Author's Note: Enjoy! And feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it.
Harry stepped out of Quality Quidditch Supplies, squinting a bit as the bright sun hit his face. He glanced across the street at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, debating whether he should get himself a late day treat or not. He had been staying at The Leaky Cauldron for nearly a full twenty four hours now, and, aside from his breakfast this morning, he hadn't really eaten at all.
His right hand reached into his pocket, fingering the handful of galleons that were burning a hole in there. Earlier in the day he had braved Gringotts, visiting the bank for the first time by himself. The goblins had been quite intimidating as they stared down at him, their eyes practically boring through his skin.
He took one last look in the direction of Fortescue's before deciding against it. Turning on his heel, he headed back towards The Leaky Cauldron. He was sure he could get something to eat there, and besides, he was hoping Hedwig had returned with some news from Ron.
The first thing he had done when he had arrived at The Leaky Cauldron late the previous night was send an owl off to his best mate. He had debated sending Hermione one as well, but had decided not to at the last minute as he was almost positive that any response from her would somehow put a damper on his mood.
He had instructed Ron to keep the contents of the letter to himself. Harry loved the Weasleys, and was forever grateful that they loved him as well, but the last thing he wanted was Ron's mum insisting he come stay with them for the remainder of the summer. He was quite enjoying his time on his own.
He stepped out of the sun and into the coolness of The Leaky Cauldron and almost directly into Dedalus Diggle.
"I'm so sorry Sir," Dedalus spoke, bowing his head to Harry before he had a chance to react.
"Err its okay," Harry muttered. "It was my fault, really."
Harry attempted to step past the man but Dedalus spoke once more.
"Tom is looking for you," Dedalus said, referring to the owner of The Leaky Cauldron.
"Tom?" Harry asked in a curious voice. "Do you know what for?"
Dedalus nodded quickly, looking absolutely thrilled to be of assistance. "Professor Dumbledore is here. I last saw him headed towards the private parlor."
Harry's heart sped up at the mention of his Headmaster's name. Of course Fudge would tell Dumbledore, he was crazy if he thought he wouldn't. Still, Harry hadn't expected Dumbledore to actually show up.
"Thanks," Harry replied with a forced smile.
Dedalus nodded proudly, a grin plastered on his face.
Harry awkwardly stepped past the man, this time successfully managing to walk away. His eyes scanned the bar area. Dedalus had said that Dumbledore was in the private parlor, but Harry still half expected to see the older man sitting at a bar stool drinking a glass of firewhisky.
Maybe Dedalus was wrong anyway. Just because Dumbledore was there certainly didn't mean he was there because of him.
He wasn't sure why he was so nervous about the Headmaster being at The Leaky Cauldron. It wasn't as if Dumbledore was anything but completely nice and understanding; somehow though Harry wasn't sure that that would be the case this time. After all, he had inflated someone up like a balloon and then basically ran away from home afterwards.
"Harry!"
He quickly turned to see Tom behind the bar.
"You have a visitor, down the hall in the parlor," Tom gestured towards a long hallway. "Best not keep him waiting too much longer; he's already been here for some time."
Harry nodded before making his way through the bar and down the hallway.
He walked into the parlor to find Dumbledore sitting at a round table, a glass of tea in front of him.
"Harry my boy!" The Headmaster said in a cheerful voice the moment he spotted him.
At the sound of Dumbledore's pleasant voice, Harry immediately felt his nerves calm considerably. In fact, he was having a hard time remembering why he had been nervous to begin with.
"Sir," Harry smiled in reply.
"Please have a seat," Dumbledore said warmly. "And help yourself to some tea as well. I apologize as I meant to come and speak with you this morning but the day quickly got away from me."
Harry smiled as he slid into the seat across from his Headmaster, quickly pouring himself a cup of tea.
Dumbledore was quiet as he waited for Harry to get situated. Once the boy had taken his first sip of tea, he gently cleared his throat and spoke once more. "It appears that after last night we have much to discuss."
Harry felt his cheeks flush slightly at the words. "I am sorry Sir. I never meant to do that to her and…"
"It's called accidental magic for a reason Harry," Dumbledore said in a kind voice. "I know it wasn't done on purpose and I hardly blame you for even a bit of it." He paused for a moment allowing his words to wash over Harry, giving the boy a sense of security. "However, running off afterwards may not have been the best conclusion."
"I didn't know what else to do," Harry tried to defend his actions.
"Were you afraid to stay there after the incident?"
Harry paused for a moment, mulling over the words. Had he been afraid? Not really, he finally decided- at least not of any of the Dursleys. He figured if he hadn't left he would have been locked in his room for a few days, but that was nothing new. And of course Marge would have threatened to belt him, but then that was nothing new either, and she had never made good of her threat in the past. He had been more angry than afraid. Maybe afraid of what else his anger could do.
"I know life for you with your relatives hasn't always been easy," Dumbledore continued when Harry didn't answer. "I had always thought it was tolerable though."
Harry stared down at his teacup. He couldn't tell Dumbledore what life was really like at Privet drive. Ron and Hermione were his best friends and even they didn't know about all of it. It was just too embarrassing.
"I know I have to go back," Harry finally muttered. "But if it could just wait until after the school year…" he trailed off feeling his face grow warm with humiliation.
"Curiously enough as it turns out you actually won't be going back at all."
At these words Harry's head snapped up, his eyes meeting the Headmasters, "Sir?"
"After some careful thought and consideration I've decided that perhaps living with your relatives isn't the best arrangement for you," Dumbledore explained, careful to leave out the fact that his Aunt and Uncle no longer wanted him there.
Harry opened his mouth to reply. A million questions were running though his head, the most important obviously being who he would be living with if not his relatives, but the Headmaster spoke before his brain even had time to formulate the words.
"A staff member has stepped forward and volunteered to take you in."
Harry gave the Headmaster a quizzical look. The staff members of Hogwarts ran through his mind but he couldn't think of any that would be willing to take him in. Maybe McGonagall, he finally decided. After all, she was already his head of house.
"Professor Snape has agreed that it is in your best interest to be in his care and I am incline to agree that…"
"Snape!" Harry nearly yelled the name.
"Professor Snape," Dumbledore corrected in a kind voice.
"He hates me!"
The normal twinkle in Dumbledore's eye diminished for a moment.
"Professor Snape may come across as a bit stern, but I assure you he does not feel hatred towards you. Why on earth would he volunteer to take you in if he hated you?"
"To torture me," Harry replied immediately.
Dumbledore sighed softly before speaking once more. "Do you trust me Harry?"
Harry thought over the past two years that he had grown to know and respect the older man before he nodded in defeat. "Yes."
"Then I would like you to trust me in my belief that Professor Snape's intentions are honorable."
Harry thought Dumbledore's words over before he spoke. "So once I go back to Hogwarts Sn…Professor Snape will be my guardian?"
Dumbledore nodded softly. "Temporary guardian for the time being. If all goes well the topic of permanent guardianship could be discussed." The man paused for a moment before speaking once more. "However I'm not sure allowing you to stay on your own for the next few weeks is in your best interest."
"I could write Ron," Harry offered quickly, "ask him if I could come and stay until school starts."
"It's my understanding that Ron and his family are currently in Egypt."
Harry gave the older man a curious look.
"Apparently there was some money won in a lotto and due to that they are on holiday."
Harry, of course, knew nothing about this. That's what happened when he lived with muggles who absolutely refused to let him use Hedwig to talk to his friends, or to even let her out of her cage for that matter. For a second Harry considered what it would be like to live with a wizard. Surely Snape would allow him to use Hedwig to send letters. He quickly forced the idea out of his mind.
"I think it would be for the best if you collected your things and came with me now."
"I assumed that when you asked me to take this child in you were referring to the beginning of the school term, not this very evening! What in Merlin's name am I going to do with the blasted child for the next three weeks?" Snape nearly yelled.
"I'm sure you'll be able to handle it Severus."
Snape snorted at these words, giving the older man an un-amused look. "And where is Potter at the moment? Off getting himself into trouble which is now my job to deal with I assume?"
"At the moment Harry is down visiting with Hagrid," the Headmaster replied, "and keeping himself out of trouble's way I presume."
"My quarters are not prepared to endure a child…especially not one with Potter's knack for mayhem," Snape said in an annoyed tone.
"I'll be happy to assist you with preparing your quarters Severus, and I'm sure the rest of the staff will do anything they can to help you as well."
Snape sighed in defeat. "How much does the boy know?"
"I chose not to tell him that his relatives have turned their backs on him and rather took the approach of letting him think it was my decision to pull him from his current situation. I also implied that you stepped in and volunteered to take him in," Dumbledore answered honestly.
Harry turned the corner in the castle and headed towards the large gargoyle statue. Speaking the password that Dumbledore had given him, the statue moved out of the way allowing Harry to step onto the circular staircase.
Dumbledore had told him he could go visit Hagrid for an hour. He smiled to himself; he had been gone only three quarters of that time.
When he had arrived at the castle, he had been fed an early dinner and while he ate, Dumbledore explained more of the new situation Harry would be in.
It occurred to Harry, somewhere in the middle of the Headmaster's speech, that if Snape had temporary custody over him, he'd likely have a say in what he could and couldn't do as well as what punishments he received. Harry decided at that very moment that he was going to try his hardest to stay out of trouble. The last thing he wanted was to spend the remainder of his summer writing lines in some horrible detention with Snape.
The staircase delivered him to the landing in front of the large door, but before Harry could bring himself to knock, he heard Snape's voice.
"You don't think that Potter has a right to know? He is thirteen and I'll have a hard enough time keeping him out of trouble without dealing with that as well."
"I think that Harry has a right to be a happy, normal child," Dumbledore answered, "I don't think having that news hanging over his head will be helpful at all."
"Yes but surely you see how dangerous it could be," Snape replied in an annoyed voice. "We are talking about a child who has ended up in the Forbidden Forest twice. He ventured off into the Chamber of Secrets. He drove a blasted flying car to school last term!"
Technically Ron drove it, Harry thought to himself.
"He ran away from home," Snape continued, "and if the Knight Bus hadn't picked him up he could likely be dead!"
Harry leaned forward a bit, straining to hear Dumbledore's reply but if the Headmaster said anything, Harry missed it.
"Sirius Black is mad and if he was clever enough to escape from Azkaban then I don't doubt that he could easily break into this castle. No one has seen the man for weeks and the only thing we know for sure is that he is after..."
"But we don't know that for sure Severus," Dumbledore interrupted. "I agree that it seems likely but there is no way to tell for sure."
"You said yourself that Fudge made you aware that Black had been muttering about Potter for weeks in his sleep before escaping."
"Precautions are being taken Severus, as I explained in the staff meeting, the Azkaban guards will protect the castle and..."
"And I want you to know I will be taking my own precautions as well. If you are entrusting Potter in my care then I will unquestionably be making sure he is out of harm's way at all times, despite what measures I may need to take to do so."
Harry sucked his breath in at these words.
"I would also like to point out that that confounded child can't even follow a simple rule. Did you not tell him he had one hour to visit with Hagrid and here he's gone five minutes past."
Harry made a face at Snape's words. He had been early! Not late!
"Now Severus he's a young boy," Dumbledore said cheerfully, "I'm sure the time just slipped away from him and..."
Harry raised a hand a quickly knocked on the Headmaster's office door before any more time ticked away.
"Harry!" Dumbledore smiled as the boy entered the room. "Had a nice visit with Hagrid then?"
Harry nodded as he tried hard to return a smile to the older man.
"Potter," Snape addressed him in a curt tone. The tone in itself was not unusual, but the rather curious look on the man's face certainly was.
"Professor Snape and I were just discussing the arrangements for the remainder of the holiday," Dumbledore spoke. "Your things have already been sent down to his private wards and I believe he has an extra room for you to use until the term starts and you move back up to your dormitory."
Snape nodded silently at these words.
Harry remained quiet. He had half expected to be staying in his dormitory until the term started but he supposed with a mad man looking for him it wasn't the best idea. It amazed him that the news of Sirius Black looking for him didn't frighten him more but he honestly wasn't scared. If anything he was curious. He wanted to know why the man was after him.
"You'll accompany me now Potter, it's getting quite late."
Harry wanted to point out that it wasn't even dark out yet but he kept his mouth shut as he stood and followed Snape out of the Headmaster's office.
"I'll see you tomorrow Harry," Dumbledore smiled brightly.
Harry nodded in reply as he shut the large door behind him and quickly rushed down the stairs trying to catch up with Snape.
"The lavatory is through there," Snape stated, as he pointed to a large wooden door.
The two of them were standing in Snape's private quarters which Harry had to admit was nothing like he expected. The only place he could relate to Snape was his classroom which could only be described as cold. His private wards however, though lacking in bright colors, was actually quite cozy.
Snape crossed the room, his long cloak flowing behind him. He sat down at a small round table.
"Sit Potter," he commanded without so much as glancing in the boy's direction. "I believe we have some things to discuss."
"I'm actually a little tired and..."
"This won't take long," Snape cut him off.
Harry was silent for a moment weighing out his options. He could easily tell Snape to sod off. He could walk right out of Hogwarts and go to the Weasleys on his own. He could tell Dumbledore that this entire idea was insane. Or he could just sit. It really was a simple request.
"I asked you to sit," Snape spoke once more when Harry remained silent. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Something in Snape's voice sent a chill down Harry's spine, and though he hated himself for giving in so easily, he quickly crossed the room and sat down across from the man.
The moment his bottom made contact with the chair, a cup of tea appeared before him.
"Drink," Snape instructed. "I won't have the house elves heating up your tea for you because you are too slow to drink it while it's still hot."
Harry looked down at the tea cup. What if it was poisoned? What if Snape had put some potion in it that would force him to be his slave or a potion that would brainwash him?
"If I wanted to poison you I would have done it two years ago on your first night in this castle," Snape said in a bored voice, literally reading the teenagers mind. "Fortunately for you though, I'd prefer to see you grow into an adult."
Harry was silent as he lifted his teacup and took a sip.
He waited for his insides to burn with poison but after several moments they seemed to remain intact and so slowly he took another sip.
"I have a simple question for you Potter."
Harry looked up at the man with a questioning face.
"How much of the conversation between myself and the Headmaster did you hear while you were on the other side of the door?"
Harry felt his stomach churn as he quickly shook his head. "I didn't hear anything."
"Do not lie to me," Snape enunciated each word.
Harry could feel the tips of his ears turning red. He remained silent.
"Did Professor Dumbledore explain to you exactly what this arrangement between you and I consist of?"
"Sir?" Harry asked, amazed that the conversation about his eavesdropping had been forgotten so quickly.
"I am to be your temporary guardian for the time being which makes me responsible for you," Snape told him. "I will make sure you are fed. I will make sure that you have what you need for school including books as well as robes that fit you properly. I will provide you with whatever it is you need to help you become a successful young wizard. And I will also discipline you when I deem it necessary." Snape paused for a moment, allowing these words to sink in. "Now if you don't wish you find out just how serious I can be about discipline, you will answer my question truthfully this very moment."
Harry remained silent, staring down at his teacup.
"Being that this is our first night together I will give you one more chance to tell me the truth but I can assure you in the future I will not be this lenient," Snape said when Harry didn't speak. "You have a moment to answer me or you will find yourself on the receiving end of a spanking that you won't soon forget."
At these words, Harry's head snapped up, a confused look on his face.
"You heard me correctly Potter."
"But you can't..."
"I assure you I can and I will. Your days of running around this castle or anywhere for that matter, without a care for the consequences of your actions are long over. I know you were on the other side of the door listening and if you don't want to go to bed with a sore behind tonight you'll start speaking and soon."
"I wasn't trying to listen in," Harry said quickly.
His throat felt dry. Would Snape really spank him? He wasn't some sodding two year old! And what if he did it anyway for admitting that he had listened in. Did Dumbledore know? Did all the teachers know? Harry felt his cheeks prickle with warmth.
"How much did you hear?" Snape asked. Harry didn't miss the look of approval in the man's eyes. Clearly he was pleased that his threat had worked in making the boy talk.
Harry shrugged, "Not a lot."
"Not a lot is hardly an acceptable answer," Snape replied, sternness in his voice.
"Just that," Harry paused for a moment trying to collect his thoughts. He hated Snape; the man had no right to interrogate him. You listened in on his private conversation, a little voice in the back of his head told him. You're lucky he isn't screaming at you.
"Just that what? Just that you are unable to form a complete sentence?"
Harry quickly shook his head. "I just heard the part about the Black bloke. That Professor Dumbledore doesn't want me to know about him."
Snape was silent for several moments before speaking. "You will quickly learn that I do not tolerate being lied to."
Harry nodded.
"And for that matter I also will not put up with your disobedience or your unwillingness to follow the rules whether they are school rules or my own rules. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir."
"For two years now I have watched you run around this castle breaking the rules and putting your life into danger time and time again. It stops now Potter."
Harry nodded silently. He was going to go to Dumbledore first thing in the morning. He was going to end this ridiculousness before it went any further. He was going to tell Snape exactly what he could do with what he tolerated and didn't tolerate.
TBC...