“Why did you do that?” Harry asked, unable to think of a better question.

Snape sighed, looking at him with empty eyes. “Your mother is a good person, Harry. Kind and forgiving. They get taken advantage of.”

They do, he heard Magnus agree. John and Lilith, they were nice to me. When I was a child, I remember seeing them in the streets, handing out bowls of soup to the homeless people...

Harry ignored him, Magnus droned again as he always did. “She trusted you! She thought you were her friend! You are-”

“A bad person? Yes, I am Harry.” Snape said.

… and he died there, a knife through his eye, without as much as a scream. She didn’t even have the chance to cry when they came for her.

Harry sat, staring at him with a glare. “Do not call me that.” He said. A chill ran up his spine at Magnus’ words. What was he talking about? He heard a sigh in his head.

Do you ever listen?

He shook it aside as Snape spoke up. “I’m sorry, Potter. But I’m afraid you have no choice but to stay with me now, the infirmary is not a nursery.” He said.

“And this place is?” Harry challenged.

“No, but it is a classroom, and you can start learning early. Lily wants an animagus potion for you, so you are no regular child. I can see that too, but don’t for a second think that I’m one of the fools that believe you’ve killed the dark lord. You are not ordinary, I mean to find out how much.” Snape said.

Harry heard a bustling sound as a few students walked in. They were in their teenage years, probably second year students if he were to guess. His eyes widened. “You’re having me stay for a potions lesson?”

“If you would like, I can also find you pens to draw.” If Harry had not seen it himself, he would have never believed this was the same Snape who had cried in front of his mother.

“I’ll participate in the lesson.” Harry said.

The students filled the room, and Snape turned towards them. The students quieted as his gaze rested on them, silent and watchful. “For your practice test today, we will be brewing potions for house points.” He said. “You may choose any formula for three potions. The first third to finish all of them gain ten points, and the last third lose ten. We will be having a guest today.” He said, pointing his wand at Harry.

“This is Harry Potter, who I am sure you have all heard about. He is four years old, and I will be teaching him personally for this lesson. I expect all of you to finish before he does. Those who fail to do so, lose thirty points.” Snape said, waving his wand. A sheet of paper appeared on each student’s desk. “Begin.”

Harry looked at the copy on Snape’s desk. There were three potions listed. A laughing potion, a shrinking potion, and a healing potion. He turned to Snape. “Are there instructions anywhere?” He asked helplessly.

“Brew the potions.” Snape replied. Very helpful, Harry thought. He noticed a few students pulling out notes, and his eyes shot up. He ran off like a shark smelling blood. Snatching a paper and a pen, he ran around looking at the notes. A jumble of ingredients for each one with their effects listed below. The handwriting was difficult to see from a distance, so Harry got closer, taking a peek at each before running to another.

Did you keep track? Harry asked in his head. Wormblood, Dittany, Dragon liver. Magnus began listing them all.

It helped, but not much. Snape had left a large pile of ingredients in the center of the dungeon, and Harry didn’t need a second glance to know that there was more than the required ingredients for all of the three he needed to brew.

At least one of every student had chosen a potion to start with, and they were memorizing the ingredients from the looks of it. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed another student fetching ingredients. Not knowing what else to do, Harry did the same. As if on cue, half the class stood up to fetch theirs. As he went back, Harry took note of who sat down, and what other ingredients were gathered.

Harry looked at the other student, watching him stir the pot as he added in ingredients.

Counterclockwise, wait no, clockwise again. He lifted his arm, wait no, that was to scratch his ear. Dragon liver, now! Wormblood, yes, stir some more. Magnus said.

Harry followed.

Soon, the caudron began glistening, and the liquid became blood red. Well, I think we may have done it. Harry saw Snape give a stiff nod at the student that had brewed his potion successfully, before coming to him. He held his breath. Snape raised an eyebrow. “I’ll be surprised if you don’t burn out your tongue drinking that, Potter, try again.”

Harry gave a frustrated nod before running off to memorize the ingredients for the next potion.