After lunch the fifth years walked to their defence class. They settled down looking at their defence professor who seemed always cheery.
"Good afternoon class! Today we are going to talk about the most dangerous thing in our world. Today you are going to know why you actually study defence." Said Harry mysteriously at the end.
Looking about the silent class Harry smirked mentally at their attentiveness. Snape would be proud! And mentally shook the sadness creeping in at the thought.
"Evans! Would you enlighten us about this most dangerous creature?"
"A demantor?" answered Lily uncertainly.
"Are you asking or answering?" said Harry. "Sit down. Who agrees with her?" Harry looked around the class nodding in agreement except Snape. Never the one to disappoint!
"Why a dementor?" asked Harry indulgingly.
"Yes, Mr Potter." Harry said looking at the waving hand of James Potter.
"A dementor is a soul sucking creature, it easily is the most dangerous creature." Answered James looking a bit smug.
Harry sighed mentally. Is this how Snape felt when I mucked up the potions? How embarrassing! He sneaked a glance at Snape who was rolling eyes and then meeting his eyes paled. Harry smirked slightly at him and Snape relaxed.
"A good try but wrong answer. Your logic is flawed for two reasons. Mr Snape, I am counting on you mate, do enlighten your classmates." Said Harry calling out Snape. The implications hung heavily in the air; some Slytherins blanched at the subtext.
Severus stood up masking his shock. I have to get used to this.
"A dementor is a fearsome creature not the dangerous one because we have a charm to repel it. A defendable creature is not dangerous. The most dangerous creature according to me is a wizard or witch who has the intent to kill. The only way to defend yourself is to kill which we have established is a bit extreme." Answered Severus confidently but inside he was anxious.
"Absolutely correct! Fifty points to Slytherin." At that the whole class gasped but Harry continued as if nothing happened. "Sit down, Severus. As Severus stated a wizard with intent to kill is the most dangerous creature. Wizards and witches don't ever consider a human as a potential threat for reasons unknown to me, so let me enlighten you all. A human is the top most predator in the food chain. Those who don't know the concept can look up in the books and those of you from muggle background shame on you for not knowing and those who do well; I say you are the alpha. At this I shall conclude the class and till you all don't submit a paper on . . . sorry assignment on this concept you all can stop coming to this class and I shall be delighted to fail you all. Oh and Severus do stay behind it's been a while since I had a intelligent conversation!"
With that Harry walked to his chair and sat down opening encyclopaedia on Human Body.
Everyone looked at him in bemusement and purebloods in anger.
"Didn't I tell you that you could go? Well, go and play, shoo!" With that Harry once again returned to his book.
Everyone was confused but Slytherins angrily stormed out and the rest followed their lead. Severus leisurely put his things back into his bag and sat waiting for everyone to leave. He stood up when everyone vacated, but sat down when Professor Swan gestured him to sit down and watched as he waved his hand at the door. He heard the door shut creakily, eyes widening at the prospect of having witnessed wandless magic. Harry finally looked up from his book with a smile.
"You know I never thought I'd meet a magical person who has the ability to think logically and have common sense, which seems to be repelled by magical world. I apologise beforehand if my . . . . attention on you causes you trouble. That was never my intention. I am impressed by your skill and pleased with your interest in my subject as such I want to offer myself as your mentor, if you are interested, of course. If my mentorship is up to your standards I'll be delighted to take you as my apprentice for a year and leave you with enough material for you to continue on your own, which I know will not be a problem for someone of you calibre and determination."
Severus Snape was truly and properly stunned for the first time in his life and he doubted anything would ever happen to top this. Harry Potter basked in Snape's speechlessness. I, Harry Potter truly and properly stunned Severus Snape. Ohhh! This is a glorious day.
A thousand thoughts raced though Severus's mind. Damn! Was the only word he had to properly describe his thoughts and the situation he found himself in but he saw Professor Swan's lips moving and he came back to reality.
"Severus, are you quite alright? You don't have to submit the paper on the food chain and Humans but do brush it up before coming tomorrow. Your defence class is still going on." Said Harry looking at Snape's dazed expression, smirking mentally.
"You don't say DADA. Why?" asked Severus. When confused it was his defence mechanism other than being snaky, of course.
Professor Swan smirked more prominently. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
It was a challenge then – a prize. Severus nodded and walked out.
He walked to the next class mulling over Professor Swan's words. Professor Swan was the only professor who paid him any attention, praised him and recognised his intelligence. Not even Slughorn did that and he had known him for forever. He was the only professor who had ever indicated that he liked him. The one who apologised for inconvenience – again the only one who indicated he knew Severus was bullied, the one to ask his permission to mentor him and be the judge for his teaching skills. Severus didn't think such teachers ever existed in any realm, if there existed any other than this. I'd be a fool not to take this opportunity. Decision made he entered the charms class.
The marauders were seething except Remus who was sad. The words of Professor Swan stung and they seemed to be not alone, even the Slytherins were affected. They all morosely made their way to their respected classes, Professor Swan had dismissed them fifteen minutes before the bell. All the students were staring at them in interest and the word soon spread out. Some looked alarmed while others looked happy, smug and awestruck. Purebloods seemed a bit angry at the implied insult though what, the marauders except Remus didn't know who refused to share.
Severus sat down all too well aware of the stares he was getting and knew it would not end well for him, not even with the Slytherins. Gulping he concentrated on the class which was not interesting or challenging enough to distract him from the impending doom about to befall on him any second. He hoped the classes with Professor Swan were worth it! You know it's worth it, you ninny! His brain supplied. Severus sighed and got back to the class.