It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 24

"Indeed . . . .Potter . . .  you have a valid point," admitted Severus, after a moment's pause.

"It seems you have given this some thought,"  Dumbledore added.

"Well, it's not that I mind him calling me Harry, it's more for his safety," Harry said to Albus, then turned back to Severus.  "After all this is over, feel free to call me anything  you want . . . I answer to 'Boy who lived', "The Chosen One', 'Super Seeker' . . .  take your pick."  Harry gave Severus a cheeky grin, then turned and winked at Albus. "Well, we're off to the dungeons to get started, Headmaster . . . see you at lunch?"

"Certainly, Harry," laughed Dumbledore, watching the waves of reaction to Harry's display of insubordination flash across Severus' face. "Chop, chop, Severus . . . time's a wasting!"

"Yes.  Certainly, Headmaster," Snape managed to say, valiantly trying to hide a smile, as he turned toward the door, to follow Harry who was quickly disappearing down the spiral stairs. "Cheeky little blighter." he mumbled, shaking his head.

"I heard that!" drifted back up the stairs.

* * * *

In the corridor below, Harry and Severus fell into step with each other and started off to the dungeon in silence.  Suddenly, Peeves came zooming along and proceeded to float, upside-down,  in front of them.

"Wee Potter is at Hogwarts!?!?!?  Has Wee Potter been a bad little Wizard??? Is Wee Potter going to be punished?!?!?!?!?" he cackled, grinning manically.

"Actually, Peeves, I have a bit of good news for you," Harry replied, even as he  reached out and grasped Severus' sleeve to keep him from yelling at the troublesome poltergeist.

"Good news?  News that Peeves will find amusing?"  questioned the ghost, as he flipped over and looked with interest at the young Wizard.

"Indeed . . . you will be a big part of a surprise for our esteemed Professor of the Defense Against Dark Arts," Harry leaned forward and stage whispered, and then winked. "What you need to do is talk with Fred and George Weasley, when they get back from holiday and they will let you in on their plans and discuss how you can help."

Peeves looked from Harry to Professor Snape, puzzled at Severus' silence.

"Professor Snappy is not saying anything . . . does he not object to these plans?"  Peeves questioned, warily.

"Actually, Peeves, I have made a few suggestions, in regards to the coming mayhem . . . but you didn't hear that from my lips," replied Severus, who then held up a finger to his lips, indicating silence.

Peeves eyes flew wide open and then he cackled, spinning around, clapping and doing flips.

"I think he's 'onboard with the program', as Rupert would say," Harry mumbled out of the side of his mouth to Severus.

"Apparently," agreed Severus. "Perhaps we can continue on our way, now?"

"See you later, Peeves!" called Harry, as Snape and he turned the corner and started down the stairs to the Potions classroom.

Peeves waved and zoomed off down the hallway, singing, "Peeves knows a secret . . . and he'll never tell . . . Peeves knows a secret . . . we'll give Dolores  . . . hello there Filchy, what are you doing, eh?"

"Get out of it, Peeves!" yelled Mr. Filch, swinging his broom, even as Mrs. Norris yowled her displeasure when Peeves zoomed down, pulled her tail and  then flew away, bowing raspberries!

* * * *

As they entered the Potions classroom, Harry was surprised to see Severus continue to walk, past the desks and work tables, to a narrow door recessed in a niche in the back wall.  Opening it, Snape motioned for Harry to follow him into the next room.  Intrigued, the boy entered what was obviously the private laboratory of the Potions Master.