Living in the Highlands
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 6
During lunch break, Severus had chucked up on Harry. Only to see him with a bowl of Partan Bree. A crab soup that is a northeastern Scotland delicacy. But Minerva McGonagall loves it and would treat them to a bowl on an occasion. Along with some shortbread rolls.
Severus gave Harry a wandering look. Only for Harry to point towards his corner table. Where a bowl and some rolls were waiting for him.
"Well, Harry, I am going to have to break the news to Draco. You're starting to become my favorite nephew."
Harry smirked as he hid his lips with a spoon. But Severus saw it. He may act like he didn't like the soup in front of Minerva. But over the years, it had grown on him.
After had finished his lunch. He noticed Harry looking at him. He let out a sigh. "What is it?"
"You said that Lord Voldemort killed my parents, why?"
Severus knew that once he had opened up about Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters, he would get questions.
"Your parents were Gryffindors and head into any problem and help others. After Hogwarts, they became a part of the Order of the Phoenix. They were a very small resistance group that fought back. Your parents had faced Voldemort three different times. Marking them for death, in his eyes."
Severus knew he was only downplaying things. But Harry didn't need the gory history lesson. Nor was it the right time to disclose the prophecy. Why put that on a child's head?
"Your parents were a couple of brave people I have even known. Which caused their death, by trusting the wrong people. Only to manage to protect you, in the end."
Harry looked equal parts sad and mad. Severus could understand those feelings. He was those things when Lily died. Yes, they were no longer friends. But he had hoped, with time, they could be friends again.
Severus had gotten up from his seat and walked around his space. He went from one bookshelf to another, before he found a book he was looking for. Then he handed it over to Harry.
Harry looked at him with worry, but took the book. "The Secrets of Defense Magic? I don't have a wand?"
Severus turned to him with sharp eyes. "It doesn't mean you can't read about it. If there is something in there that you want to learn, use your hand like a wand. Practice is better than nothing," he then left.
Only to hear Harry say, "Not fair, why can't I have a wand?"
As the day dragged by. Severus found Harry with a lot of notes. Not just on Runes, but also from the defense book. Harry looked up at him with a thoughtful look. "I know spells can help protect you and all, but what about physical defense?"
'Lily, you should be proud. Your son is not a total dunderhead after all.' Severus walked over to a chair and sat down. "You are starting to use that head of yours. Not many witches or wizards bother with non spell tactics. Thinking that they will not be without their wand."
Severus had an edge to his voice in the end. It was something that he had started to do, during the first war. Learning other tactics to aid his survival.
"Was that why my parents died," asked Harry with sadness in his eyes. "They relied too much on their wands?"
Severus Snape may be a known liar and a spy. But he couldn't lie to Harry, not with those emerald eyes.
"They did Harry. Your father, a pureblood wizard, thought that a wizard is as good as his wand. In some regards that is true. But true survival is adapting to live, and keep on living."
"Can you teach me," Harry asked softly.
Severus Snape knew he should have started teaching Harry sooner, but he wasn't ready. But seeing the determination in Harry's eyes. Severus knew that he would have to. "Not today, but this weekend, perhaps?"
It was enough to see a smile on Harry's face. 'Minerva is going to hate me. Hate me enough to hear her thick Scottish brogue.'
At the day's end of classes. Severus led Harry to Minerva's office. Where they would meet up and talk about school affairs, before they had left for home. It was like most days.
"Minerva, could you reign in those cubs of yours? The Weasley twins were close to blowing up my classroom again."
"Cubs," asked Harry.
Minerva sighed but turned to Harry. "I am the head of Gryffindor house, who are the lions. While Severus is the head of Slytherin, the snakes. Hufflepuff are the badgers. While Ravenclaw are the eagles."
Harry gave her a weird face. "Why not raven, hence the name?"
Minerva rolled her eyes. "You would think that a thousand years of this school being open. There would be an answer. But only to have vague knowledge that Rowena Ravenclaw had loved eagles."
"Lions, why not griffins," asked Harry.
Minerva gave him a stern look. "As simple as their names seem. They, as the people, were not. But ignore all that, how was your day with Severus, Harry?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "It was alright. But Uncle Sev said he would teach me other ways to protect myself, without a wand."
Minerva glanced towards Severus. Surprised not to see a glare aimed at him.
"Severus," she breathed out. "I may not agree to a lot of things that you've wanted Harry to learn. But I want you to include camping on that list of yours."
Out of the things that Severus had thought about Minerva learning about his plans for Harry. This was not the outcome he had envisioned. "What is the first thing you said to me about teaching," he asked.
Minerva smiled softly at him. "You better have nerves of steel. The children will test you."
Severus sighed deeply. "I was having a hard time believing, if you were the real Professor McGonagall. Since you didn't sound like yourself."
Minerva bristled, "Well, if he came back with more than just dirt and scraps. You will find yourself a beating, young man!"
Severus smirked, "Now everything is right as rain."
Harry laughed at the two of them. It was something that Minerva and Severus had agreed upon. Making sure that Harry was happy and having some sort of fun. Severus could only imagine the life he could have, under Lily's sister and her husband. Nothing good, he imagined.