The Last Command

Chosen One Speaks

Few names are as known or as well respected as Harry Potter. Once known only as The-Boy-Who-Lived, this young man has faced You-Know-Who and lived more than any other wizard alive today. In a recent interview with me, he hinted that he may, indeed, be The Chosen One. And yet, even in these uncertain times, this boy, barely of age, has to fight on two fronts.

Everyone knows that he is deeply involved against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named; most people don't know that the government that should be helping him is actually hindering him. That's right, our very own Ministry of Magic is working against The Chosen One in his quest against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

The Chosen One also believes that many of the arrests that are currently being made are being done only for show. He feels that some of the people arrested may be under the Imperius curse, and that more investigation should be done before sending people to prison.

The Ministry's only comment came from a former professor of The Chosen One's. "Mr. Potter has never felt that the rules apply to him. The way to defeat The Dark Lord is through the legal avenues set up by the Ministry. Anything he says regarding the current situation is most likely a lie. We mustn't forget how much he loves attention." This reporter must point out that the employee who spoke with us used to work very closely with former Minister Fudge.

The Chosen One's life is one tragedy after another. Recently his good friend's wedding was attacked, and a girl he saved during the Triwizard Tournament was killed. He was wrought with despair at the event. Without a girlfriend, his parents, or even the Ministry to back him up, he is truly all alone in his quest to rid us of You-Know-Who.

Harry stifled a chuckle as he put down the paper. He looked at Ron and Hermione. "I can't believe she spoke to Umbridge. I'm pretty sure the Ministry will get my message now though."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I think even Fudge would have gotten the message. You need to send Rita some flowers for that one."

"I'll add it to my 'to do' list."

The three of them were finishing up breakfast, and despite Harry's enjoyment of the article, his stomach was tied in knots with anticipation of the day to come. Lupin came in as they were cleaning up.

"Hello. Harry, are you ready to go?" Harry swallowed a lump in his throat, causing it to settle into his stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be." He lowered his voice. "Remus, do you trust him?"

Lupin nodded. "He sent me my Wolfsbane during the last full moon. And Professor McGonagall has reason to believe him." He put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, Dumbledore wouldn't have put as much trust as he did in Snape for no reason..."

"And it killed him."

"Maybe, but I doubt it. Dumbledore's portrait has been speaking with Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore was never mistaken, Harry. You have to continue to believe in Dumbledore."

Harry sighed, knowing it was a lost cause. He quickly said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, and he and Lupin headed over to the fireplace. Lupin turned to Harry and spoke, "I may trust Snape, but not enough to not have my wand ready. We're going to ' Morayshire Manor'." He then told Ron and Hermione that he would be back shortly to begin working with them.

Harry nodded and took out his wand. Lupin went first, and Harry followed, speaking the location clearly before his world dissolved into a nauseating series of spins. He was unceremoniously dumped out of the fireplace, but quickly regained his balance and brought his wand up. He looked around for Lupin before a low voice behind him caused him to spin around.

"Elegant, Mr. Potter. Ten points to Gryffindor," Snape snarled, lifting an eyebrow.

"What'd you do to Remus?"

A hand touched his arm, and he jumped. "Harry, I'm right here." Harry visibly relaxed.

"A bit jumpy, today, aren't you, Potter?"

Harry offered a glare in response.

"Potter, your skill with words never ceases to amaze me."

Harry's right hand clenched around his wand. I will not let him get to me, I will not let him get to me... he repeated in his mind.

"What, Potter, no witty comebacks..."

"Enough, Severus. He's here, and I won't let you taunt him," Lupin stepped in.

Harry took a deep breath. "Thank you, Remus."

Snape turned to Lupin and ground out, "Don't you have somewhere else to be? I need his complete attention if he is going to learn anything."

"You will not harm him." Lupin's tone left no room for argument... were he speaking to anyone but Snape.

"No more than necessary."

Lupin took Harry aside and handed him a quill. "Harry, this is a Portkey that will take you back to Hogwarts if you need to leave at a moment's notice. Otherwise, Floo back to the Burrow when you are finished. The password to activate the Portkey is 'magic mirror'. Harry, don't let him bother you. He has a lifetime of experience on how to push buttons."

Harry nodded, and felt his entire being fill with dread at being left alone with Snape. He didn't say anything though, and turned away as Lupin disappeared in the flames. Still gripping his wand, he faced Snape.

"Relax, Potter. I won't bite... much." Snape looked him up and down as if determining if he was worth attacking. A hundred things to say went through Harry's mind, but he held his tongue. When Snape's eyes reached Harry's face, Harry forced himself to meet the man's gaze.

Snape continued with his monologue, "You will come here three days a week. Mornings we will spend perfecting your nonverbal spells and other defenses, afternoons on Occlumency. You will learn to control your temper and your mind. Oh, do stop sulking, Mr. Potter. It was unbecoming a year ago, and it is no less so now." Harry forced himself to hold his tongue. "You will be prompt, and you will do any assignments I give you without question. You will address me as 'sir'. Any questions?"

Harry shook his head. Dumbledore, I hope you know what you're doing.

"I didn't hear you."

"No, sir," Harry ground out.

"Good. Follow me. This is where we will take our lessons."

Harry followed Snape into a large room, which looked to be a dining hall without a table. Snape swiveled around, his robes swirling behind him, and he raised a hand to his mouth, as if in thought. "How many nonverbal spells have you mastered, Potter?"

"One, sir."

Snape's black eyes burned into his, and he knew that Snape was trying to ascertain which spell he knew. One eyebrow raised, and Snape hissed, "You will not be practicing that one in my presence."

Harry narrowed his eyes, but didn't respond.

"How are you trying to cast the spells?"

"Nonverbally," he replied without thinking.

"I'm not interested in your cheek, Potter."

Harry had enough. "What are you going to do about it? No house points, here. No detentions..."

Snape cut him off. "I can make your life a living hell, Potter. You would be wise not to forget that." His tone made Harry's blood run cold. "I am here because Professor Dumbledore wished it. Mr. Potter, like it or not, you are stuck with me." Snape had the grace to leave out, and you know it. "Now, when you attempt to cast nonverbal spells, what are you doing?"

"I concentrate on the word and what the spell should do."

"Does that work?"

"Not from what I've seen, sir."

"Show me."

Harry lifted his wand and attempted a Jelly-Legs Jinx without opening his mouth, but nothing happened, as usual.

"Did it occur to you to try a different tactic if the first didn't work?" Snape snapped.

"No, sir."

"The first time you did your one successful nonverbal spell, what did you do?"

Harry thought back. "I just sort of said it in my head."

"Did you know what it did?"

"No, sir."

"Then perhaps you should try just 'saying it in your head' without expecting a result."

Harry looked at him incredulously; it couldn't be that simple. He raised his wand, this time just saying the spell in his mind. Again, nothing happened.

"Pitiful, Mr. Potter. What would your father think of you? Can't even do a simple jinx."

Snape waved his wand and an orange light flew towards Harry. He tried to jump out of its way, but the light followed his movement, and the next thing he knew, he was flat on his back, with the wind knocked out of him. His eyes focused on the dark man standing over him.

"Get up, again."

As soon as Harry was on two feet, Snape sent another hex his way. He shouted "Protego!" and it was deflected to the side.

"Quite the shield, does volume make it stronger?" Another wave of the wand, Harry again shouted out his Shield Charm.

Hex after hex was thrown and repelled. By the end of the morning, Harry was bruised, tired, and angrier than ever. Snape hadn't even broken out in a sweat. At long last, Snape announced that they could break for lunch.

Harry followed Snape into a kitchen, but belatedly realized that he hadn't brought any food. He sat down at the table, fully expecting to watch the other man eat a meal. He laid his head on the table. He was just going to rest for a bit, he told himself, but was shocked when a sandwich was pushed in front of him.

"Surely you realize that you cannot use magic the way you have all day without eating."

"Sir?"

"Magic is a type of energy; it takes its energy from you. Humans get energy primarily from eating. You were not expecting to go all day without eating, were you?"

Wouldn't be the first time, he thought bitterly. Aloud he said, "Of course not, sir. I was just resting."

Snape's expression was unreadable. "Hmm. Of course." He gestured to the sandwich. "Eat. I am not waiting around all day."

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, picking up the sandwich and taking a bite, too hungry to think about any poisons it might be dosed with.

He finished, and he and his former professor both made use of the facilities before going back into their 'classroom'. Snape turned as soon as Harry entered, his wand out. He had the decency to at least say "Legilimens," giving Harry a split second to recognize what was about to happen. Not enough time, however, to brace himself.

A green light hitting Dumbledore on the chest... he was looking through a Pensieve at the ghostly form of Trelawny giving the prophecy... flying on Buckbeak... Dudley pushing him down... Dudley falling through glass at the zoo... he was looking into Snape's Pensieve... he was pouring poison down Dumbledore's throat while Dumbledore begged... "NO!"

"That was abysmal, Potter. What were you doing to the Headmaster?" Snape seemed honestly curious.

Harry wiped a tear from his eye. "Nothing worse than what you did," he spat.

"Touché." Snape's eyes narrowed. "Prepare yourself. The Dark Lord will not give you warning."

Harry took a deep breath and attempted to clear his mind. Memories started to flash through his mind again.

Snape's first Occlumency lesson with him telling him it was like the Imperius... Voldemort and Dumbledore facing off in the Ministry of Magic... his scar burning as Snape looked at him the first time... suddenly finding himself on the top of the school... writing lines for Umbridge as they carved themselves into his skin...

"Honestly, Potter, is that the best you can do?"

Harry panted, trying to process what he had just seen. "Professor. Did you tell me it was similar to throwing off Imperius?"

"I believe I did. Brace yourself, on three..."

His parents were coming out of Voldemort's wand... No, I don't want you here, he thought clearly and calmly. He visualized a Shield Charm, lifted his wand, and found himself swirling in Snape's memories for the second time in his life.

A hook-nosed man was waving a Hogwarts letter in front of a black-haired boy... A woman gave the boy an old book... the boy had his wand out and was dueling with Harry, no James... "ENOUGH!"

Harry flew backwards, landing on his bottom. Snape was panting, but came over and offered Harry a hand up. "Impressive, Mr. Potter. A shame you couldn't do that at the end of your fifth year. Let's make sure it wasn't a fluke. Legilimens..."

Harry was prepared this time. He felt a tickle at the edge of his memories, and once again, thought, No, I don't want you here, while erecting a Shield Charm. The boy was going to Tom Riddle, offering himself... a younger Snape was being held down as his screams pierced the night and he was branded as one of Voldemort's...

Harry found himself on the ground in the dining hall again. Snape was shaking and paler than usual.

"Not a fluke, it seems. I think that is quite enough for today."

Harry silently agreed. Snape guided him over to the fireplace. "I will see you on Wednesday. Practice your non-verbal spells and occluding your mind."

"Yes, sir." He grabbed a fistful of Floo powder, stepped into the Fireplace and announced, "The Burrow."