The room he arrived in was dimly lit, but soon the glow began to increase until the place was flooded with a pleasant light. He quickly performed several spells to check for the presence of others or of dark magic, but found neither. It was not that Snape didn't trust Dumbledore—behavior of this nature had simply become habit.
Satisfied that his life was in no immediate danger, he took in his surroundings. He stood in the middle of a fair-sized room. The light was coming from several orbs hovering near the ceiling. There was a fireplace and two sofas directly in front of him, and the wall to his left was obstructed by a large, almost completely filled, bookcase. Despite the slight chill, which he imagined would be easily rectified by use of the fireplace, the room had a safe, cozy feel.
To his right was a doorway. Snape lit the fire with a flick of his wand and stepped through the doorway to find himself in a small kitchen. He walked right through the kitchen, as it held little interest at the moment, and into a poorly lit hallway.
Three doors led off the hallway—two on the left, and one on the right. Further investigation revealed two bedrooms, the one on the right slightly larger, and a bathroom. With no hesitation for debate whatsoever, he went into the larger bedroom and removed his outer cloak.
When he opened the wardrobe to hang it, he was surprised to see some of his other clothing already there. He quickly looked around the room, searching for other such anomalies. Against the far wall, he noticed a table and cabinet. On the table sat his favorite of his personal cauldrons and the cabinet appeared to be well stocked with potion-making ingredients and tools. Perhaps his compulsory stay here would not be so unbearable. He would have to thank the headmaster when next they met.
All in all, he decided, this safe house was not entirely unpleasant. Small, of course, but adequate.
As his choices of activity were very limited, Snape made himself a cup of tea and chose a book from the shelf in the sitting room. He settled into one of the soft, brown leather couches. He noticed that the customary vessel of floo powder was absent from the fireplace before him. It presumably was not connected to the floo network.
He had opened his book to the first page and read one sentence when he heard the unmistakable sound of an apparition behind him. Before the new arrival had time to recover from his journey, Snape had risen and drawn his wand.
"Relax, Professor. I'm not going to hex you or anything."
"Mister Potter," was all the greeting Snape gave. He felt lowering his wand was welcome enough.
Potter was looking around the room with unmasked curiosity and did not seem to have any intention of explaining his sudden arrival.
"What is this place?" he asked.
"It is a safe house," Snape replied. "Please explain your presence in it."
"Dumbledore sent me. I'm supposed to stay here for the rest of the summer. He told me you were here…I figured you knew I was coming," Potter said, beginning to sound slightly nervous.
"My departure was rather hasty. There was little time for story-telling." Though, he thought, there surely would have been time to mention Potter would be coming.
"Mine was too, actually. All he told me was you were here, that you'd been found out by Voldemort," Potter said.
Snape's eyed flared. "Do not invoke the Dark Lord's name," he warned.
"Fine. You-Know-Who," replied Potter, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh, I almost forgot. He said to give this to you," he added, and handed a rolled piece of parchment to his professor.
Wasting no time, Snape unrolled the parchment and sat on the sofa to read it.
Severus,
I hope you have found everything to your satisfaction. The rooms are humble, but under a Fidelius charm. Other measures have also been taken to ensure no one will ever discover them, so you may rest assured.
Harry will be coming to stay for the remainder of the summer. Alas, his continued presence with his muggle family is no longer possible. I will not elaborate—the tale is Harry's to tell at his discretion.
Someone will be sent to escort Harry back to school at the end of the summer. At that time, I will determine whether it is safe for you to return to Hogwart's as well. Until then, Harry and yourself will be confined to the safe house. I know you will use the time wisely. Might I suggest continued occlumency lessons? You also may wish to tutor him in his regular school subjects, against which I would have no objection.
Have a lovely summer,
Albus
If he had not known the man for so long, Snape might have been angry. As it was, he felt only mild irritation at the implication that he would not find having Potter there for the entire summer completely insufferable. Just when he had rid himself of all the little vermin, to suggest he would want to tutor Potter, the worst of them all! As if the boy had any appreciable capacity to learn anyway. He sighed inwardly. Only Albus.
He noticed the boy anxiously looking from him to the letter and back again, presumably waiting to hear what the headmaster had said. Had he taken no notice of the letter's addressee?
"Good night, Mr. Potter. I am retiring," Snape said, and stalked straight to his room.
He heard a hesitant, "Err, good night, Professor," behind him.