Wrong, All Wrong

Quick Wandwork and Swift Inference

He took his time cleaning up the beetles and supplies in the tutoring room. Only half a mind on the familiar actions, Harry pondered over what specifically inspired Dumbledore to send Remus away. Why not banish Remus earlier? He took his book and went to return it to the house library.

In the hallway right outside the doors he heard Severus' voice ring out, "It is not I who thinks you are a monster; you do. Do you know why I agreed to brew the Wolfsbane Potion for you? It was so you could learn to trust yourself while in your Lycan form. Why should I trust myself around you if you do not?"

Monster, Wolfsbane, Lycan... these words were quickly filed away into Harry's memory for further research. Through swift inference he knew Severus spoke to Remus, and the Potions Master's next words only confirmed his thoughts.

"Sirius may be able to accept you despite your state of psychological health, however I will not." Seeing a shadow approach the door to the library as Severus' voice grew louder, Harry stepped back in the hallway. "Remus," the name whispered low enough it took effort to hear, "you're better than this."

For a moment Harry had time to berate his thirst for knowledge before Severus appeared in the hallway. The elder man turned out of the library away from Harry, but the boy knew he was seen by how the Potions Master paused and tensed.

"Take caution with what you seek to learn." With those words Severus left.

From around a vase Saphyr slithered down its pedestal and approached Harry, the tip of her tail flicking side-to-side agitatedly.

"What has upset you, Saphyr?"

Sliding up Harry's form to reach his shoulder, the snake hissed softly. "My mind is not yours, Master, and I forget human words, however I smell and know petty human spite. What is a riddle, Master? The silent one called you one bitterly."

"Settle down," Harry ran a finger down the serpent's scales, "it simply reveals that I am not one Severus easily understands. For one so intelligent and observant it provides an unpleasant challenge for him Saphyr."

"If you say so Master..." with a final flick of her tail, she disappeared under the sleeve of Harry's shirt. Even Harry doubted his own words concerning Severus' reaction to him. During their potions lessons up to this point there was an air of neutrality between them, almost slightly pleasant when Harry caught on quickly. Bitterness and spite was new. He would wait and see how their next lesson went.

Heading back into the library, around the threshold Harry saw Sirius and Remus sitting by the fire away from the shelves.

There was a deep breath, and then, "Were you serious?" Remus' voice was quiet but it filled the room with a weight Harry was unused to hearing. The simple question seemed to ask multiple questions all at once.

"I've always been Sirius."

After a moment the two burst into laughter.

"So how has Harry been holding up, Padfoot?" It seemed every adult was digging for information about him. Harry quietly moved to put his book away, keeping in earshot of the two men.

Saphyr suggested keeping an eye on them, however reaching too long of a sustained connection between them was beginning to worry Harry. That limit was one he had not yet experienced and did not wish to find while in her mind. He added Jeweled Aqua snakes to his list of research topics to be better prepared.

Sirius' barking laugh interrupted Harry's thoughts. "The boy is really Lily's child, Moony; always learning. He reads every kind of book, asks questions... he even got Sev to start tutoring him in potions 'cause he can't use a wand yet."