Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K. Rowling. I do not own Harry Potter and the associated characters. I do not make any profit from these writings. Except for the main plot, all other plot variations belong to me.
Warnings: This story is slash. Mild language. This story is AU. Everything will be explained at a later date. Please be patient.
A big thanks to all those who have reviewed the story!
Thanks to Azure Delta who beta'd this chapter. You're the best!
Chapter 2
Harry was standing outside the gates of the castle, watching the students take the carriages to Hogsmeade station. Hermione and Ron were still standing with him, trying to spend a few more minutes with Harry before they would be forced to leave him and get into a carriage, lest they miss the train home.
"It will be alright Harry. We will support you through this; you have our word on that." Hermione reassured him even as she jabbed Ron with an elbow at his lack of an answer.
"Yeah, mate; I can't say that I understand all this but I won't make the same mistakes twice. I may not like it but I won't abandon you because of it. We are in this together, no matter what." Ron stated sincerely, wanting to assure Harry that he wouldn't be a total prat this time around.
"Thanks guys, this means a lot to me." Harry said, quickly hugging both of them before stepping back a bit and pushing them down the steps towards the carriages.
"Better get going guys; you're almost the last ones left. You don't want to miss the train on my account." Harry said with a small smile, before jokingly adding, "That's a sure shot way of getting into trouble when the goal is to try and keep me out of it for as long as possible."
"Harry, write to me when you can or give me a call if you have access to a telephone! I've written down my number in one of your notebook!" Hermione called back, even as she and Ron ran down the castle step and towards the waiting carriages and climbing into them.
As the carriages moved away, Harry saw Hermione poke her head through the window and call out, "Don't forget to study, Harry! It's N.E.W.T.'s year!"
Harry couldn't help but laugh at his academic oriented friend and her obsession with studies.
He watched them go until the carriages were just a tiny speck on the long road to Hogsmeade station before turning back to enter the castle, a heavy sigh falling from his lips as he wondered nervously what the rest of the day would bring.
Harry made his way back up the stairs to Gryffindor tower to collect his belongings and get ready to meet Snape. Although now that he thought about it; the Professor hadn't told him where to meet him or at what time. He'd only vaguely hinted at the time of departure.
Nevertheless, he didn't want to start off on the wrong foot by being late and angering Snape. With that thought in mind, Harry trudged up the final stairs leading to the entrance guarded by The Fat Lady's portrait.
On seeing her, he quickly stated the password 'Sweet Relief' before she could start chatting with him. He didn't want to be rude but he didn't want to be stuck there listening to nonsensical prattle either.
"Hmph! Children these days seem to have no manners…" the Fat Lady muttered with an annoyed huff before swinging open for the boy to enter the rooms.
Harry quickly clambered in and made his way through the empty common room, up to the boys' dorm to make a final sweep of his belongings and ensure that he left nothing important behind.
A glance at his watch told him it was just half an hour shy of noon. He was just contemplating going up to the headmaster's office when he was startled by Fawkes' sudden appearance. Fawkes was clutching a note in his talons. Reaching out gently to take it from his talons, Harry was relieved when Fawkes immediately let go of the note and fluttered onto his shoulder to take perch.
The note was brief:
Shrink your belongings and ensure that your owl is in her cage. Bring all items that you wish to carry to our home with you and meet me in the headmaster's office in ten minutes.
Fawkes was gently preening his hair and trilling soft notes now and again; the heavy weight of the bird and its gentle notes undoing knots of tension that he hadn't known existed; making him feel calm and relaxed instead of tense and wound up.
With a soft caress on his feathered head; Harry murmured, "Thanks, Fawkes, you're a life saver."
In response, Fawkes nuzzled Harry gently before taking flight and flashing away; leaving Harry to finish up and make his way to the headmaster's office.
In no time, Harry found himself outside the headmaster's office; having known the password before hand and thus saving the time normally spent reciting the names of various sweets, hoping he would get lucky and gain entrance.
He knocked briskly on the door twice and waited for permission. Opening the door, he was met with the sight of the headmaster sitting at his desk and Snape as usual standing at one corner; facing both the headmaster and the door.
With a crook of his finger, Severus beckoned him to come close. Harry, not really having anything to say, obeyed and made his way next to the professor silently.
"Headmaster, I believe the best course of action is to go on as I normally do at the end of each year, that is to say; I will be taking Potter with me to my cousin's house for a few days' stay before we make our way to Prince Manor for the remainder of the summer." Severus drawled out, before raising an eyebrow and enquiring, "Is that agreeable to you?"
"Hmm…yes, I think that is the wisest course of action that we can take at this point." Albus agreed with Severus, a contemplative look on his face.
"Life ought to continue as normal if we are to maintain the illusion regarding the need for this bond," he stated, deciding to bow to Severus' wishes in this matter.
Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Have you decided how you are to get there yet?" curious to know what plan Severus had devised to get them to Prince Manor without any mishaps.
"If it isn't too inconvenient, I would like to use your private floo with your permission…"Severus first queried, unsure whether he was overstepping any boundaries.
"You are always welcome to use it, as and when you please, my boy. You have no need for my permission," Albus informed him, trying to convey to him what Severus meant to him by actions rather than words.
"That's very kind of you headmaster, but it always pays to be courteous and ask for one's permission rather than take liberties." Severus drawled quietly, sending a meaningful look Harry's way, before pulling himself together once again.
"In any case, the best way to avoid any suspicion is to floo directly to his house and stay there for a few days before heading out to Prince Manor, which will be our Summer Residence from now on," Severus continued without missing a beat, keeping a watch over Harry from the corner of his eye to gauge how he was taking in all the proceedings.
"Harry, would you like to visit your relatives before departing with Severus?" Albus asked, giving Harry a chance to put in his two cents.
"Maybe explain to them what has happened and inform them that you will no longer be residing there?"
"No, not really…" Harry muttered, disliking being put on the spot like this.
"You know that they dislike me and hate anything to do with magic, in general. It won't even matter to them if I don't show up; they'll chalk it up as good riddance and be done with it…" Harry said slowly, reluctant to share the details of his family life with them
"I think, under the circumstances, we should skip meeting his relatives until midway through the summer, when things have had a chance to settle down." Severus interrupted Albus smoothly before he could get started again, wanting to put a stop to this nonsense.
He did not have the patience to deal with all this crap. What he was putting up with already was more than enough, Severus thought disparagingly.
He was finally satisfied when he saw Albus acquiesce to his wishes and give them permission to use the private floo to begin their journey.
"If you both are ready, then let's get this over with, gentlemen." Albus said before getting up and making his way to his quarters, beckoning them quietly to come along behind him.
Severus followed silently behind Harry, keeping an eye on his every move, trying to gauge how he was holding up to his new situation, yet unable to find anything beyond the calm façade that he was showing right then.
With a silent sigh, he decided to let things be as they were for now. He'd analyze the situation again later on.
Severus watched as Albus took them back into his quarters and directed them to the fireplace. He picked up the jar of floo powder after stoking the fire up a little bit; offering it to the two men standing beside him.
"The address is 'Crowley Hill, Scotland', Potter. Don't forget to pronounce it properly or you might get lost on the way. I will go through first and adjust the wards to allow you entrance. Wait one minute before you follow me through the floo," Severus informed Potter of the details and further cautioned him, "And remember to hold your owl close, lest you lose her midway."
With a farewell nod to the silent headmaster standing by, Severus threw the floo powder into the fire and with a quiet yet clear voice stated the address before stepping in and being whisked away to his destination.
The silence that followed the professor's departure was broken when Professor Dumbledore turned and addressed Harry.
"You are free to contact me, Harry. Even if all that you require is a sympathetic ear, a person who knows what the true situation is. Hedwig will know to find me." Professor Dumbledore informed him, patting him on the shoulders, trying to convey with words that he would be there to support Harry through this difficult phase.
"Of course, Professor. I'll remember to send you an owl if ever I feel the need for counsel." Harry replied back, inwardly pleased that he would have someone to turn to; if things with Professor Snape got too rough for him to handle.
With a nod in the direction of the floo, the headmaster motioned Harry to take his leave and join Severus.
"I think that's sufficient time that we've given to Professor Snape. It will be prudent if you were to join him now rather than waiting too long, my boy." Albus advised him.
With an agreeing nod, Harry took a deep breath, as if trying to bolster himself for the summer to come…Picking up a pinch of floo powder, he threw it into the fire before heeding Snape's instructions and stepping into the floo after shouting out the address; eyes tightly clenched shut to try and prevent the nausea that was inevitable after spinning through a bloody fireplace. Who in heaven's name came up with such weird modes of travel? Harry thought in exasperation, as he kept his elbows tucked in and Hedwig clutched close to his chest.
He was so dizzy by the time the correct floo exit appeared that he stumbled ungainly and literally fell out of the fire place, instead of stepping out of it unscathed like he'd originally planned; Hedwig and her cage rocking alarmingly as he almost lost his hold on it.
Well, the best laid plans never did work out for him, Harry thought with a grimace as he reached out to right Hedwig and her cage before trying to push himself up on his knees and get up.
The appearance of a hand in his line of vision momentarily confused him, his eyes flying up to meet his professor's before finally taking the proffered hand, and pulling himself up. The world rocked alarmingly for a moment as he fought to get his bearings straight. Realizing the problem, Severus quickly guided him to a nearby chair and pushed him into it, forcing his head down until it rested between his knees and keeping a restraining hand on him, preventing him from getting up and making matters worse.
Quite a few deep, steady breaths later, Harry quietly murmured, "I'm fine now, Sir…the spinning has stopped."
"If you're sure," Severus drawled, letting go of his head and moving away, giving Harry some space to get up.
Harry tentatively got up, keeping a hand on the arm rest just in case he started to feel dizzy again.
A few minutes later when he was sure that nothing untoward would happen, Severus motioned for Harry to follow him into the house.
Harry quietly picked up Hedwig and her cage, and followed the professor, inwardly wondering what this new house and his new status had in store for him.
Severus led him down a long hall. He led them through to the main foyer where he turned left and headed down another corridor, this one quite short. He could see curving staircases lead up to the upper levels of the house. As they moved down the corridor, he saw many portraits lining the walls; some looked to be ancestors while others were simply beautiful landscapes. He almost bumped into Snape, not having seen him stop in front of the tall, wooden doors.
Severus turned slightly and noticed the owl cage still in his hands. He was pierced with a searching look from Snape. He could see his eyes narrow in displeasure but his own unsure look seemed to reassure Snape that he hadn't done it to be cheeky. He hadn't known what to do with Hedwig and so had decided to take her along with him rather than to leave her somewhere without Snape's express instructions.
Severus called for one of the house-elves. The elf bowed to him and said,
"Welcome home, Master. Hows may I help you?"
"Gilly, take Master Harry's owl and see to her care. You can show him the way to the owlery once we are done with things here."
"Of course, Master Severus." With another quick bow, the elf turned to Harry and snatched the cage from his hands before he could offer any protest and popped away.
"Sir!"
"Relax, Potter! Gilly takes care of all the owls here. She will keep her fed and watered and will allow her out to fly. You can go see her in the evening," Severus stated impatiently, wanting to get this conversation over and done with.
Pushing open the doors, Severus strode in; leaving a nervous and slightly disgruntled Harry to follow him in.
The room was bright and airy with huge French windows opening out onto a terrace which overlooked the gardens. There was a round dining table situated in the centre, adorned with a vase of fresh white and peach roses. Seated around it were a man and a woman having lunch together. They seemed to be in their mid-thirties from the looks of things.
At the sound of footsteps, the woman turned around and called out, "Come Severus, have lunch with us. I've just asked the house-elves to set a place for you. I thought as much that you'd be dropping by right about now." He heard a tinkling laugh and fondness was evident in the tone and not for the first time he wondered about the kind of people they would be.
It was difficult to comprehend this side of the Potion's master. He would never have believed that Snape could have anybody that would care about him, the prickly bastard that he was.
He saw Severus move forward to embrace her; the woman rising and moving forward to greet him, a very warm and welcoming smile on her face.
The man, her husband from the looks of it, also got up and came around the table to give Severus a hug; clasping him tightly before whispering something softly in his ear.
Harry saw all this from the safe confines of the shadowed area near the door, away from the direct line of sight of the others.
He knew that it couldn't last for long though. Snape would realize that he wasn't in the room and things were bound to get ugly if he didn't make a move to join them. He did not want to anger Snape on his first day as his ward, Harry thought apprehensively, slowly shuffling forward into the room; unease rolling down his spine at the thought of meeting Snape's relatives.
If Snape was any indication, it was a given that his relatives would also hate him just as much. He didn't know if he could bear the thought of one more family hating and despising him for no fault of his own.
He was so desperate to find someone who cared for him unconditionally that it almost sickened him sometimes; to feel so needy despite his brave face; to desire things that he knew he had no hope of attaining in this life time even after the harsh lessons of his childhood. To hope that just once something in his life would go right and bring him a measure of happiness instead of sadness and grief.
Even now, there was a traitorous part of his heart that hoped things would work out for him with Snape. As long as he kept his head down and obeyed Snape without allowing his anger to explode, he had a slim chance of making things work. 'Yeah, fat chance of that happening, Potter', a voice very much like Malfoy's sneered in his head.
Taking a deep breath to bolster his courage, Harry stepped into the room, everyone stilling when they saw the unexpected addition.
Severus knew the minute Potter stepped into the room. It seemed as if the very air had stilled. He felt more than saw Sebastian stiffen for a moment before relaxing again, the tenseness as if it had never been. On his other side, he could see that Helen was surprised to see someone quite so young with him.
He was unsurprised to see her quickly regain her composure, quicker than the eye could see and turn slightly towards him to ask about their unexpected guest.
"I see you didn't come alone this time. Do be a dear and introduce us to your guest, Severus." Helen said with a wave of her hand towards their guest, the barest hint of a question visible in her eyes.
Helen was rarely caught by surprise but seeing a young man, one who resembled Harry Potter at that, standing in her dining room, and from the looks of it, a potential guest in her house threw her off balance and she didn't know how to react to this change. Even more, she couldn't figure out how Severus wanted them to receive their new guest.
When Severus did not reply fast enough to her liking, she resorted to light teasing to prevent an awkward silence from descending on them.
"It seems you have finally brought someone home for the first time in what seems to be ages..." Helen continued with a slightly teasing lilt to her voice, deciding on the spur of the moment to keep her reactions genuine rather than masking her true feelings, her eyes busy taking in the newcomer who seemed a bit too young to be a paramour. Given a few more years, he might be just what Severus needed to keep him on his toes. The young man, no; boy looked starved for affection and a friendly face and she was never one to deny anybody some much needed love and attention, especially those whom she knew through the family.
If Severus had brought him here then surely it was for a very good reason, and it would be in their best interests not to alienate the boy on their first meeting.
"Meet Mr. Harry Potter, my new ward." Severus informed her bluntly, his gaze darting to Potter, who seemed to have found some Gryffindor courage after all and made his presence known to them, before moving to gauge Helen's, and more importantly Sebastian's response to the bombshell that he'd dropped.
"Mr. Potter, meet my cousin Sebastian Prince and his wife, Helen Brianna Prince,"
Severus said, watching with keen eyes as Helen stepped away from him and moved towards Potter.
He was amused to see Potter look like a deer caught in headlights when she embraced him in a welcome hug.
"It's good to meet you, Harry. I hope you don't mind me calling you Harry" she asked him, almost as an afterthought as she released him from the impromptu hug.
"We're very informal here and seeing as you are Sev's charge...you're almost family." she said with a slight smile on her face though her eyes had a mischievous twinkle to them as she glanced back at Severus.
Severus for his part just gave her a blank look but his eyes were bright with happiness to those who knew him well; reassuring them that he was happy to be back home with family, even if it was just for a short while.
His attention was drawn back to Harry when he heard him speak.
"Uh, Harry is fine. It's nice to meet you, too Mrs..." Harry trailed off, unsure how to address them.
"Oh, call me Helen dear! Come; greet my husband, Sebastian," she said as she pulled him by the arm and stopped in front of her husband who'd been standing next to Severus, to greet the family's newest addition.
Severus turned slightly to lock eyes with Sebastian, to see how he was taking the news. He seemed to be confused and slightly wary at this new turn of events, though it seemed as if Sebastian would be giving him the benefit of the doubt and would wait for an explanation from Severus at a later date.
"Welcome to our family and to our home, Mr. Potter. I do hope you enjoy your stay with us." Sebastian said as he moved forward to shake hands with Potter.
Thrusting out a hand, Sebastian shook Harry's hand tightly and was pleased to see that Harry didn't back down from it and had a firm grip as well. Giving him an approving nod, Sebastian motioned to the table and invited them both to take a seat.
While Helen guided Harry to the table and ordered a house-elf to place another setting, Sebastian moved back to where Severus was watching things progress quietly and murmured, "I expect a full explanation for this most unexpected turn of events after Harry retires. Don't even think of getting out of it by giving me silly excuses."
Severus heard the warning hidden in the soft spoken statement and avoided meeting the hard look in his cousin's eyes, simply inclining his head in assent before preceding him to join the others at the table.
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