"You would never get the recognition you want from here Potter."

Harry turned around to see none other than Draco Malfoy standing behind him, casually leaning a shoulder on the dungeon wall. It was no secret that after the defeat of Voldemort in the Department of Mysteries, Harry had come to seek recognition from the dour Potions Master. He understood that the man had to keep up pretences and to some extent his resentment for James Potter bled through. But, he had always saved Harry. And most of his irritation was because he thought that Harry was a lazy student who did not put himself to his studies. He was determined to show that it was also an act to keep his strengths closely guarded. Seems, Snape was not the only obstacle in the fulfilment of Harry's wishes.

"I don't need to hear that from YOU Malfoy."

"Oh but you must. Severus is my god father. I know he hates you and you will never be able to impress him whatever you do."

"Well, only time will tell."

And suddenly, just like that, Malfoy began to scream as if in agony, scratching his arms over the clothes like mad, shouting at Harry, "What did you do to me?"

Before Harry could react, he heard a deadly voice from behind which chilled him to the bones, "What did you do now Potter?"

Snape rushed to the ailing boy (Merlin knows what ailment he was suffering).

"Nothing professor. He was unnecessarily antagonizing me. I threw the tardusvenenum over him. You definitely know what it is and how to cure it right?"

Harry thought he saw a slight curve of a smile on Snape's face, but he thought it must be the trick of the light. "How do YOU know about the potion Potter?"

"If you would have taken time to notice professor, I am not a complete dunderhead. I also had to play a role, just like you, to hide my potentials from the enemy."

"Detention Potter. For attacking another student without provocation. Be at my office sharp at 7." Then he turned to Malfoy and said, "Come Draco, you will have to soak in Hippogriff dung for about six hours otherwise the potion thrown on you is capable of causing your death."

"But but Severus, there must be another way, an antidote maybe."

"No Draco, there is no antidote. That is why this potion is considered so disgusting."

"But… but Severus…"

And slowly the voices faded away as they turned the corner towards the deeper parts of the dungeon.

"Now tell me Potter, how do you know about the tardusvenenum?"

"I told you earlier professor. I am not a complete dunderhead like you think. I have had to hide my potential from the others over the years. Dumbledore says it was sort of a secret weapon. That is why I retook my OWLs this summer, so that I could show my true potential now that Voldemort has passed through the veil, never to come back."

"Interesting story Potter."

"Well, ask me anything and I will prove that I know more than I have shown in the past."

"Very well. Tell me why newts eyes should never be diced, only sliced."

And the questions and answers went on for an hour and a half. Harry diligently answered all the questions asked to him, even some advanced ones, without missing a beat. It was rather impressive but Snape will never say that to his face, will he?

"So you say you were hiding your abilities to better protect yourself?"

"No Professor, it was to have an edge over the enemy. And it worked didn't it? Voldemort thought he was facing an informed, undertrained, average school boy. The Shadow potion and the stunner and the push did send him through the veil of course. Now, even if he had taken measures to stay alive, he won't be able to come back. He's gone for good and we are free."

"Tell me Potter, what has that to do with you wanting to get my recognition?"

"You have always protected me professor even when you did not like me very much. That dislike was partially because you thought I did not put myself into my studies. I want to correct that."

"So, you want a healthy relation with me."

"Yes sir."

"The entire staff swooning over you is not enough?"

Harry was taken aback, but he composed himself. "I value their concern sir. You see I have never had the approval of elders while growing up. So, I do appreciate their care and concern, but your views are equally valuable to me."

"I never thought you could play with words, as well as potions." For Snape, it was a huge compliment, and Harry knew that pretty well. this was as good as Dumbledore awarding hundred points and McGonagall thumping your back, smiling.

"I am trying my best in both sir."

"Don't be cheeky Mr. Potter. You may go now."

And Harry skipped all the way to the Gryffindor tower, happy to have proved Malfoy wrong.