Disclaimer : I do not own the characters. They all belong to the wonderful JK Rowling.

Summary : This is a Severitus Challenge fic. Harry has to spend two months with Severus Snape. Can he cope up with all the revelations that await him?

A big thanks to Nebulasaunha for beat'ing this for me. Read and review...

01 Harry - All The Way To Spinner's End

I returned to my room after working in the garden for three hours. The Dursley's were due home at around seven, more than an hour from now and I had finally completed all my chores. I took a quick shower and put on one of Dudley's old jeans, not caring to wear a shirt since the weather was quite hot.

As I surveyed myself in the mirror, I realized how much my body had changed this summer, I was definitely far better than the scrawny kid I used to be. The gardening I'd been doing this summer had toned my muscles quite a bit. Even my facial features seemed sharper, specially my eyes, sometimes I felt that they were glowing brightly like lights.

After admiring myself for a while I realized that I was supposed to be doing my packing. I was leaving for 12, Grimmauld Place tomorrow. I'd been so happy when Ron had written saying Mrs. Weasley wanted me at home with them for my seventeenth birthday. So it was decided that I'd be taken there by the order members on 28th. Number 12 was still being used as headquarters for the Order so the Weasley's were also staying there.

The next day I completed all the household work I was supposed to be doing by 5 and changed into one of my new black jeans and grey t-shirt. I never wore these at the Dursley's, in case it became a new reason for abuse, but since I thought this was the last time I was here.

At exact six 'o' clock, the doorbell rang. However, on opening the door, I got the biggest shock in life. There stood, in front of me, none other than Severus Snape.

"You bastard! How dare you show your face here? You killed him! You- "

"Potter, that's enough. You are supposed to be leaving and I'm here to pick you up. Now if you will, then let me know where your luggage is so that we can leave at once" I saw Remus standing a few feet away, staring at the sky and knew that there wasn't any danger.

"It's in the first room up the stairs, two trunks, a broom and an owl cage" I could barely keep the bitterness out of my voice but his calm, yet sharp glare, made me refrain from shouting.

After Snape had levitated my luggage down to the hall, Remus came up to us.

"Severus, the skies are clear, it'd be the best to apparate. Harry, I know it's a shock for you to see Severus here. For now, all I can say is that he's here because we're going to his place instead of number 12. I'll explain everything but for now let's leave"

I didn't know what to do. It could be one of Voldemort's plans. Maybe it was a death eater as Remus under the use of polyjuice potion. I ruled that out since this man was acting totally like Remus and if there was even a slight change in his style or behavior, I'd have known that. The second possibility was that he was under an Imperius. That was disregarded too as Remus Lupin was one of the few Order members who could resist Imperius. Moreover, the Order members were supposed to be here to get me. They'd have had to fight them too to come and kidnap me, that too at the exact time. I couldn't think of any other reason to doubt them and decided to go along.

I still wondered why he was addressing Snape as Severus. But then I thought that if they really were death eaters, they wouldn't hesitate to hurt me to get their way. It was better to go on my own so that I'd at least be fit to fight them in case I found out for sure that they were here on Voldemort's side.

"Fine, let's go then"

They both took one of my hands and apparated me to a modest building. Before I could look around, they pulled me inside.

"So here we are, Spinner's End, Severus' place. Harry why don't you go get fresh, come we'll show you your room"

"No. First I want to know what's going on. Why am I here? Why are you calling him Severus? Why isn't he in Azkaban or something? And -"

"Relax Harry. Ok, we'll answer you first then you can have rest."

"Actually Remus, cut out that we. You are explaining it to him; I'm not taking any part in the Golden Boy's lift from ignorance"

Remus sighed but said nothing as Snape moved into another room. "Fine enough. Harry, come sit. The problem is that somehow the Death Eaters got access to Number 12 - no, don't say a thing. We know for sure that it wasn't Severus. Severus is more than faithful to the Light and still maintains his position as a spy."

"But Rem, he killed Dumbledore! I saw it was him."

"So he did but that was on Albus' orders. I was present when Albus made that plan. The three of us knew that Draco had been assigned the task of murdering Albus. I think I'll get the pensieve so that I can show it to you rather than tell it. Accio pensieve"

A beautiful black pensieve floated towards us from a cupboard. It was similar to the one I'd seen in Dumbledore's office except for the fact that this one was carved with intricate designs.

Remus took out his wand and pulled out the memory into the pensieve. At his nod, I entered the shining liquid. Dumbledore, Remus and Snape were sitting in the headmaster's office.

"Severus, how intent is Draco regarding his plans?" Hearing Dumbledore's voice again startled me, giving me a strange feeling in the stomach.

"He is dead intent to do it and receive Voldemort's favor. He's not even telling me what he plans to do in case I steal his glory"

"But why is the boy so interested in getting to the high ranks? I never felt he really wanted to be a death eater"

"No Remus, I don't believe he wants to but he feels this will get Lucius back into the Dark Lord's inner circle and will save his family. After all Albus' death is a big task"

"Yes Severus you are right. But the boy is still young and we cannot allow his soul to be tarnished by murder"

"What do you have in mind Albus?"

"I want Severus to kill me instead of Draco"

"But - no I cannot do that. You - How could you - "

"Severus, please. We know I'm already dying." Dumbledore raised his burnt hand as a signal. "It's only a matter of speeding it up"

"But why me?" Snape whispered. His eyes were filled with tears. That was the first time I'd seen him show an expression other than malice.

"Because you are one of the strongest wizards and humans I've met and it'll get you closer to Voldemort. Do you agree to the plan Severus? It's all we can do for your godson's safety"

"Ok, I'll do it."

The memory ended and I fell back on the sofa on which I'd been sitting earlier. Remus then told me that since the headquarters was no longer safe, all the members were living separately, engaging in secret meetings now and then. Remus, now married to Nymphadora, was on the run with her due to Ministry's anti-werewolf policies. Occasionally, they stayed with others for a day or two. At present Dora was at her parents' as he had to come with Snape.

By now Snape had set tea for us.

"Four cups?" I noticed that Snape had readied tea for four people.

"Oh yes, you think I'd consent to spend the more than a month with you alone?"

"But why can't I live with the Weasley's or - "

"Potter, I am not interested in babysitting you but this is the best for your safety" With that he left the hall, I presume to get the person who was going to be living with us. I hoped he or she would be at least a bit better than Snape.

A/N: What do you think? Press that sweet review button and let me know. Constructive criticism is always welcome as are your suggestons. So go review!!