More Than a Promise
Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter and I am only saying this once so I will not repeat it in later chapters
Notes: Before I begin, I want everyone to know that this is set in an alternate universe where underage magic is allowed so long as it is not in the presence of muggles, three characters, who are not animagi in canon, are animagi and one Malfoy is good. This is likely to be a short story, by second story of any length to take place after Goblets of Fire, so here is the first chapter and reviews, as always, are much appreciate.
One
The Fall of the Wards
Harry Potter could tell something was off with his relatives almost immediately by the way they occasionally glanced out the window and rushed back and forth to pack. Though Harry was unsure of what it is his relatives were doing, he knew he could place a good guess and it would most likely be very close to the actual truth. Harry watched from the top of the steps as his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon dashed back and forth across the first floor of the house packing everything in sight.
"You're lucky we didn't do this earlier," Vernon growled angrily glaring balefully at Harry. "But you and your freakishness are not going to harm our family ever again. And don't you even think about telling your little freaky friends of what's happening."
Harry just stayed silently although he was absolutely sure that they would know even if he didn't tell them. He had been told from an early age that anything and everything that went on within the household was not to be repeated to anyone outside of the house. In all honesty, Harry couldn't help but wonder why it was that he actually considered this place to be his home when he was treated as nothing more than an outcast and a burden. Often, in the past, his aunt and uncle both made him feel as though he was just that, a burden, and his cousin Dudley just made matters worse in that respect.
"Come on, Vernon, we need to get out of here before those freaks get wind of what we're doing," Petunia called as she pulled a suitcase behind her and headed out through the door.
Vernon nodded curtly. "Hurry up, Dudley, we're leaving," he called upstairs and Harry found himself pushed to the side by the bulk of Dudley's form accompanied with his suitcases.
"Coming dad," Dudley called before he glanced at Harry, snorted, and added, "Finally we get to get away from the freak," before also leaving the house until Harry and Vernon were the only ones left within it.
"Now just stay up there, you freak," Vernon growled before he, too, left the house and slammed the door shut behind him. Harry watched as his uncle locked the door behind him before he sighed and got to his feet. He walked down the steps and toward the cupboard beneath the stairs, that had been his home for the first ten years of his life, before he opened it, glad his uncle hadn't locked it before leaving.
Pulling his wand out of his trunk, Harry tucked it away before pulling the rest of his stuff from the cupboard. He figured it was best to be safe rather than sorry when it came to the fact that Voldemort was back and he was by himself now that his aunt and uncle were gone. It was only about two weeks into the summer holidays and, because of yet another bout of accidental magic like the one that blew up his Aunt Marge, his aunt and uncle decided they had enough. So Harry hadn't the slightest clue as to what he was supposed to do and how the bloody hell he was supposed to make it out of this one especially since it was likely the wards were on the verge of falling.
If they haven't fallen already, Harry thought as he carried his trunk to Dudley's second bedroom and walked over to the cage where Hedwig was just waking up.
"Hi there girl," Harry greeted the owl who chirped in response before fluttering her feathers. "Do you want to go flying, Hedwig?"
Hedwig chirped in response and Harry opened the cage before walking over to the window, which was no longer covered with bars, before opening it. Hedwig flew out of her cage before out of the window and spread her feathery wings. She shot up into the sky and Harry watched her go, glad that his familiar and friend was able to finally fly free.
Sighing, Harry sank down on his bed before gazing out at the sky as the sun began to fall and the rays of dying sunlight bled through the window and into the room. The first stars of twilight twinkled into existence and Harry watched the stars for a long moment before he decided that if anything was going to happen tomorrow then he may as well be well rested and prepared for it.
After reporting what he had learned about the dark lord and his followers to the members of the Order of the Phoenix just before they left on their own separate missions the day before, Severus was otherwise surprised to find himself waking up the following day to the sound of someone floo calling him. He was currently resting at his family's cottage, which was situated on the countryside on the outskirts of London, and he knew that only a select few knew of where his home was located.
The cottage was basically a resort away from his abusive father where his mother took him whenever she could until she died. When Severus came of age, he left his father and moved in to the cottage soon before his father died. Ever since then, even when he caused his best friend and only love to walk away from him, joined the Death Eaters, turned spy for the Order of the Phoenix and received forgiveness from his best friend and only love, he spent his summer at the cottage.
Severus had been surprised when he received forgiveness from his beloved Lily soon after her son, Harry, had been born. Soon after that, Lily had asked him to protect her son should anything happen to her. Severus had agreed and, ever since then, he has strived to fulfill his promise while at the same time try not to throttle the arrogant little brat that was Harry bloody Potter, the bloody Boy-Who-Lived.
The floo call came again and Severus finally got to his feet and, after transfiguring his sleepwear into his more traditional clothing, he left his bedroom and walked down the hall into the living room. He made his way across the living room before answering the call and the head of Albus Dumbledore poked through the green flames. "Ah Severus my boy," he greeted him.
"What do you want, Albus?" Severus asked flatly.
"Do you mind if I step over? It will not take long but this stooping isn't good for my old bones."
"May as well." Severus was absolutely sure that Albus would step over anyway even if he told him not to.
Albus smiled before his head disappeared and his whole colorful body appeared through the floo. "I still have some things to do that are important at the moment with the Ministry of Magic but I managed to escape for a few minutes," he said.
"Will you get on with it, headmaster?"
"Very well, Severus. The wards around the Dursley household have fallen," Albus said quietly. "And I'm worried. The blood wards can only fall if the Dursleys leave or if Harry no longer considers the place as his home."
Severus curled his lip in a sneer. "The bloody brat most likely doesn't consider the place his home because he no longer gets whatever he wants. Typical of a Potter to do something to warrant attention from everyone, attention seeking brat," he hissed.
"Oh Severus, if you would just take the time to know Harry then you would see that he is not his father," Albus said gently.
Severus sneered in response. "So what does this have to do with me?"
"You're the only one I can spare and…"
"No."
"Severus, I have not even asked…"
"I will not do it, Albus."
"Please, Severus, you're the only one I can spare. Every other member of the Order has been given a mission, Hogwarts is very nearly empty at the moment and Sirius has as of yet to be cleared of all charges so you're the only one that can at least check on him to make sure everything is all right and perhaps speak with the Dursleys," the headmaster said.
Severus scowled angrily. "And if everything is not all right?"
"I shall leave that to your discretion. Besides, you promised Lily that you would protect her son should he need it."
"You don't need to remind me, Albus. I do remember that promise," Severus said flatly.
"Then why don't you go check on him right away before something happens? It is likely that if I know the wards have fallen then it will not be long before Tom also learns this truth."
"If the Dark Lord does learn of this then he will likely call me to him to celebrate his victory over the brat after he sends someone like Lucius or Crabbe to get the brat for him," Severus said. "He has not called me since yesterday so it's very likely he's still in the dark." He paused for a moment before adding reluctantly, "Very well, Albus, I will go check up on the Potter brat."
"Thank you my boy. Now then, I'd best get back before things get worse. The Ministry of Magic is still being stubborn to accept that Voldemort has come back."
"The Ministry is full of a bunch of paranoid hypocritical dunderheads."
"Truly, Severus, but I must go now," said Albus before he disappeared through the floo.
Sighing and wondering how in the world he was able to get manipulated into doing this but figuring it was because of the promise he made to Lily, Severus left the cottage. Walking past the wards that surrounded Prince Cottage, Severus turned on the spot before apparating to Privet Drive with a barely heard crack.
When he arrived on the street, he transfigured his clothing until it was muggle before gazing around and keeping his wand out but hidden. He knew that he was being a bit paranoid but there was a chance that a Death Eater could be watching the street. It wasn't likely because then the Death Eater would have informed the dark lord that the wards were down. Still, Severus felt it was better to be safe rather than to be sorry.
Upon reaching Number 4 Privet Drive, Severus was struck by how empty it looked. There wasn't a single car in the driveway and all the lights were off; the house gave off a deserted feeling that did not suit Severus well. Severus cast a quick spell to determine whether or not the house was being watched but he decided to be safe rather than sorry once again.
When the spell came back with no results, Severus knocked on the door before waiting somewhat impatiently for anyone to answer the door. He doubted that anyone would answer and so he was a bit surprised when the door was unlocked and opened up to reveal the small form of the fourteen year old Harry Potter.
"Professor Snape?" Potter widened his eyes briefly in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Severus curled his lip in a sneer. "Do you greet all of your guests in such a way, Potter?" he said curtly.
"Oh, uh, I wasn't expecting anyone really," Potter admitted before he stepped aside and added, "You can come in if you want."
Severus took the boy upon his offer and stepped into the house, noting that the house looked even more empty on the inside then on the outside. What happened here? Severus wondered silently.
Harry had been surprised when someone knocked on the door and he grew even more shocked when he opened it to reveal the form of the Hogwarts professor he disliked the most. He knew better than to draw attention to that fact, although he was sure that Snape knew of how much he disliked him and Snape hated him. "So why are you here, Professor?" he asked.
Snape was examining the empty house with narrowed eyes. "What happened here? Where are your bloody relatives?" he asked curtly turning his gaze to Harry.
Harry frowned, unsure of what to say although it was obvious what happened. "They left," he replied.
"And why would they do that?"
Harry glowered at the Potions Professor. "Why else would they leave and take everything with them?" he snapped back.
"Don't be cheeky, Potter," Snape hissed. "And this is not the time to try my patience. Are they likely to come back?"
"Probably not," Harry said angrily. "After all, no one gets up, packs everything up and leaves the house if they wish to come back."
Snape scowled angrily before he raised his wand and cast a quick spell that Harry couldn't hear before swearing under his breath. "We need to get you out of here before the dark lord's supporters find out the wards have fallen," he said.
"The wards fell?"
"Yes now go get your trunk, your wand and your owl and we'll leave before they get here."
"I don't know…"
"Potter, this is not open for debate. Go get your stuff, now!" Snape barked angrily his wand in his hand as he glanced toward the window and the street. "The dark lord's supporters cannot catch us here."
Harry glowered at the Potions Professor but did as he was told and jogged up the staircase. He slipped into his bedroom before grabbing his trunk and holding out an arm to Hedwig who flew onto it. He then grabbed Hedwig's cage before walking out of the room and back down the staircase.
"We're going to side long apparate, Potter," Snape said. "Since Hogwarts is unprotected at the moment, you're going to have to come with me to my home, however much I do not like it."
He then grabbed Harry's arm and turned on the spot, disappearing from Number 4 Privet Drive with a soft crack. They reappeared on the edge of a winding stone path that led to a one story building. Snape released Harry before leading the way up the path. "Let's go," he said not bothering to break stride.
"This is where you live?" Harry asked as he followed Snape toward the one story cottage.
Snape sneered but he kept whatever sardonic comment he was thinking of to himself. "Yes," he said simply before he walked to the door and tapped his wand against it, causing the door to swing open before he led the way into a living room. Harry examined the inside of the house curiously; the living room was organized in such a way that a couch and a chair was situated in front of the fireplace with a circular glass table in between them. There was a hallway in front of him with seven doors to the left of him and, beyond the living room, was a kitchen with a circular table in it.
"Come, Potter, you may stay in one of the spare rooms," Snape said before he led the way down the hallway and toward one of the doors. He opened it up before stepping aside.
Harry examined the room and he was a bit surprised to find that it was bigger than Dudley's second bedroom. He'd never think that his hated Potions Professor would provide him with more than his relatives ever did, especially now that they weren't in school.
"Well don't just stand there. It's as if you've never seen a room his large before," Snape sneered.
Harry glared at Snape but bit back the sharp retort that was on the tip of his tongue, his uncle's rules still on his mind. "Thank you, Professor," he said before he stepped into the room missing the look of surprise that flashed across the Potion Professor's impassive obsidian gaze.
a/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was the filler chapter 1
Severus: I rather liked it
Blaze: yup
Harry: what's going to happen in the next chapter?
Blaze: a meeting with the dark lord, a nightmare and some other things. Please review and I will post chapter 2 as soon as I possibly can
