Chapter Six
"The Real Reason For Snape's Greasy Hair."
It had been a week.
It had been a week since he'd begun to tortu – er, tutor the idiot.
It had been a week filled with endless quizzes, curses, and potions-brewing; checkered with intervals of meals and sleep.
It had been a week, solid, of having to endure Potter's ludicrous questions, his miscast spells, his debilitating potions that always managed to have too much or too little of this or that, always managed to be stirred counterclockwise when it should have been clockwise, always…. Ugh.
It had been a week since Snape had seen what little was left of his sanity.
Nothing made sense. Potter seemed to be reading the assigned texts that Snape left out for him. He was quite intent with the ones on the Defense and Charms, and managed to slog his way through some truly horrifically boring Transfigurations texts; and Snape knew that he did read them, because he managed to at least pass all the written quizzes.
It was when they got to the practical work that things got chancy, when Potter attempted a simple healing spell on Snape on the off chance that he'd manage to drag one of his friends into mortal peril yet again in the near future and would need it to save their lives, that Snape grew horns and a tail and Potter collapsed to the floor in paroxysms of laughter. Snape would have been suspicious – because he was always suspicious – if he hadn't been able to hear that Potter had technically cast the spell perfectly… and it had just as perfectly gone wrong.
It had no rhyme or reason. It had no logic.
What it did have was the amazing ability to give Snape horrible migraines that left him clutching at his head and wondering where his common sense had wandered off to.
They'd have a few days as a break, however, now that Granger had finally arrived for her much anticipated visit. She and Potter had been trading letters furiously for the past few mornings and evenings, and each time a new letter dropped down in front of Potter, a small, genuine smile would briefly light up his face. Snape sneered, but was secretly relieved that he wouldn't feel obligated to try to cram more knowledge into the useless child's head.
He'd never thought that he'd actually be looking forward to having yet another Gryffindor around; but at least it'd just be the one, as the younger Weasleys had gone to Egypt with the oldest one for the summer, far from the perceived danger of Wizarding Europe. Snape's eyes would be saved from that particularly glaring shade of red the entire family dubiously claimed as a hair colour.
Granger had finally flooed in that morning, bright-eyed and bushy-haired (though she was never anything but… Merlin knew that mane of hers could inspire millions of tasteless jokes, not to mention the hazard it would be in the Potions' lab - how she'd managed to not be a bigger mess-up than Longbottom with hair as wild as hers, Snape would never know. He kept his own nice and greasy to clump the locks together and prevent any strands from straying into random cauldrons.).
Keeping to their arrangement, Snape stayed away from the pair as most as he was able; but he couldn't help but overhear their conversation as he stalked past Granger's room to the kitchen a few minutes past lunch – he'd left them to eat together, and was now in search of his own sustenance. He heard her hushed voice through the cracks of the doorway, saying, "…well, yes, Harry, that's true, but if you tweak it this way…"
Snorting in grim amusement, Snape continued past. It was obvious Granger was trying to give Potter hair care advice to deal with his unruly mass. The irony was almost enough to undo him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hermione and Harry sat across from one another on her bed, books splayed open around them. Each had their wands out, Hermione having been assured that No. 12 Grimmauld had enough shielding spells that no one would detect her working magic.
"I've been experimenting with intent," Harry said. "After reading all of the Charms' theory books Snape gave me, I can sort of… reverse what spells are supposed to do. But I'm having trouble with a few illusion ones."
Hermione frowned. "Let me see what you're doing."
Obligingly, Harry cast a glamour on his eyes; they turned a colourless grey. "See, the incantation I used should have turned my eyes black. I can reverse the intent of the spell if I reverse the wand movements – and the wand movements are small enough that only someone like Flitwick would notice that I'm doing it – but it takes too much thinking to do in the middle of battle." He grinned slightly. "I am, however, having fun testing it out on Snape."
She giggled. "You're a brat, Harry." Cocking her head sideways, she said, "And really, those eyes of yours are creeping me out. They make you look like a Malfoy."
Harry pulled a horrified face and hurriedly took off the glamour. "Yech. Don't say things like that, Hermione!" He took a deep breath. "But, anyways, the range of reversals are pretty limited. It would be better if I could manage to completely alter the affects of the spell, instead of just reversing them. I was thinking I could manage if I changed around the incantation a bit as well as the wand movements – y'know, stress one syllable over another, stuff like that."
"Well, yes, Harry," Hermione said. She worried at her bottom lip, lost in thought. "That's true, but if you tweak it this way off of the old spell, then what you're really doing isn't reversing the charm, but creating a new one… and there's a reason why it takes a while for new charms to become a part of common usage. New charms have to be extensively tested by the Ministry to ensure that they don't cause potential harm, that they're ethical, and that the backlash of the magic won't burn out the caster."
"Backlash?" Harry leaned forward, interest glinting off of his glasses. "What's backlash?"
She threw him an exasperated look and leaned backward, resting on her elbows. "Honestly, Harry, you've not learned anything in the last five years of Charms classes, I see." At his pleading glance, she relented with a sigh and began to explain. "Backlash – some charms, when cast, have a rebound effect on the caster. Actually, all magic has a rebound effect; all magic eats energy. Why do you think we get such large meals at Hogwarts throughout the year? We need all the calories we can get to keep our magic fueled. It's just that some spells eat more energy than others.
"There are a few spells out there that, if you were to cast them, you'd die instantly from starvation. They require that much energy. They're the ones that have been lost to obscurity, since most wizards and witches are unwilling to spend their lives to extinguish a single candle, or pick up a rock."
"Huh? What's this about putting out a candle or picking up a rock? How would that kill you?"
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. "Like I just said – starvation, because the power behind these particular spells is just too much. It's massive overkill. Those two are still known about because they're studied in the Advanced Ancient Runes class, and in a few independent Charms studies. On the surface they're very simple spells. But if you look at the words behind them – and I'm not going to tell you what they are, partly because I can't pronounce them, and partly because I don't want you experimenting – then they're the most complex spells you'll ever see.
"The one for putting out a candle, for example. It's not just summoning a bit of wind to blow out the flame; it's willing the flame to not be anymore, to just stop existing… and fire is one of the basic elements, so to pit your magic against it is a monumental act of stupidity. Over the years, wizards have adapted the spell to not be so draining - its most famous variant is the Killing Curse."
"Avada Kedavra?" Harry said, frowning. "You mean, Avada Kedavra is weaker than this spell?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "For one, it focuses itself on the specific life force and not on the physical being to stop existing. That's why there's never been a physical explanation for why it succeeds in killing its victims. By focusing on only one aspect of being, the magical drain of Avada Kedavra is lessened; and with practice, wizards and witches can learn to handle the damage done to them by casting the spell and build a tolerance. It's a lot like the way we're taught with simple spells like 'Wingardium Leviosa' in First year, and then work our way up to ones like 'Accio'. We're capable of casting the Accio while we're in First year too, but in doing so, we'd knock ourselves out for around a week because we haven't grown used to the magical drain yet."
"Huh." Harry frowned. He flopped onto his chest and played with a random book absentmindedly. Hermione didn't interrupt him, knowing he was about to come out with one of his intuitively deep thoughts. "So, why can't we build up a tolerance to the level that we can cast that spell – y'know, the one for putting out a candle."
Hermione blinked. "Well…" she considered thoughtfully, "I suppose it's possible that you could. But you'd have to cast a lot of higher level spells consecutively for a long time… and you'd have to be enormously talented… and, well, I'm not sure that anyone under the age of a hundred could manage it since you'd have to have been doing magic for a long time…"
"But theoretically," Harry pressed, "it's possible, right?"
"Yes," she nodded. "It's possible."
For all that she'd known Harry since they'd been eleven, Hermione didn't know quite what to make of the smile he sent her way – except that if she hadn't been such good friends with him, she might have been slightly, subtly frightened.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Granger was finally leaving.
Snape heaved a sigh of relief. It was hard enough having one Gryffindor around; two was pushing his limits. He stood by the sidelines as they hugged goodbye, and cleared his throat to hurry their farewells. It was as Granger was about to step into the fireplace that Potter hurriedly pushed a wrapped bundle into her hands, leaning forward and whispering into her ear. Try as he might, Snape could only hear, "…mirror, Sirius…"; and then Granger was nodding, looking suddenly tearful, and stepping backward into green fire, saying, "The Leaky Cauldron," as she went.
And then, once again, it was only Snape and Potter. Merlin help them.
Oh wow. This has been a long gap in updating - I'm so sorry! There are a couple of reasons for the long wait (I'm not sure if you want to hear my excuses) butthey mainly comprise of the continuing misadventures of my monitor (I've had to send it in for repairs, and am currently still using the Loaner), a lack of time due to math homework, and a loss of general momentum to the story. I've had to replot certain aspects of it, but no worries! I have my ideas firmly in hand now. I know that this chapter was mainly boring and doesn't really go indepth with Snape and Harry's lessons, but I never meant for the 'fic to be a Snape-mentors-Harry one and I'm sorry if that's what you expected. What this chapter is is set up for the rest of the 'fic, and for the possible sequel as well. I hate writing set-ups... but, well, they have to be done. Thank you to everyone for encouraging me and for reading my story!
Clodia - Hee, I could get used to being called glorious and wonderful! And all your questions are soon to be answered... or, well, maybe not in this 'fic, but perhaps in a sequel...? And, very well, I suppose I shall pay member dues... Must set a good example, and all that! (Heh. Remus really IS like chocolate...) Oh, and my friend finds you amusing! (Slightly disturbing as well, but she's used to that with me around.)
logi - Thank you! I'm sorry this update took so long; future ones will come faster, I promise! (Or at least fervently hope.)
Strega - Wow, thanks so much for all your insightful comments! I'm glad I'm on the right track - though I have the feeling that this latest chapter is OOC and not really up to par with the rest of the fic... it's necessary though, to move the story forward. I'm really grateful to you for your analysis of my humor-writing-style. That really cleared up my doubts; and you are SO right about the troubles with writing the way the characters want you to write... it makes some stories inflexible, because the characters are inflexible, and therein lie all the many pretty plot devices that make authors all over breathe easier. Heh, you're a Ravenclaw? I'm like, a Hufflepuff with Ravenclaw leanings (I love books). Please keep reading!
Em - Uwahh! Huggle! Sorry, I've been hug-deprived! Okay, I'm good now. Heh, so you also wallow in insanity? I find it a comfortable place to rest. Hm, I'm thinking in HP6, Harry and Snape WILL reconcile, actually; I'm pretty sure that Rowling's setting them up to be mentor-mentoree (is 'mentoree' a word? eh, it is now!) after they get over their various hang-ups about each other. I also can't wait! Heh, if you get the book before me, tell me all the juicy bits, k?
Mademoiselle nom de plume - Thank you! I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out to you!
blackshift - I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry it took so long to update! Please don't abandon the story!
Awesome Possum - Hee, I love Sherlock... I gift him a warehouse full of sunglasses! Ah, I love these reviews... they go beyond awesome! Thank you!
Howl - Wow! Always be hungry when you review! That's awesome, it really WAS like a novel! Heh, my friend and I shook our heads in awe, before breaking out in chortles over all the comparisons. I'm sorry this update took so long to get to you, and I know it's not really worth the wait - but the next three chapters will be very awesome if I do say so myself (heh, I'm SO not humble AT ALL). And, well, Harry's not actually crazy; you'll see, I'm planning on having Snape's revelation on Harry's character come in Ch. 8. It'll be so much fun to write! Please keep up with the chortle-inspiring reviews (if you have the time and feel so inclined); they inspire me to write, though perhaps not all that well!
Giddy With Laughter - Thanks so much!
whereowhere-is-my-rabbit - Sorry this update took so long; and, well, as for your question... trust your instincts! Thanks for your review!
tweeny-weeny - Heh, I like making him confuzzled the best too! I'm glad you could get to the rest of the story, and thanks for reviewing!
fragonknight01 - I'm so glad you liked the first five chapters! Thanks for reviewing, and I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out - I hope you still plan on reading the rest!
Cressida Aliora - Wow, that does sound like a horrible return! I hate going back to school too; even after a weekend, I feel like dying... well, I hope you feel better now! And I'm sorry that this update took so long... I hope the new chapter cheers you up a little, even if it's not that funny!
juliedecarson - Thank you for your comments! I know what you mean about Snape, how he sometimes seems like he should be screaming instead of calming down - but I'm trying to take into account the fact that he'd likely be puzzled by Harry's behaviour towards him and that this might affect his reactions somewhat. I'm trying to keep him in IC, and I'm glad that you agree for the most partwith the way I'm portraying him!
Memoria in Piscis Crusta - YOU! Type up the rest of the stories! You only did two, ya slacker! Heh, and it is SO your fault that I'm all bruised and bloody... every day... even on the weekends... and when I try to fight back, you just LAUGH! You're such a... such a... such a YERK! That's right. You're a yerk. Heh. Glad it made you laugh (I wrote the Kreacher part just for you), and the only reason why you're doing so well in English is because I CHEAT FOR YOU! (well, no, I dont actually, but I would if you asked me to!) And hey, so what if I ditched you in Chem? You ditched me in Psych! We're even!