Chapter Four
by Niamh Tirneanach
That weekend, Harry slipped away from Ron and Hermione and hurried down to visit Hagrid.
"Hello, Harry," Hagrid enthusiastically greeted his young friend when Harry came up to him in the pumpkin patch.
"Good morning, Hagrid," Harry said breathlessly as he tried to suck air into his lungs. "Listen, do you know how I can get a Platinum Tunnel Snake?" Harry got straight to the point -- he didn't want to waste any time.
Hagrid stopped his digging and looked directly at Harry with a slight frown on his face. "Why do yeh need one of those?" he asked.
"Please, Hagrid," Harry pleaded. "It's important -- I think one could help Professor Snape."
The expression on Hagrid's face lightened as he studied Harry. He took up his shovel and gestured for Harry to follow him into his hut. "Why don't we discuss this over tea?" he invited.
Harry followed Hagrid into his hut and took a seat in one of the smaller chairs that Hagrid had set up not long into Harry's first year. Hagrid got some water boiling, and in a few minutes, he was pouring some tea. He sat down across from Harry and asked, "Now, what's this then?"
Harry launched into an explanation of his reading from earlier in the week. He explained how he thought that such a snake would be perfect for Professor Snape -- even mentioning how he thought it fitting that the Head of Slytherin have a snake for a familiar.
Hagrid frowned at the last bit, but he smiled at Harry. "I told yeh, didn't I, Harry? Professor Snape never meant you any real harm; he's just a bit, er, unpleasant at times. Good on yeh fer finally realizin' that. It's good to see yeh wanting to help the Professor, Harry. I know where I may be able to get a hold of just such a snake. I'll see what I can do, and you just concentrate on yer studies in the meantime, all righ'?" Hagrid answered, with a proud look for Harry.
Harry nodded his acquiescence and turned his attention to his tea. Until they finished, the conversation remained on lighter things, and Harry left Hagrid's hut feeling considerably lighter than he had since finding his Potions Professor.
Two weeks later, Harry received a note from Hagrid calling him to Hagrid's hut when he a free moment. Surmising that it was about the snake, he went down to Hagrid in the time set aside for his independent study for Potions - much to Hermione's dismay.
"Did you get it, Hagrid?" Harry burst out as soon as Hagrid opened the door.
"Calm down, Harry, calm down," Hagrid hushed Harry. "Yeah, I got it. 'Twas easier than I expected. It's right over here." He led Harry to a small box on his table.
Harry opened the box to get his first look of a Platinum Tunnel Snake. It was slightly ugly, as its eyes were position on the front of its head instead of the sides. Its scales had a silvery sheen to them over a green that was the shade of a fading leaf.
Harry hissed at it. "Hello," he said carefully.
The snake looked at him. "Hello," it returned after a brief moment. Harry glanced excitedly at Hagrid, only to see Hagrid staring at him with rapt fascination. Harry sighed -- he really did not want to know the implications of that look - and turned his attention back to the snake.
"Can you bond with a person?" Harry asked anxiously.
Harry got the distinct impression that if the snake had the ability to frown, that was what it would be doing right at that moment. "Bond?" it echoed.
Harry tried to explain. "I've heard that you can… lend your sight to a human," he explained. "I have a teacher; he needs someone like you right now."
"Yes…" the snake hissed before stopping. "…it can be done."
Harry grinned broadly.
"Thanks a lot, Hagrid," he said. "This is perfect."
Hagrid just smiled.
After dinner, Harry approached Professor McGonagall. "Professor, may I speak with you for a moment?" he asked as she walked by.
Minerva turned to Harry and nodded. "Of course, Mr Potter. Let's go to my office."
They walked together to Minerva's office in a sort of nervous silence. Harry was anxious about his request, but Minerva was simply puzzled -- Harry rarely approached her that way. When they arrived, Minerva sat down behind her desk and motioned for Harry to sit down as well.
"Now, Mr Potter, what can I do for you?" she asked him gently.
Harry swallowed nervously before launching into a bit of a babbling explanation of how and why he had got a hold of a snake for Professor Snape. When he finished, Minerva sat back in her chair - she was quite impressed with Harry.
"Harry," she began, "I am quite proud of you. Your speech in the Hospital Wing to Professor Snape was quite a surprise, and the fact that you've followed through on that speech impresses me. But what do you need me to do?"
Harry blushed at Minerva's comments, and gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Professor," he said quietly. "I need you to give Professor Snape the snake. Please? He'd never take it if he knew it's from me…" Harry's voice trailed off, almost dejectedly.
Minerva studied her student silently for a bit. Harry had been forced to grow up quickly, and here he was demonstrating a maturity beyond the majority of boys his age. She could see that Harry was quite sincere, and she was truly impressed by the amount of effort he had gone through for a Professor who gave every appearance of (she hoped) hating the young man.
"All right, Harry," she said softly, "I shall pass on your gift to Professor Snape. Tell me, though, do you know how to bond the snake with the wizard?"
Harry paled at her question as he realised that he had no idea how to go about doing that.
Minerva smiled at that, and she replied, "Well, perhaps the Headmaster will know. Thank you, Harry."
Harry stood at the implied dismissal. "You won't tell Professor Snape it's from me, will you, Professor?" he asked worriedly.
Minerva shook her head. "Of course not, Harry," she said with a smile.
Harry smiled his thanks and left then with a, "Good night, Professor, thank you."
He left Minerva staring bemusedly at the snake. "Well," she said to it, "he may not know how to bond you to our potions master, but I'm sure someone does."
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