The Trio Goes Hunting
They found Severus standing by the fireplace, looking at the photos on the mantel.
"Is this Lily?" he asked. "She has your eyes, Zelda, but otherwise looks quite different from you. Your son is unmistakably yours, however. These stationary Muggle photos are dull."
"Lily's the beautiful one. Elijah and I are just the comic relief," replied Zelda. "About the Fidelius Charm, dear boy?"
"I just finished it. These three," he said, meaning Harry, Hermione and Ron – "will have access to your house, but are unable to divulge the location to anyone, so you will no longer have stray wizards dropping by for breakfast." Severus smiled at her. "Your house is Unplottable as well. Hogwarts is still safer, but there are few places that are as thoroughly protected as this."
They all sat down. The pile of dusty, leather bound books strewn on her couch caught Zelda's attention, and she began browsing the pile.
"Moste Potente Potions?" She asked curiously, picking up the book. It fell open to the page entitled The Polyjuice Potion and her eyes widened in amazement, as she read it. She flipped through the pages, and an astonished smile transformed her face. She looked up at them and said, "This is amazing!"
She set the book down and began reading the other titles. "Muggles Who Notice" and "Philosophy of the Mundane" caught her eye immediately.
"Is it Christmas, Sev?" she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with delight. "Why are they here? May I read them?"
Severus was charmed by her interest. "I brought most of them for you to read, if you would like to."
"Why…um, did you take Moste Potente Potions from the library, Professor?" Hermione asked interestedly.
"Were you planning to make a batch of bathtub Polyjuice Potion?" Zelda asked, making all of them laugh.
"Never mind, now," Severus replied, flushing slightly. "I hope to return them someday."
Zelda had turned her attention to a large, heavy tome entitled Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy. She opened it curiously, and began reading the Forward. The conversation moved on without her as her eyes grew wide.
Severus applied Legilimency to Ron subtly, without any of them realizing he was doing it. He did not feel it immediately, but suddenly he glared, and Severus felt his mind go blank.
"Hey!" Ron said, outraged. "That was sneaky."
"That is the point of the exercise," Severus said sternly. "You must all be aware at all times, since the best Legilimens can be inside your thoughts before you are aware of it."
Severus tried Hermione next, but she repelled him for several minutes before he broke through her defenses.
"If you continue to practice, Miss Granger, you will be a competent Occlumens," he said, causing Hermione to blush with surprise.
Finally he turned his attention to Harry, and this time he took out his wand and pointed it at the young man.
"Legilimens!" he said without warning, sending intense pressure crashing at Harry's mind.
Harry realized that there had been an element of trust between himself and Snape in their earlier lessons here at Zelda's house, but it was gone now. This was brute force. He felt Snape beginning to see his frightened, outraged thoughts, and started to panic. But he found a cold hard place in his mind to anchor his consciousness to and slammed down his thoughts, locking his mind against the intruder. Once he had managed it, he felt calm, as if he could maintain this state for a long time, and didn't notice when the pressure was removed.
"Potter," Severus said, touching Harry's shoulder to recall him.
Harry shook his head, confused, wondering what he'd done and how he'd done it. He looked up at Severus and was amazed to receive an approving nod from him.
"You are finding your strength, Potter. You did not succeed at Occlumency before this because you did not choose to learn it," said Severus.
Harry came to himself completely and realized what Snape had said to him. He nodded, knowing he had reached a new level of competence.
"We'll be going soon, Sir," Harry said quietly. "Is there anything else we should know?"
Severus looked from one to the other. In contrast to his past experiences with Potter, the boy was thoughtful and serious. A good omen, he thought. Possibly it was too much to hope this would last, but what happened to these three was out of his hands once they left him, and all he could do was hope.
"You had the gall to ask if I might inadvertently betray Zelda to the Dark Lord, Potter, and I ask you the same question," said Severus. "No one must know of her whereabouts, and your skill as an Occlumens is her protection. You have made significant improvement. Will you practice frequently?"
"This time I will." Harry replied grimly. "… And… Sir… I'm sorry… about that last time…. " It obviously took effort for him to maintain eye contact, but he looked unflinchingly at Severus as he spoke.
Hermione and Ron obviously had no idea what Harry was talking about, but Severus recalled vividly his humiliation at finding Potter invading his memory in the Pensieve. He stared in amazement. Potter apologizing? He was speechless; all he could do was nod, and hope he was understood.
Zelda broke in at this opportune moment. "Excuse me, have any of you read this book? I thought Muggle genealogists are whacko, but this guy's completely out of control! 'Nature's Idiots,' if you ask me!" she snorted.
"I remember that book," Ron exclaimed. "There's a copy at Number Twelve. Sirius used it to smash that silver spider thing, remember?"
"Never mind that now," Zelda said abruptly. "I'm easily distracted. Are you really ready to go?"
Harry nodded, so nervous now that he felt like he might soon puke. He wished it didn't feel so much like he was stepping off a cliff without a broom. He saw that Hermione and Ron looked pale and serious too.
"I wonder… " Zelda said tentatively. "Can you send me word each time you destroy a Horcrux? Also Professor McGonagall, if you can't speak to her in person. No one else knows about the Horcruxes, but you should make someone aware of your progress."
Severus frowned, but could not see any actual harm. "A post owl?" He said, considering. "It would take a long time to arrive here, but perhaps… yes. Potter, I suppose you may send owls to Zelda and to Professor McGonagall, but be careful what you write. That is a good suggestion, my girl."
Harry pulled a handful of odd-looking coins out of his pocket and handed them to Zelda. "Use these to pay owls. They won't leave until you pay them, and they don't accept Muggle money."
Zelda looked at the assortment of Knuts and Sickles curiously. "Are these actually silver?" she asked, thinking that Muggle money had not been silver is decades. "Is this one gold?"
"Yeah." Harry replied casually. "The Galleon will be too much though, you'll probably use Sickles to pay an owl to fly this far. Oh, and sometimes they're hungry or thirsty."
"I don't keep frozen bats or mice, do I need to pick up a few?" she asked, fascinated.
"No, just a bit of toast, or whatever you have handy," Harry replied, appreciating her positive attitude. After years of hearing the Dursleys say hateful things about "bloody owls" it was really great to hear that Zelda planned on enjoying their visits. "Zelda, maybe I can send Hedwig to you. She's my owl, and she's really smart."
The trio rose then, and they walked out toward the back yard. Zelda walked next to Harry.
"I hate goodbyes, Harry," she said, looking ironically into his eyes. "If you need a break, or want to Apparate in for tea, you're always welcome. Even if I'm not here, come and take whatever you need. I hope to see you soon."
"Thank you, Zelda, for everything," Harry replied in a hoarse voice. He could not say any more, it was difficult to leave.
She gave him a hug and they continued to walk through the garden, where they caught up with the others.
Zelda went to say goodbye to Hermione and Ron, and Severus was left alone with Harry Potter. They looked cautiously at each other.
"Good luck, Potter. Try not to waste too much time dispatching the Horcruxes," Severus said, feeling extremely awkward.
"Professor… Thank you," Harry said. "Erm… I'll see you later, I suppose."
Severus realized when that would most likely be, and cocked an eyebrow. "Yes. You'll see me eventually, Potter, and before that I may see you. You won't know it, most likely."
Hesitantly, Severus held out his hand, and Harry gripped it firmly, looking up at him with a twinkle in his green eyes. "Take care of Zelda, Professor," he said.
Severus felt the corner of his mouth twitching. If somehow they all survived this, he would probably never hear the end of this absurd situation.
"Of course I will, Potter," replied Severus, his expression almost softening for a moment. "Be off now… and good hunting."
With a last look back at Severus and Zelda, Harry went to join Hermione and Ron, and with a pop, they were gone.