Talking with Snape
Harry gulped. He sighed. He tried to gain his courage. He failed. He tried again. Come on, Harry. You can do this! He thought to himself. It's not that hard. Right foot down, left foot down, just like that. His little pep talk was not working. He could do this. He could walk down the stairs, turn the corner, walk down the corridor, and knock on the office door of one Professor Severus Snape.
He knew he was being childish. This was childish. He should not still be afraid of the man that risked his life to save the boy he despised. And he wasn't really despised. No, Snape hated who he thought Harry was. Harry was not going to give him this option.
Harry sighed again as he turned the corner and began to stalk down the corridor. He could do this. He could talk to Snape. It wasn't like he was going to taunt the man. No, he was about to talk on his favorite subject…He was going to make this work this time.
Harry situated himself in front of the door to Snape's office. He took a deep breath and held it as he raised his hand to knock on the door. He tapped the door several times. He dropped his hand. Then, he waited. And waited, and waited. As he was about to give up and go back to his dorm, the door opened.
If Harry had not been so scared, he might have thought the scene comical, especially considering the look his professor gave him. Harry never knew Snape could be surprised. Yet, undeniable proof stood in front of him that said otherwise.
"Potter, what are you doing down in the dungeons? Shouldn't you be celebrating your little stunt you pulled during flying lessons?" Snape sneered. Harry breathed deeply. He was going to do this.
"No, sir. I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a minute." Harry countered gently.
"Well, I'm busy. I will always be busy. I will not make time for students as arrogant as you." Snape bit, making to close the door. Harry stopped him.
"Sir, I mean no disrespect. I…I just heard that you knew my mum." Harry looked up hopefully at the older man. He knew he had hooked the potions master, as Snape looked thoughtfully for a moment.
"Your point?" Snape asked uncertainly. Harry swallowed.
"I was wondering if you could tell me something about her." Harry almost whispered. Severus looked up and down the corridor, checking to make sure it was empty. Then, he opened the door wider and ushered Harry in.
"Well, Potter, what is it you want to know? I hardly think that your guardians would neglect telling you about her." Snape said as he sat down at his desk.
"Aunt Petunia doesn't talk about my mum a lot, except to call her a freak." Harry explained meekly. Severus quirked his brow.
"Your aunt will not tell you? Then go to your grandparents, the Evans, they adored Lily and would love to tell you all about her." Snape offered. Harry looked wide eyed.
"Did you know my grandparents?" Harry asked. It seemed like the plot was thickening. Severus didn't know?
"Yes, I am sure that that is how you heard I knew your mother." Severus assumed.
"Actually, I asked Aunt Petunia-once Hagrid told me about the wizarding world-if Mum had any friends. She only knew of you." Harry answered.
"Do you not talk to your grandparents, to not know about the wizarding world? Surely, they would have told you had you only asked." Severus grumbled. The arrogance of the boy, to not even talk to his own grandparents!
"Actually, I never knew my grandparents, sir. They died a month before I was born." Harry responded sadly. That stopped Severus cold. He opened his mouth, and closed it again. He opened his mouth, then closed it once more.
"My condolences. I-I never knew." Severus finally said, stunned.
"It's okay, sir. I know you must be busy, you do so much for us here at Hogwarts." Harry offered, biting his lip. He wanted to burst at the man, scream about how it was unfair that he had these assumptions about Harry. However, Harry really knew it was not this man's fault. In fact, Harry was really angry at Dumbledore. No wonder Severus had thought he was spoiled and arrogant! He thought Harry had been raised by his grandparents, or at least had known them! Harry bit his lip so hard he could taste blood. Dumbledore hadn't just manipulated his life! He had manipulated Professor Snape's, too. Now, Harry's promise to respect the potions master was a lot easier to follow. The man had simply not known!
"What would you like to know, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked the boy, not quite genially.
"What did she like to do in her spare time? What was her favorite class here? What, just what was she like?" Harry breathed. He finally, finally, might get some answers, and he couldn't believe it. He was afraid it would disappear if he uttered a single breath more.
"She…she liked to draw and read. Lily always had her nose in a book. Her favorite class was Charms; she and Flitwick were close. I'm sure he can also give you some decent stories about her. She was genial and loyal. She stood up for her friends and hated bullies…" Snape hesitated. Harry could tell Snape was fighting back to urge to say something along the lines of "like your father". He had to smile at the professor's effort. An awkward silence fell in the room.
"What about my grandparents? Can you tell me something about them, too?" Harry pleaded. Severus looked at him aghast.
"You mean, Petunia never even mentioned them?" Severus gaped. Harry had to bite back a giggle. He had never seen the unflappable Severus Snape wearing his heart on his sleeve like this. He must really have destroyed some preconceived ideas Professor Snape once held.
"No, sir, she didn't. I don't know why. I mean, they were Dudley's grandparents, too. Yet, I don't think he even realizes they existed." Harry answered softly.
"Well, your grandmother, Rose, was just like your mother. She had long red hair and was active. She loved life and was very genial. She loved to bake, and most times, when I came over, I left with a container filled with sweets to take home to my family. She was a housewife, but no one would say she didn't work hard. She kept her house clean and her flowerbeds were pristine." Severus reveled. He watched Harry's eyes shine and a smile played on the corners of his lips. Severus almost found himself enjoying talking to the little brat.
"What about my grandfather?" Harry asked, totally enthralled with the story, now.
"Harold Evans, your namesake? He had the same green eyes you inherited, and his hair was short and brown. He worked at a white-collar job somewhere in business in London. He was a real family man, but he had a special spot for Lily. He was very proud of her. He couldn't believe it when Professor McGonagall came to them and told Lily of her gift. He kept trying to figure out a way around the statute of secrecy so he could tell his golfing friends all about how his Lily was so special she got to go to a magic school. Instead, he told them she was a genius going to a special school made particularly for her, which wasn't too far off. He always told her she could do anything she set her mind to." Severus stopped abruptly and looked down at the young boy. He seemed to be living vicariously through the descriptions his professor was giving him.
Severus had to wonder. What was Albus thinking? Severus thought. Sending the boy to live with Petunia? That was like sending a lamb to the butcher's! Severus could only scoff. Why should he care? He looked into the boy's eyes, so full of hope and gleaming with happiness. Yes, Severus knew he would have to keep an eye on Harry, if only for his vow, if not for Lily's memory.
Harry smiled and looked at his watch. "Thank you so much, Professor Snape! I'm sorry for taking up your time. I greatly appreciate hearing about my mum and grandparents. I know it must be hard. I lost a mother, but you lost a friend." Harry got up from his seat. He waved goodbye to the man. "Goodbye, Professor Snape! See you in potions class!"
Harry walked through the door into the corridor, feeling ten times lighter. That conversation wasn't so hard! What had he been afraid of?