A/N : Thanks for the review, AgosDelGrosso! Again, any feedbacks and comments are very much appreciated. Enjoy!
Chapter 8 : A New Bond
Harry woke up in his bed just when the soft glow of the sun started to shine into the dormitory, bringing in warmth and hope. It was the first night in a year that nightmares had spared Harry, allowing him to finally take a well-deserved rest without disturbance. Ron's periodic snores could be heard, complementing the calm and steady breaths of Harry. Harry's mind was strangely peaceful, especially when he thought about Snape's words from the previous night. Snape provided him with the understanding and comfort Harry sought from Ron and Hermione, to no avail. "Not that I really tried that hard," Harry thought wryly. Anyhow, the experiences he and Snape shared created a special bond between them, it was similar to having a soulmate. Harry was surprised that he hadn't realized any likeness between him and Snape until yesterday.
Harry brushed his teeth and cleaned himself while the thoughts gushed through his head. By the time he finished enjoying the unique sensation Snape seemed to offer, he was ready to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. He had again skipped dinner the previous night. His long lost appetite somehow found its way back today, and Harry heard his stomach rumble.
"RON! Do you want breakfast or not? I'm not going to wait for you, and you will definitely have to skip breakfast if you refuse to get up at this immediate moment. Or you could tell Snape you are late for double potions because you are having breakfast. Maybe it's a drama we will enjoy." Hermione's shrill came from outside the dormitory. For some reason or another, Ron leapt to his feet and Hermione's call. Perhaps it's for breakfast, but Harry thought that not getting into a quarrel with Hermione who happened to be his crush was Ron's main intention.
Ron was ready in a jiffy, and the trio were now pacing towards the Great Hall. When they reached the hall, Harry stole a glance towards the professors' table, and his eyes locked with Snape for a fraction of second before the black eyes turned away. Harry was confused. Snape seemed much more distant than yesterday, but he can also sense his care. "Maybe he didn't want the children of Death Eaters to notice the change in our relationship and have Voldemort pestering him for information about me", Harry correctly perceived. "But he will need to feed Voldemort some information sooner or later, or he will get into trouble himself." Harry made a mental note to talk with Snape about this in case the noble professor refused to betray Harry's secrets.
"Are you okay Harry? You have been looking dreamily into the air for more than one minute now." Hermione's voice broke his thoughts. "Oh, I'm..err..just thinking about what a disaster double potions will be again," Harry lied. He wasn't prepared to let Ron and Hermione into his confidence about his relationship with Snape because he will need to explain why he had broken down in front of Snape, and that means revealing his pasts. "Yeah, it definitely will be a disaster," Ron rolled his eyes. "You look like Luna just now, mate." Harry shrugged and chuckled softly. "Please pass me the jam, Ron." With that, the trio indulged in their meal, laughing at jokes and complaining about lessons, just like any teenager would. Snape couldn't resist smiling a little, "Harry had finally forgotten the burdens on his shoulders for a moment", he thought to himself.
"Potter," Snape nodded towards Harry. "Professor," Harry replied. He guessed that it was for the sake of Death Eaters' children again, proving that Snape was trying to get closer with Harry. Beside him, Ron raised an eyebrow. Even if they greeted Snape, they never received any reply, but this time Snape had taken initiative to greet them? Weird. Sensing Ron's thoughts, Harry quickly lied. "I've been doing better in my Occlumency lessons, and Snape has been quite satisfied." "Oh, congratulations mate," Ron looked sincerely happy for Harry, dismissing his doubt straight away.
By the time they double potions ended, Harry was ready to announce that it was the best potions lesson he had ever had with Snape. Without Snape breathing down his neck periodically, Harry was able to focus more on his potion. Furthermore, Snape had the decency to give Draco a piercing look when he attempted to add unwanted ingredients into Harry's potion. As a result, Harry's potion was nearly perfect, earning him an Outstanding for the first time ever in potions. Harry was really beginning to appreciate this new Snape.
The week passed by, and Harry was constantly grinning. True, he was still disturbed by nightmares and guilty thoughts sometimes, but Snape's words were soothing him, minimizing the weight on Harry's heart.
When Harry finally finished his Transfiguration essay, he stifled a yawn while glancing at his watch. "Oh, it's 6.30pm already, I need to get ready for remedial potions," Harry said, leaping up to gather his books and store them in his dormitory enthusiastically. Ron and Hermione shared a surprised glance. They had never seen Harry voluntarily go to Snape's dungeons. In fact, Harry had always waited until the last minute and needed to be screamed at before he would walk to the dungeons, grumbling all his way. Despite being 'not observant', they had successfully noticed that Harry's relationship with Snape had turned for better. Although they didn't know the reason behind it, seeing Harry joyful was a rare sight, and they were delighted on his behalf. "Bye guys, I'm leaving for remedial potions," Harry shouted and departed at record speed.
Harry was knocking at Snape's door ten minutes earlier than supposed time. He was a little wary of Snape's reaction. However, when Snape merely raised an eyebrow and offered him a seat, Harry sighed in relief. Snape finished marking his last parchment of essay before looking up at Harry.
"What did I do to have the pleasure for you to arrive ahead of schedule after so many weeks proving you are unable to read a clock?" Snape apparently had not lost the ability to produce snide remarks. He expected Harry to at least frown, but instead, Harry smiled a genuine smile and uttered his gratitude before looking on the floor. Snape sighed. Just a few words of encouragement meant so much to Harry that it had offset his hostility for the past four and a half years. It proved that the boy was really fragile and close to breaking point. Snape's heart wrenched at that thought. However, he wasn't used to expressing himself, so he ended up smirking at Harry before starting the lesson.
"Legilimens." Harry felt a force pushing into his mind for the umpteenth time as he fought to block it out. Harry truly enjoyed the kinder version of Snape, and he would do his best to prevent Snape from flaring up again because of his abysmal performance in Occlumency. Nevertheless, Harry's mind gave way and allowed Snape's entrance after a decent amount of struggling.
Harry's eyes dropped. He braced himself for the scoldings and insults Snape was bound to shout. But it never came. Instead, he saw Snape's outstretched hand in front of him, offering to help him to his feet. He gladly took it before muttering his apologies. Again, Snape could feel his sincerity. He bit back his scathing remark. He knew Harry really did try hard, and there's a slight improvement in Harry's performance, however insignificant.
When Harry was back on his feet, Snape motioned Harry to sit on the chair opposite of him. Harry obeyed, putting his curiosity away. They had never had any talks during Occlumency lessons, it was always practical lessons. Anyhow, Harry was willing to listen tentatively to anything Snape had to offer.
After three hours of combined theory and practical lessons, Harry was starting to get a knack for Occlumency. He was still not able to completely shield his mind from Snape, but his period of fight was getting exponentially longer. While Harry was on cloud nine, Snape was inwardly cursing himself. Being a professor, he had still let his hatred towards Harry, or rather James, blindfolded him. He knew he had used an unwise method to teach Harry Occlumency as even the most gifted students like himself need to have some background information before achieving any means of Occlumency, but he deprived Harry from it. His selfishness had not only caused Harry pain and confusion, it might also lead to the world's destruction. His guilt was steadily building, but he chose to push them aside for now.
"Well done, Potter. Take some rest and remember to practice clearing your mind." "And feel free to talk to me about your pasts if you have the need to," Snape added after hesitation. Harry registered the renewed use of his last name. "Professor, I would prefer you to call me Harry if you will," he blurted out before his hands flew to his mouth, eyes wide in shock at his confession. Snape was taken aback. He considered for a moment before nodding curtly, "I will call you Harry in private." Harry's grin spread, and again, Snape found his mouth turn up, Harry's smile was so infectious.