Instead of writing the sad and maybe dark stuff I usually do, I wanted to do something else today. I got this idea a few weeks ago when I saw a picture of a wild water ride in my maths book, and somehow I imagined how funny it would be when Snape (sarcastic as ever, and afraid of water) and Harry (trying to tease Snape after all those horrible Potion classes) would be in it together. So Snape is gonna have a hard time, but don't worry, in the end everything will be all right – I think.
I don't own the Harry Potter characters, only my own wicked mind which made up the plotline. The theme park I describe isn't one that really exists; it's just a combination of all the parks I've visited and a name I made up myself.
Many thanks to Livvie for betareading.
Have a nice day
Chapter 1
It was a beautiful day at the end of Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts. Sirius' escape had been only a few days ago, and Harry was still very cheerful because of that. His mood had got even better when Dumbledore had announced during breakfast that a special trip for the third years students was organized that day. Together with a few teachers they would go to a Muggle theme park called Fun4All. The purpose of this was that the students could have fun after a tiring year, and the interaction with not wizards would help to stop the growing Muggle hate. Everyone, except the Slytherins of course, thought it was a great idea.
After breakfast all the third years had gathered in front of the school, and walked from there to the Muggle station that was only a few miles from Hogwarts. Now everyone was waiting excited for the bus that was hired by the staff to bring them to the theme park.
Harry, Hermione and Ron spent the time talking about Sirius' escape. Unfortunately they couldn't chat much, because Snape, one of the teachers who would look after the students that day, walked by. He didn't try to hide that he was not happy with the fact he had to spend a whole day with the children he had hoped not to see again before the next year.
Dumbledore was present as well: he wouldn't join them because he had to take care for the students who remained at Hogwarts, but he wanted to make sure nothing unexpected would happen during the walk the students had to make, and he would help the other teachers with discovering the magical objects that the students certainly would have been able to smuggle out of the school. Filch had checked all the contents of the bags and rucksacks of the children, but Dumbledore knew there were enough smart students who could somehow manage to sneak something to the park that would give the Ministry of Magic a hard time erasing memories if Muggles would see it.
All the students and teachers, except for Dumbledore, were dressed as Muggles. Especially Snape's outfit – jeans, a shirt and sneakers, all in black of course – caused a lot of giggles. When he walked into the direction of Harry, Hermione and Ron, they quickly changed the topic of their conversation to the day that was coming.
"It's awesome," Ron said excited, "that we're gonna go to Fun4All. I always wanted to go there, but Mum and Dad couldn't afford it to go with the entire family. They could pay for me alone, though I had to promise I wouldn't tell the others."
"O come on Ron," Harry said. "Forget about that, and be glad you finally can go now. I'm really looking forward to go into that extremely fast roller coaster Dudley mentioned last summer… I just can't believe I'll go there myself today!"
"Boys, please," Hermione said slightly irritated. "All you can do is talk about the rides, but that isn't what it's about. Don't you realize it how important it is for us to socialize with Muggles? It's very smart for Dumbledore to organize this. Today we can learn Muggles are almost just like us. The only difference is that…"
Harry and Ron rolled their eyes, wondering why the girl never just could have fun.
"Very interesting, Granger," a voice that sounded even silkier than usual said. "Very touching. It might make things easier for those Muggles if your friend shouldn't try to smuggle magical objects with him."
Ron and Hermione looked wondering to Snape, the owner of the voice, but Harry blushed.
"Your wand, Potter. You know the rules. We told you only twenty times students have to leave their wand at school."
He gazed angrily at Harry when he didn't obey.
"No magical objects for students today, Potter. And since you're a student as well – although you seem to want to prove time after time you're more than that – the same thing goes for you: give me your wand."
"But professor…" Hermione objected. "You know that Harry needs his wand; he has to be able to protect himself if he is attacked!"
"Twenty points from Gryffindor."
Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Snape was faster.
"Another twenty points from Gryffindor. When do you finally understand you should not argue with teachers, Granger?"
"But professor," Ron tried.
"Fifty points from…"
"Well well Severus, is that really necessary?" Dumbledore asked, pretending not to notice Snape, whose eyes narrowed with anger. "What's the problem, Severus? No need to be like that on a beautiful morning like this."
"I'm not so sure about that Headmaster," Snape said angry. "Potter has tried to take his wand to the park, although we explicitly forbade students to bring…"
"Professor," Harry interrupted, "I need my want to be able to defend us in case we'll be attacked."
"O yes, the change is really big some of the Dark Lord's followers who are enjoying a quiet day in a Muggle theme park will recognize you," Snape said sarcastically.
"That you feel sick when you even see a train moving, doesn't mean there aren't other Death Eaters who do like roller coasters!"
"Mr. Weasley, that's enough," Dumbledore said patiently. "Both Professor Snape and Mr. Potter have a point. I can't allow students to have a wand in a place where so many Muggles are. I only trust teachers enough to have one. But if Mr. Potter wants more protection, which I think is very wise, he can get it. Severus, I suggest you keep an eye on Potter and his friends; only them. There are enough teachers to look after the other children, and let's face it, they aren't chased by Voldemort."
Snape flinched a few times, and it wasn't sure whether the mentioning of the Dark Lord's name or the fact that he had to look after the 'golden trio' the entire day.
"But Headmaster…" he said at last.
"If something might happen – I don't expect it, but if – I think the boy is safest in your hands, Severus. Just don't be too harsh on him, and everything will be fine."
Snape wanted to protest again, but Dumbledore didn't give him a change.
"I'm very glad you want to do this," he said.
Before Snape could said one more thing, the bus arrived and Dumbledore walked towards the other students.
"Third years, pay attention please," Dumbledore said. "I already told you the rules this morning, so I won't do it again. All I want to say is: be careful, and have a nice day!"
The students ran to the bus, Harry, Ron and Hermione among them, but they were stopped by Dumbledore.
"Give me your wand, Harry. It's for your own good. Professor Snape will look after you."
"But that's the point," Harry tried once more. "I don't trust him."
"Harry, you can trust him. Honestly. Maybe one day you'll know why, but it isn't mine to tell you. For today I just don't want any accidents to happen. I know how responsible you are, but even the smallest spell in a place with so many Muggles will cause a lot of trouble for you, the teachers, the school and me. It was hard to get permission to do this; no one from the Ministry seemed to understand the importance of it. So I won't let it be ruined."
Harry gave Dumbledore reluctantly his wand.
"Professor Snape will try to be nice today, I just asked him personally. And now go, before you miss the bus," he said.
Hermione and Ron walked away. Before Harry could join them, Dumbledore stopped him again.
"And Harry… I would appreciate it if professor Snape would enjoy this day as well. I know he didn't want to go, but it was necessary. Please make sure he won't regret it I persuaded him."
Harry hurried to Hermione and Ron who were already in the bus, looking for good seats. The only ones which weren't taken yet where those in the front. In that part of the bus was only one other person sitting: Snape. He was staring out of the window, looking extremely annoyed.
Harry, Hermione and Ron sat down on the seats next and behind Snape.
"Well, what a nice day this is gonna be," Ron said so softly Snape couldn't hear.
The other two sighed, knowing that he was probably right.
Harry was thinking about Dumbledore's remark. Making sure Snape wouldn't regret it. No way. That man didn't deserve a nice day after he ruined so much of their days.
Harry smiled when a plan began to develop in his mind.
"I know a way how today can be almost as good as the day Sirius escaped," he whispered to his friends a few minutes later.
I know I finished the chapter before they even are in the theme park, but the fun will start soon, I promise.
There will be so many ways to tease Snape, that it's impossible for me to think about all of them myself. If you have any suggestions, just let me know, and I'll probably use them.