Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 8: Lessons Begin

Later that day, after they ate lunch, Harry found himself being led down to the dungeons again. Deciding to see if Snape was still in a good mood, he decided to try asking a few questions.

"Professor?" Harry said cautiously, not wanting to make him mad again. It didn't seem to take much when he was around him.

"Yes, Potter?" Severus said without stopping.

"How are you opening the doors without a password, sir?" Harry asked quickly.

"It is a security I have put up. I am the only one they open for. If anyone else were to try and get in, a signal is sent to me. If they are persistent, there is a nasty little surprise for them. If, by some fluke, they happen to get in, it would lock down and no one would be able to get in or out except me. It keeps out unwanted guests. Even Dumbledore can't get in it." Severus said, and Harry knew he had a smirk on his face.

"Oh. I didn't know you could do that. I thought you had to have a password or something." Harry said sounding a little confused.

Severus stopped suddenly, turning to look at Harry with a look of disbelief. Harry, not expecting the sudden stop, almost ran into him.

"You really are as arrogant as a muggle. You are supposed to be the savior of the wizarding world? We are all doomed. Maybe I should just go to the Dark Lord and beg for a quick death now." Severus said, shaking his head in dismay. "Of course, I shouldn't expect any less from a Potter. Not all wards need a password. Some can go by magical signature."

Severus turned and headed in to the room to the right of them. Harry hurried behind him so he wouldn't be locked out. He was fuming at what Snape had said, but thought better of replying considering where they were. Snape was talking in a low voice to himself.

"Makes me even more grateful I didn't end up with the same last name." Severus said in disgust.

"Sir?" Harry said softly.

Severus didn't seem to hear him, or he chose to ignore him. Harry was even more confused. Shaking his head to try and clear it, he looked around the room and noticed that it was empty except for the candles on the walls, giving it an eerie feel to it. Harry mentally shivered a little.

"All right, Potter. I want you to stand in the middle of the room and close your eyes. Clear your mind of all thought and emotion." Severus said suddenly. Harry jumped and turned to look at him feeling uneasy. He really didn't want to do this. It was never going to work. He just couldn't relax around Snape. Reluctantly, he did as he was told, feeling a little afraid now. He had no idea were Snape was at. After awhile, he began to relax a little.

"Get your wand out. Keep your eyes closed and your mind clear. For now I will give you a little warning. Try to at least put some effort into it." Severus said quietly.

Harry did as he was told, although it was hard because he was nervous. He couldn't see or hear Snape and was a little afraid.

"Legilimens!" Snape said from somewhere behind him.

Harry could feel Snape as he invaded his mind. He tried to push him out. Snape pushed harder to get into his thoughts. Harry pushed back as hard as he could. It wasn't enough and he was suddenly flooded with memories from his childhood.

He was 9 being chased by his Aunt Marge's bulldog, Ripper… He was 11 watching Dudley argue for a few more presents… When he first saw Hagrid as he broke down the door… During Christmas when Cho Chang was drawing closer under the mistletoe… When him and Cedric both grabbed the cup.

No Harry thought, I won't go through it again.

He pushed hard against the intrusion and found himself in Snape's memories.

A 7-year old boy with pale skin and long, black, shiny hair stood before a hooked nosed man crying. The man was telling him he was no good and would never amount to anything, while another 7-year-old boy with dark, unruly hair watched and laughed…A dark haired, horse faced young girl being bullied by 3 older boys next to the swings…A 9-year-old pale skinned, dark haired boy fighting 3 older boys while a dark haired, horse faced girl cries on the ground near by…

Harry found himself pushed forcefully on to the floor. He was breathing hard and feeling confused by what he had seen. Was that his Aunt Petunia? And why was Snape protecting her? Harry risked a glance up at Snape. He was breathing hard, too. He also looked very angry. His eyes were narrowed to slits and his mouth had an evil twist to it.

"What was that, Potter?" Severus said in a deadly quiet voice. "I thought I told you to block your mind. Not try getting into mine. Are you trying to see what else you father did to me? Wasn't what you invaded in the Pensieve enough?"

"No, sir. I didn't mean to. I don't even know how I did it. I'm not proud of what my father did to you. No one deserves that. No matter what they did." Harry said softly, looking at the floor.

"Get up, Potter." Severus said coldly.

Harry got up slowly; not sure what Snape was going to do next. As soon as he was on his feet Snape attacked again. Not having time to prepare, Harry was once again thrown into memories he'd rather forget.

2 other boy's and a rather large boy were chasing a 7-year-old boy with unruly black hair… Falling and the other boys catching up… Being beating up while he tried to protect his head and chest…

Harry found himself on the floor again. This time Snape had lifted the spell before Harry could even try to fight back. Harry glared at him angrily.

"Get up, Potter." Severus said quietly.

"Why, sir? You aren't even giving me a chance. You won't tell me how to block my mind." Harry said angrily, glaring at Snape.

"Do not question me, Potter. Get up." Severus said a little too softly.

Harry bit back a reply and got up, trying to clear his mind just in case. It went on like that for, to Harry, what seemed like hours. He was sore in places he never knew he had from falling on the hard, cold floor so many times. It wasn't soon enough when Severus finally called an end to it.

"Enough. We aren't getting anywhere." Severus snapped.

Harry was currently trying to pick himself up off the floor, again. He sighed a little in relief that they could finally stop. Snape was standing next to the open door waiting for him when he finally got shakily to his feet. Harry slowly made his way over to him. They went back up to the study. It took longer then it should of because Harry wasn't up to running to keep up.

"Sit." Severus said as soon as they entered the study, going over to his desk and sitting in his chair.

Harry reluctantly went over and sat in the chair by the desk. He stared at the front of the desk wishing he could just go to his room and lay down for awhile.

"Do you know why you keep failing, Potter?" Severus asked; sounding as tired as Harry felt.

"No, sir" Harry said not looking up.

"You are too emotional. You let your emotions take over. You have to learn how to control them. Hide how you truly feel and make them see what you want them to see. You are too easy to manipulate right now. Too easy to fool. No wonder the Dark Lord fooled you so easily. Do you understand, Potter?"

"Yes, sir." Harry said, agreeing so he could get away.

"I want to see an improvement by our next lesson. That gives you a few days to practice. Is that clear?" Severus said.

"Yes, sir" Harry said tiredly.

"You are to write down what you felt in those memories and give the reasons why. Then tell how you could of handled it better. If you can learn to handle things differently and to think about it first instead of going and getting all hotheaded, maybe you can learn to control your emotions. I want it by tomorrow night as it took longer then I planned tonight. Normally, it will be done right after the lesson while it is fresh in your mind. Understood?" Severus said sternly.

"Yes, sir." Harry said through clenched teeth, not wanting to let Snape read it, let alone have to write it.

"Any questions?" Severus said, hoping that Harry was too tired to ask the one he knew he would ask.

Harry looked up at Snape trying to decide if he should ask. Deciding he had to know, especially since it kind of involved him. In an odd way.

"Was that my Aunt Petunia you were helping, sir?" Harry asked softly, not taking his eyes off of Snape.

Severus looked at Harry, trying to decide if he should tell him or not. He knew if he didn't tell him, Tina would tell him and probably things he'd rather were left unsaid.

Harry was beginning to think he wouldn't answer when he finally decided to. Snape looked away and stared at the top of the desk.

"I was 5 when I first started running away from home. Not that anyone noticed." Severus started out bitterly. "I was 9 when I found that park. I was going over to the swings. I did try to ignore the boys there. They had other ideas. One of them tripped me as I walked past them. I, unfortunately, fell into the girl and we both fell down. That's why she was on the ground. I got up and tried to walk away." Severus said without looking up. "Muggles are annoying creatures that I really could do with out. They all decided it would be more fun to pick on me. They surrounded me and tried to jump me. I fought back as best I could. I felt them all suddenly yanked off of me." He looked Harry in the eyes before continuing. "Imagine my surprise when I realized it was me that had done it. They all stood up and came back after me. Later, Petunia told me that my body was glowing. Well, to a muggle it would look like that. I watched as they flew across the yard. This time none of them got back up. At first I thought that I had killed them. Not that I was worried. It would have been 3 less muggles I would have had to put up with. Unfortunately, they were just knocked out. Petunia thought that I had done it to help her. How foolish she was. She followed me around the rest of that day. We became friends. Kind of. I have never had any use for such things. That lasted for a couple of years. It was an amusement for me. I never told my parents that I got my magic that day. Not until a few years later." Severus had a grin on his face as he finished.

Harry didn't know what to say. He didn't actually think that Snape would tell him. Deciding to tempt fate yet again and try to get more out of him, Harry asked another question that had been bothering him since they left his relatives' house.

"What did she mean when she said that my mum told her you had gone bad? Why would mum tell her that, sir?" Harry said quickly, before he lost his nerve.

"What do you think, Potter?" Severus said coldly, his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, right sir." Harry said softly, looking down.

"If you tell anyone what was said here I will personally make sure you regret it. Understood?" Severus said in a dangerously quiet voice.

"Yes, sir." Harry said quickly.

"Good. Now, get to supper. I'll be in shortly." Severus said.

"Yes, sir." Harry said, getting up and heading for the door.

"And, Potter, make sure you practice. I won't go easy on you." Severus added just as Harry got to the door.

"Yes, sir." Harry said, going out and into the dining room.

Harry tried to think over everything that Snape had told him. He could picture a 5-year-old Snape heading off on his own. He could not picture him being friends with his Aunt Petunia. He couldn't picture anyone being friends with her. Or Snape for that matter. And why did Snape tell him all of that? He never thought Snape would be willing to tell him anything, let alone about himself. He was a very confusing, complicated person to try to get to know. He was being almost nice. Well, nice for Snape anyway. Shaking his head slightly to clear it, Harry started eating the food that Tina had just brought in.

Severus knew he was being hard on Potter, but he had to get him to learn. It's the only way any of them are going to make it through this war alive. Even if he couldn't stand Potter. It really was asking too much to have to tell him about his family. Even for the Dumbledore. Conniving old man that he is. Closing off all thoughts, Severus got up and went into dinner.

As he entered the dining room, he saw Harry was already eating. Smiling slightly, Severus went and sat down to eat. They ate in an acquired silence. Neither wanting to or knowing how to break it. When they finished, Harry went to his room and Severus went into his study. As Harry entered his room he saw Hedwig sitting on her perch. There was a package with a letter from Hermione. He read the letter first.

Harry,

I found this book for you. I'm glad to see you are studying this summer. You really should never of stopped those lessons last year. I wish I knew where you were. I know you said it is safe but I would feel better knowing where. I hope the book helps. You should take those lessons again. I'm sure that if you ask you can. I got to go. Hope to hear from you soon.

Hermione

Smiling at the letter, Harry unwrapped the book. He set it on the desk and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. He started writing the paper that Snape wanted. He didn't get far before falling asleep, slumped over the desk.

It was around midnight as Severus made his way up to his rooms. He hadn't gotten much sleep for the last two days and just wanted to go to bed. As he headed to his room, he noticed light coming from under Harry's door. He decided to go and check on him. He opened the door softly and looked in to see Potter sound asleep at his desk. Shaking his head, he went over and picked him up. He carried him over to the bed and layed him down. He took off his shoes and pulled the covers over him. When he was done, he walked quietly out the door, putting out the candles as he went.

Harry felt himself being carried and then he was on the bed. He was too tired to pay much attention as to who it was taking care of him. He vaguely realized that it had to have been Snape. There was no one else here that could of done it. But why would Snape do anything like that for him? He decided not to worry about it too much right now. He could figure it out later. After he slept for a long while.

Xoxoxo

I'm really sorry this took so long. I've been really busy and then I got writer's block. I hope you like this chapter. I also hope it answers some questions.

Before anyone asks, Severus told Harry all of that about Petunia because he is over tired and was lost in thought. He wasn't really paying much attention to Harry. He did know he was there though. Severus always knows what's going on around him even if he doesn't act like it. It was also a wish of Dumdledore's for him to tell Harry a little about his childhood in the hopes that it would help Harry. He is also hoping that they will start to at least like each other some.

I'm sorry that I don't put everyone's names that give me reviews. I do appreciate them and I know whom you all are. As do you. It just takes me so long to get the chapters typed up that I am in a hurry to post them. You all know who you are and you have been a great help. Pleaze keep them coming.

Thanx again.

Rhi