SNARRY-A-THON10: FIC: The Best Laid Plans of Severus Snape Title: The Best Laid Plans of Severus Snape Author:lilyseyes/lilyeyes Rating: PG-13 Word count: 1,893 Warning(s): *Pre-slash, AU, implied child abuse/neglect* Prompt: #95 - Snape stakes his claim on the mate he wants - Harry Potter Summary: Severus Snape has devised a fool-proof plan to befriend young Harry Potter, determined to eventually claim the Boy Who Lived as his mate. A/N: Several quotes taken from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Many thanks to alisanne who beta'd and sassy_cissa who proofed this - *smooches*
The Best Laid Plans of Severus Snape
Severus Snape carefully watched the first years file into the Great Hall, searching for the familiar mess of dark hair. He'd been observing Harry Potter for so many years that Severus was able to spot him immediately, despite the boy's runty stature. Harry blinked owlishly around him, jaw slack as he took in the grandeur of his surroundings. Severus watched him with greedy eyes, feasting on the sight of the person he had chosen as his mate.
The sorting came as no surprise, especially after the way Harry had been brought up; self-sacrificing, bravery, and a burning desire to prove himself made him a perfect Gryffindor. The neglect of his childhood, always flirting at the edge of abuse, had left Harry underweight, insecure, starved for affection, and perfect for Severus' plans. Having clandestinely watched Harry since he'd been placed with Petunia's family, Severus knew him well, knowledge that would come in handy as he courted the boy.
Harry looked up uncertainly, as if he could feel Severus' gaze on him, and met Severus' eyes unflinchingly. They were filled with open curiosity and Severus kept his face carefully neutral, inclining his head slightly. The Weasley twins were no doubt filling his head with their descriptions of the Hogwarts staff, but Severus received a half-smile in return. That made the start Harry gave when he looked at that imbecile Quirrell all the more curious.
Watching the Prefects hustle the first years towards their dormitories, Severus made his apologies to Albus Dumbledore, who barely noticed as he crowed over Harry’s Sorting with Minerva McGonagall. Making his way down to the dungeons, Severus went over his carefully constructed plan in his mind for the thousandth time. He still had his introductory speech to make to the Slytherin first years; this term's additions were heavy with Death Eater progeny.
* * * * *
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." Severus began his speech, his eyes sweeping the classroom, allowing them to linger briefly on where Harry scribbled notes.
The class was riveted, captivated by his vision of brewing glory and bottling death pitched in a near whisper. It was only a slight variation of the speech he'd first made as a too young, newly minted Potions master and professor, when he thought he actually had to interest the dunderheads in the subject they were supposed to learn. Now it was designed more to see who listened with enthusiasm so that Severus could foster those student's interest in the subject, the other students' were dismissed as irrelevant. Harry Potter seemed to hang onto his every word. Good. Severus took a breath, now was the time.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered horn of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Severus was careful to moderate his tone.
Harry's eyes, Lily's eyes, grew wide, and an embarrassed flush stained his cheeks as he set his quill down. "I…I don't know, sir."
Severus allowed his eyes to narrow as he held Harry's. "Were you unable or unwilling to read your textbook?"
"I…I…"
Severus knew the answer, of course, he'd been watching when Harry had been returned to Privet Drive by Hagrid and had seen Dursley lock the new trunk away. There was a burst of whispering, much like the whispers Severus was sure had followed Harry all morning long, the curse of being the Boy Who Lived. Eyes never leaving Harry's, Severus switched his tactics.
"Finnegan, can you answer the question?"
The Gryffindor sputtered even as the bushy-haired girl next to Harry fairly leapt from her seat she was waving her hand in the air so vigorously.
"Crabbe?"
The son of the Dark Lord's most dimwitted follower didn't disappoint Severus with his unintelligible response. The embarrassed flush was receding as Harry learned he wasn't the only unprepared student.
"Malfoy?"
The blond's smirk was entirely too reminiscent of his father's. "Draught of Living Death, Professor Snape."
"Correct. Granger, where would I find a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat, sir!"
"Correct. Now, as it is obvious that there are a number of students in this class that have not even looked over the textbook, much less read it, tonight you will read the first two chapters!" Severus raked his eyes over the room, daring the little twits to protest.
Silence reigned and Severus proceeded with his lecture before assigning them a simple potion to cure boils. He'd already singled out the Longbottom boy as hopeless before he managed to melt the cauldron he and Finnegan were using. Severus sent them to the hospital wing for Madam Pomfrey to sort out and banished the foul liquid with a flick of his wand. Malfoy's potion was perfect, no doubt thanks to the expensive tutor Lucius had hired a year ago. Most of the other students, including Harry, were able to produce at least a mediocre potion, although Granger's was better than Severus had expected of a Muggleborn.
Severus straightened his robes, it was time to lay the critical foundation. "Everyone bottle up a sample of your potion, clean your work station, and get out," he snapped, circling behind Harry. "Potter, stay behind."
Weasley grimaced sympathetically and Granger hesitated, as if she would wait, but Harry waved them away. Severus studied Harry's face as he carefully packed his new bag, treating each one of his possessions as if it were precious. It was apparent by his behavior that some portion of Severus' reputation had preceded him, and Severus knew this was a crucial moment in his plan.
Forcing himself to relax, Severus moved silently to stand next to Harry's workstation. He could feel the boy's magic radiating off him; the sheer strength was intoxicating. Severus had been as sensitive to Lily's magic when they were young and he was determined to use these two factors in his favor.
"Did you actually have access to your school books prior to the train ride, Harry?"
Harry looked up at him in surprise. "Well, not really, sir."
Severus nodded his head. "Petunia always did hate anything that had to do with magic, I couldn't see her allowing you to study magical books."
Harry blinked. "You…you know my aunt, Professor?"
"Oh yes, since I was younger than you are now. Your mother and I used to hide from her as often as we could just to get away from her nastiness." Severus allowed the corners of his mouth to twitch upwards. "Petunia was always jealous of our friendship and our magic."
Forgetting his bag and Severus' fearsome demeanor, Harry stepped closer, a smile lighting his face. "You knew my mum?"
"Yes," Severus said, holding very still. "Lily was my best friend, although your father and I didn't exactly get along."
Harry didn't seem to mind. "Can you tell me what she looked like, please?"
Dear Merlin, it was worse than Severus had imagined. Flicking his wand, Severus summoned the old Muggle-style picture of Lily he had stashed in his desk drawer. Harry watched eagerly as Severus caught it and ran a fond finger down Lily's bright hair. Leaning down, he silently handed the picture to her son.
Severus wasn't prepared for the tears that welled in Harry's eyes or the tremble in his fingers. Awkwardly, Severus reached down to squeeze Harry's shoulder, not surprised at the thinness he felt there. Harry leaned into this touch and Severus stiffened. This was unexpected.
"Will you…will you tell me about her?"
Harry's eyes glistened as he looked up at him and Severus resisted the impulse to ignore his plans. "I would be happy to; perhaps you could come to my office tomorrow afternoon for tea?"
Nodding excitedly, Harry looked back down at picture, giving Severus a peek at the lightning bolt scar on the boy's forehead.
"Harry, was your scar hurting you last night at the feast?"
Hesitating briefly, Harry straightened his shoulders. "Yes, sir, when I looked at Professor Quirrell. It kind of burned, like it was on fire."
Severus extended his hand slowly toward Harry. "May I see?"
Harry looked down shyly, but leaned toward him and Severus didn't hesitate. Taking a step closer, he gently brushed the fringe back from the scar, tracing it with his finger. The tingle of Harry's magic was mixed with something Darker, and Severus jerked away.
"It's ugly, isn't it?"
"No!" Severus laid his hand on Harry's head, marveling at the softness of the tousled hair. "It's a mark of strength, Harry, and love, as I like to believe that it was your mother's love that stopped the curse from killing you." Dumbledore's theory about the ancient magic in Lily's sacrifice would wait until Harry better understood how magic worked.
Severus let his hand linger. "I know that all of this has to be confusing, Harry. The fact that no one told you that you were a wizard and now coming to Hogwarts, it all can be a bit overwhelming. I just wanted you to know that you can always come to me if you would like, to talk about your mother or discuss your schoolwork. Send me a note first, though, and it would be best if you didn't mention our discussions, as it would not do to have the other students think I am favoring you. I do have a reputation to uphold!" Sneering at the boy only brought a tentative smile from Harry.
"I'll use Hedwig, she's my owl."
With a last pat to the soft hair, Severus dropped his hand. He hadn't meant to give Harry a means to communicate with him, wanting to completely control their encounters, but the shadow of loneliness in the boy's eyes had touched something deep inside Severus, something he decided to ignore for the moment. Severus knew with every fibre of his being that the Dark Lord would be resurrected, and Severus planned on battling him at Harry's side as a mate should. He would do everything to ensure they both survived. Sharing the Potter name and fortune would restore the honor of the Snape line.
"Off with you now, dinner will be starting shortly," Severus told him brusquely, stepping back. "And do be cautious around your new acquaintances, Harry, at least until they prove they are truly friends and not just people who wish to be close to the Boy Who Lived."
Sliding the picture of his mum into a pocket in his robes, Harry bent and picked up his bag. "I'll be careful, Professor, I promise."
The boy took three steps towards the door, before turning and flying back across the room to throw his arms around Severus' waist in an awkward hug. Completely taken back, Severus found his arms circling the thin shoulders reflexively and hugged Harry back. Their magic seemed to surge together and Harry looked up at him with Lily's intelligence and intuition, smiling.
"Thank you."
Then, Harry was gone and Severus let a self-satisfied smirk curve his lips. He ignored the unexpected twinge of emotion in his chest at the thought of the lonely little boy, pleased with the outcome of their first meeting. Speaking to Harry first, before Albus Dumbledore or anyone else filled his mind with half-truths and nurtured the boy's self-sacrificing notions, Severus had established himself in Harry's mind as a friend. It was the first step in staking his claim on his future mate.