Conversations in the Chamber
Snape and Harry continued to meet in the Chamber at Midnight. After a few more days, Snape was able to imitate the Parseltongue to open the Chamber without Harry's assistance, which was a welcome relief that prevented the need for one of the two to wait for the other in the bathroom and spend any more time than absolutely necessary with Myrtle.
Over the next week, they discussed at length what each of them had done during the past year and marveled at how the other’s information could have helped them to succeed where they had failed. As a result, Harry was sleep deprived and struggled to rise on time for his classes – though it was much easier to fake his lack of magical knowledge this way. The flying lesson on Thursday would be difficult. As important as what he and Snape were attempting was, Quidditch held a special place in Harry’s heart. He had never felt more at peace than when on a broom. Harry decided to let the events continue as normal. Malfoy’s bullying was laughable after what he’d experienced at the hands of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but after all was said and done, Harry found himself, once again, on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
Snape was less than impressed. “Honestly, Potter, is reliving your first year more important to you than defeating the Dark Lord?”
“If that were the case, Ron and I would be meeting Malfoy for a duel in the trophy room right now.”
“A duel? How was I not told about this?” Snape wondered aloud.
“Because Malfoy set us up. He doesn’t show and we find Fluffy while running from Filch.” Harry explained.
“Fluffy.” He repeated blankly. Then, it clicked. “The Cerberus? Stop. I do not want to know any more about this. Tell me why being the youngest seeker in a century will help us.”
Working with Snape was infuriating. Unfortunately, he had a point.
“It probably won’t.” Harry admitted reluctantly. “But we don’t know what will happen after Voldemort dies. I don’t want to live in a world without Quidditch or without my friends.”
“Our situation is unique. We have no way of knowing what will happen next.” Snape conceded. “Your friends will be useful in the fight, but Quidditch –”
“I won’t give up Quidditch. I won’t let it interfere with what we’re here to do, but I won’t give it up.”
Snape closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “We are obviously not getting anywhere tonight. Get some rest, Potter. We will talk more tomorrow.”
******
The next night, Snape transfigured a wall into a blackboard and drew a line down the middle. He suggested they each write down events to alter, and events that should remain the same. They would discuss and condense their brainstorming into a list of necessary changes.
The old dungeon bat would never address it, but this likely the closest Snape would come to accepting Harry’s choice.
When the board was quite full, they took a seat to consider. While there were a lot of important changes to be made, Harry decided the first step they should take would be eliminating Quirrell. If they didn’t have to spend all year defending the stone from his attack, they might actually be able to come up with a passable plan to destroy Lord Voldemort for once and for all. And his mother’s protection would still be intact. Theoretically, all Harry had to do was touch him.
“This would fundamentally be murder.” Snape objected weakly when Harry shared his thoughts.
“This is war. The time for disarming is past.” Harry said.
Snape nodded approvingly, but looked somewhat grim.
“I’m not actually a child, Professor.” He reminded the man.
“Nevertheless, it is disconcerting to hear a first-year speak so cavalierly about killing.” He said. “But, you are right, Potter. You are not a child. You have not been a child for quite some time now.”
“Thank you.” Harry said.
Snape shook his head. “That was not a compliment. You had to grow up much faster than you should have. A child should be allowed to be a child. The Dark Lord robbed you of the childhood you should have had. As did Petunia.”
Though it was said gently, Harry bristled at the man’s words. “We’re not here to discuss my childhood, Snape." He felt a mortifying wave of anger rise up from his core. The words rushed out before he could stop them. "Since when do you care about how the Dursley’s treated me?”
“Potter, you were a child. I am not such a monster that I believe you – or any child – should be abused –”
Harry saw red. “You knew Aunt Petunia growing up! You knew she hated magic. And you saw the way they treated me during out Occlumency lessons. Stop pretending that you ever gave a shit about me just because I know your secret!”
“As I have told you before, Potter, Legilimency is not mind reading.” He snapped. “It is not like watching a memory in a pensieve. I saw flashes of memories. Granted, the flashes were less glamorous than I expected, but I did not know you were placed with Petunia until then.” he continued calmly.
Harry blinked in surprise. He wasn’t sure what to address first. “You didn’t know?”
“After that night, I was dealing with the potential of Life in Azkaban. I believed your godfather had betrayed your father, but Albus told me you were safe and Minerva had overseen your placement. I did not know where you had been placed, but I did not care to look into it. You were not placed in my house, there was no reason for me to know about your guardians.” His forehead creased as he looked at Harry earnestly. “I should have asked.”
Harry shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to talk about this any longer. “We can’t change the past. Let’s focus on what we can change.”
“I can speak to Albus. I will say I overheard you were living with Petunia, and I have concerns about your upbringing and general safety.” Snape suggested.
He had meant to turn the conversation back towards Quirrell, not to imply a change in his living situation would be possible. “He said I have to stay there. The blood wards make it the safest place for me.” Harry said flatly.
“There are plenty of other ways to keep you safe. Several members of the Order would be more ideal placements for you than Tuney and her husband ever could.” Snape countered. “I will speak to Albus.” He turned and wrote, "Remove Potter from the Dursleys" on the chalkboard, effectively ending the matter.
******
Snape was scowling at Harry's notebook when Harry arrived at the chamber the next night.
“How did it go with the headmaster?” Harry asked cautiously.
Snape had been quicker than usual to anger in Potions that morning, and at lunch the Great Hall was buzzing with gossip about a fifth year Ravenclaw that had been thrown out of class for breathing too loudly during his instructions.
“Apparently, I have overstepped my bounds as a professor and misunderstood my role as your protector.” Snape said irritably.
Shit. He should have known better than to think it would be possible for Snape to change Dumbledore's mind. “I’m sorry – ” he started.
“Do not apologize for the actions of others.” Snape said. “I have a contact at the Department of Family Welfare. I will reach out to see what other options we have. However, your celebrity status and Albus’ involvement will certainly complicate matters and we may not be able to keep it quiet for long.”
“We don’t have to do this. I can handle the Dursleys.” he said.
“Potter, it is written on the board.” Snape insisted. “We agreed that this was a necessary change, so I will continue to work on it. Let me do this.”
“Thank you.” Harry said sincerely.
“Now,” Snape began, “We agreed that to eliminate Quirrell before making any other changes. I believe that it would be best to do so before he sets a troll loose in the castle.”
“No!” Harry objected. At Snape’s look of confusion, he elaborated. “It’s just, that fighting the troll was when Hermione, Ron, and I became friends. I don’t want to change that.”
Snape nodded and handed him a piece of chalk. “Add it to the board.” He sighed.
And so it was decided. The plan to eliminate Quirrell would wait until after Harry, Ron, and Hermione's friendship was solidified on the battlefield.