Chapter IX: Progress
Harry stared up at the ceiling in his room, unable to get back to sleep. He wasn't sure what time it was, but he knew that it was far too early to get washed and dressed for breakfast. Tossing aside his duvet, Harry shivered as his bare feet touched the floor and hugged himself for warmth. Dudley's old t-shirt and jogging bottoms were useless against the early morning cold that had seeped into the house.
Harry gently pushed open his bedroom door and paused with his head sticking out, waiting to see if Snape would come thundering out of his room to tell him to get back into bed. After a minute of silence, Harry decided that it was safe enough to leave and padded down the stairs softly. Arriving in the kitchen, he started looking around to see what snacks Snape had.
Just as he'd expected, there wasn't much; there was tea, sugar, coffee, honey, half a loaf of bread, three lemons, a chunk of cheese and a few packets of crisps. Harry sighed quietly in disappointment before something caught his eye; hot chocolate.
Harry's hand hovered over the ancient looking jar uncertainly, wondering whether he should have some. He never drank hot chocolate, in fact he couldn't really remember if he ever had or not. Deciding that it would warm him up and it'd be nice to have something other than tea to drink, he decided to make some. It was only out of date by three months, and Harry was certain that slightly out of date chocolate powder wouldn't kill him.
One thing he was certain of though was that Winky definitely cooked all their food at Hogwarts. He scooped four heaped teaspoons of powder into a frightfully yellow mug he found, hot water from the kettle and and some milk. He took a tentative sip smiled to himself; he definitely should drink hot chocolate more often.
He tip toed back up the stairs and into his room, letting the door click shut behind him. He placed his drink on the floor and lit a match, flicking into the fireplace. He didn't want to risk using magic again in case the Ministry caught wind of it, so had to make do until he was of age.
Feeling rather melancholy, Harry sat down close to the fire with the photo album of his parents and began to flip through the pages.
"I wondered how long it would be before you began sneaking around in the early hours of the morning." Harry whipped around so quickly he knocked his drink over. He stared aghast at Severus Snape who stood behind him, towering over him like a menacing bat.
"You can't just sneak up on people!" Harry stood up and glared at his Professor. "Most people would knock before entering someone's room." Harry clutched the album to his chest protectively, upset that he hadn't heard Snape enter.
"Oh? And yet it's fine for you to go sneaking around in my house?" Snape's eye glittered as he spoke, his tone low and menacing. "You may be used to strutting around other people's homes as if you own them, just like your despicable father did -"
"Leave my father out of this! I wasn't sneaking around Snape, I went downstairs to make myself a drink!" Harry gestured down at the spilled hot chocolate, green eyes blazing in hatred. "Is that okay sir, or should I have knocked and asked for your permission first?"
Snape sneered at him and banished the mess on the floor. "I know you Potter, do not forget that. You may have everyone else fooled but I know what you are – a nasty, selfish, trouble-making little liar. If I find that you have left this room in the middle of the night again you will be punished. You have no need to leave, there is a toilet and you have sufficient materials to keep you entertained if you can't sleep. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes sir." Harry glared at Snape before breaking eye contact and staring at the wall just past his head. Snape was still staring at him though, a frown plastered on his face.
"For heaven's sake Potter, if you insist on being out of bed at least have the common sense to wear a dressing gown and slippers!" The last thing Snape wanted to do was have to deal with a sick Potter. Harry shifted his gaze back to his Professor, his eyes hard. "Well boy?" Snape folded his arms, clearly insisting that Harry follow his directions.
"I haven't got any sir." Harry replied stiffly, willing his ears to stop turning the tell-tale sign of red when he was feeling embarrassed. Snape's eyes narrowed, wondering if the boy was being flippant with him. Distant memories of seeing the oversized rags that Potter had packed with him, Snape found that the boy was probably telling the truth.
Glaring at him even harder (after all, why did it always fall to him to make sure that brat was okay?), he swept away from the room abruptly. Harry sighed, letting his shoulder's sag in relief. He didn't want anyone knowing about how his situation with the Dursley's was, least of all Snape. Harry shivered and inched closer to the fire, tucking his album back on the bookcase. He was just thankful that Snape hadn't yanked it out of his arms, he wouldn't know what he would have done if he'd started flicking through it and and insulting both of his parents.
Although Snape has never said anything bad about mum. The door banged open and Harry whirled round again, adrenaline running through him, clearly Snape was back for a fight -
"Sir?" this time Harry had no chance to catch the mass of material that hit him square in the face. He held it at arms length, confused. He was holding a black dressing gown that seemed to be the perfect size for him. He looked up just in time to see two black slippers flying towards to his head, which he swerved out the way of. Snape had already left by the time Harry had gathered himself enough to ask what the hell his Professor was doing throwing things at him.
Harry wasn't sure what to do now; clearly these belonged to his Professor, they were exactly the same as the ones he had been wearing except in colour, these were black whereas the ones Snape was wearing were dark green in colour. Even worse, the older man had even taken the time to shrink them down in size so they'd fit Harry perfectly. Harry placed them on his bed and stared at them, he wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to wear them since they belonged to his hated Professor, but it was pretty cold...
Harry felt much better as soon as he put the dressing gown on; it was surprisingly soft and thick, and did wonders in warding off the cold chill from the early hours. The slippers pleased Harry too, as he'd been too embarrassed to walk around in just his socks due to the amount of holes he had in them. He was glad Snape hadn't seen that. He could just imagine the insults Snape would hurl at him if he'd seen them.
Feeling oddly touched, Harry got cosy under the covers and watched the crackling flames, drifting in and out of a light doze.
.xXx.
Harry woke with a start, blinking the sleep away from his eyes. The fire had died and in place of the flames he could hear birds chirping. He washed quickly and dressed, eager to get downstairs before Snape did. It was a small gesture, him resizing his dressing gown and slippers for him, but Harry wanted to make sure Snape knew he was grateful.
Glancing at the clock, Harry was happy to see it was seven thirty in the morning. Snape always went down to the kitchen at five minutes to eight, which left Harry twenty-five minutes to concoct his plan.
Hurrying into the garden, Harry started to gather up a few Oxalis plants. He wasn't sure how many were needed, or in fact how to brew them into tea properly, but he would make an educated guess and hope for the best.
Once both his pockets were full, he returned to the kitchen and boiled the kettle. He found a dusty teapot, cleaned it up and began to brew. He grabbed honey and lemon and began to stir them into the brewing tea. He wasn't sure how it would taste, but he hoped it would be good enough for Snape. He still felt bitter about how the man had sneaked into his room and then accused him of sneaking around, but decided to let it go. After all, one of them had to be the bigger person.
A creak at the top of the stairs alerted Harry that Snape was awake and coming down for breakfast. Harry nearly threw the tea in the sink – he suddenly felt stupid for making the tea, but it was too late now and besides, he wanted to show his appreciation without having to awkwardly say thanks, something which both him and Snape would have been uncomfortable with.
"Potter." Snape paused in the doorway, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Harry refrained from rolling his eyes; honestly, the man always jumped to the worst conclusions didn't he?
"Good morning Professor." Harry replied cordially, his leg jiggling under the table. Snape raised an eyebrow at the steaming teapot resting in the middle of the table, and the yellow mug the boy was holding so tightly that his knuckles were white. He then spied his usual black mug already out on the table. Snape paled in fear, what had the boy done? Clearly, he had done something awful like destroy his potions lab or trampled through the gardens, or worse destroyed the library...it was the only explanation for his odd behaviour and forced politeness.
"What is this?" Snape asked suspiciously, slowly lowering himself into his seat. He didn't like being unaware of what was happening. Usually he could read the boy like a book, but right now he had no idea what to expect, or what was going through that foolish Gryffindor brain of his.
"I err, well." Harry cleared his throat, "I was up early so I thought I'd make us some Oxalis tea." Snape raised an eyebrow, his face carefully blank. Harry became even more nervous and started to babble. "I really like tea and I've never had Oxalis tea before, so I thought I'd try some. And then I thought maybe you'd like some too? I haven't tried any yet."
Snape wearily reached out for the teapot, wondering if Potter had finally cracked and buckled under the immense pressure he was under. He could hardly blame the boy if he had. Snape was not a fan of Oxalis tea – he had tried it only once before, and decided that he didn't like the distinctive bitter taste it had, and even less the sour aftertaste that lingered on your tongue for hours.
He took a hesitant sip and glanced up in surprise at the boy in question. He'd added not only honey, but lemon as well, Snape's two favourite ingredients to have in tea. The honey offset the bitter taste of the Oxalis whilst the lemon added just the right amount of tartness to it. He was pleasantly surprised, the tea tasted good. But why on earth had Potter done this?
Oh. The slippers and dressing gown. Snape was relieved that he didn't have to put up with the boys awkward thanks, as he was uncomfortable on the rare occasion that people thanked him or showed him any appreciation. Snape also found himself reluctantly impressed; he didn't think that the boy had it in him to be subtle.
"I added honey and lemon. Is it...okay?" Harry asked anxiously, although he made every effort to appear unconcerned.
Snape took another mouthful in order to give him more time to think of a response. What on earth did the boy want from him?
"This is...acceptable. The addition of the honey has made the taste much more bearable." Harry cocked his in question. "Oxalis on its own is quite bitter...it's an acquired taste, one that I do not possess."
Harry wilted and Snape fought the urge to insult him. The boy looked like a kicked puppy and it irritated Snape to no end. "However," he continued, nearly rolling his eyes as Harry perked up, "this is...quite good." he inclined his head ever so slightly as food appeared on the table. Harry, who was certain his Professor had understood the message he was trying to convey was pleased with himself. He was however momentarily surprised when a bowl of plain porridge appeared in front of him.
Oh yeah, Snape told Winky to only serve one meal now. Harry thought mournfully. Oh well, he wouldn't complain – he was grateful to have three meals a day.
"Don't look so crestfallen Potter." Snape sneered, although with less of his usual bite. Small bowls appeared in the middle of the table with tasty treats for them to add to their porridge; raspberries, blueberries, honey, sugar, chocolate chips and cinnamon.
"Brilliant!" Harry enthusiastically added a little bit of everything, whereas Snape only added a few blueberries. They ate in a companionable silence, with Harry trying his hardest to ignore the calculating looks Snape periodically sent his way.
Snape was feeling very strange. It was not an altogether unpleasant feeling but it was foreign nonetheless. It was Severus Snape's turn to feel oddly touched, or as close to the feeling as he could get. He shook his head to himself, for once in his life seeing the side of Lily coming out in the boy.
Lily Evans had been an exceptionally kind-hearted girl, and extremely forgiving too. Now Severus was beginning to see the tiniest hint of that in Harry. It unnerved him to a degree, he much preferred to think of the boy as a small clone of James Potter – brash, loud, tactless and an idiot. Seeing the softer aspects of Lily in him made Snape feel uncomfortable, and reminded him all too much that the boy was as much her son as he was James'.
After they'd both finished their breakfast, Snape stood up resolutely and stared down at the boy. "Come, it's time to practice Occlumency." Harry surprised him by standing up with steely determination in his eyes.
"Yes sir." Snape lead the way to the clearing they had used before.
.xXx.
"Concentrate Potter!" Snape shouted, his calm demeanour abandoning him. He couldn't help it, the boy was utterly useless when it came to Occlumency. Snape despaired, knowing that if Potter didn't learn it the blame would fall squarely on his shoulders, plus it was imperative that Voldemort did not have access to his mind.
"I'm trying." Harry snapped, panting on all fours. They'd already been at it for an hour and a half and Harry was rapidly losing any goodwill he had towards Snape.
"You're not trying hard enough." Snape started to pace, pushing his hair out of his face angrily. "It is imperative that you master Occlumency, you foolish boy! Do you not understand what's at stake? If the Dark Lord has access to your mind, he will be able to learn all of the Orders secrets, he'll find out I'm a spy – he will be able to manipulate you like he did last year!" Snape spat harshly.
"I know all this! I'm not stupid despite how much you love to think so!" Harry yelled, kicking a nearby tree viciously.
"Then try harder." Snape snarled, once again levelling his wand at Harry. "Legilimens!" vague images of the night at the graveyard came to the surface of Harry's mind, of Cedric Diggory lying there lifeless whilst Voldemort cackled in the background.
Please, not this! Harry thought desperately as he tried to make his mind a blank canvas, void of any emotions. It was no use though as the feelings of despair and anguish increased tenfold at the horrible images. Next came aunt Petunia exploding into tiny bits in front of him, and then Sirius falling through the veil...
Harry opened his eyes to see Snape staring down at him dispassionately, an ugly look on his face.
"Did I pass out?" Harry asked numbly.
"What do you think Potter?" Snape sneered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Could it be that maybe I'm trying too hard to be emotionless?" Harry asked tiredly. "At the Ministry of Magic, Voldemort tried to possess me then, but I managed to kick him out by thinking about things that made me happy. Memories of Sirius, Molly, Ron and Hermione, of playing Quidditch..." Harry sat up, fire entering his eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Snape snapped, "That's not how you're supposed to Occlude your mind."
"Proffessor, try again!" Harry stood up and squared his shoulders. Snape raised an eyebrow but did as he asked regardless. As Harry felt his presence in his mind, he started to think about his friends, Quidditch and Sirius. He thought about Lupin and riding Buckbeak, and Christmas with the Weasley's. He felt and overwhelming surge of affection overcome him, and then suddenly he was staring at Snape who was bent over, hands on his knees and panting.
"Sir?" Harry asked worriedly.
"I should have known that you never do anything the conventional way." Snape panted, although he didn't sound angry. In fact, he sounded pleased. "I believe Mr Potter, that you have finally made some progress with Occlumency. Albeit a method not recorded in any of the texts I've come across...this may be something we can work with. Well done." Harry grinned unashamedly, since Severus Snape did not give out compliments without meaning it.