Author's Note: Again - not sure about the beginning but overall I'm happy with it. I'm just wondering as well; do you guys think Snape is staying in character here? Do you think that their relationship is moving too fast?
Chapter Seven: The Ministry Hearing Part I
Severus was glad that Potter had decided to stay at Grimmauld Place for dinner, he was in no mood to be bombarded with questions. In fact, Severus skipped dinner completely and instead settled down in his study, nursing a small glass of whiskey. Severus rarely drank alcohol, the memories of what it turned his father into was enough to put him off for his entire life. However, he found that certain situations warranted a strong drink, and this was definitely one of those times.
Severus had demanded that the headmaster to explain his avoidance of Potter immediately, threatening to put an end to the Occlumency lessons if he did not get an explanation. At first Severus really had believed that Dumbledore was simply too busy, but it had been far too long for that excuse to hold up anymore.
"The connection between Harry and the Dark Lord is...most complex. So far, I theorise that the connection is at its strongest when Tom or Harry experience heightened emotions. When Tom – since there is not doubt that he will at some point discover this connection – realises this, he will be able to enter Harry's mind at will. I fear that he could be possessed at any moment."
It now made sense why the headmaster would want to distance himself from Potter, it was everyone's protection. He found it slightly disturbing that Potter could be possessed at any moment however, and briefly feared for his cover as a spy. Why would Dumbledore entrust the boy to him of all people, when there was a risk he would be possessed by the Dark Lord himself? That however, was not the main cause of the Potions Professor's distressed mood.
"Severus...you cannot share what I am about to tell you with anyone, least of all Harry. Do I have your word?"
"Yes."
"Harry – and the Order – do not have the luxury of a few more years to train, to create a foolproof plan...I fear that things will be coming to a head much sooner than we anticipated my boy...but I have an idea. At Harry's current magical skill level, he has very little hope of besting Voldemort in a duel. However, with the correct training, Harry may stand a chance of defeating Voldemort...in his mind."
Appalled, Severus had listened to the headmasters plan. It was incredibly dangerous what he was proposing, and Severus doubted the boys abilities. What Dumbledore was proposing required a level of skill that even Snape didn't think he himself had. There was no way that the boy would have the discipline to learn such a skilled art. At least with duelling Potter had experience and sheer dumb luck on his side to aide him.
Severus truly felt the weight of his task; it was no longer a matter of simply teaching the boy to defend his mind, he would now have to teach him to attack. It sounded simple on paper, but Severus would only be able to give him the basic tools. Dumbledore would have to teach him the rest.
If I fail...if the boy does not learn the basics from me...I will be blamed by the entire war effort for failing the Boy Who Lived. Downing the rest of his drink, he stared off into the distance, barely noticing as Harry stumbled through the fireplace. If he had learnt of his impending task a few weeks ago, he would be experiencing a quiet rage right now. Incensed that not only did he have the thankless job of being a double spy, but now he was also supposed teach the boy the basic skills which could determine whether he lived or died? Yes, Severus thought to himself, he would be seething. But instead, he felt a grim determination. He would fulfil his promise to Lily and to Dumbledore. The boy would succeed.
Harry slouched out of the fireplace at seven on the dot, full of Mrs Weasley's cooking. Despite having a nice evening, he felt twitchy and he wanted to get his Occlumency lesson over and done with.
"Sir?" Harry asked, unused to seeing his Professor drink. In fact, he had never seen the man consume alcohol before in his life. Somehow, the act seemed beneath his Professor. This increased Harry's anxieties tenfold, clearly whatever the two men had discussed had been bad enough to drive Snape to drink.
"Potter." Snape said tiredly, his usual bite missing. He paused, before continuing on in a much cooler tone; "As a precaution, it has been found to be to your benefit if you learn how to also attack a mind. This is an extension of Legilimency, a skill which very few wizards manage to learn."
"Why? Is that what you and Dumbledore talked about earlier?"
"Amongst other things, yes. Do not concern yourself over it too much Potter, as I said – it is a precaution if Occlumency proves...ineffectual." Snape eyed the young man who was really nothing more than a boy. A young boy who had the world upon his shoulders. A young boy who deserved the truth but instead was being lied to.
"What do you mean by ineffectual?" Harry sat down in the other armchair, leaning forwards. A frown creased his forehead, making him look older than he really was.
"If the Dark Lord should prove too powerful and break through your defences, you will at least have another option instead of letting him wreak havoc in your mind. However," Snape added smoothly, "I highly doubt that it will come to that." What were these unexplainable emotions that Snape was feeling? Guilt. Sympathy. Compassion. Yes, he felt sorry for Harry. It was highly unpleasant and dangerous being on the Dark Lord's side, let alone facing him in combat – whether physical or mental. Snape did not want to lie to the boy. He believed that if Potter was going to be marching to his possible death, he should at least know the truth from the get go.
Unfortunately it was not up to him.
Snape watched as the boy sighed in relief imperceptibly; his shoulders lost some of their tenseness and his jaw relaxed a fraction. It seemed that Potter did not relish the idea of facing the Dark Lord in his mind.
"Tell me Potter, for I am curious – would you rather face the Dark Lord in your mind, or in physical combat?" Harry pondered that question for a moment before answering.
"Definitely not in my mind. At least on a battlefield I know what I'm doing. I've always been the top student when it comes to Defence Against The Dark Arts, plus I've survived every time I've run into him...with a bit more training, I could take him on in a duel. And anyhow, I don't think I'll be any good at Occlumency, let alone Legilimency." Harry ended with a carefree shrug.
"Idiot boy!" Snape thundered, jumping out of his seat. Harry shrank back into his chair, surprised at the outburst. "You will never achieve anything with that pathetic attitude! At least your Father never gave up, as foolish as he was! You must learn Occlumency, Potter. It is as much for your own protection as it for everyone else's." Snape glared viciously at Harry after he had finished speaking.
Everyone else's protection...? Harry filed that piece of information away to be analysed later. It was clear that Professor Snape felt passionately about his Occlumency lessons, so Harry would try his best for him, for Dumbledore and for all the people that he cared about.
"Are you ready Professor? We may as well start, I need all the practice I can get." Harry said with steely determination. Snape nodded, pleased that his words had at least somewhat resonated with the boy.
Facing each other, Harry braced himself for Snape's attack. He barely had time to prepare before he felt Snape invade his mind.
Blank, make your mind blank Harry! He saw snippets of memories flying past his minds eye, panic growing within him as he struggled to break free. Snape retreated, watching as Harry lay panting on the floor. At least the boy had an air of determination around him now, which he had been lacking before. It was going to be a long evening.
Harry swore that he was trying his hardest, but he was not like Snape; he could not simply become blank and emotionless like his teacher could. He was far too emotional, and every time he thought he had achieved that state it simply made it easier for Snape to rifle through his memories.
Snape tried to remain calm as he watched Harry fail to defend himself again. Albus' words echoing in his head - "...do not have the luxury of a few more years..." - and he pushed hard into his mind, wanting more proof that these lessons would not be in vain.
"Not Harry! Not my boy!"
"Get out of the way, foolish woman."
"No!" There was a scream and then silence. There was a flash of blinding green light as Lily dropped to the floor, her red hair splayed across her face. Voldemort glided towards baby Harry, his wand outstretched, a cruel smile on his face...
Harry hadn't had to relive this particular memory in a long time, and yet despite how often he had seen the exact same scenario play out in his head, it always affected him the same way. Harry felt an overwhelming sense of loss, despair, horror and hopelessness. It encompassed him entirely, turning him blind to what was happening outside of his mind.
Snape had tried to exit Harry's mind, having no desire to witness Lily's death so vividly, however he found that he was unable to. He tried to pull back, but he was stuck spinning in a tornado of Potter's emotions.
"Potter!" He heard himself shout, still frantically trying to escape the memory. He watched transfixed as Lily screamed ad collapsed on the floor, the baby sitting in the crib entirely unaware that his mother had just died.
"No!" Harry let wild panic overtake him as he tried to expel Snape from his mind. "Get out Snape!" He didn't want him to see this.
...
When Harry woke up, it was oddly silent in the study. The sun had set and the room was coloured deep orange. Harry blinked, his head pounding horribly. He sat up and picked up his glasses, glad that they were charmed not to break and put them back on. On the floor lay his Professor in a crumpled heap of black cloth.
"Sir?" Harry croaked, fearing that he had killed the man. He crawled over and shook him gently, looking for some sign of life. No response. Harry rolled him over and checked that he was breathing, which thankfully he was.
Harry sat back on his heels and considered his options. He wanted to go to Dumbledore as his first instinct, but he had the impression that the man would be unreachable for him unless it was an emergency.
Doesn't this count as an emergency though? Harry shook his head in response to himself, he was sure that Snape wasn't dying but simply knocked unconscious. For some reason, Harry didn't want to go to Grimmauld place. He felt that Snape would not appreciate the Order members traipsing around his house and him when he was unconscious.
Harry reached for his wand and realised that he didn't have it. Grumbling, he debated trying to move his Professor to his bedroom, but the man was heavier than he looked so Harry gave up on that idea. Going into the man's room, he fetched a pillow and his duvet and brought them back to the study. He slid Snape's head under the pillow and draped the duvet over him and decided to sit in the armchair and watch to make sure nothing happened. He retrieved one of his new books and settled down, his tummy turning itself in knots.
Severus regained consciousness slowly, although he didn't immediately open his eyes. His head felt like it had been split open and his whole body ached. Deciding that a pain relieving potion was needed, he opened his eyes and sat up. He looked down in mild surprise at his duvet and pillow, and realised with a start that Potter was sitting in an armchair facing him, fast asleep with a book half hanging off his lap.
Snape snorted, oddly touched that the boy had tried to make him comfortable and then had sat vigil over him.
I have never experienced something like that before. What on earth was Potter doing? I could not leave his mind by my own free will – how long have I been unconscious for? Snape loathed to admit it but he was impressed with the boy. Considering this was only their second session, Snape concluded that the boy would be able learn to Occlude his mine if they could only understand how he was doing it. It was not the peaceful expulsion that Snape had expected, both times Harry had successfully defended himself it had been a violent affair which left Snape a little worse for wear.
Snape summoned two pain relieving potions and two headache potions, deciding that Potter probably felt as bad as he did.
"Wake up." Snape jabbed Harry in the ribs with his wand, jolting the young boy awake.
"You're awake Sir!"
"Very observant Potter, I'm glad that you have two functioning eyes in your head." Snape sat down in his preferred armchair and shared out the potions. Harry drank them without question, eager to apologise to the man.
"Sorry sir, I'm not sure what happened...again." Harry mumbled, ears burning. This Occlumency business was far too complicated for him, he wished he didn't have to learn it at all.
"I think I am starting to understand Potter, once again you fail to do anything the conventional way, instead opting for the method that will garner you the most attention as usual. You are thoroughly lacking in subtly, just like your father." Snape sneered, messaging the side of his head.
Harry scowled at the man, being reminded of his dislike for him.
"It seems that you are unable to throw me out of your mind calmly by achieving a blank, emotionless state. Instead you utilise intense emotions such as grief. Therefore, the removal is violent to reflect the emotion you use." Harry nodded thoughtfully, that did make a lot more sense.
"So you think I should think about sad things instead of nothing?" Harry wondered.
"Yes." Snape replied, slightly perturbed that the boy's preferred emotion was such a depressing one.
Well, the boy has experienced very little joy in his life.
"It is late Potter, go to bed. We have made substantial progress tonight." Snape stood up, feeling drained.
"Wait – Professor..." Harry worried his bottom lip for a second, "please can we try one more time? But maybe if you Legilimens me weakly if you know what I mean, and I'll think of something sad and hopefully I'll expel you without making you pass out." Snape nodded for he too was curious to see if his theory was correct.
Facing each other, Snape whispered the word and sailed calmly and slowly through Potter's mind, images of Hogwarts and his friend flitting past lazily. Harry concentrated, remembering how it felt to be locked in his cupboard, crying over the life he would never have with his non-existent parents. It was grief, but not intense grief.
He opened his eyes and saw his Professor staring at him with something resembling pride, a satisfied looked on his face.
"I think we have made a breakthrough, Potter." Harry grinned at him, relieved that he finally had a way to make progress.
"Me too sir. I think I deserve some cake for this." he hinted.
"I'll have Minnie bring you a slice – and then straight to bed afterwards! It is late and you will not be allowed a lie in tomorrow morning." Harry rolled his eyes as he left the study, feeling tired but pleased with himself. It just went to show that Snape's way wasn't always the only way. Harry had to admit that he would prefer to do it his Professor's way though, it was emotionally draining having to constantly think of things that had caused him to grieve.
The next couple of days passed in a similar fashion; Harry followed his schedule and did not cause trouble for his Professor, and in return Snape (for the most part) kept his biting remarks to a minimum. Harry had to admit that it felt good to get a lot of his assignments out the way and done to a decent standard, instead of rushing to do them and failing. This would be the first time he came back from the summer holidays with passable homework.
Harry did not make much more progress in his Occlumency lessons, although it was a marked improvement from the first two attempts. He did not have any more dreams linked to Voldemort either. Both Severus and Harry had fallen into a somewhat comfortable routine, and Severus found that with each day that passed, the boy irritated him less and less.
Harry also had to admit that the two hours of remedial potions he did with Snape weren't as traumatic as he had expected them to be. Snape didn't hover over him, but instead worked steadily on his own potion in a corner, every so often shooting Harry a suspicious glance as he checked he wasn't going to blow his lab up. He would randomly bark an ingredient related question at Harry, which the latter almost always got wrong, but he would file the answer away for future reference in case Snape asked him the same question again.
Harry was rewriting his potions essay in the lab at a desk, grumbling to himself as he did so. He saw nothing wrong with what he had produced the first time round, but of course it wasn't good enough for Snape.
"Potter, tomorrow night you will be staying at Grimmauld Place." Harry looked up, surprised.
"How come?"
Snape sneered at him, "Clearly you have forgotten about your Ministry hearing. It is in two days, and you will be going to Grimmauld Place to prepare for it."
"...I didn't realise it was so soon." Harry mumbled, butterflies appearing in his stomach. What would he have to prepare for? Why wasn't he staying here? He wanted to be in his room, with his dragon figurine that breathed fire which he found oddly comforting and his moving posters and with all his books. He swallowed uneasily and accidentally knocked over his pot of ink. He watched despondently as the parchment absorbed the ink and washed over his words.
Snape scowled and waved his wand, watching as the ink flew back into its pot.
"Who's taking me?" Harry continued, standing up to pace around the room.
"Sit down Potter, you have not finished your essay. And in response to your question, Mr Weasley will be escorting you to your hearing." A lead weight dropped in his stomach; what about Dumbledore? Wouldn't he be there to help him?
"What about Professor Dumbledore? Who else is coming?" Harry could not bring himself to ask if his Professor would be coming with him. If it had been two weeks ago Snape would have been the last person Harry would want to come with him to a court hearing, but recently Snape had given Harry stability and order and...safety. He wasn't constantly on edge thinking he was going to be attacked, but instead he did his homework, ate three meals a day and messed around in his free time.
He wasn't being constantly fussed over or treated like a child as Mrs Weasley was fond to do, and Harry had decided that when Snape wasn't being a git or talking to him, he was OKcompany to be around. The thought of not having the man there, glaring at everyone in the background made Harry feel weird and vulnerable. He couldn't explain his anxiety at his Professor not being there, but he knew that he had to be. Even though they were nowhere near being friends, and they still somewhat disliked each other, Harry knew he would feel better knowing that he was there.
"I imagine that the Headmaster will be meeting you there. I have not had contact with him recently." Snape admitted, slowly stirring his potion clockwise. "No one else will be accompanying you."
"Why aren't -" Harry cut himself off, his cheeks going a shade of light pink. Snape scrutinised him shrewdly.
"Spit it out Potter."
"Why aren't you coming?" Harry asked, gripping the edge of his seat nervously. There was silence save for the quiet bubble of potions as Snape blinked down at his student.
"Do you want me to?" Snape asked slowly, masking his confusion with indifference. The boy wanted him come as well? Dumbledore had warned him that Harry may development some form of dependence on him quickly. Not only from the numerous Occlumency lessons they were having (which naturally formed a bond between the teacher and the student), but also from the fact that Severus was providing so much for Harry, more so than anyone else had apart from the Weasley's. Combined with the fact they that were living together and eating all their meals together, it was inevitable. Snape had dismissed this though, and thought that the 'bond' formed would simply be on a professional level because of the Occlumency lessons. But perhaps he was wrong in that assessment.
"Those starved of love, safety and kindness latch onto the first source of it they can find. You know this all too well, Severus. Do not push the boy away. Please." Albus' words echoed in Snape's head and for once the man didn't know how to react.
"Well, I dunno...I guess. Err, you don't have to obviously. I mean I would feel better if you did. Doesn't matter." Harry ducked his head, feeling like a prat for even mentioning it.
"I am aware that I do not have to come Potter. I have countless other tasks that my time would be better suited to...however," Harry lifted his head, trying not to look too hopeful, "if you want me to be present...I can escort you there alongside Mr Weasley, but I cannot stay with you in the Ministry of Magic. Many there are still suspicious of me being a Death Eater, and it would appear odd if I were to accompany you. Do not forget that the Dark Lord's followers are vast, and some reside within the ministry itself." Harry felt mildly disappointed that Snape would not be staying the whole time, but he shrugged to himself; it was better than nothing.
"Thanks Professor." Harry returned to his essay, his mind slightly more at ease. He missed theintrigued look Snape cast him before he too returned to his potion.
The next evening saw Harry jiggling his leg at the dinner table, unable to eat due to nerves. He pushed the food around on his plate absent-mindedly before eventually sighing and giving up.
"Is it alright if I leave now Professor? I don't think I'm going to eat anything tonight." Snape nodded and watched as Harry picked up his overnight bag.
"Potter, do not lose your temper tomorrow at the hearing." Snape warned quietly.
"I'm not stupid, of course I'm not going to start shouting at my own court hearing." Harry replied hotly. Honestly, did the man think he was that much of an idiot?
"You are hot headed just like your arrogant Father, do not let your temper get the better of you." Snape was going to add that he would not miss the boy if he was expelled and therefore absent from his class, accompanied by an insult about his intelligence – but he found that the words got stuck in his throat and would not come out. Severus felt perturbed by this and settled for giving Harry a glare instead.
"I'm not! Stop bringing my dad into everything!" Snape raised an eyebrow as if to say 'see?' and Harry flushed in anger and embarrassment.
"Anyway," Harry ground out, exhaling slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow right? To go to the hearing?"
"Yes Potter. Now go." Harry nodded at him before walking up the stairs to the study so he could use the Floo.
Snape watched him leave and discarded his fork as well. He didn't feel like eating much, he was feeling too confused over Potter. The boy may have been too oblivious to realise that he was starting to become somehow dependent on his teacher, but Snape noticed and he did not like it.
He was already partly responsible for watching over him and keeping him safe from Voldemort – an almost impossible task, he thought angrily – but now the boy was starting to lean on him for emotional support? Snape snorted and stalked down to his potions lab, antsy and eager to distract himself with a potion. It was always down to him wasn't it? He could think of an infinite amount of people who would be better suited to this role that Potter was forcing him into, and he made a mental note to talk to Dumbledore about it. He did not want the boy relying on him and getting attached.
Snape massaged his head as he thought about all the complications that would arise from that scenario playing out.
Not in this lifetime. He thought resolutely, and continued to mix his potion.
"You'll be alright mate." Ron said comfortingly as he sat on the bed next to Harry.
"Just do what Dumbledore says and everything should be okay. Dumbledore had dealt with stuff way worse than this." Hermione chimed in, sitting down on the other side of him.
"Why won't he speak to me at all? You think he would at least say something the night before my hearing!" Harry jumped up and paced away from his friends, his hands balled into fists. Hermione and Ron shared a concerned look.
"We can't figure it out either Harry." Hermione said sympathetically. "How are the lessons going?" she changed the subject smoothly, wanting Harry to be relaxed before he went to sleep.
"Good. We made some progress actually. Turns out I actually need my emotions to expel someone from my mind, trying to make my brain go blank doesn't work."
"That's marvellous!"
"Well done Harry!"
"Enough about me though, what about you two? What have you guys been up to here?" Harry listened as his friends told him about the twins who occasionally popped in and showed them their latest inventions and their conversations with Remus and Sirius. Harry felt incredibly left out; he had no fun stories to tell them, all he had was his lessons with Snape and that was it. He had nothing good to share, everything was always Voldemort this or Voldemort that and he hated it.
After they had spoken a little longer, they all decided to go downstairs to talk to everyone else since Harry hadn't done that yet.
Lupin and Sirius were sitting in the living room on a dusty looking sofa, laughing amongst themselves.
"Harry!" Sirius exclaimed happily, giving him a quick one armed hug.
"Hey." Harry smiled at them both and sat down, his friends next to him.
"I hope you're not too nervous about tomorrow Harry. Dumbledore has it well in hand. You'll be off scot free within an hour I bet." Remus smiled easily at him, his grey eyes full of warmth.
"I hope you're right. Dumbledore hasn't even spoken to me about anything." the two older men shared a look which the trio noticed.
"Don't take it personally, he's been so busy that I haven't had a chance to speak to him about Snivellus. It's not just you." Harry frowned at his Godfather's nickname for Snape but ignored it. He did feel a tiny bit better knowing that it wasn't just Harry who the headmaster was too busy for.
Mr Weasley entered the living room and beamed at Harry.
"You ready for tomorrow?" he wished people would stop asking him that. "We'll be travelling the muggle way to the Ministry – using the...underground."
"How come?"
"It's better if we do, there's an entrance in London in one of those old red boxes – phone booths? - since the Floo network is being monitored, and Dumbledore doesn't want us Apparating there either..." Mr Weasley continued to babble on, switching topics to talk about muggle inventions such as trains and ticket machines.
"Mr Weasley -" Harry cleared his throat loudly to get his attention, "I err, well. Snape's coming too. Just on the journey there though, not into the Ministry." Harry was aware of everyone looking at him. Sirius seemed appalled at what Harry said, and both his friends seemed very surprised. Mr Weasley's mouth was loosely hanging open as he searched for the words he wanted to say. Only Remus seemed somewhat understanding of what Harry had said.
"Well, whatever Dumbledore wants!" Mr Weasley exclaimed in his usual easygoing manner.
"I asked him to come with me actually." Harry snapped, annoyed that everyone always had to look at him like he'd grown another head when Snape was involved.
"Why on earth did you ask him to go with you? I can come instead Harry as Snuffles -" Sirius started but Harry didn't want to hear it. Everyone was always so against him – hiding things from him and treating him like he didn't know what he was doing. He couldn't bare having everyone question him like he had suddenly gone mad, he got enough of that from the Daily Prophet and he didn't need it from his friends either.
"Where are you going?" Ron called, following him up the stairs alongside Hermione.
"Back to the Manor." Harry snapped, grabbing his bag. "I'll be here seven in the morning sharp Mr Weasley!" He called over his shoulder before throwing powder into the fireplace and shouting 'Alnwick House'.
Mrs Weasley had kindly explained to him that the reason he had ended up the cellar the first time was because he had said 'manor' instead of 'house'. Manor took the user to the old fireplace that used to be the main floo network, whereas when Snape had moved in he had changed it to 'house' so it would spit people out in his study. Harry had been irritated that his Professor had failed to mention that little fact to him.
He was immediately greeted with the familiar smell of Snape's study – a mix of fresh air, incense and a hint of potions, no doubt from the Professor himself. The man was not in there and Harry was grateful that he didn't have explain his appearance to him straight away.
He dumped his belongings in his room and grabbed his snitch and broom before heading out, needing to get some fresh air and burn all his nervous energy. After a good forty minutes spent in the air, he touched down lightly on the grass and brushed his hair out of his face.
He ventured inside in search of his Professor and came across him in his previously empty study, sipping a cup of tea and reading a book.
"Potter?" Snape let his book fall closed with a thud and stood up, assuming that something was wrong.
"Hi. I want to stay here tonight if that's okay, I don't feel like staying at Grimmauld Place." Snape motioned to the other armchair and Harry gratefully fell into it.
"Tea?" Snape asked cordially, levitating a cup over to the young man. Harry sipped the drink and let it warm him up. "Has something happened to cause this change of heart?" Harry shook his head stubbornly.
Snape rolled his eyes but did not press the matter; he was not a babysitter. If Potter had had an argument with his stupid friends or his even more idiotic Godfather it was not his problem.
"Do they know you are here?"
"Yes. I said I'd be back at seven tomorrow morning. I also told them you were accompanying us there." Ah. So that was what the problem was. Snape was astute enough to understand what had happened from the boys silence. He had mentioned that his hated Potions Professor would be coming, and as to be expected the boy had been met with bewilderment and most likely derision from his Godfather.
Snape decided to go back to reading his book leaving Potter to his own devices. He barely noticed when the boy left the room, but was surprised when he returned with his own book in his pyjamas. Harry stared defiantly at his Professor, hoping that the man would not send him away. Harry didn't want to be alone the night before his trial.
Snape eyed him for a fraction of a second before allowing the teapot to float over and refill Harry's mug. Harry sighed quietly and let himself sink into the plush armchair. They both read in companionable silence for the next two hours, Harry happily sipping tea and munching on Mrs Weasley's cake. He had spied the box sitting temptingly on a shelf, and he had boldly went and retrieved it. His Professor had said nothing, so Harry took that as permission and had happily taken the biggest slice possible.
The candles had started to burn low which told Snape that it was time to retire for the night. Harry was dozing lightly in the chair, a habit which he seemed to be forming.
"Potter." Snape snapped, watching in satisfaction as the boy jumped awake, "bed." Harry yawned in response and mumbled a 'goodnight sir' before he had disappeared down the hallway to his own room. Snape cleared away the tea things and put the tin with the cake in it back on the shelf. He had allowed the boy to indulge himself so he would settle down and sleep tonight. That was also the reason why they had forgone their usual Occlumency lesson after dinner.
Snape waved his wand and the candles went out, and then he too went to bed.
Harry was awake, showered and dressed before Snape had come to make sure he was up. Harry was suddenly grateful for the smart shirt, shoes and trousers Snape had bought him, he couldn't even imagine turning up in Dudley's oversized clothes. Snape glanced over his outfit before giving him a nod of approval.
"What a shame that your rebellious hair will not stay down." He sneered, giving Harry's locks a glare. Harry shrugged, not bothered about his hair and followed Snape down the stairs to the dining room.
"I'm not sure how much I can stomach right now." Harry admitted, eyeing up the plates of bacon, eggs, sausages and porridge.
"You will thank me later Potter. You do not know how long the hearing will last for."
"Remus thinks Dumbledore will have it all sorted within an hour." Harry said as he grabbed a healthy serving of each thing. He let a dollop of jam fall from his spoon into his porridge. He took one bite and found himself ravenous since he didn't have dinner the night before. He inhaled his bowl of porridge and all the cooked breakfast on his plate as well, including an extra helping of hash browns.
"Potter! You do not want to get food on your clothes." Snape admonished in disgust. "You will not eat like a starved animal in my presence again." He warned.
"It's not like it even matters anyway, you can just magic off any stains." Harry replied cheekily round a mouthful of eggs. Snape frowned at him.
"None of your cheek Potter. If you're quite done, we must get going." Harry downed a glass of pumpkin juice and flooed over to Grimmauld Place, Snape following closely behind him.
"Perfect timing Harry." Mr Weasley clapped him on the back, dressed in a simple second hand suit. Harry smiled guiltily at Sirius and Remus, wishing he hadn't left them so abruptly the night before.
"You'll be fine Harry. We'll all be waiting for you for when you return." Remus gave him a warm hug and stepped aside to let Sirius through.
"Don't be nervous. You'll be fine, I'm here for you okay?" Sirius narrowed his eyes at Snape over the top of Harry's head, and Snape sneered back at him.
Ron and Hermione both murmured their own words of encouragement to Harry, still dressed in their pyjamas. Ron looked a lot more sleepy than Hermione, who was alert and anxious for her friend. Mrs Weasley stepped forwards and began fussing over Harry's clothes, smoothing out non-existent creases and smoothing his hair. Harry sighed and wished she would stop, he wasn't a kid anymore.
"Ready?" Mr Weasley asked, looking at Harry and Severus. The three men walked out into the cold morning air, a light fog had settled making the streets look even more depressing than they already were.
"Amelia Bones will be heading your hearing on my floor – the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's fair Harry, she'll hear you out." Mr Weasley said bracingly. Harry nodded numbly, suddenly nervous again. He glanced up at his imposing Professor and felt a little better in his presence.
"I doubt the Ministry will snap your wand nor will they expel you from Hogwarts Potter. Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life threatening situations." Snape wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure the boy or not. He only knew that he couldn't stand him looking up at him like a lost lamb, making Snape feel even more responsible for him than he already was. Harry nodded, letting the words sink in. The law was on his side, he should be fine. Then why did he feel like it was not going to go in his favour?
They made their way through the underground station, weaving around the early morning commuters. Mr Weasley would quietly marvel at all the muggle contraptions around him, causing Snape to shoot him varying degrees of irritated looks.
They emerged in the heart of London, and followed Mr Weasley who confidently strode to an old red telephone box.
"This is the visitors entrance." Mr Weasley explained. He stepped inside and picked up the phone, looked at it oddly for a second and then put the receiving end to his ear and began to speak uncertainly. Whilst he was doing this, Harry turned to his Professor and inhaled deeply.
"You will be fine Mr Potter." Harry hoped that the man knew that his almost silence presence had soothed Harry's nerves immeasurably and that he was grateful to him for it. Somehow, he was sure that Snape was aware of that.
"Where's Dumbledore?" Harry asked, a note of desperation in his voice. He didn't think he could face the trial on his own, he had no idea what would happen or what sort of questions they would ask him.
"He will meet you inside." Snape replied smoothly, although in his head he was cursing the old man vividly. Where was he? No one had heard from him and all the Order members were exceedingly nervous because of it.
If he does not make an appearance Potter is surely doomed. He is not bright enough to understand the games the ministry will surely play with him, trying to catch him out. They will twist his words and turn them against him and the stupid boy will be none the wiser.
Snape hesitated briefly before simply nodding stiffly at Harry. He turned and Apparated away, leaving Harry feeling alone despite Mr Weasley's presence.
"Over here Harry!" He called, placing the phone back on the hook. Two small badges popped out where change usually would. Harry's said; Harry Potter, Disciplinary Hearing. He pinned it to his shirt and swallowed as the phone box slowly lowered like a lift would.
Harry marvelled at the interior. There were countless fireplaces that had Wizards and Witches popping out of them every couple of seconds. There was a large golden statue that sat in the middle of a fountain, with a wizard, a witch, a goblin and a centaur all looking up at the ceiling. The wizards wand pointed up, and out the top came water which trickled down back to the bottom.
"We're a little early Harry, let's go to my office."
Mr Weasley's small cubicle was littered with an assortment of documents and papers. There was a large photo of the Weasley family pinned to his wall, although Percy seemed to have walked out. Harry and Mr Weasley talked easily for ten minutes before a small, plump wizard came hurrying up to them, his hat nearly falling off in his rush.
Mr Weasley held up a placating hand, "I already know about the fire breathing chickens -"
"It's about Mr Potter's hearing! The time had been changed to eight instead of eight thirty and it's down in old Courtroom Ten!" the wizard said everything in one breath as he bent over, hands on his knees panting harshly.
"Merlin's beard! Eight? But its – Harry, quickly now!" Mr Weasley flew past the Auror's desks so quickly that Harry had a hard time keeping up with him.
"Why did they do that?" Harry asked breathlessly. Mr Weasley was too out of breath to reply. They hurtled past the lifts and instead hurried down a flight of steps.
"The bloody lifts don't even go down this far!" Mr Weasley had never sworn in front of Harry before, and despite how mild the swear was Harry felt a little shocked. "We're here!" He exclaimed, drawing to a stop. He gestured to a large heavy looking door with a brass handle.
"Aren't you coming in with me?" Harry asked.
"No, I'm not allowed. Good luck Harry, go in quickly now!" Heart beating wildly, Harry grasped the handle heaved the door open before stepping inside. Everything had happened so quickly that morning, and now suddenly he was having his hearing and he wasn't ready. He prayed to anyone listening that Dumbledore would be inside waiting for him.
Severus found himself unable to brew his potion. This was his second attempt, but after stirring the wrong way and adding too much powdered root he swore and made it disappear. He paced around his lab before storming back upstairs and into his study.
"Touchy today aren't we?" a usually quiet portrait huffed.
"Do you wish for me to burn you and leave nothing left?" He asked silkily, rounding on the portrait. The woman grumbled before exiting her frame, no doubt to her other painting – although Snape was not sure where it was.
Throwing himself into his armchair he stared stonily out of the window, unable to focus on a single task. His mind kept drifting back to Potter and his hearing. He was certain the the ministry would have some tricks up their sleeves, anything to sabotage the hearing. He had not doubt that one of the Dark Lord's loyal servants were pulling the strings in the background.
Read a book – do anything but think of the trial lest you go mad. Snape followed his own advice and took a calming potion before brewing his favourite blend of tea and continuing on with his book from the previous night. He just hoped that Dumbledore knew what he was doing.