Severus Snape was livid, no correction he was beyond livid. He had been expecting to have a peaceful summer, or as peaceful one could have when you were a double agent. Unfortunately that had just been completely thrown out of the window. Albus had just informed him that it was no longer safe for Harry Potter to stay with his relatives.
"Were the wards breached?" He asked the elder wizard.
"No Severus."
"Then I fail to see why the boy is in danger."
Albus sighed, at that moment he looked extremely exhausted. "Severus, unfortunately the threat does not come from outside his home. It comes from the inside."
Severus looked at Albus incredulously; he couldn't be saying what he thought he was. Deciding he needed his thoughts clarified, he just asked, "What exactly are you implying Albus, that the boy is being abused?"
The old wizard sighed once again. "Unfortunately Severus, that is exactly what I am saying. Mrs. Figg had told me that something was not quite right in that house, so I sent someone to check up on him. He was locked in his room. It appeared the boy had not only been starved but beaten as well. He has physically recovered from his injuries, but mentally, he probably never will."
Severus didn't think his legs could hold him much longer, so he dropped into a chair. He was no longer livid, he was horrified. He did not like the boy, but never in a million years would he wish something like this on him, no child deserved that.
"Where will he stay now Albus? The blood wards were the only thing protecting him during the summer."
"He will have to stay with you Severus."
"WHAT! I don't have any relation to Lily or Potter, how can I keep him safe?"
"I realize that, but your home has some of the strongest ward around. No one will ever find him there, and you are protected by your government as well. Voldemort would never dare attack a person there."
"Albus, I want to keep Potter safe but I have priories, you must realize this."
"Severus, what do you think Lisa would feel if she found out you were denying a child safety on her account?"
Severus remained silent, he knew exactly what she would be, she would be pissed. It would be a living nightmare, no it would be worse than a nightmare. She'd have his hide.
"Alright Albus, I will allow the boy to stay with us, but on two conditions," he said slowly.
"What is it?"
Severus sighed and then said, "He must take a wizards oath that he will never disclose the location of my home, or what he finds there."
Albus nodded in agreement. "Very reasonable, I was already planning on him doing so. What is your other term?"
"I also have the right to discipline him how I see fit. I will not have him undermining me in my own house."
"Of course, I wouldn't even think about telling you how to discipline a child in your home. Anyway I have a request for you."
Severus's black eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that at all. "Albus I don't think you are in any place to be requesting anything from me. You are the one shoving him in to my home."
"This is just a request to make it easier on Harry, and to protect a few other children."
Severus looked at him sharply, he knew what he wanted. "No Albus, no! I absolutely refuse this time! With Potter it is a necessity, with the others it is not."
"Unfortunately it is. The Weasleys had been attacked just recently and the children are no longer safe. Also I believe it would be very upsetting for Harry to be alone. He doesn't need any more mental trauma then he has already received."
"You are milking this for everything it is worth," Severus bit out, and then sighed dramatically, "Alright I give in, they can come. Am I right in assuming that the Granger girl will be coming as well?"
"You are."
Severus closed his eyes, and then slowly said, "When will I be expecting them?"
"I would like them to be at your home tonight."
"Alright, have you told them yet?"
"No but I have discussed it with their parents, they are completely alright with it. Let's go tell them shall we."
Severus nodded and followed Albus into the kitchen area of the Borrow. He seriously doubted that the parents were completely alright with them staying at his home. In fact he was pretty sure it was exactly the opposite. He also knew if Black was still alive, he would have never allowed him to take Harry, someone would have died first. The cold faces of the occupants in the kitchen confirmed his earlier thought.
"I have just spoken with Severus about allowing the children to stay at his home, and he has agreed. He said they could leave with him tonight, is this alright?"
It was clear that the answer everyone wanted to give Albus was no. The only question was if someone would tell him this.
"Albus I still don't see why they have to go with Severus. How could he possibly protect them better then we could?" Molly Weasley asked.
"Molly we have already discussed this. Severus has wards around his house that will not allow anyone to find them. Anyway I think we should bring the children in and tell them."
Molly quietly went out to get them and it didn't take long for her to return. It appeared that they had been eavesdropping or attempting to. Harry stopped in the door and pointed at Severus.
"What is he doing here?"
"Harry, have a seat and we will explain that," Albus said and fortunately Harry complied. "Harry I believe that the only place you would be really protected at would be Severus's home." The children were stunned; it appeared Albus had finally lost his mind. "I also believe it would be good for Harry if you other children went with them. You will be protected there. The wards are very strong there and no one will be able to find you."
That was all Ron could take of their Headmaster's madness, he could remain quiet no longer. "He's a Death Eater! How do we know he won't use this to advantage? What if he sells us out to You Know Who?"
It was rather obvious that this sentiment was shared by all of them. It was also obvious that without proof, they would get nowhere.
"I'll show you why I won't use this to my advantage. I'll be right back Albus," Severus growled, and then disappeared.
It was only a few seconds and then he reappeared. With him was a woman. She was a little on the short side, but was of medium build. She had semi short, dark blond hair, and glasses but the most surprising thing was that she was wearing muggle clothing. She was also speaking.
"I absolutely hate it when you do that Sev, you know it makes me sick, especially now."
"I'm sorry but it was necessary, I wouldn't do it otherwise," Severus told her.
The woman looked around nervously. "Where are we Sev?"
Before he could answer Albus spoke. "Pleasure to see you again Lisa, please have a seat."
She complied but she seemed a little slow, Severus stood behind her.
"Lisa seeing how Severus did not have time to explain to you why you are here, I will," Albus said. "It is no longer safe for Harry to stay at his former home, so now he needs a secure place to stay during the summer. The only place that has strong enough wards is your and Severus's home. We have already agreed that Harry and his friends will be staying with you for the summer, but they need some reassurance that they will be alright."
Lisa looked slightly puzzled. "I don't know what I am supposed to be reassuring them of." Her American accent was clearly obvious, and so was her confusion.
"They believe that I am a Death Eater and that I plan to hand Potter over the next chance I get," Severus told her. It was easy to tell he was annoyed.
Lisa chuckled softly. "Appearances can be deceiving, and you have been fully fooled. I do not pay a lot of attention to foreign wizard cults, but Severus tells me enough to know a real Death Eater would never marry a muggle."
Two things hit them like a ton of bricks. One Severus was married to her and she was a muggle. It also explained why the wards in his home were so strong. If anyone ever found out she would be in a lot of danger.
"Is that enough proof Mr. Weasley?" Severus said with a sneer while glaring at the boy.
Ron just nodded dumbly, still not over his shock.
Lisa looked up at Severus and then asked, "Which ones are going to be staying with us Severus?"
"Potter, Granger, and the youngest two of the Weasleys."
"And when will they be coming with us?" she asked him.
Albus was the one to answer. "Tonight if that is alright with you, Lisa."
She smiled and said, "That's fine with me. Are they ready to go?"
"No not yet, it was a last minute decision of mine." Albus told her.
"I was just only told a few minutes ago of his...idea," Severus said.
Lisa looked back at Severus and said, "Well can you bring me back home since they aren't ready? I'd really like to be home right now."
Severus smiled slightly, and nodded. She stood up, and in the next moment they were both gone.
Albus's eyes twinkled as he smiled. He then said, "I think you four should go get packed."
Numbly they complied.
