A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed! I won't get better unless you tell me what you love/hate about my writing. This chapter was harder for me to write for some reason, and it's shorter than my others, I had to cover some basic aspects in order to set up the plot..hopefully it is still decent. I've also been SLAMMED with school. I will update when I can.
Chapter 3: Moving In
Morning arrived to find a very well rested Harry rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, his untameable hair particularly messy. He slept like a rock and didn't wake up once, granted he had help of the sleeping draught Madam Pomfrey gave him while his bones were knitting. In the pale morning light he could see the disheveled figure of Professor Snape, leaning at an uncomfortable looking angle in the chair next to Harry's bed.
Harry's hand reached over to the bedside table where his glasses lay, and while attempting to grab them managed to knock them off the table instead. The clatter was enough to jolt Snape, quite suddenly, out of his restless sleep. He blinked his obsidian eyes while briefly orienting himself. Harry saw that he had awoken Snape and felt guilty for denying the man, who had so generously stayed with him the entire time he was in the hospital wing, more moments of precious sleep. His guilt, however, was quickly washed away as Severus retrieved the glasses from the floor and handed them to Harry with a smile and a look of concern.
"How did you sleep kiddo? Are you in pain?"
"I slept great. My leg feels a little achy still, and I feel weak." Harry asked, his voice small but his confidence with his new guardian slowly building.
"Hmm, well that's to be expected. I'm sure after you eat something you can have a mild pain potion. Do you need me to help you to the loo?"
Harry's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "uhh...I'm sure I can make it….sir"
"No need to be embarrassed, Harry, it's the first thing everyone does in the morning- me included. Now let me help you there so you don't fall and have to spend even more time in this hospital wing." Severus' tone was slightly playful. The boy really needed to not get so embarrassed, especially about universal human needs. But, he supposed it was part of being young.
"Alright….If you don't mind…" Harry said, his uncertainty creeping back in. He did not want to be more of a burden to the man than he already felt himself to be.
Severus helped Harry walk to the lavatory and when they both had their turns to take care of their morning rituals they slowly made their way to Harry's bed. As soon as Severus got Harry situated once more under the crisp linens, the door to the ward opened loudly as Ron barreled through.
"Harry! Are you alright? Sorry mate, this is the first chance I got to come and check on you. Hermione and me were so worried about you but McGonagall wouldn't let us come down before now." The rate at which Ron Weasley breathless sputtered out these words was entirely impressive. Harry's eyes grew wide in amusement at his best friend, and he was couldn't help but smile at the exasperated look Hermione was giving to their red-headed friend.
"Ronald, slow down, Harry is still recuperating I'm sure. We were quite worried about you though, Harry. Are you ok? What happened?" Hermione inquired in a softer, more manageable tone.
Not that Harry wanted to keep secrets from them, but he had experienced so many emotional ups and downs in the last 24 hours that he had no idea how to answer their questions. Severus saw Harry's reluctance and the worry that was pasted on his face and stepped in gracefully.
"Mr. Potter had a little incident yesterday and Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep him overnight for observation." Severus, being a Slytherin, knew how to tell the truth while not revealing any sensitive information. For this Harry looked up to him with a relieved and grateful look on his face.
Ron and Hermione, though still obviously curious, were satisfied for the time being in knowing that it wasn't anything too serious. Severus, seeing the children together decided it might be a good time to slip down to his quarters to freshen up and change before breakfast. He excused himself to the other two and ruffled Harry's hair with a promise to be back soon.
At this gesture Ron's eyes grew wide with surprise. Once Snape was securely out of earshot Ron, being oh-so-delicate with his vocabulary, burst out. "What the bloody hell was THAT about? Was that REALLY Professor SNAPE?"
Harry got a little irritated at Ron's sudden outburst. Professor Snape had been so incredibly nice and comforting to him, and the man didn't even hesitate in becoming a guardian for him. Snape actually wanted him, and Harry wouldn't stand for anyone, even his best friend, speaking poorly about the man.
"Professor Snape is the nicest man I've ever met. He took care of me yesterday and stayed with me all through the night. Also….well, he's my new guardian."
"WHAT?!" Ron jumped up in surprise causing Harry's irritation to rise.
"Ron! I am sure that Professor Snape is totally different than the way he behaves in class, after all, brewing potions could be potentially lethal should careful attention not be paid. I'm sure the Professor is actually quite nice in an informal setting."
Harry smiled to Hermione gratefully. Ron still had not fully accepted Hermione as a part of their 'group', but Harry was more willing to befriend the bushy haired girl. Sure, she could be bossy and sometimes a bit overbearing as far as appearing to know everything, but she was still nice. Harry would never be the type of person to turn down a friend, as long as they didn't act like a bully.
"He is Hermione. He is so great. My uh...relatives weren't very nice to me, but Professor Snape got it all taken care of." Harry blushed slightly at this little hint at the real reason he was in the hospital wing. Maybe someday he could talk to them, but it wouldn't be for a while.
Harry was saved from any further questions by Madam Pomfrey bustling in, laden down with a breakfast tray and a vial of mild pain potion. She shooed the other two first years off to breakfast in the Great Hall and they left with promises to take good notes in class so that Harry wouldn't get too behind (well, Hermione was the one that promised, Ron just nodded.) Poppy got Harry properly situated on his bed with his tray in front of him, instructing him to take the potion after he's had a few bites of his porridge so that his stomach did not become upset, then she retreated back to her corner office.
Harry took two small bites of the oatmeal, which tasted really good to his surprise, and downed the pain potion with a disgusted look on his face. Just as his face was at its most humorous, Professor Snape reentered the Hospital Wing showered and in more informal robes than he had previously worn. Now that he no longer had to keep up the 'greasy git' facade, he was free to look more like a regular wizard and less like the bat of the dungeons.
Severus chuckled lightly when he saw the boys contorted face. "You don't have to act like you've swallowed a lemon, you know."
"Ugh, I wish I had swallowed a lemon instead! Those are foul! What do you put in them, dirty socks?"
Severus smiled playfully at the boy as he brought the chair once again to the side of the bed. "You do know you still have to take your nutritive potion as well? You should just get used to the taste as you are far too skinny and will most likely be having to take them for sometime."
"It's not my fault I'm so skinny...I feel like I'm being punished."
"No, it is most definitely not your fault, but as your guardian it is my job to take care of you in every way- and that includes making sure that we get you healthy." Severus couldn't comprehend how quickly he was becoming attached to the raven haired boy in front of him. For so many years he had closed himself off to all kinds of friendships and love out of necessity, but it seems as if his ability to love remained intact despite his efforts to remove such feelings from his heart.
"I have just recently brewed a stock of potions for you. Not that I do not trust you to remember to take them every morning, but I will remind you nonetheless- it is very important for your health, Harry."
Harry smiled shyly. "Ok, I will Professor."
"Ah, yes. That is another thing we need to talk about. You do not have to address me so formally when we are not in class, Harry. You may call me Severus."
"A-alright...I think I can do that...Severus." Harry said tentatively. He was so unused to adults not only caring for him but being approachable and friendly. This was definitely going to take some getting used to.
Under the watchful eye of his new guardian Harry ate as many more bites of breakfast as he could handle and then downed the vial of disgusting nutritive potion. Poppy came back around to explain to them that Harry would be able to leave the hospital wing after lunch as long as he was no longer feeling pain or weakness in his leg. Both Severus and Harry were excited about this, as neither of them wished to spend any more time in the sterile environment.
Classes were to begin shortly so Severus stood up and grabbed the small boy into his arms for a warm embrace. Severus told him that the Headmaster wanted to do something with both he and Harry that afternoon, so both of them would not be attending afternoon classes. With a promise to be back by lunch time, Severus exited the wing with one last ruffle of the Gryffindor's hair.
After lunch was consumed by both Severus and Harry in the Hospital Wing, they made their way down to the dungeons. It had been arranged that they would both take the rest of the afternoon off to get Harry situated and more comfortable with his new guardian.
"Where are we going? I thought you said we had to see the Headmaster…is there something wrong with the guardianship?" Harry asked, overly worried and insecure.
"No kiddo, nothing's wrong. We are going to meet the Headmaster in my private quarters."
"Oh…" Harry said, struggling to keep up with the pace of the Potion's Master's long legs. Severus, upon seeing this slowed down significantly, thinking to himself that he was going to have to be more aware of his pace in the future.
Upon entering Severus' private quarters Harry stood amazed at how warm and inviting the decor actually was. Granted, he had not known this man for very long, but the initial vibes he had received from him and the rumors around school painted Severus as a dour curmudgeon and not someone whose home would be so comfy.
The walls were soft earth tones and the furniture was all matching deep brown. Bookshelves lined the wall giving the room and air of subtle sophistication. Severus watched Harry as the young boy stood and looked around, a slight smirk playing on his face.
Moments later the floo roared to life and Albus Dumbledore entered the parlor. The noise of the floo startled Harry and he jumped backward with a small yelp. Sensing that the boy may be needing a little reassurance, Snape came to stand next to Harry, a comforting hand on his thin shoulder.
"Good afternoon, Albus" Severus silkily intoned.
"Hello my boys. I take it you are feeling better Harry?"
"Yes sir" Harry replied shyly.
The twinkling old man looked between Severus and Harry with a smile. "Ah yes, well, Severus and I wanted to show you something together. Now, as you have a guardian that is a professor you now will have a choice about whether you sleep here with Professor Snape or whether you will sleep in Gryffindor tower. The choice is entirely up to you."
"I can stay down here with you?" Harry looked up at Snape hopefully. It wasn't that he disliked sleeping in his dorm room, in fact it was nice that he finally had people who he could call friends. It was more that he had begun to feel more and more attached to his Potions Professor and he felt rather reluctant to leave his presence and the moment.
"I have taken the liberty of creating a room for you, Harry, and Professor Snape and I feel you will enjoy it quite a bit." Dumbledore said, with a hint of mischief.
Severus rolled his eyes somewhat playfully. It was nice that he no longer had to play the role of an eternally unhappy, ill-tempered person.
Harry could hardly believe his luck. Years of sleeping in the cupboard under the stairs, being verbally and physically injured by those who were supposed to protect him, and now he felt as if he was dreaming. The too-small-for-his-age boy allowed himself to smile wider than he ever had, excitement bubbling over his features.
"Well, what do you say? Shall we see your new room?" Professor Snape said encouragingly. So many times he himself had wished that someone would come and rescue him from his miserable childhood. So many times he had fantasized about living a different life, and now he was able to give that to the small boy in front of him. Who would have thought that he would feel so inclined to lavish love on the child of his former enemy? James Potter's son...go figure.
Guiding him forward to follow the headmaster down the hallway he pointed out his room on the right hand side, telling Harry that he could always come in should he be in need of something. A few steps more and they arrived at an oak door on the left hand side of the hallway.
With nervous anticipation, Harry reached out and tentatively turned the brass doorknob. Both Albus and Severus were standing slightly behind Harry, excited to see his reaction.
The door swung open to reveal the biggest bedroom Harry had ever seen in his short life. In all reality it wasn't that big, but it was at least twice the size of his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's master bedroom. The floor was covered in a thick plush carpet, the walls a soft blue color accented with cream trimming. There was a big dark oak wardrobe on the left wall, and a massive four poster bed with dark blue covers was sitting slightly to the right. In between was a nice desk that sat near an enchanted window that overlooked the grounds.
There were bookshelves that were bare at the moment, but Harry could not get over the fact that HE had bookshelves! He walked around the room, in a state of shock. His small bony fingers trailing over all the pristine furniture. He wasn't brought out of his amazement until Severus chuckled slightly.
"So I take it the room is alright for you? It's a little bare at the moment, but that will change this weekend when I take you shopping."
Harry whirled around with a huge grin on his face, his eyelashes wet with tears of joy.
"I love it! I love it! Thank you SOOO much! WOW! This is MY room?"
Albus assured him that it was all his, and Severus explained to him once again that he could come and go as he pleased.
"Well, I like sleeping in the dorms but...maybe...well….maybe I could stay here for a while?" Harry asked tentatively. His insecurities flooding back. What if Severus changed his mind or got sick of him?
"Of course, kiddo. I was actually hoping that you'd stay with me for a while. We need some time to get used to each other." Severus brought the small boy into a warm hug, both of them content with their current circumstances. They stayed like that for a while, and didn't notice the headmaster slipping out-a broad smile securely on his face.
TBC….
*I will try and update sooner. This chapter really did not want to be written, and I have been swamped with school.
Up Next: A few days of classes, the promised shopping trip, and who knows what else.