Chapter 3: A Talk with Dumbledore
Potter walked into the office. He looked like a mixture between nervous and about to vomit. He stopped walking and stood in front of Snape's desk.
Snape reviewed then order. "Sit."
Potter slowly sat down and stared at the ground.
"We do have some options, you and I." Snape said quietly, "We, also, have some unanswered questions. Don't we? Tell me what you learned today."
Potter swallowed. "What do you mean?"
"Do I really need to repeat myself. Tell me what you learned today?"
Potter thought about for a moment. Then very softly said. "You kept your word. You didn't tell Professor Dumbledore. You even gave the points back. I don't think you told anyone."
"Do you know what this is?" Snape picked up vial that was on his table and twirled with his fingers, "No. It is veritaserum, a truth telling potion. Three drops will have you spilling your guts on anything from what I want to know to the color of your underwear. Am I going to have to use it or will you tell the truth for once."
Potter looked terrified.
Snape waited but he said nothing. "Potter, I've learned a lot today. I have watched you all day long. Do you want to know what I have learned."
He blinked a few times and turned his gaze towards Snape. "What do you want?"
Snape was shocked, he didn't think Potter would be so direct. He wasn't fighting, he was accepting what ever Snape wanted. He really would give anything. He looked him in the eyes. Those bright green eyes were determined. That was when Snape knew he would do anything to protect his secret. "What do you think I know?"
"Does it matter." Potter stood up, shakily, "You know enough."
Snape didn't like how this was going. That uneasy feeling was back in his gut. "I should tell Dumbledore what I know and let him deal with this."
Potter walked over to him and slowly got on his knees. He leaned his head on his legs. There were tears in his eyes and for the first time, Snape noticed how truly green and beautiful they were. "I don't want him to know. What do you want, I'll give it you too. I have money if you want that. I'll behave in class if you want that. You want the Quidditch Cup, I'll give it too. I have lots to give."
He needed time to think so decided to test Potter's reactions. He touched his messy black hair. Potter flinched but then leaned into the touch. He had closed his eyes and made a pleased face but Snape could feel him shaking. He felt sick; it was then he knew part of puzzle. This was Harry Potter, what everyone else saw was a mask. He was one messed up little boy. "Potter, you don't have to give me those things."
"What do you want then?" Potter caressed the hand that was stroking his head. Another tear dropped down his face.
"I want something," Snape sighed, "I want to understand. This doesn't make sense."
Potter rubbed his face on his knees. "You just have to keep quiet and you can have anything."
Potter was affecting him. He could feel his penis hardening in his pants. He had no idea how his pleading was affecting him, stupid child. Fine, if Potter wanted play Slytherin then he was going to play Slytherin. "Let's make a deal, shall we?"
"Yes."
"You will have detention once a week with me for the rest of term." Snape sneered. "You will be here after dinner every Monday until I tell you can leave."
Potter looked up, almost confused. "Okay."
"You will tell me what is going on." Snape smiled nastily, "And I suggest you do it now."
Something flickered in Potter's eye and sighed slowly. He looked somewhat happier. "I got some extra books on potion making this summer so I could improve my marks. I want to be an auror when I grow up so needed to improve, you see? I started those potions so I could if I could do them, for practice. I need to taste them so I could tell if they were right."
Snape thought about this and nodded. It did make sense. "Why were you in a girl's bathroom."
"That's the bathroom that leads to the Chamber of Secrets and no one goes there because of the ghost there." Potter answered.
Snape knew that ghost and she was annoying. He didn't blame anyone from not going there. "Why didn't you want me to tell Dumbledore about this?"
"He lectured me last year for rule breaking." Potter looked braver as he answered, "He said he would have no more of it. I don't want to disappoint him. He is such a great man."
"Yes, he is." Snape nodded. "Get off the floor and go to bed. I will see you next week. This will remain quiet for at least now."
Potter smiled as if pleased with himself and got up gingerly. He headed towards the door.
Snape thought of one of his questions and called out before he opened the door, "Potter, turn around!"
Potter turned. He was shaking again.
"Lift up you robes and drop your pants."
Potter didn't question him and did what he asked. When Snape looked at the bare flesh, there was a half-hard penis and two testicles above Potter's legs. "Good, you are a boy. One puzzle solved. Pull up your pants and get out."
Snape didn't hear the door close. He was lost in his own thoughts.
He got out his questions again and made some more changes. He wrote near question one that Potter had taught himself how to make these potions, that no one had helped him. At the bottom of the page he wrote this.
Potter's Story
He taught himself both potions.
He wants to be an auror so he needed to improve his scores in potions.
He didn't want Dumbledore to know because he would be disappointed.
Potter tried to blackmail and maybe seduction to get me to stay quiet.
Potter is lying.
Potter is a boy.
When Snape stopped writing, he thought about what had happened when he asked Potter to drop his pants. He had did without arguing or even asking why; in fact he seemed to aroused somewhat. So was Potter gay? Maybe he and Weasley were closer than he thought. That would explain why they were always together. But he really didn't think so. He had a bad feeling about why Potter did that.
He needed more information. Snape sighed and wrote a new list.
People to talk to.
Dumbledore
Granger
Weasley
Dumbledore would know the most about Potter's background. He was both close to the boy's dead parents and had picked where he had grown up. He was a mentor and a hero to the boy. Granger and Weasley were his friends and they might have some insight but Snape knew they wouldn't really be of help. Potter was most secretive and they did really see behind his masks. Snape smiled begrudgingly, Potter was one hell of an actor.
Then he added Lupin to the list. He had gotten close to boy last year and may know something that he did not. He almost added McGonagall to the list but then change his mind. She would know nothing. She never really talked to him and he was a little hero in her eyes.
He put both parchments in his breast pocket. He left his office and headed to the school's library. He wanted to know more the potions and he knew the perfect person to research for him. Hermione Granger was reading in dark corner with barely an inch separating her nose from the page. He sat at her table wordlessly. She was so intrigued with what she was reading she never noticed him there After a few minutes smirking to himself, he decided to get her attention.
He cleared his throat.
She looked up and she jumped. Then very shakily said, "Can I help you, Professor?"
"I want you to do something for me." he sneered. "Think of it as extra credit."
She narrowed her eyes at him. It was remarkable how much she was more and more like McGonagall everyday. "What can I help you with?"
He had worked with McGonagall for 13 years. He knew how to deal with the little, tiny McGonagall that was sitting in front of him. "I am very busy this year with the Triwizard Tournament. Every year, I do research and experiments for major potion companies. There is little money but it does amuse me. This year, I don't have the time for the research though I do now much about the subject. The research would more likely just a refresher for me on the subject. Would you be willing to research for me?"
Her eyes lit up but then she frowned. "What kind of research?"
He sighed and pretended to be annoyed. She was right there where he wanted her. "On two potions. The healing potion, Alleviation Ale, and the menstruation potion, Regina's Solution. You of course would not find information on Regina's Solution in this library so I would have to give you access to Restricted Section. The newer the information, the better. I do have an excellent memory and already know much about both."
He could tell she was very excited about this, the silly little bookworm, but still, she wasn't stupid. So she did what was he had anticipated, she asked questions. "Why me?"
"Believe it or not," He said, "I know you are the smartest girl in this school and so do you.".
She smiled, "But you hate Gryffindors."
"I do but you are the only one I would trust this too." He shrugged, "From your essays, I know you are thorough. If you do this for me, I'll give you bonus points on your midterm."
"How many?"
He sighed. "Twenty."
She thought about it. "How would you like it?"
"Two parchments." He handed her the pass, " One on each. It's history, uses, and other such basic things. As I've said, I know a lot already about each. I would just like a refresher."
She looked at it. "I haven't said I would do it yet."
"Well, are you or not?" He grumbled.
She said. "Yes."
"Good and I expect it next Monday. Do not tell any of the other students about this. They will scream favoritism and I don't have enough headache relief potion to make all those headaches vanish." He stood to leave.
Her eyes narrowed. "Are you up something?"
"5 points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger." He said silkily. "I am your professor and that requires respect. After three years of thinking that I am up to something, do you still?"
"Sorry, Professor." She said, "Yes, you're right. I won't tell anyone."
"When I say no one, that includes Misters Potter and Weasley. "
She nodded.
"Good. Good evening then." He muttered as he slithered away. Now that he didn't have to deal with that, he would have more time to deal with the rest of this mystery. He wasn't worried about her telling anyone, she was too much like McGonagall. She would talk if she thought Potter was in danger. Tonight he had other things to do, he was going to go have a talk with the headmaster.
Snape arrived at Dumbledore's office, he found the headmaster and Moody discussing the defenses for the Triwizard Tournament. Dumbledore welcomed him while Moody gaffed and scowled. He gathered up his papers from the headmaster's desk, gave one last sneer to Snape, and left.
Dumbledore just sighed, "I was hoping that you two would get along during this year but I don't think Alastor is very willing."
"You think?" Snape rolled his eyes.
The old man chuckled and summoned some tea. "What brings you here, Severus?"
Snape poured himself some tea. "Could it just be I enjoy you company?"
He smiled. "I enjoy yours as well but I doubt this is just a social call."
He smiled back. "I'm here to ask some questions."
"Term has just started today and you already have a mystery on your hand." Dumbledore frowned, "Does it have something to do with the Gryffindor who never lost 100 points?"
"My mysteries," Snape sniffed as if offended, "As you put it, are not my fault. Could it be Quirrel was acting weird and was dangerous? Could it be that Lupin disappeared every month? Could it be there was a Chamber of Secrets?"
The headmaster sighed. "Yes, I know you mean not to harm but to help. And yes, I know you are always at least a bit right. But really, the Chamber of Secrets in the library?"
"The clues pointed there. The victims were always close to that area. Personally, if I was Slytherin, I would have put it in Gryffindor tower." Snape grinned evilly.
Dumbledore chuckled. "You would. Too bad, Harry beat you to the Chamber. It seems you and Harry Potter have something in common. He can't resist a mystery either."
"He is one I want to ask some questions about."
He stroke his long beard. "Was he the one who lost the points?"
"Did I say that?" Snape said.
"Voldermort is back." The headmaster commanded, "If he is in danger, I want to know."
He sneered at him. "Really, if he was danger, I would have brought him to you straight away. In fact, I should get a pay raise for doing just that after all I've went through. Jinxed broomsticks, Sirius Black, and werewolves. How much danger can a boy get in every year."
"Sorry, Severus, I'm just worried. That boy has been through so much already. I'm hoping with the tournament this year, that he could just stay out of danger. But it looks like that's not going to happen."
"Yes, you told me about what happen at the World Cup with death-eaters, Potter, and his wand." Snape said, "By the way, how long did he stay with the Weasleys after that?"
"A few weeks." Dumbledore said looking at Snape very hard. "Are you going to tell me what is going on?"
"Not just yet. I made a promise not to and I am going to keep it until I know what is going on." He answered.
"Hmm, very well. What are your questions?"
Snape asked. "Who does Potter live with and what are they like?"
"The Dursleys are whom, he lives with. Lily's sister's family. He stays with his aunt and uncle. He also has a cousin there. They don't like him very much. Lily and Petunia never did get along and I think that migrated into a relationship with him. They think magic is, umm, unpleasant. I have a friend who lives by the keeps an eye on them and she has never seen them hurt the boy."
Snape nodded. "Does Potter like them?"
Dumbledore smiled sadly. "No. In our world, he is famous and rich. In theirs, unwanted and unloved. Unlike, what you think, he was never spoiled. All his clothes were second hand and he never every got a toy to play with. There are four bedrooms in that house and he had to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs. He never knew he was a wizard until he got his letter."
Snape was shocked. He imagined him to be a miniature James Potter but the boy clearly wasn't. In fact, he was a little like him. Snape's family never cared for him either. Yet, it seemed he turned out all right. Potter was a golden boy like his dad and had the attitude to go with it. Maybe he wasn't spoiled but he was still a brat. "Then why did you leave him there?"
"Severus," Dumbledore whispered, "I still regret it to this day but I had no choice. They were his only living relatives and the magic that protect him from Voldermort was his mother's love. Therefore I he needed to with her blood relative so he would be protected. Petunia Dursley was the only one."
Snape thought this over and said. "Where is Remus Lupin currently?"
"So Remus is involved in the caper as well." Dumbledore sipped his tea. "He is staying in a cottage outside of Westchester. I believe its called Lavender Cottage."
Snape nodded again. "How did Potter do in his old school?"
"Very well, I've been told."
"Was he a troublemaker?" He asked.
"No, he was shy and bullied by his cousin and his friends. A bit of a loner, really." The headmaster answered.
"So, he didn't have any friends before coming here?"
"No, he didn't."
Snape reflected on this. He really couldn't imagine Potter to act that way. He must have started acting when he first came here. Maybe so he would be alone or maybe so he could have friends to protect him from bullies. He really didn't have anymore questions but he did tell the headmaster what had first came to his mind. "He would have done well in Slytherin house."
Dumbledore gave him a very strange look. "Did you know Severus, that was what the Sorting Hat said to him."
Snape blinked several times. He was feeling sick. This was a terrible week for him. He made his accuses and got up to leave when the headmaster stopped him.
"I'm going to ask you to keep an eye out on our young Mr. Potter. There is danger afoot and I am worried. If your mystery is about Harry I would like to know but I don't think you are ready to give me your suspicions just yet. That I understand, you are rather logical and you like to have all the pieces. I can wait because if there was immediate danger, I know you would tell me. Good night, Severus."
Snape sighed. He knew he could argue with the headmaster about being Potter's protector but he had already played out that role for years. Plus , the headmaster was right; there was danger around. The Dark Lord was or would be around very soon. He trusted the headmaster on that fact in addition to his dark mark hurting. All he wanted to do was go to bed. He would worry about this tomorrow.