I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to the amazing Brigi. Her e-mail: tbwtpbe at hotmail .com

My Beta reader, Makurayami Ookami fixed THIS chapter.

Please review! Pretty please!

Enjoy

THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 5 – O.W.L.

The next morning Harry ran up the stairs all sweaty and dirty again. His heart was beating wildly because he could take the milk to the orphanage Marie was staying at. He thought the girl would be sleeping so early in the morning but saw her through the window. She was in a thin, cotton, white nightgown. He wanted to admire her longer but he had more work to do.

Now he was praying because he didn't want the Dursley's to give his something to do. He wanted to spend the day with his girlfriend. The absence of her almost consumed his body and soul. He wondered what these strange, new, mature feelings were, but he couldn't speak with anyone about them. Not with the girl either. He could never talk about this with Marie…

He sighed and arrived upstairs.

The door of Snape's room cracked open slowly. The man was wearing a nightgown, his face was worn and his hair was a little disheveled. He rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"Five hundred points from Gryffindor…" He muttered. "Harry, what the hell are you doing up so early?"

The boy was just staring at him with wide eyes. His lips formed words and finally said:

"Y-you're alive!" He sighed in relief. "I thought something had happened to you! Thank God!" He put his hand on his heart.

The teacher only growled.

"It's not enough of a reason to make this much noise. Not even if you'd be happy about getting rid of me!"

"I wouldn't be happy about that! What are you talking about?"

"Where were you?" Snape growled weakly.

"I… go to work every morning…newspaper delivering and all… I was just there…"

"You're alone on the streets this early, when no one's around?" The man cried looking very much awake. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I take care of myself, don't worry." Harry smiled. "Come, let's have breakfast! There are so many things I want to tell you about!"

"I don't care!" Snape turned away and was about to close the door.

"I have seen three Death Eaters" Harry said quickly.

Snape paused. He glanced at the boy then nodded. They both changed then went to the kitchen. Only the two of them were at the table. Aunt Petunia made something that could never be called breakfast. It was disgusting.

Snape was poking his pale yellow scrambled eggs with his fork. He ate the bacon and probably digested it too but he didn't dare to touch the eggs. If Petunia saw how choosey he was she'd throw him out of the kitchen. Fortunately she was not present. Snape lifted his fork and put it in his mouth. As soon as he started chewing he shivered. There was another eggshell part in it. He put down his fork angrily and snorted.

"For Merlin's sake! Ivanesca!" The food disappeared from the plate. The man rubbed his face, lowered his head and touched his neck.

"I think you had better luck with that cornflake." He snapped. Harry was watching the scene with a wide smile. He was so preoccupied with it that he forgot to eat. His hand was in midair with a spoonful of soaked cornflake.

"Sorry." He said. The situation was a little embarrassing.

"Let me hear your story about the Death Eaters." Snape changed the subject.

Harry told him everything that had happened last night. He didn't leave out any detail. He mentioned the attackers' clothes, disorganized appearance and how he handled them.

After he finished the teacher sat back in his chair and started wondering. The boy watched him silently for a while. He suspected the professor was trying to make connections between what he said and what happened on his own adventure.

"So?" Harry asked.

"First, you were very irresponsible to go against them alone. But it's nothing unexpected. You constantly break the rules established for your safety… Second, you should have come home after the first incident. Third, you should have alerted Dumbledore or someone from the Order. Where the hell were the ones who were supposed to watch after you that time?" He looked very angry. Harry felt himself sinking in his chair. "I'm not sure it was right to break their wands. You could have been seriously injured. Anyway, only the Ministry has the right to do this. But these days… I don't think they will be concerned… But you did something good too, you didn't use your wand to disarm them." Harry straightened proudly and smiled. It was a rare thing that Snape praised him. Thinking about it… "They don't have a reason to believe it was you. It could have been an ordinary Muggle boy. But I don't understand something. Where did you get the spells to change your appearance?"

Harry gulped.

"I have to tell you something." He began with a sour face. "I… I went into your room. And… I took one of your books… the one about transfiguration…"

"You broke into my room and stole one of my books!" Snape cried.

"I just borrowed it!" The boy apologized but when he saw the teacher's eyes he added. "…without asking for your permission… But it's not all unfortunately."

Snape bowed his head groaning and massaged his neck with his hands. He looked like he wanted to strangle himself from behind.

"I stole a little polyjuice potion… but just a little! I thought it might come in handy!" He tried to calm the man. "If I'd have the ingredients I would make some myself!

"You? Such a complex potion? Don't make me laugh!"

"Why? Hermione, Ron and I have made… I think I can do it." He stopped when he saw the curiosity on his teacher's face. "I didn't touch anything else, I swear. If you look into my mind you'll see I'm not lying."

"And I swear I'll kill you if you ever do something like that again!" Snape said sounding unusually weak. "When did you intend to put back my things? You thought I wouldn't notice?"

"I just… I was bored…"

"And stealing is so much fun?"

"I took the book to learn a few useful spells. I copied them all and already learned the easy ones. Redhair!" He yelled suddenly. His hair turned red and Snape recoiled in surprise. "See?"

The man frowned angrily.

"It is comforting to see some results from you at least on this subject…"

"Please, don't be mad at me…" Harry said honestly. "I didn't have any bad intention…"

Snape didn't say anything just looked out the window. His face looked tired and worn. Harry was waiting for reproach, detention and even curses but nothing happened. The man seemed to think about things from the long forgotten past. He looked strange. His features lightened, in fact he looked a little concerned. He looked younger but more careworn. The boy wanted to ask what made him depressed. He suspected it was the week long mission. Then he remembered Lupin's painful words, 'Did you ever think that we don't want to tell you these secrets in fear of you telling it to Voldemort?' This kept him from asking anything about the mission. He found a solution.

"Professor…" He began which made his teacher look at him. "… There will be an Open Day and picnic in the orphanage Marie works and lives at. She managed to get a personal invitation for you… do… you want to come?" He asked hopefully.

Snape wanted to say 'no' but the mentioning of the girl's name stopped him. There was something about that girl…

"When?"

"This afternoon… at one… Will you come?"

"I'll see."

"Great!" Harry closed the topic. He handed the man the nice little envelope with the invitation.

Then they heard Dudley's favorite hits from upstairs. He liked listening to this horrible, non-rhythmic roaring several times a day. Snape's eyes narrowed and Harry too looked up at the source of the noise. He made an awkward grimace. "Damn noisy Muggles…" The teacher said shaking his head. That made Harry grin. Snape was still staring at the ceiling. Soon the noise stopped and Dudley's terrible 'singing' couldn't be heard either. The Potion Master made a satisfied, evil half-smile. Harry finally realized.

"You didn't turn him into a ferret, did you?" He asked feigning concern.

"No. Moody makes ferrets." He leaned back and his smile grew wider. "How do you know anyway?"

"Well… I saw it in your mind during Occlemency. It was an accident. But… what happened to Dudley then?"

Snape said nothing, just closed his eyes. Harry found out the answer soon…

Aunt Petunia knocked on his son's door asking if everything was okay. When she received no answer she opened the door.

A loud scream could be heard in the kitchen. Harry was about to drink a little orange juice but his hand stopped in the air. He stared at the ceiling open-mouthed for a moment.

"Oh my God!" his aunt cried desperately. "Dudley was eaten by a… huge rabbit!" Harry spit the juice out he tried to drink and began to laugh. To his surprise, Snape joined him which was weird because he had never seen the man act like that. They heard a thud which meant that Aunt Petunia fainted.

They both started running up the stairs, but Harry arrived first. When he stopped in front of Dudley's room a bizarre spectacle unfolded before his eyes. In the middle of the room was a huge, hundred-pound white rabbit with its nose moving up and down and looking at the boy in front of him with big brown eyes. First Harry was just starring at the frightened animal but when it spoke he started to laugh.

"Harry!" the rabbit said with a muffled voice. His big teeth made him sound weird. "What happened to me?"

The young wizard just laughed and doubled over. Snape collided with him and he wore a satisfied grin. He leaned on the doorway and looked at his work in delight. Then he coughed gracefully and pulled out his wand. The rabbit whined but couldn't escape the counter curse.

Red shooting star-like streaks came out from the tip of his wand and started circling the boy. Finally the rabbit turned back into a teenager. Dudley was sitting in the middle of the room in surprise.

"Mr. Dursley." Snape started like when he first spoke to Harry on his very first Potions lesson. "If I may, I'd ask you to stop listening this… music so loudly in the future. You can see how much they affect you."

The boy nodded. Snape noted this with a nod too and dragged the still laughing Harry out of the room. With a Mobilicorpus he levitated Aunt Petunia back to her room and put her down on the bed as if she were asleep.

"It was very sneaky." Harry said playfully when they were standing in front of their own rooms.

Snape didn't say anything. The boy guessed his professor was thinking about his school memories and how many pranks he made against the Marauders. They probably did something like this in return too. Harry smiled. Ever since Snape arrived here he let the boy see a lot of his personality, most of them accidentally, without knowing. He wondered what hidden quality he will find next time.

He entered his room where he found a lot of owls.

"What is this increased owl activity?" Snape asked frowning. He peeked into the room curiously.

"I don't know. I haven't had this many ever…"

A small, brown owl flew to him. It raised its leg and gave the letter to the boy.

"Thank you." Harry said with a smile and took the envelope.

He saw that the Ministry of Magic sent it. With a shrug he opened it and started to read.

Dear Mr. Potter!

We hereby inform you that your exams at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have been corrected. Every exam belongs to different section and will be sent separately. The notice will contain the copy of the test paper, the correct answers and the grade. Please keep them and give it to your Head of House next September.

Sincerely,

Jasmina Huckler

Ministry of Magic

"My OWL. results!" Harry screamed in delight. "Cool!"

With some help from Snape they managed to take all of the letters and let the birds fly out the window. A small pile of letters was lying on the bed and Harry was only staring at them. He'd eagerly awaited the results throughout summer but felt an icy fear swirling in his stomach now. He feared that he got worse results than what he expected.

"Don't you want to see them?" Snape asked with feigned indifference.

"I do… I just don't know where to start…"

"It doesn't matter. All envelopes are the same."

Harry blushed then smiled because the teacher was right. The letters looked exactly the same so he reached for the first one. After he opened he found several folded parchments. He was holding the result of his Transfiguration exam.

"Transfiguration…" He murmured trying to remember the circumstances. When he looked at the questions he remembered them and started looking for the result. "Written exam… 'E' as 'Exceeds Expectation'… it's great!... Practical exam… 'O'… 'Outstanding'? Wow!" He said with a gleam in his eyes. "For making a lizard disappear? Cool!... Overall result… reasoning: taking into account your practical experience… yes… yes… 'Outstanding'! Wow, it's great!" He exclaimed.

He jumped up and threw his hands in the air then hugged the letter. He looked at Snape who didn't share his enthusiasm, in fact he watched him suspiciously.

"It must be some Muggle thing…" He said curtly responding to the previous scene.

"Let's see the next one!" Harry said with a little more confidence. He put the first letter on the bed and reached for the next envelope. "Do you know how my Potions exam went?"

"I didn't correct is, so no. I guess it didn't turn out to be a good one." He added with an evil smile. Harry returned it with an equally kind gesture.

The next one however 'Care of Magical Creatures' was. The boy suspected it was good because he knew all the answers. And Hagrid's subject was one of his favorites. He got an 'O'.

"Divination!" He closed his eyes when he opened the third letter. "I can see that I failed!"

He remembered the disastrous test. He wasn't disappointed: 'Failed'. He felt bad but he expected nothing better. He'd never liked it and decided to drop the subject finally.

He remembered the Charms exam to. It was easy. The practical exam however… he confused a color-changing and a growth charm but he still got an 'E'.

"Is it good?"

"An 'O' would be better but it's enough to become an Auror."

The Astronomy should have been better. But he remembered what happened during the practical exam. Umbridge and her minions attacked Professor McGonagall and it diverted his attention. The result: 'A' as in 'Acceptable'. It doesn't really matter… he won't need it.

The History of Magic was the same result. Horrible memories also. He dreamt about Sirius being captured and tortured by Voldemort. It's a miracle they still counted this as a valid exam. If it would have happened in Snape's class the man would have thrown him out.

The Herbology turned out to be better, he got an 'E' despite being bitten by an angry geranium. Snape smirked when he heard this. Then he told the boy that the head of the examiners worked breeding of geraniums and that is why Harry got 'only' an 'E'.

While Harry opened the envelopes Snape looked at the already opened ones. He examined them and sometimes looked at the boy probingly.

There were only two envelopes left. Harry was sure that fate wanted Potions to be the last one. As if he was not excited enough. He got an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He expected this. It was all thanks to Lupin; he taught them the most in the past five years. Except Moody, but he was not the real one. And he preferred his newfound Uncle.

With a big sigh he reached for the last envelope. He could see the evil curiosity on the teacher's face.

"Psychological terror." Harry said and opened the seal. "Potions. Written… 'E'… 'E'?"

"What?" Snape snorted in surprise. "You have written an 'E' to me?" He snatched the letter from Harry's hand and set next to the boy.

When he confirmed that the boy wasn't kidding he looked at him suspiciously.

"So you honored only me with your outrageous performance?" He blurted out finally.

Harry looked down and took the paper. He wanted to see the practical result too.

They looked at it together. Harry was surprised that he got an 'A'. He barely hoped to avoid failing.

"Unbelievable…" Snape murmured. "'Exceeds Expectation' combined result… doesn't 'BEYOND Expectations' exist? I think you cheated, Harry." He finally said with a smile.

"You can't cheat while doing the O.W.L.s." The boy said also grinning. "According to this, I can't go to your course, right professor?"

Snape however was just staring at the letter. He flipped it several times looking for some kind of note. Finally he had to accept that one of his worst students got a good grade.

"If Longbottom had written an 'Outstanding' I swear I quit." He muttered which made Harry chuckle.

The boy sighed and felt relieved.

While Snape sunk into depression he went to the next owl, because there were two more in his room.

"Where did you come from?" He asked kindly.

The owl was not familiar but he took the small package. The bird did not fly away just hooted and shook his feathers.

"Help yourself!" Harry gestured toward Hedwig's cage.

The owl did so. He drank some water and ate a little.

Harry shrugged and opened the letter. As he opened the parchment a photo fell into his lap. On the picture were two tall, red-haired, seemingly similar boys waving and smiling.

"Fred and George!" Harry laughed.

He had never received letters from the twins. Snape looked up for a moment than continued his previous activity sadly. He saw his greatest failure in not making Harry fail his Potions O.W.L. so he continued reading the boys test paper in hopes of finding some errors.

The boy began reading his letter.

Dear Harry!

How are you? We hope you are enjoying your holidays and your relatives are bearable. If they bother you just use the stuff we put in the little package. Don't worry these aren't dangerous but will teach the Dursley's a lesson. Use them wisely!

Did you get your OWLs? Ron has been harassing us for weeks. I wouldn't expect those owls so much if I were him… Mom freaked out when she saw ours. Ron can't expect better. He is so lazy.

Fred and I are fine here on Diagon Alley. The shop is well too. Thankfully. We can't tell you how grateful we are for you! We couldn't have done it without you! Therefore, if you need anything, just ask.

We have great news! We are part of the Order of the Phoenix now! We got the medals too! Though Mom and Dad didn't like the idea, Professor Dumbledore approved it finally. Charlie is very proud of us. It's good that almost the whole family is with Dumbledore. It's a shame Percy was so stupid… After you finished school you will be part of it too. But hopefully the Order won't be needed then.

We will owl you on your birthday. Be careful until then and don't be a good little boy!

Greetings,

Fred and George.

Harry looked at the picture again and saw the medal on a golden necklace. But it was so small that Harry couldn't see what it really looked like.

He looked up. It wasn't unexpected that the twins joined the Order like the rest of their family. He was happy for them but felt jealous for the first time. He had to wait at least two years before he could join too. It's so far away…

"Is it true that Fred and George became members of the Order?" He asked Snape.

"I don't know" The man answered.

"That's what they've written. And they have that medal too…"

Snape leaned closer and surveyed the photo.

"They got medals too, huh?" He said wondering.

"What is this medal actually?"

"Every member of the Order has one." He said and pulled his medal from under his shirt, took it off and gave it to Harry.

The boy stared at the beautiful jewelry with bright eyes. The medal was hanging on a thin golden necklace. It was a fledging phoenix while it depicted out of the fire.

"How beautiful!" He said enchanted then handed it back.

Snape put it back on and hid it under his shirt again. Harry followed the symbol with his eyes.

He reached for the next letter with a sigh. He recognized Hermione's owl and smiled with relief.

Dear Harry,

I'm so excited! We got the result of the OWLs this week. I got an 'O' on everything except Arithmancy which I got an 'E'.

'It wouldn't be you, Hermione…' He thought with a grin.

I still can't believe it. How could I be so stupid to miss that word… Whatever. Ron got mixed results but he will tell you about it. He is spending the summer with us. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley asked my parents to let him stay so they can work with the Order.

"If Ron is there, then where is Ginny?" He asked himself wondering.

My parents agreed happily and I confess that I am happy that Ron is here too. I would be so bored without him. At least we can study together and do the summer assignments properly.

"Hermione!" Harry chuckled. "You can't think of anything else?"

Living with Ron isn't boring. It took a few days to teach him how to use things in a Muggle house. He is totally confused about electricity. He switched the lights on and off so much the first night that the light bulb burned out. And he freaked out about the coffee maker and the toaster in the morning. The best was the TV. He still thinks it's a miracle. He sits in front of it for hours with the remote control in his hand and watches the programs (the boring ones too…). I thought I'd take him to the cinema too. You can imagine what it was like…

Harry couldn't stop laughing.

Maybe, we shouldn't have watched the 'Back to the Future'. I thought he'll like it. Boys usually do… He was grabbing his chair… he was so frightened. But… it's somewhat cute that he is so afraid of the Muggle things. But don't worry; I keep an eye on him so as not to do anything stupid.

How are you? Is everything okay? I wish you were here too! I asked Dumbledore to let you come but he said that you have to stay at your aunt's house for protection. Don't be sad; the summer will be over and we will meet in Hogwarts soon!

Bye

Hermione

Harry's heart filled with warmth. His friends were far from him but still thought about him. This made him forget all the sadness. He was waiting for the time they could talk about these on the train. Harry wanted to tell them about his quite eventful summer too.

He pulled out Ron's letter from the envelope. The Weasley boy talked about the things Hermione mentioned and the dread he felt first. He was admiring the cinema on a whole page. Harry thought they spent a lot of time together. He was happy because they seemed a little closer to each other and hoped that their relationship would improve.

As for the exams, Ron failed in Divination just like Harry did and got an 'Outstanding' from 'Care of Magical Creatures' and DADA. He was very proud of himself and was happy that he didn't fail in Potions, though he got only an 'A' just like in Astronomy and Transfiguration. He got an 'E' in Herbology and Charms which made his mother very proud. However Ron still didn't know what to do after he finished school. He didn't have the dedication to become an Auror like Harry. But he had a summer to think about that, Harry thought.

Soon after he bid farewell to his teacher (Who didn't find any mistakes in his test paper) the boy left to meet Marie. He promised the girl that he would help with the preparations.

Grading:

Passing Grades

O - Outstanding

E - Exceeds Expectations

A - Acceptable

Failing Grades

P - Poor

D - Dreadful

T - Troll

Hope you liked it. PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE!

Next chapter… will be about the picnic and its consequences. And a little chat with Snape (one of my favorite parts). It's a long chapter so I won't upload soon.

Bye

Hermina