Hiding Under the Ninth Earth
Book 02 : A Bit Of All Right
by I Got Tired of Waiting

Part II : Harry and Severus
Chapter Fourteen : A New Trust

22 August 1996

"Come in, Harry--have a seat." Harry stepped through the opening cautiously, Dumbledore closing the door behind him. While the summons had not been entirely unexpected, the location and the waiting occupants sitting around a huge table near the fireplace was. Each of the ten places had a filled water glass; seven of the eight individuals already present had piles of parchment in front of them. The two empty places, one directly across from a very pale Snape, the other right next to him, had only parchment and pen available. When Harry saw an uncomfortable looking Firenze standing at the table between the diminutive Charms' Professor and Hagrid, the mystery of 'why the first floor staff room' was solved.

Since Dumbledore did not indicate which seat he should take, Harry hesitated only a second before taking the seat farthest away from Snape and between Professors Sprout and McGonagall. As soon as he took his place, he realised his possible mistake when he was treated to the full sardonic stare of the Potions Master across the table, although the wink thrown at Harry by Madame Pomfrey, as she slid her eyes to look at Snape sitting next to her, made it more bearable. He looked around the circle of familiar faces, schooling his expression to that of polite interest, but was not quite able to suppress the nervousness he felt. The tension in the room made Harry want to be elsewhere.

While he was not quite sure why the meeting was necessary, he suspected it must have something to do with what had happened the week before in the infirmary. Or perhaps it was because he had received no letter from the Headmaster yet as to his classes and supplies. He'd been expecting it almost two weeks before, but when he asked shortly before being discharged from the infirmary, McGonagall had only told him 'it's on the way'. Odd, that.

Dumbledore took the last place next to Snape and cleared his throat. "Harry, I am sure you are curious as to why you are here and I am sorry for the delay in getting your paperwork to you, but it has taken us," his eyes swept around the table, "a while to create a potential class schedule for your Sixth Year especially in light of the," he cleared his throat again, "unusual circumstances of last week." He waited for the nods and murmured comments around the table to die down before continuing. "In one of our last conversations, you indicated you were interested in Auror training as a possible career path. Is this still the case?"

Harry hesitated--he didn't even know his OWL scores yet--but made a leap of faith that the Headmaster would not ask if his scores would not allow it. The alternative was just too embarrassing to contemplate. "Yes, sir. It seems a likely course."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully while McGonagall plucked a piece of parchment off of the pile in front of her and handed it to Harry. He glanced at the heading and down the page--it was his O.W.L. scores. He lifted his head and caught Snape staring at him. The unexpected glint of--respect?--in Snape's eyes made him go back quickly to the document to see what they were. After skimming the rather flowery heading, he read the following:

Charms:
Written: Exceeds expectations
Practical: Outstanding
Overall: Outstanding
Student may progress to NEWT level courses

Transfigurations:
Written: Exceeds expectations
Practical: Exceeds expectations
Overall: Exceeds expectations
Student may progress to NEWT level courses

Herbology:
Written: Exceeds expectations
Practical: Exceeds expectations
Overall: Exceeds expectations
Student may progress to NEWT level courses

Defense Against the Dark Arts:
Written: Outstanding
Practical: Outstanding; Double marks
Overall: Outstanding with Commendation
Student should be encouraged to advance to NEWT level courses

Potions:
Written: Exceeds expectations
Practical: Outstanding
Overall: Outstanding
Student may progress to NEWT level courses

Care of Magical Creatures:
Written: Outstanding
Practical: Outstanding
Overall: Outstanding
Student may progress to NEWT level courses

Divination:
Written: Adequate
Practical: Dreadful
Overall: Dreadful
Student is discouraged from taking any further courses in this subject

Astronomy:
Written: Exceeds expectations
Practical: Incomplete
Overall: No grade
Due to unusual circumstances, student may progress to NEWT level courses if deemed acceptable to staff

History:
Written: Incomplete
Practical: None
Overall: Dreadful
Student is discouraged from taking any further courses in this subject

Harry was stunned. He didn't know what surprised him the most, that he'd made the required "O" to take Potions or that he'd made high enough to continue Transfigurations. He considered himself weak in both courses of study. These scores would definitely allow him to take the Auror prerequisites. He looked up from the parchment to the now smiling ring of faces and without deviation sought the face of the Potion Master. Snape was the only one not smiling, his austere face stern and reproving as if Harry's score was a personal insult. Harry wondered if he'd imagined the first response.

His Head of House was the first to break the silence. "Well done, Harry. While it is obvious you have not had enough time to truly take in the scope of your scores, the Headmaster asked all of us here to consider your potential curriculum."

McGonagall settled into her lecture mode and Harry was heartened by the slight roll of eyes Madame Pomfrey tried to hide and the slight sniff he heard coming from Snape's direction--evidently he was not the only one who found McGonagall's style slightly pompous. However, as had been drilled into him for the last five years, he listened, paying her close attention.

"Normally when the OWL scores are published a separate letter is attached giving you the possible areas of study based on the scores as well as the curriculum required for each. From there one of two decisions can be made. If you are undecided as to a single future career, you can take a general course of study fitting one of several choices. Or, if you have decided what you want to do, and are sure, then you are usually invited take the required courses with additional study on the side with each of the respective professors for a better mastery of a subject, thereby giving one, generally, higher NEWT scores."

She shifted in the chair and took a sip of the water; clearly it was a delaying tactic as her eyes locked briefly with the Headmaster's. "Given the nature and spread of your scores, there are very few careers closed to you. Having said that, in light of your voiced desire to be an Auror and your apparent 'fate'," she grimaced in distaste, "and the, ah, events of last week, we would ask you to consider the latter option--an 'alternate' course of study partially outside the traditional one. Of course, the end result would be the same, you would be qualifying for the Auror's training, but you would also be preparing for your other role in the defeat of 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'."

Harry's confusion must have shown, because Snape spoke up, cutting to the chase as usual. "Minerva, in all the years I've known you, I still cannot fathom how you can take something so simple and confound it into a meaningless jumble," he said with asperity. "Have you not heard of the term 'succinct'?"

"It's a gift, Severus, called 'thoroughness'. And 'succinct' is not a word many of us would choose to describe your peculiar brand of verbosity," she chortled and Harry was shocked to see a small smile light Snape's face.

"It's fairly simple, Mr. Potter," he began, his cold voice devoid of its usual sarcasm. "Your OWL's are sufficient for you to pursue the courses necessary to become an Auror, although I admit to a bit of shock over your Potions score. However, given your propensity for getting into trouble and in light of your apparent Sanos and Schema-reading skills, we are recommending that additional study be pursued to further these--talents--in addition to or in lieu of the standard courses of study."

Harry considered his words a moment, wondering what he hadn't voiced, and asked, "What is the normal course of study as opposed to what you are recommending?" He was rather proud he'd kept his voice even and steady despite his lingering uncertainty.

Lupin spoke up next. "I can answer the first question. Traditionally, for the Auror positions, you would be required to take post-OWL Charms, Potions, Transfigurations, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, and one other optional course. In your case either continuing Herbology or starting Arithmancy or perhaps Astronomy." He took a sip of water and raised a brow while staring meaningfully at the Headmaster. Harry wished he knew what that meant.

"As to the second question, that is a bit more complicated, Harry," Dumbledore said, his face quite serious. "I think it would be best if each Professor were to tell you how they would see you taking their classes under the new format. Remus, if you will begin?"

Lupin, in the middle of another sip, swallowed hastily and smiled encouragingly at Harry. "If you haven't already guessed, I am returning this year to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry grinned, relieved--Lupin was a fun teacher.

"However, I do not think you have a place in my class." He waved his hand in negation as the smile left Harry's face. "The curriculum would move entirely too slowly for someone of your talents; much of what I will be teaching you already know. And as you are aware, speed--and time--are of the essence these days."

He passed a piece of parchment to Harry, who set it in front of him, but did not look at it, his eyes fixed on the werewolf. "I would propose we continue your training two-fold. The first being private classes involving both theory and practical applications; Professors Snape and Dumbledore would assist as required. And second, by reviving Dumbledore's Army on Wednesday evenings with the other students you started training last year. You would continue in much the same manner as before although you'll not be hiding as you did last year." His eyes told Harry how proud he was of that feat.

Harry's head turned to look at Dumbledore at the last bit and he was heartened to see the small smile and twinkle as he nodded. Looking back at Lupin, he said, "All right. Is there more?"

If Remus was surprised at the question, he didn't show it. "Yes, there is one more item, but it will have to wait until you hear from all your teachers."

At Harry's surprised nod, Flitwick took his turn. He sent an unfathomable look the Headmaster's way as he stated, "Your time for Charms would best be spent in class, with your peers in a regular classroom setting." He then mumbled, "There must be some semblance of normalcy for you."

Before Harry could reply, Professor Sprout said cryptically, "The same is true for my class as well. You would take the advanced Herbology course along with the extra work the Headmaster assigns you."

"Extra work?" Harry asked, looking curiously at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked uncomfortable. "All in good time, Harry." He looked across the table. "Minerva?"

McGonagall hesitated and then forged ahead. "I, too, believe you would benefit from time spent in a regular classroom. However, as with the others, there would be other requirements as we will explain in a few moments."

If Harry expected the Potions Master to speak up next, he was surprised when Firenze said, "I will be staying this year to teach the longer view of what you humans call Astrology. It has been suggested you would benefit from this study and despite, from what I am told, your dismal score in Divination," he smiled strangely, "I have agreed to accept you into my class, once a week, if you so desire."

Harry was speechless. He liked the crusty yet gentle Centaur and was honoured to be included. While he wanted to make a comment, he held himself back and limited his reply to a respectful nod and was pleased with the slow smile he received in return.

His attention was turned with Hagrid's words. "Ye would not be studyin' with me this year, Harry, but one of the extra assignments the Headmaster wants ye ta have would be under my care--among others." At Harry's incredulous look, he muttered, "Can't rightly say more than that, now, can I?"

Dumbledore shook his head and laughed. "No, my friend, you cannot." He sighed. "Severus, I believe it is your time to explain."

Snape grimaced with lingering discomfort and leaning forward, folded his hands on top of the papers in front of him. "It all seems to come back to me, doesn't it, Albus?" He turned dark thoughtful eyes to Harry and regarded him long enough to make Harry want to squirm, which Harry was sure was Snape's objective. With apparent grudging respect at his lack of reaction, Snape said, "Well, Mr. Potter, let's start with the simple part. Against my better judgement, I will accept your participation in my advanced Potions class despite your "E" in the written portion of the OWL's. Normally, I do not accept any student with less than "O's" in all aspects, but I will bow to the Headmaster's wisdom in this." He briefly turned a jaundiced eye to Dumbledore.

"However, if you choose what has been outlined to this point, there is still the matter of the 'extra assignments' to discuss." Harry felt the challenge of the steely gaze he was pinned under and repressed the urge to interrupt the Potions Master. He gave him no satisfaction and remained silent, but he countered with a lift of his head and a steady look telling him to do his worst, knowing Snape could read him if he kept up the eye contact.

Snape snorted and mused, "Perhaps your time this summer was not entirely wasted after all." Shaking his head, he went on, "To task. Last week you exhibited an unusual affinity for reading the Schema of the wards in my lab and office, and in the spells I had the misfortune of bearing with me to the Infirmary." He dared Harry and the others with his eyes to comment. When there was no reaction, he continued. "The Headmaster has 'requested' that I instruct you further in this subject as he and I are the only two present considered 'masters' of the art as a whole."

He turned his eyes to each of his colleagues in turn. "Each of your Professors are well versed in the Schema of their particular field of study. To that end, for every Incantation, Transfiguration, technique, flora, or fauna you study or paper you write on any respective study, you will be also required to include additional study into the Schema of the item in a form you will be given for each subject. This additional work will be graded (and corrected as need be) by both the respective Professors for accuracy and myself for integration into a three hour class you and I will engage in separately once a week on Thursday evenings."

Harry felt his heart drop into his shoes. While he knew Dumbledore had ordered the Potions Master to teach him, he'd no idea it would require this much time. Snape gave him no chance to respond. "Regardless of your choice, you will, again at the Headmaster's request, continue our 'other' lessons interrupted last term. We can accomplish this on Monday evenings after dinner. I am sure your anticipated performance in Potions will give me ample opportunity to explain away the need for extra tutoring sessions to cover for our 'other' lessons. It is already well established that once a student begins my advanced study, I will not tolerate failure."

At McGonagall's gasp at his implied insult, Snape levelled her with one of his best glares, obviously ignoring the sharp intake of breath from the student next to her.

Harry felt his cheeks redden--not in embarrassment (as he was sure the others assumed it was) but from pure rage. Snape's knowing eyes turned to Harry once more, and he cut Harry's stinging retort by saying with some irony, "And should my assumption, through some miracle, prove to be inaccurate, then I am quite sure your other Professors will assist in finding ways to free up your Monday evenings. The 'how' does not matter as much as the need for discretion and misdirection--a fact I am sure everyone at this table understands all too well." Snape pinned each teacher with a glare, almost daring them to disagree; only McGonagall held his gaze for long before she too looked away.

Harry still seethed inside, but since the others seemed to know something he did not, he bit his tongue. As it was he almost missed Snape's next words.

"Then there is the matter of the three Sanos spells you successfully completed. This one more area the Headmaster wishes you to study regardless of your choice of venue. And again, it seems I am the only one with the wherewithal to teach you. Looking at your busy social calendar, it appears you are unavailable for the remainder of the weeknights if you expect to have any study time for the remainder of your classes, and I assure you, the normal work will be required for all classes in addition to what I speak of here, so I would suggest this class take place for two to three hours every Sunday, alternating every other one with Madame Pomfrey to learn basic anatomy and physiology, whereas I will endeavor to teach you the--control--necessary to perform the Sanos spells if for no other reason than to keep you from turning yourself into a living vegetable."

Harry could tell from the way he held his face so unnaturally still and the brief glint in his eyes that something amused the Potions Master greatly as he asked blandly, "Do you have any questions?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I think I have it. If I understand, the recommendation is regular advanced classes in Charms, Transfigurations, Herbology, Potions, and Divination, with private classes in Defense Against the Dark Arts, the--irregular--study on Mondays evenings at the Headmaster's discretion, Dumbledore's Army on Wednesday nights, Schema study on Thursdays, and Sanos study on the weekend with both you and Madame Pomfrey." He deadpanned, "And while it was never mentioned, sleep appears to be an elective." He stared at Snape unable to stop the ghost of a smile when he heard McGonagall softly snicker next to him.

He was rewarded by the Potions Master's lifted brows and twisted smirk. "It is heartening to know you sometimes pay attention, Potter. Yes, that is an accurate description of what would be required of you if you choose the 'alternate' course of study."

Harry thought a moment on how best to phrase his next question. He didn't want to look like a complete dunderhead. "To what standard will the extra courses be graded?" Harry asked finally, curious.

It had not been his intent to challenge Snape, but from the heated reply, he could see it had been taken that way. "I beg your pardon. What did you just say?" he asked his eyes narrowing. He grimaced in apparent discomfort and visibly relaxed his shoulders which had begun to hunch up.

Harry didn't back down. "Charms, Transfigurations, and the rest all have established criteria for taking the NEWT's. How will you be structuring and grading my other classes? By a set standard or on your whim?"

Dumbledore forestalled another heated reply from Snape with a hand on his arm as he said, "I know what you're asking, Harry. For obvious reasons, there is no NEWT standard for the extra courses of study; however, each one has set requirements. Your performance will be graded according to those standards. They will be noted in your record and will be assessed per the requirements of your new field. The Schema and Sanos are not required for the Auror's post-Hogwarts training, but their inclusion will certainly not hamper your performance or entrance into the Auror program, all other things being equal."

Harry nodded, satisfied with the answer; he would not be at Snape's mercy for the grading then. He looked around the table at the professors, oddly at ease with them and their encouraging expressions. Except Snape. He couldn't help but feel he was missing something--something they were not going to tell him unless he asked. He suddenly knew this was a test. He thought about it a few moments and then it came to him. "You said there was a format I needed to use for the Schema lessons. What is it?"

Snape passed to him another parchment, his eyes shadowed, but pleased. It was empty except for a single line at the top with a long Latin phrase in Snape's handwriting; he'd obviously made an effort to be neat. "For each item you study, you will prepare a sheet like this. At the top is the name of the Schema. Below it, you will write the name of the object or spell and if possible, draw a picture of the item. From there you are to write all possible information you can find out about it, using the back and extra pages as needed. There will be one Schema per sheet or sheets. Beyond that, how you arrange the information is your own affair as long as it is accurate. Personal comments and journal-like recollections are also encouraged as they often aid recall."

"If I may ask, sir, why this format?" Harry could see he might have hundreds of pages of notes at this rate.

Snape stared at Lupin who replied quietly, "Harry, there are no official written records or texts of the Schema used for anything. Anyone who studies the subject learns orally from a master and creates their own reference manuscripts on the subject for their own future use, usually in their own discipline. Some are quite paranoid, with reason, about keeping the knowledge secret." He flicked a quick glance at the Potions Master. "Each of us has our own references we created in the same manner. And no, we don't share."

With a sideways look at the werewolf as if making sure he was finished, Flitwick spoke next. "Once your assignments are accepted as accurate, you will be free to 'hide' your own, even from your instructors. This way you can start your own text of the subject, organized in a manner best used by you." He laughed nervously, but his eyes were serious. "There is a courtesy, a deep trust involved with the creation of a personal Schema text. Although in the beginning it is 'requested' you let us know should you add more to them once completed, it is not required. The passing on of new Schema or new knowledge is purely voluntary once a page is 'closed'." He also glanced at Snape's stoic face as if surprised at his silence.

To Harry's eyes, McGonagall waited impatiently until the diminutive Professor was finished. She fixed her gaze on Dumbledore and Snape; when both nodded in what Harry took to be some sort of approval, she picked up the instruction, turning slightly to look at Harry. "This course is treated the same as an apprenticeship; the rules of confidentiality are in full effect during this study and beyond. The 'master', in name only, will be Professor Snape. We are granting him the same privilege and an equal trust to keep secure the knowledge we will pass on to you." She chuckled. "Although I have no doubt his own Schema texts will thicken over time as your study progresses."

Lips pursed in what could only be consternation at McGonagall's comment, Snape was the last to speak. He fixed Harry with his eyes narrowed and Harry did not need to hear the spell to know he was reading his intent; he kept himself as open as possible. Snape nodded, apparently satisfied with what he saw and said, "Under normal circumstance one would not be permitted to pursue studies of this magnitude until after one's NEWT's are completed and passed with honours. However, in your case and the escalating 'situation' in which we find ourselves, where the exception is the rule, expediency once again slips prudence into the shadows. It will be my duty to see that you integrate what you learn from your Professors into a cohesive whole. There are other matters you and I will need to discuss with the Headmaster, but not until after you have accepted or rejected this proposal. Have you any other pertinent questions?"

Harry felt all eyes on him and shook his head. "Do I need to give you my answer right away?"

Dumbledore put his hand on Snape's arm as he snorted and answered, "Not at this exact moment, Harry, but soon. We still need to get you to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies and there is only a week to do so. Will two or three days be sufficient?"

"I was thinking more on giving you my answer tomorrow, but thank you for the extra time." Harry smiled at them all in turn. "I have no more questions. If that will be all, sir?"

Dumbledore looked around the table and seeing nods all around, said mildly, "No, Harry. I think that covers it. You can come to me or any of the Professors should you have any additional questions."

With that, Harry was gone as quickly as decorum would allow.