Someone mentioned that Snape might be too blind, but imagine that he knows that it's only him who watches Potter as closely like he does and that the other teachers love Harry, well like him a lot, because he's humble. Snape wants to see James, and does to a certain extent. In later chapters, possibly 3rd year I think I will switch POV, so that you get a more wholesome view of Harry.

But know that Snape hates Harry and dislike the notion of the prophecy, the idea that his life is in Harry's hands. Also, Snape is so certain of "rules", so when he believes something is impossible it becomes so, because his mind is so set against anything else. So he sees Harry as spoiled, because he wants to. He wants to hate him.

Love it blind, but so is hatred.

Chapter 3

The first official staff-meeting is in full swing. Once more I've taken up the seat in the back, watching the proceedings almost with boredom. Lockhart is entertaining with stories about his many glorious deeds, his books and his first class.

"And what was that incident about the pixies?" I cannot help but question. One of the Slytherins informed me of what had happened in the first class with Lockhart and I want to see the man punished for such mindless behaviour.

"My dear friend," Lockhart laughs lightly, completely ignoring the heated glare I send him. A few of the other Professors laugh at my expense. "The students must be prepared. Had I been an enemy I would hardly inform them of my plans!" He's right, of course, but I know for a fact it was not on purpose.

"You know, Severus," I flinch when Lockhart uses my name, "once I was saving this little innocent village from a powerful banshee, see my collected works, I had no idea what I was meeting," he crosses his legs and looks at me significantly, "the poor village-people had no idea themselves and so the task befell me to investigate. It could have been anything," he made a gesture with his hands before continuing; "luckily it was only a banshee. I've already met one of them before, wrote a book about it too..." he studies his nails with posed insignificance and then lets out a loud sigh.

"And that's not the only time I've entered a scene with an unknown enemy," he nods seriously at me, not really registering the disbelieving gazes the other professors are directing at him.

"Good for you..." I tell him slowly, hoping to close the discussion. The man nods seriously.

"You be glad you're in a safe environment as this, Severus," Lockhart ends with a dramatic serious attitude. "Out there it's..." Albus enters and Lockhart fall silent.

***

The Slytherin seeker, whose position Potter took over last year, has decided to give up his position to focus more on his studies. It didn't take much to convince him but inform his parents that his graduation, if their son's grades continue in the same line as last year, will be in much danger.

I give my guidance openly to the boy. Slytherins stick together, after all.

Draco has decided to try out for the position and Lucius, upon hearing it, is graciously donating new brooms for the entire team. It's a little over the top, for my taste, but I know Lucius likes to make a statement. People can always turn on you when you use words on them, but with something more substantial, like an expensive broom, people have more difficulty turning away from the path laid out for them.

I give the Slytherins special permission to train, so that Draco can get in shape quickly. The boy, thankfully, is well on a broom, but I still worry about any humiliation he may encounter.

Once more I have a conversation with the Head Boy. The new Slytherins have fallen into the role naturally, which isn't much of a surprise, since they came from Slytherin families; nice to know, nevertheless.

With discomfort I ask about Potter. I have to, since Albus will, eventually, ask me about him. Flint merely shrugs his shoulder.

"There are... a few problems with the other students and Potter," he allows, uncomfortable. I frown, tiredly. "It's not big, but they bully him a little. He doesn't really respond to it, which makes it worse. But they're cooling down. The seventh years are farther from the incident than those last years and each year we get further from it..." he trails off and I realise that the following years will be easier.

"He's not new anymore, either," Flint continues, "but there are a few words and pushes given out, but... it's getting calmer," he concludes and I nod. I probably should've told him to make sure it ends now, but I decide to let it play out on its own.

***

Potter is over his three detentions and has been gracious towards me so that he won't land in more. It's a good thing to see, I note, since it shows that he actually did learn something from Lockhart. That or his aunt and uncle actually wrote to him to tell him to start behaving.

As the cold and flu season comes around I find myself busier than normal. It's a strong season, this season is, and I have to work constantly in order to get the potions done. There are many potions that need to be done.

Flint informs me that Potter has fallen down a staircase in an incident with another student. I realise what he's saying, but I simply haven't gotten the time to check up on the boy. I wonder briefly why Flint even told me, as this is something I'd have assumed he'd keep a secret.

However, at the following dinner I realise why he did tell me. Potter has a purple cheek and when Albus asks I tell him the boy tell from a staircase. He's a little worried, but lets it go. The boy seems to handle himself well, despite it, so obviously there's no problem.

Once more I see that Potter doesn't eat, and I assume he's still cooking or whatnot in the kitchen instead.

***

I manage to find some time for the new first-years, to make sure they've gotten well integrated into the house, and then I talk a little with the rest of the house as well. I haven't done this often, but since Potter has been sorted into the house I've found I've had to participate more often. Albus wants me to know the students, know if they're capable of hurting Potter. Know thy enemies, indeed.

It bothers me, since I know the Slytherins wouldn't harm Potter; seriously, anyway. It's nothing more serious than what happens in the other houses, but, Albus informs me, Potter isn't just any student. This, naturally, leads to an uncomfortable situation with me claiming that Potter is like everyone else and should be treated as such.

I know there's a prophecy, I've heard some of it, even, and so I think it's more important that the boy learns to fight for himself instead of us coddling him like a little baby. Albus agrees, warily, but tells me to be sure the boy is safe.

That is why I'm scanning the surface of the minds of the students. None of them has any ill intentions towards the boy, as such. The general feeling, I get, is that they wouldn't go out of their way for the boy. I tell Albus that they're not harming the boy; they simply have no interest in him. He's a little worried by that, but I sigh and tell him to stop worrying. So what if people aren't bowing and scraping for him, I rather think it's a healthy sign.