“Severus?” Dumbledore asked questioningly. “Is there something that I have not been informed of?”
Ignoring Dumbledore, Snape continued to stare intently at Harry, their gazes locked. Harry felt like he was about to step off into completely unknown territory, and once again he was going to be exposing himself, but this was extremely important. He’d seen the Death Eater meetings and he knew that Voldemort seriously doubted Snape’s loyalties. A lot of people would have been shocked if they knew his changing feelings about Snape, including Snape himself, but Harry couldn’t let this go without saying something.
“I need you, sir,” Harry said softly. His gaze flicked to the boy in his lap, back up to Snape’s onyx eyes. “More importantly, Draco needs you.”
At those words, Snape dropped his head into his hands, elbows resting on his knees. “You don’t need me, Potter,” Snape muttered. Harry swallowed hard. For Snape to act this way, he obviously knew that his life was very much on the line at the moment. The small sign of what Snape would see as weakness simply hardened Harry’s resolve to try to talk to Snape.
Harry reassured Draco quietly before getting up, setting the boy in his chair. Then he went to kneel before his professor. It made him feel vulnerable, but at the same time it helped him feel a little more connected to Snape. “Professor?” Harry spoke quietly. Snape moved his hands and looked down at Harry.
“I’ve been a right mean bastard to you, Potter,” Snape said, although without his usual venom.
Harry gave him a small smile. “That’s an understatement,” he said, causing Snape’s lips to twitch.
“Professor, bastard or not, you’ve been one of the very few constants in my life. Most people tend to put me up on a pedestal, expecting me to be perfect. You’ve made damn sure that I’ve remained grounded over the years. Admittedly, I don’t exactly enjoy how you’ve gone about it, but you do realize that I’m human and I don’t think many people realize that.”
Harry looked down at the ground. “This is really hard for me to say. Sirius, well, he was Sirius. He did his best to treat me like a father would, loving me and protecting me, but he couldn’t always be around.” Harry paused and attempted to swallow the painful lump that had lodged in his throat. “I figured out that even though you’ve been far from loving, you’ve always been there for me the last five years.”
Snape snorted, causing Harry to look up again and smirk at him. “Professor, I may not agree with your methods, but I’ve needed you there in my life. You’ve saved my life on numerous occasions and whether you’ve wanted to or not, you’ve done your best to protect me. I do appreciate all that you’ve done.”
Harry turned to gaze unseeingly out the window. “I also respect all that you’ve done for the Order. I’m sure you’ll tell me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that I’m one of the few that truly understand the hell you’ve been putting yourself through for the side of the Light. I’ve seen it,” Harry said quietly in a pained voice. “I’ve seen and heard what you’ve been through.”
Harry shook his head as if clearing it of the visions he didn’t want to see again. “Sir, whether you believe me or not that I have personal reasons for not wanting to see you killed, there’s also the fact that I need you to teach me and to train me. I don’t want to see you dead and we both know that he’ll likely kill you soon if you continue to go back.”
“Sev’rus,” a tiny, shaky voice broke in. “I don’t want you to die neither.” Draco hesitated briefly but then threw his arms around his godfather and hugged him tightly.
Snape looked a little unsure of what to do with this little bundle, but then put his arms around him and hugged the little child back.
“Sir, it’s not my decision, but I don’t think you should go back. To hell with anything I’ve said. He’s the reason you shouldn’t,” Harry said, gesturing to Draco.
“Harry,” Dumbledore spoke up gently. “Perhaps you and Draco can return after dinner so we can discuss your powers.”
Harry nodded and stood up to gather his and Draco’s bags. When Draco released his godfather, Harry grabbed his hand and they quietly left Dumbledore’s office.
In the time before dinner, Harry had Draco show him the dragon statue and they wandered around, slowly working their way down towards the Great Hall. They had already eaten not really that long before, but both of them ate again as they had dinner with the Gryffindors, before making their way back up to Dumbledore’s office.
Harry entered warily, unsure of his reception from Snape. Snape just nodded and told them to sit.
“Harry, under the circumstances, it has been deemed prudent for Snape not to return to his other duties. Unfortunately, as you seem to already be aware, this means that there will be more responsibility on your shoulders,” Dumbledore said gravely.
Harry nodded. “I realize this, sir, and I accept it.”
“Then I’m sure that you are also aware that it would be best if you were able to reach us quickly at night when your visions generally occur,” Dumbledore continued.
Harry nodded warily, narrowing his eyes at the headmaster whose eyes were twinkling again.
Dumbledore smiled benignly. “In light of these circumstances and other recent events, we think it best if you and Draco are moved to Professor Snape’s quarters.”
Harry’s eyes widened incredulously and his head whipped to stare at Snape.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked.
Snape nodded. “Particularly after the events of last night, I don’t believe anyone will question you and Draco being moved. Certainly your dorm mates’ sleep will be interrupted less.”
Harry winced. “Yes, we did kind of keep everyone awake.”
“Have you told anyone about how long Draco will remain this age?” Dumbledore asked.
Harry shook his head. “No, I wasn’t sure if it was okay to say anything yet.”
“At this point, that will lend credence to you moving to my quarters,” Snape pointed out. “This will allow me to help with Draco as needed and I will be readily available to help deal with your visions of the Dark Lord. Also, after Draco goes to sleep each night, I can work with you regarding your Occlumency. I think it is possible for me to teach you how to block your mind so that Voldemort cannot get in and plant information, while still allowing you to cross the link.”
Harry sighed and nodded, resigned to the situation. Everything they were saying made sense. “Yes, sir. When will we be moved?”
“Your things will be moved tomorrow while you are out shopping,” Dumbledore said, smiling at Harry. “Once you return, Professor Snape can show you to your new room. Now, I believe we need to discuss your powers.”
Snape sneered. “I assume since I’ve heard no reports of accidents that you were able to avoid using magic today?”
Harry grinned. “The only problem was Charms class and I redirected everyone’s attention off of me and onto Draco instead,” he said slyly.
Snape raised an eyebrow in question and Dumbledore looked at Harry curiously.
“Could you conjure me a feather, sir?” Harry asked Dumbledore, who willingly complied and passed the feather to Harry.
Harry turned to Draco and grinned. “Care to show them what you learned today?” he asked.
Draco had been sitting quietly. His eyes lit up when he understood what Harry was asking and he nodded eagerly, getting his wand out. Harry set the feather on the small side table and Draco stood to face it, his face becoming determined.
“Wingardium Leviosa!” Draco intoned. The feather rose a few inches off the table before dropping again.
Harry beamed. “That’s the best you’ve done! Great job!” he exclaimed, giving Draco a hug.
Draco turned to look at his godfather and Dumbledore, smiling proudly.
“I’m quite impressed,” Snape said, his expression actually showing that he was impressed for once.
“Excellent indeed,” Dumbledore agreed, smiling at both boys proudly. “Quite impressive that you were able to learn this, Draco, and also impressive that you were able to teach it to a four-year-old, Harry.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Harry said, grinning proudly at Draco. “Draco did all the work.”
But Snape was shaking his head. “I know for a fact that Draco did not learn that spell until he was much older and the boy had tutors. You’ve obviously done something different to be able to teach this spell to Draco.”
Harry winked at Draco. “We just make a good team.”
“It would appear so,” Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling merrily. “Now, Harry, we need to discuss your magic. Professor Snape has already informed me of the interesting magic you performed yesterday.”
Harry’s expression turned a bit sheepish. “I’m not sure what happened, sir. I’ve never performed magic like that. It just got out of control.”
Snape’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know the spells that repaired everything and healed everyone at once?”
