Despite Severus keeping a cool and calm facade, he was still seething at Black for implying that he had corrupted Harry in turning him against him. Severus only spoke the truth of Black and James Potter when he finally answered his question of why he hated James and Sirius.
They had bullied him, just as Harry suspected they had. They also played a part in ruining his friendship with Lily, had they just left him alone he wouldn't have lost his temper and called her that foul name. He didn't know what possessed him to say that it wasn't on his mind when he had only wanted to say, 'I don't need her to fight for me!'
He probably was cursed to say the words that spewed out of his mouth instead, 'I don't need a Mud blood like her to help me!' It wouldn't surprise him if one of the Slytherins or even Black or maybe Pettigrew had cursed him to say those words, all he knew was that that was not what he wanted to say, even Harry believed that he may have been cursed to say those words because of how he spoke of Lily and how much he cared about her.
Harry could tell he cared about Lily, but he did more than care for her, he loved her, he still loves her. She had been his only reason to protect Harry, but somewhere along the way, Severus began to care for the boy. Almost like a father. But how can he gain such a strong parental feeling in just a short amount of time? After hating the boy for being a living reminder that he lost Lily to his rival and bully.
That was something else that Harry brought up and was confused about, Lily knew how James was and how he had treated Severus, why would she want to be with him knowing hat he did to her best friend and how could Lily as bright as she was be so mad at him that she'd end their friendship, surely she would know Severus enough to know that he hadn't meant those words or that something was wrong when he had.
It confused Severus as well, why hadn't Lily figured it out that something was wrong? Was she just consumed by her anger towards him that she was blinded by it? She hadn't even let him explain or apologize later that night when he came to the Tower.
But now, he was angry and the only thing that helped him when he was like this, was use a punching bag.
He had gone a few rounds with the punching bag that he set up in the cellar when he heard screaming coming from upstairs, it was Harry.
He ran up the stairs, through the kitchen, up the stairs to the second floor and burst through Harry's door, wand at the ready for anything that was there, instead, all he found was Harry thrashing in bed from a nightmare.
" Harry, Harry, wake up, it's just a bad dream! " He gently shook him to wake him, Harry finally woke up with a start, seeing Severus he reverted back to how his uncle used to be and began to apologize and protect himself,
" I'm sorry! I'm sorry! " He repeated until Severus gently held him in a hug,
" Breath Harry, breath. You are safe. You are not at the Dursleys. You are here with me. " When that didn't work Severus tried something he hadn't done in a long time, he hummed.
It was a song he once heard Rose Evans hum when he walked by the kitchen and heard her humming as she cooked dinner for that night. He didn't know the name of the song, but it was nice to listen to.
Soon Harry calmed down and was able use some of his Occlumency training push back the memories of his uncle beating him with the belt for disturbing his sleep. And focus on Severus' deep humming, it sounded like a lullaby that he was humming or maybe a song he heard from the radio. Either way, it was nice and soothing.
He took notice that Severus was wearing a white sleeveless undershirt, he saw on his left arm a tattoo of a skull and serpent, he didn't think his teacher was the tattoo type, but there it was.
Severus said earlier he had a mark of the Death Eaters, but he wasn't one of them. His loyalties lied with Lily and the Good side of the war. If this was the Mark of the Death Eaters, then Harry now knew what to look for.
Severus stopped humming and saw that Harry was looking at his tattoo, he hated that tattoo and what it stood for.
" The mark of a Death Eater. " He answered his unasked question.
" I thought so. "
" Mind telling me about your nightmare? "
" It wasn't like a nightmare, it was like a vision. "
" A vision? "
" I saw Pettigrew and V-The Dark Lord in a house, they were talking about their next move and got interrupted by a man, The Dark Lord ordered Wormtail to kill him, and he did. But the scary part was it was like I was Him and giving the orders. "
" It would seem that we need to hasten your training. "
" Why? "
" Because I fear your vision was more than that and if you can see through the Dark Lord's eyes Harry... "
" Than he could see through mine and see what you've been doing and you'll be in trouble or worse. "
" Exactly. "
" I won't let him. "
" I- " Severus stopped himself, he was going to say he didn't need the boy protecting him, he could fight his own fights.
" I can teach you to create false memories, they've in handy for me over the years when I was under his thumb. But they are tricky if they are not just right, he'll see through them and we don't want that. "
" How do I do that? "
" It's like using your imagination or pretending something happened a way you wanted or wished had happened. But we will discuss this more in the morning. " He summoned a dreamless sleep potion,
" Drink this, it will help with anymore visions or nightmares you may have. " He continued handing the potion to Harry, who took it without question, he handed the vial back to him,
" Thank you Professor. "
" You're welcome Harry. Now get some rest. "
" Yes sir. "
Severus tucked him in and Harry waited until he left before he closed his eyes to go back to sleep, but before he did, he saw on Severus' familiar scars on the man's shoulders. Belt scars. He really did know what it was like to grow up the way Harry had.
---
Severus informed Albus as soon as he was out of Harry's room of what the boy had seen and that he suspected that it was no ordinary nightmare, Albus agreed and that Severus made the right call in hastening Harry's training of Occlumency. He said he would look into it, but seeing as Harry didn't know the location, it would be difficult to find out anything further.
---
Today Severus was teaching Harry to be aware of his surroundings while he meditated alone. First with his eyes closed and with only the sound of the rain. Harry tried to focus on clearing his mind again while trying to listen to his surroundings, but he heard nothing, not even Severus breathing, then again he couldn't because the sound of the rain was turned up.
All he heard was the rain, next thing he knew a huff of breath hit the back of his head, too deep to be a normal human's, he turned around and jumped back as a...
Solid black Inostrancevia with turmeric orange eyes that pierced through his green eyes, freezing him in place, sitting down the Inostrancevia towered over him and even if Harry stood up it would still tower over him, it had long front incisors that reached below it's lower jaw and were sharp as knives, it's black claws were short, but they too were sharp as knives, it strong and powerful, Harry could clearly see it's muscles flex as it breathed.
Then before his eyes, it stood up on it's hind quarters and morphed into his Potions Professor.
" You're an Animagus? "
" Yes. And I would like for it to be kept between us, only Albus knew of this. "
" I won't tell anyone, not even my friends. "
Severus nodded, " Now let's work on you being aware of your surroundings. "
---
Albus came to visit again, saying that there was a quidditch cup game happening soon and that Ron and his family won tickets to the game, there was two extra tickets and Ron invited Harry and Hermione come along.
" Can I go? " Harry asked Severus.
" Yes, but you must listen to what Arthur and Molly tell you. "
" I will. " Harry promised.
" Excellent! I'll inform Arthur and Molly and I'll come and take Harry to them. "
" I can do that Albus. You still need to finish up the paperwork. "
" But you also need to finish preparing for school. "
" It's a short trip. You have more pressing matters. "
" Quite right my boy, well I best be off. Good day to you both. "
" Good day to you as well Headmaster. " They returned.
Albus smiled at this and disappeared in the fireplace in a flash of green flames.
" You sure about taking me to the Weasleys? Ron's going to freak out when he sees you. "
" Let him, you can tell him where you were this summer in person, I care not what he or anyone else thinks, I learned to let that go a long time ago. "
" Do you need any help with preparing for school? "
" There are a few potions that need brewing, care to join me? "
" Sure! "
---
What's he doing here?! " Ron exclaimed coming down the stairs when he heard the floo, he ran down to greet his best friend only to stop upon seeing Snape there with Harry, he expecting the headmaster, not Snape of all people and why was Harry standing so close to the man that hated him?
Harry hadn't told him where he had been all summer only that he was safe, had he been with Snape this whole summer? How was that safe?
" Ronald Weasley! You will show Professor Snape respect while he is here and had better do the same at school. " His mother scolded him,
" Severus has been looking after Harry this whole summer. " She continued.
" What?! But they hate each other! How are they still alive? "
" It wasn't that bad Ron. Better than the Dursleys that's for sure. " Harry said, looking up at his professor with a smile that one could mistake for cheeky, but they knew different.
" He's done something to him. "
" He has not Ron! "
" Harry, remember your training. " Severus said.
Harry took a breath and his features calmed, he had gotten better at controlling his emotions with Occlumency, he was still working on protecting his mind from an attack. He did manage to push Severus out of his mind and ended up going into his mind by accident.
He thought the man would kill him for seeing him as child being put through similar to what he had gone through but he instead talked with him about what he saw and explained what had happened.
He even saw a flash of his mum as a girl smiling at Severus, he was smiling back shyly. Before Severus pushed him back, he only saw what he had because he surprised him. And Severus had no time to block his mind.
The next time he did that, Severus had blocked him and he didn't anything but a brick wall.
" Training? What training? "
" Long story. That is, if it's alright to tell him and Hermione. " Harry looked up at Severus as he said the last part.
" So long as they don't go blabbing. "
" Who'd believe us? They'd think we've gone mad. "
" That's enough Ronald Weasley. Now, can I get you anything Severus before you go? "
" No thank you Molly, I need to finish up my school preparations. Should you need anything let me know. "
" I think we got it covered here, but if anything happens we'll floo you straight away. "
" I should hope not. But I'll be over as soon as I can should you have need to call me. Harry, be good and behave. "
" I will sir, see you later. "
Severus nodded and disappeared in the green flames.
The second he was gone Ron grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him upstairs, " You have got to tell me what is going on! "
" Not before eating something he isn't. "
" I've already ate Mrs. Weasley. "
"Then have a biscuit deary. "
" Thank you Mrs. Weasley. " Harry took a chocolate biscuit and followed after Ron and tell him all that's happened.
---
Hermione was in the room, so Harry was able to tell them both of what happened after Hermione greeted him with a hug.
Once he finished telling them, only Hermione was understanding of what was going on and why he needed Occlumency training, Ron was still stuck Harry having to stay with Snape the rest of the summer and it caused them to fight, it got so loud that Hermione was joining in to get them to stop.
Molly came up and they finally stopped, Harry apologized to her but she brushed it off, he did nothing wrong as far as she was concerned, she knew her youngest son and that seemed to upset Ron more and he refused to talk to Harry the rest of night as Hermione asked questions about Snape's house and what the adults were going to do about the Dursleys.
Ron and Hermione knew some of how the Dursleys treated Harry and Hermione was smart enough to know for Snape to take out of there and for the adults to have the Dursleys brought to court it was worse than what he had told them and all she could do was hug him and let him know that she'd be there for him if he needed her.
She then asked about Occlumency and all that came with it, Harry had brought the book with him to keep practicing and showed it to her, she began to read it immediately, Harry grinned at her enthusiasm of getting to read a new book, he hedged that she might have competition this year in school, but wouldn't say who it'd be and that she'd have to guess.
---
The next day was the game and everything was going well until the end of the game when Death Eaters attacked and threw the same mark that Harry had seen on Snape's arm in the sky like a firework, letting all see it as they panic spread, Arthur got them all out of there before any of the Death Eaters could find Harry and back to the Burrow.
Molly called Severus immediately and he came, unaware of the attack. Harry ran to him and hugged him right there in front of everyone, not caring how he looked.
Severus had an arm around him as he asked what had happened.
His face turned grim as Arthur told him of the attack and who was responsible.
" We'll need to call an Order meeting straight away " Arthur said.
" We need to tell Albus first then call a meeting, we also need to ward the house just in case. "
" I'll handle that, you two see to the children and call Albus. " Molly said going outside with her wand in hand.
" What's happening? " Harry asked.
" I'm not sure Harry. But we'll find out, right now, I need you to go over with your friends and let me call Albus, alright? "
" Okay. " Harry took a breath and soon he was calm once more as he joined his friends. Watching as Severus called Albus and soon the man was there, the adults then sent the children upstairs so that could discuss what happened and what steps to take.
Ron wanted to see what was going on, but Harry was against it, Hermione agreed as did the twins for once, so went alone and was quickly spotted by Severus who sent him back up stairs with a glare and a scolding from Molly.
The twins laughed while Harry and Hermione gave him a look of 'told you so'.
Soon they were called down and to bring their packs with them. They were going to Order Headquarters, whatever that was, but it sounded important, and they were soon out of the Burrow and back in Sirius Black's home.
Sirius knew that something had to have happened since Albus, Severus, Arthur, Molly, and the kids were all there.
" What's happened? "
" A Death Eater attack. " Albus answered and Sirius looked to Snape,
" And you didn't know about it? Some spy you are Snivelus. "
" Need I remind you of what happened the last time you acted like this Black? " Severus replied cooly.
" What happened? " Hermione asked Harry in a whisper.
" Sirius got upset and charged at Professor Snape and Professor Snape caught his fist and punched him in the gut. He had it coming to be honest. "
" Snape punched Black? " Ron asked in shock, sure the man could be strict and harsh, but he's never known the man to get violent.
" Self-defense Ron. "
" Remus, would you mind showing the kids to their room while we set up down here for a meeting. " Sirius asked Remus behind him.
" Not at all Sirius, this way kids. " Remus replied and gestured to the stairs, " Ignore the screaming portrait, it's Sirius' mother and she uh, doesn't take too kindly to strangers. "
" STRANGERS?! THEY ARE BLOOD-TRAITORS! HALF-BLOODS! AND A MUDBLOOD! HOW DARE HE BRING SUCH FILTH IN THIS HOUSE!! "
" Shut it you old hag! " Sirius shouted from down stairs, " It's my house and I'll bring whoever I damn well please inside it! "
" See? "
They nodded and had them pick a room they liked and told them to stay up here until the meeting was over, afterwards they'd meet the other Order members.
---
Harry met the Order of the Phoenix members about an hour or so later some he recognized, like McGonagall. The Weasleys, Albus, Severus, Sirius, and Remus, others he was introduced to Like Mundungus, a man called Mad-eye where he had a magic eye that moved about of its own, quiet the character that one. A young girl with purple hair Nymphadora Tonks, who happened to be Sirius' cousin and seemed to fancy Remus. A dark-skinned man called Kingsley Shacklebolt. Hagrid was also a member, but he couldn't make it. He also found out that his parents were also members along with Neville's parents before they were committed to St Mungo's because Sirius' other cousin and Tonks'; as she liked to be called, Aunt Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured them to madness.
Her other aunt was none other than Mrs. Malfoy, so that made Draco Malfoy her cousin as well as Sirius'.
Speaking of Sirius, he came next to Harry and smiled at him, " You alright Harry? "
" I'm fine. "
" That's good. Snivelus treating you well? "
" Stop calling him that and yes, he is. Why do you hate him so much? He's done nothing to you or to my dad. And why did you ruin his friendship with my mum? "
" Harry, I was young and stupid then... "
" Do you have any idea what it's like to be bullied or hated for no reason? I know what it feels like. It's not fun and it's not amusing. It's awful, it's painful, and it make you feel worthless. So, tell me what he did, did he look at you wrong? Did he say the wrong that you didn't like? Or was just because you were bored? "
" Now see here Harry... "
" No, I want an answer! That man has done nothing, absolutely nothing to you or to my dad and yet you both thought it funny to put him through hell. "
" Harry, that's enough. He won't answer you. Because even he doesn't know the answer to that only the excuse that he was young and stupid, he doesn't regret what he's done, and he'll never feel remorse for it. " Severus said, coming over after hearing their conversation, though he was touched by the boy's anger on his behalf, and understood where he was coming from, after all, Severus hated bullies as well and couldn't stand to see someone bully another.
This was a useless fight.
" Butt out Snivelus! "
" I told you to stop calling him that! "
" Stay out of it Lily! "
" Watch your tone Black and don't you dare speak her name like that. "
" Well, well, looks someone still fancies a certain someone. " Black taunted.
Severus' jaw ticked, a sign that he was losing his temper, he was not ashamed of his love for Lily, he just didn't like someone using it against him.
" Had Lily been here Black, I have no doubt she'd have turned you into the Ass that you are acting. "
" Why you! " Sirius lunged at him once again, but he dodged the move Snape made to stop and got him in the face.
" Professor Snape! " Harry exclaimed.
" Stay there Harry. Clearly Black is bored. " Snape wiped at his lip, Sirius didn't knock him down, only caused him to stumble a bit.
" Leave him alone! " Harry shouted at Black as he made to go at him again, Severus dodged him this time, he elbowed him in the back, causing him to hit the floor.
" I suggest you stay down Black. I'm not the same 15-year-old I once was. " Severus warned him but Black didn't listen and lunged at him again, only this time, he was in his Animagus form.
" Desperate now. How predicable. " Severus said dodging him smoothly.
Sirius landed and turned around again only to face Severus with turmeric orange eyes glaring back at him, it caused him to pause only a moment before he lunged at him again, teeth bared, claws out, but Snape had his wand out,
" Spectasempera! " He shouted, the spell hit Sirius, and he yelped in pain he landed on the floor with a sicken wet sound.
Sirius convulsed and withered about, yelping in pain.
" Severus, that's enough. " Albus said.
" Very well, though I did warn him Albus. " Severus knelt down and whispered a counter spell over Sirius's form that stopped withering.
Once he was healed, Severus pulled a potion out of his coat pocket, " Drink this once you return to normal, it'll help the pain. " Severus informed him.
" I trust that Harry will alright here for the time being? I need to do some digging. "
" Be careful Severus. And yes, Harry will be fine here. "
" What's going on? "
" I need to make sure everything is alright. It'll take time, but I will be there when they come for the Dursleys. You need to stay here until then. Keep practicing your Occlumency. "
" Yes sir...stay safe. "
" Wouldn't be the first time I walked into a den of snakes. You stay safe as well. "
" I will sir. "
" There's a good Lad. Albus. " Severus nodded to him and left the house in a whisp of black smoke.
" Bloody bastard! " Sirius ground out as he finally got up.
" You should take that Sirius, it's pain relief. " Harry said, " I'm going to bed early if you don't mind. "
" Not at all Harry, it's been a long a night. I shall see you at the end of the week where you and I will attend our own meeting at the Ministry. "
" Yes sir. Good night, everyone. "
" Good night, Harry. " Most returned.
Once Harry was in his room, McGonagall scolded Sirius, " What has gotten into you Sirius Orion Black? Severus has been nothing but kind to that boy and has protected him this whole summer. As Harry asked, what has Severus done to you to warrant such behavior? To my knowledge he's done nothing to you so why continue to instigate him into fighting you? You keep this up and Severus will not hold back; he has shown very much restraint with you. "
" You call that restraint?! He could've killed me! "
" Well now you know how he feels when you nearly got him killed your fifth year. "
Remus flinched at that.
" And all because you thought it funny to lure him out like that, having him think that Lily wanted to see him to make up for what happened down at the lake. Which is something I find very interesting as Severus was doing nothing but reading a book when you and James attacked him. And to my knowledge he hadn't done anything to you or to James to warrant such an attack, in fact he had done his best avoid you two. "
" Why do you care? It's just Snape. "
" I care because that man is a human being and doesn't deserve the treatment, he's been subject to for years. And also, because Lily came to me wanting answers for questions that she had. "
" What kind of questions? "
" The kind that had her concerned with how she was acting and how it wasn't like herself to be that way towards her best friend whom she had known since they were 9 years old! Now what have you and James done to Lily?! "