Summer Holidays - Arrival

The common smell of fresh croissants and hot coffee streaming through King's Cross Train Station during the early morning hours was long gone by the time parents started arriving to pick their children up from Platform 9 ¾. Another year of school had gone by, for some their first, for others their last; for many more another milestone towards their final examinations. What all had in common though was that they had six weeks of holiday before them; some would go travelling, others relax at home. Another number of students were planning a mixture of things, hanging out with friends, a short holiday and in-between all that, completing their homework.

Unlike at many Muggle schools, the professors at Hogwarts made sure to give a good amount of homework – or preparatory work – over all holidays. While a good number of Muggle students used their holidays to be lazy and turn into sloths, at Hogwarts students were very much encouraged not to stray too far away from work as not to fall behind in the next year. Certainly, many students put their homework off until the last week, but all knew the punishments for incomplete assignments: detentions (which were fairly manageable) or point deductions (letting another house take an early lead).

As parents started accumulating in the neighbourhood of the pillar acting as the entrance and exit to Platform 9 ¾, the aroma of home baked pastries, pies and freshly prepared sandwiches (which had all been consumed for lunch) was pushed out of the air and in its place came an aroma of takeaways grabbed by the commuters on their way to the station: a range of pizza, Chinese and food from the new McDonalds restaurant nearby. Anything was easier than cooking at home.

It wasn't long after the clock struck 6.30 pm that the first students escaped through the pillar, pushing a heavy luggage trolley with their trunk, pet cage and other belongings in front of them. Teary welcomes between the First Year students and their parents occurred, the older students settled for a quiet but loving hug screaming out their longing to be with their parents again and all told tales of the events of the latest school year. Squashed in-between were goodbyes to friends: few words, quick embraces, hurried waves. Parents were happy to have their children back in their arms and children were happy to go home again. As much as any of them loved going to Hogwarts, there really was nothing better than Home.

One among many, Severus Snape stood nearby the Weasleys who were attracting attention due to their exceptionally bright red hair and unique style of fashion (not many a Muggle saw cloaks and cone-shaped hats on a daily basis). Having spent many years of his life in the Muggle World (despite having taught at Hogwarts for twenty years), he knew how to blend in. Thus he wore black denim trousers and a grey polo shirt, his hair hanging down as greasy as it had ever been and his moderately hairy arms crossed in front of his chest. The Weasleys, though acquainted with him, knew better than to talk with him as he appeared to be in an exceptionally grumpy mood and they had no wish to find out why.

By then the students were pouring out (though not so many at once as to attract attention) and the three oldest Weasley boys made their appearance. Severus watched from the corner of his eye as they reunited with their parents, the twins pulling grimaces as they were drawn into a tight embrace by their mum and their older brother shaking his dad's hand, being congratulated on his completion of seven years of Hogwarts and high success in his final exams. Not long after, the Weasley Girl came out, together with a Ravenclaw girl. Both Mr and Mrs Weasley hugged their daughter who had just finished her very first year (Severus remembered her to be a plague in his potions class) and her mother became teary as many others had been.

Not only he but also the Weasleys were now awaiting the arrival of two boys for they were bound to come together. Severus rolled over in his imaginary grave as he visualized what the next six weeks of torture would be like: Potter disobeying every order, acting as if he was the prince of the world, expecting to be served on. Surely that must be how it happened in the Dursley household! But no – neither Severus nor his wife (or even children!) would tolerate such insolent behaviour. No – Potter would see what was coming for him. A bit of discipline has hurt no one yet.

At last the Golden Trio came through the pillar but the Granger girl immediately took off towards her parents. While Weasley was welcomed by his family, Severus saw Potter freeze and his eyes were fixed on him.

Harry, transfixed by his teacher's presence, didn't remember to look out for the Dursleys who would, more likely than not, be hiding some distance away afraid to be seen with him. He and his best friends Ron and Hermione had seconds earlier gone through the pillar connecting Platform 9 ¾ with the rest of King's Cross Train Station, after having arrived back from their second school year at Hogwarts. However he appeared to be the only one to have noticed Snape as every one else was occupied with… talking to their parents.

Snape huffed. "I haven't got all day, Potter."

Harry tore himself out of the surprised state he was in and managed to croak, "What…?" He didn't understand… Did Snape expect him to go with him? What had happened to the Dursleys? Why would he spend the summer holidays – his only time away from school (not that he disliked it there) – with his most hated professor? Had his relatives died? What about the Weasleys, or Grangers? If he couldn't stay at the Dursleys any longer (not that he wanted to) then he'd obviously choose to stay with his friends! Or was Snape just joking? Yes – that must be it! Snape hated him, why would he give away his holidays to look after him? He had better things to do like… like procrastinating over washing his hair, by the looks of it.

"Dumbledore is insisting on you staying with me this summer," Severus replied impatiently, tapping with his right index finger onto his left upper arm. How he hated these irritating, senseless, inane Gryffindors! Would it be possible to go through the whole of the six weeks holidays without murdering Potter's son? Unlikely. He was already annoying him seconds after his arrival. What had Dumbledore thought when he came up with this inglorious idea? Have Potter stay with him during the summer holidays - pah! He must have had a moment of madness – surely. There were more than enough professors who adored Potter – like McGonnagall. Yes! Why couldn't Potter stay with her? It would be a much safer option for everyone.

Harry received a stare of displeasure as he still didn't move, blocking the way for others hurrying past; the aroma of a spicy chicken curry flew past, quickly replaced with the fatty stench of a burger with large fries. "Potter," he hissed maliciously. "Get a move on or –"

"Is something wrong?" a tall, slender lady with an American accent interrupted concerned. Her auburn hair was in a slightly messy bun; in one hand she held a battered briefcase and a paper bag smelling of pizza margarita and in her other a brand new 2G mobile phone from which a voice spoke. She was dressed like a typical business woman on her way home. "Can I assist in any way?" Her eyes glanced at Hedwig in her dented cage sleeping, which was stacked on top of Harry's trunk on the luggage trolley, and her attempt at not showing her disapproval was obvious.

"No," Severus snapped. "Everything is fine, isn't it Harry?" It took him all the decency he had, but he managed to pronounce Potter's name without any underlying hatred. Already this was proving to be a challenge and they had only been together for what – four minutes? Dumbledore was mysterious at times, but more often he was simple impractical and unreasonable.

Harry nodded feebly. What was Dumbledore planning? Hadn't he just saved Hogwarts from closure by killing the basilisk? Was this some kind of punishment? Or it really was a joke. But then – if the Dursleys really were at the station they would have made themselves noticeable as to leave as soon as possible. Then it hit him: this was no joke and his relatives were likely to be at home celebrating their freedom from him, drinking champagne and burning whatever of his things he didn't take to Hogwarts the previous year.

She bobbed her head, still not happy. "It was just…" the lady tried to explain. "It seemed as if there was some kind of… disagreement between you and your son." Her mouth curled into a satisfied smile as this explanation passed her lips.

Snape's eyes burrowed. "He's not my son," he stated firmly. The lady shifted uncomfortably. "He's my nephew," he added hastily as not to make her think that he and Potter had never met before and he was a paedophile.

The lady moved on without saying another word, returning to the person on her mobile phone. Severus gave Potter a deathly stare as if to say "Look what you've done now!"

Without waiting for another reply from Potter, Snape spun around and started walking off, not bothering pausing to see if Harry was following him.

Harry lamely started to follow his teacher, still confused. Should he really go with Snape? But then - if he didn't, what else was he going to do? The Dursleys obviously were not there to pick him up and although he knew that the Weasleys would gladly invite them to their house, it appeared as if Snape was in fact sent by Dumbledore. Why else would he have lied to that lady?

Ron threw him an apologetic look as he waltzed off with Mr and Mrs Weasley and his four siblings. It wasn't easy to keep up with Snape's long, hurried strides and the heavy luggage trolley didn't help. Once Harry did catch up, puffing for air, he said, "Why?" The past years Dumbledore had insisted that he stay with the Dursleys instead of going to the Weasleys, so why the sudden change of heart? And why Snape of all people? Couldn't he have gone with Professor McGonnagal? Hell, or even Flitwick – anything was better than Snape.

His teacher whirled around to face Harry. "I was instructed not to tell you." As much as he tried, Severus couldn't resist looking into Harry's – Lily's – emerald green eyes. It was the only thing about that boy which didn't bring him back to the memories of the pain James Potter caused. Even after all these years, it hurt to be reminded of his best – his only – friend who was stolen by Potter. Harry Potter was to the core like his irrational father… except for those damn eyes! Continuing to walk, he slowed down his pace to let Harry stay beside him. He may hate the situation he was in, but at least he was in it with Lily's son.

Upon leaving the busy King's Cross Train Station Harry, though somewhat frightened by Snape's short-tempered behaviour towards him in the past two years, dared asking where they were going.

"We're going to apparate to my home," he mumbled turning around an abandoned corner. "Ireland."

A/N: New chapters should be uploaded on a fortnightly basis, however if school gets in the way it may be slightly earlier/ later