Chapter 17
Harry had spent the last thirty minutes arguing with Ron about his decision to be the one who volunteered to sleep in Snape's rooms. He had tried to tell Ron that Snape wasn't that bad when they were alone, but Ron was sure that Snape was doing something to Harry and would kill him in his sleep.
Harry had finally gotten angry, and left with Calypso's cage, telling Ron that he would talk to him again when he decided to grow up. He was now wandering around looking for Snape's rooms. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going and ended up colliding with a firm object. All of a sudden he felt strong hands grab his arms to keep him from falling. "And just where were you going, Mr. Potter?"
Harry looked sheepishly at his guardian and said, "I was looking for your rooms, professor."
Severus just chuckled, and turned Harry around. "You passed them, foolish boy."
Severus led Harry back to his rooms and showed him the guest bedroom he would be sleeping in. He gave Harry time to get his snake settled before calling him into the sitting room. Severus said, "Have a seat, Potter."
Harry sat down, saying, "I wish you'd stop calling me that."
Severus sighed, "I am trying, child."
"I'm not a child!" Harry responded.
Severus raised his eyebrows. So the boy was recovering some of the spunk that had been sorely missing the last couple of weeks. At one time Snape would have berated him for responding in such a manner, but Severus was actually glad to see the spark back in the boy's eyes.
"No," agreed Severus. "You are not a child. But you are also not and adult." He raised his hand before Potter could object, and said, "I did not ask you in here to argue with you. It has been a very long day. I only wish to know how you are faring after the stress at the ministry."
Harry quietly said, "It was hard."
"Yes, but you handled it well. I noticed you chose to take the headmaster's suggestions."
Harry shrugged. "They made sense."
"And your anger at the headmaster?"
"I'm still mad at him for leaving me with the Dursleys and keeping so much from me...but,"
"But what, Harry?"
"He never lied," admitted Harry quietly.
"I thought not," said Severus.
"But you said.."
"What I said was that I did not believe the headmaster has your best interests at heart. What I meant was that I think that he overlooks your needs in his zeal to be sure that you are able to play your role in the upcoming war. However I have never known the headmaster to actually lie to anyone."
Severus continued, "I tell you this because at some point I believe you will need to avail yourself of the knowledge the headmaster has of the Dark Lord. As I said earlier, you need not necessarily trust the man to listen to what he has to say."
"He wants to talk to me?"
"Yes, he has asked me to let you know that once you return to school, he would like to meet with you several times throughout the school year."
"Do I have to?"
"I will not force the issue, however I urge you to consider it seriously. Knowledge is Power, Harry."
When Harry didn't answer, Snape continued, "I also sense that whatever Dumbledore has told you about the prophecy is beginning to overwhelm you."
"How did..."
"You have yet to improve in your occlumency enough to guard your mind from me. Do you wish to talk about it?"
"Do you know what the prophecy says?"
"No, but from the way you and Dumbledore act it is something about you having to be the one to defeat the dark lord."
Harry started to open his mouth, but Snape held up his hand. "I do not wish to hear the exact wording. Dumbledore has chosen to tell only you for a reason. However, you may discuss any concerns you have. You may begin by explaining in as little detail as necessary why you think the prophecy is about you specifically."
"Because when he tried to kill me as a baby he marked me as his equal."
Severus said, "I'm quite sure the prophecy details some way that you are supposed to be able to overcome the Dark Lord. Have you figured out what that is yet?"
Harry paused for a few moments and said, "I think perhaps it has something to do with love. Dumbledore said the reason that Riddle was unable to keep possessing me at the Ministry of Magic was because of the love I felt."
"Hmm...That may be something to have Ms. Granger research. You should not carry this burden alone, Harry."
Harry said, "I'd like to tell someone my own age, but I'm afraid if I do that I'll put them in more danger."
Severus said, "When the students decided to stand with you at the ministry, they marked themselves as the Dark Lord's enemies. I'm sure he will be after each and every one of them, if for no other reason than the fact that they are close to you. I think you should choose perhaps one of your friends to share this with."
"Then I choose Hermione," Harry said definitively,
"Not Mr. Weasley?"
"No, at first I wanted to tell both Ron and Hermione, but the way Ron has been acting I don't think he would be the best person to tell."
Harry looked up at his guardian. Severus appeared calm, but Harry could tell he was contemplating something. Severus said, "How has Mr. Weasley been acting that has you concerned?"
Harry said, "He is convinced you have been brainwashing me and that you will kill me in my sleep. If he's going to freak out about something as small as me volunteering to be the one to sleep in your rooms, then how is he going to act if I decide to take you up on the adoption offer, or if I tell him what the prophecy says?"
"Those are some very good points. When do you plan to tell the girl?"
"After supper, maybe."Severus said, "Very well. As it is almost that time, I suggest we retire to the dining room and see how your cousin is faring."
Harry followed Severus to the dining room. Upon entering, they noticed that Dudley was tied to a chair. Severus raised his eyebrows as he looked at Lupin and said, "Problems?"
Remus said, "Dudley tried to attack his roommates. I brought him down here until you decide what to do with him."
Severus sighed. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. He walked up to Dudley and said, "Violence towards others will not be tolerated in my home. You will spend the evening cleaning while the rest of us have dinner and relax."
With a flick of his wand, the restraints were removed and Severus said, "Come with me."
Dudley faltered for a moment, but finally rose and followed. Severus led him to the lab the students were going to use for their potions lessons. He turned to Dudley and said, "You will clean the desks and the floors."
With a wave of his wand cleaning supplies appeared. Severus said, "The door will remain locked until I come to claim you. You will not leave this room until it is clean." Severus turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.
Back in the dining room, Harry approached Remus and said, "Can I talk with you for a moment?"
Remus said, "Of course, Harry. Why don't we go ahead and sit at the table while we are waiting on dinner."
Harry followed Remus to the table and sat down next to him. Immediately a glass of pumpkin juice appeared for Harry and a glass of wine appeared for Remus.
Harry related his earlier conversation with Snape about his choices between adoption or apprenticeship. "I don't know what to do," he admitted at the end.
Remus seemed to consider the issue, and said, "You don't have to decide everything today, Harry. Why don't you finish the book you have started. Afterwards, find me and we'll talk about it."
Harry agreed. He was considering asking Remus what he knew of the prophecy when they were all called to supper.
After supper, Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her into the sitting room. He haltingly told her about the prophecy, waiting for the explosion he was sure to follow. But Hermione sat quietly for a few moments before saying, "I thought as much."
"What?" asked Harry in shock.
"Well, Ron and I kept talking after we went to the ministry. I remembered what Malfoy said, so I knew the prophecy was about you and Voldemort. I actually researched prophecies some before we left school, and I knew that for their to be a record, someone must have heard it."
"Oh," said Harry.
"Do you know what this power is your supposed to have that Voldemort doesn't know about?"
Just then, Snape walked into the room. "You told her?" he asked quietly.
At Harry's nod, Snape turned to Hermione and said, "I would like for you to research the magical power of love. You will turn in a weekly report to me of your findings. Can you do this?"
Hermione nodded and said, "You think this may be the 'power the dark lord knows not' don't you?"
"It may be. The only way for us to find out is for it to be tested."
Hermione nodded and said, "I'll do anything I can to help."
Severus left the teens to check how Dursley was faring with cleaning the lab.Snape walked into the lab to find Dudley just sitting. It looked like he hadn't even attempted to clean. Severus turned to Dudley and said, "I told you earlier that you will not leave this room without cleaning it. I will check in again at 10, and if it is not clean, you will be spending the night here."
Severus turned and left a bewildered Dudley behind.
It was approaching ten, Remus was searching for Snape to find out what was going to happen with Dudley when Snape came with the boy in tow. Severus said, "Mr. Dursley has not finished his chore, but as he finally made an attempt, I am allowing him to go to bed. However, tomorrow after breakfast, he will be returning to the lab to complete his cleaning."
Remus said, "Very well, Severus, I suppose I will see you after breakfast tomorrow then."
Severus nodded and turned to leave for his room.
Remus said, "Come with me Dudley. We'll get you settled for the night."
