Three Undesirable Problems

Summary:

In the midst of the Wizarding war, Albus Dumbledore needs to find a perfect place to hide Harry Potter and his two friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry is the key to defeat the Dark Lord, Voldemort so who better to pawn the 'Golden Trio' onto than within the walls of his spy's home. Now Professor Severus Snape will have to deal with the war, three annoying brats that he doesn't want, and a manipulative Headmaster who traps the Potions Master and the three seventh year students all together at his home on Spinners End.

Chapter 1- Dumbledore's Plan

"As you all are aware of I am sure, is that your NEWT's are coming up. Like I undoubtedly know, I expect most of you won't even scrape by with a passing grade. None the less, it is expected that you all study and at least attempt to look like you know what you are doing. The theoretical portion of your exam will be next Monday and your practical exam will be the Tuesday after that."Snape growled at everyone who shouldn't have even made it into his class. He could not help but think back to a conversation he had had with Dumbledore before the start of the school year.

-Flashback-

Professor Snape stalked up to Professor Dumbledore's office with great purpose. He had just received a list of all the seventh year students that had made it into his advanced NEWT Potions class. He could not believe some of the students that had made the list. It was just so unacceptable. Snape just walked into the Headmaster's office without permission and growled at the man.

"Hello, my boy. What is the occasion?"Dumbledore serenely asked as he watched Snape pace in front of his desk.

"I can't believe you Albus. Half of the students that made it into my advanced seventh year NEWT Potions class are complete dunderheads. How on Earth did Mr. Longbottom even make it into fourth year Potions? He is entirely incompetent."Snape growled in a low voice absolutely not pleased with the Slytherin and Gryffindor class he now had to teach. Snape just could not even fathom how Neville Longbottom had even made it to the final year of Potions. The boy was positively horrid and blew up his cauldron every class. The boy was just not Potions material. If he had to deal with Longbottom again, he would surly have a talk with Miss Granger about her assistance in helping him with his failed Potions experiments. He was going to make sure they were far away from each other so Granger would not be able to help Longbottom.

"Mr. Longbottom has worked very hard to achieve his dream of becoming a Herbologist. I think he has done very well so far Severus. I think you can put up with him for one more year."Dumbledore stated in his never ending calmness.

'Albus has gone mad. Longbottom can not even tie his shoes right let alone make an advanced year Potion.'Severus thought in disgust as his thoughts turned to the 'Golden Trio' who sat at the back of his Potions classroom.

"As it is a wonder that Longbottom made it into my Potions class, it is even more a wonder on how Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley made it as well. I expect you felt bad for the boy who has the Wizarding World falling at his feet for him being a Savior. You also had Mr. Weasley join Potter as he is one of the boys sidekicks. These students are dunderheads Albus."Severus snarled as he glared at his longtime friend and confidant.

"I assure you Severus that Harry has earned the right to be in your class. He is more intelligent then you give him credit for."Dumbledore said as he looked at Severus over his half-moon spectacles.

"I seriously doubt that. The boy is just like his arrogant father."

"Now, now Severus. I know that you and James did not see eye to eye but that is no reason to take your grudge out on Harry. I know that if you just took the time to get to know the boy you would see just how much like Lily he is like. Now I have a meeting I must get to Severus, good day."Dumbledore said in a serious tone before he sat at his desk and started to write signalling that their conversation was over.

Severus just gave one last glare at the man before he turned on his heels and left Dumbledore's office with his robes billowing around him in a very much Snape like fashion.

-End Flashback-

As Snape snapped out of his thoughts, he looked over at Potter and could see him and Weasley glaring at him in supreme displeasure. He knew the seventh years would rather be out hunting Horcruxs' but Dumbledore made sure that the three brats stayed under the schools protection and trapped them here. He knew Dumbledore was having a hard time keeping Potter and his sidekicks under lock and key and was intent on having his Potions Master watch over them as well.

"I expect better work from everyone including Longbottom."Snape said making the Slytherins giggle and laugh at the Gryffindors. "You all are now dismissed."

The class didn't have to be told twice. Everyone just packed their work into their bags and raced out the door. As Draco, Goyle and Crabbe passed Harry, Ron and Hermione they laughed in their faces just asking to be hexed.

"Shove off Malfoy. I am going to hex your ferret face right off your shoulders."Ron yelled after the Slytherin gang.

"I like to see you try Weasel."Draco yelled back before he and his gang vanished from sight laughing as they walked away from the dungeons.

"Just don't worry about it Ron."Hermione said in an understanding voice.

"Yeah mate. Draco is a jerk. He will someday get what he deserves."Harry said in a distant voice thinking about the trouble Draco's family had been going through with the Ministry. Draco and his mother were let off with a warning while his father, Lucius Malfoy had gone to Azkaban prison for being found out as a Death Eater.

Harry snapped out of his thoughts just as Professor Dumbledore entered Snape's classroom.

"I am here because I need to have a word with Professor Snape, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger."Dumbledore said just as the last few stragglers left the classroom leaving the requested people standing in the room looking at Dumbledore like he just grew two heads.

"What is it you need to talk to us about Albus?"Snape said in a dangerously low voice clearly annoyed with the Headmaster.

"Can we take this conversation to your office Severus?There is a private matter I must talk to you all about."Dumbledore said in a grave tone making shivers go up Harry's spine.

Snape sighed in exasperation. The Headmaster was really getting on his nerves.

"Right this way Albus."Snape said as he led the way to his office followed by Dumbledore with the 'Golden Trio' behind the old wizard.

Once everyone was in Snape's office, Snape sat at his desk while Dumbledore conjured three more hard back chairs to match the one already in front of Snape's desk. The old wizard then transfigured one of the hard back chairs into a comfy auto man and sat down next to Harry. The three students and Snape all looked over at Dumbledore expectantly as they sat in silence.

I have something very important to tell all of you. The first thing I want to address is that it is no longer safe for you three students to be around your families."Dumbledore said in a sad tone.

"What do you mean?Harry and Hermione were supposed to stay with me and my family for half the Summer."Ron said in a surprised tone.

"You are really surprised Weasley?You must be more moronic than you look."Snape said in amusement as he got a glare from Ron.

Dumbledore just ignored Snape's insult and continued to answer Weasley's question.

"Voldemort will be expecting you all to go back to your families. When you do he will strike and try to kill not just you but them as well. That is a risk that we can not take."Dumbledore continued to say in a grave tone ignoring Ron's and Hermione's flinching at the mention of Voldemort's name. Snape just scowled and Harry just nodded his head in agreement with Dumbledore.

Harry certainly did not like his relatives very much by any means but would not wish death upon them. They may have locked him in a cupboard until he got his letter to go to Hogwarts and made him do endless chores with barely anything to eat, but overall they were still related to him. He would not allow Voldemort to harm anyone else if he could help it. It was his job to destroy the cruel bastard and he would not disappoint. No more people were going to die for him, he would make sure of it.

"So if we can't go back to our families, I guess it is up to us to start destroying He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."Hermione said in a soft voice almost like she was talking to herself.

Hermione just wanted this war to be over and done with. Her parents were muggles and had no means to protect themselves from fully armed wizards who were trained in the dark arts. She would do anything to save the people she loved from getting harmed. She would help Harry every step of the way to bring this mad man down.

"Not quite my dear. There is another matter I need to address right now that I know will have a negative effect on Severus, but it is crucial that you should know what has been happening."Dumbledore stated as he looked over at Snape who had realization dawning in his eyes at what the Headmaster had just said.

"Albus no!They do not need to know. My life is none of their business."Snape growled making the 'trio' more curious as to what this big secret must be.

"Severus I must. It is for their own goods. Severus has been a spy for the Order of the Phoenix and has been spying on Voldemort within his inner circle."

"I knew it"Ron shouted as he pointed an accusatory finger at Snape.

"Ron!"Hermione yelled in astonishment. She had already pieced that puzzle together a long time ago. She had guessed two years ago that Snape had allegiance with both powerful wizards.

"I knew you were a Death Eater Snape."Ron said making Snape smirk and Hermione slap her hand to her forhead. Sometimes Ron could be so thick.

"Ron, Snape is just pretending to be on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named side. He has just been gathering valuable information to bring to the Order."Hermione explained making Harry look up at Snape in confusion and Ron shake his head no.

Snape could not help but give props to the know-it-all for figuring out the secret so fast.

"How long have you known, 'Mione'?"Harry asked as he watched her smile.

"I have known since before our fifth year when we found out that Snape was part of the Order. It was just common sense to suspect that a man who has been saving our lives constantly could not truly hate us."Hermione said as she chanced to look at Snape who was sneering at her astuteness.

"I must now ask something very important of you Severus. I must ask that you stop spying and hand that job to someone else in the Order. I have already instructed Order members to watch over everyone's families."

"No Albus. I promised that I would spy so I will continue to spy. I still indeed have the dark mark and will be in extreme pain if the Dark Lord figures out that I will no longer be his follower. I refuse to do it. He already trusts me Albus and I think I can get more information from him."

"Be that as it may Severus, but I have already appointed someone else to take your place among the ranks of the Death Eaters. "Dumbledore said in finality.

"You can't do this."Snape snarled in displeasure. 'This man just keeps on manipulating my life.'

"I can and I did."

"Well, if Snape's out of a job than what does it mean."Hermione asked as she say both Harry and Ron look at her in confusion.

"As a matter of fact I am still your Potions Professor."Snape snarled at the girl who could not contain herself when there was something she needed to know.

"It means that the three of you will be placed with Professor Snape until further instruction."

"What?"Everyone besides Dumbledore said at the exact same time.

"I want Severus to keep you three at his home for your safety until the Order has dealt with the war."

"No Albus. I refuse to take anyone into my home let alone the 'Golden Trio'.

"For once I agree with him."Harry said as he watched everyone stare at him. Boy was it unnerving. "Considering our past history with this man, I doubt that we will all be nice and cuddly to one another. I think that me, Ron, and Hermione should be out there searching for Horcruxs' to destroy Voldemort."Harry stated in reason as he watched Hermione and Ron both agree with him by shaking their heads after they again flinched at the use of Voldemort's name.

"Harry, I can not let the three of you do that. That is why I have the four of these. You all will get one."Dumbledore said as he started to smile serenely again. This old man could get anyone to do anything he wanted which is how everyone got into this mess in the first place.

What are they Albus?"Snape asked glaring at the small black boxes like they were rubbish, which they probably were as far as Snape was concerned.

"Is it a present?Is it candy?"Ron asked excitedly, his curiosity getting the best of him.

'Stupid Gryffindors!They are so gullible and only think about one solution to a situation.

Since Harry had always trusted Dumbledore along with Hermione their curiosity also took the better of them as well. It was just the obvious impulse for a Gryffindor. Snape being a Slytherin was not so easily fooled.

"Good try Albus but a gift will not persuade me into taking these children into my home."Snape smirked at the old man with mirth.

"Hey!You know we are standing in the same room right? And by the way we are not children. We are 17 years old making us of age and adults."Ron yelled at Snape glaring at the smirking Potions Master. It was just so easy to bait Ron for a reaction to his snide remarks. Snape just loved to be right.

"It is a surprise."Dumbledore said yet again ignoring Ron and Snape's arguments. I am going to give these to you then we will see where that leads us.

Dumbledore just smiled in a grandfatherly way as he handed over the small black rectangular boxes. On the box Dumbledore handed to Snape, it had a green ribbon on it while the 'trio' had red ribbons on theirs.

"I can't open mine."Hermione said getting the same responses from Harry and Ron as well. Snape just grunted at Dumbledore's little game. Everything always seemed like a game to Dumbledore.

"What is this Albus?"Snape commanded as his patience was growing thin.

"You can't open it because theirs a point to these 'gifts'. I'm about to activate them now."

Before anything else could be said, everyone was flying through space in time by what Harry could remember from his fourth year as a Port Key. Mr. Weasley had used an old boot to transport Harry, Hermione, the Diggory's, and his own family to the Quidditch World Cup. That is where he had his first taste of what Voldemort's followers could really do.

The next thing they all knew was that they were all in a house. Harry, Ron and Hermione had still not mastered Port Key travel and had landed in a heap on what looked to be a living room floor. The floor was hard wood so it was not very comfortable. Snape and Dumbledore had both landed on their feet gracefully making the 'trio' quite envious of these men who had success in their landing.

Snape growled in anger making everyone look at him. He and the children were still holding the boxes and they could not let go of them. He also noticed what house they were in and rounded on Dumbledore by pulling out his wand. He held the box in his left hand as he handled his wand with his right one.

"What did you do?What is the meaning of this."Snape said in a very menacing voice that he would only normally reserve for the dunderhead students that blew their cauldrons up on a daily bases.

"I just took the initiative to help all of you."

"Please do explain how you are helping us Albus?"Snape said pointing his wand at his mentors chest.

"Like I had said, you all need a safe place to hide and so I made sure that your house was properly warded and could not be easily detected by unwanted visitors. I also can not afford any of you to get hurt."Dumbledore said in a calm voice. "Please put your wand down Severus."

Snape was compelled to listen to Dumbledore even though he was still slightly confused and definitely not happy with the children in his home.

"If it is required of me, how will I continue to be the Potions Professor?How are the children completing their NEWT'?"Snape asked as he noticed a headache starting to pound in his head.

"You can still continue to work on Potions in you lab down in the basement but until the war has come to a close, you will be putting your Potions Master job on hold. As for the NEWT's I think that the children could still do some studying than could repeat another year at Hogwarts."

"No way!This was supposed to be our final year and your expecting us to stay behind. We wanted to graduate with our year. You can't just make us skip out on that. I think we also deserve to get some action in this war as well. I am the chosen one. I have to kill Voldemort."Harry explained as he looked at the box he was still holding.

"I agree with you mate. We need to be out fighting a long side everyone else. I have to be there for my family."Ron stated as he tried to take the box out of his right hand but couldn't.

"We have to be their fighting together. We should not be in hiding. It is like were useless."Hermione said as she looked directly into Dumbledore's eyes and having to look down at her feet.

"No you will not go out there to fight. You are safe here and have everything you will ever need here. I have made sure the fridge will continue to stock itself every time a product is removed. I have made sure that you all have your own rooms as well. I'm pretty sure that Severus will allow you to use his library and I made sure you all have lots of clothes and pyjamas."

"Albus, please don't make these children sully my home anymore than it is."

"I'm sure Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger will bring life to your old home Severus. Now time to receive your 'gifts'."Dumbledore said as he was watching Ron try and remove the box from his hand.

Dumbledore just pulled out his wand and used it to open the lids of the small boxes. When the lids were removed a bright light appeared then faded revealing black leather collars. Before any protests could be made about them though, they quickly jumped out of the boxes and strapped themselves around the persons neck they were intended for with no visible opening to get them off.

"Albus!What is the meaning of this?"Snape yelled in anger. He had never felt so degraded in all his life, not even when James Potter bullied him as a young boy. I mean Snape now had a collar on that he could not take off and it was done in front of his three least favourite people despite the fact that they were wearing a collar as well.

"These collars are waterproof so they can not be ruined. That means that you can not damage them in any way with or without magic. They are charmed to keep you locked in this house. They also have a variety of other spells placed on them that I am sure you all will find out eventually."Dumbledore said in a grandfatherly way once more before he waved his wand again making silver tags dangle from a ring at the front of the collar.

Harry suddenly felt like he was trapped again. He had spent all his life being called a freak and to actually feel like something lower than a human was definitely how he was feeling now. He was wearing a collar like a dog along with his two best friends and his Potions teacher. He felt like he was now owned by someone.

"Get this off of me. I demand you do it now. I will owl my family and they will make sure these collars come off of us."Ron yelled in rage as Hermione started to tug at the collar feeling like she was a bad girl because the thought popped into her mind against her will. She could not help the tears that started to fall from her eyes.

Dumbledore saw the tears in Miss Granger's eyes and felt compelled to reassure her that this was for their own good. No matter what Dumbledore said though, Hermione still felt that it was wrong.

"This is not Human Albus. I guarantee that this will be reported."Snape said as he tugged at his collar recieving the message that he was a bad boy in his mind. The voice was designed to encourage good behaviour it was programed to encourage and discourage anything it deemed bad with degrading the person wearing the collar.

"If you do something to bad then the collar will shock you. This will also not be able to be reported because I have made sure this place can have no owls going back and forth with messages, I have removed the telephone, and I have disconnected the floo network. There is also no escape by Port Key or apparation."Dumbledore said seeing the alarming distress on Miss Granger's face before she let out a shuddering sob. This was so not right.

"So there is no way out of here. We can't even go outside."Harry said in a numb voice.

"That is correct. The Potions ingredients that you use Severus will automatically replace themselves after you use them so there will always be and endless supply. If one of you are injured I am sure Severus can whip up a potion that will make you better in no time. You all are safe here which is what truly matters."Dumbledore claimed as he went over to Severus who was standing stock still trying to contain his anger.

"What are you doing Albus?"Snape asked while trying to contain his anger and not hex Albus which again the collar was clearly against. Snape was not pleased.

"I just am making sure the tags say what they are suppose to say. By the way I have also charmed your collar Severus to block out the pain of the Dark Mark whenever Tom decides to contact you."Dumbledore said while receiving Snape's signature raised eyebrow at that knowledge. 'At least Dumbledore put in something useful in this torture device.'Snape thought in surprise.

"One other thing you need to know."

"There's another thing now. Are you sure you haven't tortured us enough yet?"Ron asked before he walked over to a black leather couch and sat down ungracefully with a huff.

Hermione decided to follow Ron and sat down next to him before full out sobbing into Ron's shoulder. She wanted to fight in the war to protect the people she loved but instead she was trapped in Professor Snape's home wearing a black leather collar. She was kind of scared to see what surprises layed in store for her and her friends.

"If any of you attempt to raise your wand to me, your collar will recognize that as trying to harm me and will shock you and then place your wand back where it was before you pulled it out."

"So you are now saying that you own us. Albus you have officially crossed the line."Snape growled in renewed anger. He was trapped in his own house unable to leave and is now being forced to behave by a collar while looking after the three children he had had quite the past with. This just didn't seem like it would work out for one reason or another. It was just absolutely twisted.

I must now leave because I have a meeting with the Minister of Magic. I will be checking on you every so often to make sure everything is going well."Dumbledore said before he was interrupted by Harry.

"No!You have no right do do what you are doing. I was created by Voldemort himself to end this war and I can not do that locked up here. Please sir, I need to be out there."Harry pleaded as he walked towards Dumbledore with jumbled up emotions. He was always left to do what others needed him to do and now that he needed to do something it seemed like he was now not even needed. 'This is complete rubbish.'Harry thought in disgust.

"I am afraid that I do have the power to keep you safe. You are in a Professor's home, there is everything you need here and you have your friends to talk to. I see no downside. I am even going to allow Hedwig, Pigwidgeon, and Crookshanks to stay here to. You just won't be able to send them out. Now I must go. Good day!"

With that said, Dumbledore just popped out of the room leaving four very pissed off people in his wake.

Harry just stared at the spot that Dumbledore had vanished from in anger. He was now trapped yet again but could at least be with his friends.

"Weasley!No matter how much you tug at your collar you are not going to get it off. You are just going to make it like you less.

"Piss off Snape. You make it sound like these collars have feelings."

"Language Mr. Weaseley. Knowing Dumbledore they probably do. It tells you off if your intention when touching it is to take it off it will also eventually shock you if you continue to disobey it."Snape stated before he walked over to Miss Granger and knelt down in front of her.

Hermione had her hands covering her face while her shoulders were shaking. Snape knew that Hermione was silently sobbing and took advantage of this moment to read her collar tag out loud.

Hermione Granger

Hogwarts Student

A.D.

Hearing Snape read out what was on her collar tag while knelt down in front of her snapped her out of her sobbing episode. She just stared at Snape with vacant and sad eyes before he spoke once more.

"Miss Granger, I am aware that I am not your favourite Professor and I will not be your friend, but I am in the same boat as you and the boys so we are just going to have to deal with it. I know that it is quite upsetting to be treated like an animal but it has come across our esteemed Headmaster that we now have to wear collars and are...owned. I had my job taken away from me and now have the three of you dumped in my lap. I assure you that I had nothing to do with this as I to am wearing a collar. We will eventually get out of here but for now we will have to abide by Dumbledore's rules and...behave."Snape said in his monotone teacher voice before he stood up and walked in front of the living room couch.

Hermione looked up at Snape as did Ron before Harry decided to join them both on the couch and sat down next to Hermione. Harry just glared up at Snape completely at a loss at what to do. This was not how he had envisioned himself spending his time for the war. He was going to be bored stiff and trapped in a house with his Potions Professor. He could see no light side to this dark blotch that now was his life. He had hated it at the Dursley's but knew that he was not going to enjoy his time here either. What can happen will happen when your Harry Potter.

Snape growled once more before he took a good look at the students in front of him. He had to think of a plan but as it was he saw no way out of the house with all the precautions Dumbledore had took. For once Snape was at a loss for what to do but would not show the children. 'I will think of something eventually, I always do. I will get us out of here one way or another."Snape thought in determination.

Snape was not a Potions Master for no reason and a very powerful Occlumens. He even made his own spells for crying out loud. They would get out of this trap and they would hunt down Dumbledore if only so they could strangle the man with the collars he so graciously placed around their necks. The war was on.

This is a new story I just had to write. I have been wanting to do a new story for ages. It is also going to have some de-aging in it because some one left a comment for one of my other stories wanting the 'trio' to be de-aged. Depending on how the story is going I will think about that topic. Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Review^_^

Love SeverusSnapePrincess10:)