Ahem. Beware: This is autobiographical, and Severus is really a Mary Sue, or would that be Marty Sue? Whatever: this silly piece was written in the beginnings and the aftermath of a very bad cold. Well, blame it on mame, babe:-)

Rating: R?

Romance/Humour

Pairing: SS/HP

I'm waiting for the money to roll in, but unfortunately it doesn't, so I can't be J.K. Rowling, and that is perhaps just as good. I, like so many others, just like to take her brilliant creatures and play with them and don't hurt them – much.

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Even Potions Masters get the Cold

Please please me

Oh yeah, like I please you

(As always: Lennon/McCartney)

"See me later, Potter".

The voice of the Potions master was dark and very nasal as he left the great hall in his usual mode. Feet never really touching the ground, cloak billowing, hair wafting behind. Never a look back, but staring each and everyone down who had the cheek to look at him and catch his dark gaze on the way out.

Other than usual was only the loud explosion of millions of bacilli stemming from a sneeze that shook the whole slim frame of the retreating figure. Eyes closed and opened again a little watery, and a hand with slender fingers put a large handkerchief to the astonishing if slightly reddened and swollen nose. The blowing sounded as if from one of the larger and more dangerous beasts Hagrid took care of.

Nobody dared say "Bless you!" in the light of the still glaring eyes. Not that anybody wished to.

Silence fell and the room was emptier and fuller of air when the dark figure had left. "How on earth did he catch a cold?", the voice of Madam Hooch was clearly discernible in the silent room. "It's not as if he went out into the air too often."

"Well, you know, these dungeons are none too cosy", said Sybil Trelawney, eagerly blinking. "I try to tell him all the time that he is not as young as he used to be and really should take more care of himself. Wouldn't harm to bring some female warmth into the bleak corners of his life, now would it?"

Madam Hooch snorted unbelievingly. "Come on, Sybil. Female warmth? You must be kidding. Besides, he is used to the bleakness of the place. Wouldn't have it otherwise. That can't be the reason for his cold."

"No", agreed Professor Flitwick. "But he really should do something about it before the children come back. Won't do to have a teacher with a cold. It's a disgrace for a wizard".

"A potions teacher at that", said Sinistra and giggled.

They all laughed until the deep roar of the voice of the resident half giant made itself heard clearly about the human or ghostly ones. "Let the poor fellow be. He is human after all, isn't he?" There was no reply to that one and the staff returned to quieter talk about other and more agreeable subjects.

"Now, what was that all about?" Remus Lupin shook his head unbelievingly and looked at his fellow teacher Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived and Came Back to Hogwarts shrugged his shoulders with a sheepish grin. "I don't know, Remus, I'll be damned if I know".

The banter between the Potions teacher and the new Muggles Studies teacher and first regular Quidditch Coach had been as usual. Insults spoken in the soft if a little raspier than normal voice. Insults against Harry's intelligence, upbringing, learning, teaching, etc. Not to forget his parents, his godfather, and the hero worshipping Harry enjoyed everywhere he went. Only in Snape's eyes, of course. Nothing new here. Harry could have repeated the things in his sleep. And he could have acted like he did even in his sleepless nights. Giving cool and impassive answers. Not interested in anything Snape might say. Standing up to Snape but not raising his voice.

It was a remarkable accomplishment for someone so young. And it seemed to vex Severus to no end. Remus Lupin grinned. High time Harry had learned that. It did him loads of good. The boy had really grown up. Not only on the outside which was quite pleasant to look at. Well, it had always been, hadn't it? Now only a little taller, broader and more mature. The green eyes were the same, as was the unruly black hair. But then again, the eyes had always been too old for someone so young. Still were. And he seemed to have found an equilibrium of mind that helped him to take the insults his former teacher insisted on heaping upon him with a calm that was to be admired. Not by Severus, of course.

Remus was still grinning. He quite liked the entertainment here at Hogwarts. He had had so little of that for most of his life. Being a Werewolf was no fun, despite of what other people might think.

The boy, no the young man, got up now. "I'm going. I have to prepare my lesson."

"On a Saturday?" Albus Dumbledore, the revered headmaster, had a twinkle in his eyes, when Harry looked at him with this peculiar earnestness in the flashing green eyes. Remus Lupin felt something like curiosity well up. That was interesting. Harry was up to something. He looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth and that was not right. He looked on when Harry answered in this same severity: "Yes. As I am new to teaching as such I want to do it all the right way." He didn't blink.

Albus did. A little. "Good boy", was all he said, and waved his hand in a gesture of leave-giving.

His and Remus' eyes locked when Harry Potter left the room and both men grinned. "Let him do what he must", said the headmaster. And as everyone knew he was a wise wizard and very very old, Remus left it at that.

But curious he was still.