Harry sat on his bed in Gryffindor Tower staring at his packed trunk and trying to imagine what his Christmas was going to be like. Only three days before Voldermart had staged an all out attack on Hogwarts only narrowly being defeated and most of his forces escaping. Harry had been locked in Gryffindor Tower along with the other students having been deemed unready to face full battle just yet. As the fighting raged Harry had a lot of time to consider his role in the war and what was needed for him to be ready.
As soon as the students had been released from there confinement after the battle, Harry had stormed up to the Headmasters office stating in definite terms that if he was expected to be the saviour of the wizarding world why hadn't he been trained as such in stead of being locked up out of the way. He than insisted that if he didn't receive adequate training than he would leave the world of magic to deal with it themselves.
"My sentiments exactly Mr Potter." Came the voice of his Potions Master from the dark corner behind him.
"Sorry Sir, I didn't mean to interrupt." Harry replied nervously.
"Never the less I find myself in agreement with you and was in the process of having the same argument with the headmaster as you have just begun. I recommend that since you and I are in agreement and I have the necessary knowledge that you are after that we may not have to bring the headmaster into this after all. That is if you are willing to have me as your tutor for this." Suprisingly to Harry, as the professor was saying this his usual snarl did not leave the headmasters direction.
"I find that acceptable sir." Harry replied with more conviction than he had.
"Than we shall start during the Christmas Holidays." The shocked look on the headmasters face quickly vanished as Severus turned to leave.
"Severus, I forbid you from doing this." Came Albus's stern retort.
"Albus you are my employer and have no right to interfere in my personal time. Christmas breakis just that, my personal time and unless you are Mr Potter's guardian who you are not you are unable to dictate his actions either, so headmaster you will forbid nothing." To say that Severus's out burst shocked Harry and the headmaster would be an understatement.
"Be that as it may Severus, due to the damage to the wards all students will be going home for the holidays which means Harry will be spending his with the Dursley's." Albus replied with a triumphant twinkle in his eyes.
Harry felt his heart sink into his stomach. Going into his seventh year at Hogwarts Vernon had told Harry that he would no longer be welcome at Private Drive and if he ever saw him again he would have no qualms in killing him and burying him in a shallow grave.
"But sir I can't …" Harry began to plead.
"Harry my boy, I'm afraid you have no choice and it is necessary for your own safety." The headmaster's eye twinkle went into overdrive.
"Again headmaster you are incorrect." Severus snarled turning towards Harry.
"Mr Potter, am I right in the assumption that you are seventeen and of age?" The Potions Master enquired.
"Yes sir."
"Than the choice of where you stay for your holidays is entirely yours and such I grudgingly offer you a room in my home over Christmas if you care for my company?" Harry found the look on Snape's face rather amusing thinking he was conflicted between winning one over the headmaster and the fact that he had just invited The Golden Boy into his home.
"I'd like that Professor." Harry replied with a small smile on his lips, pleased that he would not be contending with the Dursley's.
"If you would excuse me headmaster, professor I have homework to do." Harry excused himself and headed back to the tower.
Albuse turned sternly towards Severus his eyes devid of there infamous twinkle.
"What game are you playing at Severus?"
"A game? If you think that I am merely playing a game than you do not know me at all but that is no surprise to me. We are all pawns in your game are we not? Well no longer Albus. We are not playing here, we are at war and you are no longer in control." Severus smirked.
"And you plan to take control Severus. To what end?" Albus looked less than impressed.
"Wrong again Albus. I am not and do not intend to be the one pulling the strings."
"I don't understand." The headmaster looked puzzled.
"And you never will." Severus replied quietly as he retreated out the door.
A/N: I aim for a steady update but it will be ruffly 1-2 weeks between each post.
If anyone is interested I am looking for a beta for this fic. Please review.