"Class dismissed," Severus barked. He sank into his chair and started looking over assignments as he heard the shuffle of students filing out of the classroom.
He looked up when he heard a timid voice ask, "Professor Snape?" When he looked up he saw the boy-who-lived standing at his desk.
"What is it, Potter?" Severus barked.
"I'm sorry for not having prepared well for class. Please forgive me. I don't intend to be insolent, sir; but I was wondering if I've offended you in some way?" the boy asked softly.
Severus barely schooled the shock he felt from his face and replied, "Thank you for your apology, Potter. I trust you will pay closer attention in the future. Now, you are dismissed."
"Sir, I don't want to disobey you, but I'd like to know how I can amend what I've done to offend you," the boy further explained as he began packing his supplies nervously waiting for an answer.
"You can't amend that which you did not cause, Potter. Now, off to your next class. After all, I will NOT be writing you a pass."
"Yes, sir. Sorry again but thank you for your time. Have a good day, Professor," Harry offered sincerely as he scurried out of the dungeons.
Severus shook his head at the well-mannered child who was supposed to be a spoiled, pompous brat just like his father.
***Time Lapse***
Severus was monitoring the halls when he overheard the Granger girl's shrill voice attempt to whisper, "I'm telling you it was Snape! He was keeping unbroken eye contact with you and mumbling something. He was the one who spelled your broom!" Severus was about to interrupt and put the girl in her place when a surprising voice called out her baseless accusations.
"And I will NOT tell you again. Hermione, it was NOT Professor Snape. He is NOT evil. So what he's not warm and fuzzy. He's trying to keep an insane amount of chaos creator's safe while dealing with volatile potion brewing. I'd wager he's seen a lot of shit in his life and yet he's NEVER harmed a student. He's kept a job here for Merlin knows how long, and Dumbledore trusts him as an asset. He's remained GOOD. He did NOT try to kill me; more likely he was trying to steady my broom enough so that I didn't die. Now, please, stop speaking ill of him and let's focus on what we know."
Snape's jaw almost hit the floor. The Potter boy had stood up for him, had called him good. What in Merlin's name was happening?
***Time Lapse***
Snape was in the process of grading essays when he was interrupted by frantic knocking before the door was thrown open.
"Potter, what is the meaning of this?!"
"I'm so sorry, Professor Snape. I believe someone is attempting to steal the sorcerer's stone tonight, sir! He knows how to get past Fluffy. Professor McGonagall told us not to worry about it, but-he's going to bring back Voldemort! PLEASE, sir, I don't know what else to do!" the boy cried clearly frantic.
Severus stood/ "Potter, do you trust me?"
"Yes, sir," Harry answered without hesitation.
"I will go to the stone immediately and ensure it's safety. I will NOT tell you anything more. You and your friends will wait for me here. Do NOT speak to ANYONE who is not staff and do not disturb anything. Is that understood?" Snape barked.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Harry answered and the potions master was off with a swish of his cloak.
When he returned, Severus was relieved to see his lab still in one piece-perhaps even cleaner than he'd left it? "Potter, did you clean?"
The boy startled from where he sat studying one of the texts Severus kept in the student reference shelf. "Y-yes, sir, but I promise I put everything right back where it was and I didn't break anything or tamper with any ingredients, Professor," Harry answered.
"Calm yourself, Potter. You did an adequate job. I simply intended to thank you."
"Oh, you're welcome, Professor."
"Now, the stone is safe. Your hunch was correct, but I was able to get there in time. The culprit was apprehended and handled, but I will tell you nothing more about the individual. The stone has been returned to its owner to be destroyed, but again, no further information will be shared. Does this ease your concerns, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, Professor, and thank you," Harry answered
"You are welcome, but we must now discuss how you came to know as much as you do about this situation."
Once Harry finished his story, Severus spoke again. "So, to summarize, you saw Hagrid remove something from a vault which was robbed and inferred someone was after something. You and your friends stumbled upon a three headed dog which you deduced was guarding that something. Hagrid accidentally mentioned the name Nicholas Flammel which led the Granger girl to uncovering the existence of the sorcerer's stone which you inferred to be that thing being guarded. The troll and broom incidents had you believing Hogwarts staff isn't as trustworthy as you may have hoped. When you checked on the stone and found a spelled harp keeping the beast asleep, you were led to believe an attempt to steal the stone was happening tonight, but no one believed you which had you at my door. Is that a fair summary?"
"Yes, sir," Harry answered nervously.
"15 points to Ms. Granger for her skilled research. 10 points to Mr. Potter for trusting an adult with his suspicions. 2 points from Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley each for twice running into the beast locked in a room of the forbidden third floor. Any questions?"
"No, sir," the trio answered in unison.
"Very well, dismissed," Severus barked.