Chapter 10! The chapters are getting progressively longer as we go along. We aren't even halfway done yet! This is a Snape chapter and he decides to bring out the big guns because educating Harry Potter is at least a two man job. Review and tell me what you think!

Severus Snape stood in the hallway for a long time mulling over what he had just learned. Whatever was down in the depths of the castle was well password protected and held inside a way to communicate with people Potter trusted. They are probably adults but how did they know that Severus was to be trusted? It spoke to a spy network, only he knew that he cared for the boy. He had told no one and would tell no one the warm feeling he had when Harry had asked him to call him by his first name. His 'love guardian' had made it clear that people he cared about called him Harry.

Harry had also been denied important knowledge and protection. The Potter heir ring had spells that protected its wearer. Potter had been denied those protections as well as basic knowledge of his family's history. It was infuriating, Harry deserved to know all about what it meant to be the head of a noble and ancient house. He knew nothing and instead grew up abused and as a pauper. It bothered Snape a lot and he knew he would need a lot of help.

It was at 11:14 pm Severus Snape floo-ed over to the only pureblooded family he could trust to help him. Malfoy Manor was as pretentious as always and the fire place he had entered led into an empty study. Snape waited for a few moments knowing his old friend was on the way. He was rewarded by a bothered looking Lucius Malfoy entering the room.

"Severus! What could you possibly need at this hour?"

"Lucius. I need your help but before I ask it. I have to ask you an important question."

"Anything Severus." Lucius said seriously.

"Are you loyal to the Dark Lord?"

"You know that I never was, Severus why would you even ask?"

"Because I have a severely abused Savior of the Wizarding World in my quarters and I need help."

"I can see this is quite a story. Tell me what has happened to you. Sit I'll have the elves bring us something." Lucius said trying not to look as surprised as he felt.

Severus gave the man an over view of what had happened. The state he had found the boy, near death. His command to help heal the boy and discovering that he truly wanted to help. Then the discovery that the boy had no knowledge about his birthrights. Throughout the story Lucius had gotten angrier and angrier until he was downright furious. Who could do that to a child?

"Lucius, I don't know how to help him. I need help."

"You honestly think Potter would accept my help? From what my son has told me Potter is very against him and his house."

"I don't think that's true. Draco can be rather insensitive and Potter probably took offense to it. I think if you met with him first and explained what it means to be the head of a noble and ancient house. The Princes are an old house but they haven't been as influential as yours or Potter's house in years."

"I could do that. I can come over tomorrow and explain the basics to him. Find out if he is willing to learn from me."

"Don't tell anyone of what Harry has been through. He has told me very little almost nothing. He is very untrusting and secretive, almost more Slytherin than I am at times." Snape said. "Come by around 11 in the morning. Just floo straight to my quarters and I'll introduce you."

"See you tomorrow Severus."

"Goodbye Lucius."

Snape went back through the fireplace and dusted off his robes when he was in his own quarters. He went to Harry's room and saw the boy passed out on top of the covers still in his normal clothes. Snape rolled his eyes. Did he have to be so irresponsible? Snape glided into the room he used his wand take off the boy's clothes and replace them instantly with some pajamas from the trunk. Then he tucked the boy in. He felt strange but also giddy doing this. He took off the boys glasses and set them on the table.

Just as Snape was about to leave the boy began to cry out.

"MAMA! DON'T! PLEASE DON'T KILL HER! LET ME DIE INSTEAD. NO NO NO AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Harry's scream was like the one he heard wizards use when they were under an extremely strong torture curse. Snape rushed over and grabbed the boy and pulled him into a hug. He rubbed the boys shoulders and whispered reassuring words. Finally the boy calmed and woke up. He stiffened and bolted out of Snape's arms. The boy had a wild look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Uncle for screaming. It won't happen again. I'm sorry." Harry began saying that over and over again.

"Harry!" Snape hissed. "You are not with your uncle you are at Hogwarts."

At the sound of his name Harry's eyes had cleared. He looked around recognized where he was and saw that Snape was sitting there looking terrified. Snape watched as the boy's mouth opened and a blush filled his face.

"Sorry sir. I didn't mean to wake you. It won't happen again."

"Harry do not apologize to me for having a nightmare. What was it about?" Snape pressed.

"I-I don't want to talk about it."

"It will make you feel better."

"Promise me you will never tell anyone ever. You can't ever tell a single soul." Harry said after a moment in an intense voice.

"I swear I will tell no one." Snape said seriously.

Snape felt once again the discerning gaze of the boy before him. He seemed to be considering him. Finally the boy uncurled himself and leaned against the headboard. He positioned himself so that he wouldn't look Snape directly in the eyes.

"I don't have that nightmare often. Only when I get really stressed. It's one of the worst ones I ever get." Harry began. "It starts out all blurry like I'm watching something without my glasses on. I'm laying down and a woman with red hair is playing with me. Next to her is a man with dark hair who is just smiling."

Snape felt his heart go cold at the thought of what the boy was describing. Did he really remember that night?

"Then there is this huge crash as if the sky had shattered above us. Then a bunch of cracks that sound like a car backfiring. The dream becomes clear all of a sudden. My father yells at my mother to run and hide me. They had been betrayed."

Harry stayed silent for a moment trying to compose himself to continue.

"She picked me up looking determined and scared at the same time. My dad says he will hold them off. My mom takes me to a room I assume was my bedroom. She puts me in my crib and asks me to stop crying. I hear a scream and know my father is dead. My mother starts to cry a little but stops when she sees me about to scream again. The door bursts open and a man enters he looks like he is in his 60's he has a wand and an ugly evil look on his face." Harry said, his face looking paler at every word.

"My mother stands up and prepares to face him. He disarms her easily, like it was child's play. He sneers at her and demands she step aside if she wants to live. He says he is only here for me. My mother yells 'Not Harry don't hurt Harry!' I try and tell her it is fine and that she should live but I can't I'm just a baby and reliving the memory. Apparently her defiance angered him, he yells words I won't repeat calling her awful things before finally casting the killing curse."

Harry shakes a little and Snape wonders what he should do. Everyone assumed the 11 year old didn't remember that night but he did and in perfect clarity. Snape said nothing and waited for him to finish. Harry continued after a moment.

"I watch as my mother falls to the ground her eyes still open but dead not glowing with life like they were meant to. I start crying and waving my arms trying to get her attention. Then the man moves closer and even as a baby I feared him. I stopped crying and turned to him. He moves closer and studies me for a moment. He says "So you were the one meant to stop me? No longer." He touches me then dragging his finger down my face. He steps back and the he casts the curse. The green light rushes right towards me. It hits and huge unimaginable amounts of pain erupts in my very being."

Harry shivered and then turned and looked Snape directly in the eyes with a haunted look that would stay in Snape's memory forever.

"It felt as if my very soul was being ripped out of me. My magic, magic I didn't know I had however was pulling it back. I felt like I was being torn in two. I remember an explosion after Voldemort got hit with the rebounded curse. Then I black out. The pain is too much." Harry said. "That's not the end of the dream though I see a light in the center of my vision and then a voice. A voice as deep as the ocean that sounds as if it has seen worlds come into being and pass away. Maybe it is the voice of the universe, the voice says. "You must go back you have much to do. Do not fail." Then I wake up with a blistering headache that doesn't go away for hours."

Harry was clearly finished. Snape knew he needed to do something but his mind had stopped working. Instead he let instincts over and he crawled into the bed right next to Harry. He put his arm around the boy and leaned into him. Harry tensed at first but as Snape began to card the Harry's hair the boy relaxed. Finally Snape began to speak.

"Thank you for telling me that. I cannot imagine how hard it was to recount it or even relive it in your dreams. You showed great strength composure and courage. I am sorry you had to endure that pain once more. Do require a potion for your headache?" Snape asked quietly.

"That-that would be nice." Harry croaked out.

"One moment and I will return."

Snape went out of the room and closed the door. He leaned against the wall and tried not to tremble. It was hard to imagine the pain Harry had suffered through in his short life. Snape used every bit of occulmency skill to calm himself and then he went and got out two vials of potions. One was a pain potion and one was a dreamless sleep. He returned to find Harry had curled up on himself.

"Harry I brought you a pain potion and a potion called dreamless sleep. You don't have to take it but it will make you sleep without having any dreams."

"I'll take it." Harry said after a moment.

Snape sat down on the bed and handed the pain potion to Harry who uncorked it after sitting up. Harry drained it and then handed the vial back to Snape only to receive the next potion. Harry gulped that one down and then collapsed. Snape moved to leave and let Harry rest but he felt an iron grip on his robes. He looked back to see desperation in Potters eyes.

"Please, please stay. I can't be alone." Harry begged.

Snape nodded and laid back down on the bed. Thankfully it was large enough to hold both of them. He used his wand to transfigure his robes into pajamas and then proceeded to get more comfortable. He felt Harry move around until the boy's head was on Snape's chest instead of a pillow. What was the brat doing? In a few moments the potion took effect and the boy was out using his professor's chest as a pillow.

Snape got as comfortable as possible and then set a spell to wake him at a good time so he could be ready to greet Lucius. Snape felt himself relaxing. He remembered the comfort he had felt as a small child sharing the bed with his mother after a particularly bad day with his father. She would card his hair and tell him it was going to be fine and he would sleep feeling safe and protected. That same feeling of comfort filled him now. Harry needed him and he could provide.

Morning came too fast. Snape woke up in the room he wasn't used to and was surprised at the weight on his chest. He looked down and saw the wild hair. Last night's events came crashing down on him and he was hit with the amount of progress he had made with the boy. The boy had confided in him something deep and meaningful and then looked to him for comfort. Something he would not have imagined would have happened three weeks ago.

Snape slowly extracted himself from underneath the boy. It was 9:30 and he needed to get breakfast ready. He left the room and shut the door behind him. He went to his room and got dressed for the day trying to ignore the signs of fatigue that were on his face. He went into the kitchen and ordered breakfast. Within a few minutes of the food appearing he watched Harry stumble wearily into the nearest chair which happened to be the one right next to Snape.

Snape ignored the positive feeling of that sign of trust. The boy had always come to breakfast completely dressed and sat as far away from him as possible but the boy trusted him enough to come out in a vulnerable state. Harry still waited for him to take food first but that wasn't such an awful thing. Harry ate slowly instead of scarfing it down as if he was afraid Snape would take it.

Once they finished Snape stood up and grabbed the clothing catalog. He handed it to Harry.

"Do you know how these work?"

"Yes sir."

"Good then write down what you want and I'll order it for you this evening. I have a friend coming over to help me teach you about heir rings and other things you need to know. I need you to trust me that he means you no harm."

"Who is it?" Harry asked instantly suspicious.

"Lucius Malfoy." Snape said. "Now before you protest think about it. The Malfoy head knows everything there is to know about the rules and customs of being the head of a noble and ancient house. He can answer any questions you may have. Despite what rumors you've heard Lucius Malfoy was never loyal to the Dark Lord. He was forced into his servitude by his father Abraxas Malfoy."

Harry looked at him and nodded.

"When can we expect him?"

"Around 11 so in an hour."

"I'll be here then. I am going to look through this catalog in my room."

"Alright Harry."

Snape watched Harry go back to his room. He let a rare smile grace his face. The exhaustion was worth it if it meant this kind of progress. He would have never thought that this would be possible, that he would see Harry in anything but a defensive position. Snape sat down on the couch to read. In an hour Harry came out in his school robes, arguably the nicest things he owns.

"Is he coming soon sir?"

"He should be coming through in a few minutes. Just sit down and feel free to ask any questions you have." Snape said.

"Alright." Harry said.

Harry sat down so that he was facing Snape. Snape saw that he wanted to say something but was unsure how to go about doing it.

"Well. Uh thanks for last night." Harry began his cheeks reddening slightly.

"No need to thank me." Snape said.

"Yes there is!" Harry cut in seriously. "No one has ever done that for me. Ever. In fact nightmares only ever got me beaten. Don't minimize what you did for me."

"Harry any decent adult would've done that."

"But no one ever did. I had really bad nightmares after the philosopher's stone incident but no one ever came and helped me."

Snape had no time to respond to that statement as the fire place burst into green flames and out stepped an imposing figure. Lucius Malfoy was dressed in some of his best robes and his hair had obviously been well done. He walked out with confidence and looked rather regal.

"Hello, my name is Lucius Malfoy." He said extending his hand to Harry.

"Hello Mr. Malfoy. My name is Harry Potter." Harry said quietly while shaking his hand.

"Mr. Potter. Severus invited me here to explain to you what it means to be the head of a noble and ancient house."

"Yes and explain what heir rings are. Professor Snape made them sound important."

"They are. The heir and head of house rings are worn by the heir and head of house as their name suggests. The heir ring is spelled with protections designed to give the heir as much protection as possible. The head of house ring gives access to the manors of the family, the family magic and other abilities."

"Why wasn't I given my Potter heir ring?"

"They are generally given to children once they are old enough to not swallow it. At 15 months old you would've eaten the ring. Then you disappeared from the wizarding world and no one thought about you not having it." Lucius explained.

"What are the responsibilities of a head of house? I mean what would people expect me to do?"

"Excellent question. In short you are expected to marry and produce an heir. You are expected to use the family funds and properties to increase the family's wealth and influence. You are expected to be a public face."

"Can a person be the head of more than one house?"

"Yes, if they can prove they are the rightful heir to the house then once they come of age they take upon themselves the names of all houses."

"How would one prove that?" Harry asked even though he already knew.

"The easiest way is to get yourself approved at Gringotts. You merely ask for a lineage potion and they test your blood. Then they allow you access to all vaults you are entitled too."

"Can someone steal an heir ring?"

"No they are spelled to ensure only the wearer can remove them. Many of them also can become invisible if the wearer wants it."

"What do heir rings look like?"

"They are generally gold or silver with the family seal on it."

"Do you know what the Potter seal looks like Mr. Malfoy?"

"As I recall it was a burgundy background with a dragon superimposed on top."

"Cool." Harry said.

The conversation continued for some time. They went over the fact that yes Harry did own properties and yes once he was 17 he would have full and complete access to them. After a few hours Snape brought in lunch and the conversation continued. Snape was amazed at how much knowledge Harry could truly absorb. Some of the questions were strange and off the wall but Lucius was able to answer them.

"Is there importance in the order of names?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well if a person is the head of more than one house then they would have more than one last name. Is there an order or is just whatever they decide?"

"Generally it is the order of the most prestigious house going first and the least prestigious house going last. Mr. Potter are you asking these questions because you think you are heir of more than one house?"

Snape smirked inwardly when he saw Harry blush. He also contained his amazement that Harry would even think that.

"I'm sure of it sir. I know I'm going to have a rather long name when I'm an adult."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"Magic?" Harry said with a shrug.

"Lucius that's his answer when he's decided to keep his source of knowledge a secret." Snape supplied.

"Well Mr. Potter. I have one more question for you before I leave." Lucius said.

"Ask away sir."

"Why were you so against my son this year?"

"Firstly he made fun of my first friend that I had ever had, which is just bad form. Then he threatened to take my food away when I told him I wasn't interested in being friends. Then we were sorted into different houses and the house rivalry already existing added fuel to the fire."

"Your first friend?"

"Rubeus Hagrid. My very first friend. Draco called him an oaf."

"Please explain."

"My cousin threatened every single kid our age that if they tried to befriend me he would beat them up. It worked. I was alone completely and utterly alone until the morning of my 11th birthday. Right as the clock struck 12 and my birthday started Hagrid the giant man he was burst into the room in which I was sleeping on the floor. He gave me my first birthday present and told me I was a wizard. I didn't even know magic existed. The man fed me and told me that my parents were wonderful people instead of the worthless drunks I was told they were. He introduced me to magic and made me feel special." Harry said passionately. "The next day he took me to Diagon Alley and showed me what magic was capable of. That day your son was also shopping we met while getting our school robes. He called the man who had treated me better than any other person in my life a 'useless oaf'. It's rather hard to like someone after that."

"I understand." Lucius said. "Would you be willing to try again?"

"Why? You wouldn't ask unless it was important. What does Draco and by extension you gain if I befriend him?"

"How very astute." Lucius said. "I was forced to be a death eater when I turned 17 by my father. When the Dark Lord returns I will have to be prepared. If my son is friends with you he will be safely ensconced in the light side and protected from the Dark Lord."

Snape saw the look in Harry's eyes and knew without knowing how that Draco Malfoy was about to gain a very loyal friend.

"In that case I would be happy to put aside our past differences and try again. I won't make it easy for Draco though. I only became good friends with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley after fighting a troll together." Harry said with a light dancing in his eyes. "However once he earns my trust I will be loyal to him forever."

"That's good. I think it would be best if you met in a neutral area. My son is having a celebration for his birthday in a few days. It is normally a small thing with only close family there. Severus is of course attending but I think it would be alright if you came as well." Lucius said.

"That would be fine Lucius." Snape said cutting in before Harry could object.

Snape led Lucius out after that and came back to Harry laying down on the couch. Snape sat down and waited for the boy to speak again.

"Why would you agree to that?"

"You agreed to give Draco another chance."

"Yes but not go to his home and act like a fool. I know nothing about parties whether large or small. I've never even been to one and I'll be awkward the entire time which Draco will surely notice and tease me for."

"You forget his parents will be there, Draco will be on his best behavior. That and Draco has wanted to be your friend for quite some time now."

"Huh?" Harry said sitting up. "Why would he want to do that? And how would you even know?"

"I am Draco's Godfather. I was a large part of his childhood. When he was sorted into my house he came to me that very evening looking for advice and complaining about the fact that you had denied him friendship."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him to try and apologize. He of course followed his own advice instead of mine."

"What did he try other than being rude?"

"He tried to show himself off as skilled so you would see how good of a friend he would make."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"No it doesn't." Snape agreed. "However I can guarantee that Draco will be doing his best on the 24th to please you."

"That gives me just 5 days to get everything done I want done."

"What do you want done?" Snape asked in interest.

"I want to get my rings. I'm very upset that I never had those. I mean if my dad had put that ring on me before he died than I wouldn't have been hurt as much right? I mean I know it probably wouldn't protect much against physical violence but at least this last year would've been safer."

"We can travel there tomorrow if you wish. I have some ingredients I wish to purchase so I can do that while you are with the goblins."

"That would be amazing sir. Thank you!" Harry said. "Now I'm going to finish up with that catalog I'm almost done."

"Just bring it out here when you're finished."

Harry left and Snape was once again surprised at how well the boy could force himself to fit into a certain situation. The boy had been composed and serious when speaking with Lucius while sucking up every single bit of information that Lucius had to offer. The boy was by no means ready to be the head of a house but he now knew enough to begin preparing. He had asked intelligent questions and been respectful. Then the moment Lucius had left he had become a tired 11 year old boy. Harry returned in an hour and handed the catalog with a parchment to Severus.

"Thanks again sir." Harry said.

"Not at all Harry. What are your plans for today?"

"I want to go flying and then I'm going to do research in the library. There's a very interesting spell I'd like to master."

"Spell?"

"Yes sir, if the texts are right it would be a cure for Lycanthropy. I'm one of the few people who could cast it though."

"What?" Snape asked flabbergasted.

"Sir I've decided to tell you one of my secrets as thanks for helping me last night. So listen closely." Harry said decidedly.

"Sit down." Snape said quickly.

"I discovered this ability earlier in the summer or at least I discovered what it was. I decided not tell anyone since it has a rather negative connation here in Britain." Harry began.

"What ability?"

"I'm a Parselmouth." Harry said. "I can speak to snakes and they can speak to me."

Snape made no move to hide his shocked face. He saw Harry smirk at him and then opened his mouth to continue his explanation.

"I found a book in one of the rooms of the castle that is full of scribbles. If I focus my magic though it turns into easy to read English. It was written in Parselscript the written language of the snakes. It discusses particular uses of Parselmagic from ward making to healing. One of the healing spells is a werewolf cure. It has a name but I have no idea how to translate into English for you. I wanted to do more research and learn all I could about werewolves and parselmagic itself before even attempting it though."

"Potter can I see the book?" Snape asked excitedly.

"I suppose but it will be just scribbles to you." Harry said standing.

Harry returned in a few moments carrying a thick old book. He carried it like it was something precious to him. Snape could tell it was very important to him. He held out his hands and took the book gently. Harry had been correct there was not a single word in English in the entire book. It was just pages and pages of neat scribbles. Snape sighed he had hoped he would be able to read even a part of the ancient book. He handed it back to Harry.

"Can you translate the page on the werewolf cure?"

"I can try. It's hard to not start hissing when you're reading it out loud." Harry said honestly. "If I switch into Parseltongue cough or something and I'll refocus."

Snape watched as Harry opened the book and leafed through till he found the page he wanted. Then he saw him close his eyes and take in a deep breath. He opened it and stared hard at the page before him.

"The evil wolf eater spell uses magic to destroy the magic wolf that haunts two legged man." Harry began. "I promise it sounds more elegant in Parseltongue. If I had more time I could make it sound more correct this is just a rough translation."

"Continue."

"With the words, hisssss hiss hiss, and the desire to eat the evil wolf. The battle for dominance will begin. Only powerful beings can hope to become king of the evil wolf." Harry said.

"What does that mean Potter?"

"Well that's just the first paragraph. Basically I have to say the incantation and really really want to defeat the curse. Then my magic and the magic of the curse will fight, whoever is stronger will win. The only danger for me if I try is magical exhaustion since it uses up a lot of magic if I lose. According to the rest of the page though if I win I actually become more powerful."

"What's the incantation? You just hissed before."

"It's impossible to translate Parselmagic spells but I can walk around it a little. The spell means in essence 'curse leave' but with a lot more exactness. Parselmagic spells have to be completely exact in what they want or it won't work right."

"Why are you so interested?"

"I want to help people. All of my life I was without any help. I hit the bottom and wished for death quite a few times during my childhood." Harry said. "I don't want anyone to be in that same situation if I can help. Since I have this ability to cast spells strong enough to cure such an awful curse then I am going to."

Harry didn't wait for Snape to say anything and instead stood and took the book back to his room. Severus was both impressed and horrified. Harry had been through so much but he was still so caring. He had also been through enough hell to be suicidal. It made him shiver at the fact that he might have died at a young age and would not have returned to the wizarding world. He watched as Harry walked out with broom in hand. He watched him open the door and leave.

Snape grabbed the parchment and saw that the boy had picked out all the clothes Severus had asked him to pick out. The clothes were not high quality but they were not low quality either. The shirts were mostly plain colors and the pants were basic blue jeans. For the casual robes he picked neutral colors that would look rather nice on anyone. The dress robe was a Slytherin green with silver linings. That confused Snape what was Harry playing at.

First off he claims the Parseltongue ability, a decidedly Slytherin skill, then he says he knows that he will be the head of more than one house and then he picks dress robes that scream Slytherin. What was the boy claiming? It was very obvious that the Potter line had never had any claim to the Slytherin line. Sure there had been rumors that they had Gryffindor blood but never Slytherin blood. Did he think the ability must have come from Lily then? But she was muggle born unless one of her parents came from a squib line.

Snape came to a decision then to find out what Harry's full name was. He wouldn't go to the bank with him since Harry would appreciate the privacy but he would figure it out. Maybe Harry would tell him.