Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
$Parseltongue$
Chapter 19
Inside Snape's head
Two days after Malfoys unfortunate end classes started again and life at Hogwarts seemed back to normalcy. At the end of the potion class, Snape approached Harry and said.
"Mr. Potter, stay for a moment, I need to have a word with you."
Susan and Hannah looked worried about this. It was not a secret that Professor Snape hated Harry for some reason and they weren't sure what he could possibly want.
Harry looked at them for a moment and reassured them.
"Don't worry, I'll see you at the launch."
This seemed to ease them a bit and then left. Harry took a seat again and waited for Snape to address him.
After everyone has left. Snape closed the door and approached Harry's desk. He then leaned on, close to his face.
"I don't know how you did it. But I know you were involved. Even if no one believes me."
Harry just looked at him and innocently said
"Involved in what professor?"
Snape slammed his hand on the table.
"YOU KNOW WHAT!. My godson Draco's death. "
"That is a very serious accusation, professor. Do you have any proof?" Harry calmly answered.
"I don't. But I know how to get some." He looked at Harry straight in his eyes and muttered something.
This is what Harry has been waiting for. When one uses legilimency on someone who is skilled in occlumency, there are many ways to repel the attack. Block the intrusion with a strong defense, deflect it or even turn it into a counterattack.
Since Harry knew he was not supposed to know any occlumency, he could not show strong defenses. So he lowered his shield, leaving his mind open. But the only thing there were false memories of him having a normal boring life at the Dursleys and then at Hogwarts, just going to class, doing homework, things like that.
While Snape was busy reviewing those memories, looking for something incriminating. He was able to get past his guards and delve deep into his memories.
He watched events that happened shortly before his death. Snape went to Dumbledore and asked for help, in order to save Lily Potter. Dumbledore agrees to help and in exchange, Snape was to become a spy for him. He makes an unbreakable vow.
After Lily's death, he goes back to Dumbledore. He was furious with the old man since he did nothing to save her. But Dumbledore just reminds him that at least her baby has survived.
Dumbledore says that the baby has a great destiny and that Snape can redeem himself by protecting Lily's child.
Memories about his first-class appear before his eyes. The moment Snape lays eyes on him is immediately reminded of his father James Potter, and all of the bitter moments he had back in his student days.
Harry realizes he needs to hurry up and get whatever information Snape has on the philosopher's stone before is too late. He can feel Snape is starting to pull out of his head.
Memories of Snape talking to Dumbledore in his office. The old man mentions that all of the protections are in place. He is planning on placing the stone after the Christmas break because he needs to use the mirror for something else, but refuses to say what.
Suddenly he is pulled back from Snape's mind and finds himself once again in the potions classroom. Probably only a few seconds have passed since time inside a mind is perceived very differently.
"Profesor?" Harry said.
Snape seems to get his bearings again.
"You can go to Potter." Snape seems very tired now.
"Are you sure professor? You seemed very angry with me a moment ago" Harry asked innocently.
"I SAID GO POTER!. " Snape yelled and pointed at the door.
"As you wish professor." Harry gave him a kind smile and left.
—-
That night, at the headmaster's office
"Soo Severus? Did you talk with the boy?" Dumbledore asks while popping a lemon candy in his mouth.
"Yes I did, and he denied having anything to do with Draco's death," Snape said dryly.
"And I assume that wasn't enough and you peered into his mind. What did you see?" The headmaster said knowingly.
"Just Potter's boring life. Going to school, playing with friends, then doing the same in Hogwarts. Nothing illegal, nothing bad. Just normal, boring child things." Snape finished saying.
"Well. I told you he had nothing to do with it. From what I have been hearing from the other teachers, he is an exemplary student."
Snape stood up from the chair and paced around the office nervously.
"That's the thing, headmaster!. No one is that perfect!. It has to be a lie!."
"Are you hearing yourself, Severus? What you are suggesting is a skill that only a master occlumens could have. And even that would not be enough to fool someone with your skill. Are you saying that Mr. Potter is a better occlumens than me?."
"N-no… I…" Snape was a loss for words.]
Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you had your differences with James Potter. But can't let that cloud your judgment on his son. Go get some rest."
Snape nodded and quietly left the office.
The headmaster sat back on his chair and said.
"What do you say, my friend?" He looked at the phoenix, who was standing on his perch.
"What kind of person has Harry Potter grown up to be?. I guess we will find out soon enough. The tests are almost ready."