"He called you Harry."
Harry started and looked up from his book as he focused on Severus in his own seat in the first row of his empty classroom. He was helping him to learn spells that worked with advanced potions. Normally, the Potion Master would teach advanced students the spells but since it was Horace Slughorn. Harry could understand why Severus had come to him instead.
"That is my name," Harry replied in amusement. "Harold Swift."
"But he called you Harry," Severus insisted.
"Yes," Harry drawled as he leaned back in his chair. "I believe that I just cleared that up since Harry is short for Harold."
Severus blushed and looked away and Harry frowned.
"There is more?" Harry pushed.
"Nothing, sir." Severus muttered to his desk and Harry shrugged.
They fell back into silence as Harry picked up his book again. Sometimes he thought Severus came to his classroom for he wanted the company and yet the teenager never seemed to be alone. He always had a Slytherin near him, mostly Avery or Narcissa. Harry wondered about that but it could have something to do with James and his friends or Severus being brought further into the fold. Harry placed his book on the table and picked up a muggle pen. He looked at Severus before him while the teen focused on the book of spells that Harry had given him. The book bordered on dark magic and Harry wouldn't let it out of his sight but it was useful for potion spell work.
Severus then glanced up and his dark eyes locked on him. It was strange the way that Severus was so easy to read and he had no barriers around his mind.
"Have you heard of Legilimency or Occlumency?" Harry questioned.
"No, sir." Severus answered.
"Legilimency is a way to access the minds of people," Harry explained. "And Occlumency is how to block that intrusion."
"To read minds," Severus whispered with large eyes. "Can you do that, sir?"
"It's not as simple as reading minds, Mr Snape." Harry said. "Occlumency is a useful magic to have."
"Could you teach me?"
Harry looked hard at Severus but he didn't shift or look away. He knew what kind of memories that Severus would hold and that they would not be pleasant to watch. He wondered what the Severus, that had taught him, had thought before their first lesson.
"I could," Harry conceded. "However, I must warn you of the consequences of such magic. Any secret that you hold would be forfeit. Laid bare."
Severus paled but didn't look away. He was just as stubborn now as he would be later in life. Severus wanted to absorb everything that someone would put in front of him. Harry was sure that was another reason that pushed him towards Voldemort. But that hadn't happened yet or that was his hope at least.
"I want to learn," Severus said slowly.
"And there is a lot to learn," Harry agreed as he stood.
Severus nodded as Harry picked up his book off the boy's table. Severus watched that tome with longing and Harry sighed.
"You can't know everything, Mr Snape." Harry told him.
"I can try," Severus countered.
Harry stared down at the boy until he shifted in his seat. He held the book up before Severus then let it drop to the table with a loud bang. The boy jumped at the move with wide eyes.
"Then you will dig your own grave," Harry hissed. "For some magic will only bring your death."
Severus nodded with fear in his eyes and Harry picked up the book again.
"Follow me," Harry ordered and headed to the door of his classroom.
Severus followed after him as they walked into the hallway and he locked the door after them. He led the way to his office door and opened it up for the teen. Severus walked past him making Harry feel short. He closed the office door and walked to the back of the room. He pulled his wand and tapped the wall as he whispered the codeword under his breath. The wall rumbled as it split and he walked into his rooms beyond.
Severus was a silent shadow behind him as Harry stepped up to his bookcase and looked at the titles of the books. He paused on one and pulled it out. He flicked through it for a minute before placing it back. He muttered to himself as he looked for the right book.
"Nice room," Severus remarked.
Harry looked back at Severus and realised that they were in his private rooms.
"I believe that no one needs to hear about such things," Harry replied as he looked back at his bookcase. "Much like the memories that I may see in your mind, Mr Snape."
"Yes, sir."
Harry huffed and pulled out the right book and turned to look up at Severus. He held the book out and Severus took it from his hand.
"Now, get out." Harry said gruffly and Severus quirked a smile. "I will see you at this time next week."
"Yes, sir."
Harry waved his hand and Severus walked back through to his office and out. Harry flicked his wand and the wall closed back up. He glanced around his rooms before heading towards his bathroom to have a shower. He'd had enough of this day.
xXx
Severus stared at the page before him in confusion. He couldn't wrap his mind around what it was trying to say to him. It was so vague that it could be interpreted in many ways. Severus turned the page and read that hoping for some insight before turning the page back in frustration.
"Clear your mind," Severus muttered under his breath. "Clear your mind. I suppose that an idiot would excel at this."
"Muttering to yourself, Severus?"
Severus looked up to see Narcissa standing before him. He'd taken over one of the large armchairs in the common room before the fire.
"If someone said to clear your mind," Severus intoned. "What would you do?"
Narcissa frowned at his question in thought. The woman was brilliant when she put her mind to something and would have exceeded Lily's score in charms. However, it was her motivation that held her back.
"Makes me think of meditation," Narcissa replied and Severus started. "Letting your mind drift."
Severus rubbed his chin as he thought that through.
"What are you reading?" Narcissa questioned.
"Book from Professor Swift," Severus replied and showed her the cover.
'Taming the untrained mind by Norrus Goldsmith.'
Narcissa hummed as a calculating look came into her pale eyes.
"He doesn't seem like other teachers we've had," Narcissa remarked. "Not to mention his horrid insistence on wearing muggle clothing."
"They do suit him," Severus added. "I think he would look odd in a robe."
"Hm," Narcissa muttered with a nod. "I do wonder about his family though."
Severus sighed, it always seemed to come back to blood. His own blood was tainted but he'd proved his worth with his intelligence, magic and skills with potions. His hatred of his father had also spurred on his desire to turn away from that side of his heritage.
"He does have a slight accent," Severus mentioned and Narcissa focused on him. "But I can't pick from where."
"You think he's from abroad?" Narcissa questioned. "He sounds English to me just not with a strong accent."
"No," Severus disagreed. "He's definitely spent enough time in another country to tame the English accent."
"Interesting."
Severus nodded and held up his book. Narcissa gave him a smile before floating away. He'd given her just enough to satisfy her for now.
xXx
Harry looked up from his book and paused when he saw the man in the doorway of the Great Hall.
"Ah," Harry muttered and Minerva glanced over at him.
Harry just had eyes for Dean Albert as the man stormed into the hall. The man's eyes found him easily and he headed that way as Harry stood.
"Minister Albert," Albus greeted. "How can I help you today?"
"That man," Albert snapped and pointed at Harry. "Is coming with me."
"Something you want to share, Harry?" Minerva questioned with a chuckle.
"Nah," Harry answered with a wink. "Minister Albert, how nice to see-"
"Now, Swift." Albert snapped and Harry bristled at the tone. "You were needed at the Department yesterday."
"I could arrange that," Harry replied mildly and the man splattered. "But I am aware of the laws of the use of time turners. Hardly worth the trouble and paperwork really."
"Harry," Albert growled as he glared at him.
"Very well," Harry agreed and glanced around. "Now that you have made a spectacle of a very easy request. Albus, please excuse me from my planned lessons today. It seems like I have an urgent matter to attend to."
"Of course, my boy." Albus said in amusement. "You seem to have an important day ahead of you."
"I doubt that," Harry muttered as he picked up his book from the table and looked at Albert. "I am at your service, Minister Albert."
Albert grumbled under his breath as Harry made his way around the table and towards the other man. Albert just stormed back out of the Great Hall and the noise picked back up. Harry just followed after in amusement. It didn't matter what time he was in. When the Ministry didn't know what something was or set off something that they shouldn't have. Harry was in demand.
xXx
"So," Harry said slowly as they looked at the forest before him. "Do we know how this happened?"
"A box was found at a Death Eater raid," Albert answered. "An Auror brought the box here as evidence. He used a spell to open it and it has been growing ever since."
"When did he open it?"
"Yesterday morning," Albert answered. "I sent you an owl about two hours later when all of our spells failed."
Harry nodded as he looked at the forest that used to be the Auror department. The desks seemed to have reverted back to the trees that they had once been. Sprouting leaves as they pushed up towards the high ceiling. Harry knew that they had spelled the ceiling higher, no doubt, unsure what would happen if the trees hit the roof. Grass had spread out from the tree near the middle of the room where he was sure the box had once been. All the place needed was a few birds and deer and it would have been a lovely picnic area. Not a working Auror department, well, was a working Auror department.
"Could the Dark Lord have done this to distract the Aurors?" Harry asked and Albert paled at his words. "I'm assuming that all of their gear is tangle up in there somewhere?"
"I better run that past Greengrass," Albert muttered as he looked at the trees. "Can you fix this?"
"Hm," Harry muttered as he pulled his wand and stepped up to the first tree.
He could feel the grass as it grew under his feet and he watched as another desk morphed into a small tree. The spell work was fascinating as he placed his hand on the tree before him. It looked like the spell tapped into the history of the wood to morph it into what it had been before it was felled, cut and turned into furniture. It was going to take him a while to counter the spell but he had an idea of where to start. He turned to Albert and the man gave him a hopeful look.
"I haven't had my coffee yet this morning," Harry remarked and Albert glared. "You wouldn't mind?"
Albert grumbled under his breath but turned and left without a backwards glance. Harry was sure that the man was cursing his name. An alarm suddenly rang out in the room and Harry sighed. It looked like his speculation about the Dark Lord had been right after all. Aurors descended on the room then stopped short as they looked at the forest before him.
"Sorry everyone," Harry called out. "This room is out of order. Try the bathroom on the next floor."
