Wrong, All Wrong

Part title

Had he done something to upset the boy?

Severus scanned the nearly perfect quiz in his hands. "Are these quizzes too easy for you?"

For a moment Harry simply blinked at Severus.

"It's all right; I will take no offense if it is true. It would be my fault for not assigning you material appropriate to your intellect. However, I will remind you, if there is anything you need help–"

"I do not need help."

Onyx eyes snapped up to meet crimson and emerald, both sets narrowed. Immediately afterward Harry's eyes widened and his suddenly clenched hands relaxed. Saphyr hissed noisily as the snake slithered up Harry's neck, and the boy's hand came up to meet the snake's head.

"I–"

A wave of a hand stopped Harry's words and the Potions Master merely raised an eyebrow at the boy, despite Severus' reflexive desire to scold Harry for cheek and interrupting. "You may rest assured, Harry, that I had no intention of suggesting your incompetence." Harry's hand almost clenching again was enough of a reaction to affirm Severus' speculation. "Far from it, in fact: now that you are done with the preliminary reading I believe you are ready to attempt brewing. We will begin the day after next."

Without another word Harry left the room, leaving the Potions Master with his thoughts. Another incident. How many times had it been, now? Every now and then the boy would snap at him, Sirius, or even Lily with defensive agitation at the slightest trigger. Admittedly he knew the boy for less than a year, and yet these recent interactions were decidedly unusual. Harry himself seemed surprised at his own words each time. Holding the image of the boy's narrowed eyes and otherwise blank expression in mind, Severus thought back to Harry's panic attack when Aster left.

Harry fell to his knees, his head in his hands. Severus swept down to the floor and moved to grasp Harry's shoulders before holding back. Touching the shaking boy may exacerbate the situation rather than soothe it.

"Harry, calm down." Thankfully his command worked and Harry stood. With a slight flick of his wand Severus wordlessly cancelled the silencing spell and prepared for a further emotional breakdown.

Harry remained standing there silently, hands clenched into fists instead of clutching his hair. After a few moments, the boy shook his head and took a deep breath. His eyes remained closed until his hands finally relaxed. Instead of yells or tears Severus was answered by a blank stare.

"I am calm."

Soon after that, every attempt to draw Harry's attention was rejected unless it related to academia, Wizarding history, or culture. Lily was the first to suggest talking to Harry about the adults' prospective areas of expertise. She thought of the idea after she asked to modify Harry's portkey necklace and was met with the boy's questions on how it worked and what she was altering and how. The portkey now included a weak Disillusionment Charm. Though it wouldn't hold up against many of the simplest counters, Lily hoped if Harry was already camouflaged any assailants wouldn't think to use one.

In a similar fashion Severus decided to brew in one of the kitchen's cauldrons instead of the tutoring room ones during meal times. Harry asked few questions, choosing to simply watch the Potions Master work. The Slytherin was glad the boy could tell when Severus was uncomfortable with talking while brewing. Distracting his thoughts was unacceptable when brewing a Calming Draught. He always found the tense precision of the recipe ironic.

Sirius, despite his helpful knowledge of Wizarding customs and traditions, decided to talk to Harry about Quidditch.

"How is this remotely relevant or useful?" was Harry's initial response to Sirius' ravings on the sport. The Animagus then went on to implore the necessity of flying for all wizards and witches. A speech that led to Harry's flying incident.