Chapter 2

Albus Dumbledore returned to his quarters a much troubled man. He had made a grievous mistake and knew no way to remedy that. He had always had a feeling that the Dursleys were not the ideal guardians but he had never imagined this level of cruelty. It was a given that Harry could no longer claim Privet drive as his home.

Which brought up the question of where to place him? Grimmauld place was out of question without Sirius in the picture as Harry could not live alone. Lupin unfortunately was a prisoner of law and also he was financially unstable which made him unsuitable.

Minerva and he himself were again at a disadvantage because of their age. There was a law against becoming guardians or undertaking adoptions after the age of sixty. Even in Harry's case which could be argued as special the fact that he was way over sixty and that Minerva had responsibilities as his next in charge would be a disadvantage. The opposition would have a solid case in court and it would only lead to more heartache for the boy.

His mind ran over the rest of the staff. Flitwick had goblin heritage and a wizard would be rejected, Sinistra was married with two children of her own and he had no idea of what kind of a man her husband was. Trelawney needed a keeper herself and she was out of question whereas Pomona was aged as well. A contemplative look crossed his features, would Severus take the responsibility or would his hate for James Potter eclipse all?

In any case he would not know until he spoke to the potions master. Having made a decision, he fire called the man who was ensconced in his quarters in the dungeons. "Severus, do you have a minute? Something has come up" .The potions master turned to the fire and waved a hand "come through Albus I am done for the day".

Dumbledore stepped through the fire holding onto the letter that started it all. Mutely he held it out for the potions master to see. Soon a sneer graced the man's features "so they have become tired of the brat after all. I am surprised they lasted this long".

Dumbledore felt a flash of annoyance and he worked to keep himself calm "Do you condone abuse Severus?". He waited for the man to connect the dots but then this was Severus Snape and he was being deliberately obtuse. He sneered "what abuse Albus?" he asked with false innocence.

"They abused Harry. Do you condone it?" Albus asked with deliberate patience and blunt words. Severus shook his head and mockingly smiled "Albus you need a vacation, take it. You don't know the brat. You have not interacted with him on a daily basis. He would drive anyone up the wall and his relatives are no exception. In fact you should appreciate them for putting up with the boy for so long".

"Being a spy has deprived you of humanity I see. Harry is in the infirmary. He's been beaten and starved and he's unconscious. Does it not trouble you in any way?"

"What do you want me to do?" Severus asked. "So, his guardians don't love him, but there are millions of such children out there. I don't see you being concerned for them. Hell! You didn't do anything for me, I am sure you can live with your conscience just fine."

Dumbledore ignored the rant "I will come straight to the point. Will you be his guardian?". Snape looked incredulously at Dumbledore "are you off your rocker old man? You have truly gone mad and before you ask, the answer is no. If I wanted a family, I would have married and had one and even if I find it in me to be a guardian it will definitely not be Potter. Merlin knows I can't stand the boy when he's at school, why would I want to be around him all the time? In any case, way why are you even asking me? There must be many others who would host the boy willingly, so do yourself and them a favour and send the boy to them" he said his voice a shout by the time he finished.

"Who, Severus? Can you honestly say that there is someone else who knows to protect him from Voldemort the way you know? Can you honestly say that there is someone else who can help him deal with the abuse he has faced? Can you honestly say that there is someone else who can handle the ministry the way you can when they start getting involved?"

"No Albus, the answer is no. Try the Grangers, the Weasleys, Lupin for all I care. I do not like children and have no patience with them. I do not want the responsibility of handling the arrogant spawn of Potter irrespective of what you say" Snape answered firmly.

"He also happens to be Lily's son" Albus reminded gently eliciting a furious look from the other man. "You don't get to play that card Albus, I have paid that debt by saving the brat's life time and again and it does not involve becoming a guardian by any stretch of the imagination. Give it up Albus, you have played all your cards and the answer is still no. Now, is there any other thing you wanted to discuss, I have things to do" he said resolutely.

"Will you at least pay him a visit in the hospital wing?" Albus enquired. "And why would I do that? Severus retorted."There's nothing I can do that Poppy can't. Sorry Albus, I can't help you and if there's nothing else I would like to call it a night" he said curtly.

Dumbledore sighed "You can help, you don't want to. Seems the hatred for James wins over the love for Lily after all" he commented sadly. Snape gave him an angry look "spare me the guilt trip Albus. It doesn't become you. If there's anything else you need my help with let me know otherwise I will bid you a good night".

"Good night Severus" Albus commented as he stepped back into his office for a long night of rumination. His last resort had just slipped through his fingers and he steepled his fingers deeply troubled. "Fawkes, what do you think? Will he come around?" he asked the resting phoenix and he was rewarded with a trill that sounded neither happy nor sad. "Quite so Fawkes, quite so" he muttered before doing the last thing that night, looking in on Harry.

He lit the floo and fire called the matron "Poppy are you awake?"he called softly. There was a rustle and the nurse's face appeared "I was just getting ready to sleep. What's it Albus?" she enquired. The headmaster sighed and ran a hand over his face "How's Harry? Did he wake up?" .

"He won't wake up until tomorrow. I gave him a sleeping potion and hopefully he will sleep through the skele-gro. He's in for a rough night and he really needs someone by his side but then the poor child has always been alone. Do right by him Albus, please" the nurse answered.

"I will try Poppy and now I think both of us need to rest .It will be a big day tomorrow. Good night" Albus bid his adieu and retired to a night full of not so pleasant dreams.

The morning breeze found the headmaster striding into the hospital wing in the hopes of finding a slightly better Harry Potter. He reached the boy's bedside to find him still asleep. Sadness filled him on seeing the bruises and he could not resist running a hand through the boy's hair. Harry however twitched at the contact and blinked his eyes open. He immediately reached for his glasses which Dumbledore placed in his hands.

Recognition dawned as Harry focused on the face in front of him "good morning sir! How are you" he said as he sat up with assistance. Dumbledore smiled "how am I? My boy, I am not the one in hospital. How are you?". Harry looked down shyly "I am fine sir" he said and then amended his statement at Dumbledore's raised eyebrow "a little sore but alright."

"Good good, you concentrate on getting well. Listen to Poppy and you will be out of here in no time" Dumbledore said as a worried expression ghosted over Harry's face. "But where will I go sir? Do I have to go back to the Dursleys?" he asked with trepidation.

"No my boy, not the Dursleys but I have to work out something soon" Dumbledore said. "What about the Weasleys? I anyway go there for the summer" Harry ventured but his face fell at Dumbledore's expression. "Harry it's not just about staying for the summer. It's about providing for you in every way for the next two years at least, if not more. You would be another child and with seven children already I am not sure whether they would be able to handle an eighth. Don't get me wrong, I am sure they will welcome you with open arms but whether you will get the attention you deserve, I don't know. Plus there is the monetary factor to consider as well."

"But I have money and I can give it to them! I have been taking care of myself all these years, I don't need a babysitter" Harry argued. "You don't need a babysitter agreed, but you do need protection. The wards need to be strengthened as much as possible and without a fidelius charm the burrow is going to be vulnerable. Casting a fidelus on a house which has so many inhabitants is very difficult Harry. I am sure you can understand the difficulties."

Harry deflated and muttered "what about Hermione then?" he asked. He understood the risks that came with being associated with him and the last thing he wanted was for the Weasleys to be hurt because of him. "Do you know the Grangers Harry? I am afraid I am not familiar with the Grangers" Dumbledore said gently and Harry felt his world becoming black once again. The truth was that as much as Hermione was his other best friend, he had met her parents only in passing.

"What about one of the teachers or order members?" Harry asked now feeling a bit desperate. "Minerva, Pomona and I are too old, Filius has goblin heritage and you will not be accepted by his family. Sinistra is married with two children of her own and Sybill needs a keeper herself. As for the order members I hardly know their families or personal life. It's been purely professional. I will however look into that option but it will not happen overnight" Dumbledore replied gently.

Harry noticed the omission of Snape's name and he felt angry. Angry not at anyone else but at himself for feeling hurt at the thought that the headmaster did not even consider Snape. The man's hatred for him was so well known but at this point he was so desperate that he would accept even Snape as his guardian.

But then the man would never have him and the thought hurt however much he tried to distract himself. "Who wants to live with the git anyway?It might be worse than the Dursleys" He thought trying to appease his bruised ego even though deep inside he knew that it would not be. Snape for all his faults had never hit a student.

Instead he asked "what about Hogwarts Sir? Can't I just stay here?" imploring the headmaster to say yes. "Harry, if everything had gone according to plan I would have started my vacation today and Hogwarts would be closed for a few days. In August, the teachers would normally reassemble along with a few aurors to strengthen the wards that have weakened. If I keep it open, it would lead to speculation and rumours and it might just invite Voldemort to take advantage of the situation".

"So, what do I do? I have nowhere to go. Perhaps I can be in London on my own. As it is, I have already delayed your vacation and I don't want to impose on your time" Harry despaired. "Now, now my child it's alright. My vacation is not more important than you and all is not lost. I will look into the order members to see if I can arrange something. Until then you can stay here in the Gryffindor dorm. Listen to the nurse and concentrate on healing, and may I remind you that Dobby is here and would love to receive you. Hagrid will also be back in a couple of days by which time I hope I would have resolved the issue" the headmaster said in an attempt to cheer up the boy.

Harry nodded and looked down feeling downcast. He truly felt alone in the world and he was beginning to feel very depressed. This was not what he had envisioned at all. He had honestly thought that he could be with the Weasleys or at Grimmauld Place. Now it felt like he had lost everything and if he were to be honest he was feeling a bit scared.

It was at this moment the matron walked in with a bowl and a glass of milk. Once she reached Harry's bedside, she ran her customary diagnostics and pronounced him well on the road to healing. "With a couple of days rest you will be good as new. Now since your stomach will be sensitive to food, I will start you off on just porridge and milk. Over the next few days you will be progress to regular food but I do want you to take a nutrition potion for the rest of the term . It will help battle the long term malnourishment. Once you finish with the food I want you to take these potions and take rest. I will look in on you in a while considering Albus is here" she said leaving a blushing, embarrassed Harry Potter in her wake.

Dumbledore pretended not to notice and nudged Harry "eat up Harry, I will be with you till you finish and then I will take your leave to get the arrangements done". As Harry got through his porridge and was about to drink his milk the matron came in again "Albus there's a man from the ministry to see you".

Dumbledore looked alarmed for a second before his face smoothed over and he got to his feet "Poppy, tell him I will be there in a minute and do not let him come here" he warned before turning to Harry. "Harry, please stay in bed. It is more prudent that the ministry does not know that you are here for the time being" he said and followed the matron to her office.

On entering the office, he was greeted by a ministry worker who was a liason with the auror department. "Good morning sir, I am Liam Grayson and pardon me for asking, but are you well? I did not expect you to be in the hospital wing" he enquired solicitously.

"Morning to you too Mr. Grayson, thank you for asking but I am an old man and hospital visits are needed once in a while. I wonder how you knew to come here and how can I be of service to you?" Dumbledore gave an equally gracious reply.

"You are right, I did go to your room first but then your gargoyle informed me that you were not inside. I was not sure what to do but I bumped into who mentioned that perhaps I should try here. I am here on behalf of the ministry Professor. They would like me to liason with you regarding the aurors allocated to the strengthening of the school wards. I have made a few recommendations here with some background on each one. Would that suffice?" the man asked putting forward his list written on ministry issue parchment.

"Give me a couple of days to look through this list and I will get in touch with you regarding the dates and changes if any. Now that we have got business out of the way, can I offer you a cup of tea?" Dumbledore offered. "Yes, thank you headmaster a cup of tea sounds good" the man replied upon which Dumbledore called one of the elves.

However it was Dobby who appeared "I is sorry headmaster, Rosie is unwell but I can help" he volunteered with a smile. "Could we have some tea and biscuits Dobby?" the headmaster requested as Dobby bowed and disappeared only to reappear in a flash with the tea and biscuits. "Dobby is happy to serve headmaster and he hopes that Harry Potter gets well soon" he said and disappeared from sight.

Dumbledore dearly hoped the man had not noticed the reference to Harry but that was not so. "What happened to Harry Potter Professor? I hope the boy-who-lived is fine? The man asked. "Nothing much , he just had a bit of fever" Professor Dumbledore replied casually giving nothing away. "Oh! Is the white owl that I saw near the gate his then?" the man persisted as Dumbledore smiled genially "Yes Hedwig is a rather beautiful owl. Would you like some more tea ?".

"No Professor thank you for the tea. I hope to hear from you soon and do pass on my wishes to for a quick recovery" he said and made his way out of the office not noticing the beetle that followed him out.

Author notes: Thank you for the nice reviews, the follows and favourites. Here is the second chapter, please do read and review. I live for the encouraging reviews!