Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 16: Understanding
After lunch Harry, Ron and Hermione went out to the garden in the back of the house. They were sitting at a small table and Tina was standing a little ways away from them. She was getting annoyed with the way that Ron kept talking about Severus. She could see that Harry was getting annoyed as well.
"What is wrong with Snape? He was almost nice. For Snape anyway." Ron said sounding confused.
"Ron, you know you shouldn't speak of him like that. Especially seeing as we are in his house." Hermione said in a fierce whisper.
"Well, you have to admit. He is acting strange. Since when has he ever cared about how Harry feels?" Ron said sharply.
Harry was trying to ignore Ron and Hermione's arguing. He was trying to figure Snape out. He did seem to be…nicer? Well, for Snape anyway. It was hard to imagine his bitter Professor being a kind, caring Uncle. He seemed to be unusually kind lately. He had been helping him with things that had nothing to do with his Occlumency lessons. He seemed to be trying to help him come to terms with Cedric and Sirius's deaths. Something no one else had ever done. Dumbledore had told him last year that Sirius was never in any danger, so it was kind of hard not to blame himself. Hermione brought him out of his thoughts.
"Harry? Are you all right?" Hermione asked, laying her hand on his arm.
"What? Oh, yeah. Just thinking." Harry said, jumping slightly.
"About what? You seemed lost in thought." Hermione said kindly.
"Just stuff. Nothing overly important. I was just trying to figure Professor Snape out. One minute he's being his snarky self and the next minute he is being almost nice. I just don't get him." Harry said, shaking his head slightly.
"I'm not sure, Harry. We know he didn't get along with your dad. Maybe he's torn between hating you because you look like him and helping you because he cares about his students. Even though he don't show it to us, he does seem to care about his Slytherin's." Hermione said, trying to sound logical.
"I guess." Harry said, not sounding convinced.
"I don't see why you're so worried about what that greasy git thinks anyway. It's not as if you have to prove anything to him." Ron said, glaring at them both as if daring them to argue.
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione said sharply.
Harry looked away from them both and stared over the garden. Tina glared angrily at Ron but didn't say anything.
"Harry?" Ron said a little uncertainly.
"Sorry." Harry said and got up to stand looking over the yard.
"You're not really trying to prove anything to Snape, are you?" Ron said with a slight edge.
Harry turned angrily and glared at Ron. Ron sat there in shock with his mouth slightly open. He hadn't expected Harry to turn on him.
"Why not? Everyone wants me to be strong and defeat Voldemort. No one has ever asked me what I want. No one cares that I have yet to learn anything that will even hurt him. All anyone sees is my bloody scar. Snape at least treats me the same as everyone else. Even if it is with contempt." Harry snarled.
Harry glared at Ron for a minute, then turned from them both. He noticed Snape standing in the door. He was leaning against the door jam with his arms crossed.
"Mr. Potter, as much as I am enjoying this little disagreement between the golden trio, I would much prefer it if you kept your thoughts to yourself. I have never needed anyone to defend me before you and I certainly don't need a Potter to do it now." Severus said icily, eyes narrowed.
"Professor, I…" Harry started but was cut off.
"See that it doesn't happen again." Severus said sharply.
"Yes, sir." Harry said, glaring at Snape.
"Mr. Weasley, I don't actually care what your opinion of me is. You are nothing to me, but when you upset my house elf it becomes my concern. I would remind you that you are in my house and being that as it is, kindly keep your opinions to yourself. I will not have you disrupting the elves work. Is that clear?" Severus said dangerously, glaring at Ron.
"Yes, sir." Ron said sounding a little scared.
"Potter, I'm going out. You may stay out for at least another hour. I better not hear that you have upset the elves again." Severus said sternly, the last part directed at Ron.
"Yes, sir." Harry said, looking worriedly at Snape.
"Yes, sir." Ron and Hermione said, looking between Snape and Harry.
Without another word Severus turned to go. Harry went after him and stopped him at the door.
"Professor." Harry said, a little out of breath from trying to catch up with Snape.
Severus turned to look at harry with a raised eyebrow.
"Be careful, sir. You wouldn't want to upset Tina either, would you?" Harry said with a slight grin, trying to hide his worry.
Severus looked intently into Harry's eyes trying to see if he was serious. After a few minutes, Severus gave Harry a slight nod. Severus turned and went out the door without saying a word. After the door closed, Harry went back outside with Ron and Hermione. They talked about what classes they thought they would be taking in the new school year. Ron was hoping to be able to drop Potions. Harry was undecided on what he would take. Hermione had her schedule all ready planned out. Ron and Harry got in a discussion about Quidditch. Before they knew it, it was time to go back in. They went upstairs to the Library. Harry and Ron played wizards chess and Hermione read a book. They got so caught up in it that before they knew it supper was ready. They all headed down to the Dining Room still talking amongst themselves. As they entered the Dining Room, Harry stopped and fell silent. He looked around the room.
"Harry?" Ron said when he noticed he wasn't beside him anymore.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione said sounding concerned.
"Where's Professor Snape? He's always been here for supper." Harry said, still looking around.
"I don't know, Harry. Maybe he's working on some potion." Hermione said as she sat at the table.
"Don't worry, Harry. I'm sure he's fine." Ron said, trying to sound like he cared.
Harry went and sat at the table slowly. He knew he shouldn't be worried just yet, but something told him that Snape was in trouble. All through supper he kept looking at the door hoping to see Snape walking in. It wasn't until after supper when Tina was cleaning up that he was certain something was wrong. He could see the worry on Tina's face and she kept looking at the door, too. As she passed Snape's usual seat she ran her hand over it, trying to hold back her tears.
"Tina, do you know where Professor Snape is?" Harry asked softly so as not to upset her anymore then she already was.
Tina looked at Harry in surprise. Harry could see her eyes where wet from unshed tears.
"Yes, Master Potter. He is with the Dark Wizard." Tina said a little shakily.
"Do you know when he will be back? I was supposed to meet with him after supper." Harry said, watching Tina closely.
"No, Master Potter." Tina said, biting her bottom lip nervously.
"Thank you, Tina." Harry said sounding disappointed.
Tina went back to cleaning up. Harry tried to ease her mind some.
"Don't worry, Tina. He can take care of himself. He'll be fine." Harry said softly, trying to convince himself too.
Tina just nodded without turning. Harry got up and headed towards the stairs. With one last look at the door, he went upstairs. Ron and Hermione followed him, neither one sure of what to say to him. Hermione trusted Snape and was concerned that Tina was upset, but she wasn't used to Harry worrying about him. Ron didn't like Snape and was having a hard time figuring out why Harry seemed to care now. They both followed Harry back to the Library. Harry got a book down about Occlumency and sat in a chair to read by the fire. Hermione got the book she had earlier and sat down to read, too. Ron, with nothing else to do, picked up his magazine on Quidditch and went to sit and read. They stayed there until dark. Ron was the first to go to bed. He got bored with no one to talk to and headed to bed early. Hermione went when she couldn't focus on her book anymore. She was reluctant to leave Harry alone. Harry was waiting up for Snape to get back. He was reading the book, but he was listening for the front door to open. It was well after midnight before he heard it. Quickly placing a paper in the book to mark his place, he hurried to the top of the stairs. He saw Tina with Snape, trying to check him over.
"Tina, I'm fine." Severus snapped.
Tina was trying to check him over for injuries, but Severus was having none of it. Harry slowly went down the stairs trying not to draw attention to himself. He heard Ron and Hermione's door's open. He glanced back at them and they were watching by the banister. Harry turned back and went down a couple more steps before stopping. He was standing in the middle of the stairway in the shadows.
"Tina, go back to bed. I'm fine." Severus said angrily, getting annoyed at being checked over.
"Yes, Master Snape." Tina said, biting back a sob.
Tina went out through the Dining Room; her shoulder's slummed and sobbing softly. Severus shook his head sadly as he watched her go. He would never get used to having Tina worry about him, even after all these years. He slowly made his way over to the stairs and sat down. He placed his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. Harry came down and stood a few steps behind him.
"What is it, Potter?" Severus said tiredly, not lifting his head.
"Are you all right, sir?" Harry said softly.
Severus didn't answer for a minute and Harry could see his shoulder's stiffen up.
"I'm fine, Potter." Severus said, letting his annoyance show.
Harry walked around Snape and stood before him. He looked at Snape until he raised his head to glare at him.
"You don't look all right, sir." Harry said softly, not sure way he was pressing the matter.
"Stay out of it, Potter." Severus said dangerously quite.
"You are obviously in pain and in need of help, and since you scared Tina away you'll have to make do with me." Harry said, trying to look and sound stern.
"I. Don't. Need. Help." Severus said through clenched teeth.
"I'm not leaving you here alone." Harry said forcefully, narrowing his eyes.
They both stared at each other, both waiting for the other to back down. Harry was a little worried about what Snape would do to him but felt he owed it to him for all the help that Snape had been giving him. Severus was trying to read Harry's face to determine if he was serious. Severus tried Legilimency to see his thoughts but couldn't get through. He tried again without success. He looked at Harry with narrowed eyes.
"You have been practicing, Potter." Severus said softly.
"What?" Harry said, confused at the sudden change.
"Your Occlumency. You have been practicing." Severus snapped.
"What are you talking about, sir." Harry said, now thoroughly confused.
"You are able to block me. How have you managed to get it right in one day, when you couldn't get it in a year?" Severus said irritably.
"I…I don't know what you are talking about, sir." Harry said, still not grasping what Snape was saying.
"You don't even realize you're doing it." Severus said almost to himself.
"I'm doing what, sir." Harry said, beginning to get annoyed.
Severus looked Harry in the eye before answering.
"You are blocking your mind, Potter. Rather well I might add." Severus said, smirking a little.
"I am." Harry said softly in disbelief.
Severus nodded his head slightly to confirm it.
"I've done it. I've learned how to block Him out." Harry said excitedly, a huge grin on his face.
"You've done well, Potter." Severus said, smiling at him.
Severus started to stand and Harry quickly went to his side to help him up. Once Severus was standing Harry let him go. Severus held his hand out to Harry. Harry, confused again, took his hand.
"Congratulations, Mr. Potter." Severus said, shaking Harry's hand firmly.
"Thank you, sir." Harry said, his smile getting wider.
Severus dropped Harry's hand and turned to go up stairs. Harry went to his side and helped him up the stairs.
"You do realize I will not except anything less from now on, Potter." Severus said as they slowly made their way up the stairs.
"Yes, sir." Harry said with a groan.
Harry helped Snape to the top of the stairs. Ron and Hermione were too shocked by what they had witnessed that they didn't even think to go back to their rooms before being noticed.
"Weasley, Granger. Bed now." Severus said glaring at the two of them.
"Yes, sir." They both said, turning and hurrying back in to their rooms.
"Sir, that wasn't nice." Harry said, smirking a little.
"We both know I am not a nice person." Severus said, pulling away from Harry.
He headed over to his room slowly.
"Go to bed, Potter." Severus said, opening his bedroom door.
"Are you sure, sir? I can help if you want. I've done it before." Harry said with concern.
"I can manage. Bed. Now. We'll have your lesson after breakfast." Severus said sternly, looking at Harry.
"Yes, sir." Harry said reluctantly.
Severus watched until Harry went in to his room. Sighing tiredly, Severus went in to his own room. He went in to his private bathroom and opened the cupboard. Taking out the potion he needed, he closed it. He drank the potion to help ease the pain, then got ready for bed. When he was done he went in to his bed. As soon as he laid down he fell in to a deep sleep
Harry got ready for bed before laying down. He was surprised that Snape hadn't done anything to him. He could not believe that he had stood up to Snape and walked away unscathed. He had to be in more pain then Harry had first thought. Hoping that he had done the right thing by leaving Snape alone, not that he had much choice, he cleared his mind and went to sleep
Ron was surprised to say the least. He had never seen Snape like that. Snape had always been strong. He never showed weakness. To see him needing help sort of scared him a little. Especially when he accepted it from Harry. Not quite sure what to think about Snape now, Ron went to bed feeling very confused.
Hermione was a little surprised. She knew that Professor Snape couldn't be as bad as he tried to act. There had to be more to him then he let on. Why else would Dumbledore trust him? To actually see a…softer?…side to him was just strange. Maybe it would be good for Harry to stay with him. She had her doubts before but they were gone now. After all, hadn't Professor Snape been trying to let Harry see it wasn't his fault that Voldemort (Harry was right not to fear the name) was killing people. Feeling a little more at ease, Hermione went to bed.
Tina had watched everything that happened after Severus told her to leave. The only reason she had agreed was because she knew that Harry was there. She knew that he would help. It had made her happy to see Severus smile again. She hadn't seen him smile since he was a little boy. That had not been often either. To see him smiling and even joking with Harry, even though he was in obvious pain, made her very pleased. Time was running short. Severus would be going back to the White Wizard soon and he would be taking Harry with him. She knew once they were away from here Severus would go back to being like he was before. Planning more ways to get them to be nicer to each other, Tina headed off to her bed.
Xoxoxoxo
Sorry this took so long. I'm working on the next one so it should be up quicker.
This chapter is not what I had originally planned. It totally went off course. I thought it was time for Harry to finally get it and what better way then by surprise. With Harry worrying about Severus and studying at the same time, he just kind of got the hang of it. Without realizing it. Don't worry. I don't plan on ending it like this. There will be more to it.
Thanx for all the reviews!!
Rhi