Hi y'all! Well, this one's kind blah, but Snape's so funny. I really don't like this chapter. shiver But don't worry, it's nothing bad, I just realized how stupid my plot was, so I redid it, leaving nothing here but filler.
Part of the Plan: Once Upon A Time
The next morning, Harry woke at dawn, mostly because he had forgotten to close his curtains. In a moment of disorientation, he couldn't recall where he was, then with a burst of joy he remembered he had gained an entire tower to himself. Immediately, an image of a sneering Snape ranting about the Golden Boy's excessive privileges became foremost in his mind. Yes, Harry thought, in this instance Snape would be correct. This did see markedly over the top and Harry could imagine how people would react. And wait... this was Slytherin's tower. Bloody brilliant. This will start up all the heir of Slytherin rumors again.
Slowly, Harry dragged himself out of bed and dressed himself before meandering down the stairs to his sitting room. He blearily pulled out his Defense homework and started work on it.
Two hours later, Harry dropped his quill with a sigh and rummaged around to find the potion book, hoping Snape would make an appearance today. As he headed down to the Hall, he absently flicked through the pages.
This was the way he entered the Hall, not even noticing as Lupin held the door for him. With a start, he slammed the book shut and embarrassedly sat next to the werewolf. As he glanced around the table, he noted that Snape was indeed there, along with Dumbledore. They were involved in some debate, apparently over the wards or something. Harry didn't eat much of breakfast, too worried about talking to Snape. He knew, logically, that he could just as easily ask the Headmaster or Lupin, but it had been clear Lupin hadn't even gotten an OWL in the subject, and he really wasn't about to question the Headmaster.
When Snape finished and made to get up, Harry spoke up.
"Umm... Professor Snape? I was doing some research for your essay-"
"What were you doing that for? Who said you were good enough to get into my class?" the Potions Master interrupted, instantly irate.
"It'll be good practice, whether I get into the NEWT class or not," Harry said, reminding himself he couldn't get too angry, 'cause that, of course, was for the Professor to do.
"Anyways, I came across this book," he paused, bringing the book into view, "And it lists thirteen uses for griffin claws, instead of nine." He offered the book to his teacher, who was staring at the book like Harry was handing him his life's work. Snape took it carefully, and squinted at the cover.
"What kind of trick are you playing, Potter? This book shouldn't still exist, much less with you. Where did you find this?"
"Er- it was in my rooms, why?"
"Oh, a likely story. This is the Ingredient Referendum, as compiled by Salazar Slytherin! It automatically documents all potions and potion ingredients as they are discovered! This isn't a book you find laying around, boy, it's one of a kind and presumed lost forever!" the Potion Master said, very agitated.
"You forget, Severus, that Slytherin did reside here once. It's very likely he left some of his books here," Dumbledore interrupted, winking at Harry. Harry couldn't find a reason to wink back, so he stood and reeled in the effect this was having on the normally reserved Potion Master. He looked almost excited, in a good way. Like this was some mystery he needed to solve.
"Oh, so Potter just randomly finds Slytherin's library, Albus? Of course, that could happen to anyone," the Potion Master said sarcastically. Harry muffled a laugh, and Snape turned to look at him with suspicion.
"What's so funny, boy?"
"Nothing, Professor, it's just you're kind of amusing."
"Amusing?" Snape said, his tone dangerous, "I don't do amusing, I'm afraid. Explain."
"Nothing, nothing. It's funny when people react exactly like you thought they would. I didn't think a book would do it though," Harry said, watching his Professor get angrier and angrier. Then, Harry found comprehension, "Oh- you think this is a prank. No, no, no joke. As far as I now, that's the book you said it is. The Headmaster might say otherwise, but then the joke would be on me."
Here the Headmaster snickered and quickly intervened as Snape was starting to go for his wand.
"Severus, my dear boy. Do calm yourself. There is no joke here. Harry was assigned Slytherin's tower for the duration. Oh- Harry-"
"He was assigned Slytherin's tower, Albus?" Snape said incredulously, "The tower that turned me down? Me, the only living person that has more than one Slytherin line? How- no don't say anything. That tower has been uninhabited since the days of Salazar himself, ever since the splintering of the line. But-" he stopped, apparently unwilling to go on. Harry thought it amusing that Snape seemingly claimed more Slytherin blood that Voldemort, yet never seemed a Parseltongue. Then he began talking again.
"Think of all the lost manuscripts, the theories. Surely Slytherin, at least, had the compilation of Parseltongue spells!" the Slytherin teacher said with wonder.
"There are a lot of books, some are in Parseltongue," Harry offered. He had come across them while looking at all the books. It seemed they were what the library was mainly composed of. The sitting rooms had all the English books, and there seemed to be a few in French as well.
"Do you think I could see them? Slytherin was reputed to have started work on a real cure for lycanthropy, not that Homo-whatever spell. (Lockhart! O.o) Oh- and his thesis on the use of human blood." Snape said enthusiastically, apparently forgetting this was Harry Potter, the boy he loathed. Personally, Harry thought he seemed much like Hermione at the moment.
"Sure... and about the griffin claws?" Harry replied.
"Oh, do include all of them. Some of them are archaic potions long out of date. It won't be extra credit, since you obviously have the resources," he said distractedly.
"Umm... you could come on up now, if you're not busy..."
"Could I? I would most appreciate it."
"Good-bye, Headmaster, Lupin. I'll see you at lunch, I suppose."
They nodded in response, still laughing at the odd events. Harry led the way, glancing covertly at the gleeful Potion Master. He was practically skipping, looking for all the world a kid in a candy shop. Harry was still wondering at the implications Snape had given a few minutes ago. He hadn't even thought about needing Slytherin blood to live in the tower. When they arrived at the portrait, Harry hissed at the portrait, and Snape looked vaguely surprised.
"Your password is Slytherin? How painfully obvious. I suppose no one would think of that, even if they spoke the language."
It was Harry's turn to be surprised again.
"You can speak Parseltongue? But- why then- what-"
Snape cut him off sharply. "Parseltongue can be learned, dunderhead. My father spoke it and taught both my mother and myself. Others speak it naturally, like you."
"No- why didn't you say anything in Dueling Club? You obviously knew I wasn't egging the snake on-"
"I figured if you were daft enough to use it in public, you deserved the consequences. I was intending on doing the same as you did, but you beat me to it. Now, can we hurry along?" Snape said, peering into the door. Harry shrugged and led the way up the stairs. After a quick tour, they settled down in the lowest sitting room. Snape quickly selected a stack of books that obscured his face at the table. As he sat down, he glance up at Harry.
"Er- I know I'm intruding, but I'll show you any references you might find useful. I know you've got an essay for Defense on potions too..."
"No, no, go on ahead. As you saw, this is quite a big endeavor, especially if you can't read Parseltongue. You saw the library. I would like you to show me what you find useful for me. I'll never keep track."
Silence fell quickly as the pair immersed themselves in their work. Every once in awhile, Snape would hand Harry a book, or exclaim on something he found, and Harry would tentatively ask a question. Surprisingly, they managed to be at least civil, and soon it was time for lunch. After glancing at his watch, Harry sat down his quill and stretched. Snape looked up and marked his page.
"It's time for lunch," Harry said, "Do you want to go get some?"
"Oh-sure. Can I come back later? There are so many books that exist solely here. I expect your Miss Granger would be most delighted as well," he said, stretching as he stood up.
"Sure, I'm going to go flying after lunch, but you know the password, so come on in."
"You trust me enough?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
"I don't think you're the type to snoop," Harry said weakly.
"Hmm."
"I do owe you an apology, for the..."
"I do believe fiasco would be a good word here." (I couldn't resist! This shows Snape's been around D. way too much...)
"Yeah."
"Access to this library is more than enough," he said, straightening the stacks of books.
Harry rose also and said, "Thank you for helping me."
"I'm sure I'll regret it later," he said dismissively. They walked down the stairs together, pausing to talk to the portrait.
Review, please! My Snape smiley commands it: '-.-' Those are eyebrows! Eyebrows, I tell you!