A/N: I originally wasn't going to have Harry contact Severus before Hogwarts, but several of you wanted him to, so I have added it in. You see, reviews really do feed my muse! You all are giving me so many awesome ideas! :D

I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D

Chapter 2

The days of Harry's reprieve from the Dursleys dragged on and Harry was getting restless. Life at the Dursleys was worse this summer, with scarcely an end in sight. Harry was beginning to wonder if they would even allow him to return to Hogwarts. As usual, they had locked everything in his cupboard—the place he had lived before he went to Hogwarts.

Harry had been thinking—why wait until Hogwarts? Although this was something that needed to be talked about face to face, Harry determined that writing a letter asking his professor to meet him somewhere would not be a problem. If only he could get to his trunk…

Harry knew that a simple alohomara would get the door unlocked, but he could not do magic outside of school, as he was still underage. The Dursleys had left his room unlocked because he still had to do the chores. He searched around for something to pick the lock with and began to work at it, giving a triumphant shout when he was successful. Opening his trunk, he pulled out some ink, a quill, and some parchment, walked back up the stairs, and began writing once he sat down on his bed.

Dear Professor Snape,

I know that it is strange for me to be writing to you, but I came across a trunk with my parents' things in it. You may wonder why I am writing to you about this, so I must inform you that there are things in this trunk that concern you. I would like to meet with you, if at all possible, to discuss the pertinent items, but in a private place, away from prying eyes. Please send a reply back with Hedwig.

Sincerely,
Harry Potter

Harry had decided to go with politeness, because it would be more likely to get his professor to agree to meet and talk. He walked over to Hedwig and tied the letter to her leg. "Hurry, girl, it's urgent that I get an answer as soon as possible," Harry pleaded. Hedwig hooted and nipped his finger affectionately before flying down the stairs and through the door that Harry opened for her, as his window had bars on them. The Dursleys had replaced them after the twins had yanked them off with the flying car.

Harry set about completing his chores, hoping that Hedwig would bring an answer soon.

Severus sat in his living room—in his house on Spinner's End,—reading the latest Potions journal when there was a tap on his window. Opening it, he watched as Hedwig flew in and perched herself on the back of the chair he'd been sitting in. That's Potter's owl. Why in Merlin's name is the brat writing to me? he wondered.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he went over to Hedwig and removed the parchment tied to her leg. As he read about the trunk, a vague memory flashed across his mind and with it, emotions long-forgotten. There was something familiar about it…

Grabbing a piece of parchment, he penned a reply and attached it to Hedwig's leg. She allowed him to pat her head briefly before flying back out the window. Severus, meanwhile, was still scratching his head, metaphorically speaking. He decided to see if he could get hold of that memory that had flashed through his brain for a brief moment.

Harry was sitting on the couch in the living room (What the Dursleys don't know won't hurt them, he thought, smirking to himself), having liberated his school books from the cupboard, and was working on his summer homework. All the chores were done to his aunt's nearly-impossible standards. As he was getting ready to put his books aside in favor of making something to eat, Hedwig flew in the window he'd left open.

Harry eagerly snatched the letter from her with a hurried, "Thank you," and tore it open.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I must confess that the mention of a trunk with your parents' things in it stirred up a vague memory that I was unable to catch. Therefore, you have stirred up my curiosity; especially as whatever it is in that trunk that has to do with me has prompted you to contact me. If you will tell me the location of your home, I will meet you there. It would not do to have you dragging around the items all over the country.

Sincerely,
Professor Snape

Harry quickly grabbed his quill and a piece of paper, telling his professor where he lived and tied it to Hedwig's leg. "I'm sorry girl. I promise you'll get a break soon, but this is really important." Hedwig hooted in understanding and flew back through the window, taking off towards Spinner's End. Harry pulled the trunk from the attic, hoping that his professor was curious enough to come today.

Meanwhile, Severus' curiosity was eating away at him. He had tried capturing the memory, even rereading the letter Harry had sent him, but it was to no avail. Wait, when did he become Harry instead of Potter? Severus wondered to himself. He paused in his pacing as he tried to puzzle that out. Sighing when he was unable to figure it out, he continued pacing as he waited for Harry's reply.

Hearing a tap on his window, he rushed over and opened it, barely acknowledging the bird as he untied the letter and tore it open.

Dear Professor Snape,

Thank you for replying so promptly. I live in Little Winging, Surrey. The house is Number 4 Privet Drive. I'm a bit anxious to discuss this with you, so I hope that you come soon.

Sincerely,
Harry

Severus nodded, satisfied by what he'd read. He turned to look at Hedwig. "You may return to Harry. I'll be leaving momentarily," he told the owl, watching as she flew out the window.

Gathering his cloak and fastening it around him, he stalked out the door towards an alley to apparate as close to Privet Drive as he could possibly get.

A/N: Sorry for the wait. I know this is a bit shorter than the first chapter; I was originally going to put chapters 2 and 3 together, to make it a lot longer, but I think I need to go over chapter 3 again, to make sure everything is exactly as I want it. Well, maybe not exactly, but close enough to it, anyway. It shouldn't be that long before I post it-I might even have it up later today, or even tomorrow! :D

Please review and let me know what you think! :D