Invisible

Chapter 20

Information and Quizzing

The prophecy was the main thought on Harry Peverell and Severus Snape's minds that night and first thing in the morning.

Severus couldn't believe it. He had been right all along, and Harry was going to have to defeat the monster known as Lord Voldemort (even if Severus insisted on calling him the Dark Lord). The contents of the prophecy circled his mind as he realized Dumbledore also knew all this—it was the reason he was so insistent on training Nick Potter. No wonder he kept trying to get Severus to help; Severus wasn't by any means a modest man and had made it clear he knew Dark Arts which would put Dumbledore to shame. That said, he hadn't been around for one hundred years, either.

Harry woke up at six AM and got dressed for the day ahead of him, in his brand new clothes. It was one thing he hadn't been deprived of by the Potters, but they hadn't exactly been to his liking. They got him whatever Nick liked and left it at that, almost as if they had bought too much for Nick so gave him the spares Nick didn't want. He loved being at Prince Manor, where he wasn't invisible...where he was wanted, not an inconvenience. Plus, he was getting to learn more magic!

Speaking of which, that was something he was going to have to ask Severus about. He quickly made his way down to the study room and found his teacher already there. "Severus, how is it that I'm able to use magic? Won't the tracer activate?" asked Harry, sitting down curiously.

"All Pureblood homes have shielding charms embedded in the wards. How else do you think Purebloods know so much about casting before going to Hogwarts?" asked Severus sarcastically.

"Then why weren't…I mean why didn't they teach Nick anything?" asked Harry cautiously.

"Nick was trained magically. I believe he began his training at the age of seven or eight," Severus informed him, watching the teenager closely.

How did the child remain calm when it was apparent he was responsible for them all, the entire wizarding world? Harry was going to have to defeat Voldemort for them, or rather it was predicted he would. He wondered silently if he would have done it, having had the life Harry had, being ignored in favor of his brother…Would he truly have wanted to save the lives of those who had basically abandoned him? It wasn't something he could truthfully answer because it hadn't happened to him. The news of the prophecy didn't seem to have affected Harry at all, but he knew it had affected him.

"I had no idea, I just thought James always took him flying or just played with him." Harry wasn't sure what to think of this latest revelation. What did it matter at the end of the day? He was ignored in all ways, so why would magical training be any different? Simply put, it wasn't.

"And his education?" Severus inquired. He couldn't say 'your' education as Harry hadn't truly had one after all. That was something else he wanted to ask the child, how he had been able to read and write if he wasn't educated.

"He did what he needed to, nothing more, from what I remember," said Harry honestly.

"I see…Might I ask how you managed to learn to read and write?" asked Severus a bit cautiously. He knew he might be treading on a sensitive subject, but he was truly curious to know. It sounded to him as though Harry had found a way to listen in, judging by his comments just now and during the confrontation at the Leaving Feast.

Harry looked down and a sigh left his lips before he answered his teacher's question. "I used to sneak in and listen to the lessons when I could. I also copied the books so I could learn on my own."

"Copy? I'm assuming you didn't do it the normal way, but with magic?" asked Severus, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"With magic. When Nick didn't get his way, his magic exploded…but mine didn't because I was constantly using it to learn what I could. Some of the books I've got are the ones I copied from Potter Manor. The rest are the ones from my book lists over the years. I sold the autographed Lockhart books and bought different ones, mostly on Potions and Defense," explained Harry.

"I understand that desire," nodded Severus wryly. Anyone who wanted to keep Lockhart's books for anything more than pleasure reading was either idiotic or infatuated with the wizard.

It didn't surprise him that Harry had been capable of magic at such a young age to better himself; after all, the prophecy indicated Harry was the Dark Lord's equal, and yes, he had been the Dark Lord's equal from the age of fifteen months. The Potters probably already knew the prophecy. Weren't they curious as to why neither of their children seemed to do magic worthy of being the Dark Lord's equal? Severus had no doubt the Potters hadn't seen Harry using his magic or there would have been questions raised. Controlled magic at four or five years of age to copy books just so he could learn...

He knew every Pureblood parent and grandparent out there was probably furious. Nothing was more important to them than their offspring having a decent education, even if it was just the basic education they received: Mathematics, English, History of Magic, Latin, and the like. It was the education they had of magic which mattered the most, but still. The thought of having an uneducated child was considered an embarrassment. A Pureblood would rather send their child to a Muggle school than see them without a tutor. Most Purebloods would rather die than send their child to a Muggle school, so yes, it was vital to them indeed.

"You do realize what you did is impossible for the average four-year-old?" asked Severus curiously. That is, if the Potters had begun educating Nick at the age of four, they certainly hadn't done the things most Purebloods would—like educating all their children.

"I had no choice!" protested Harry defensively.

"I am not criticizing you, Harry…I am commending you on your magical abilities and determination to learn," said the Potions Master softly, his eyes understanding.

"Oh," said the boy, looking stunned and feeling a little awkward and unsure. He had never seen himself as special, not even knowing he had been the one to defeat Voldemort at a young age. Personally, Harry thought it was a fluke. "If the situations were reversed, maybe Nick would have done the same."

"Do you truly believe that?" asked Severus, fighting the urge to snort—he did not snort.

"I don't know," sighed Harry, his shoulders sagging as if an invisible weight was suddenly bearing down on him.

"What do you wish to do now that you know the contents of the prophecy?" asked Severus.

A House Elf blinked into the room, putting a huge platter of food and drink down before disappearing. Severus reached over and grabbed both plates, filled them up, and made himself a coffee. Giving Harry a gesture to ask if he wanted some, he was somewhat surprised when he nodded. Normal fourteen-year-olds didn't drink coffee. Perhaps it was because of his mother. Severus knew his mother's fondness for coffee and offering it to nearly everyone who stepped into her shop for more than a minute.

Harry gratefully took the coffee and looked at Severus for a few minutes, deep in thought. He had never dreamed five or six years ago that he would have someone to confide in, something other than his diary. Harry had thought he was destined to always be alone, and going to Hogwarts hadn't done much to change his assumption. Now he had Eileen, Severus, Luna, Viktor, Cedric, and Fleur. Of course, there were some he trusted more than others—Eileen, Severus, and Luna were his truly trusted, ones he would confide in about the prophecy and him being the real Boy-Who-Lived. Two already knew, so he just had to tell Luna, if she didn't already know. Luna had the bloody uncanny ability to know things others didn't, it was as if she could see things others couldn't.

"I'm not sure…I don't see why I should help them on one hand…But on the other…there have been people who have been really good to me and don't deserve to suffer because of the others' actions," admitted Harry sadly.

"I can understand where you are coming from," said Severus honestly. There had been people willing to help him despite the fact that he had been a Death Eater. Albus had been very good to him, even if he was being very annoying at the moment.

Then again, Albus felt as if it was his duty to save the world just because of what had happened with Gellert Grindelwald. He knew the Headmaster was under a lot of pressure from the wizarding world, too, which was why he was asking him to help, so he really shouldn't be so annoyed with him, but he couldn't help it. He hated the Potters and that wasn't going to change anytime soon; Albus knew how much he hated them, yet was insisting he teach the brat one-on-one. Harry was quite obviously the one exception in all this—then again, he wasn't exactly a Potter anymore, if he ever really had been.

"Somehow…I know you do, unlike others who'd insist they know, but who clearly didn't really," stated Harry, eating his breakfast slowly.

"There's also something else we have to discuss…your education at Hogwarts and whether you want to stay there to learn more or not," said Severus. "You have the entire summer to decide, so there's no need to rush."

"Do you know Ancient Runes?" asked Harry curiously.

"I only took it for two years, third and fourth year when I was there. Like you, I had pretty much decided what I wanted to do. I concentrated mostly on Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions," stated Severus. "I do not remember much of what I was taught as it was quite a while ago."

"I rather like it, though. Would I be able to just attend certain classes I won't be taught or can't learn here for some reason?" asked Harry before continuing, "Like Charms, Transfigurations, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Hum…I shouldn't have a problem getting Albus to agree to those terms," said Severus, nodding thoughtfully. It would give him time to himself to brew his potions and such while the boy was safely at school. He was, after all, only teaching Harry Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. Those two did come first, but if he could, he would ask all the other classes to be on the same day so Harry could have the entire day away, then spend the rest of the week on his Masteries in Defense and Potions.

Harry let out a breath of relief. As much as he loved the thought of being here all the time, learning nothing but Potions and Defense would get boring sooner or later. Now, at least once a week, he could get out, learn something different, and perhaps even see Luna for a while. He couldn't imagine not being able to see her; she and Eileen had kept him sane, especially through this past year.

"Thank you," he said gratefully after a pause, then began devouring his breakfast.

"No problem. Now, as we agreed, there are a few books over there for you to read, then I will give you the first quiz. In a few months' time, I shall quiz you randomly on information you learned earlier in the year," said Severus, knowing the Ravenclaw in Harry would probably see that as a challenge, which was how Severus wanted him to see it.

"Yes, Sir!" said Harry eagerly. There was nothing Harry liked more than a challenge and a chance to prove himself.

"Good," agreed Severus.

Just then, an owl came through the window, with Hermes hot on its tail with a letter from Luna. The first was from the Ministry and it was quite heavy. Blinking in appreciation, he opened it, only for surprise to promptly show on his face. He couldn't believe he'd forgotten about that!

"Is anything the matter?" asked Severus, frowning and wondering why the Ministry was getting in touch with his Apprentice yet again.

"No, it's just that they've given me half the Triwizard winnings, five hundred galleons," said Harry, putting the sack of galleons down on the table. It was a lot of money, but considering Harry had gotten a small fortune from each of two Death Eaters…why, this was pocket change now.

"And so they should. I wonder why it took them so long to deal with that," said Severus curiously.

"Might have something to do with him being back," shrugged Harry.

"Perhaps," said Severus, drinking the rest of his coffee. He knew the boy meant the Dark Lord.

Almost as if the House Elf knew they were finished, she popped back in and took the tray away with her without a word to either of them. It was the way he preferred his House Elves—quiet and busy doing what they were told.

"Read to chapter five on each of those books, and if there is time, perhaps a chapter more on each. I shall be back in two hours. If you need me, I shall be in my lab—just knock once and I shall answer the door as soon as possible. Understood?" asked Severus curtly.

"Yes, Sir," said Harry obediently, knowing Severus was now in teacher mode and not at all confused at his suddenly abrupt manner.

"Good," said Severus. Smirking slightly, he nodded and left the room.

Severus had brewed for two hours straight, giving Harry enough time to read the chapters of the books he had requested. The quizzes he had decided on were already written out for the books he'd decided upon, so he would be fine for at least a week, then he would need to think up questions for the next quizzes. Thankfully, he wasn't going to have to read the books as he knew them all very well, from back to front. He rather hoped Harry didn't let him down, as he had added very sneaky questions in there, hoping he could answer them. What could he say? He was a Slytherin.

Spelling the potion into stasis, he stalked from the lab to the sitting room where he knew Harry was. He found the teenager engrossed in one book, so walked over unheard and looked over his shoulder. Harry had gotten up to chapter seven, which was actually really good considering the books were all text and no pictures or lists. The question was, though, how much of the information did he remember from those chapters?

"Read the rest of the chapter, then put the book down," said Severus. He noticed the other books had been bookmarked, so Harry must have really gotten into this book to continue on after chapter five.

Harry jumped in fright. Breathing heavily, he cursed himself for not being more aware of his surroundings—then again, he was more used to reading and studying alone in his room with no one caring enough to bother him. He nodded regardless, not blaming or glaring at Severus for his oversight. Severus nodded in approval at Harry's actions, having seen the self-disgruntlement on the child's face. He wasn't blaming Severus for sneaking up on him—no, he blamed himself for not being more aware. This boy didn't act at all like normal fourteen-year-olds. Just what had the Potters done to him? He was far too mature. Perhaps he had done the wrong thing in taking him on as his Apprentice so early. He deserved a childhood or what he could get of one. Being stuck here with Severus wasn't exactly what he deserved, but perhaps it was already too late. Perhaps Harry truly didn't know or understand the meaning of the word 'fun', or had a completely different definition of it from his peers due to his life to date.

Harry only took five more minutes to read the rest of the chapter, then marked the page with another bookmark and put it down on the table beside his other books. He turned to face his teacher, a curious look on his face. Those potions sounded interesting indeed.

"How did you find the book?" asked Severus, sitting down across from his Apprentice.

"Brilliant! I can't wait to make the potions they mentioned! They sound so fascinating, and I've never seen or done those ones before!" said Harry enthusiastically, almost looking…hyper. Maybe Harry did know the meaning of the word 'fun' and of being happy—his definition of it was definitely not a normal form, but...If this was what made Harry happy and hyper, then it probably hadn't been a mistake after all.

"It will be a while before you make any of them, you understand, don't you? You have twenty-one potions to brew and perfect before you reach such an advanced stage…and that's once you have re-done every potion you've done in class," said Severus calmly.

"I know, and I understand why," said Harry, his green eyes gazing at Severus' solemnly. "It doesn't mean I can't be exited about what's to come." He had his hair tied back today in a loose ponytail. Severus was once again struck by the fact that Harry had missed out on all the typical Potter looks. The only thing Harry had gotten from his parents, Severus would say, were his eyes and his hair color.

He was so different from James and Nick Potter that it was easy to forget this child was biologically a Potter.

"Good. I'm very pleased you do. Now, quiz time. Just do the questions for the chapters you have read for each book, which should take you to about question twenty on each," instructed Severus, handing the quiz papers over. He took his potions journal from his desk and sat down while Harry began writing. The scratching of the quill was the only thing heard for the next hour.

Edited by Snow Leopard Pasha on 5/03/16 thank you for all the work you're putting into making it a more enjoyable read!