On the morning Harry and Remus went to Snape's lab at Hogwarts, Harry was beyond excited. He couldn't wait to show Severus his potion books and everything he'd learnt so far. He'd been chattering all week to Remus and Sirius. Even Sirius found himself getting excited for the young pup.
Today Harry was going to help Severus make the wolfsbane potion. Before they stepped into the fireplace, Remus made Harry agree to listen to what he was told and be careful with the potion ingredients as some of them could be very temperamental. Harry nodded eagerly before grabbing a fistful of floo powder.
Upon Arriving into Severus' lab, Harry found himself amazed with how big and amazing the room was. He'd seen labs almost like this one in his books but this was the best one he had ever seen in person. On one wall was practically covered in potions. The phials were so many different sizes, shapes and colours that Harry knew he couldn't identify all of them if he tried.
"Hello, Harry!" Severus spoke in his usual drawl that would leave most children quaking but Harry wasn't even unsettled.
Severus stood at a workstation with several ingredients sprawled in front of him. Harry immediately began trying to identify them but there were many ingredients he'd never seen before.
"Is that wolfsbane?" Harry asked pointing to the purple flowers that were sitting closest to the cauldron.
Severus smirked when Harry identified the wolfsbane and the snake fangs.
"I'm sure Sirius is just thrilled that Harry has expressed an interest in potions," Snape said as he set Harry up on a stool and put a pair of thick gloves in front of him.
"Oh, beyond. He was even more thrilled when Harry expressed interest in learning from you directly," Remus chuckled as he watched Harry excitedly put his gloves on and stare eagerly at Severus. Remus was about to say something when a soft voice cut him off.
Professor Dumbledore stood at the door, his clothes were as colourful and bright as always and today his beard was folded into a single braid and draped around his throat like a scarf. He motioned for Remus to follow him out into the hall for a word.
Once Remus stepped out, Severus showed Harry for to crush the wolfsbane and the snake fangs and how to heat the Billywig Stings and Standard ingredients together.
"They're heated together to ground the potion because they're grounding ingredients," Harry announced as he crushed the sixth and final snake fang. "The snake's fangs are volatile ingredients, right? So they have to be added last."
"Yes, Harry? When did you learn that?" Severus asked, sounding almost impressed by the child's knowledge. "I've had first years who have yet to learn the difference between grounded and volatile ingredients."
"I learned from my potions books. I have three and I read them with Padfoot and Moony. We even made a couple potions!" Harry said pointing to his small pile of books causing the potions master to smirk a little bit.
"I bet Sirius loves making potions," Severus said teasing tone.
"Not really but when I remind him how much his only godson likes it, he tries," Harry said in a tone that was so much like a Slytherin that Severus found himself smirking and wondering how Sirius would react if Harry were to wind up in Slytherin.
"What potions have you tried?" Severus asked.
"Moony says it's best to only try potions with short-lasting effects. We made Glow-In-The-Dark, Invisible Ink and Goosebump potions. They all worked really well!" Harry announced proudly. "But I want to see if there is a way to make the Glow-In-The-Dark potion only work on certain body parts. Moony said I'll have time to figure out how to modify the potions later that right now I need to learn the fundimantals."
"Fundamentals," Severus corrected automatically like he did with his first-year students before remembering Harry was only four. Harry was advanced in speech for his age which was impressive.
Once the ingredients were brewing in the cauldron, Harry showed Severus his books and the potions he wanted to work on in the future. Severus also pointed out some potions that he thought Harry would like to brew in the future. By the time Remus returned, the wolfsbane was complete and Harry and Severus were working on a sticky-finger potion.
"Moony!" Harry cried waving Remus over but not moving from where he was stirring the small potion. Severus was simply watching to make sure Harry put the correct amount of ingredients into the mixture.
"That's good, Harry. Any more and the fingers will bind together permanently," Severus informed Harry who was pouring willow sap into the mix.
"What'd Dumbledore want?" Harry asked in a curious tone.
"He offered me a job starting after Christmas break. He wants me to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts," Remus replied smiling at Harry who grinned. That could mean Harry could spend more time in Sev's potion lab and see the rest of Hogwarts! He'd get to see Hogwarts large library that Remus was always talking about. These thoughts all made Harry very excited.
"Are you going to take it?" Harry asked, trying to sound pleading. "Because I don't care either way."
Severus smirked at Harry's attempt to sound nonchalant but Severus had never met a child that young who could successfully pull off a nonchalant tone when excited. Even his godson failed miserably when trying... When the child bothered to try.
"I think I will, Harry. It's a great opportunity for both of us," Remus said patting Harry on the head.
Harry smiled happily at Remus before turning his attention back to his potion.
"Well, we can talk about this later. Severus and I are very busy right now," Harry informed in a serious tone that made Remus laugh and Severus smirk. This was the first time Severus had seen how serious Harry was about potions. Until that day, he'd assumed Harry was just vaguely interested but now he could see that the small child had a serious passion for potions nd an actual desire to learn everything thing he could about the art. He was also impressed by how much potential the kid actually showed. The kid was capable of more than some of his first-year students and the child was seven years away from attending Hogwarts himself.
It took a lot to impress Severus but he was impressed by Harry. His personality, his intelligence and his perception on everything were so much like Lily.
Before Remus and Harry left, Harry had asked Severus if they could make more potions together. Severus smirked and not only agreed to help mentor Harry with potions but to let Harry attend a few of his classes.
I want Harry and Snape to have a decent relationship; especially for later in the story. Next chapter, Harry's first Christmas!