Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and most of the settings in this story. The honour belongs solely to JK Rowling. I suspect that I do not even own half of the plot, as this has been influenced by the numerous fanfics I've read.
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Chapter 13: Rewards
Harry was quite depressed on the train to Hogwarts on the 1st of September. He had only received an 'E'. He put up with Snape's cold condescending words and constant stream of criticisms all summer. All the hard work had been for nothing. And for the first time ever, he did not achieve what he set out to achieve. Sure, he had failures in the past, but when he really put his mind to something, he always made it. But not this time.
Ron and Hermione tried talking to him several times, but after receiving a series of the briefest of answers, they gave up. Not even the traditional taunting from Malfoy could deter Harry from his detachment.
When the depressing train ride finished, Harry, Ron and Hermione endured an equally depressing carriage ride to Hogwarts gates, and approached the front door to greet a smiling McGonagall. Harry wondered what put McGonagall in such a good mood, as she rarely smiles so openly.
"Mr Potter, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you before the feast." McGonagall said with her traditional stern demeanour, but with a glint of warmth in her eyes.
"Er, Okay," Harry replied, not sure what to make of this. 'He probably just wants to say how disappointed in me he is. Yeah, that's it. He's just disappointed because he gave me this chance, and I blew it'.
Head bowed, Harry slowly walked to Dumbledore's office, negative words permeating his thoughts. When Harry reached the stone gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, he noticed that someone else had just arrived.
'Oh God, not him. Anyone but him.' Harry was thinking that his day could not get any worse.
"Good evening, Mr Potter. Did you have a pleasant trip?" Professor Snape sneered sarcastically, with a very pleased expression on his face.
Harry forced himself to be cheerful. "Excellent, Professor Snape. And you?"
Snape glared at him. "It would be wise for you to think twice before giving me cheek, Mr Potter. Unless you want to lose house points five minutes into arriving. We are at Hogwarts now."
Snape and Harry stared at each other for some minutes before Snape finally turned towards the gargoyle and said, "Peppermint Humbug."
As usual, the gargoyle stepped aside, allowing them to pass. Silently, they both made their way to the headmaster's office.
When Snape and Harry arrived at the top of the winding staircase, they found Dumbledore's office door wide open. They entered, Snape feeling elated, and Harry grim.
"Ah, there you are, Severus, Harry. Do come in and sit down. We have much to discuss." Dumbledore said smiling, ushering them to the two seats in front of his desk. Dumbledore took his seat behind his desk and looked at them both, his eyes twinkling.
Harry was quite confused. He had been sure that Dumbledore would be disappointed in Harry for blowing his chance to become an Auror, but here he was, as happy as a niffler in a gold mine.
"I suppose you are both wondering why you are here?" Dumbledore asked.
Snape inclined head briefly, while Harry said "Yes, sir."
They were both quite disturbed with the headmaster's happy disposition. Snape, because he knew that whenever the headmaster was in this sort of mood, nothing good ever comes out of it for him. He still distinctly remembers his last meeting with Dumbledore, the one which was the cause of his terrible summer. Harry, however, was disturbed because he couldn't understand how the headmaster was so pleased with Harry's failure.
Dumbledore, to the displeasure of both Snape and Harry, decided to play this mysteriously. "How were your potions lessons over the summer, Harry?"
Harry, not trusting himself to speak in case he said exactly what was on his mind, merely gave the headmaster the briefest of smiles. Dumbledore, realising that he wasn't going to get more of an answer, continued.
"The results of your test indicate that you achieved an 'E' grade. Well done, Harry."
"But it's still not good enough is it?" blurted Harry, before he could stop himself.
Meanwhile, Snape smirked at Harry, clearly enjoying he's discomfort.
Dumbledore continued, this time addressing Snape. "Severus, you have always done everything that I have ever asked, and for this I am profoundly grateful." Dumbledore handed Snape an envelope, which he quickly opened. After he read through the letters contents, Snape smiled. At least Harry thought it was a smile. He had never seen a smile on Snape's face before so he couldn't be sure. It seemed alien somehow.
Snape looked up at the headmaster and said, "Thankyou, headmaster. I accept the position. And what will happen with Professor Morgan?"
"Oh, yes. Professor Morgan. Since you will from now on be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, this leaves me in the awkward position of finding a new Potions Professor." Snape quickly jerked his head toward Dumbledore, but before he had a chance to speak, Dumbledore said, "It would be far too much for me to expect you to teach both Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts, Severus. Fortunately, I always had confidence in you to complete the task I set you, so I asked Professor Morgan if she would like to teach potions instead."
The colour started to drain out of Snape's face; at least whatever colour there was there to begin with. Harry looked at Snape suspiciously. Clearly, he knew something that Harry did not.
Dumbledore turned to Harry and smiled. "As you should know, it is the Professor teaching the advanced class whose chooses what level the students must be at to be accepted." Dumbledore looked at Harry pointedly, attempting to pass on the yet unspoken information to Harry, but he needn't have bothered, as Harry's insides were already swooping with joy.
"So this means I can do Advanced Potions? I can still be an Auror? The new Potions Professor will accept me?" Harry asked excitedly, the questions coming a mile a minute.
Dumbledore chuckled inwardly, pleased to see his charge so happy. "Yes Harry, Professor Morgan is happy to accept any student who achieves an 'E' or higher."
With this, Harry grinned broadly, and had to use all the strength he could muster to not leap over the desk and give the headmaster a crushing hug.
Snape was looking murderous. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster, I believe I must have a few words with the new Potions Professor." Snape spat out the word Potions, and swept out of the room.
"Well Harry, I trust the feast will be starting soon, and we should all be in attendance."
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Five minutes later Harry joined Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table just as the sorting was about to begin. Ron and Hermione were pleasantly surprised by Harry's change in demeanour.
"What did Dumbledore want?" Ron asked, wanting to know what has made Harry so happy.
"Snape isn't teaching potions anymore." Harry replied.
"What!? So we don't have to put up with the greasy git anymore?" Ron started to celebrate, but then Harry said, "Don't get too excited, he'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts." Ron's excitement immediately started to deflate.
Harry continued, "And since Snape isn't teaching potions, I can take Advanced Potions. I can still become an Auror!"
Ron and Hermione immediately felt happy for Harry. They both know what becoming an Auror means to him.
"Hi, Harry," said someone to Harry's right. Harry turned to see a much happier Mark Evans than what he was the other day.
"I've just been sorted into Gryffindor." Mark informed them and sat down next to Harry.
"Ron, Hermione, we have another mystery to solve this year …" and Harry told an eagerly listening Ron and Hermione about Mark's situation.
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After the feast, Professor McGonagall stopped Harry while he was on his way back to the dormitories.
"A word, Mr Potter?"
"Yes, Professor," Harry said tiredly. He was worn out from the severe clash of emotions he'd felt today, first the feeling of failure, then the later elation.
Professor McGonagall led Harry to her office. She turned to him and smiled. "Congratulations, Mr Potter. Your ambitions of becoming an Auror are still open to you."
"Thankyou Professor," was all Harry could think of to say.
Professor McGonagall's normally stern look changed to one of affection for Harry, a motherly kind of affection.
"That's all, Harry, goodnight."
Harry turned to leave, but then a sudden thought struck him.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Mr Potter?"
"Well, all throughout the summer, strange things kept happening. It happened first with Uncle Vernon, when he allowed me to take the 'job'. Someone was there, in the shadows, I'm sure of it. This person also sent me a book to help with my homework. And I was rescued from Uncle Vernon. Someone was there watching me, helping me."
Professor McGonagall smiled. "Didn't I tell you last year that I would help you to become an Auror if it was the last thing I did? It was I who convinced Professor Dumbledore to allow you to have some tutoring over summer to begin with. Mind you, he didn't need much convincing."
Harry was stunned. Everything that happened over the summer, it was Professor McGonagall!
"Why didn't you tell me you were there?" Harry asked. He was a little hurt about this, as he had been starting to get a little afraid. Harry ignored the fact that Snape had told him twice not to worry about it.
McGonagall started to look uncomfortable, and a pink flush rose on her cheeks. "I wasn't supposed to be there, you see. Professor Dumbledore had ordered me to spend the school holidays on vacation, to have some rest. If he had have found out I was there, well let's just say it wouldn't have been pleasant. The truth is, Potter, no-one was supposed to know that you were being tutored over the summer, and especially that the tutor was Severus. It could have been very dangerous were anyone to find out."
"Why? I still have my family's protection, don't I?" Harry asked.
"Not dangerous for you, Harry. Or at least, not any more dangerous for you." McGonagall answered.
"It was too dangerous for Snape?" Harry had a whole mindful of questions he wanted to ask from this little revelation.
"Professor Snape, Harry, and I can't tell you any more than that." Professor McGonagall said sternly, and Harry knew this was the end of that part of the conversation. But Harry had to know one more thing.
"Okay, Professor. What about when Snape let me stay with him for a few days?"
"No, Harry, not even I could make Professor Snape do something like that."
Harry left Professor McGonagall's office shortly thereafter, feeling both elated and confused. His mind was swirling with questions. Why was it so dangerous for Snape to be at Surrey, and what did happen to Mark's grandmother? Already at the start of the year there were mysteries to solve. Harry chuckled to himself. 'Yep', he thought, 'just another normal year at Hogwarts.'
THE END
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R&R
Author's Note:
Okay, the sequel will be coming in a couple of months. I am still in planning mode so if there is anything that you feel I should have developed further or things that I left out feel free to let me know. The new Potions Professor and Mark Evans are major players in the sequel. Having said this I should stress that I will stay with canon characters for the most part, and the story will be in Harry's perspective like this one. It will be another mystery for the dream team to solve.
I want to take this last opportunity to once again thank all those who reviewed, and all those who put me on there list of favourites. I have been taking notice. I hope I see you all again for the sequel.
Cheers,
Veserus.