Title: Reluctant Savior (Chapter 3)
Author name: venus4280
Category: Drama, Snape mentors Harry…
Rating: Pg-13 for language/intensity- subject to change
Spoilers: all five books
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended, and I get nothing from borrowing them except the pleasure of trying to write a good story.
Archive: If you want, just email me to let me know
AN: I want to thank all of my wonderful reviewers- you guys rock! Happily, some of you also represent some of my favorite authors on this site. I want to send a special missive to Kip- who rightly pointed out my thestral issue. It has been fixed. – Again, thank you, and as always- read and review!!!
Later, outside Dumbledore's Office
"Sit here, Potter," Snape ordered, pointing to a chair conveniently located in the corridor outside the entrance to the Headmaster's office. "Do try and stay out of trouble!" Harry glared, but nodded, as Severus Snape turned his back and entered Dumbledore's domain, briefly vexed at being excluded as if he were an ill-behaved child.
Ignorant of the brooding teenager, Dumbledore greeted his Potions Master with the usual pleasantries. "How was the trip, Severus? Would you like some tea?"
"It was fine and no, thank you," the Potions Master answered impatiently before taking up the gauntlet. "Sir, if I may…?" Dumbledore nodded his acquiescence, gesturing for Snape to continue. "Why did you have me bring Mr. Potter to the castle? What is going on?"
"Well, Severus, as you are well aware, the final battle is upon us. I would be very surprised indeed if we were to make it to Halloween without incident. It is quite clear that Voldemort intends to storm this castle; he has an unhealthy fixation on destroying Hogwarts and killing Harry. He is only getting stronger…" Just then, the headmaster trailed off, revealing more uncertainty as to his faith in a favorable outcome of the escalating conflict than Snape was expecting or prepared to deal with.
Soon the old man composed himself and continued, leaving Snape to question whether he had imagined the other's anxiety; hoping- no, needing- that to be the case. "Like it or not, Harry will be thrust in the middle of this, through no fault of his own, and we would be remiss not to prepare him for the fight ahead. We all stand to lose in our next confrontation with Tom Riddle, but Harry more than most. It is to this end, Severus, that I have asked you to bring Harry back to the school- to train him in defense and dueling and the dark arts. Incidentally, how is he?"
As Professor Snape struggled to take in the Headmaster's transition from forbidding to casual, he admitted that Harry didn't seem to be at the top of his game. "Honestly Albus, I think the boy should stay in the infirmary this evening; he appears ill."
"I see…" but before Dumbledore could finish, Snape spoke up once more. "Furthermore, for reasons unbeknownst to me, Harry no longer has his spectacles. His clumsiness today indicates that this absence is quite debilitating and perhaps even physically painful. Can't we just correct his vision and be done with it? It seems a rather dangerous weakness to have anyway, considering that he will undoubtedly face the Dark Lord at some point."
"Severus, permanently correcting one's vision through magic is a difficult and unnecessarily risky endeavor. Even if one is a fully qualified opti-wizard, the consequences… trust me; they do not bear thinking about. Why do you think I wear glasses, and Minerva, and Trelawny? I daresay, the great Wizard Benjamin Franklin had the right of it when he invented the bi-focal. Now then, about Harry's spectacles, you will take him into London tomorrow and get a new pair- perhaps something a bit more flattering than his former frames? That is, of course, provided that Poppy gives him a clean bill of health."
The Headmaster rose from his seat, signaling that the conversation was nearing its end. "Good, now that's settled…" he murmured more to himself than his companion before abruptly addressing his Professor directly, "Oh yes, and another another thing... it's about your 'relationship' with Mr. Potter. You seem to have a rather inexplicable disliking for the boy, Severus. Moreover, this animosity, as it were, seems to have, if possible, actually deepened in the aftermath of your lessons and the events of last year. This cannot be, Severus. It musn't be.
Dumbledore turned then, the corner of his mouth twisting into a half-smile at his Potions Master's expense. "Now, I am not suggesting you adopt the boy, Severus." At this, the professor snorted loudly, eyebrow raised. "I would merely like you to be....well...., civil is a good place to start. I assure you Harry is really quite sweet! I will, of course, also be discussing this with Mr. Potter later. You two will be fighting on the same side; it behooves you both to make some effort to put aside your differences and get along! Oh yes, and before I forget, we must discussliving arrangements…" At this mention, Snape's mouth widened further, fearing the implications of the twinkle in the other man's eyes. "After tonight, you will be residing in the Gryffindor dormitories with Mr. Potter, mainly to protect him. Noting Professor Snape's horrified look, Albus added innocently, "Unless of course you would prefer him to sleep in your dungeons?"
"No," the Potions Master replied hastily; he would not have the insufferably obnoxious troublemaker mucking about in his personal space. Migraines induced by an overdose of red and gold décor was vastly preferable to Snape.
"Good." He stated, accompanying the Potions Master to the door. As Dumbledore emerged with Severus in tow, both were met with the sight of Harry slumped rather uncomfortably in the chair in the hall, sleeping soundly.
Smiling briefly, the headmaster cleared his throat causing Harry to wake. The boy straightened to look at the two professors, grimacing, Snape noted absently. "Hello, Mr. Potter."
"Hello, sir." Harry responded, looking a bit concerned at what could have prompted Dumbledore to send for him during the summer.
"You may be wondering why I have requested your presence in the castle this summer… rest assure that Professor Lupin, Hermione and the Weasleys are all in perfect health and can't wait to see you. It is not a tragedy, merely a precaution that requires you to be here at this time, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore explained, giving Harry a meaningful look before lowering his voice to continue, "I think we can all agree that last year mistakes were made, the lines of communication were severed, and the cost of those bad decisions was too high. I don't intend to repeat those mistakes…preventative measures are being taken by the Order as we speak, and part of that process begins here- with the two of you. I speak of course, of your training Harry. Professor Snape has kindly agreed to tutor you in defense and dueling, and I think you and I can work out an occlumancy schedule. It is my understanding that a review of the basics would be….beneficial," he finished diplomatically, shooting Severus Snape a somewhat disapproving look.
Harry nodded to show he understood. Although he wasn't necessarily looking forward to spending the summer with Snape, he couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. At least he would be doing something. Hadn't Dumbledore just said that he would be part of the process, part of the solution this time around? Where once anger would have welled up, consuming him- there was only regret and guilt. Dumbledore was right, he could not afford to repeat his mistakes.
The younger wizard had been fearing the worst: that Voldemort had ravaged the wizarding world during the five weeks since he had left the castle, finishing what he had started at the Ministry… that Sirius had been joined beyond the veil by one of the Weasleys or any number of other innocents, magical and muggle alike. He shuddered again, forcefully pushing the terrors from his mind. He would defeat this; he would not wallow; he would strive to do better with occlumancy, with his training, even with Snape- everything depended on it.
Both Snape and Dumbledore were concerned by Harry's response, or seeming lack thereof. Breaking the awkward silence, the headmaster shooed his student and professor toward the hospital wing so he could think. "Off to Madame Pomfrey with you! She'll have my beard if you don't visit the infirmary this evening. Good night, Harry. Severus," Dumbledore inclined his head, dismissing them.
"Goodnight, Professor," Harry responded.
"Sir," Snape acknowledged, taking his leave.
Shaking his head, Albus Dumbledore re-entered his office, and though there was a frown on his face, there was also a twinkle in his eye. No matter what, this summer would certainly be interesting.