Chapter 3
Snape looked at Harry disdainfully. It was clear that he'd rather be anywhere but here.
"Professor?" Harry asked, as gently as he could manage. It wouldn't do to anger the man this soon after Harry had near given the man a heart attack by almost dying.
The night had passed relatively fast for Harry who'd conked out as soon as his head hit the ground. Snape, on the other hand, was growing eyebags on top his of original eyebags.
Snape gave a long-suffering sigh. "It's becoming evident, Potter, that you are in dire need of further magical training."
Harry tried his hardest not to look offended. "Professor- "
"Hush," Snape intoned. "Last night's conflict and your close brush with death informed me that it is I that must take up this… unfortunate task."
"You're going to tutor me?" Harry could hardly believe what he was hearing and if not for Snape's pained face which rather reminded Harry of a Crucio victim's, he'd have thought he was dreaming. Or having a nightmare. Possible both.
"Yes." Snape huffed, scowling. "After all, you've only a fifth-year and considering your abominable work ethic these past few years- "
Harry stopped listening. Snape was going to tutor him. A week ago, he'd have died before accepting this, but now? He was relieved. Snape was an arsehole, that much was certain, but he was a smart arsehole. And that made all the difference.
"Thank you!" Harry practically squealed.
"I will accept nothing less than perfection of course," Snape continued as if he hadn't said anything, but Harry swore Snape's left eye twitched. "My main priority at this time will be Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions, simply for the sake of survival, but you'll also need to learn Arithmancy, Runes and Wards, Alchemy, Wandless Magic, Healing- perhaps- "
"Arithmancy? Runes? Wards?" Harry asked, dazed.
Snape's lip curled until he was practically swallowing it but answered nonetheless. "Arithmancy is a given, boy. It's essential for brewing first- but most other subjects also. Runes are extremely useful in sticky situations- necessary for you, obviously- and Wards are a complex extension of the two. They provide permanent defence and/or offence that doesn't drain on your magic after you've infused them."
"Really? I thought Ancient Runes was only textbook work. I never saw Hermione using magic while doing that homework."
"Of course." Snape sneered but it was missing the usual bite. "Hogwarts' course is purely based on the language component. Runes is traditionally a fusion of etymology, linguistics and magic. However, the practical element is risky and in a class of 20, what Professor would possibly be able to supervise them all at once? It'd be a mess. No, witches and wizards who are interested in a career in Runes typically take an apprenticeship with an older, experienced Runes Master. There they learn the real-world uses."
"That makes sense," Harry pondered. "Professor, did you apprentice in Runes?"
Snape grimaced. "No. I took the elective at Hogwarts, studied it extensively during my Potions apprenticeship and later, Mastery- but ultimately, no."
"How come?"
"I finished my Potions mastery mere weeks before the war begun in earnest. After I joined Voldemort, there was no time for such trivial matters, and afterwards, well…given my past-"
"No one would hire a former Death Eater." Harry finished.
Snape's face darkened. "No."
"Even with Dumbledore's vouching?" Harry tried weakly.
"Enough questions, Potter. Lessons start now. Perhaps, with time and hard work, you'll reach an acceptable level of intelligence. Although that's highly unlikely considering your pea-sized mind."
Harry almost snapped back. But then he realised that Snape didn't look truly angry. No, he looked vengeful. Harry could understand that. The man had been hated for years because of mistakes he'd made in his youth.
And when you thought of it like that, Harry could certainly appreciate the man's strength. Severus Snape was brave, Harry decided. Far braver than he let on.
With that thought in mind, Harry snapped back to the conversation.
"Sounds good, Professor."
Snape eyed him oddly for a moment before giving up and sighing. "An incredibly brief crash course on Arithmancy first- for that's all we have time for considering this place's aggressive population. That will prepare you somewhat for Potions, and finally, we'll work on Defence."
Harry merely nodded.
"Arithmancy studies the magical properties of numbers," Snape began. "It has many uses, the main of which being Divination. The Divination community see this as a more accurate tool for prediction."
Snape is so much better at teaching one-on-one, Harry reflected. No shouting, less sneering, no distractions and no Slytherins to favourite. It was almost nice.
"Arithmancy can be used in the construction of wards, runes and rituals. It can change the properties of a spell, infuse them with more power, offer longevity to them- the options are endless."
Snape paused for a moment before drawing parchment, a quill and ink from a pocket that must've been extended magically- for how else would they've fit?
"Take notes," He instructed Harry, who did as instructed hastily. "Now, languages offer a different aspect to Arithmancy. Many ancient languages offer significant power to the discipline- and that's not simply restricted to human languages. Centaurs and merfolk have their own written tongues which offer different strengths and weaknesses accordingly."
"Like what?"
"Well, Arithmancy using merfolk numerals tends to be of more strength with elemental rituals around water. But you'd never use merfolk numerals in a rite about the air or fire. Earth is iffy at best."
"That's so cool."
"Indeed."
Later that evening, Harry and Snape sat around a roaring magical fire, you guessed it, studying. Snape had just finished warding their campsite while Harry moped impressively.
"I wasn't just being dramatic during the first lesson you ever had of Potions. It really is a subtle science that requires a keen eye."
"Aha! So you admit that you were being dramatic!"
Snape didn't even bother to dignify the exclamation with a reply, merely raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry, sir."
"Don't forget yourself, boy. Now, as the seasoned veteran and expert Potions Master I am- "
"Don't you mean paranoid bastard?" Harry muttered under his breath.
Snape ignored him diplomatically. "I always travel prepared. Behold."
Snape swept a hand across his stash with a grandiloquent gesture. "Shrunken, for the most part, and enchanted with unbreakable charms and the like, this is what I carry with me at all times. And you would do well to start your own collection for the same purpose."
"What do you even have there?" Harry asked curiously.
"My potion kit, consisting of Wound-cleaning Potion- "
"Hey, Madam Pomfrey used that on me once!"
"- Wideye Potion, Fire Protection Potion, Burn-healing paste, Veritaserum- "
"Slightly illegal, isn't it?"
"Pepperup, Blood-Replenisher, Calming Drought, Invigoration Draught, various ingredients, potions, bezoar, cauldron, cutting board, stirring stick, and vials. I also carry money, dragonhide gloves, amulets, a kettle- "
"A kettle?"
"If you would cease interrupting me, I might be inclined to explain."
"Sorry."
Snape hmphed, "As I was saying, on my travels I've found that a kettle is of the utmost importance."
"Huh. I never would've guessed," Harry pondered. "What do you carry amulets for? Flitwick told us they were bloody useless during second-year when everyone was buying them because of the basilisk."
"And Professor Flitwick was right, those paltry excuses for amulets were useless. However, amulets correctly enchanted? Priceless."
"I'll take your word for it. So, are you hiding any textbooks away in there? I reckon you'll need 'em for teaching."
"As a matter of fact, I do have a few textbooks with me, Potter," Snape sneered. "But I won't be needing them for my lessons."
"What!"
"Patience, Potter. I believe in a more practical approach to teaching, so I will rarely have need of them. You, however, will be studying those textbooks during your every waking minute outside of my class."
Harry gaped.
"I will not teach an utter imbecile, Potter. You are already pushing it, so I suggest you start learning like your life depends on it- because it does." Snape growled, sticking his face right in front of Harry's.
Snape smiled suddenly. Harry found that more terrifying somehow.
"Tomorrow we'll be scavenging for potion ingredients," Snape tossed Harry a book. "An annotated copy of Magical Drafts and Potions. Memorize all information concerning ingredients and their uses- found in Chapter 2."
"Now, if you wouldn't mind I'd like to sleep." With that, Snape gathered his possessions back into his cloak, transfigured a few rocks into sleeping bags and mats for both himself and Harry, flopped down on his own and closed his eyes.
Harry stared for a moment before giving up and sliding into his sleeping bag. Understanding Snape was a pipe-dream, Harry determined.
Notes:
Woohoo! 1400 words! Are you proud? I sure am.
Forgive me for any small grammatical mistakes. Pumping out chapters this fast does NOT allow for editing time.
Also, the version of this story on Archiveofourown is always a chapter ahead because it's just so much easier to navigate, so if you want to read more...
Enjoy! And as always, reviews make me more motivated to write and update faster. x
