Doubts
"It is important for you to completely alter the feel of your mindscape for the awards ceremony," Severus warned her, "You cannot share the same one as Harriet Potter's."
The had returned to the Order Meeting. They had to, really: the whole purpose of it was an escape plan for Rigel, and it wouldn’t do to have 'him' running off before things were decided for the day.
Somehow the two of them were alone again.
"I know, Professor Snape," Harry shot him a slight smile, "Trust me, I'll take care of it."
He narrowed his eyes at her, "I shall test it during the next order meeting, then."
She cast her eyes about the room, "Sure."
He left that matter for now. Onto the next it was…
"Your aura," He said, "As you will be attending the ceremony being neither Rigel Black nor Harriet Potter, you will need to further disguise the feel of your magic."
Harry frowned, "What do you mean by that, sir? I can recalibrate my aura for that period, if that is what you are asking."
He shook his head, "Recalibrating your aura will not be enough, I suspect," Severus paused, "I take it you know this to an extent, given you vanished most of the things you, or rather, your magic, might have shed its essence on after the last task."
Harry inclined her head gravely, "Yes, sir. So you think Riddle will try to trace any familiar residual magic he can, especially about the places Rigel will take as he accepts—" here she smiled, "or craftily declines the prizes?"
He gave a short nod, and, for his own sanity, ignored the slight spark of mischief in her eyes.
"So what do you suggest?" Harry asked, and Severus could tell she was thinking of solutions herself even as she asked him.
She fidgeted ever so slightly, and Severus caught the movement. He waited for her to say something, and when she didn't, growled, "Out with it."
She said, "While I was… reverse-engineering Thief's Downfall, I came up with some unique variants, " Harry hurried on under the glower meant to mask his exasperated concern, "One of which strips all ambient magic from what it is dripped on."
What?
"And you think—?"
"—that we could modify it somehow to not leave my essence behind, yes. Sir." She added.
"No."
"No?"
"No," Severus repeated, "While that is an interesting project, it is too far-fetched and dangerous of a solution. We do not have much time."
She didn't look put out by his dismissal, and he supposed she knew it, and had only wanted to mention it so that he knew.
He had a moment then where he was filled with utter contempt and disgust for Tom Riddle. He had given her barely any time at all before the ceremony, probably to rush her and give her as little time to prepare as possible while still having most of his preparations done before he had even announced it.
The ceremony was in four days, and Severus didn't know what to do.
"Your filter," He said, as some inspiration finally struck him, "The one which you used to protect yourself from the resonance."
"It warped my magical signature," Harry breathed.
"Can you replicate it?"
"Yes," Harry said, and then deciding she sounded too certain said, "I guess."
He scowled at her obvious dissembling, "You never quite explained how you did it, or what this filter actually was…"
Harry gulped, "Uh… yes, well, I'll attempt it today and you may check it during our next meeting as well, sir."
He raised an eyebrow, expectant.
Harry looked down, but didn't say anything.
"Yet more secrets, Ri—Harry?" Severus allowed some of his exhaustion to creep into his voice.
He could tell she was almost going to cave in.
"Why?" He pressed, "I do not believe this truth is hidden for protecting you or I."
She seemed to decide on something.
She took his hand carefully, and Severus almost withdrew, startled. She grimaced, but led him further away from the crowd.
"This I owe you, so…" Harry started, smiling slightly, though it was a pained smile.
"You owe me nothing," Severus said quietly, "so if you share something, share it because you wish to."
She was quiet again.
"Have you forgotten what I said?" Severus said, a little frustrated that his words weren't getting through, "Even if what you have kept from is blatantly wrong or foolish, I won't leave you standing alone. I have, and will only try to help you, you dimwit."
"I know, Professor Snape," Harry said weakly, "I know. I just…" She trailed off, not quite sure what to say.
"...forget." He finished for her, "Don't forget again. Now tell me, what exactly served as your filter against the resonance?"
She met his gaze, some of the light back in her face again, though she looked a tad nervous.
"I think it's time you met Dom, Professor."