Chapter 8

After spending his morning feeding Sassy a big fat rat and talking to her as well as other local slithering reptiles, Harry made his way back to his dorms to tidy himself up before going to see Professor Snape.

During his shower, Harry imagined his new dress, underwear and wearing it around the school. He fantasized about attending his classes in his dress and twirling to show it off. He smiled at the fantasy.

"If only I could…"

Harry turned the taps off and wrapped himself with his towel. In his quarters, he begun dressing into his now fitting jeans and shirt. Putting on his belt, he looked over at his trunk which held his belongings. Deep down, hiding in his invisibility cloak was his beloved dress. Harry thought how things would play out if he showed up to Snape's classroom dressed like that. Merlin, Snape would destroy him. He would probably bring it up every class regardless if Harry was in that class and tell all his Slytherins. After all, despite everything Snape had done, this was still, Severus Snape. They may not be enemy's anymore but who knows what will happen if Snape saw the great and famous Harry Potter in drag.

Harry made his way down to the dungeons and regretting not brining a jacket. It had been so long since he wondered around this part of the castle, he forgot how cold it was.

Before him, Harry stood in front of his old potion's classroom.

"This is going to be so weird." Harry thought. He knocked and waited for a response. After what felt like an hour, the door swung open and standing in front of him was Severus Snape, in his old signature black robes but strangely with his hair causally tied back.

"Good afternoon Mr. Potter" Snape said while holding the door open for his visitor.

"It's Harry sir, remember?" Harry responded cheerfully.

Snape stood quiet for a moment before correcting himself.

"Harry…"

The sound of his name sounded so foreign coming off Snape's tongue when it's not filled with sarcasm or bitterness.

"Thanks sir. Good afternoon to you too! What are you up to?"

Snape closed the door and watched the boy looking around the room in curiosity.

"I am currently taking stock of my inventory, so I know which ingredients need to be replaced or used sooner than later."

Harry brushed his hand along one of the desks and found his hand had been painted in thick dust. He looked at the other desks and noticed that all the desks had a blanket of dust. Severus saw that the boy noticed this and felt a mixture of annoyance, shame and shyness. Of course he hid the emotions without a problem.

"I don't let the elves into the potion class rooms." Snape said in response to the dust. "After an incident when I was a student myself, I swore to never have a house elf into my laboratory."

The mention of something happening in Snape's past, it had bought interest to Harry. He couldn't help himself asking.

"What happened?"

Of course this would make the boy curious Severus thought. Snape looked at the desks again and realized he can take advantage of Harry's curiosity.

"You clean the desks and I'll tell you."

Harry's eyes shone and almost twinkled much like the previous headmaster. Snape walked to his desk after reminding Harry where the cleaning supplies were. Harry begun wiping the tables when Snape told the short tale.

"I was in my 7th year. I was in the later stages of brewing Felix Felicis. As you should know that potion takes 6 months to stew. I was observing my potion when a house elf startled me with the offer of assistance. This caused me to spill my work. Mind you this was the potion of my choice for my final exams. Fortunately, Albus and Horace took pity on my predicament and offered me an extension as well as access to the forbidden section of the library as well as all ingredients that aren't usually accessible to students. In the end I was able to create an improved version Wolfsbane which in later years I brewed for students and at one time, a professor."

The moment he mentioned 'a professor' he wish he could take it back. Remembering as soon as he said it that the man he referenced is now deceased and leaving an orphan child behind. Harry was enjoying the story until he finished it. He saw Harry clench his fists, close his eyes and take a breath. He then turned to the professor with a weak smile.

"Thanks for sharing that sir. It was nice of the Headmaster and Professor Slughorn to help you. I'm glad they understood what had happened."

Severus felt guilty. He didn't know whether acknowledging his mistake would be more damage than good. He decided to not mention it again. If Harry didn't mention it, then it must mean he wasn't mad. No point bringing it back up to hurt the boy further.

In attempt to change the subject Harry continued the conversation about Professor Snape's choice in potion.

"Why did you choose the Luck Potion sir?"

Severus saw this attempt of moving the topic forward and encouraged it by responding.

"A few reasons. Firstly, it's an incredibly hard and time-consuming potion to make. I wanted to challenge myself as well as prove my skills. Secondly, I believed it to be an ideal gift to a friend who was going to marry shortly after graduating."

Presuming it was the Malfoys, Harry didn't ask about who the gift was for. The last thing he wanted was to bring them up. Harry had mixed feelings about the Malfoys which he is still trying to work out through therapy.

"Hey Professor, does that house elf still work here?"

Professor Snape nodded responding that he wouldn't know the name of them either as he was never close to house elves nor had the interest to learn their names.

Harry finished his first set of tables. He hadn't realised how much elbow grease he had added into his work. He smiled proudly at his hard work and moved onto the next set of tables.

While Harry continued his hard work at cleaning, Professor Snape walked around the room, going through various draws, cupboards, pantries and shelves noting down his findings. It had become comfortable working environment the two enjoyed.