Chapter Ten- Private Lessons Begin
Snape scratched a grade at the top of a fifth-year's homework before putting it aside and grabbing another. It was Saturday morning and he was alone. Harry had left to conduct Quidditch tryouts and perhaps visit Hagrid afterward. It pleased him that Harry was spending time with others; it would give him time to offer his assistance to Draco.
He put his grading aside, put on his Glamour and went in search of the boy. As luck would have it, he found him in the common room of Slytherin. "Mr. Malfoy, may I see you in my office? Now?"
Malfoy put on a sour face as he got up and followed Snape to his office. Once inside, Snape turned to Malfoy. "I am well aware of the task the Dark Lord set to you. I would be willing to assist you in succeeding."
"I don't need any help…sir," Malfoy replied, the last word being an afterthought.
"Draco, a task of this magnitude would go smoothly if one takes advantage of potential resources and allies. I would be one of the latter. I can be very valuable to you."
"I don't need you! I can do this myself."
"Murder is not as easy as you think, Draco and only a foolish boy would think it's easy."
"I am not a foolish boy!" Malfoy ripped back his left sleeve and Snape recoiled slightly as what he saw confirmed the suspicion he had had back in August: The Dark Mark was branded into the skin.
"You've been Marked," he said neutrally.
"That's right. So, talk to me like an equal instead of a superior."
"I am superior. I'm your teacher and you will show respect. Now, I promised your mother I would help you. I can help patch up any holes in your plans."
"There are no holes. Now, leave me alone." Malfoy pushed his sleeve down and stalked out of the office.
Snape sat with a scowl, dropped the Glamour, and resumed grading papers with a worried air. Draco definitely does not like me right now. It would seem Harry's suggestion of secretly tailing him is necessary. I think I will ask Harry if I could borrow something of his.
Harry returned after lunch and Snape nodded at seeing him. He knew Harry had homework to do and did not want to distract him with favors. He could wait until later. A few hours later, Harry was packing up his work and Snape looked up to see it was almost dinnertime.
"Harry, I spoke to Draco this morning and it did not go well. He revealed to me that he is a Death Eater as I had suspected since August. He showed his Dark Mark to me."
"He's a Death Eater!?" Harry gasped.
"Yes and he made it clear he does not want my help. So, I will secretly keep tabs on him and to that effect, I wondered if I could borrow your map."
"My map? Sure." Harry dug through his trunk until he removed a square of old parchment. He handed it over and Snape took it. He had seen this map in Harry's third and fourth years and knew how useful it was. He stowed it in his cloak as the mates headed to dinner. With this map, Draco cannot hide from me. Snape kept his eyes on Malfoy all through dinner, but the pale teenager appeared to not notice. He returned to his office to plan out his lesson plans for the year while waiting for Harry to return from his private lesson. I wonder what he's learning. I'll find out as Harry promised he'd tell me.
Harry's feet landed on Dumbledore's office floor as the memory concluded. "What happened, afterwards, sir?"
"He returned to the Ministry and came back with re-enforcements. Marvolo and Morfin were arrested and sentenced, leaving Merope on her own and able to pursue the Muggle she fell for. I'm sure you noticed him."
"The man on the horse?"
"Exactly. Tom Riddle, senior."
"Hang on. Tom Riddle. Then, that means, Merope…that was Voldemort's mother?"
"That's correct."
"And they ended up married!?" Harry couldn't understand how two different people could fall in love.
"You seem to forget Harry that Merope was a witch. Granted her powers weren't at their best while being tormented by her father, but once on her own, she was able to give free reign to her abilities. I'm sure she'd be able to persuade Riddle to have a glass of water one day when he was alone and enchant him."
"The Imperius Curse or a love potion?"
"I believe so. I think it's more likely she used a love potion; more romantic that way."
"Did both of them die after the baby was born?"
"Merope did but Riddle did not. He left her while she was pregnant. I believe she stopped using the love potion, hoping Riddle would love her without it. She was disappointed and that ultimately sapped her of her powers and she no longer wished to live or be a witch. I think that will do for tonight."
"Maybe two more questions, sir? Is it necessary to learn of Voldemort's past?"
"It is very important."
"And it…it's got something to do with the prophecy?"
"It has everything to do with the prophecy."
Harry turned to leave and saw a gold and black ring on one of the spindle-legged tables. "Sir? That ring-,"
"Yes?"
"Isn't that Marvolo's ring?"
"Indeed it is."
"How long have you had it?"
"I acquired it recently. Several days before I received your help in persuading Professor Slughorn to teach."
Harry paused before saying, "Sir, may I tell Ron and Hermione everything you told me?"
"Certainly, Harry. I believe they have proven themselves trustworthy. Naturally, you will tell Severus as he is your mate and fox mates tend to not keep secrets from one another."
"Yes, sir. That's right."
Harry returned to his room afterwards to find Severus still awake and in his true form, poring over the map. When Harry entered, however, she tapped it. "Mischief Managed, he said, though it hadn't. As Harry changed his clothes, he heard Severus' telepathic voice, "How did the lesson go? What did you learn?"
"The lesson went fine. He showed me a memory concerning Voldemort." Harry paused to allow Severus to hiss in protest at hearing the name. "I saw his mother and her family and how she possibly got the Muggle she loved to fall in love with her."
"Curious. Why would he want you to know this about the Dark Lord?"
"No idea, but I do find his origins interesting." Harry turned and said, "Severus, why do you react when I say his name?"
"It is reflex, Harry. I…fear him learning of my true nature and of our relationship to one another. I don't have the courage that you do in saying his name."
"I don't believe that. Hermione started saying his name last year." Harry slid into bed and kissed Severus. "Come on, Severus. Say it, even if you stammer. That's how Hermione did it."
Severus licked his lips as he said, "So you truly have no idea why you're learning all this about V-V-Voldemort?"
Harry smiled at hearing his mate speak Voldemort's name as he answered, "None at all. But, I have a feeling I might eventually learn why."
