[a/n]Sequel to HDD#100. My wayback machine is on overtime

Harry Does Different CCCLXVI

Snivilus

"I'm really proud of you getting through Tuesday's class, Harry." Said Hermione as they entered the Potions dungeon.

Ron took his place next to Susan Bones and snarked "Yeah just 306 more classes til we graduate."

"Actually more like 425." The redhead Hufflepuff offered "Assuming you go through NEWT year. I have to to eventually get Auntie's job."

Harry slapped himself on the temple "THAT's who she was! At my trial this summer!"

"Nothing gets past you Harry." She quipped amusedly, and snapped to attention when the door burst open.

In typical Snapish fashion the professor barged in and issued commands brusquely "This class is two hours. Anyone not half a dunderhead can complete a de-aging potion in a hundred minutes. Those of you with prior experience will have to meet a particularly high standard. Understood Mr Weasley?"

"Oi! TH-ain't fair!" Ron complained at once. Susan was only a syllable behind.

He sneered at the pair "That will be five points from Hufflepuff Miss Bones. For insubordination. Five from you as well, Weasley. Plus add a detention with Mr. Filch. Tonight. I believe you are fond of the Trophy Room."

Led by Draco, the Sltherins sniggered.

"Let it alone Harry." Said Hermione, she took up the knife and began slicing dragon toenails. Sullenly resigned, he went to work. Halfway into the class, the young witch frowned in disappointment "It should be bluish by now, and have a spearmint smell."

Harry was looking at his textbook, running a finger down a page "There are several possible errors at mid-stage. Due to the commonness of insects, a notable one is a greenish tinge. This is caused by spider silk polluting the potion. Malfoy! You ferret!"

"That will be five points from Gryffinor Potter. I will not have namecalling in my classroom." The professor hardly looked up but then "I can smell a poor potion. Coming from your direction. What did you do Potter? Can you not follow simple instructions?"

Temper flaring he countered "I've been cooking since I was four. And even if I could screw up that much, Hermione certainly couldn't. She is an insufferable-know-it-all, remind you of certain namecalling? Professor?"

What little noise there was stopped. Even the dullest simpleton wouldn't fail to miss the disrespect in the title. But only Draco would think to interject "Sir, I resent the implication. However I must point out Daphne and I are easily a dozen feet from Potter and his, mu…err…partner."

"I guess you're not going to punish that either." Said Harry, this time omitting any title "Everyone here knows he was about to say mudblood."

Ron made a cutting gesture across his throat. Susan made herself smaller in her seat. She didn't want to be collateral damage in another Slytherin/Gryffindor battle, and this one was shaping up to be a bloody one. Maybe literally.

Professor Snape stalked through the room to stand over the students "As I thought, a pitiful display of poor potions performance. Ten points from Gryffindor, Granger and you as well Potter. And another five for trying to foist said misbehavior on a fellow. I do not have time for liars in my class. Arrogance only matched by your toerag of a father."

"Harry!" hissed Hermione, her fist clenched on his knee.

Her warning, fast as it was, was too late and insufficient. Every burner in the room flared wildly, well except for their own, Harry physically slapped it sending unused ingredients and potion allover. Pansy Parkinson had to dodge his cauldron. He glared hatefully and shot back "My father was ten times the man you are Snivilus!"

"Snivilus?" the question was whispered between the young wizards and witches. Slytherins as much as Gryffindors. Ron and Hermione were the only ones who were in the know. Sitting so close, Susan quickly got an inkling.

Professor Snape's face was fully of fury when he shot back "Clean up the mess you made Potter! Then you will wait for me in the Headmaster's office."

"You're not the boss of me!" yelled Harry, too angry to realize how childish that sounded. The teen shoved his books and supplies into his bag and stormed out. A lighter door might've been ripped off its hinges. Did he intentionally ignore the summons issued by the Potions Master? Debate and rumor would rage, especially after the very public incident in the Great Hall.

Class schedules varied so, as a result, a student's lunch period was 60 minutes, but Hall served lunch from 11am to 1pm. It was typical for a couple staff, usually professors, to be on hand. This day it was Professors Sinestra and Hagrid, Mr. Filch was also on-scene. What was not, was the arrival of senior administrators who normally would still be in class. Professor McGonagall didn't look angry "Mr. Potter? What are you doing here?"

"Studying ma'am." Answered Harry as if he hadn't expected the question. He unaffectedly held up his Potions text.

Professor Snape's voice cut through the room "She meant, brat! Why were you not in the Headmaster's office where I ordered you to be!"

"I don't take orders from greasy-haired big-nosed gits Snvilus!" even if his voice didn't have the same quality, the tone was the same.

Students were getting up to goto class, they stopped, utterly stunned. No one spoke to a teacher like that, and of them all, the Head of Slytherin was at the top of the list of DEFINITELY NOT! A trickle from the classes just dismissed had begun to arrive, all famished. Thoughts of lunch were banished. A traffic jam at the doors formed when young wizards and witches seemed to be under a Petrificus.

"Harry Potter!" exclaimed McGonagall, her brogue an indication of her emotions "You will apologize forthwith! And you will serve detention for a month!"

A not-so-subtle space opened up around the boy, eyes flashed to him as he retorted "Oh really? How many does he get? Where's his apology? Toe rag of a father Potter! Got other clever insults Snivilus? Oh wait…I know… bet you taught Malfoy to call Hermione Mudblood. Call my Mum that back in YOUR Second Year SNIVILUS?"

"Harry I can guess where you heard that word- -" Dumbledore began.

Another unprecedented thing occurred just then, the Headmaster was cut off "Oh Susan! Perfect! I'll tell everyone EXACTLTY where I heard it. Rumor has it Sirius Black was convicted of betraying my parents' hiding place to Voldemort." The entire Hall seemed to shift a bit from the collective shudders, Harry just rolled his eyes "Come ON people! Anyway, I spent most of the summer with him. In his house. I'm alive and well. Why? Black's my Godfather. Thanks Professor McGonagall for telling me that in the Three Broomsticks."

"You weren't there. You were not allowed." The Head of Gryffindor was shocked at the revelation.

Harry was amused by her discomfiture "Anyway. Susan, can you have your Aunt look into an illegal imprisonment back in …oh… 1981? Thanks. And, no, Professor. I'll not serve a lick of detention for insulting Snivilus. Ever. He's not a real teacher anyway. Not sure which is worse, him or Binns."

"That's enough!" snarled the Potions Master, going for his wand. Not that Snape was slow, but he was arrogant and underestimated his opponent.

Harry lashed out with an "Expelliarmus!" that blasted the professor into a wall leaving him unconscious.

"I am highly disappointed in you Harry." Said Dumbledore in cold tones "Madam Pomfrey, if you would, please take Severus to the infirmary. I am sure your able skill with have him good as new within the hour."

To that, Harry snorted "Too bad."

"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione "You attacked a teacher!"

He glanced at her then let his wand drop to his side "Did it in the Shrieking Shack and didn't get punished." Then he addressed the Headmaster "I mean it. Not so much as a second in detention. Well, if both Remus and Sirius agree, then I'll do it."

"Peace Minerva" said Dumbledore to his assistant "Harry, it will be most difficult to earn Professor Snape's forgiveness after this. But I believe, with a little assistance, from me you can manage to find the right words."

Harry was entirely unrepentant "As if I'd want his forgiveness. Even if he said so I'd never believe it."

"And what about you forgiving Professor Snape for any wrongs you believe he may have committed on you?" Asked Dumbledore kindly "Forgiveness is a wonderful human virtue."

Everyone found the whole confrontation much more interesting than lunch. Harry hadn't really been aware of an audience but now he was "Everyone listen, James Potter didn't like Snape when they were here together. Big surprise, how much luvs me."

"Harry you will stop this or be in detention for the rest of the semester." The Headmaster's tone hardened in a way few children had ever heard.

The boy ignored silence order and announced "Snivilus was my Dad's nickname for our nasty unteacher. Yea Hermione, I know, it's not a word. But you get the point. As for detention, you can forget it."

"Your detention just became a week's suspension." Declared Dumbledore "I am very disappointed in you, Harry. Gather some belongings for a trip to your Aunt's house."

Harry had enough, he fired a "Reducto!" at the wall off to the left of the assembled teachers. Some stone sprayed. He started walking out "And don't bother threatening to expel me either! Olde fool! I will NOT remain in the same building with Snivilus! I quit! I quit Quidditch! I quit Gryffindor! I quit Hogwarts! Get the fuck outta my way Malfoy!" The blonde Slytherin was smirking and standing not quite in his path to the door. Harry sent him sprawling with a left cross. There was, very quickly, an unobstructed path to the door.

Abcij

"That was beyond wicked mate!" exclaimed Ron when they finally caught up to their friend "It was even better than Barty turning Malfoy into a ferret. A memory to be cherished forever."

Hermione rolled her eyes, remarkable she'd been able to follow them right to their room "You'll be in trouble for that Harry. Never mind what you said…and did…to Professor Snape."

"Hahaha" Harry was chuckling, slapped hands with Ron "The worst I feel about THAT is my sore knuckles. As for SNIVILUS you remember what happened at HQ, right? My warning? I'm done with him. Totally."

She sighed, not in acceptance, but in the sheer frustration at the whole thing "Have you …that is… what are you going to do?"

"Miss Granger, I do not believe you belong in the boys' dormitory." Professor McGonagall arrived, she was a little cross about that but not too much "We will disregard that for the time being. Potter, I offered …as you were clearly on the rocks with Professor Dumbledore… to play mediator if you will. Give you some context for what happened among your father, Gryffindors generally and the Marauders specifically. But on the other side Slytherins generally and young Severus Snape specifically. If you two will excuse us?"

Harry flicked his wand and the door closed "I would prefer they stay."

"I was not making a request…of either." Her tone hardened.

Ron and Hermione offered regretful looks and headed for the door. But Harry shook his head "You've known us for five years Professor. Do you really think anything said now WONT get back to them? Word for word? They stay…or, frankly… you can leave. I have packing to do."

"Harry!" Hermione was shocked, while even Ron merely gaped.

Only her decades of control kept the Head of Gryffindor from lashing out "Not since before your father was born has a student addressed me that way. We will discuss punishment for that at a future date. As I started to say, there was a history of bad blood between your Father and Professor Snape."

"Let me offer you some context, Professor, to use your words." Harry gave off a visibly bored vibe "First Year, I came to you with at the time, I called it Snivilus being mean to me. It was right after my very first class."

McGonagall's cool professional demeanor was fraying "Your point? And the form of address for professors is- -"

"Oh stuff it!" snapped Harry angrily "Context! You never let me finish that complaint and I never went back again. Didn't see the point. Tell me would you expect a 11-year-old to know Avis?"

McGonagall had been stunned into silence by the sharp rebuke, now she was confused "What does bird conjuration have to do with anything?"

"I finally ran across the Draught of Living Death in the twins' NEWT text. Snivilus wanted me to know it FIRST DAY. Complained about my fame then too. Of course, I'd known I was famous for all of a month by then. And of course famous Harry Potter should know NEWT level stuff barely having been Sorted." He was visibly angry now.

She wasn't going to admit to not even recalling the incident "Yet you have apparently been acquainted with the incident that ruined the great friendship of one Severus Snape and one Lily Evans."

"I didn't even KNOW my parents' names until I got here." Harry cut in, completely unwilling to give even an inch "In the Dursley house Dad was a layabout drunk and Mum was a two-pound whore."

This horrified the educator who was quite fond of her departed students. She could only move on coolly "You have my sympathy Mr. Potter, but that is off-subject. Those two were completely inseparable despite the House rivalry."

"Do you know what Professor?" Harry's tone was cold "I would've loved ANY story of my parents …even a week ago… But Snivilus friends with Mum? Save it! Is there anything else? I have packing to do."

Behind a tight mask, Minerva McGonagall was livid. It had been literally decades since anyone, let alone a child… no matter who they might be … had been so dismissive of her. She produced a wool sock and instructed crisply "This is a portkey to the playground near your home. I'll have your word you'll use it to travel. All you must do is walk outside the castle wards and use the activation phrase Hershey Kisses."

"Of course I'll use it." His tone matched hers as he took the footwear.

She gave a curt nod "Then I will see you in a week. At which time I trust your behavior will return to normal."

"We'll see won't we?" replied Harry as she headed for the door, nor did he flinch when she eyed him with much disfavor.

Ron gripped his shoulder "I'll try to keep Malfoy in line while you're away, mate. Sucks about the Dursleys though."

"I'm not going within a thousand feet of #4." He walked over to his wardrobe and emptied magically it into his trunk. To the arrival of his owl he smiled "Ahh! Hedwig! Excellent! Knew I had a letter to write, did you? You'll have no problem finding Sirius?"

The snowy owl gave a squawk and flapped her wings. Hopped onto the perch her human kept here for her.

"It's just he's protected under some powerful wards." Harry explained apologetically "And sure, I'll get you some fresh water. Be right back."

Hermione shook her head in some amusement and quipped "Got you well trained, don't she?"

Hedwig barked in a way that had to be laughter.

"You're packing everything?" Her expression changed to one of worry "But Professor Dumbledore said you're only suspended for a week. And what about Professor McGonagall? You just lied to her."

Ron shook his head as realization set in "No. He didn't. He agreed to use the portkey. He never said he'd stay with the Dursleys."

"Five points to Gryffindor Mr. Weasley!" Harry lightly punched him on the arm "And to answer Hermione's other question, Dumbledore can call it what he wants, but I meant what I said I will not have Snivilus telling me what to do anymore. And I'm not coming back as long as he's here."

She frowned in disapproval "I really wish you wouldn't do that. He's a HOGWARTS TEACHER."

"I guess it's good practice for Dumbles." His sigh was both exasperated and amused "And before you knock me for disrespect to him, let me remind you he is just the headmaster of the school I used to attend."

The way he'd said that and the words penetrated. She grabbed him in a suffocating hug "You really mean it! You're not coming back? Harry what about your education?"

"Rumor has it Sirius was pretty damn good in school. You don't get to be an Auror without some skills. And Professor Lupin is the best DADA teacher we ever had." He gently separated from her "I should probably get out of here before some time limit runs out."

She wiped at a tear "You'll write us. Both of us."

abcij

"No reason I can't visit Hogsmeade when you're there." He pointed out. And a wave of his wand concluded the packing. Not a single item of Harry's remained in his assigned space. In the Common Room, assembled Gryffindors applauded and catcalled for their…at least momentarily…hero. Harry acknowledged it with a wave and a ducked head. At the Great Hall they encountered other students. He sneered at one Slytherin "Problem Parkinson?"

The girl snapped back "Dumbledore is too soft on you."

"Don't worry it might get better for you." He retorted with a false smile "Tell Draco I said HI! And make sure your father hears of this."

There wasn't a student in range that didn't snigger at that.

Harry glanced at his friends "Pardon a moment. Hey! Sue! SUE! Got a minute?"

"Last words?" the Hufflepuff quipped. She was mildly embarrassed when he stood almost close enough for their bodies to touch.

Quietly, Harry requested "Can you write your Aunt? Get her to help me? I'm going to open the gates. Sirius Black never got a trial. Snape had a grudge against Professor Lupin, it's why he got him fired."

"You really mean that? I can't make any promises except that she'll listen. I'll send an owl tonight. She should respond long before you get back." Susan was a bit doubtful, that pair of sentences was highly accusatory toward everything she'd been raised on.

He shook his head "Leave the revelation to Hermione and Ron, but I won't be back for a lot longer than a week."

"What're doing Potter? Back off Susan!" a voice complained.

Harry focused on the source "What's the problem Carmichael? You her protector? Didn't know I needed your permission to have her write her aunt about me." Harry then had to rebalance himself as the redhaired girl assaulted him with her lips. He left Hogwarts in something of a daze.

"The bloody hell was that about?" Hermione was stunned into cursing. And she hardly noticed.

Ron's twin brothers took it up, with George starting "All your reading, Granger?"

"Books on marriage customs" Fred took over.

G: "Must not have got to the 900 section, oh ugly one."

F: "Good thing you're semi-smart. Your breath scares away all the birds."

"Will you two just explain, and without playing tennis?" growled Hermione, impatiently.

George laughed "Dewey Decimal System #919.807. Marriage Contracts Among Wizarding Nobility. By Miranda Goshawk."

"The particular customs, traditions and provisions thereunto." Fred concluded quite pompously.

Every Pureblood knew that book, even Ron who pointed out "Someone should explain it to her. If Hermione doesn't know it you can bet Galleons to Leprechaun Knuts Harry don't."

Abcij

"Miss Granger? Mr. Weasley?" the Transfiguration teacher addressed two of her most well-known students on the Monday that Harry was due to return from suspension "I am sure Mr. Potter is fully aware of his class schedule. I admit I do not recall seeing him at breakfast. You will kindly inform him to report to me here the instant you see him."

Hermione emitted a rather nervous cough. There was a baited silence among the Gryffindors, while most of the Slytherins, led by Draco, found the prospect of their rivals losing points terribly amusing.

"He did send a note the other day" Ron had the definite air of someone pulling a masterful prank as he strutted up the aisle and presented her with an envelope "I was to give you THIS if this exact situation occurred."

She ripped it open and read. Frowned. Then went expressionless "You have both been aware of this for three days? Do you know what it says?"

"And I quote" began Ron gleefully. In response to Hermione's cautioning glare he shrugged "I'll remember those words forever Professor McGonagall, on my departure this Wednesday past, I informed you I would not set foot in a school where a man with a grudge against a dead man has authority over me. I will not apologize for something that occurred before I was born. Be assured I have made the necessary arrangements to be fully prepared to sit my OWLs. Signed Harry, Duke of House Potter. PS - -Tell your boss it would've been nice to know something about my place in society. However I do not mind that my faux pas may have created a link with a beautiful girl and a powerful family. PPS - - I'm dead Sirius on this. It was so funny he honored his Godfather. Don't you think Mione?" He looked entirely too pleased with himself.

McGonagall had, a number of times, tried to cut the boy off. Now that he was done "I did not tell you to broadcast the details of private correspondence. For that, I will have five points from Gryffindor. And, for failing to hand this to me in a timely manner, an additional five points. From you as well Miss Granger. I expected better of you."

"We did exactly what Harry asked." Said Hermione unrepentantly "I have no regrets."

The professor frowned and replied, tone steel "I find I must leave class for likely the rest of the period. And I certainly would have expected to be fully confident leaving things in the hands of MY prefects. As it is, Mr. Malfoy, you are in charge for the remainder. I trust you can maintain order for a mere hour." She was out the door by the last word and only her shoes on the floor interrupted the silence.