Professor Severus Snape was one of the few that were adept at reading the signs about one's homelife, especially from his own personal experience, and many cases involving his Slytherins. He was rather protective of his Snakes. They usually received the brunt of the bullying from the other three houses, for just being in Slytherin. If one looked at the percentage split of all the students in Hogwarts, they would see that there was actually close to an equal number of students in each of the four houses. Hogwarts was supposed to promote inter-unity, as first established by the four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin.

In fact, no one student belongs solely to a single house. Take Hermione Granger, her love of reading and infinite knowledge could easily mean she could fit in as a Ravenclaw; Neville Longbottom, his loyalty to his friends as a Hufflepuff; The Weasley Twins and their pranks and schemes could even pass as a Slytherin if they were implemented differently. However, Hogwarts' original view had been lost and misrepresented over the last century, especially with incidents like Grindelwald and the rise of Voldemort with its cult of followers.

From Snape's observation, he could tell that the Dursleys did not care for their nephew. In fact, from the state of Potter's room, and their treatment of their nephew, one could easily form a conclusion that he suffered from continual abuse and neglect. He knew that Harry had no knowledge that he knew his Aunt, or that he was friends with his mother, and he was going to play this to his advantage. Either Snape was still in denial or he just wanted to hear Potter's version of it. What a Slytherin.

"Your relatives did not appear welcoming when I went to visit them." Professor Snape addressed his charge.

Harry snorted in response. That was nothing new. It was no secret that the Dursleys wanted nothing to do with their kind. "Freaks" as they called them. To Harry, everyone in their block appeared abnormal, not just the inhabitants of Number Four, Privet Drive. The entire neighbourhood relished on gossips, and seemed to know everything about everyone, including one Harry Potter. Except, the town did not know that everything that came out of Petunia's mouth about her nephew was a lie. Her hatred of Harry was one that bordered on childish jealousy; her resentment would most likely be present so long he was still living and breathing. Her complaints of being forced to take care of her nephew after his drunk parents had gotten themselves killed in a car crash, gained her many sympathisers. This, combined with tales of him being a delinquent like his parents and being forced to attend St Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys, did Harry no favours. 'The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree' they all said.

Professor Snape glared at the boy, clearly unimpressed at being interrupted, and folded his arms for dramatic effect. "So, tell me, what is a normal day at your relatives?" he asked with a curious tone.

It started off casual, but to Harry that question was his worst nightmare. He dreaded the snarky response from Snape that would follow. 'Figures' he grumbled in his mind. Unknown to Harry, he began to fidget with his fingers and wrung them rather tightly. His head drooped slightly and his eyes were somewhat focused on the floor, in particular, the rug underneath his bare toes, feeling the softness and texture of the material. His toes were clenched, and his feet began to shuffle. "You know, the usual" Harry mumbled.

"Potter, do not mumble. No, I do not know." he reprimanded, as though he were speaking to a small child, although the comment was without his usual snarkiness. Usually, he would have commented on Harry's lack of discipline, and for showing respect as he was his professor, but from what he could see, it was a rather sore subject for Potter. Just this once, he would allow that minor slip-up. The boy had unknowingly confirmed Snape's observations about his home-life and he sighed mentally. He would need to adjust his occlumency lessons for the golden boy and combine it with muggle methods, as the typical conventional method were usually not sufficient for those who have suffered from abuse and neglect. 'Damn Albus for making my life more difficult than it already is' he thought mentally.

"You know, chores." Harry tried to brush it aside, but it was clear that Snape was not going to give in without a decent answer. The Professor raised his trademark eyebrows at the teen, as if unsatisfied with his response. "Like, cooking, cleaning, weeding the garden, you know, doing my share of house chores in the summer." Harry tried to make it sound as if it were normal. He knew that it was typical for a magical family such as the Weasleys to help clean part of the house like their rooms and shared places like the living area, and de-gnome the gardens as punishment, and hoped this was enough. He sighed in relief when Snape did not question him further.

"In two days, we will begin our Occlumency lessons. I expect you to be familiar with the basics in our first session." Snape thrust a bundle of books into Potter's arms, and left the room with a dramatic swish of his cloak.

With that, Harry found himself standing alone in the drawing room, with his books for company. "Occlumency Basics, Meditation for beginners, Occlumens Essentials" he read aloud.

'Light reading my ass.' Harry thought. 'I wish I was Hermione. She could finish the entire collection in a day.'

He should have known that training under Snape would be difficult. At least it was better than the Dursleys, and that he could take comfort that he would be entitled to three meals a day. Even though Snape could be a downright arsehole at times, even he would not dare starve Dumbledore's golden boy. At that, Harry dragged himself to his bedroom, to prepare for two days of torturous reading.