Chapter 7: Knowledge Overload
The fire crackled and danced as it heated up the old cottage in Godric's Hollow. The tea sat forgotten on the small table in front of the couch where one Potions Master gathered his thoughts as the little wizard beside him watched him with a questioning look on his face. Even though Severus had explained to the child the truth about his parents' deaths, there was still the crucial factor that severely affected each of their lives…magic.
Severus figured that once again it was best to start at the beginning. "Harry, has anything…strange ever happened when you were frightened or angry?" he asked.
The boy lowered his head in shame, "A few times. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia weren't very…happy when they happened." He said.
That burning fury inside the professor flared at the mention of the child's previous "guardians". Incidents of accidental magic were supposed to be celebrated, not punished. If the boy's parents had been alive, Potter would've thrown a huge party and bragged about the child's accomplishment for weeks while Lily would've been ecstatic and showered her child with affection and encouragement. Instead, Harry had been punished for something that made him special, something he could not control. Severus could easily guess what that horse-faced jealous hag did to the boy and it certainly wasn't pretty.
"Tell me of one of these instances." Said Severus.
Harry hesitated, but he'd already told this man so much and the potions professor had already sworn to make sure he would never go back to the Dursleys… "There was this one time…Dudley and his friends were chasing me. They were playing their favorite game, Harry Hunting."
Severus sneered. "Hooligans, the lot of them. I'm sure." He thought. "Go on, boy." He said.
Harry scuffed his feet against the old rug on the wooden floor. "Well…when they were getting too close, I turned a corner and found some dumpsters behind the school. I squeezed my eyes closed and jumped as high as I could, but instead of ending up behind the dumpsters, I was on the school roof!"
"He apparated?!" Severus thought. Sixteen year old wizards had trouble apparating and this child did it during his primary school years! The amount of power the boy had was astonishing...and completely untrained. Who knows what the boy was capable of? He didn't even know his own strength. Accidental magic reacts to anger…or fear. What if someone triggered his accidental magic to a dangerous degree? If Dursley had taken it too far, it could've triggered something drastic.
There was no possible way Albus could send the boy back now. Surely the old wizard would understand that. The boy needed more training to control his magic than what was taught at Hogwarts…and as the saying goes, it's best to start them young.
"And your uncle punished you for this?" the older wizard asked.
Harry nodded and he looked down at his hands. "I didn't mean to. I just didn't want to get beat up again." He replied.
"Which is understandable. You had every right to defend yourself." Severus added. Now he just had to take this slowly so as not to frighten or confuse the child. "How do you think you got onto the roof of the school?" the professor asked.
The boy shrugged, "I don't know. I guess it's because I'm a freak and can do freaky things." He replied.
Severus did his best to not show his anger towards that spiteful, uppity woman, but it was a difficult battle. Many times he had heard the word "freak" come from her mouth as well as his father's as he grew up and if he never heard it again, it would be too soon. "You are most certainly NOT a freak." He said sternly.
The boy looked up at the older wizard with a hurt look in his eyes, "Than why do I do freaky things? Why am I not normal?" Tears were welling up in his eyes as he asked these questions, "And why do my relatives hate me?"
Tears and emotional situations were not something Severus was familiar with so he was rather clueless when it came to comforting people…let alone children. Not knowing what else to do, he placed his hand upon the boys shoulder in what was supposed to be a comforting jester, but the child flinched under his touch. The potions master sadly understood the boy's reluctance to be touched. To Harry, being touched by an adult usually meant pain in some shape or form was in store for him.
Severus wasn't sure how to respond to this. So he did what he thought was best. He told the boy the truth. "Again, you're not a freak. The reason these things happen is because you have magic."
"Magic?" Harry asked astonished at just the word itself.
"Yes, child. You're a wizard." Severus replied.
The boy shook his head no. "I can't be. I'm no…wizard. I'm just Harry the freak. Magic can't be real." He insisted.
Severus's face darkened at the child's words. "Enough. You. Are. Not. A. Freak. Forget what your relatives have told you. Magic is real and you have it. You are a wizard, Harry, and your parents were magical as well. It's your relatives that are the abnormal ones. They should not have treated you the way they did. It was wrong of them. Your aunt was jealous of your mother's powers growing up and apparently she's been taking it out on you. That was wrong of her and you will never be going back to that horrid cow again. Do you understand?"
Harry wiped a few tears from his eyes and starred up at Severus's face for a few minutes. "I'm really magic?" he softly asked, still sounding rather astonished that magic was real.
"Yes, child." Severus replied, "and you should be proud of it. In less than two years, you shall attend a school that will teach you how to use your magic."
"Really?" the boy asked, a spark of excitement shining in his emerald eyes.
"Yes, it's called Hogwarts. It's the same school your parents went to and it's also where I work as a professor." The potions master explained.
Harry looked up at him in wonder, "Wow, that's where you're taking me?" he asked.
"Yes, I must speak with the headmaster about changing your current living arrangements." When Harry gave him a look of confusion, Severus rolled his eyes and repeated that sentence in a way a child of nine years could understand it. "I need to speak with the headmaster about where you'll be living from now on."
Harry nodded in understanding as he grabbed a cookie from the plate on the coffee table. Severus looked towards the doorway that lead to the kitchen and saw Bathilda peaking around it. "No doubt the nosy old woman's been doing her absolute best to pick up each and every word I've said to the child." He thought as he stood up to grab his cloak. "We'd best be on our way. The sun has nearly set and I'm sure our hostess would like to get back to her usual routine." He said, sending Bathilda an annoyed look. The old woman just huffed as she walked into the room, leaning heavily on her walking stick.
"Don't forget to cast a warming charm on the boy. Those clothes of his aren't fit to keep a mutt warm let alone child." She grumbled.
The boy looked a little worriedly at the two adults at the mention of this "warming charm". "I'm alright. You don't have to do…whatever that is." He insisted.
Severus sighed somewhat in frustration. "It won't hurt you, Harry. It's just a simple spell that keeps a person or thing warm. It's nothing to be afraid of." He said as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
"I'm not afraid!" Harry exclaimed indignantly.
The potions master gave the child a warning look, "Watch your tone, young man. There is no need to use that tone of voice with me." He said sternly. The boy may have not had a very good childhood, but that was no excuse for him to behave like a delinquent.
The boy bent his head in shame and scuffed his shoes against the wooden floor. "I'm sorry."
Severus nodded, "You're forgiven. Now let us get to Hogwarts." He replied as he headed towards the fire place. "We will be using a magical method of transportation called Flooing." He said as he grabbed the clay pot filled with floo powder. "We simply throw a handful of the floo powder and clearly pronounce the destination you wish to go to, and then step into the fire."
The little wizard's eyes widened in fear as he looked between the flames dancing in the fireplace and the small jar in the professor's hand. "We're going to step into fire?" he asked fearfully.
Again the professor sighed in frustration. "Yes, but if it is done correctly, it is perfectly safe. We'll be going together so you must hang onto me tightly." "Even though I sincerely wish he would not touch me, it is a necessary evil." Severus thought after explaining the last bit to the boy. Without another word, the potions master motioned the boy to come closer. Harry did reluctantly as he watched the older wizard throw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace, making it turn green. "Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbldore's Office." He said clearly. Hesitantly, the boy grabbed Severus's arm and stepped into the fireplace with him.
Harry felt like he was spinning at top speed before he was spit out into another fireplace with Professor Snape. He would've fallen right onto his face if he hadn't had such a strong grip on Severus's arm.
If the professor didn't have such a high pain tolerance, he would've winced at the tight grip the boy had on his arm. Harry looked a little shaken from the ride, but the boy needed to learn to get used to such modes of transportation. He'd be using them for the rest of his life and if all went well with Dumbledore, he'd get used to them rather fast if he was living with a wizarding family.
Harry looked around the large, circular office in wonder. Everything was like the polar opposite of the Dursley's "normal" house. Strange trinkets surrounded the room on dozens of shelves and hundreds of books were shelved right beside them. A large desk stood at the back of the room in front of a large window that overlooked the castle grounds. Everything was covered in bright colors such as gold, red, bronze, silver, and so many other colors. The boy thought his relatives would have heart attacks if they saw this room. It was the coolest place he'd ever seen.
An old man with long white hair and an even longer white beard stood behind the desk. A pair of half-moon glasses sat upon his crooked nose as he stared at the professor and the little wizard that was partially hiding behind the professor. The old man looked relieved to see the child, but something in his eyes seemed rather…sad. "Hello, Severus and young Harry I presume." He said.
Severus placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and gently nudged him to come out from his hiding place behind the potions master. "It's alright, child. This is Headmaster Dumbledore."
Harry stayed stuck to the professor's side like glue, but he did respond to the headmaster, knowing it was rude to do otherwise. "Hello, sir." He said softly
Dumbledore smiled, "It's good to see that you are alright, dear boy. Many people were very worried when you ran away…especially your relatives."
Severus cringed when he saw the fury erupted in the child's eyes. The boy clearly inherited his mother's temper…and unfortunately for the Headmaster, it was about to be unleashed on him. "They were not! The only reason they cared that I left was because they didn't have someone to do all the housework! I ran away because of THEM and I'm not going back! I don't care what you say!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs before turning to run towards the door.
However, Severus saw this coming so he grabbed the boys shoulders and bent down to be eye-level with the child. "Enough, Mr. Potter. I told you multiple times that you would NOT be returning to those people." He told the boy sternly.
"But Severus…" the Headmaster began.
"No, Professor. There's more going on than you know about." The potions master interrupted.
Dumbledore paused for a minute as he watched the interaction between the boy and the young man. Severus Snape was generally not a gentle man and he certainly wasn't that fond of children, but the way he talked to this child…you'd think it was a completely different man. He was actually patient with the boy and was even able to calm him down after his little outburst. How could this possibly be the same man who couldn't stand even the idea of being in the same room with James Potter's son?
Harry was still struggling against the potions master's hold, "I'm not going back. I'll run away again and I'll go somewhere no can ever find me and I'll never, ever come back." He growled as he continued to fight the professor's hold on him.
"Harry" Severus said as he shook the boy a little to get his attention. "Calm. Down. Now. You will not be returned to your relatives. Did I not swear to you that you'd never be placed under their care again?" Harry nodded and stopped struggling. "Now, will you stay calm as I explain the situation to the Headmaster?"
"Alright" the boy muttered.
Severus nodded as he stood back up to face Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded towards the sofa in front of his desk before sitting down in large, throne-like chair. The potions master led the boy to the sofa and sat down, motioning for the boy to do the same. When the child was seated and quiet, Severus turned to the headmaster and began to explain what Harry had told him. He told him about the years of neglect that involved living in a cupboard under the stairs, being denied food, and proper clothing as well. The twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes swiftly vanished when Severus started talking about the Dursley's form of 'discipline' for the child. By the time he was done explaining what had happened to the boy, Dumbledore was leaning far back into his chair was a devastated look on his face.
"You're quite right, Severus. Harry must not go back." Dumbledore sighed, "I've made a terrible mistake and its cost was too great." He then turned his attention to Harry who was staring up at him with a look that was a mixture of fear, anger, and sadness. "I'm so sorry, my boy. It's all my fault you were placed in that home. I feel terrible that I never checked up on you. It was very wrong of me and I promise you this now, dear child. You will never return to your relatives." He said, meaning every single word that came from his mouth. He should've listened to Minerva all those years ago.
Harry stared right into the Headmasters eyes as he asked, "Do you swear I'll never have to go back?"
Dumbledore nodded, "No matter what form of protection you may have with your aunt, I cannot in good conscious leave you with them." He replied.
The boy raised his eyebrow at the headmaster's reply, "Protections? What sort of protections could my aunt give me? The only thing she could do if someone attacked her was hit them with a frying pan." He said.
When Dumbledore looked up at Severus after he heard the boy's question, the potions master shook his head, "We haven't quite gotten to that part yet, Headmaster." He said.
The old man nodded, "Understandable. There has been a lot to explain, but I believe now would be the opportune moment to go over that bit with the boy." He responded, giving Severus a pointed look as if to say 'you'll of course be the one to tell the boy the truth about his parents' death'.
Severus sighed before turning to the boy, "Harry" he started, "You remember that I told you that your aunt lied about your parents, correct?"
Harry nodded, "So if they didn't die in a car crash…what happened to them?" he asked, his sad green eyes looking up at the professor.
Again, Severus wasn't one to give comfort to anyone especially children, but these were…abnormal circumstances. So he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder before he began to tell the horrible story that made this small child an orphan. "Ten years ago there was an evil wizard known as Lord Voldemort," Here he flinched as he said the name, thinking of those dark times, "that started a war. The headmaster put together a group of people to fight against him. You're parents were in this group and fought this evil wizard and his followers. One night, Halloween 1981, the evil wizard came to your house. Your parents were too much of a threat to him so he came to kill them." Severus paused to see how the boy was taking this news so far.
The young wizard was very solemn as he listened to the professor's re-telling of the night the Potter's died. Harry knew he needed to hear the truth about his parents, but…hearing the story of their deaths was painful. Yes, he hadn't really known them, but they were his parents. They brought him into this world and cared for him for his first year of life. Deep down, he always knew they loved him no matter his aunt and uncle told him. Whenever he thought of his mother, he thought he remembered a glimpse of red hair and a soft lullaby, but then the glimpse of her was followed by a green light and a cruel laugh. Harry shivered as he remembered the nightmare that had been plaguing him for as long as he could remember. The boy wondered if this nightmare was a memory from the night…it happened. "What happened that night?" he softly asked, staring up at the professor with his wide green eyes.
The potions master took a deep breath before he continued. Remembering the death of his once best friend wasn't easy for him either, but Lily's son needed to know the sacrifice she made for him. "He thought your family was too powerful and he never leaves anyone alive…so when he tried to kill you, your mother stepped in front of you and stopped the curse that the Dark Lord meant to kill you with. When he tried to cast the Killing Curse at you again, it reverberated off of you and hit Voldemort instead, leaving nothing but a pile of robes behind. You survived this curse because your mother sacrificed her own life for yours. Her love created a shield around you and stopped the curse."
The child's hand flew up to his scar as he thought about the green light and the cruel laughter that replaced his mother's red hair and her lullaby. Hearing that a monster from his nightmare was actually real wasn't really a comforting thought. "So…is he gone?" the boy asked.
Severus looked up at the headmaster with questioning eyes, wondering whether he would explain that conundrum to the boy. Dumbledore nodded and answered the child, "In a manner of speaking. That night, your mother's sacrifice made it so that you temporarily banished Voldemort. He is gone, but he can return."
Severus sneered at the headmaster to show his displeasure at the way he worded that. Harry was already frightened enough to hear about his parents' death and now the headmaster just has to add on the fact that Voldemort may one day return. Yes, the boy needed to know the truth and that he certainly didn't needed to be kept in ignorance of the truth, but Severus was not happy about putting all of this information on this child in one setting. He'd already been through far more than any normal child could endure so even he, Professor Severus Snape, the meanest teacher in Hogwarts and arch nemesis of James Potter, thought the boy deserved a break.
"If he does come back, it won't be for a while at least." The potions professor added.
Dumbledore nodded, "Professor Snape is right, Harry." He said as he stood up from behind his desk and walked over to the boy. He then placed his hand on the child's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly, "I know this is a lot to take in, my boy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them at any time."
Harry shook his head. He was exhausted and his brain hurt from all the new information it was trying to process. It was all so overwhelming and the poor boy was so tired and so hungry. His stomach decided to make its troubles loud and clear by growling like a wild animal. The boy looked down at his feet in shame while the headmaster chuckled.
"Well my dear boy, I think a visit down to the kitchen is in order." Dumbledore remarked as he looked pointedly at the potions master.
Severus rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Come Harry. We can't have your stomach nearly screaming in protest at its lack of nourishment."
Harry didn't say a word as he slowly followed the professor out of the office and down to the kitchens. The poor boy's head was so full of the new information about his parents and the truth of their deaths that he didn't even notice that Professor Snape had stopped in front of a portrait of a bowl of fruit. Of course Harry did notice this when he bumped into the professor. The child expected the man to yell at him, but Severus just rolled his eyes and said, "Pay attention to where you are walking, child. Next time it might be a wall."
The boy nodded in understanding as the potions master turned back towards the portrait and tickled the pear. Harry watched in fascination as the portrait swung open like a door. Inside was the largest kitchen he had ever seen. Huge, golden pots and pans were everywhere. Multiple stoves had steaming pots on them that were wafting wonderful smells into the air. His mouth began watering as he sniffed the air from the kitchen.
"Oh, Master Severus!" a voice squeaked. Harry looked down and saw a strange, short creature with pointy ears and huge eyes.
The boy started backing away, but Severus put his hand on his shoulder to keep him from running off. "Calm down, child. It's just a house elf. They work here in the kitchens and they clean the castle. They're harmless if a little to obsessed with their jobs." He said.
The little house elf didn't even hear the last bit of Severus comment. He was too busy bouncing up and down on his feet. "Yes, little master, wes house elves take care of all wizards and witches in the castle. Is little master needing something? Does little master want something to eat?"
Harry stared at the little elf in surprise without saying anything. He didn't even move till Severus began guiding him to a table off in the corner of the kitchen. Before he knew it, more house elves were running around the kitchen gathering food just for him and Snape. A large plate full of food was placed in front of him. Harry just sat there with widened eyes for a while. He'd never seen so much food in his life nor had he ever smelt something so good. "Dudley would die if he saw all this food." He thought as he picked up a fork. At first, he only took small bites, but then his stomach demanded more and before he knew it he was shoveling food into this mouth.
Severus watched the boy as his pace sped up. With a stomach that hadn't processed very much food in quite a while, the boy was in for a rough night if he didn't slow down. "Harry, if you don't slow down, you will get extremely sick later tonight."
The boy instantly stopped eating and put his fork down. "I'm sorry, sir." He mumbled as he looked down at his feet.
The professor sighed, "There's nothing to be sorry for. I just see no need for you to make yourself sick. Understand?" Harry nodded as he picked up his fork again and slowly ate a bit more mash potatoes. "Good," Severus said, "When you are finished, we'll be going down to my rooms where you'll rest for a little while. I highly doubt you've been sleeping well as of late."
Harry nodded in understanding, "Where will I go tomorrow?" he asked.
Severus sighed, "We'll work that out tomorrow, but it's no use worrying about it. The headmaster and I will find somewhere more permanent for you later and like I said earlier, it will NOT be with your aunt and uncle." He replied.
Harry smiled softly, "Thank you, sir."
"Think nothing of it, Mr. Potter." The potions master responded. "I owe it to your mother." He thought as he turned his attention back to his food.
Author's Notes: Well, say thank you to the snow day because that was the reason I was able to finish this. Blew of going over math homework for it too. Hope you like it. Reviews are lovely and the ones I've been getting have been AWESOME! Thank you all so much.