Ch 21: Additional Help
Only one week after the incident with the Slytherin students, Harry screwed up his courage to go speak to Snape in his office. Knocking lightly on the door, Snape told him to enter. Snape was working on a potion in the corner, but when he turned and saw who was in his office, his face turned red with rage.
"I didn't think you had enough Gryffindor courage to actually come and face me alone. So you've finally come to offer your apologies for sending six of my students to the infirmary?"
"Beg pardon, sir?"
"You heard me. Well, out with it. I haven't got all day."
"I didn't come to apologize, Professor Snape. If you really want to know what happened, I would be more than happy to show you in a Pensieve. In fact, invite all of the students who were there, and we can see exactly what did happen."
Snape just gave him a withering glance.
"Do you really want to know the truth about what happened? Do you even care? Or do you still hate my father so much that you're bound and determined to take it out on his son?"
"Your father was an arrogant, insufferable…"
"Don't you dare speak about him like that! He saved your life!"
"Don't raise your voice to me, Potter. Don't forget who you are speaking with! I am still your…"
Furious, Harry clenched his fists to his sides as he struggled to control his temper. "He's put me through six years of hell-why am I even bothering with him? He's hated me and my family since before I was born. If he had sincerely tried to help me last year, maybe Sirius would still be alive now!!! Why did I ever let Dumbledore convince me to invite him for Christmas? I've tried all year to be civil, to be polite, to ignore his snide remarks and his bitter attacks…and for what?!?! Why not give him a taste of his own medicine? Why not pull a play out of good old Moody's playbook and turn him into a horned toad and bounce him around for a bit in the dungeon? Nobody would know and I could always wipe his memory later. Oh, yes, this could be great fun."
"HARRY! What on earth are you doing?!?! Don't you even dare think about attacking a teacher! Where are you? What's going on?!?! Wait right there, I'm coming!"
"Hermione! Why are you reading my mind?!?! I thought you promised to never try and…"
"Don't snap at me, Harry! You're so angry right now you were practically screaming your thoughts at me. Get a grip before you do something stupid."
Drawing a deep breath, Harry tried to calm himself down and realized he had already drawn his wand and was holding his wand and pointing it directly at Snape's chest. Looking in Snape's eyes he detected a mixture of anger, scorn, bitterness, and…fear?
"Awfully brave of you, Potter, threatening an unarmed wizard. Go ahead and do it then, if you've got it in you. Finish me off if you like. If you can. If you expect me to beg for my life, I'm not going to give you the pleasure. I've faced down much more powerful, more terrible wizards than you, boy!" spit out Snape, glowering with fury and hatred at Harry.
Harry's grip on his wand tightened until his knuckles cracked, then his wand slowly dropped to his side and he put it back under his cloak. "It's OK, Hermione. I'm fine. Thanks for bringing me back to my senses."
"Hang on Harry, I'll be right there."
"No, Hermione. I need to do this alone. I promise you I'll be fine. I'll explain later. And I'm sorry I doubted you. Thank you again though for being there for me, Hermione. It means a lot."
"You're welcome. You know I'll always be there for you, Harry."
"I know. Thanks." Just thinking about Hermione helped soothe Harry's temper and enabled him to regain control of his emotions again.
Watching Harry put away his wand, Snape mocked him. "Lose your nerve, Potter? I never understood what Dumbledore saw in you. All that nonsense about a prophecy…you can't even control your own emotions, let alone enough power to seriously challenge the Dark Lord. No matter. After this little incident Potter, rest assured, you will be expelled from Hogwarts. I'm going to see to it personally." Snape then moved to slam his office door in Harry's face.
Raising his left hand slightly with the palm towards the door, Harry spoke quietly. "We're not through talking yet, Professor."
Trying to shove the door shut, Snape looked up in confusion at Harry.
"Oh, I'm afraid this little chat is over, Potter. I have much more important things to do." Again, Snape tried to shut the door, but it refused to budge.
"Professor Snape, I did not come just to provoke you. I…I…apologize for my earlier behavior."
"It's a little late for that, Potter. I'm going to make sure you get tossed…"
"I do not think I will be getting expelled from this school anytime soon…"
"Oh, you don't, do you? Well, we'll see about that, Potter."
"Professor Snape! Please stop and listen to me for just one minute! Please! I am sorry I lost my temper a moment ago. I did not come down here to argue with you or taunt you or threaten you! I came to ask for your help."
"You what?!?! What? Oh, this is precious! Perfect little Potter finally coming in to ask for help in potions. Afraid I might toss you out like you deserve? You should never have been allowed in this class to begin with. It was simply unbelievable, someone of your obviously mediocre talents and lack of aptitude getting an Outstanding on your potions OWL exam."
"Actually, I did not come to ask for your help in potions either. I'm doing quite well with my study of potions. I came to ask for your help in another area of your expertise."
"So you think you're qualified to reach your own judgments about your performance in potions, do you? How arrogant and presumptuous. So like your father. And don't try and butter me up with compliments either. You're wasting my time. Now get out."
"Perhaps you would be interested in a deal, well, actually something closer to a bet, Professor."
Turning away from Harry Snape snapped, "Are you still here, Potter?"
"Just hear me out before you try and throw me out again. I'm willing to bet that I can create any potion that a sixth year student would be able to do."
"You do, do you? And if you can't?"
"If you don't find the potion up to your standards, then I will withdraw from your class and never set foot in your classroom again."
"Oh, this is too easy, Potter."
"But if I do make an acceptable potion, then you agree to meet with me at least three times a week to discuss the subject I wish to work on with you."
"Is it Occlumency?"
Harry laughed humourlessly. "No, I think we spent more than enough time together on that project, wouldn't you agree?"
"So if you fail, you're out of my class? No running to Dumbledore?"
"You realize I'm trusting you to be a fair judge…"
"Oh, there will be no need for that Potter. You will, of course, be taking your own potion so any mistakes will be very obvious and serve to teach you a very needed lesson."
"Very well, shall we begin?"
"What? Now? Don't you want to try cramming for a day or two with Granger before you fail?"
"No. I don't need the books. Whenever you're ready, give me the potion you'd like me to make for you."
"Arrogance, Potter. It will bring you down. Very well, brew for me a potion for protection against the corporeal dead."
"Have we covered that one yet, sir?"
"Well, this particular class is running about two weeks behind one of my normal sixth year classes. We should be covering it next week I imagine. Shall I make out the resignation slip for you now Potter?"
"No, that's fine. I think I'll take a crack at it all the same."
"Surely you're joking, Potter. You've never even seen the potion made. And we all know that Granger is the only one who actually reads ahead of her classes. A single mistake with this potion can cause severe consequences."
"Such as stripping the flesh from your bones? Or creating an addiction to the drinking of blood?"
"Don't get cheeky with me, Potter."
"I wasn't trying to do that, sir. I was simply trying to demonstrate that I know the risks. Now if you would be so kind as to pass me a cauldron, preferably a silver one if you have one, I will begin your potion."
"Very well, Potter. There's a silver cauldron in the cupboard in the corner. Don't ruin it-replacements are very expensive. And here's a book with the potion in it. I don't want Dumbledore accusing me of trying to kill you."
"I don't need it. It wasn't part of the deal. I can make the potion without it."
"You're mad Potter-madder than I would have ever thought. Have it your way, then." Disgusted, Snape turned back to his potion and tried to ignore Harry. But something about the boy's confidence and courage, made him continually look back to see check what he was doing. After half an hour, he just sat and watched Harry work.
Oblivious to Snape's attention, Harry worked smoothly and methodically. He had read and reread all of the standard spell textbooks months ago, but was able to recall every spell within them with perfect recall thanks to the various mental exercises he had undergone with Dumbledore. Setting the pot to boil slowly while he chopped and prepared the ingredients, Harry whistled softly to himself. Pausing momentarily, he looked up to ask Snape a question, only to find himself being watched.
"Uhh, Professor Snape, would you prefer the potion to protect more powerfully against skeletons, or vampires, or ghouls, or something else?"
"What?"
"Well, the potion can be altered slightly to provide additional protection against a specific type of corporeal dead. Garlic for vampires, calcium for skeletons, that sort of thing. I was just wondering if you would prefer the standard potion or one of the modified versions."
"The standard potion will be fine, Potter" replied Snape. "How did Potter know about those other versions? We don't even bother teaching those here at Hogwarts. Where would he have come across those? There were probably some in the Restricted section, but…ahh. Of course. Somebody's been reading in the Restricted section all year. I figured it had been Granger. She's the only real bookworm in the entire school. I never saw Potter as that serious of a scholar. Hmmm."
Three hours later, Harry's potion was slowly cooling down. Snape had continued to be impressed. He had been watching very closely, and Harry had not made a single mistake in creating the very complex potion.
Reaching down with a ladle, Harry prepared to scoop some out to demonstrate for Snape.
"Don't waste more of our time, Potter. We both know the potion was made flawlessly."
Harry, surprised to hear a compliment from Snape, looked over at him. Snape handed Harry several storage flasks and indicated that he should fill it from the cauldron.
"Now tell me what this subject you wish to discuss with me is and we can arrange the times you can come and visit me in my office."
"Well, I have been discussing various historical battles with Professor Binn, and he has been very helpful in describing the context, motives, and participants involved. But he doesn't feel as comfortable discussing in great depth the strategies and tactics that were actually used in many of the battles. Oh, he knows what they were, but can't always explain why they were chosen over other tactics. He suggested I speak with you about it," explained Harry.
"Really? Very well, then. Let me think about where we could start and I will let you know," replied Snape.
"Actually, I already have some battles and wars in mind that I would like to discuss with you, if that is OK."
"Very well, which one would you like to start with?"
"Well, I thought the two revolts of the Agrecian warlocks would be a good place to start."
"Yes, very interesting tactics in both of those wars." "And quite similar in many ways to our own current struggles. Very perceptive, Potter." "Potter, I have an additional question for you. You are obviously talented at potions, when you apply yourself. Why do you continue to perform below your potential in class?"
"Well, in past years with all of the other things going on, it seemed like it was all I could do to barely survive in potions. But I can focus better this year, partly because of some extra training I had been receiving from various members of the Order of the Phoenix."
"Ahh, I should have guessed you were involved Potter. You're the reason the northeast tower is closed to students. I presume that is where you've been receiving this extra training."
"Yes sir. But I didn't think it would be a good idea if I suddenly started doing a lot better in all of my classes, particularly yours, sir."
"But I hear you're doing very well in your DADA classes. And Remus is always nauseatingly cheerful about the achievements of that little DA club you organized."
"Well, that would never surprise anyone. Everyone always expects me to be the best in DADA. After all, I have the scar, don't I?" replied Harry somewhat bitterly.
Snape looked at him closely. "Yes, expectations can be tough to live up to. Or to live down. But it wouldn't kill you to do better in potions. It might even inspire some of your classmates to see you improve."
"No, but it might shock some of them to death. I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yes, I'll be here in my office tomorrow at the same time. And Potter?"
"Yes sir?"
"Do try and avoid my Slytherin students as much as possible. Many of them really need to spend as much time as possible in the classroom. And I will be deducting fifty points for your little outburst earlier."
"Yes sir," replied Harry as he hid a smile and left Snape's office. "Who would have thought I could have a decent conversation with Snape, and almost hear him crack a joke while putting down his own students?"
"There's much more to this Potter boy than I had ever imagined. Voldemort, you have chosen your enemies very poorly. Potter is going to take you down. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure of that."
*-*-*
Harry's extra lessons with Dumbledore, Moody, Lupin, Tonks, and McGonagall continued much as before the Christmas break, only he continually increased their frequency and intensity. When he got tired or needed extra time to study or practice, he simply used the Time Turner more often. Or he would sip one of his Power Potions, as he fondly called them, a type of energizing potion he had discovered in an old text from the Restricted area and refined to help him concentrate and maintain the energy he needed to keep driving his strenuous studies along.
With Moody and Lupin, Harry continued to practice dueling, sometimes against both of them, as well as working on advanced curses and countercurses and physical self defense. Tonks continued to duel with him and help him with various DADA spells, as well as practicing various disguise and information gathering techniques. McGonagall taught him various aspects of Transfiguration, including the enchanting of objects and the discernment of magical endowments on various items. Snape and Harry spent hours discussing various historic battles and the strategies and tactics that had been employed, and then analyzed how various scenarios using different approaches might have succeeded or failed. Dumbledore continued to teach him various mental techniques as well as practicing magic without a wand.
Apart from his official lessons, Harry spent even more time on his own, practicing and refining his various emerging skills by himself. Extremely proficient at shapeshifting back and forth, he continued to exercise and hone the other abilities he had in both forms, both magical and sensory. Though he continued to work hard in his Muggle science class to understand the underlying concepts and laws governing the natural world, he only tried to experiment with those elemental powers in small ways, since large efforts seemed to exhaust him. But he realized his abilities were getting stronger.
He and Hermione had continued working on their telepathic links until it seemed like second nature to them. They also visited the Forbidden Forest frequently to speak with representatives from different magical species trying to enlist their aid for the upcoming battles. They would fly in animal form, then Harry would transform to his human form to speak with the different groups. Hermione stayed in bird form, translating mentally for both him and the magical creatures they visited. She could have done so just as easily in her own form, but they thought it safer if nobody else knew she was there helping him. All of this was possible, of course, because of the improved Splittin' Images that Fred and George provided for them, which allowed them to slip out at night.
Harry even used the DA club meetings to enhance his skills. As he watched the various students dueling, he learned to anticipate which spell they would cast through very close observation and a developing intuition. He had been turning every class and situation he could think of into an opportunity to hone his magical skills and develop the instincts and reflexes he expected he would need to eventually confront Voldemort and his minions.
Quidditch practices became Harry's only time to relax and actually enjoy himself for an hour or so. Flying freely through the air chasing the snitch, Harry felt he could leave all of his concerns and the increasing pressure of his training behind, if only temporarily. Though he immensely enjoyed the time he spent with Hermione, most of the time they were so busy studying ancient texts that he had `borrowed' looking for spells to defeat Voldemort or visiting with magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest trying to gain allies for the coming battles, it was not really very relaxing.
Though Harry could feel his powers growing, and was growing more confident in his abilities, he was also feeling increasingly tired and worn out, despite the energizing potions and extra sleep he scheduled into some of his days. As the months of training dragged on, the pressure increased. Harry could feel himself becoming more distant, more coolly detached from those around him, more prone to snap out in anger and frustration. It took nearly every ounce of willpower to control his temper during some of his extra training, when he felt the pace wasn't going quickly enough. He lost his temper most frequently with his classmates in his regular classes, and occasionally blew up over small incidents in the Gryffindor common room. Most people started avoiding him, fearful of his oddly growing temper, which only reinforced his solitude. Hermione and Ron never abandoned him and did their best to help and support him, but neither of them knew about all of the training and pressure he was struggling with. Between the loneliness, the weight of all the secrets he carried, the increasing pressure of his accelerated training, and the gnawing fear that Voldemort might launch another attack of some sort before he was ready, Harry was unsure how much longer he could go on like this. But he had to. He knew there was nobody else to do what needed to be done. He had to keep it together. He just had to. There was no other choice.
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