Authors notes: Thanks for your reviews. I appreciate them so much.
Frosty: Thanks for your kind words. I have no idea what is going to happen when school starts. I teach. But I'll definitely keep writing because I'm quite sure I'm having as much fun as you folks seem to be.
Kathy: How sweet. I certainly await your reviews.
I await all your reviews actually. 'Cuz as you know, there ain't no money in this.
So Please read and review, and I hope you all like the chapter.
Chapter 8
The Visit
After coming to the full realization of what he had accomplished with the wards at Mrs. Figg's house, and the obvious connection to wandless and non-verbal magic, Harry decided the main focus of his studies should be on his ability to perform these types of spells. His hope was that it would prove a method by which he would better understand these two types of magic.
He thought about the numerous times he had been able to accomplish wandless, non-verbal spells throughout his life, and it was almost always accompanied by some sort of emotion. The list was long: apparating onto the roof because he was frightened of Dudley, putting the boy in the snake aquarium because he was irritated with him, making his own hair grow back because he was sad, and blowing up his Aunt Marge because he was furious, just named a few. If Harry had a galleon for every hiding he had received from Uncle Vernon because something strange had happened, he would be able to pay Voldermort to sod off.
After the construction of the wards, Harry's self training began to take on a character all its own. In addition to studying and furiously sticking post-its in the margins of texts all day, Harry attempted to frame the hard to decipher information in terms of what he already knew.
Nearly two weeks had gone by, and although he hadn't gotten much better at traditional non-verbal and wandless spells, Harry had grown adept at making interesting things happen. And he had been working on creative ways to use these things for defense.
This is where the Gnomes came in. Harry spent his nights from half eleven to dawn, transfiguring the little people to the size of humans and trying out various spells. In a few short days he would be allowed to go to the Burrow and practice with Ron and Hermione, but the Gnomes were dead useful in the mean time. He used the same method to blow them up as he had with Aunt Marge. There had been some interesting side effects during the Aunt Marge incident with wind and lighting too, and Harry tried these out as well. The boy found he didn't have to really be furious, he could just pretend he was and work himself up that way.
He also used the hair growing spell to speed up the growth of the Gnome's eyebrows, making them instantly long enough to obstruct their vision. Harry found he could make the Gnome's noses run, eyes water, and make them itch terribly. Although these spells were more annoying than harmful, Harry could see how they might provide a useful distraction in a battle. Sometimes he would leave the Gnomes small as a way of practicing his control. determining just the right force for the spells he designed to make them trip over their feet, bump into one another, or spin around.
Harry was working on control the night he sensed a presence near the shed in the corner of the garden of number 10 Privet Drive. To the casual observer it might appear like the boy was simply lounging on the back porch. To the not so casual observer it might look like he was torturing defenseless Gnomes. The visitor who arrived that night was not a casual observer, but gave little thought to what the boy might be doing save for the fact that the irresponsible brat should not be away from the protection of his relatives home at that time of night.
When Harry first sensed the presence, he took a moment to concentrate on appearing natural before taking action. He didn't dare go for his wand just yet. Counting on the element of surprise, Harry took a deep, lazy breath while stretching his arms, and apparated in front of the intruder. By concentrating on a firm pushing motion without the use of his wand he was able to make the man fall on his backside. The figure recovered himself immediately and was able to land Harry in a similar position with the strength of his voice alone.
"Potter!" Snape roared, and Harry fell onto his arse in shock, and crab walked backward for a bit before the furious, older wizard threw a hex. Harry had been toying around with the theory, while working with the Gnomes, that he might be able to block some hexes by using objects from his immediate environment. He was able to block Snape's hex, just barely, by summoning a garbage can lid. It was not a traditional Accio. It was a wandless, non-verbal spell, and he accomplished it by simply wishing the lid to be in front of him while drawing on his desire not to be hexed. It worked really well. From the looks of the lid, the hex had been a body bind. The thing would never fit on the can again.
"What in the seven hells are you doing here, Potter?" Snape exploded, causing Harry to toss the lid aside and crab walk backwards a few more paces. "Protection wards were placed at your home for good reason. What possible motive could you have in that dunderheaded little brain of yours for wandering about this time of night?" the angry wizard did not pause for an answer. "Of all the idiotic, asinine, behavior," he thundered on.
It had been a while since Harry had seen Snape encouraged to full rage. But the man had not altered his performance. Even the adjectives were the same. Well...asinine might be a new one, Harry thought ruefully, but dunderhead was a classic standard.
"What in Merlin's name do you mean by it boy?" the dark haired wizard was fairly foaming at the mouth.
"Mean by what sir?" Harry decided to ask innocently, getting to his feet and affecting a puzzled expression. He couldn't help it. Baiting Snape. It was a bit like taunting a snake, and born of habit. If they had been at Hogwarts the man would have taken house points, perhaps given the boy a detention for his cheek. But they were not at Hogwarts, and apparently the rules didn't apply, so Harry was a little caught off guard when Snape slapped him. Hard.
For a moment both wizards looked a bit stunned, but Snape recovered first.
"Do not toy with me boy," the man hissed. "There is no need for someone of your questionable intelligence to 'play dumb'. You know full well there are wards in place at your relative's home for your protection. Protection that others risk their lives to uphold and you in your self-important arrogance choose to flout," Snape eyed him with contempt. "You empty-headed..."
"The wards here will protect me," Harry snarled with indignant rage before the man could start on a fresh set of descriptives.
"Imbecilic brat" Snape spat. "Do you not realize the wards do not extend..." Snape looked around, noticing the trace of Harry's wards for the first time. "Who constructed these wards Potter?" Snape asked, with something akin to amazement.
Still stinging with humiliation and pain from the slap, Harry cut off the snide retort he may have delivered. "I did." he stated in a flat, angry tone. Being sure to leave off the word sir, or anything else the foul bastard might mistake for respect.
As Snape looked around Harry could have sworn he saw an expression bordering on approval, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"There is a breach. Just there," the man sneered critically, indicating the loyalty portal.
"Yeah, that's the..." Harry began.
"Repair it at once," the dark haired wizard ordered sharply.
Harry paused for a moment in thought. "Is that where you entered?" he asked curiously. The implications of Snape being on the inside of the wards suddenly becoming clear, and quickly joining forces with the fact Dumbledore still trusted the man.
"I entered near the shed as you well know having sensed my arrival," Harry thought he saw the hint of approval again, but the older wizard was quick to school his expression. "Repair it," Snape ordered again sharply, indicating the blue section of the ward.
Harry rolled his eyes, but did as he was told.
Snape nodded his head once and turned on his heel heading back toward the shed.
After a moment Harry followed. "What are you doing here?" he asked indelicately. Snape spun on his heel and contemplated telling the impudent brat it was none of his concern. However, the message he was about to deliver did concern Potter. He considered the boy.
"What are you doing here, sir?" he emphasized the last word, looking at Harry hard.
Harry bit off several angry retorts. What was it with this guy? He and Dumbledore both for the love of Merlin... Harry made an effort to control his breathing. Dumbledore trusts him, and he was able to transverse the purple section of the wards. Harry told himself. My bloody cheek hurts like hell the boy thought testily.
From years of practice with Vernon, Harry made sure he was out of arms reach before speaking.
"You've got to be joking," Harry told the man. "Earlier when I called you sir you backhanded me. I thought you didn't like it," Harry explained in mock sincerity.
The boy looked on impertinently as the man clenched and unclenched his hand.
"Need I do so again?" the man inquired silkily. "Or shall I come up with something a bit more instructive?" he fingered his wand.
"Quite unnecessary sir," Harry began again smoothly. "May I ask what you are doing here?" the boy asked politely.
The dark-haired wizard's expression indicated he thought he might be being baited. Harry hid a smirk to indicate he was. Snape sneered menacingly to indicate it should stop. Harry swallowed hard to indicate he would consider it.
"I am delivering a confidential message for the Order," Snape decided to confide. "The Headmaster set up a method before his death."
"Thought of everything didn't he?" Harry let out a surprised breath. "Do the others know you...ah," the boy began.
"Of course not, Idiotic boy," Snape spat, as though Idiotic was Harry's given name, and Boy was his surname. "No one knows the communication is from me. They think there are other spies in the Dark Lord's circle. And indeed there are."
This fact surprised Harry, the idea of there being other spies. He wanted to ask who, but thought better of it. He looked up at the man expectantly, silently biding him to continue.
Moderately pleased by the brat's self restraint, Snape obliged. The boy would find out soon enough anyway. "The Headmaster gave you leave to join the Weasley's soon?"
"In four days time," Harry began, not liking the direction the man's comments were going. "He said I only needed to stay here two weeks," Harry explained unnecessarily. "When I first got the," Harry indicated his chest vaguely. "You know...the thing."
"As articulate as ever, Potter," Snape opined snidely. "I regret your plans must be altered," but Snape didn't seem very regretful, Harry noticed.
"Why?" the boy spat in angry defiance. At Snape's warning glance he schooled his expression to something closer to a dark petulance.
"There is a Death Eater attack that has been planned for the day of the Weasley wedding." Snape explained. "Contingency plans are underway to attack earlier if a better opportunity is found to murder you," Snape continued, his usually snide tone a bit muted.
Harry was horrified. An attack at Bill and Fluer's wedding. "How long do I have to stay here?" He wanted to know.
"Until you join me for training," Snape stated, with finality.
Harry had been counting on trying to perfect some of the things he had been working on with Ron and Hermione. He was still holding onto the hope that he might not have to join Snape at all. Harry didn't voice any of these concerns however.
"Potter," an agitated voice barked from beyond the wards. Before Harry could react, a protective arm was thrown across his chest and he was slammed into the shed.
"Geroff," he told Snape. "It's Moody.
Snape moved his arm.
"I think you better go," Harry told him, peeking around the shed. Snape joined him to see Mad-Eye Moody resisting against the wards.
"Can he not get in?" Snape questioned.
"Well..." Harry began.
"Potter!" Moody yelled.
"Why can he not get it?" Snape asked, more pointedly this time.
"Well...erm," Harry began, more vaguely this time.
"Potter!" Moody howled, from beyond the wards.
"Potter?" Snape hissed, from uncomfortably close.
"Just a second Moody," Harry called out to the ex-Auror.
"Potter?" the one-eyed man's voice was moderately relieved. "I can't get through the wards. What's going on in there, lad? Are you all right?" Moody wanted to know.
"'M fine," Harry tried to assure himself. "Wait a moment will you?"
"No," Moody told him getting angry now, "Open the portal," the man ordered firmly. "Now."
"'Kay," Harry said, turning to Snape. "I'm thinking you should really go now."
"Potter," Moody hollered, clearly furious now.
"Not until you explain why I was able to cross your wards, while Moody, who has been ordered to protect you," the man fairly spat the words. "Apparently can not."
"Potter!" Moody bellowed. "You open the portal this instant, or so help me boy I will hex you to within and inch of your life."
"Oh my," Harry said, a bit alarmed. "Couldn't you just leave sir? It makes me really uncomfortable when Moody's this mad."
"Were I you," Snape purred silkily. "I should be more concerned with the wizard in closest proximity."
"Well that's not much of choice is it?" the boy retorted, a bit strained. "Okay. Hold on a moment," Harry said in a defeated tone, and stepped out a few paces beyond the shed into the open.
"Mr. Moody," the boy began with a gentle confidence he did not feel, but somehow reminded Snape sharply of Albus Dumbledore. "I assure you I am fine. For the next little while, I will be conducting a bit of business that concerns the Headmaster's final instructions to me. I needed to shut the portal to maintain security. However, I assure you if you will give me leave to conduct my affairs, I will endeavor to explain everything to your satisfaction later." Harry walked away without waiting for a response, looking every inch the confident mature wizard. Only when he reached the far side of the garden shed, did he peek around the side to gauge the ex-Aurors reaction.
"I think he bought it," Harry sighed, and turned back to Snape. His relief was short lived.
"Now, Mr. Potter," Snape hissed dangerously. "You will kindly explain to me why this incompetent, hoax of a protection ward seems to keep out those who would defend you, such as members of the Order, and allow random others to enter blithely?"
"The wards are pretty well constructed," Harry defended himself with genuine confidence this time. Everyone else had been impressed with all he'd managed. "They wouldn't allow anyone to enter who meant me harm."
Snape quirked an ironic eyebrow, and the tips of Harry's ears reddened.
"Aside from you, and usually Moody apparently," the boy amended ruefully. "Who both seem sadistically determined to throttle me for my own protection tonight."
Snape looked mildly disconcerted before he quickly amended his expression.
"Potter your behavior is moronic and your arrogance astounding. You will explain to me why Moody is kept beyond these well constructed wards of yours, while I was able to enter. You can not be certain others of Voldemort's followers can not gain entrance if you have not properly tested the boundaries, you stupid, irresponsible boy."
"But you're not one of Voldemort's followers, sir." Harry found himself surprised to be saying these words to this man with such ease. "You're Professor Dumbledore's..." Harry hesitated the briefest of moments. "Man."
"Potter, your explanation grows more convoluted with each word you utter." Snape snarled, what little patience the man possessed fast disappearing. "Alastor Moody was a loyal friend of Albus Dumbledore since before either of us were born. Yet according to your argument..."
"These are called Emotion Protection Wards, Professor," Harry explained patiently, as though there had been some bizarre role reversal, and Snape was a rather dense student. "You construct them by concentrating on an emotion connected to someone. In this case love. Only those who love the central figure as much of more than the one who constructed the wards can enter. The central figure for these wards was Professor Dumbledore. Only problem was, most of the Order members couldn't pass through. It was a mess. You think Moody's mad tonight," Harry said with a shiver. At Snape's impatient expression he continued.
"So Remus suggested I concentrate on loyalty instead and it gave most of the members access again. When I'm training at night, I recharm the perimeter for love and just leave one loyalty portal open. There." Harry indicated the general direction of where Moody stood. "You ordered me to close it. The only ones who have been able to gain access when the wards are charmed like this are me and McGonagall. She said it's because not everyone would define their love for the Headmaster in the same terms as I do," Harry shrugged. "That's why I asked you if you entered on the blue, which is loyalty. The purple is love," Harry paused and cleared his throat. "That was McGonagall's theory anyhow."
There was a substantial silence while Snape squirmed at the discomfort of having been accused of loving someone, even it was Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor McGonagall, Potter," Snape corrected harshly, attempting to take refuge in the normalcy of a sharp rebuke.
"Well, Headmistress actually," Harry began mildly. "But you're right sir, sorry.
Snape looked even more at a loss by the unparalleled occurrence of Harry admitting he was right, calling him sir, and apologizing all in one breath. The boy would have given a thousand galleons to photograph Snape's expression. Harry took pity on him, but not too much, and sternly looked down at his trainers willing himself not to laugh.
"What was that curse you hit me with earlier Potter," Snape demanded. Harshly grappling for control.
The older wizard's tone was so severe it reminded Harry abruptly of his dream. When Snape had been angry because he thought Harry was turning dark.
Harry took a moment to remind himself it had only been a dream, before he explained what he had thrown at Snape hadn't really been a curse. The boy began detailing some of the things he had been working on thus far. He discussed what he had been reading and how he was trying to adapt it to things that worked for him. Harry was surprised that discussing these things with Snape was actually helping him clarify and refine his thoughts. After a bit, Snape transfigured a large rock and took a seat near the door of the shed, and Harry sat cross-legged in front of him. Surprisingly Snape didn't downgrade Harry's efforts. Nor did he offer any answers to Harry's many questions. He would simply ask additional questions that might send Harry's thoughts in different a direction or further down the same path.
The boy explained that he had been working on apparition for the element of surprise. And the older wizard quirked an eyebrow, clearly remembering being surprised when Harry had apparated in front of him. Harry explained that while he had only been able to master a few spells using traditional wandless, and non-verbal magic, he had been able to accomplish some other interesting things using a sort of wish-emotion magic that he had been able to do as a child.
Harry thought Snape's expression looked as though he might be a bit pleased and was surprised and confused by how much the idea gratified him. The boy began to explain that he had been reading a bit on Occlumency as well, but had no way to tell if the stuff he was reading was effective. However, the more he read it seemed he could Legillimize his relatives and often Mrs. Figg without any conscious intent.
"It's not like I'm trying to or anything," Harry clarified.
"You are something of a natural Legillimens," Snape told him.
Harry couldn't tell if he was being rebuked, or complimented, or what, but didn't want to ruin what had been a pretty good conversation by asking something stupid. Especially given the conversation was with Snape, and the whole Occlumency issue was rife with controversy.
Harry ended by discussing the non-verbal wandless block he had been working on that used the same elements as the wards he had created.
This time Harry clearly saw the look of approval linger a moment before the dark haired wizard stowed it beneath his stern mask.
"Your efforts are satisfactory, if unconventional," the man offered in a measured tone. "You are to continue your studies as you have begun," he instructed sternly, as he prepared to go.
This was an extravagant compliment coming from Snape. Harry was a bit embarrassed and puzzled by the way his face and ears flushed at the man's words.
The bastard slapped you, and then called you an idiot like twelve times. Harry reminded himself firmly, while he grasped around for something that might break the mood and return them to some semblance of normalcy.
"So you're sure I can't go to the Weasley's?" Harry ventured, rising with the man as he got to his feet.
At Snape's incredulous sneer, Harry shrugged his shoulders as if to say, just asking.
"My decision is final," Snape replied curtly. "I will not allow it."
Harry forced himself to bristle at the thought of Snape having the authority to make a final decision, or allow anything which concerned him.
"The Weasley's are obviously going to be told though. Right? Through you message system or whatever...?" Harry questioned insolently, if a bit inarticulately.
"That was the main purpose of my visit, Potter," Snape sneered. "It is as though I am speaking to a dim-witted child."
Harry coughed a laugh into submission. Things hadn't gone that far afield.
After Snape left, Harry took a moment to marvel at how normal and good it had felt speaking with the man about what he was reading and learning. He could recall Hermione mentioning having similar conversations with McGonagall and Flitwick. But that was Hermione for the love of Merlin, and this was, after all, Snape. The boy tried to drum up some feelings of hatred. But inspite of his cheek, which still throbbed a bit, he didn't have much luck.
Thanks for reading. If I get enough encouragement, I will try to update every weekend. I'm going to need a lot of reinforcement I fear, so don't forget to review.