Severus Snape was not an amiable man even at the best of times. No one could deny his many faults – the constant acerbic insults he so effortlessly spewed, his many idiosyncrasies, the intentional provoking of those he believed to be beneath him, which seemed to be anyone and everyone, and his constantly cold demeanor. He was a man who had no care for anyone's feelings, who believed no one was special.
In fact it was assumed that he was sadistic and unemotional for the fun of it. Most commonly, the response to his scathing personality was avoidance. He preferred it that way.
Harry was well aware of all of those rather obvious facts having personally experienced them during his school years at Hogwarts. What surprised the Gryffindor was that Snape was being tolerant of him. More than that actually. Yet to rebuke him of his actions or even call him any names, the Potion's Master was acting unusually calm about the entire situation, more so even than Remus.
It was all quite an interesting change in the man's persona. But, perhaps it was only a change of Harry's judgement. Harry was instantly suspicious and on guard.
Sharply observing that the two men's only intentions were of producing enough tea for everyone, Harry didn't yet have his hopes up that he would be given any explanations.
Especially since after receiving said tea, the only conversations they seemed to embark upon namely revolved around tea and other substances you could have with tea. He shook his head in disbelief that his supposed superiors could all still manage to argue about such trivial things. Was the rivalry he had with Malfoy like that? Gods, he hoped not.
After drinking a few cups of tea, Harry was once again surprised when he found his most hated professor doling out shots of whiskey. Even Harry had been provided with one. And he wasn't the only one shocked by the gesture, if Remus' over-exaggerated features were anything to go by. So, he continued to wait patiently in silence, a single eyebrow raised as he stared at the two men before him, his mind whirling about trying to make sense of recent events.
Just as everyone was starting to get comfortable, Dumbledore suddenly apparated into the room, bringing along a generous amount of dust, enough to coat the furniture in the room and it's four occupants.
Coughing, while trying to wipe his glasses clean with a dust-covered shirt, Harry was momentarily stunned as Dumbledore conjured up another chair. It looked cushier than their own seats and stood out from the other chairs drastically, a bright red contrast to the muted blue seats that they occupied.
The Headmaster produced his own tea tray, nonchalantly, and unaware of his interruption, complete with sandwiches and crumpets. With one extra companion the more crucial conversation finally began.
"Harry, m'boy," Dumbledore said sprightly as he levitated the tea tray around the room, "How are you doing?"
"Uh... just fine, sir. Only very curious," Harry replied as he continued to try and remove the dust from himself, ignoring the tray of tea in favor of his own spiked libation.
"Curiosity is quite healthy, I'm glad to hear it." Bringing his wand out with a flourish Dumbledore spelled everyone clean.
"There are a few things I would like to discuss as I'm sure each of you have your own questions." His eyes twinkled madly as he took a sip of his drink. "But before that, Harry, I believe you have a letter for me."
Harry stared back with owlish eyes, blinking in confusion. He didn't have to wait long for an explanation though as Dumbledore caught on to his bewilderment.
"Would you like a crumpet?" Harry swiftly grabbed one from the tray, his eyes never leaving the Headmaster's face. Of course, the old wizard was the master of diversions.
"I'm sure it would be less tedious for you to simply explain what was within this letter instead of taking the time to read it myself." Harry looked slightly perplexed.
"Well… sir, I had another dream. Voldemort was discussing with that rat Wormtail about vacationing at Malfoy Manor. There was the usual torture and lunacy. But I also noted that there were many pure-bloods being tortured as well. And then I saw what I think was meant to be a private conversation between Lucius Malfoy and the snake eyed git. They were discussing something that seemed fairly important, and it sounded as if Malfoy's son might be involved." It took a lot for Harry not to simply rant and rave about his dreams, to not swear up and down about what a bloody bastard Wormtail was or how sick Voldemort made him.
"Thank you, Harry, it is a horrible burden that you must bare these dreams," the elder wizard said solemnly. "I am aware of Voldemort's descent into madness already, though it may come as quite a shock for some people to learn that he isn't just after muggles and half-blooded magical folk." Dumbledore's eyes darted quickly and almost unnoticeably to Snape's.
"Albus, we all know how much of a sadistic bastard Voldemort is and that he is capable of many such things. However, what we are unaware of is the reasoning behind your insistence upon retrieving Mr. Potter from his home." Snape set his saucer on the quaint little table beside his chair, patiently awaiting the Headmaster's explanation, knowing they were likely to only receive half-answers and partial truths from the old wizard. That was just the way things were.
Snape had been taken aback by the actuality of Mr. Potter being permitted to participate in their discussions. In the midst of Albus Dumbledore even the impossible could happen.
"Well, as you yourself know Severus, Voldemort has been working on disassembling the Dursley's house defenses. It is impossible of course, but the fact remains that even their knowing Harry's location is a danger. They could lure him out or use his relatives to get in," Dumbledore paused to let the information sink into the young Gryffindor's head, "unfortunately, finding a suitable place were he may be safe is the upsetting matter."
Harry shifted in his seat, nervous as all three adults fixed their eyes specifically on him. It felt as if they were scrutinizing every little thing about him. He bet many witches or wizards would have quickly broke under such a gaze from these particularly distinguished wizards.
"What about the Weasley's?" Harry ventured to ask. "I could go stay with them."
Dumbledore gravely shook his head, "That would not be possible Harry, m'boy. As much as I would like to send you to the Weasley´s it is still too dangerous." He put up his hand sensing Harry was about to interrupt. "Yes, you would indeed be in good care, of that we all know is true, but Voldemort knows of your acquaintanceship with their family and it could be disastrous. He could easily find out your whereabouts and the defenses we could put up in such short time would not be enough. You would be putting their entire family in danger."
"He hates you," Snape said quietly. Harry looked quickly to his Professor, shocked to find the man rigidly staring straight into his eyes. There was a fierce determination there, something he had never noticed before. "He is focusing all of his attention on capturing you. His inner circle has been given direct orders to tear down that ward around the Dursley's when before there were more important missions that they were assigned to. Even I myself have been told to poison you - though it would apparently ruin my position with Albus here."
"That is very true. The only reason Professor Snape was even able to be a part in bringing you here tonight is because he informed Voldemort of your removal and that you were to be brought to the secret location of the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore looked at Remus, who had yet to say anything and was patiently contemplating it all. "Would you be able to elaborate to Mr. Potter the lengths Tom Riddle has gone to in attempting to capture him?"
Remus sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, turning away momentarily before gazing fully at the young man in front of him.
"The Dark Lord has posted spies on practically every person you have had contact with over a period of time. Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, Colin Creevey… almost every person in Gryffindor tower has a Death Eater trailing and keeping tabs on them. The entire Weasley family, including those out of the country like Bill and Charlie, are being tailed. Even I have had to deal with a couple of incidents. It is a very dire situation."
"The ministry has been infiltrated to the point where an approximation of at least forty percent are under Voldemort's influence," Snape added.
"This is all Order business, isn't it?" Asked Harry, aware that he was now privy to information that only a select few were known to receive. "Why are you actually telling me all of this?"
"It is important, we realize, that you understand the full scope of your circumstances. It will prevent many situations and mishaps from occurring. We wish to avoid these. We will not let the past become the present. And, now that you are of age in the Wizarding world it would be foolish for us to not provide you with such information befitting your stature." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he suddenly found an answer to their earlier dilemma.
"Seeing as there will be another Order meeting in the coming up week that you shall be attending, if you so wish, I believe it would be best if you stayed here at this residence for at least a little while."
"Albus! What makes you think you can simply invite people to stay as a guest in my home without my consent?" Snape questioned, a snarl edging it's way into his voice, staring at Harry as if he resembled something spawned from the depths of hell. Harry glared back at him and then courageously turned to Dumbledore with protestations of his own.
"I think it would be a fine idea. No one would think to look for you here, at Snape Manor, and it already has many protections from prying eyes that would be detrimental for wherever you stayed. I don't see any reason why you should have any objections seeing as it will only be temporary," Dumbledor smartly replied, knowing neither would outright refuse him.
"I suppose I could manage Potter for one week," Snape drawled, "as long as a certain rule-breaking Gryffindor understands whom here is in charge, that is."
Harry rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, slumping in his chair to proclaim his defiance.
"Wonderful!" Dumbledore got up from his chair and flicked his wand, causing the plushy red piece to quickly disappear. "I believe we are done here for now gentlemen. Remus, would you be so kind as to meet me at headquarters, there are a few things I must still discuss with you." And with that said he vanished, leaving the three men awkwardly sitting in silence once more.
"Well, Harry," Remus sighed as he rose from his chair, "I guess that means you'll be under the care of Severus for a time yet. I dearly wish I could have taken you in myself, but I suppose that might have to wait just a while longer." Harry jumped from his chair and rushed toward his replacement Godfather. Remus had been there for him through some tough times and even with the loss of Sirius the werewolf had been a constant presence in Harry's life. He would miss him; his arms found their way around the other man and they hugged their goodbyes.
"Why do you have to go right away?" Harry pleaded. "Can't you just stay a little while longer?"
"I'm afraid not, Harry. I do need to talk to Albus about a few things before I'm off again," The werewolf replied. "I promise I'll see you as soon as I can though."
"Bye, Moony." Harry smiled as they parted.
"See you, you little rascal," the man replied, messing Harry's hair up with a hand before giving a jaunty wave and apparating from the room.
"So touching, Mr. Potter. Must we with the theatrics? I'll soon vomit if it continues," Snape commented, a slight smirk gracing his features.
"No, Professor, I'm fairly certain I will portray only feelings of boredom, discontent, and frustration from this point on, which you so happily feed upon. Don't become so distraught quite yet," Harry retorted, snorting at the disbelief on the Potions Master's face.
"Very well then, Potter. Let me direct you through the rest of the house so that I can dissuade you from entering some of the rooms that you, no doubt, will have the urge to enter and snoop in against my wishes anyway. Not that you'll heed much of anything I say, will you, Potter?"
"Perhaps not what you'll say, but I'll definitely heed you, sir." Harry flashed one of his larger smiles at the man and strode out of the room and into the hall.
"I'm sure you will," Snape said dryly as Harry exited the room, following the Gryffindor with something akin to dismay.