Chapter 5
It took everything in Harry not to tell Ron and Hermione about his most recent discovery. He hadn't understood what Sirius meant by keeping the secret for their safety, but Harry figured it must have been pretty important since his Godfather had been so serious. As the days went on, this new revelation was pushed to the back of his mind, and Harry got lost in the mundanity of Hogwarts.
The following week, Harry stepped into his potions classroom to find his professor looking at him with his usual disdain. "Professor Snape," Harry greeted.
Severus was taken aback by Harry's uncharacteristically cordial behavior. "Potter." Severus returned.
As the class settled in, Severus started writing the steps for the potion they were brewing that day:
- Use a knife to cut off two pieces of ginger root and add to cauldron. The potion should turn from blue to green.
- Add armadillo bile until the potion turns blue.
- Grind scarab beetles in a pestle, and sprinkle in the cauldron until the potion turns red.
- Add more armadillo bile until the potion turns yellow.
- Chop four more pieces of ginger root and add to the cauldron. The potion should turn green.
- Stir clockwise until the potion turns yellow.
"This is a potion you all have brewed last year. You will be brewing it again because I want you to really understand the properties of armadillo bile and how different quantities can have different effects. This time, keep a sample of the potion aside every time you add the armadillo bile, and then write an essay about the similarities and differences you noticed at each stage. Do not, under any circumstances, try any of the unfinished samples or you will end up in the hospital wing. Now, can someone tell me what potion this is?" Two hands shot up immediately and Severus promptly ignored Hermione to call on Draco.
"It's the wit-sharpening potion," Draco answered smugly.
"Correct, 10 points to Slytherin," out of the corner of his eye, Severus saw Harry rolling his eyes. "Mr. Potter," Severus turned to Harry. "Quit rolling your eyes, and I suggest you make an extra vial to take to your godfather. Merlin knows the two of you need it." The Slytherins let out a unified "ohhhh!" while Harry bit his tongue to keep himself in responding but he looked visibly annoyed. It took all of his self-control not to blurt out 'You're the one dating him! What does it say about your wit?'
"That's quite enough. Begin your brewing process." Snape said.
"Why don't you say something, mate?" Ron whispered after the class began their work.
"Don't worry. I plan on having a private conversation with him later." Harry said, a hint of mystery and mischief in his voice. Ron shrugged, knowing he'll probably find out about Harry's scheming later.
Starting with Draco and Hermione, everyone placed their potion samples in the back of the room and filled out time slots to evaluate them later. Harry told his friends that he'd catch up with them at lunch and waited as the last of the Slytherins trickled out the door.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?' Severus asked as Harry approached his desk.
"I know," is all that Harry said.
Severus' stoic expression did not falter aside from his eyebrows being raised. "And what is it that you know, Mr. Potter?"
"I know that you're in a relationship with Sirius, and I also know that you saved-" Severus waved his hand, and Harry could no longer hear the sound of his own voice. His dry expression faltered as panic overtook the man. Severus grabbed Harry by the elbow and dragged him into his office. The professor shut the door behind them, adding several silencing charms to the rooms before taking off the one he had placed on Harry.
"Potter-" Severus began.
"Was that the same silencing charm Sirius used last week?" Harry asked, his tone sassy. As much as he hated thinking about his professor and Godfather having sex, he knew Severus would hate Harry bringing it up even more.
For the first time since Harry's known the man, a red hue overtook Severus' pale cheeks and neck. His panic was now replaced by an angry scowl. "Potter, what I or any other adult does in our own time is none of your business. Now moving on to the matter at hand, how did you find out and what do you know?" Severus asked.
It was in that moment that Harry realized how desperately Severus wanted to keep the relationship a secret because he didn't even give Harry a detention for his comment. He took a deep breath, keeping the topic more serious instead of attempting to annoy his professor. "I saw you floo in last week and heard him say that you saved him. The next morning, I asked Sirius what happened and he told me everything about your relationship."
"That mutt! How could he not tell me?" Severus muttered under his breath.
"Hey!" Harry argued. "He's my godfather and legal guardian. He's allowed to tell me when he's in a relationship."
"Not when knowing that information puts his and your life at risk." Severus snapped back. "Who else knows, Potter?" the professor demanded with an edge of panic in his voice.
"No one!" Harry raised his arms up and mock defense. "Sirius told me not to tell anyone so I didn't. He also told me not to tell you but..."
"I'm glad you told me, Potter. Now, I must start teaching you Occlumency." Severus said, calming down a little.
"What is oculmuncy?" Harry asked.
"Occlumency," Snape exaggerated the correct pronunciation, "is the magic of closing one's mind so that it cannot be invaded by outsiders."
"And why do I need to learn it just because I know you two are...?"
"Do not complete that sentence, Potter!" Severus interrupted. "Our relationship is a secret. Besides the two of us, only you know. Not even Dumbledore has caught wind of this. We cannot risk anyone associated with the Dark Lord finding out and my house is filled with young students desperate to please him."
"Why not?" Harry challenged.
"Potter, do not mistake me for your godfather. I will not spill such secrets without taking the necessary precautions. You will have your answers in due time and with the condition that no one else, no matter how much you trust them, will find out."
"Alright, fine." Harry relented, curiosity getting the best of him "Can we begin tomorrow?"
"We can begin tonight. You will be serving detention with me until you have mastered this skill." Severus decided.
"But-" Harry argued.
"I will not allow any delays. Sirius came back from the brink of death last week and I have no desire to send him back there once more. If this is not something you wish to take on, I have no issues with obliviating your memories in order to ensure both of your safety." Severus said, leaving no room for argument.
Harry deflated at the mention of his godfather's safety and wasn't in the mood to test Severus' threat about erasing his memories. He unwillingly agreed to come back after dinner for his first lesson.
As Harry made his way to the Great Hall, he replayed Severus' words. Not once had the man mentioned keeping the secret for his own sake. His biggest concern was Harry and Sirius. Maybe there was much more to Severus than his 11-year-old brain had originally understood. He would take the Occlumency lessons as an opportunity to learn more.