Chapter 6

Speaking To Remus & Severus

Harry must have fallen asleep again, because the next thing he was aware of was Remus sitting down and wakening him up. It couldn't have been long, the meetings never lasted more than an hour or so. Sitting up he smiled almost sadly at Remus' exhausted state. "Looks like you need this bed more than me," said Harry wryly.

Remus chuckled; "I'll live," said the wolf, smiling at his cub.

"Have you had a potion?" asked Harry, his concern for Remus obvious.

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have made it here," said Remus honestly. "I must say I am rather glad I came; quite a shock you've given us all."

"If you've come at Dumbledore's insistence to get me to join, Remus, I'll throw that water at you," said Harry seriously.

Remus laughed, water thrown at him? He'd been threatened with worse over the years. "No, Harry, I respect your decision, although I am curious…why did you say no?" Shuffling his chair forward, he stared at Harry with intense amber eyes.

"Remus!" sighed Harry in exasperation, "I am sixteen years old! I have only a Hogwarts education, with Defence teachers who either wanted to kill me or torture me! I had to teach the other students myself, a few years back. ME! Who didn't know magic existed until I was eleven years old!"

"Good point," said Remus quietly, he hadn't really considered it from that point of view before. Harry did seem a lot more powerful and capable than his classmates― powerful he was; capable... perhaps, but not overly so. As he'd said, he only knew the spells that his defence teachers had taught. "In my defence, I didn't know what I was doing; I hadn't taken my Wolfsbane potion."

"I actually didn't mean you, but when you put it like that, fair point," teased Harry.

"I still did attack you; if it wasn't for Sirius, Severus, and the time travel…I could have grievously harmed you. When Severus told everyone, he had every right. I could have killed all of you, or worse, infected you," said Remus in understanding.

Harry giggled, "You remind me of Hermione."

"How so?" asked Remus.

"Well, back in first year, right? We got lost and ended up in the forbidden corridor. We met Fluffy, and we ran for it. Once we got away, Hermione said we could have got killed... or worse, expelled," said Harry, his fondness for his best friend obvious.

"What did you and Ron have to say about that?" asked Remus, his lips twitching; Hermione reminded him of himself. He too had thought like that, especially with the stunts Sirius and James had pulled. Of course, he hadn't told Harry any of the juvenile things he'd done. Harry had a strong sense of right and wrong, so much so he'd Floo'ed Sirius immediately, demanding answers as to why his father had done such an awful thing to Snape. A teacher whom Harry had hated, yet he'd defended him. Sirius hadn't helped matters any by stating they were just kids and trying to brush it off. Harry had received a knightly vision of his father, and he'd believed he was someone like himself. It had been a rather harsh wake-up call, and Remus didn't think Harry had recovered from it yet. Harry was such a hero; he'd save anyone, even someone he loathed.

"Ron told me she had to sort out her priorities once she was gone," said Harry. "Do they know? I mean about what happened to me?"

"Arthur and Molly didn't want to tell them, they know how close the three of you were. They would have probably tried to rescue you themselves, which would have hindered our efforts, rather than helped it," said Remus.

"I doubt it, Hermione's brilliant you know," said Harry.

"I know― she was the one that invented the coins in the first place," Remus agreed.

"I know," said Harry. "I'll know when they are told; two rabid owls will chase after me."

"You aren't upset I stayed, are you?" asked Remus getting to another of his worries.

"No, I'm not angry at anyone," said Harry shrugging his shoulders. He just wanted to survive― was that too much to ask? He knew he couldn't rely on anyone; he'd have to do it himself. So that's exactly what he was going to do, he was going to offer Severus Snape something he couldn't refuse.

"Was it true?" asked Remus, getting to the real question after skirting around it for half an hour.

"I've been waiting for that to crop up," said Harry warily, "And whether you choose to believe me or not, it's very true. Dumbledore knew; I told him what they did, and he just laughed it off as a misunderstanding and told me the wards were much more important."

"How can you say that, Harry? I know you aren't a liar," said Remus, aghast that Harry was even suggesting that he'd take Dumbledore's side over his.

"Not what everyone else thought by the end of the meeting, though." said Harry grimly.

Remus just stared; it was enough to confirm Harry's suspicions.

"Thought as much," said Harry, some of them just couldn't think for themselves. They believed everything they heard from Dumbledore and took it as fact.

"Not everyone, the Weasleys were all on your side," said Remus quietly, wincing as pain shot down his back, momentarily stealing the breath from his lungs. The pain reliever, it seemed, was already weakening.

"You should sleep for a while, Remus, you look exhausted and you're in pain," said Harry.

"Are you sure you will be okay?" asked Remus, he didn't like leaving but the pain was only going to continue. It took a few days to fade away, and he couldn't afford a lot of pain relief. The one he'd taken was actually one Severus had provided him with when he'd handed him his Wolfsbane potion.

"Course I will," said Harry.

"Alright, I'll come by tomorrow," Remus said, standing up and suppressing a moan as agony tore through him. He would have to Floo; he was in no condition to Apparate. He clutched Harry's shoulder in silent support before he made his way through to Poppy's office. Harry wasn't surprised to see Poppy come bustling out, grab a few potions, then disappear into her office again. Once the hospital wing went silent, Harry slipped out of bed and put on the slippers Severus had conjured. Nobody had done anything like that for him ever before; it was rather nice.

He also took one of the bathrobes. He knew where everything was kept in the hospital wing; he'd been there often enough and had seen Poppy either cleaning up after or getting ready for another patient. They were all dark blue; grabbing one he took off, making his way through to the dungeons, his mind working over what he wanted to say to his professor. He wondered if it would work, or if Snape would just report everything back to Dumbledore. It was a risk, yes, but unfortunately it was a risk he had to take. He made his way to Snape's office; hopefully he'd be there. As it stood, he had no idea where his trunk was. Without it, he couldn't get access to the Marauders' map, which indeed, would have been the easiest way to track his professor down.

Holding his breath, he knocked loudly on the door and waited.

"COME IN!" barked Severus Snape.

Harry opened the door, and found Snape writing up what looked like classroom schedules for next year. He wasn't wearing the heavy robes he usually wore while teaching, which made him appear even skinnier, if that was possible. Snape was rail thin― and they had the nerve to say he was malnourished?

"Potter, you wanted to talk, so talk," said Severus, continuing on with what he was doing.

"I'd rather talk when I have your full attention, sir," said Harry crossing his arms; he didn't like being made to feel insignificant. He wasn't sure if Snape was doing it on purpose, but he'd find out soon enough.

Severus dropped the quill, and began rubbing his temples in irritation... either that or he had a headache. "Go on," said Severus, staring impassively at the sixteen-year-old. He would have to learn to get on; they were going to be sharing the same quarters for the duration of the summer, much to his consternation.

"Thank you, for saving me," Harry started out, feeling slightly bad at not saying it before this. At the look of shocked disbelief currently displayed on his teacher's face, it was obvious that Snape had long ago given up hope that anyone would recognize the part he played in the war.

"Alright, Potter, what do you want?" Severus demanded, staring at the teenager in suspicion.

"I MEAN IT!" snapped Harry; "I am not saying it just because I want something…" he scowled at the Potions Professor, upset by his suspicion. Even worse, he was going to think just that with his next request, and it wasn't how it looked.

"You are welcome," said Severus, staring at the teen and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Harry shuffled in, sitting on the seat in front of Snape's desk, his feet, legs, and back beginning to ache something fierce. He wasn't so sure Snape would accept his proposal now; he'd probably be kicked out of his office. "I have a proposition for you, if you will hear me out long enough."

"Out with it, Potter," Severus said in resignation, he'd known something was coming his way. As always he was rarely disappointed, he knew how people worked. Although he was, admittedly, impressed with Harry's underhand Slytherin tactics. Who knew the Gryffindor Golden boy would be able to do such a thing? Then he sighed at his own thoughts; no, not quite golden, was he? Harry had been abused by his family; there was probably a great deal of Slytherin lying under Harry's surface.

"I want you to teach me how to fight, especially the way the Death Eaters do, minus the Unforgivables of course," Harry said, continuing on despite the look of utter disbelief that had stolen over Severus' features. He knew he didn't have long before the wizard burst into a furious diatribe. "You will be well-compensated for your time, and I'll give you something probably every Slytherin in the castle has dreamed off."

"Money? You think I can be bought with money?" scoffed Severus. He was of course being disingenuous―everyone can be bought with money― he just didn't like Potter flaunting his wealth.

"Actually no, that wasn't what I was going to offer," said Harry, half surprised he hadn't been kicked out yet.

The boy was infuriating! He wanted to strangle the bloody life out of him. Of all times in his life to start being cryptic, he chose now. Severus kept his face impassive despite his thoughts, waiting for Potter to break first. He was NOT going to ask the boy what he meant. He absolutely refused to be drawn into Harry Potter's game. He doubted the boy could offer him anything that would truly tempt him anyway. He was admittedly curious about the 'Every Slytherin in the castle has dreamed off' statement. The boy seemed so sure of himself, and Potter was smart when it mattered. It did turn his stomach to admit this, not that he ever would out loud.

"I'd show you the Chamber of Secrets," said Harry, a smirk appearing on his face.

Severus inhaled sharply; alright, the boy did know how to negotiate. "That is hardly considered compensation," said Severus smoothly, leaning back against his chair; two could play at Potter's game.

"I believe I did say compensated and shown the chamber," said Harry.

Severus remained silent, arching a sculptured eyebrow in Harry's direction.

"Alright, alright," said Harry, realizing his teacher was getting annoyed. "There's a sixty-foot Basilisk down there. Everything can be used, except its eyes; they were eaten by Fawkes. You can have half of it."

"Very well, Potter," said Severus. Damn it, he'd been wrong; the boy had negotiated with something he couldn't refuse. There hadn't been basilisk parts in over a century, and this boy was offering him fangs, scales, bones... everything that could be stripped from the Caracas. Plus it would give him time to get to know Potter better, he had to know how bad the abuse was, why he'd hidden it and if anyone else had known.

"Thank you, sir," said Harry. "I did mean it, though…the apology, I mean. I wouldn't have asked you, sir, to train me…but I know you will be the best at it. Nobody knows the Death Eaters as well as you, and you were inventing spells before even leaving Hogwarts." He was in awe of that little fact.

"Just how did you find out about that, Potter?" asked Severus.

"I found your old sixth year potions book," stated Harry calmly. Dumbledore had forced Severus to lower the grade needed to get into the N.E.W.T.s Potions class. His little creation needed Potions to be an Auror, after all. Potter had to follow his family's footsteps; there were no other career choices for him. It was why he'd always made sure others spoke of what James did for a living. Harry hadn't bought a potions text, under the impression he couldn't get in. Ron hadn't gotten high enough marks to get in, you needed outstanding, and Ron had barely passed potions at all. So he and Hermione were the only Gryffindors who had attended last year... and would be this year too. "Night, sir."

"Where do you think you are going, Potter?" asked Severus.

Harry stiffened and turned around, eying Severus Snape warily; he sounded…positively gleeful. Which by the way had never been a good thing for him, in his entire time at Hogwarts. "Sir?" questioned Harry.

"Has Professor Dumbledore alerted you to where you'd be staying this summer?" asked Severus, a smirk on his face.

"No," said Harry unsurely, he was feeling very much like an eleven-year-old again with his teacher sporting THAT look.

"Hmm," said Severus thoughtfully, did he let the Headmaster tell him? Judging by the way they'd spoken earlier, leaving them alone in the same room wasn't a good idea. It was hard to swallow that Potter was more powerful than Dumbledore. Then again, Harry was just coming into his prime; Albus was a senior wizard, and both were still admittedly impressive the way their magic clashed. Here he was, being asked to train Potter into a warrior. "You are to stay with me, Potter."

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," sighed Harry shaking his head. "Before or after I told him where to stick his membership?"

"Before," said Severus bluntly. "Tomorrow we go to the chamber, that's if you feel up for it. Once Poppy has given you the all-clear we shall commence training."

"Yes, sir," said Harry.

"On the condition you eat four full meals a day. I won't train you, Potter, until you gain a stone," said Severus, ignoring the horrified look on the teenager's face. It would be all too easy to break Potter's bones the way he was right now, and with training, accidents would be inevitable, hence why he had to gain that much-needed weight.

"Fine," said Harry closing the door as he left, he knew he'd never get Snape to let up on that. Once Snape made up his mind, it was made up; only Dumbledore had ever succeeded in changing it, and even at that it was only sometimes. Four meals... he didn't know how he was going to cope. He could barely eat one, sometimes two, never mind four in one god damn day. He couldn't just pretend he was eating them either, Snape was such a …a...Slytherin! A whole stone. He grumbled all the way to the Hospital wing to find Poppy placing a meal in front of him. Harry closed his eyes and groaned in despair.

"Are you in pain, Harry?" asked Poppy, staring at her patient with worried blue eyes.

"I just ache everywhere; I feel sick looking at that food…I'd probably just be sick too." admitted Harry. Poppy wouldn't leave him alone unless he was honest with her, something he'd figured out quite quickly.

"Two potions will take care of that," said Poppy plucking two from the table and placing them open in Harry's hand.

Edited by Jordre thank you.