Author's Note: Just a note. I am well aware that in their first year Hermione used a body-bind on Neville : ) I also realize that in canon Harry would have learned the disarming spell the previous year.
Enjoy the chapter and feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it (nicely).
"Scabbers is missing again."
Harry looked up from his homework. "How?" He knew the question was stupid and that Ron likely wouldn't have an answer, but he still couldn't help but ask it. This was the second time that his pet rat had gone missing in less than three months. That had to be some kind of a record.
"Don't even think of blaming my Crookshanks," Hermione warned without even looking up from the essay she was working on. "He didn't do it last time and he didn't do it this time either."
"I never said he did," Ron replied in a defensive voice. "I think he's just getting old. Maybe forgetting things or getting confused."
It was Harry's first night back in the dormitory. It had been a full week since Snape had legally adopted him and taken him off of restriction and he had been running out of excuses as to why he had to stay in Snape's quarters. He knew that if he wanted to he could just tell Ron that he didn't want to sleep in the Gryffindor Tower and that Ron would understand. He was embarrassed about it though. Imagine wanting to sleep near Snape like some sodding toddler. As far as he was concerned he had to just get over it and go back to his dormitory. The last thing he wanted was to be nearly of age and still staying down in Snape's quarters like some nervous first year.
Still as he sat in the common room doing his homework with his best friends, he couldn't help but think about what Snape was doing. He was probably getting ready for his evening tea and Harry wondered if he was happy alone or if he missed his company.
"He is quite old isn't he?" Hermione asked. "I think he's lived well past the age that rats typically live."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah he has. I have to find him though, mum will murder me if she finds out he's gone missing."
"We can look tomorrow," Hermione offered. She looked to Harry for confirmation.
"Snape wants me to come see him after breakfast," Harry replied. "I don't know why but when I'm done with that I can help."
"Maybe he's going to talk to you about next weekend," Ron suggested referring to the second Hogsmeade weekend of the school year. "Maybe he's going to tell you that you can go."
"I highly doubt it," Harry replied. He was absolutely determined not to get upset over the fact that he wasn't going to be allowed to join his classmates in Hogsmeade. He had already promised himself that he was going to behave and obey Snape. He wasn't going to use the map or his cloak or take advantage of any of the secret passages. He was going to prove to Snape that he could be trusted even if he died of boredom doing so.
"You could use your cloak again and –"
"Ronald stop!" Hermione practically yelled as Harry shook his head.
Ron's face blushed nearly matching his hair. "It was just a thought."
"I can't," Harry said as he glanced down at the essay he was supposed to be working on. It was already getting late and he had hardly written anything. "Snape will murder me if I get caught again."
Harry had been doing a pretty good job of keeping himself out of trouble. In the past week the closest he had come was being scolded for leaving a wet towel on the bathroom floor and even then Snape hadn't really seem more than slightly annoyed.
"Plus it's dangerous," Hermione said in solemn voice. "Don't you read the paper? Sirius Black was spotted not that far from here."
"If he wanted Harry I'm sure he would just come into Hogwarts again and get him."
Harry thought about Ron's words. They did make sense. Sirius Black had already supposedly been in the castle once if he wanted him that badly he could just come back. Somehow Harry was sure that Snape wouldn't see that as a valid reason to sign his permission slip.
"You could just ask him," Ron continued. "He might surprise you."
"He won't," Harry replied. He couldn't help but ponder Ron's words though. Maybe if he asked really nicely Snape would consider it.
Harry walked into Snape's chambers to find the man as he normally did, sitting in his armchair the days issue of The Daily Prophet concealing his face.
Although he couldn't think of a single thing that he had done wrong, he couldn't help the small concern that he was in trouble.
When Snape had stopped him the day before and asked him to see him after breakfast the following day he hadn't seemed angry. It also wasn't like the man, if he was cross, to wait nearly twenty four hours to do something about it. Still, Harry couldn't imagine what else it could be about. Did Snape somehow find out that he had stayed up until after midnight? Or had someone overheard him mutter obscenities under his breath when the staircase had moved without warning? Harry wasn't sure that either of those offenses would result in more than heavy scolding but then with Snape who could ever really be sure?
Snape lowered the paper as he heard Harry enter the room.
Instantly he noted that the boy appeared nervous undoubtedly because he expected that he was in some sort of trouble. Momentarily Snape debated questioning the child but quickly dismissed the idea. If Harry had done something wrong, he wanted the boy to confess on his own not because he was badgered to do so.
"Where is your wand?"
Harry quickly pulled his wand out of the back pocket of his jeans. He had learned weeks ago that Snape expected him to carry it at all times. It was the one lesson that had stuck with him.
"Professor Lupin wished for me to express his sincere regret as he must cancel his lesson with you scheduled for tomorrow. He is a bit under the weather."
"Oh," Harry replied. He felt absolutely stupid for the disappointment that he knew could be heard in his voice. "Is he okay?"
"However I did not feel as though the weekend should be a total loss," Snape continued ignoring his question completely. "Learning defensive magic will only be beneficial to you." He paused for a moment fixing Harry with a serious stare. "That being said if you can commit to concentrating and putting your best foot forward, I am willing to teach you a defensive spell this morning."
Harry couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He absolutely loved learning new magic and to do so while spending quality time with Snape was his idea of the perfect morning.
He nodded eagerly. "I promise."
Snape stood and with a wave of his hand caused the furniture in the parlor to disappear.
"The incantation is Expelliarmus."
"The disarming spell," Harry said before he could stop himself.
Snape raised an eyebrow at his young ward. "Indeed. Which under normal circumstances you wouldn't learn until much later this year; quite curious that you are familiar with it."
Harry swallowed hard as he hastily tried to think of a reason for which he would know the curse.
"Of course I'm sure Ms. Granger using it on Mr. Longbottom two years ago is helpful with your knowledge of it."
Harry looked up at Snape dumbfounded by the man's words.
"It will do you well to remember that there is very little that the students do that isn't eventually discovered, more often sooner rather than later - especially when advanced magic is involved." Snape paused for a moment fixing Harry with a stern look. Harry prepared himself for the threat that he knew was coming. He could practically hear Snape warning him that if he ever used it on a classmate he would regret it. "As with any advanced magic the key is absolute concentration," Snape continued shocking Harry at his dismissal of Hermione's behavior.
"Okay," Harry nodded.
"Also if you and your friends ever help yourself to my personal supply closet as you did in the past to make Polyjuice Potion, I will personally see that you live to regret your actions."
Harry fought hard to keep the smile off of his face. He didn't doubt for a moment that Snape would keep his promise, but he couldn't help but find some comfort in Snape threatening him as only he could. For a second he considered denying that they ever did such a thing but he knew it would be pointless. "Yes Sir."
"As I am sure you know the disarming spell is meant to do just that, disarm your opponent. However, if several people were to cast it simultaneously, your target may also be rendered unconscious."
"Wouldn't that be ideal though?" Harry asked. "I mean I'm learning this stuff to defend myself in case I need to, so if I am trying to disarm someone wouldn't it be best to knock them out?"
"Perhaps sometimes but not always," Snape replied as he took several steps across the room. "There could be an occasion where you needed information out of someone and if they were unconscious you obviously would have a hard time obtaining it."
Harry was about to ask Snape what spell would just make someone tell him what he needed to know when his guardian spoke once more.
"What is the incantation?"
"Er Expelliarmus," Harry replied careful to annunciate the word.
Snape nodded in approval. "I want you to point your wand at me and say the incantation clearly."
Harry gave Snape a nervous look. Surely he had to have heard the man wrong. There was no way Snape trusted him enough to allow him to point his wand directly at him and try a spell for the first time.
"Merlin help me you heard me correctly," Snape said in a dry voice.
Slowly Harry raised his wand. He said a silent prayer that this went well and he didn't end up in trouble for accidently hexing off Snape's eyebrows or something equally horrid.
"Expelliarmus," he said loudly and clearly as he pointed his wand at his guardian.
Harry gave Snape a questioning look when nothing happened.
"Advanced magic is called such for a reason," Snape said in what he hoped was an encouraging voice. "I hardly expected you to master it on your first try."
Harry nodded as he pointed his wand at Snape once more.
"Try saying it a bit slower," Snape suggested. "It came out quickly and was hard to decipher."
Harry nodded once more. "Expelliarmus," he said in a slow, loud, clear voice.
A smile spread across his face as he watched Snape's wand fly from his hand.
"Very good Harry," Snape smiled proudly. "I don't know many students that could master that on their second try."
"Thanks," Harry smiled as Snape snapped his fingers causing his wand to jump into his hand once more.
"Again," Snape instructed.
Harry nodded before saying the incantation once more and once more causing Snape's wand to jump out of his hand as though someone had physically thrown it.
"Excellent," Snape nodded. "I must admit I expected it to take you much longer to learn this particular spell and so sadly I don't have another lesson planned."
"Can I just hang out for a bit?" Harry asked as Snape waved his hand causing the parlor to return to normal.
"You may however I do have a potion to work on that is quite important so I ask that you keep yourself out of the way," Snape replied as he walked towards his private work room.
Harry was a step behind him. It was rare that he was allowed into Snape's laboratory. On his first morning with the man he had been warned to stay out of it and he had followed that rule. He was curious to see if he tried to follow Snape if he would be made to leave.
"Perhaps you should work on your homework," Snape suggested as he pushed open the door to the laboratory.
"I did it all last night," Harry replied. He looked around the large room. A large cauldron was sitting on the wooden counter in the center of the room.
"You finished all of your weekend homework in one evening?" Snape asked in a suspicious voice as he walked over to the cauldron.
"Yep," Harry replied. He followed Snape across the room but walked to the other side of the wooden counter. He leaned on the counter as he watched Snape pick up a long spoon and gently stir the potion. "And Hermione didn't even help."
"I'll have to remember to assign more next Friday," Snape said as he added a small container of something that smelled dreadful to a large cauldron.
Harry made an annoyed face. "That's not fair. If you wouldn't have asked me you'd never add more homework."
"Hand me that glass of fairy wings behind you."
Harry turned around and carefully picked up the glass bottle. The last thing he wanted was to break something and have his doing so result in him being kicked out of the room. Carefully he handed it to Snape and watched as the man removed one and dropped it into the cauldron.
"What will it do?" Harry asked curiously.
"Fairies are very peaceful creatures," Snape explained as he stirred the potion. "Their wings hold much of their personality traits, so by adding a wing to this potion it will help the person that consumes it to feel their peace."
"What is the potion?" Harry asked as he peered down at the swirl of colors in the cauldron.
"It is none of your concern."
Harry noted that although Snape's voice was firm he didn't sound the least bit annoyed.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You may."
"Promise you won't go mental and that you'll hear me out," Harry dared.
"I'll do no such thing," Snape replied as he picked up a small vial and emptied the contents into the potion.
"Snape," Harry practically whined his name.
"If you are going to whine like a toddler I can find a corner for you to sit in," Snape threatened.
Harry fought the urge to roll his eyes. Although Snape's face was stone he could hear the amusement in the man's voice. He was enjoying torturing him.
"Okay if you want to go mental you can but will you at least hear me out first?" Harry reasoned.
"I suppose when you make it sound so reassuring there is little I could do to resist such an offer."
"You know how Sirius Black was already in the castle?" Harry asked. He paused as he watched Snape's face searching for any sign that he was going to ruin the man's good mood and cause him to completely lose his temper; if the question annoyed him though Snape was doing a good job of hiding it. He merely nodded as he continued to stir.
"Well I was thinking that if he was already here once then he could come back. I mean if he really wanted me," Harry rushed on. He didn't want Snape to think that he was scared. "So I mean if he could get me that easily then is it really a big deal if I go to Hogsmeade next weekend?"
"Harry," Snape said in a low voice.
It was a warning and Harry knew it.
"I'm just asking," Harry replied quietly. "It's just a question."
Snape stopped stirring his potion abandoning it for a moment as his full attention went to his young ward. "Since Black was in the castle the security has been tightened immensely. I know that missing the weekends in Hogsmeade with your friends is disappointing but I simply cannot let you put yourself in such extreme danger."
His voice was calm and although Harry appreciated it he couldn't stop himself from arguing with it either.
"But you are teaching me all these defensive spells. Why are you doing that if you aren't even going to give me a chance to use them?"
"Sirius Black is not going to care if you disarm him." His voice was stern now and Harry hated himself for causing it. "He could kill you with a wave of his arm if he wanted to or torture you for weeks on end before killing you."
"But-"
"Enough," Snape cut him off before he could say another word. "I will not change my mind about this matter until he is caught and I promise you Harry if you sneak off like you did last time, the consequences will be severe."
Harry nodded softly as he felt his ears burn in embarrassment. He didn't doubt Snape's words for a moment.
"A verbal response," Snape demanded.
"Yes Sir," Harry muttered as he leaned on the large work table next to Snape's cauldron.
Snape was silent for a moment as he worked hard to reel his temper back in. He didn't blame Harry for wanting to go with his friends nor did he fault him for being annoyed that he couldn't do so. He did however expect him to obey and resist the temptation to run headlong into danger.
Silence reigned for several moments before Snape finally felt calm enough.
"Perhaps while your friends are in Hogsmeade you could accompany me on a trip."
"A trip?" Harry asked .
Snape smiled softly. He could clearly hear the excitement and curiosity in the boy's voice.
"I have to travel to obtain an ingredient to finish this potion. So far this trip does not appear to be dangerous and if you would like to accompany me I don't see why that couldn't be arranged."
"Really?" Harry asked in an excited voice. "A trip where?"
"I need to go to Northern Ireland. It will just be for the day but I thought that perhaps it would occupy your mind while your friends are in town."
"I've never been to Northern Ireland," Harry informed Snape happily. "Do you have to go to a store there or do you have to hunt the ingredient or-"
"I have to go to a store," Snape cut him off before he could get another word out, "in a small village somewhat similar to Hogsmeade."
"Wicked!"
"Indeed," Snape replied as he stirred his potion once more.
Harry smiled widely. Seconds ago he had been so disappointed that he was going to miss yet another Hogsmeade weekend but the idea of going on a trip with Snape had scraped any bad feelings away. Despite the fact that things had been good between the two of them, Harry still couldn't shake the feeling that Snape didn't fully trust him. He had been trying so hard to stay out of trouble and gain the man's trust once more and he was hopeful that Snape's inviting him along was a big step in the right direction.
TBC...