"Obviously, you have the skills necessary to help Severus," Lily said, transitioning from her sharp voice into a more pleading one.
Harry still did not want to do it. "I wouldn't even know what to teach him that would be useful."
"Just a couple of disarming or shield spells," Lily wheedled. "It wouldn't take much time out of your schedule. Only an hour or two every few weeks."
"I just don't know," Harry said, seeing that he was quickly losing ground.
Lily pouted and looked at him with her big green eyes. "Couldn't you just do it as a favor to me?"
Harry began to silently curse. He did not want to tutor Snape on Defense. He did not want to teach the greasy git anything about being a good dueler-but his mother had never asked him for a favor in his entire life. "I'll do it," he ground out, trying to sound casual. "Only a few defensive charms though."
Lily beamed at him. "Thank you! There's just one other thing…"
"What?" Harry asked resignedly.
"Would you mind terribly if I participated?"
"Fine." That actually did make Harry feel better. Maybe he'd be able to ensure that Lily and James didn't die. The prospect cheered Harry a little.
"Thank you, professor! When shall Severus and I come for our first lesson?"
"Perhaps Saturday," Harry said, "but check with me in class later this week to confirm."
The ecstatic Lily left Harry office after grabbing her book bag. She was soon replaced by Bellatrix Black who entered the office and slammed the door before sitting down and making herself comfortable.
"What was she doing here?" Bellatrix demanded.
Harry looked at Bellatrix with a faint, teasing smile on his lips. "Jealous?"
"Of what?" Bellatrix demanded, slightly embarrassed.
"Nothing," Harry said, returning to the stack of essays that needed marking. "She seems to think that Mr. Snape would benefit from me tutoring him with regard to defensive spells."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "He would benefit by buying a large bottle of shampoo. The arrogant little snot is already competent enough with magic to get by."
"I was thinking more along the lines of an attitude adjustment," Harry said idly. Snape did indeed have greasy hair, but it was only because he was so annoying that anyone ever bothered criticizing it.
There was silence for a few moments save the scratching of Harry's quill as he proceeded with his work. Bellatrix folded her arms and watched him. She felt silly for visiting him without anything specific to discuss, but he had finally officially admitted that they were partners and she felt that she needed to reinforce the idea. Eventually she made an attempt to continue the conversation. "Are you going to be helping him?"
"A little bit," Harry informed her.
"Why don't you help me?" Bellatrix asked petulantly.
Harry looked up at her, an unreadable expression on his face as he spoke, "Something tells me you don't need very much help."
"Maybe we'll have to find out one of these days," Bellatrix indirectly offered.
"That's an idea," Harry commented thoughtfully.
"All right, when?"
Harry wasn't in the mood to duel with Bellatrix, so he changed the subject. "Have you found out anything about the Lestranges yet?"
"It's hard to cozy up to them after you told me at that party that I ought to avoid Rodolphus," Bellatrix said defensively. "Why do you need to know what he knows? You're from the future. You ought to know more than he does."
Harry set down his quill with a sigh. "But I don't know some of the more precise details. I also need to know who has the information so that I can carry out some of my more important plans. I have to be able to point fingers or make implications. Accurate implications."
Bellatrix wasn't pleased, but she could see where Harry was coming from. "I'll try harder."
"Good," Harry said, picking his quill up and returning to his work.
"Do you even have plans yet?"
"Yes."
"Would you care to share?" Bellatrix asked, trying to hide her ardent curiosity and make her question seem casual. If she didn't act like she was desperate, maybe he'd be more willing to share.
"No," Harry smirked, knowing full well that he was going to irritate Bellatrix. The look on her face at this juncture was very satisfying.
"I thought we were partners."
"We are. But I only tell you what you need to know."
"What if I start only telling you what I think you need to know?" Bellatrix demanded.
"Then I won't tell you anything at all and there will be no benefits or dividends."
Bellatrix wasn't happy. "That's not fair."
"When have you ever cared for fair?" Harry asked dryly, setting down his quill. He was truly sick of grading essays. Since they were on the same subject, they all pretty much said the same things-over and over again. Bellatrix had opened her mouth to retort, but Harry moved on, ignoring her. "Seeing that you're in a mood to share information, I want you to share some with me."
"I don't have anything about Lestrange yet."
"Well, work harder and get it. Meanwhile, you can start to tell me about the pureblood balance of power in the Wizengamot and detail the factions that can bring influence to bear. Who is allied to who? Who is swayed by rhetoric or money? Who follows the lead of who?"
Bellatrix was pleased to see that Harry was now making consequential plans, but also very nervous. What he chose to do with her information could have large effects. She wet her lips nervously and began to speak. "The first person you need to know about is… ."
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