One Strange Occurrence Chapter 7: Libraries are Wonderful Places, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 7! This one has a quick little Snape POV at the beginning and then it goes right back to Harry. I thought about making them separate chapters but it was just so short you know. Review and tell me what you think.

At that Snape stood up and left. The boy had surprised and scared him a little. When he had spoken of learning to hide his skills he had felt his blood run cold. This was a boy who had had to fight to survive every day of his life since the murder of his parents. A boy with no qualms of pretending to be an idiot, a simpleton, or reckless just to give himself an edge in the fight for survival. This boy was ready to fight for his life in any way possible even if it meant the scorn of many. This was a boy that Snape would help.

Huh? What did I mean help?

Exactly what you said. You want to help him. He reminds you of yourself, angry at the world and prepared for any eventuality. Always afraid of when the next boot is going to fall.

I do not want to help Potter's spawn.

You do.

Don't

Wait Damn!

Snape cursed himself. He had literally played a joke on himself in an effort to convince himself that he wanted to help the boy. If he was honest he did. No 11 year old boy should be constantly on alert trying to fight for his survival. The boy should be carefree and idiotic not more cunning than men twice his age. Not proud that he had learned to limit himself. At that moment Severus' Snape life changed because at 7:36 pm Severus Snape decide that he would help Harry Potter become a normal boy, well as normal as possible.

After eating Harry felt rather tired who knew occulmency was so exhausting? He fell asleep and was awoken the next morning by the one and only Severus Snape.

"Breakfast Potter. We need to discuss your living situation."

Harry had nearly jumped out of his skin when the man had pushed on his shoulder to wake him. He noticed a strange glint in the man's eye when he flinched guilt maybe? Why would Snape care if he flinched? Harry had been flinching for years and no one had seem bothered by it. Harry shrugged and waited for the man to leave before grabbing some clothing and changing quickly into some of his best ratty clothes. At this point Harry's pride was already in tatters might as well top it off by dressing like he does at home.

Harry opened the door and looked around he made sure no one was standing in the hallway that could spook him. Then he walked down to the kitchen/dining area/ it's still so weird that he is in Snape's quarters.

"Hello Professor." Harry said quietly when he saw the man sitting at the table full of food.

"Sit down Potter we have much to discuss." Snape said motioning for the chair nearest him.

Now there were three chairs that were unoccupied surrounding the table. The table was rectangular so there were two chairs on each side the long way. There was one that was on the same side of Snape and one directly across from him. Then there was one farthest away diagonally. Harry felt like he was walking on eggshells. Does he sit in the chair farthest away from the food and Snape? Does he sit next to Snape when every instinct in him tells him to never eat near an adult? Eventually Harry made his cautiously to sit down right across from Snape it was closer to the food and he could watch the man easier.

Harry waited for Snape to say something or grab food. He was rewarded that Snape said nothing and merely grabbed some food to put on his own plate. Harry quickly grabbed a small portion and placed on his plate as far away from Snape as possible. Harry had always been a defensive eater but he had been able to calm it down throughout the school year. However at a small table that was reminiscent of the Dursely's his defenses were on high. He inhaled his food while never taking his eyes of the hands of his professor.

He was finished quickly and leaned back to watch Snape and wait for him to speak. He knew better than to speak before being spoken too. After a few minutes Snape finished and looked at him.

"Potter. Madame Pomphrey is of the opinion that you should not be out of bed yet." Snape began. "I however feel it would be in your best interest to not skulk in your room. You may visit the library, kitchens, and explore the castle but I don't want you to get tired. Call a house elf if you get tired and have them bring you back here. I expect you to avoid getting in trouble and be in my rooms for all three meals. If there are problems I wish for you to tell me immediately. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly. I will probably spending my time exploring or reading in the library. No need to worry about me I won't plan any crazy stunts."

"Lunch is at noon and dinner 6pm. Breakfast is served at 8 am be on time."

"Okay then sir. See you in a few hours." Harry made a quick escape out of Snape's vision and went to the room.

The only thing he wanted to do was relax. Maybe he would go flying later in the day. As Harry grabbed his wand he remembered something. It was one of the more recent bitter memories. Why was it coming back now? Probably because he had organized everything so recently. It was that day at the zoo on Dudley's birthday. He had spoken to that snake hadn't he? Was it because the snake was magical or could he speak with all snakes? That would require some research!

TO THE LIBRARY!

Harry whistled as he meandered from the dungeons up to the library. He and Hermione both loved the library but Harry wasn't as vocal about it. When he opened the large door to the library he took in a deep breath through the nose. The wonderful smell of parchment and old leather and books filled his nostrils and gave him some peace. He made his way over to the large book that contained the lists of all the books in the library.

The book was organized similarly to the dewy decimal system that muggles employed with slight differences. He opened the book that was the size of his small body to the language section and then went down to the s list.

"So you've got a lisp? No. Sample spells from the orient. No. Snakes, the language of! Yes."

It was in the restricted section. Of course. Nothing could be easy for Harry. Harry called Klangly to get the book for him. Klangly did it after an explanation that Harry wasn't trying to learn the dark arts he just had a question that could only be answered with research. Once he got the book he proceeded to walk over to one of the sheltered cubbies that blocked him from the view of most people. He lugged the heavy tome onto the table and opened it to the introduction.

Snakes have their own language that is used by non-magical, magical snakes and cousin species of snakes. This can include certain species of dragons. The language is called Parseltongue and can be used by humans if they are born with the gift. The gift of Parseltongue is rare and only one person every 50 years is born with the ability in Britain. The most recent and notable case of a Parselmouth was You-Know-Who. The most historical Parselmouth is Salazar Slytherin. Most Parselmouths in Britain can trace their ancestry to this founder as it is normally passed down through generations.

Parselmouths can speak to snakes but also command them. Because of their ability and their magical power snakes will follow their directives with the utmost loyalty. Speakers of the snake language can also perform parselmagic. Parselmagic are spells spoken in Parseltongue and are generally harder to undo. The spells are as rare as the speakers themselves.

Parseltongue and Dark magic are often seen as congruent in British culture. Many of their darkest wizards and witches have had the ability and often use it to spread fear through the populace. The spell –Serpensortia- was used to transfigure highly dangerous snakes and then they were sent to attack fighters. In other wizarding cultures the ability to speak to snakes is seen as a healer's ability. In India where Parselmouths are just as rare, the speakers are treated with high respect and honor because they can use their abilities to protect people from venomous snakes as well as get snake's venom easily.

Harry closed the book then. If he was a Parselmouth he was the first one since Voldemort himself. There was only one way to find out. Harry pulled out his wand from his back pocket and waved his wand up and summoned a snake. From his wand burst out a brown snake. It looked harmless enough.

"Bloody Hell!" The snake screamed. "Where am I?"

"Hello Can you understand me?" Harry demanded looking at the snake.

"Yes of course I can. You are a speaker are you not?"

"I was unsure and the best way to test is to speak to one of the wonderful snakes so I summoned you. I am going to return you to where you were before. I am sorry for bringing you here without asking."

"That's fine speaker. Anything you desire it is my desire to grant."

Harry nodded and sent the snake away. So he was a Parselmouth. That was yet another one of his secrets that he would have to keep forever. He lived in a place that would demonize him for this power. Maybe I could move to India or someplace like that? Harry could see it now he would move all of his money to a new country. Forget about the Dursely's only tell Ron and Hermione where he was going. He could disappear and live in a house full of deadly snakes where he provided venom and snake parts to whomever needed it. It would be awesome, besides who would look for him in India?

Harry shook his head to clear it of crazy ideas and looked at the clock to see that it was almost time for lunch. He slipped the book into the desk so he could come back for it later and made the trek back down to the dungeons. Harry strolled in at 11:59 and looked around to see Snape was not anywhere in the quarters. Harry walked into the kitchen and saw that food had not even been prepared yet. Where was the man? If he was going to demand that I return here for every meal he should at least be there as well. Harry knew one place that the man could lose track of time, the Potions lab. Harry rolled his eyes and left the quarters and made his way down to the potion labs.

Sure enough he could hear the comforting sound of bubbling cauldrons. He opened the door quietly and saw the man sitting on a chair near the cauldrons seemingly asleep. Who falls asleep when they are brewing? Harry smirked. He knew Snape would never fall asleep when brewing no matter how tired he was. When he first spoke about potions he spoke about them in a way an artist speaks about painting or a sculptor about sculpting. It had inspired Harry. The man was passionate about his potions. So if he was faking being asleep what did he hope to gain besides an exploded cauldron?

Harry closed the door loudly hoping to 'wake' the man but he didn't flinch. Oh he's a good actor. Harry stood there and thought. What is he trying to gain? He obviously wants me to do something but what? Does he want me to finish the potions or does he want me to wake him? Does he want me to leave? No he wants me here else he would've come to the kitchen to eat. Well let's see this is a test what does he want to prove? Let's see what he's brewing.

Harry walked over to the four bubbling cauldrons and saw that there were even recipes next to each cauldrons not that he needed them. He recognized the potions easily enough. He could easily finish these. But did he want to do that? I mean the man was willing let potions be ruined to test me? Well let's give him something to ponder.

Harry was a magically powerful kid, he didn't really know how powerful since he had never really compared the full extent of his skills with others his age but he was powerful. At the age of six he had discovered that he could move things if he concentrated, he had learned later that controlled wandless magic was a rare skill and Harry decided to freak the man out a bit.

There were a couple of options he could use his skill and do magic without a wand in front of the man. That would certainly freak him out but it would also give away one of his better kept secrets. The second option was to brew the potions flawlessly. That one sounded more fun and enjoyable. Harry prepared himself and then turned to the professor who was pretending to sleep.

"And you get after me for day dreaming in class. I mean honestly falling asleep while brewing four different potions. I think you're the dunderhead in the room now."

Then he practically ran to the cauldrons and began to finish the potions. The fever reducer was almost finished and just needed one more ingredient and left to simmer so he dumped it in evenly and stirred counter clockwise 3 times. He lowered the temperature of the fire and let it simmer while focusing on the rest of the potions. The calming draught needed a bit of work and Harry stirred it while grabbing the correct ingredients from the nearby table. He finished that one and moved to the dreamless sleep and the giggling potion. Giggling Potion? Why in the hell would he waste potion ingredients on this?

Harry finished each potion and only the calming draught was off but that was because he had added too much of the final ingredient making the consistency off. Not so off that it was unusable it was just thicker and would be slightly more unpleasant to drink. Harry smirked and decided to leave his sleeping professor alone. He walked to the door and opened then stiffened.

"I learned a long time ago to see when some was faking being asleep Professor. Next time you want to test me just ask, it will be easier for everyone."

With that Harry shut the door and smirked. He could just imagine Snape's incredulous face now. Harry went back to Snape's quarters and into the guest room they had stuck him in. He grabbed a sandwich and his broom and ate it quickly. He opened the door to the dungeons and realized something. There was no one in the hallways. Who was to stop him from flying through the hallways on the way to the pitch? Like all bad ideas that fly into a preteen boy's heads this one seemed like the perfect plan.

In a rare fit of childhood indulgence Harry mounted his broom right there in the hallway and hovered up. He then shot forward like a bullet down the hallway. He sped up the moving stairs and had to hold back a giggle at the grumbling portraits he passed. As he approached the doors he waved his hand and a burst of magic opened them. When he was outside he flew straight up and yelled in triumph. He had flown through the dungeons of Hogwarts!

He flew over to the quidditch pitch and began to get creative. Feinting at the ground and do barrel rolls and swirls on his broom. When Harry flew he could forget about his terrible life. He was one with the air and didn't have to worry about burning the breakfast or being whipped with a belt. No when he was on his broom he was free and in control.

Hours passed but for Harry he hardly noticed. Harry decided that if he was going to be an animagus he would be a bird. Someone who could fly all on their own, powerful and free. Harry probably would've flown through dinner until there was no more light to see if it hadn't been for him seeing a dark clothed figure making his way towards the pitch. Harry rolled his eyes and descended down right next to the man and jumped off his broom.

Snape merely stared at him and motioned for him to follow. Harry did and followed behind Snape at a far enough distance. They entered the school and went down to the dungeons, Snape got out the food and Harry put his broom away. Harry returned and sat on the far end of the table away from Snape being as defensive with his food as usual.

"Potter. How did you know I was awake?"

"You are constantly spouting off about being safe in the classroom and to stay focused when brewing unless you want to die. It was highly unbelievable you would fall asleep while brewing."

"Why finish the potions then?"

"That's what you wanted wasn't it?"

Snape grunted and focused on his food. Harry snorted and finished his meal quickly. He took his plates to the sink and rinsed them. He knew there were probably elves who did that in Snape's quarters but they had enough on their hands and he could easily wash his own plate. Once that was done he went back to his own room. He pulled out his wand and decided to experiment. He slid his wand into his fingers and focused on an image of a snake. He should still be able to speak the language of snakes without a snake right?

"Lumos." He said.

Nothing happened.

"Light"

A bright flash of light and then nothing.

"Continuous light."

An extremely bright light blared from his wand.

"Less."

It dimmed to nearly nothing.

"Stop light."

It went out. Did the spells really need to be that specific? Harry made the decision to find out all he could about Parselmagic. During the next two weeks they got into a sort of schedule. Harry would eat in Snape's quarters for every meal and then he would spend the rest of his time scouring the library for information on parselmagic.

The giant library of Hogwarts had nothing. No knowledge, not even in the restricted section, which he had scoured over. He did however read several accounts on the story of Salazar Slytherin. Apparently the man had left a secret chamber in the school that would hold a monster and all of his knowledge. Harry decided that he was going to spend the rest of the summer finding the chamber of secrets. There was very little information in the books about the location but that made sense, there were a couple of sources Harry could ask. The first he chose was rather easily accessible.

"Professor Snape? I have a question if you aren't too busy?" Harry asked at dinner.

"Not at all Mr. Potter. What is your question?"

"What do you know about Salazar Slytherin and the infamous Chamber of Secrets? I've been searching the library but the books haven't been all that open about the whole mess."

Harry hide a smirk when Snape coughed up whatever he had been drinking over his surprise. It took him a moment to answer.

"According to my knowledge the entrance to the chamber has not been used in Hogwarts history. If it exists, which I doubt, it is well hidden. Why do you ask?"

"I'm researching it for a History of Magic project of course. Dear old Binns is my favorite professor." Harry lied easily. "You do make a close second though."

For a moment Harry could've sworn he saw a smile grace the lips of the other man. The next option for information was the ancient ghosts. They might know something. The first ghost on his list was one who people normally didn't associate with. He went down to the second floor girl's bathroom and knocked politely before entering.

"Excuse me is Miss Myrtle in here?" Harry called.

A gray ghost of a girl around Harry's age floated into his view.

"Who are you?"

"Well My name is Harry Potter and well I came to meet you and ask you some questions. I heard you were a very knowledgeable ghost."

If a ghost could blush this one did and she giggled.

"What do you want to know?"

"Do you know anything about the chamber of secrets?"

"Oh that horrid place!"

Myrtle proceeded to then prattle on about her final year at Hogwarts. The fear and panic, students becoming petrified and no one having a clue as to who was behind it. She told him quietly of her death about how a boy had hissed at the sink over there when she had been crying and the next thing she saw was bright yellow eyes. Harry was a great listener and made her feel important and better. Inside he was rejoicing, it had been too easy to find the chamber but now he had to find out how to open the chamber and how to protect against whatever beast was inside.

Harry couldn't keep the grin off of his face as he went down for dinner that evening. He practically skipped into his chair and sat down easily across from Snape. He did not notice the hopeful expression that Snape was throwing him. Harry forgot about defending his food while his mind mulled over the possible types of creatures that Salazar would've employed. It had to be something flashy, the man had to do everything with flair. Probably a snake or snake related beast so that he could control it. Something with yellow eyes.

"What has got you in such a good mood Potter?" Snape asked quietly.

"I just had a huge breakthrough in my research. I realized I had been looking in all the wrong places for my information. The library has been entirely unhelpful this past week."

"What have you been looking for?" Snape asked hoping the secretive boy would answer.

"The Chamber of Secrets." Harry answered calmly.

Snape choked that had not been the answer he had been expecting but the boy was talking so why not push.

"What did you find?"

"The entrance of course. Now I just need the password and a way to defend myself from whatever creepy crawly Salazar left down there for me to find. Then I can read all of his journals and books. Find his notes all of the information he stored down there." Harry said excitedly like a child would on Christmas day.

"Don't tell me you are thinking of going down there?"

"Of course not. At least not yet. I've no clue what the password is or what the monster is down there. I mean it may be entirely possible that I am unable to open it because the password is in Parseltongue. The password could be as simple as "Slytherin is the best" or as complex as a Latin incantation mixed with a blood sacrifice."

Snape couldn't help it he snorted.

"Or perhaps it requires a dance number filled with song to show your devotion to all things pureblooded." Harry continued. "I'm sure I could choreograph something to show my passion for all things Nazi."

And Snape laughed. A loud bellowing laugh that no person would have ever believed him capable of. When he calmed he looked over at Harry who was staring at him with undisguised confusion and he broke down once again. Once he had finally stopped laughing he looked at Harry.

"So where is the entrance to the fabled Chamber of Secrets?"

"That would be a secret my dear professor. If you want to know you spend a week and a half looking through hundreds of books. Once you've put enough effort in I might allow you to be part of the dance number so we could get in. I imagine the potion journals alone would make it worth it."

"Potter there are some things we need to discuss."

"What do we need to talk about sir?"

"The headmaster wishes for you to talk to someone about your experiences with your relatives."

"The headmaster can go eat a hat."

"Nevertheless." Snape choked out. "I've told him I would try and get you to open up in the evenings."

"Open up? To you the man who practically bullied me? Is he delusional or does he think I'm stupider than I truly am?"

"Potter, whether you like it or not we are discussing this."

"There's nothing to discuss." Harry said quickly.

"Every evening we will sit here. We will talk or sit in silence for a few hours whatever makes you feel better but eventually you will talk."

"I am very stubborn sir and have had my entire life to learn to sit quietly."

Snape nodded and they began. Harry would sit there and day dream and Snape would sit there looking at him. For two hours every evening. This continued for a week during that time Harry determined it was probably a Basilisk in the chamber. The snake was probably also in hibernation. So Harry wouldn't have to deal with it. Harry had been living with Snape for three weeks when Snape finally broke down and used a potion.