairs of dark mahogany. On the side was a black, grand piano. The chair was of painted black oak. He pulled the door closed and sat down.

He rested his fingers gently on the keys, running it up and down the polished black and white keys. He familiarized himself with the instrument, then took a deep breath. His fingers touched the G#. Slowly, he began to play.

He chose the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. He knew that it was written by a Muggle composer, but it was his favourite of all. He smiled as he played, the music drifting from under his fingers. He leaned forward intently, lost in the music as he poured his heart into the tune, his joys and sorrows, his strength and weakness. His spirit soared with the music, his fingers flying. The harmony sounded in a deep baritone, the melody ringing beautifully in the air.

The tune turned sorrowful, just like his mood. A single tear leaked from his eyes, rolling down his cheek. The melody returned to the main tune, ringing dramatically. He sighed as the tune ended quietly on a high C#. He was about to get up when he heard a voice.

"Sebastien?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus was walking through the halls, searching for rule-breaking students when his sensitive ears suddenly caught the sound of flowing piano music. The tune was mournful, elegant but eerie. He thought he had heard it several times before. Strange. Who could be playing music on a Saturday when students were supposed to be in Hogsmeade? He decided to investigate.

The sound led him to a small door on the top of the seventh floor. The music grew louder as he approached, chiming beautifully. He sighed contently as he leaned against the door, listening. The ballad was full of emotions so it was evident whoever was playing had poured their soul into the tune. His heart broke for the person who played the strain so beautifully yet mournfully. He was lost in the piece as he listened to the three notes, played over and over again, yet slightly different each time.

Finally, the sound of a student yelling two floors down brought him out of his reverie. However, the music didn't stop. He quietly walked over to the door and opened it slowly.

He gasped silently as he saw the boy sitting inside. Long, black hair was clearly visible. Sebastien. From where he was standing, the child's profile could be seen.

The boy didn't seem to notice him. A single tear leaked out from those expressive orbs as the melody grew even more sorrowful than before. Finally, the tune ended, echoing the last note.

Sebastien just sat there, not moving. Severus decided it was time he said something. "Sebastien?"

The boy immediately turned to him. He was surprised as he clearly saw the blue eyes. Instead of looking apathetic and indifferent like they usually were, he was suddenly overwhelmed by the range of emotions he saw. Surprise, fear, sorrow, anger.... all that and more. The emotions came so quickly that he couldn't catch exactly what they were.

"Severus." Sebastien looked at him, his voice breaking slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"I was walking through the halls when I heard music. Are you alright?"

The boy nodded. Severus wasn't satisfied.

"Sebastien, I know something's wrong. What's the matter?" The Potions Master kept his voice soft and gentle.

Those words seemed to be too much for the poor child. Sebastien broke down as sobs racked his body, a deluge of tears pouring down his face.

Severus hesitated slightly before stepping forward and pulling the child into a tight embrace. His fingers rubbed comforting circles on the boy's back as he muttered soothing words.

After a few minutes, Sebastien relaxed, pulling back slightly. "Sorry," he muttered.

"It's alright, Sebastien," Severus said quietly. He smiled. "I didn't know you played the piano."

"I learned a few years ago," Sebatien answered.

"Will you play something for me?" Severus asked softly.

Sebastien nodded, smiling slightly. Sitting down, he began to play.

A second later, another melody drifted through the air. Severus sighed as he listened to the dark, brooding music. The boy had to be extremely talented to be able to play like that in a few years. He was overwhelmed by the sudden passion he heard in the tune. There was a driving force behind Sebastien's playing that most pianists lacked. The blazing fire in those sapphire orbs burned into his soul.

The tune soon ended. "Thank you for playing, Sebastien," the Potions Master said sincerely.

Sebastien allowed a small smile to grace his lips at these words. "You're welcome, Severus."


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