The castle was buzzing with the energy of exams. Every common room was filled with frantic students pouring over their notes, and the Great Hall had become a place of both last-minute studying and quiet panic.
Harry had done well so far, but he wasn't done yet.
And, of course, there were still Snape's lessons.
Snape's voice cut through the classroom like a blade.
"Today, you will be brewing an Invigoration Draught. The instructions are on the board. You will follow them exactly or you will fail."
It wasn't an idle threat.
The Invigoration Draught was a second-year potion, borderline advanced for their level, but Snape didn't care. It required delicate temperature control, precise chopping, and perfect timing when adding the final ingredient.
Harry and Hermione worked seamlessly together. While Hermione measured the powdered fire beetle shells, Harry carefully stirred the potion, watching as it darkened from pale green to amber.
Around them, the classroom descended into chaos.
Neville's potion had turned a swampy brown instead of gold. Seamus had somehow managed to make his bubble like a cauldron of hot tar. Even Malfoy, usually competent at Potions, had a scowl on his face as he adjusted his stirring.
Harry let a single drop of salamander blood fall into their mixture.
The potion shimmered and settled into a perfect golden hue.
Snape passed by, barely pausing before muttering, "Acceptable."
Hermione shot Harry a look that clearly meant we did it.
"Potter. Stay behind."
Harry sighed but stayed in his seat as the rest of the class filed out. Hermione hesitated but, after a brief glance, nodded and left with the others.
Once the door shut, Snape turned to face him.
"You will continue your Occlumency lessons," Snape stated. "There will be no interruptions over the summer."
Harry straightened. "That means…?"
Snape's expression was unreadable. "You will have scheduled visits for the entire summer."
Harry blinked. He hadn't expected the decision to be made so quickly.
Snape's gaze remained sharp. "This is not a suggestion, Potter. You require training, and there are no other alternatives."
Harry opened his mouth, then shut it. Arguing wouldn't change anything. And, if he was being honest… he didn't want to spend time at the Dursleys.
Snape studied him for a moment longer before speaking again.
"I will provide further details soon. You may go."
Harry hesitated, then nodded.
By the time Harry reached the Great Hall, the usual chatter of students filled the space. He slid into his usual seat across from Hermione.
"You were in there for a while," she noted, setting her fork down.
"Snape," Harry muttered. "He says I'm going to have lessons over the summer"
Hermione's eyes widened slightly. "Where, then?"
Harry shrugged. "Didn't say. Just that I have to keep training."
Hermione frowned. "That's probably a good thing, though, right? You hate it there."
"I do," Harry admitted, glancing down at his plate. "Still weird, though. I don't know what to expect."
Hermione hesitated, then said, "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."
Harry smirked. "You always say that."
"Because it's always true," she shot back, smiling slightly.
The days leading up to the end of term passed in a whirlwind of exams, late-night studying, and increasingly tense Occlumency sessions with Snape.
Charms had gone smoothly. Harry had performed the required wand movements with practiced ease, levitating and directing objects midair without much trouble.
Hermione had, of course, excelled, reciting theory even as she cast, while Neville had only managed to get his quill to wobble in place before it shot across the room like a rogue Snitch.
Transfiguration had been more challenging. McGonagall had them turning teacups into tortoises, a task that required precision and careful control over intent. Harry had managed a half-transformed creature, its shell still faintly porcelain, but Hermione had completed the transformation flawlessly.
Potions had been its own battlefield. Snape prowled between the cauldrons with a sharp gaze, catching every mistake before it could ruin a potion entirely. Harry and Hermione worked seamlessly, but their classmates weren't as fortunate.
Seamus's potion had thickened into a sludge-like tar, and Malfoy had spent half the exam smirking at those struggling around him.
By the time Defense Against the Dark Arts came, Harry barely had time to think about anything else going on.
The practical exam involved countering simple jinxes, and Harry found himself paired against Hermione, their duel turning into a controlled exchange of spells until Professor Quirrell hastily called it to a stop.
Still, even as the days rushed past, there was unfinished business to deal with.
It was after Transfiguration one afternoon when Professor McGonagall called Harry aside.
"You've performed admirably on your exams, Mr. Potter," she began, her expression unreadable. "However, there's another matter to discuss."
Harry shifted slightly, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach.
McGonagall folded her hands. "Your living arrangements for the summer."
Right. The Dursleys.
He schooled his expression, but something in McGonagall's sharp gaze softened. "Professor Dumbledore made arrangements for you to return to your relatives, but I understand you may have… concerns."
Harry's fingers curled at his sides. "I'd rather not go back."
McGonagall's lips pressed together. "I suspected as much." She let out a slow breath. "Unfortunately, magical guardianship is a complicated matter, and without a suitable alternative, the protections on your home—"
"Home," Harry muttered, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.
McGonagall hesitated. "Yes, well. The protections are a consideration, but if an alternative arises, I would be willing to advocate for it."
A new voice interrupted.
"That may not be necessary," Snape said from behind them.
McGonagall turned, raising a brow as Snape stepped forward.
"I assume," he drawled, "that we are discussing Potter's summer arrangements?"
McGonagall frowned. "Indeed."
Snape's expression was unreadable. "Then allow me to offer a solution. Potter does not need to return to the Dursleys."
Harry blinked, startled.
McGonagall's brows furrowed. "And where do you suggest he stay, Severus?"
Snape's gaze flickered to Harry before settling back on McGonagall. "With me."
A beat of silence.
McGonagall's eyes narrowed slightly, searching his face. "You're certain?"
Snape's tone remained even. "Potter is already under my instruction. It would be beneficial for him to continue his Occlumency training over the summer. And," his gaze flickered to Harry again, "I have no doubt he would prefer it over his relatives."
Harry barely processed the words. Living with Snape? It wasn't what he had expected—but then, the alternative was the Dursleys.
McGonagall still seemed wary, but after a moment, she nodded. "I will need to speak with the Headmaster."
Snape inclined his head. "Do so."
McGonagall looked between the two of them before sighing. "Very well. I'll let you know once arrangements have been finalized."
Harry watched her go, his mind racing.
He turned to Snape, unsure how to even begin. "Why—"
Snape cut him off. "We will discuss it later, Potter. For now, focus on finishing your exams."
And with that, he swept away, leaving Harry standing there, still trying to make sense of everything.