A few notes before we start.
Underlined words: whenever anyone-mainly Snape-is using legilimency, the person's thoughts will be underlined. Also, if the previous scene goes over the person's thoughts, expect them to be differently worded because if you remember, Legilimency is not 'reading someone's mind'. It sees memories and snippets of thoughts. I imagine it to be more disjointed then when I am writing in a person's POV.
During breakfast in the Great Hall, Harry found himself subject to many stares. He brushed them off hoping they were only because of his new glasses, not anything more. The Gryffindor 2nd years had much more important things to discuss than Harry's glasses; their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class was today. "So Hermione, any important things we should know from the text book for class today?" asked Ron laughing. Harry smiled at Hermione sympathetically as she blustered at their friend. Lavender Brown was Hermione's surprising back-up when she turned to Ron saying, "I read Professor Lockhart's," she blushed slightly at his name, "books cover to cover as well. I think its brilliant all the things he's done."
The two girls shared a smile and then, a girlish giggle left Hermione's mouth as she looked up towards the teacher's table. Ron and Harry shared a look as the two girls fawned over their new DADA teacher. "He seems bloody vain." whispered Ron to Harry. He just nodded in agreement. To Harry, Lockhart was the least of his problems, though he did wonder why every Gryffindor girl was so taken with him.
Yesterday's trip to Hogsmeade with Snape weighed more heavily on his mind than the vain teacher. Following the girls' gaze up to the teacher's table he noticed a pair of black eyes staring straight at him. Snape had made it to breakfast today, it seemed. Why exactly was the man staring at him so strangely? In fact, the professor had been acting extremely odd since they had talked in Dumbledore's office. The entire guardian thing still confused him too. Was he supposed to treat Snape as a parent? The idea was ghastly. While he wanted a family more than anything in the world, why on earth would the cruel potion's professor be a part of that? Sighing, Harry turned back to his breakfast, not noticing the black eyes still trained upon his every move.
"Legilimens". The words were whispered so quietly that Severus himself could barely hear them. He knew the fool beside him most definitely had not, and Flitwick was too busy eating the disgustingly sweet breakfast laid out before him.
Why on earth do the girls care so much about the Defense teacher? Lockhart's face rose up in Harry's mind before turning quickly to Severus' own. Why is he staring at me, and so strangely? He's been acting odd since we talked in Dumbledore's office. What is it with the guardian thing, anyway? Snape can't be my parent—how awful that would be. I want a family, but not that bad, Anyway, I want one like Ron's. I don't want a professor to be my dad, 'specially not him.
Severus pulled out of the boy's mind; a sneer masked the foreign feelings building up inside of him. The boy's mind was just as eloquent as the boy himself, as in not at all. The thoughts were what really irritated him, though. Odd. He had not been acting any differently since the accursed meeting in Dumbledore's office. Except for hearing Lily's voice in his head, he reminded himself.
Regardless, the boy obviously was dissatisfied with the situation and a new one should be found. How, though? Unless Dumbledore or he brought to the Ministry's attention that the form was a fraud and therefore void, if Severus refused guardianship the boy would have to be sent to his relatives. An image of Petunia raising her hand to strike the boy filled his mind and he instantly canceled them as an option. Besides, he was the only one who could reinstate the Dursley's as 'able' caretakers and he found his conscience wouldn't stand for that cruelty. Who knew how much damage the boy already had, he couldn't add to that—if only for Lily's sake.
Suddenly, a horrible thought struck him. He mentally hit himself in the head while his outward demeanor seemed not change in the slightest. Neither he nor Dumbledore had yet to send Harry to Madam Pomfrey to check for any lasting physical damage. Any mental or emotional damage would have to be, he shuddered, dealt with by himself.
Severus wasn't sure if he could delve into the boy's past without bringing up unsavory memories of his own. Looking down at his untouched food, Severus sighed before straightening and leaving the hall. He told himself he left merely to prepare for his first lesson with the first years, but he just couldn't stay in that hall anymore. The happiness had been just too much for him.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked out of the hall towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and straight into a first year boy from Gryffindor. The boy held a muggle camera and his eyes were wide as he stared at Harry. Hermione apologized for them but the boy still stared at Harry. Suddenly, in a high-pitched, excited voice, the boy introduced himself. "All right, Harry? I'm -I'm Colin Creevey." "Oh, hi Colin." responded Harry, not knowing what else to say. "I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you think-would it be all right if-can I have a picture?" Harry looked at him oddly, "Why would you want a picture?" he asked, confused. "To prove I met you!" the boy responded excitedly." Could you sign it for me, too?"
Harry sighed as a well-known voice drawled from across the courtyard. "Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" Draco Malfoy walked up behind Colin with Crabbe and Goyle behind him. "Line up, everybody! Potter's giving out signed photos!" Ron and Hermione muttered but all Harry heard was something about 'Malfoy', 'git', and 'can't believe it'. Harry was saved any response to Malfoy's jibes by an unexpected source.
Professor Lockhart walked out of the DADA classroom and towards the small group of students now converging around Harry and Colin. "Who's giving out signed photos? Ahhh, I shouldn't have asked." He turned to Harry and smiled indulgently. "Come on, Mr. Creevey. A double portrait can't do better than that, and we'll both sign it for you." Harry watched, unable to do much besides stand near the professor, as Colin fumbled with his camera before clicking a photo. "Yes, yes, that will do. Bring it to me when it is developed and I will return it to you when it is signed by us both." With those condescending words, Lockhart dismissed Colin and turned to Harry.
Harry sighed, tuning out the professors endless droning about his own importance and Harry's comparatively minor fame. Honestly, what did the girls see in this man? He was a complete git. However, Harry allowed the professor to drag him to class with Hermione and Ron following. Hermione chose a seat with optimum viewing of the professor and the two boys grumbled as they pulled out all seven of Lockhart's books.
Due to the fact that in less than a week, I will be returning to high school, and I still have to finish all of my winter break assignments as well as college apps, I will be uploading less frequently. I hope to publish about once a week, though, so don't worry:)
Please review! I appreciate constructive criticism and any ideas on plot development!