I was asked about the amount of chapters dedicated for training.

The answer to that is: His training will come to an abrupt end, pretty soon. As he uses his own initiative to learn things there will be no need to drag out this part of his training.

However, this is important; his training will never really be over. It is a case of on site training #if you will#. Pretty soon he will need to build things and it is during this that he will learn a lot more. As for the actual work and in essence research I will slightly elaborate on this. It IS crucial that I do this because if he later dumps a ward on a trash can then I don't want to explain later that "In that chapter he researched wards."

I mean, honestly, if he can put a quick ward on the lid of a trash can what better shield do you want? Notso?

It seems I am including this part every chapter.

Old Crow, imagine my surprise when I receive a review from you. It was quite unexpected to put it lightly, by the way I love your stuff as well. Thanks to you and all the others, it is appreciated.

Some ask for some relief of action that I add a chapter with maybe I don't know light shopping or whatever. Previously I said that I will but only after ch 16. That still stands. Sorry

Ciao

flippie

Snape? Severus?

Harry went to the requirement room and came to another shock in his life. He was expecting dojo but no not this time. The room was lined with stone and the lighting was not the best he had ever seen. Two tables adorned the sides of the room and there were more cauldrons, tubes and vials that he had ever seen together located in shelves on either side as well as the back.

In the middle of the room stood none other than…

"Professor Snape?"

"Ah Harry? Good day and please call me Severus?" Harry stood there looking at the man as if he had three heads. #Medusa, are my eyes deceiving me or is something wrong here? # #From what I have seen there must be something wrong, very, very wrong. #

#Well there is only one way to find out. # Harry answered.

Severus had a pale blue robe on with his greaseless hair tied back. There was actually a smile on his face which was the most surprising thing as a scowl usually occupied the greater part of the face. His black eyes glittered with the lanterns against the wall.

This was not the man that Harry knew.

"Harry?" This time it was Severus with a frown. "That is your name isn't it? Please come in and have a seat."

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked not hiding the fact that he is flabbergasted.

"Well as a matter of fact I am here to ensure that you learn something in the volatile yet exact art of potion making of course." The question mark on Harry's face was still in evidence and this prompted Severus to continue. "Harry are you alright, you look a bit bleak around the ears? There is something that I can whip up to kill the feeling, if you want to."

#This is wrong. # Harry stated before continuing. "A… no thank you I will be fine now thanks." While Harry said that he made his way to the only desk that was in the middle of the room with a chair.

"Harry tell me why cant you ad bezoars to the eye of the newt?" Severus asked. "I don't know sir." Harry answered. "Severus, please…" Snape said with a smile again before continuing "…why do you have to stir a cauldron containing bezoars three times clockwise and eight times counter clockwise directly after adding the bezoars?"

"Well sir you never told me why you simply just told me to do it." Harry answered in his own defence starting to get irritated and hiding the fact.

Severus studied Harry for a moment before continuing. "Harry, why do I think that you reserve a hostile feeling towards me? Is this feeling is justified?"

"Justified?" Harry asked upset. "Yes, yes indeed I guess it is."

Harry was once again shocked to say the least. #This was not possible. How can he ask me something like that? # Harry asked Medusa #Harry, there is something strange going on here. # #I know but what? # Then an idea struck Harry.

Requesting two pensieves from the room they immediately appeared in front of Harry. Harry inspected them before continuing. "Well Severus why don't you put all your memories of me in that one…" Harry said indicating the one on the left "… and I will insert mine on the right?" Severus looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded, requested a stool and sat in front of the bowl. Retrieving their wands Harry and Severus both started.

Harry started from the first time he met Snape and added all the events that took place, little things almost exclusively bad although there were a few good ones at the expense of either Snape or some Slytherin and only if Snape was at some way or another involved. This resulted that Harry added almost all his classes and a lot outside class. The amazing thing was that however, no the amazing thing was that as Harry added the memories it became easier to remember more. It was almost like unfogging the last hour in divination as hindsight is 20/20. The fact that Harry had a pensieve and being very good at occlumency helped a lot. #From now on I will use a pensieve to help sort the day's event. #

By the time Harry was one his pensieve was a murky greyish colour with dashes of black in between. Harry stared transfixed at the pensieve trying to sort out what was wrong.

He turned to look at the pensieve next to his and to his amazement it was a greyish white. Harry looked questioningly at Snape who also had a frown on his face. "That doesn't look too good." He added before sticking his wand through the surface of the liquid. Little did he know what awaited him like a thief in the night ready to jump someone.

Harry looked thoughtful at Snape in the bowl and saw the man winch and sometimes covering his mouth. His eyes became as big at saucers a few times. Harry did not even follow the events that were unfolding to the other man; he was too surprised at the emotions playing on the one man he thought had no emotion.

The only other person he knew who did not just start screaming when under the crucatious, who could make you miserable without even a slight frown or any other movement for that matter. This in turn brought a frown to Harry's face and then the one thing he thought impossible happened right before his very eyes – Snape started crying.

Harry who ever since forgot about the pensieve next to him looked at the man and knew that this man was not the same as the one he came to know. Intrigued Harry watched as Snape covered his eyes silently weeping. Harry looked at the event and saw that it was the time that he almost fell from his broom because of Quirrel he remembered at the time that they thought he was guilty but later found the truth of the situation but at the moment that was not part of the scene.

Harry watched transfixed as the next few scenes played in front of Snape and saw the man dropping to his knees. He had enough. Gripping Snape's wand he removed it from the murk in front of them. As they were still in Harry's first year he knew that this Snape would not be able to take more of this.

As the wand disconnected form the surface Snape flinched away from Harry and dropped like a sack on the floor crying for all he was worth. "He started pleading with "How could he, how could I do that." The crying continued non stop. Harry went on his knees and did the one thing he never thought he would ever do.

He held Severus as he knew this was not Snape for dear life and strangely enough he felt the tears cascading down his face and he frowned not at the crimson tears, no, at the events that transpired in front of him now. He was at a loss and he knew that Severus was none the better either in fact he was sure that the confusion or rather shame he saw there was something that marred a road of great trepidation.

Shakily Severus detangled himself from Harry and looked in the teens face. He wiped the scarlet tears away smiling as he said "Just one of the things that will forever baffle the greatest minds."

The tears started flowing again as he wiped the other eye, before continuing "By God I am sorry, I will never be able to make it up to you. That was only the first year; the only thing that I can ask for is your forgiveness. Harry please forgive me for the gaffes that was made at your expense. I am deeply shamed by them and I need you to forgive me and judge me from what happens henceforth?"

Snape said this before desperately looking down to the ground and back up. Harry saw the sincerity written not only in the face but the attitude as well. Shocked Harry continued. "There is nothing to forgive." The look on Snape face was suddenly stamped with pure surprise. Harry continued "It was not your mistakes it was the mistakes from another you. I can see the difference clearly and will not hold that…" Harry indicated the bowl "…anymore against you than I will the rebirth of Voldemort." Harry softly continued "That was my mistake." Snape was in so much shock that he missed the last part. He looked at Harry and was to say the least speechless.

"Th... Thank you" he stuttered and embraced Harry once again. "But I want to see the rest of the memories still. There is so much for me to learn from you as you are so different from the other you's." Harry was the confused once more and together they went to explore the memories.

This time they connected together to the pensieve and continued where Severus stopped. At some points Severus would his and at other only frowns. Harry was carefully compiling a list of flinches the other man made as well as any hand signals that he used to indicate what he found inappropriate or simply wrong. Harry lost track of time a long time ago and as they were in the trunk there was no way to know exactly how much passed.

Eventually the memories came to a halt and Harry was quite happy about this as the nails of Severus was quite firmly chewed into his skin. Harry simply did not have the heart to reprimand this Snape as he had not even been on the receiving end of a single bad word or even gesture. And that was saying something as the Harry in the memories was maybe 98 the good guy. There was simply no way to lie to a pensieve.

Severus slowly looked into the eyes of Harry and asked a question that bugged him ever since they started in the memory. "Harry…" "Huh" Harry mumbled incoherently this did not deter Severus who immediately continued "… was I only bad to in class and then the single other times outside class?" frowning slightly Harry answered

"Well basically yes." "And what happened over summers?" Severus continued furrowing his brow. "I hardly if ever saw you over summers." Harry answered earnestly. Frowning Severus asked the one thing that he did not really want to ask "Have you ever seen me before you went to Hogwarts?"

"Severus are you actually going anywhere with these questions because before I went to Hogwarts I had never seen him, the only time he actually had anything to say to me outside class was to criticize, belittle or just scowl at me for doing something I was either doing or not doing and then he would do something about and make it look as bad as possible and deduct house points. I never saw him over holidays and if I did I stayed as far away from him as possible and that would only happen if he was in Diagon alley while I was there which happened only in the most implausible ways and hardly ever." Harry finished.

A look of utter incredulity was on the older mans face. "By God you don't know do you. You don't know?" Shaking his head Severus started pacing. The self of you that you met you showed him your memories not so?" Harry nodded an affirmative. "Did he tell you how different they were compared to the memories of the rest?" Harry merely nodded again and then said everything was the same up to the point where my parents died.

The history and everything reads the same but he mentioned something that he wouldn't clarify. According to him no one else ever grew up with the Dursley's. That was the first difference and from there the comparison went to hell. Everywhere else Voldemort got hold of what they call the sorcerers stone and where I call it the philosopher's stone.

He came back and was human…" "Sorry to interrupt but I know the rest of that as that is the memories of everyone coming here. Harry please show me you whole life?" Severus asked pleading. "Okay, we will just have to do it differently." Harry placed the tip of his wand against his head and willed the information to start flowing.

The events started from where he was a small kid where Moony and Padfoot played with him. Where he raced with his father on a broom stick and most importantly where his mother held him. This he knew he would cherish for ever and a day. A lot more happy memories flowed with to his amazement Severus was part of some of them.

Harry frowned at this but let it go to find out later. Harry marked each of these events where Severus was present. He witnessed a strange exchange between his parents and Severus where the two men regularly ran their hands through their hair. Harry heard bits of words like protect and kill but not enough to make it into a plausible conversation not to mention sentence. Harry let it go as there was nothing to gather from it as most of the rest was incoherent in anyway.

They went through the life of hardship Harry led. "You could cook a breakfast at four?" Severus said amazed. The amazement did not stop. Once saw Harry on the roof of the school he only said "Impossible." He saw the Boa constrictor and Harry speaking to it. "How none of the other could." Then school started.

He saw Harry through his trails in the first year and cried a silent tear. "You killed your first person at the age of eleven?" this he said not even attempting to hide the tears. He held onto Harry's hand for dear life.

In the second year he felt the rejection Harry felt at being thought of as the heir of Slytherin. He witnessed first hand as Harry killed the basilisk and then when he should have died and came to life again with the help of Fawkes. "Stop right there" He commanded.

Harry stopped and looked in the direction of Severus. What he saw was a mixture of admiration and fear that he never thought he would ever see in a Snape. "You should have died right there. You should have died again." Here Harry came in and said

"Well I was I could feel my life slipping from me…" "You don't understand you did the research on the basilisk as well. The moment the tooth comes in contact with your blood it is less than ten seconds to die. You were on the floor on your knees and you held your arm. You were supposed to be lame. Your body functions were supposed to cease functioning.

That is why you have ten seconds. It is the only amount of time your brain can stay without blood and oxygen." "Oh" Harry answered shrugging. "Harry none else ever killed a basilisk and was that the sword of Gryffindor." Smiling answered "Yes quite a sword and extremely light to the touch as well."

And without further delay Harry shrugged nonchalantly continued with the memories. Severus ooh and ah at all the right places and had a lot of impossible's to add along the way. When he came to the last week of his life the betrayal and all that he was needles to say shocked.

When they were out he requested a seat from the trunk and sat looking thoughtful at a painting on a wall. Harry went to the stick his wand into the other pensieve but was stopped by Severus. "No Harry you need to know everything. The bits in there will confuse you and only make it worse." Harry nodded and moved to sit across from Severus. Looking the other man straight in the eyes. "Do you mind explaining that." Harry said. Severus nodded and looked at the painting again.

With a barely audible sigh and looking as rejected as a lost puppy he started.

"Harry I must ask you to please understand and let me continue until the fat lady sings" Harry nodded and so Severus started never taking his eyes from the painting.

A few things I will tell you will come as a shock or surprise but here goes everything. Before school I was friends with your father and at the time moony, Padfoot and Pettigrew (this he said with a scowl that rivals the Snape's) was not in the picture. I lived for a time with my father but he was abusive so I went to live in an orphanage. Your grandparents found out and they collected me a lot to come and visit. We both knew in which houses we would be and as Voldemort was slowly coming to full power we also knew that he was going to be very strong and not easily beaten.

We saw how your grandparents operated with spying and thus we picked up a few things by well, basically eavesdropping on them. Even before school we knew what we wanted to do and we both knew that we had to be very careful as to how we were to do just that. As I was to go to Slytherin it was decided that I would be the best to spy as it was a given fact that at some point during my time there I would be approached by a death eater well before they came to your father. We were both already sort of helpful at brewing potions so we started working hard at that. My plan was to become the potions master of Voldemort. Needless to say just that happened.

To further our act your James was supposed to become part of the Order and he did in the end. When he started providing information he gave them the source and well you know Albus he gave me a chance and I took it. That is how I became a part of the order. Now let's get the part in between.

Before we started school I made a pact with James to enhance our chance of success. For all appearances we would start hating each other but still remain friends behind the scenes. From your memories I know that we were successful. While in school I fell in love with your mother.

That was partly the fault of James as he was always baiting me and generally being an ass according to our agreement. Now in my final year I was approached by Malfoy and asked to join the ranks of the death eaters. I did without hesitation. I received my mark that night. At the time Voldemort was at full power and things were looking dark for the light side. We decided between myself your mother and James that it would be in our own interest if I broke up with your mother and separate from her.

It was then right after school that it became clear that your mother was pregnant. No one suspected that I was actually the father as she was with James at the time. Everything was going without a hitch until that damn prophecy became known. There was one other possibility that everyone knew was impossible.

And then there were you. From that moment it was known as a fact that you were to be Voldemort's downfall. We did not know how or why but you were to kill Voldemort or die trying. I urged them to go into hiding and they did. I could protect them from inside by supplying information and they could hide out.

I never suspected Pettigrew to be sided with Voldemort and as a result it was almost too late when I found out. Voldemort sent all the DE's that night on a raid or rather a slaughter and he would go and reckon with the Potters himself was his words. I apparated to your parents place instead of the raid as I knew the general area where they hid. I called and screamed but they did not hear me. Just then Voldemort appeared.

He looked at me and said "Tsu, tsu Severus, Severus never expected you to be against me. With that he bound me and left. That saved me from Azkaban in the end but it did not save the Potters. At least I got you to live with me and you grew up with me. That same day Albus almost died.

I had to choose between you and Albus. After the Aurors released me I made way to the side of Albus and we beat the last fight the death eaters fought. Just as I apparated in a death eater was point his wand at Albus and saying the words of the worst curse ever. I killed the death eater on the spot. Then you ended up living with me. Later it was a well known fact that you were actually my son. I am sorry I know this is a lot to try and comprehend but that will prove it.

The last part he said pointing at the remaining pensieve never looking from the painting.

"It cannot be." Harry said withdrawing from Severus getting out of the chair and moving away from him. Horror written all over his face "I have been living a lie, how could you? How could you do this to your own son?" Harry kept retreating.

Severus got up and walked firmly to Harry grasping him in a hug. "Harry I am not defending what happened to you but please try to understand. If so much as a single thing changed for example he might have not known of the prophecy he would protect Dumbledore who was the only one strong enough to defeat Voldemort. It is a dead give away that. If he was there after Voldemort he would try to cover it up to continue spying. There are a lot of ifs. Remember hindsight is twenty-twenty. I am not justifying what he did but you need to find the answers from him."

They just held onto each other "why, why, why did you do his to me" Harry kept mumbling over and over. Yes what Severus said had plausibility in it but it did not make it better.

"I think you should go get some rest we will start the classes later." Severus said. Pushing Harry away and holding his shoulders looking into his eyes. You have seen and done too much in your lifetime already. But I am sorry to say it is only the beginning. You have to be and stay strong. Go get some rest and we will talk later.

Harry nodded before replying "Thank you for telling me the truth." "I will never lie to you Harry, never. With what you have done it is better to trust you with the truth. You won't do anything rash of that I am sure. We will talk more about it when you return.

With those thoughts in mind Harry turned and left. Yes he had a lot to think of.

Once outside Medusa said something for the first time. (Harry, are you alright?) Pushing a hand through his hair and with an audible sigh he said. (No, I have been living a lie al my life, everything I came to know was a lie. If I was told this when I first went to Hogwarts it would not have mattered I would have simply been too happy to have the change.) Here he stopped as if to ponder something. Medusa said nothing she merely withdrew from him and gripped him firmly. She would wait…

After a few moments of thought Harry found himself in the room and made straight for the bed. Lying on his back staring at the ceiling the thoughts went into a jumble.

(Was I so bad to him that he did not want me anymore? What did I do to deserve his rejection as well? What more must I do to prove my worth to any body for that matter? Couldn't he just say something? If I was his son why did he have to treat me like crap?) (Harry he was pretending to be a death eater you know.) Grunting Harry said (We weren't always in the presence of others.

I had numerous detentions with him and even better I was alone with him, there simply no way not to at least be nicer to me?) Turning his head to the wall he continued (The people I supposedly saved left me to rot with the Dursley's, my fellow students rejects me, then run back to me, then they reject me again and with one of my friends, then run back to me again, now I must find out that I was once again rejected by my own father as well.) moving a hand over Medusa he continued (What will I do if there is more rejection?) then he asked something that Medusa never expected. (When will you reject me? And if I get a chance with someone will she do the same to me?) Medusa was thunderstruck and immediately thrashed out at him.

Detangling herself she hovered over him, if it was possible the look on her face was one of hurt and anger at the same time. Mingle that with shock and you have one very upset snake and she was not going to let it go. (What the hell do you mean with when, you should have asked if and that you should not have even asked. You know better. The world does not revolve around you. Yes you hardly have a fair plate and yes you do not deserve the lot the rest subjects you to but don't generalise and include me. Get a grip. Wallowing on this will not result in it being any better than it would have been.)

Here she stopped as Harry was looking forlorn and desperate. Dropping her voice she continued. (Don't dwell on possibilities then all will be lost. Work with what you have as that is quite a lot already.) (But what if it doesn't work out?) he asked not looking at her (I am sure it will, if it doesn't then it simply was not meant to be. Trust me.) (I always did. The constrictor did not even have to ask that. I could feel it when we met the first time.) (Me too.) She answered barely perceptible

The house elves appeared with plates of food and as both had quite a day, which is for the trunk, they were quite hungry. "Thanks Dobby, we needed that" (Speak yourself paleface) Medusa said as his stomach rumbled like the first rain after winter.

Laughing they started eating, which was immediately followed by sleep.

By this time Harry had already attended a jumble of classes. He was exceptionally good in all of them and to his amazement he taught his teachers a lot as well. His mind was like a sponge sucking up everything that he heard and read. He even took the time to put what he read into practice and follow that up with more study. This became a comfortable routine for Harry and he would go through a few trunk days without even realising it.

He was already very fit and he had no trouble handling any weapon for that matter but there was one that eluded him like the darkness evades the light. He had little experience if any with his sword and that was frightening. Little did he know that his wish would be granted and not just how but by a master in the art of fighting.

Harry entered the room and was immediately dressed with the apparel that he was supplied with by his other self. This did not need introduction but there was a oversize mage robe included in the bundle. Harry subconsciously added this last piece of attire and stuck his crossed his arms within the pipes of the robe. He was immediately confronted by Bruce who once again attacked without mercy even though Harry did not start to defend. Harry ducked and dived rolled but poor Bruce simply had no chance. Harry started to use his feet to block the attacks of Bruce as well and this in itself did not go down well with Bruce. But still he continued pushing the attack. At one point Harry sidestepped and swept Bruce's feet from under him slamming his fist into the torso of Bruce, effectively dumping him on the ground.

Before Bruce could start to help himself from the ground Harry saw a shadow being detached from the wall. He never saw it before then. The figure moved in to attack Harry and by the way the figure moved Harry was already weary spinning around Harry ripped the robe of and sent it flying in the direction of the opposing figure dropping immediately into his centre and a comfortable fighting stance. The figure sidestepped the robe and immediately started punching. Even though Harry was very fast the figure was even and that was not the problem. The moves Harry's opposite made were nothing that Harry knew and he had to use all his wits to stand a chance in not being hit himself. He let his instinct take control and between the two Harry had no chance of even landing a punch. He only punched to of balance his opponent. This went on for about an hour before the figure abruptly stopped and bowed to Harry which he immediately returned.

"You are worthy to receive my training. The rest weren't good enough" He simply said. Surprised without saying or showing it Harry answered "Thank you master I am happy to note that you feel I am worthy of thy knowledge." #Good the other thought, does not have a big head.#

For the first time Harry looked at the other and to his amazement he was dresses exactly the same as him only with a mask of black cloth. There was a swirl of black and he was dressed in a black robe as well which swept the floor.

Harry blinked and asked, "How did you hide so well in the shadows." "Patience Harry. We will start from the beginning. From what I understand you still need to work with Excalibur. Not so" Harry nodded. A wooden sword appeared and the figure indicated the sword. "Take the bokken and we will start with that before we start with the real thing." Harry nodded again and took hold of the floating sword. #Something is wrong with it# Harry thought and swung the sword in a full arc. "Something the matter Harry" the master asked, seeing the disgust on the face of his pupil. "Yes master it feels wrong" He answered truthfully.

The master nodded and the sword changed. Harry frowned after he swung it again and once again it changed shape. Harry kept trying and the sword kept changing from broadswords, to bastard swords and different types even fencing swords but none was anything that felt right to Harry. Eventually it changed to a Katana, the sword of the ninja. Harry gripped the sword with two hands and went through a series of slices before he stopped a grin spread on his face. The master nodded and started with a kata. As it was not too difficult Harry followed the movements. The master moved exceedingly slow and Harry was hard pressed to move as slow and kept losing his balance and his concentration with that and even though he was still in his centre it did not bode as well as he hoped.

This did not deter the master as he kept working at his pace. Harry being just Harry kept trying and he was soon able to follow even though he made a lot of mistakes. If the master was not wearing a mask Harry would have seen the smile.

The master stopped and so did Harry. "Remain seated and watch me."

The master went through a lot of kata's very fast and he, that was Harry, kept following by noting the moves and performing them in his mind. This went on for a good ten minutes before he stopped. Looking at Harry he simply said "We will follow this move together and then you will practice them on your own until you have them down perfect. Then you will call me for the next lesson." Harry nodded and then answered something that was bugging him "Master, if Excalibur is a broadsword, how will I be able to use it when I am practicing with a katana?" Harry asked not hiding his confusion.

"Take out the sword." Harry did as requested and brought the sword out. Holding it Harry noted that although he played a bit with it and was already able to work with the sword it still felt wrong.

"Concentrate on what you want the sword to look like, just the general shape. Ask the sword to change." Harry slightly confused did as told then it started to change and change. The writing remained but it started bending and even the heft started adjusting as well. The metamorphosis was happening painfully slow and Excalibur gradually became a Katana with the intricate detail still edged into the blade. Tentatively swinging the blade Harry was amazed at the grace and balance of the blade. Running a finger across the engravings on the side of the blade Harry could literally feel their magic caressing his fingertips. Smiling inwardly and outwardly Harry mumbled "Spectacular". Harry requested a ribbon of silk from the room and was awarded with a green piece that he had in mind.

Holding the blade so the edge was directed to the sky Harry dropped the portion of textile and watched it painstakingly slither down onto the edge of the blade, the material split in two. A silent chill worked its way up his spine with a thought of what it would do to a person.

"Well Harry I believe that was enough for now." Here he paused for a moment studying Harry. "I will be leaving now and will see you soon." While he the shadow was said this Harry heard a groan. In turning around he quickly found the source of the obtrusive sound as that of Bruce who decided to finally grace them with his presence. Slowly sitting up he measured the two and after a moment he realised that Harry already had his first lesson. "I guess you decided to teach him?" Bruce asked the masked man kindly.

Here Harry answered with "What gave it away the sweat or the blood?" here everyone snickered before the masked man said. "A worthy student he will be although sad to say I did not draw blood." He said this almost gloomy. Harry was momentarily shocked and studied his body before coming to the same conclusion.

"Well done." Bruce exclaimed enthusiastically punching Harry's shoulder. Harry smirked and stared at the master who seemed apprehensive before he bowed and once again became one with the shadows. "What's his name?" Harry asked Bruce. "He is…" here Bruce halted before continuing lost for a moment in thought. "…that Harry I am afraid is his tale to tell." He added with a soft sigh. Harry shrugged at this as having things silhouetted from him was nothing new "Anyway you will not see me unless you request it. Harry nodded before continuing "Thanks for all you showed and taught me." "Yes well you are an amazing pupil. How you moved so fast from beginner to advance is beyond me but I have had enough at being walloped that there is no way for me to deny it." Here he bowed which Harry immediately returned before Bruce faded into nothingness.

(That went well wouldn't you say.) Harry said to a sleepy medusa. She grumbled at being asked a question (How you sleep while I am pounding away is beyond me or even my wildest imagination.) he added. He felt her detangling and then there was a resounding smack as she knocked him behind the head. (Hey) Harry resounded and she immediately shirked inside again mumbling (You are so comfy and stop talking I am still asleep) Harry laughed and requested a big bath full of water – cold water. He walked tentatively and tested the water with a finger. Smiling to himself and making sure not to alert her he disrobed and dove in. He could feel the arctic water freezing his outside skin and he squirmed at the cold. It was actually painful but the next sound made it worthwhile.

Medusa who all the while was feeling quite relaxed and not to mention sleepy when suddenly her cumbering lair was flooded by a bitter cold feeling that she had to catch her breath or drown in the numbness. (Potter) she yelped and it was not in delight. (Who in his right mind would perform anything so, so…, you, you imbecile? Make it warm now.) She started again before finishing.

Smirking Harry said (No, no I don't think I should do that. It is actually quite good to train your mind. Only for a small moment) Harry started laughing and opened his mind with what he felt. To say she did not enjoy it would be the understatement of his life.

(Warm immediately!) she exclaimed. (No say sorry first.) (No) (Okay no) Harry finished. (You, You…) But it was cold (Okay sorry. Now change it back) (That did not sound very sincere you know.) Harry said diving down once again.

She made some strange strangling sounds and the first thing she did when he broke water was to scream obscenities at him and scowl him in his mind. Harry started giggling but the water remained at the same temperature.

(Okay, okay I am sorry I called you an imbecile and whatever I just said.) (Say please.) Harry said but changed the water none the less.

Relishing in the warm water Harry lay down with only his head breaching the surface. He changed the fragrance of the water to rose and immediately started taking deep breaths of air.

(Much better.) Medusa said once the warmth spread through his body lavishing in the heat. Harry thought that was the end of it. Boy was he in for a surprise.

They stayed in this luxurious circumstance for a long time and as they were in the trunk it really did not matter. (Medusa) (Um) was her reply. (You know with what Snape did you know we should do something about it.) This was said as a marauder.

Medusa thought for a while, slightly opening her eyes and closing it again, before answering. (Yes, I agree with you but timing is crucial. You know what and who he is. If the rest of the school discovers this then he is a dead man.) (Yes I agree with you. I would like to know before hand if he really is my father before I confront him.

How to accomplish that we will have to wait and see? There is a potion but I will need some blood first.) (Hopefully a situation will present itself.) Medusa said without much thought. Harry did not answer because deep down he knew that at some point, or another, an elucidation would be present itself and he was going to use the presented situation.

For now he was happy to just soak and medusa had no problem with that. In companionable silence they just lay and listened to the silence.