A/N : I would like to thank RaNK001 for betaing this story yet again. I recommend his story The Guardian of the Tailed Beasts to anyone who likes naruhina storylines.
Harry woke up refreshed and ready for another day. His mind was planning out several ways for subduing the compulsion charm put on Severus Snape by the so called 'supreme light wizard' Albus Dumbledore, all the while fooling him and destroying his reputation by reverse manipulating him and making the headmaster lose his allies and support.
In the headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts and the self-proclaimed leader of the light was plotting and waiting for the right time when Harry would be having his first test which was to find the philosopher's stone. Dumbledore ensured that all the traps were being set by taking in the factors i.e. Harry's friends. He would let Harry see Fluffy and let him have some half-clues on what lies beneath the Cerberus. And after he battles whoever, Voldemort is possessing right now, Dumbledore would take possession of the stone from him when Harry becomes unconscious and tell everyone that the stone was destroyed in the battle. Effectively gaining the stone's power while eliminating the Flamels and testing Harry simultaneously. It would be a win-win situation for him.
Unfortunately for Dumbledore, he hadn't factored the possibility of Harry knowing the schemes, he had planned. Harry's plan had already begun and by not suspecting the 'Boy Who Lived' the headmaster was effectively helping Harry dig a grave for him along with providing him with many powerful magical items. While Dumbledore was plotting his tests and schemes, Fawkes was crooning a depressed tune. He was wondering for the millionth time whether it was a right time to leave this wizard and search for another one worthy of being his familiar.
Harry exercised for a while and after sometime freshened up for the rest of the day. Gryffindor and Slytherin always stressed the importance of exercise and how many wizards' neglect of this in favour of using only their wands led to many casualties in duels and wars.
He also made plans to escape the Dursleys and go to the Potter manor or any other manors he owns now. Since the time the charm his mother had cast had been fully activated, the magic needed to uphold the blood wards was deteriorating. By his estimation, they would fail by next summer and all monitoring wards, other related spells Dumbledore cast in order to control him would also be damaged beyond repair.
After meeting up with Neville and Ron in the Great Hall, the three of them had their breakfast while Ron inhaled the food with his mouth. After breakfast, they went for the charms class. That day, professor Flitwick explained the theory of the colour changing charm and the wand lighting charm. Harry dutifully took notes of his explanation while simultaneously making Ron focus on his work and stop him goofing off.
They had 2 other classes: History of Magic and Herbology before lunch. In History of Magic, the trio of Gryffindor boys started planning on how they should skip Binn's class witnessing that the ghost/professor was only quoting the text in the book while not getting caught during class. The bad news was they had talked about it when Hermione was nearby which led to Hermione rounding them up and chastising the 3 of them for trying to skip class and Ron trying to argue with Hermione to not interfere in their matters which led to Hermione becoming a little teary eyed and walking off in another direction while Neville and Harry seeing what happened, chastised Ron over his 'speaking manners'.
During Herbology, both Neville and Harry gave Ron 'silent treatment' for his manner of speaking while Ron was tried apologising to the both of them. Both the boys told Ron that only if he apologized to Hermione and she forgave him, would they forgive him as well. Seeing that they won't budge on this, Ron approached Hermione during lunch and apologized to her rather reluctantly. After that, Harry invited her to come and eat with them, which she accepted.
One of the reasons Harry had told Ron to apologise was to rid him of his inferiority complex and mingle with others. He regarded this situation as a first step in breaking out Ron and any person caught in Dumbledore's brainwashing. He also had a feeling that the quartet of them would become great friends, if the circumstances proved fruitful.
After having lunch while letting Hermione feel comfortable with the three boys, all the four Gryffindors started towards the dungeons where they would have their first potions class. On the way to the classroom, Ron and Neville started to tell them some funny stories and rumours about the wizarding world (due to Harry bugging Ron and trying to encourage Neville to open up) which led to all of them laughing and questioning the sanity about the rumour spreaders. The quartet reached their potions classroom in high spirits along with the other students.
After they had settled down, the door had opened again where they had witnessed the arrival of Snape with his cloak billowing behind him. Harry would later describe him as a vampire who used grease as a lubricant for his hair and had a good flair for theatrics (He would deny that he said it outright, of course). Right then, at that moment, he was thinking of a way on how to handover his mother's letter to the potions master.
Snape began taking attendance and when he reached Harry's name, he stopped for a moment and started speaking again;
'Ah, yes!' he said softly, 'Harry Potter. Our new – celebrity.'
Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels.
'You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making,' he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word – like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. 'As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses ... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.' (Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8, page 112)
More silence followed this little speech. Harry, Ron and Neville exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead.
'Potter!' said Snape suddenly. 'What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?'
"The Draught of Living Death, sir." answered Harry swiftly
Snape was unfazed by Harry's quick answer and asked him another question.
"Where would you find a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat, sir. It is also a cure to most poisons and potions" Harry answered yet again in a moment
Shaking slightly, Snape asked his last question:
"What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"Nothing sir, they are the same plant which also goes by the name aconite" answered Harry again somewhat lazily.
"5 points from Gryffindor for your behaviour, Potter. Ignoring Harry fume, he continued, "Why is anyone not writing it down?" questioned Snape to which everyone took out their quills and parchments and started to note points from the questions Snape asked Harry.
After that, they had started to brew a simple potion which is a cure to boils. Everyone was split based on the potions master instructions. Harry found himself being paired with Daphne Greengrass, a first year Slytherin who wasn't showing a shred of emotion on her face. Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione were paired together while Neville was paired with Dean Thomas.
While brewing the potion, Harry saw that Daphne was adding ingredients earlier than specified and if she followed that process, it would explode on her face and cause unconsciousness. Observing it, he stopped her and pointed out her mistake. Though she was annoyed at first for being disturbed, after she was pointed out she was about to make a mistake, her face showed gratitude and she muttered a thanks to him and corrected herself to which Harry had a wide grin etched on his face.
Draco was fuming seeing that Daphne, the 'ice queen' was showing gratitude to Potter. She never showed a shred of emotion to anyone including him but Potter was. He was starting to think that Potter was trying to sway the whole Slytherin house to his side. He would not let Potter be satisfied and be shown up in all classes. Smirking to himself, he took out some porcupine quills. Draco's plan was to throw the quills into Longbottom's cauldron. Then it would explode and cause boils and since Potter was beside his table, he would be punished as well while insulting the squib as well. It would be a win-win situation for him. Unfortunately, he didn't see that Harry was observing him at that moment.
Praising himself for helping the Slytherin beside him, he started watching as to how much process of brewing the potion was done when he saw Draco trying to throw something into Neville's cauldron. Frowning, he used magic and teleported the thrown object (which he realised to be porcupine quills) into Malfoy's cauldron where it promptly exploded and the ruined potion splattered on him causing painful boils to erupt on his body.
Snape, observing the phenomenon made himself visible then with a frown on his face. "Such a shame on you Mr. Malfoy. You should learn to brew potions better. This is the most basic potion. 5 points from Slytherin for causing the mess. Go to madam Pomphrey and get yourself checked." said Snape to which Draco got annoyed but didn't speak due to pain from the newly created boils overwhelming him.
Snape, then ordered Crabbe and Goyle to take the Malfoy heir to the hospital wing to which they both had gotten up clumsily and started to drag the now prone blond to the Hospital wing. Some snickered at the ridiculous incident while some outright guffawed but we're silenced by Snape's glare.
Turning into the class, he called out, "Potter, stay behind after class is complete." to which Harry jumped out of his seat, literally. Harry felt his cheeks burning and cursed himself inwardly. If Snape had observed Harry using wandless magic and was going to inform Dumbledore about this incident, many secrets of his would tumble out and he would have to revise his plans or outright scrap them. He cursed himself for being careless. He didn't listen to the rest of Snape's statements which were about the following day's assignments and writing 5 uses for the ingredients used in the potion they had brewed today and 2 parchments about the potion itself to which the whole class groaned.
When the bell rang and they had submitted their potions, all students moved to the great hall for their dinner. Harry observed that the Gryffindors and (surprisingly) some Slytherins were showing him signs of pity. After everyone had left, Snape started speaking.
"Why did you ruin Malfoy's potion, Potter? I know his capabilities and limitations. He wouldn't do such a rookie mistake if it wasn't for your meddling." spoke Snape with his voice full of venom and loathing.
"He was trying to sabotage Neville's potion and get away with it. I saw him smirk and read his mind." spoke Harry in a almost quiet tone.
"How dare you, Potter accuse Draco about this! That Longbottom is a mess and might have sabotaged it himself. You are as arrogant and cocky as your father seeing your habits. But what a surprise it is, you might have exceeded him as well. And what is it about reading his mind. You might be a fool as well as a liar trying to say that. No doubt, your family might be pampering you for your deeds and you expect others to do it as well huh. Well, I won't accept it and I will make sure that a blithering idiot like you would be put in your place" shouted Snape loudly in anger.
"I am pampered huh?" asked Harry too softly
"Yes Potter. Should I repeat myself or are you lacking in hearing as well?" questioned Snape with a sneer while trying to get a read on Harry's mind, unaware of the future he was about to face.
Snape was shocked to see that Harry's mind has nigh impenetrable shields. He also found out many offensive devices over the mind walls when he tried to climb over them. He was forcibly ejected from Harry's mind and found himself facing a very angry Harry Potter.
Suddenly, Snape found it hard to breathe or stand. He was feeling magic swirling around and preventing him from using his own magic leading him to feel fear for the first time in the last 11 years. Checking around himself, he found out the source of magic to be Harry himself. Harry, then started to laugh but the laughter as Snape felt, was demonic and filled with loathing. While Snape was contemplating to whether to run or put up a fight, Harry started speaking but his voice became distorted.
"You shouldn't have spoken that way, Severus. After all, you know the signs and pain of suffering in an abusive home quite well. Oh yes, I know everything about you. How you liked my mother, how you didn't like your father since he always disliked you, how you fool everyone by telling you are a pureblood while in reality you are a half blood.As for you telling me that my relatives pampered me, you are wrong! I was always beaten and starved just because I can use magic. I never have gotten any gifts or love, my idiot of a cousin is allowed to do as he wishes. I have do all the dishes, cook food, wash clothes, clean rooms while I was just given a slice of bread and butter (and only) if I am lucky. If anything, my cousin was pampered and I am treated worse than a house elf. Even money from my vault was used by my 'family' to buy my idiot cousin presents while I didn't even know when my birthday is. I don't even have my own clothes and didn't know anything about myself, my father, mother etc. until a particular incident happened."
Turning around, he opened his bag and tossed a letter onto the floor and started to speak again.
" I had wanted to talk to you about it. My mother told me that, if she could trust anyone outside her husband, his friends and her family, it would be you. She believed that, you would take care of me and listen to me after some disturbing charms are taken off from you. But from your speech, I can deduce that you might have no intention of helping me even after all charms are removed. Good day to you, sir. I will never ever disturb you or your precious Malfoy heir even if trouble arises."
After uttering these words, Harry had turned back and walked towards the door. After reaching it and opening it, he spoke out again.
"If anything, that Malfoy is almost equal to Dudley except for having magic. A spoilt, arrogant brat who doesn't know about the world or it's unfairness and thinks that only his ideals are the ideals of the world. Good day to you, sir."
Uttering his final words for Snape's rebuking about Draco, Harry stormed off while leaving Snape dumbfounded. Snape also felt that whatever Potter might have said is true. Since the day he had arrived here, Snape observed that Pot -er, Harry being even thinner than his peers. He was also looking scared and felt wonderous about the castle. But underneath that, Snape also felt a cry and plea for help. The specs he is wearing are seemingly broken many times and he looked always famished, even after a huge lunch but never complained about his conditions or how his casuals were many sizes large compared to him. But right now, his entire attention was focused on the letter thrown by Harry Potter onto the dungeon floor.
Curious about what the letters contains, he bent down to pick it up. When his hand made contact with the letter, he was greeted with a splitting headache. After a few moments, the headache subsided and he found himself thinking more clearly than any time before in his life. He felt all of his magic let free and his freedom of mind unhindered unlike a few moments before. Now cautious, he picked up the letter again (albeit carefully and after casting several charms for detection of dark magic) and started reading it.
Dear Severus,
If you can't find out who is writing, it is me your best friend. Lily. I had written this letter in the event Harry reaches Hogwarts without me. This is strictly confidential and I pray no one except Harry, you and the people he trusts should never know about the contents of this letter. And if you have had a headache upon touching the letter, then my suspicions are true and Dumbledore had cast some charms on you to ensure your loyalty. The charm used to break you out of the compulsion charm is 'Necessitates dimittere'. It is a spell used by unspeakables and their trainees so you can't find it generally.
I would like to say sorry to you my friend for how I have behaved after 5th year. I shouldn't have behaved that way to you but maybe that was Dumbledore's plan all along. I suspect that all of us have been puppets to him and for his 'greater good' . As for why I accuse him is because only after meeting him, both you and James changed and began fighting. As for how Harry knows about me and the wizards, will be told further in this letter, though you might have to ask Harry directly and then decide everything for yourself.
I have known that there was a prophecy about Voldemort and his death but didn't think anything about it. When Dumbledore showed up at our home and told us to move to Godric's hollow because of the prophecy, I didn't accept to shift. Potter manor has some of the best wards rivalling Hogwarts and no one can enter it without permission. But Dumbledore insisted. James and I had no choice but to accept it after sometime. During our stay at Godric's hollow, I came across some old books about blood magic and protection charms. Those books say a different thing about blood magic and wards. Unlike what Albus tells, they are of Goblin descent and not dark magic. It was during our stay in Godric's hollow that I found out about 'Necessitates dimittere' and used it on James, he had a splitting headache and then described being able to feel freer and stronger than ever before. This is how I found out about the compulsion charm placed on him by Dumbledore and came to suspect that you might have been a victim of it as well since you were also there when this charm was supposedly cast on James.
A few days before Voldemort arrived, I completed a charm which would let me take residence in Harry's mind and protect him if Voldemort were to kill us. James helped me create the charm but refused to put his magic into it and take residence in our son's mind since he was afraid that there might still be some lingering effects of Dumbledore's compulsion charm in his mind which would alert the headmaster when he appears in Harry's mind. He also requested me convey his apologies to you for the bullying he did to you at Hogwarts should he die before he could personally apologise to you. I know how kind you are I am sure you would be able to bury the hatchet with him.
After my death and taking residence in Harry's mind, he activated the charm when he was seven (although accidentally). To my surprise, even the founders of Hogwarts appeared Harry's mind as well and took residence there. They taught him and me many things unknown to modern wizards and he had even gained the love he was deprived of for the first 6 years of his life.
We found out that Harry was turned into a pseudo horcrux which didn't activate the charm completely. Only removing the soul shard can complete it and he can gain our knowledge. Thankfully, Salazar Slytherin knows more about dark magic than anyone else and told us to go to the goblins so they can remove it safely. Harry is also an heir of Hogwarts and its founders which gives him many abilities and treaties with other magical species which includes Goblins.
By the time you read this letter, I would have passed onto my 'next great adventure'. Please take care of Harry for me. I understand if you hate it even after the charm is removed. I Myself was not a great friend to you. But Harry needs guidance. He was always alone due to Dumbledore's meddling and has gained a severe distrust on others who are apathetic towards him for no reason. Dumbledore himself put on 3 magical blocks on his magical core to stall his growth as a wizard. Please don't make him dislike you. If you want to know more, ask Harry about it. I want you to guide my son and be a family to him he never had. This is my last request as your friend.
Good bye!
Your friend,
Lily
Severus was in a state of cationic shock after reading through the letter. His life, if Lily was to be believed was set up by Dumbledore. It definitely proved the urges he was feeling at the moment to talk about the prophecy to Dumbledore and to take his permission to do many things which might be due to a compulsion charm. He also (regrettably) agreed that maybe James and his friends had bullied him due to the charm as well. Now, he made up his decision to help Harry. Even if Lily didn't think of him romantically, she thought of him as a friend. He might have had many acquaintances but had no friends, save Lily. Even that was broken due to Dumbledore's meddling. So, he decided to help his one and only friend. It might even be possible that, even the love he felt for her might have been a concoction by Dumbledore. But Severus vowed that he would help Harry and honour his friend's last wishes as well.
Severus was also shocked that Voldemort had created horcruxes. He had, while practicing the dark arts, had come upon the term. One of his reasons to join Dumbledore's side was because of how he was repulsed by horcruxes and their properties. But now, knowledge about the dark lord possessing horcruxes, that too in multiple, made him vow to support Harry and bring him up to speed or take him as far away from the magical world as possible.
Confirming it to himself about his decision, he sped out of the dungeon, letter in hand to become an ally to Harry Potter and his fight against Dumbledore's manipulations.
Harry was angry at Snape. Only his mother's words that Snape was good and the compulsion charm made him act that way made him stop from trying to hurt the potions professor seriously. He had, in his anger had reached a desolate part of the castle where there were no ghosts, portraits and armour present around. When he was contemplating on whether to go back to the common room or the lounge, he heard footsteps and a cloak swishing in the wind. Turning around, he saw Snape with his mother's letter in hand and having an apologetic face.
"Har- Mr. Potter, forgive me for misunderstanding you and your words. You look too much like your father and maybe because of that, I felt that I should taunt you. It is true, whatever you have said and I might have been manipulated into behaving rudely with you as well." spoke Snape apologetically.
Harry was surprised that the potions master of Hogwarts who was reputed to have turned a blind eye to anyone apologizing to him. But he knew that was due to the compulsion charm placed on him and his mother always stressed that Snape was very good.
"Actually, I should apologise too professor. I have acted rashly and irresponsibly as well. I should have told you about what he was about to do. Please forgive me too. And please call me Harry. My mother wouldn't want you to be too formal with her son." spoke out Harry
"As humble and forgiving as Lily is huh" spoke Severus in a tone foreign to him. Since the removal of the charm, he could think more clearly and make faster decisions without thinking for a longer time. The drawl in his voice had reduced as well.
Harry had blushed at Snape mentioning his mother. Until now, no one had compared him to his mother but told him that he is a mirror image of his father except his eyes. Being compared to his mother felt new to him.
"Well, is it true then? The information in the letter?" questioned Snape
"Yes sir, but so much was still left unsaid. And this place is not the safest to converse about it." said Harry. Even if he was the heir and could control everything in the castle, Harry didn't want Dumbledore to know about him and he only felt safe at the founders' own rooms or the lounge.
"Well then, lead the way" intoned Snape. He was curious about the mystery known as Harry Potter and whether he's related to the founders or not.
Harry then started towards the portrait of animals with Snape tagging along. When they reached it, he also let Snape enter by taking some of his blood and activating several runes for letting him enter. Those runes fascinated Snape who had not seen such ancient symbols even when he was with both Dumbledore and Voldemort.
Upon entering the room, he was dumbstruck at the sheer size of it. It could easily rival the Great Hall. He also found the library on one side. It had a catalogue and had many old, forgotten texts that many would kill for and some of the newest books as well. He assumed that the library is a self-updating one. Any avid book reader, if brought here would never leave this room. He thanked God that he never knew those persons. (Actually, Snape himself was an avid reader but would never admit it openly, lol)
On an unrelated note, in the Gryffindor common room, Hermione sneezed and in heaven Lily Potter also sneezed making James worry momentarily, while both felt a sudden urge to strangle a certain greasy haired professor.
After gawking for some time at the sheer ingenuity of the room, Snape shook his head and moved towards a resting area. He made himself comfortable in a plush armchair which was yellow coloured with a green headrest. The founders lounge, accordingly was a part of Hogwarts legends. It's said that only the founders or one of their heirs could open the door to the room. Since Harry's opened the door, he assumed his suspicions to be true as Lily explained in the letter and Harry was a descendant of one of the founders as the letter had proclaimed.
Clearing his throat, Snape spoke, "So will you tell me at least now what your mother had left?" questioningly. He wanted to know more about the room and how only Harry can access it.
"That depends on you professor. Are you sure you want to support me? My ideals can upturn the wizarding world into possible war and chaos. Except the other magical species, only we 2 would be up against both light and dark for now, who can take us out easily if they so wish. I need your full confidence and cooperation in this matter and there is no turning back once it starts." spoke Harry.
He really wanted some people to support him as well but they should be capable of taking their own decisions when he is absent. And also, be capable of toning down any destructive actions he might take and not be afraid to guide him in the right path. If he is successful, the wizarding world would continue to develop and maybe a new side will be born as well. If he failed, the result would set the wizarding world several decades back and into chaos and war unforeseen.
Snape didn't even hesitate for a moment. He had seen both the light and dark sides at their best and worst. He had faith in Lily's judgement and Harry's decision making even if they have been in contact only for a short while. He concluded that the present wizarding world was stagnated and unwilling to move forward due to corrupt or both corrupt and power hungry leaders. He felt the conviction in Harry's words when he defended Neville. He already had his answer.
"Tell me everything"
Original magic spell :
Necessitates dimittere : Compulsions release (a charm used by the unspeakables to break compulsion charms)