Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Harry Potter universe. J.K. Rowling does.

Prologue

On the night of October 31, 1981, a tall man in black wizarding robes with long greasy black hair and a hooked nose was walking down Privet Drive in Surrey, England. In his arms, he held a baby-blue bundle of blankets that were wrapped around a black-haired and green-eyed baby at the age of one year and three months that went by the name of Harry Potter.

The man walked up the driveway of four Privet Drive. Before knocking, he looked down at the sleeping child in his arms. A small, rare smile crossed his face as he looked at his once-best-friend's son. The innocence on the small face was so great that even him, Severus Snape, hated potions professor and dungeon bat, simply couldn't hate him. Even if he did resemble James Potter.

He tightened his hold on the boy before knocking on the door loud enough to wake up the family sleeping inside. It was very late, and Harry should have been dropped off tomorrow instead of this late at night, but Headmaster Albus Dumbledore insisted. Then again, he also insisted that Harry be left on the doorstep with a letter he had written, but Severus wasn't doing that. Severus would tell Petunia how her sister died in person, and he would make sure that little Harry was taken care of properly.

The young Potter had just lost both his parents and people would most likely try to manipulate him and use him from now on. Severus decided then and there that he would do everything in his power to keep Harry safe. He wouldn't fail him like he did Lily. He wouldn't.

Severus heard the sound of heavy footsteps before the door swung open to reveal a large walrus of a man.

The man was Vernon Dursley, and he could tell this man was one of those magic people. One of those wizards.He tried to slam the door, a well placed foot in the doorway stopped him.

"Hello, ," he said. "My name is Severus Snape and I have some rather important and urgent news concerning you and your wife. Could I please come in so we may talk." Severus normally wouldn't be polite to someone who had just tried to slam a door in his face, but considering the entire situation, he would put up with a bit of rudeness.

"Fine," grunted the large man with a mustache, stepping aside and allowing the other man into the house.

Vernon led Severus into the living room before going up the stairs to get his wife, Petunia. When they both returned, they saw Severus cuddling the baby close to his chest and whispering words that they could not hear.

Dense as Vernon could be, even he didn't want to break up the touching scene in front of them, but he had to. He cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, , but would mind telling us why exactly you're here?"

Severus looked up at the man. "Of course. How about we all sit down first. What I'm going to tell you is a bit shocking and also may take a while." Once they were all comfortably seated, he continued. "What, exactly, do the two of you know about the Dark Lord Voldemort, also known as You-Know-Who?"

Vernon's face had a blank expression while his wife's eyes widened in fear. "Isn't that the evil wizard that hates non-magical people?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "Yes, that is him. Earlier this evening, he went to where the Potters were hiding. He managed to kill Lily and James." He paused there, letting it sink in.

Petunia's face was pale and held a great amount of grief. "No...please, tell me you're joking…"

Severus sighed, saying "I wish I was."

Petunia narrowed her eyes at him and asked "There's more, isn't there?"

"Yes, there is," Severus said. "The Dark Lord tried to kill little Harry, their son. There had been a prophecy stating that Harry would have the power to destroy the Dark Lord, so he decided to kill him while still a weak baby. But when he shot the killing curse, it somehow rebounded off Harry and back at him, banishing him from his body. The only damage done to Harry is a lightning scar on his forehead. We would have sent him to godfather, but that man had been the one to tell the Dark Lord where the Potters had been. As his only living relatives, he is being sent to you for you to take care of."

"Why should we take care of him? He's one of you freaks, why don't one of you do it?" Petunia sneered. Honestly, the only reason she hated the wizarding world was because it took her sister away. First it dragged her off to some school, then it got her killed.

"Freaks?" Severus snarled. "This boy just saved the wizarding world and the muggle word. He most likely saved your entire family's lives and you call him a freak? The Dark Lord wanted every single muggle tortured and killed, you imbeciles!"

"How do we know that the boy won't use his powers on us? He managed to kill that Voldemort man, what's gonna stop him from doing the same to us?" Vernon barked.

"It is impossible to prove, but I believe that the defeat of the Dark Lord had more to do with Lily's sacrifice than anything Harry actually did, and is hard to tell how powerful he actually is yet. If it would make you feel safer, I could stay here during weekends and during the summer to train him and teach him." Severus offered.

Vernon and Petunia looked at each other and seemed to come to a decision. "It would be lovely if you could do that."

Severus smiled softly. "I am extremely grateful I talked to you instead of doing what the headmaster wanted."

Vernon looked weary. "What, exactly, did this headmaster want you to do?"

"he told me to leave little Harry on your doorstep with this letter he gave me for you to find in the morning." As Severus spoke, he got out the said letter and handed it to Vernon.

Vernon read it aloud for Petunia to also hear.

Dear Dursley Family,

Tonight, the Potters were attacked and killed by Voldemort. Their son, Harry James Potter, lived. It is now your responsibility to raise him, although I suggest you use extremely firm punishing methods. Actually, I do more than suggest, I demand you overwork and abuse this boy as you see fit. You will be given money for taking him in and nobody will check on him.

Sincerely,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Severus was shocked. He actually ordered them to abuse a child. "If you dare to hurt Harry, I will hurt you. That goes for neglect, too." He threatened.

"But what happens if he finds out we aren't doing what he wants?What if does something to us?" Petunia fretted.

"I will put a charms on some bracelets. You two along with your son and Harry will each have one. It will allow me to find you no matter what along with tell me when you are on danger. They will also have certain protection charms, including one that I personally invented that occludes your mind and prevent you from being obliviated or confunded. I will have them made by my next visit."

Both Vernon and Petunia looked relieved. "Thank you so much!" they said.

"It is of no consequence." Severus replied before handing Harry to Petunia. "You will receive some money in your bank account by morning. I must leave now. I will return on Friday evening." Severus then left.

Petunia went upstairs and put Harry in the same crib as Dudley, although it was a tight fit. She paused at the door as she was leaving the room. "We'll get you some things tomorrow, Harry. And while we may fear your powers, we will try our best to be good to you." She whispered before she returned to her own bed for the night.

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