Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express with a sigh

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Author's Note: Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter. The mistakes y'all pointed out should be fixed now.

Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express with a sigh. He was the only person he knew who actually dreaded summer holiday. Although he truly liked and respected Dumbledore, he couldn't help but feel a little bit resentful of the man for making him go back to Privet Drive year after year. He had come so close to being able to go live with Sirius. How could he have let that rat get away? Of course, Dumbledore might have objected to him leaving the Dursleys anyway. Merlin knows the Weasleys would have taken him in two summers ago if they had been allowed. But Sirius was the only one who would have had a right to defy Dumbledore, because Harry's own parents had made the dog animagus his godfather. Take that Dumbledore!

Harry accidentally said that last part out loud, earning himself odd looks from Ron and Hermione. He coloured slightly.

"I was just thinking that if Sirius had been cleared, he could have taken me away from the Dursleys and Dumbledore couldn't have said no."

Hermione patted his shoulder. "I know it's hard, Harry, but Dumbledore is doing what he thinks is best. It's only for a few weeks, and Ron and I will be sure to owl you. Right, Ronald?"

Ron snapped his head up. "What? Oh, yes, of course we'll owl. And maybe later on you can come to the Burrow. Mum is always going on about how skinny you are; she'd be happy to try to fatten you up. Seriously, mate, even if the Dursleys lock you up, my brothers and I will just rescue you again like we did second year."

"You're not thinking of sneaking out of the house in a flying car again, are you, Ronald?" Hermione said sternly.

"No, 'Mione, of course not. Why, we'd have to sneak into the Forbidden Forest, catch it, tame it, and repair it. Plus risk the wrath of Mum. Even Fred and George aren't that crazy."

Hermione looked doubtful. Harry snickered, and then returned to his melancholy mood.

"I just hope the Obliviators did their job. Otherwise my relatives will kill me for blowing up Aunt Marge. Although," he said thoughtfully, "I suppose I could tell them that Sirius Black is my godfather. He was on the telly last summer, you know."

Ron looked confused. "What's a telly?"

"It's a big box with moving pictures and sounds that tell stories." Hermione lectured. "A lot of times they're fictional programs, but the news comes on several times a day. I told you to take Muggle Studies; then you could learn about all that stuff."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Better Muggle Studies than Arithmancy," he mused.

"Say what you like," Hermione huffed, "but I would take Professor Vector over Professor Trelawney any day."

"Well at least in Divination we can make up the answers. As long as it's suitably gloomy, she'll take it. In Arithmancy you have to do actual work!" Harry exclaimed.

Ron enthusiastically nodded his approval.

"Boys!" Hermione sighed.

The boys were no longer interested in talking about school, so the Golden Trio passed the rest of the train ride eating candy, playing Wizard Chess, and discussing Quidditch. At least, that's what Ron and Harry did. Hermione seemed to be reading Hogwarts, A History again for some unknown reason.

After several hours of this, she looked out the window. "It looks like we're about to pull into King's Cross. Make sure you have all your things together."

Harry reluctantly changed into some giant Dudley hand-me-downs and shoved his leftover Chocolate Frogs into his pockets, and the three dismounted.

After receiving a bone-crushing hug from Mrs. Weasley, Harry waved goodbye to his friends and got into his Uncle's care for the trip to Surrey. Home, sweet home. Riiiight.

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Meanwhile, Severus Snape was staring at his letter. He loved his Lily (yes, his Lily; Potter had stolen her), but the thought of caring for a miniature James Potter revolted him. Surely the boy was better off with his doting relatives than with his mean, bitter Potions teacher.

Then again, Lily had said her sister hated anything to with magic. Snape did not have particularly fond memories of Petunia himself. But Potter must be pampered and spoiled. He was just like his father, and Merlin knows James Potter got whatever he wanted. Lily had even said James had been arrogant. But wait, Lily had said that was a reason Severus should take in the Potter brat: to keep him from his father's failings.

Snape smirked. Yes, a Potter in his care would quickly learn to be an obedient, respectful Potter. It could actually be…pleasant, putting Potter in his place.

But surely Lily wanted him to be nice to her son. Could he be nice to a Potter?

Which was worse, caring for a Potter or denying Lily her last request?

Hmm. He would have to think about it.

But surely Potter wouldn't even want to come live with him. The boy hated him.

Of course, this wasn't about what the brat wanted, it was about what he needed.

Merlin, he needed to stop obsessing over this dilemma. He would give Potter a few days to settle in, and then secretly observe his little family interactions. Yes, that would do.

Thanks for reading. Corrections and suggestions welcome!