Chapter 2

Summer with Snape

"Potter, can't you ever get anything right?" Snape asked, irritably as Harry awoke from yet another one of Snape's Stunners that had gone directly through his measly Web of Life. It was two weeks later and Harry knew he wouldn't be able to stand much more of this. He had been attempting the Web of Life for the whole of his first two weeks with Snape. He held his tongue with his teeth to stifle a reply that was threateningly at the tip of his tongue. He was miserable. Harry was tired of receiving the full blow of spells sent from Snape's wand and was just about ready to give up on ever becoming an Auror. If this was what training was going to be like for the next two years, Harry felt he would much rather quit than fail so much, especially in front of his most dreaded professor.

As he picked himself off of the floor for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, Harry heard a light tapping on the one small window in the whole downstairs. Outside of it, to his relief, he saw a gorgeous snowy owl. "Hedwig!" he exclaimed, jumping up off the floor and running to the window, almost bowling Snape right over. Harry opened the grimy window to let her in. In the owl flew, and perched on top of his shoulder, sticking out a letter, of whose handwriting Harry recognized as Ron's. He could hear Hedwig clucking in disgust while looking at their new living quarters. He seized the envelope and ripped it open.

"I'll just stand here, waiting for you to open your mail, shall I?" asked Snape in a nasty manner.

"Yeah, you do that," was Harry's distracted reply. He started reading.

Harry-

I can't believe Dumbledore sent you to Snape's house!!!!! Why on earth would he do such a cruel and evil thing to you?! I suppose you must be wondering how I know about where you are. Mum and Dad got an owl from Dumbledore saying where you had gone and not to worry about helping you escape from the Dursleys. He didn't say why you're there, though. Could you tell me or is it "top secret information" that only you, Dumbledore, and Snape know about? I asked Mum if we could go and save you from Snape's, but she got mad at me and gave me a three-hour lecture about how I should put trust in my teachers. Hedwig arrived with a letter from Hermione, addressed to both of us, which I've enclosed. Evidently she got a letter from Dumbledore too. He did say something about you living at number twelve, Grimmauld Place next summer, though. What's that all about? Well, Mum's been pestering me to de-gnome the garden for hours now, and although I've been coming up with excuses, I can't think of any more, so I have to go. Hope Snape isn't too evil towards you.

Ron

P.S. I hear Hermione did rather well on her O.W.L.s (big surprise, she studied four times more than the two of us combined). I somehow managed to scrape by with Acceptable as my lowest grade in Potions. If Snape had graded them, I'm sure he would have given me a "T".

Harry didn't realize Snape was still glaring at him when he finished the letter, but raised his head to find the unpleasant face twisted up in an annoyed expression. "Done wasting my time yet?" he sneered.

"No, I have one more message," Harry said, reaching in the envelope for Hermione's note and ignoring Snape's irritated look.

Harry and Ron-

Ron, I'm sure you think that it was utterly unfair for Professor Dumbledore to send Harry to Professor Snape's house for the rest of the summer, but remember this before you retaliate: Dumbledore always has some reason for his supposed madness. I'm sure there is a logical explanation to why he sent Harry there instead of somewhere else, say Lupin's house. Harry, I hope you're OK and that Snape isn't treating you too unfairly. I've seen how he acts towards you in Potions, and if he's like that at his home too, I'm sorry. How did you two do on your O.W.L.s? An owl came tonight bringing my results and I got all Outstanding grades! I'm so excited and have already started studying for the N.E.W.T.s with a short 580-page workbook to study out of from Flourish and Blotts. Harry smiled as he could practically hear Ron exclaiming, "She's already started to study for N.E.W.T.s?! We haven't even had the N.E.W.T. classes yet!" Although I can't practice the spells while we're on summer vacation, I've been memorizing the incantations so that I'll be prepared for the classes. I don't know if I've told you two yet, but I'm working on becoming a teacher for Hogwarts, which is the second hardest career to work for, second only to an Auror. Harry, you said you were going to become an Auror, right? And Ron, what are you thinking about doing? If you don't know what you're working towards, Ron, I highly suggest you think about it and make up your mind soon. I would like to know why you're at Professor Snape's house, Harry, but if you can't tell me, I understand.

Hermione

Harry noticed Snape was sitting down at the table, glaring at him. "Could we take a short break so I can take Hedwig upstairs?" Harry asked his professor.

"I suppose, since you already seem to think that you can do whatever you want."

"Thanks," Harry replied, running towards the elaborate staircase and taking them two at a time, Hedwig still on his shoulder. Harry had always wondered why Snape kept his wooden staircase so well polished when the rest of the house was a mess, but didn't dare ask. His room upstairs was small and very shabby, with only a small bed, a chest of drawers and a closet. It reminded him somewhat of his room at the Dursleys. Hedwig's empty cage sat on top of the oak dresser that desperately needed a refinishing. "Here you go, Hedwig," he told her, picking her up off of his shoulder and putting her into the cage while putting some fresh water and owl pellets in the trays. She hooted softly in appreciation. "I'll send letters to Ron and Hermione tomorrow to give you a short break." He patted her on the head and reluctantly walked slowly down the staircase to where Snape was now seated at the kitchen table, reading the Daily Prophet. He looked up as Harry walked towards him.

"About time," he said coldly. "Now that the interference is out of the way, we should start practicing again. Now... Stupefy!"

Harry sighed as he made yet another attempt at building a Web of Life.

* * *

"Can't we get through today without another owl?" Snape exclaimed irritably as an eagle owl pecked at the window. Harry opened the window again, and the owl flew in and perched itself on the countertop. Harry grabbed the official-looking letter attached to its leg and it took off again.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to tell you that we have completed scoring your tests for receiving your O.W.L.s. Your grades are as follows:

Astronomy 85% Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter is doing very well in learning the stars of the solar system. He would have scored higher if his star chart had been complete.

Charms 95% Outstanding O.W.L Comments: Mr. Potter is close to the top of his class in this branch of magic. He shows great knowledge of the incantations and spells.

Care of Magical Creatures 98% Outstanding O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter has learned a great deal in magical creatures that are advanced for his age and that would most likely come up on N.E.W.T. exams. He will continue to do well.

Defense Against the Dark Arts 105% Outstanding O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter demonstrates great potential of becoming a well renowned Auror. He is extraordinarily well educated in this field of study for one so young and is at the top of his class.

Divination 84% Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter does not have the traits of a true Seer. However, he is able to understand the complexity of Divination, which very few his age have accomplished.

Herbology 86% Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter is exactly where he should be in the subject of Herbology. He knows many plants and their uses, but his knowledge on the care of the plants could use a bit of work.

History of Magic 85% Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter appears to be somewhat confused when it comes to History of Magic. With a little more work and memorization, he will do much better in this course.

Potions 85% Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. Comments: Mr. Potter's potion was slightly off color due to a flaw in timing, but otherwise, it appears to be effective to an extent.

Transfiguration 91% Outstanding O.W.L. Comments: It appears Mr. Potter has learned a great deal. Transfiguration is a difficult subject to master and he seems to be coming along nicely.

If you have any questions or comments on the above ratings, please contact us via reply owl.

The testing officials had signed the paper at the bottom. Harry stood there in disbelief and reread the name over and over and over again to make sure it wasn't Hermione's grade sheet. He had somehow managed to achieve at least "Exceeded Expectations" in every subject, including Potions and Divination. He realized Snape was glaring at him, so he said, "O.W.L.s scores," hastily and put the piece of parchment in his pocket. He could now face Snape or anyone else who dared come across his path. Wand at ready, Snape shot another curse at him.

* * *

At the end of that day, Harry had managed to produce a perfect Web of Life. Even Snape was unable to find a flaw with it. "Well, Potter, you seem to have improved quite a bit since this morning. We'll stop here tonight." It was ten o' clock in the evening, and Harry was exhausted. He walked up the beautiful staircase and immediately flopped down on his bed, clothes and all, and fell asleep immediately.

* * *

"Potter, I'm going to go to Hogwarts tomorrow," Snape told him over a supper of watery soup and stale bread one night.

"But that's the 24th of August."

"I'm aware of this, but the staff is supposed to be there a week before the students arrive."

"Then where will I stay for next week?"

"Dumbledore sent me an owl stating that the Weasleys will be by to pick you up tomorrow and bring you to the Burrow. You will catch the train with them. You'll take a break from Auror training and the second week of school will mark your first training session with Professor Tonks. She will meet with you on Monday the eighth where you two will continue where we left off and talk about which day and time would work the best for the training sessions to take place." Harry's heart soared. He'd see Ron again the next day and was going to live with the Weasleys for the last week before school started. "Here's your booklist for this year," Snape added, handing Harry a piece of parchment. "It came today, while you were out cold from a Stunner." Harry took it and felt himself instinctively hold his tongue to this comment, since Snape seemed to enjoy using Stunning Spells on him so that he'd fall to the linoleum every time he failed. Harry was getting sore from falling so many times.

Harry drained the rest of his soup and stuffed the remainder of his bread in his mouth. Excusing himself from the table (not that Snape minded, as he was buried deep inside the latest edition of the Daily Prophet), he went upstairs to pack away his things.