Dear Readers,
I would personally like to apologize for updating this too late. You probably were going to come to my house any minute and burn it down, but that can wait.... for now. I am taking more time for my schoolwork so expect this long wait most of the time. Like I've been saying, I will try to update it when I can.
For the reviews, I don't know if I will keep answering them. It takes time, but for you guys (and girls), I think it's worth it.
Enough about this. ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Chapter 3
As Snape and Harry walked away from the Dursley's house, Harry couldn't help but wonder where they were going. Were they going to Hogwarts? He still needed his school supplies. As if Snape read his mind, he said, "We are going to Mrs. Figg's house." When he put on a curious expression, Snape sighed and continued. "We're going to get your school supplies. If you don't have the list, then I have a copy."
Harry dug around in his pocket until he felt a piece of paper. Taking it out, he unfolded it and tried to smooth it out as much as he could.
As Harry gave the paper to the Professor, Snape smirked and said, "I guess you came prepared."(1) When they approached Mrs. Figg's house, Harry could practically smell the cabbage and cats. Judging by the way Snape had his nose slightly wrinkled, he could smell it too.
'Will that lady ever buy an air freshener?' he wondered. Snape knocked on the door three times as if in a code. Knock, pause, knock knock.
"Ah, Severus!" said Mrs. Figg, opening the door. "Come in, come in!" When they stepped inside, Mrs. Figg saw Harry and said, "Hello, Harry." He only smiled a bit and waved.
Ever since, Harry had stopped talking, Mrs. Figg has been trying to get him to talk again by asking him questions or bringing him into conversations. So far, she has been unsuccessful.
"Severus, would you like some coffee?" she asked.
"Of course," replied Snape.
She turned to Harry and asked, "Would you like anything, dear?" Harry only shook his head in a polite manner as if saying 'No thanks'.
Mrs. Figg frowned slightly and said, "Ok, then. I'll be right back with your coffee in a minute, Severus." With that, she left the living room.
Snape was frowning slightly too, and examined Harry. 'Why isn't he talking? Does he think he's "above us" with his celebrity status to talk to us? Well, I'll fix that when he gets to Hogwarts. Or better yet, why not start now.'
"Potter, why aren't you respecting your superiors(2)?" Harry just put on a confused expression and tilted his head at him. 'What is he talking about?' thought Harry. ' I didn't say anything ruse or "abuse" her hospitality as far as I could tell.'
Snape sighed and said, "Why aren't you talking?" The only reply he got was a silent boy staring at him, expressionless and clearly bored of this conversation.
"Here's your coffee, Severus," said Mrs. Figg, coming out of the kitchen.
"Thank you," he said while taking a sip. "May I have a word with you, Arabella(3)?"
"Sure thing," replied Mrs. Figg. "Would you excuse us for a moment, Harry?" He just nodded his head and retreated to the kitchen. As soon as he was out of earshot, Mrs. Figg asked, "Are you wondering about Harry?"
"How did you know?" asked Snape, slightly shocked that she knew. But he didn't show it.
"I overheard part of the conversation with him. But without him answering you, it looked like you were talking to yourself." She sighed before adding, "I've been trying to talk get him to talk ever since-" realizing she was about to say something she would later regret, she quickly clamped her mouth shut and wouldn't meet Snape's eyes.
"Since when, Arabella?" Knowing she wouldn't answer his question, he made his tone sharper and somewhat harsher and repeated, "Since when, Arabella?"
Seeing no way out of this, she finished what she was saying. "Since his Uncle came home mad about how he lost a contract. During the night, I heard yelling, items breaking, and then silence. The next day, when Harry came out to do his chores, he seemed… different. Apart from the mute-ness, that is. I don't know how to explain, but I knew something had happened. When I voiced my findings to Albus, he just said that Vernon was probably venting out his frustration. But that's what I was afraid of. What if he "vented his frustration" out on Harry?"
If Snape was shocked again, he didn't show it. Severus, knowing fully well about abuse from his unhappy childhood, was curious. Could Harry Potter, The Boy-Who-Lived, spawn of James Potter, have been abused? If so, why didn't he see anything? He was sure he would've seen a hint of something linking them together. What about the muteness? Maybe Arabella has something. Mentally shaking himself out of his train of thought, he said, "I will investigate this 'finding' of yours, Arabella, and tell you if I have anything. Now, I'm going to go and get Potter."
He started to walk away, then remembered why he came here in the first place. "Oh, and Arabella," Snape said, turning around. "Albus would like to meet with you at the 'usual place' tomorrow afternoon at 12 o'clock." Snape still wondered what the 'usual place' was, but whenever he asked Dumbledore, he always said, "Curiosity killed the cat. Let's hope Minerva never gets too curious."
"Tell him that I wouldn't mind at all," replied Mrs. Figg. Snape nodded. 'Now to fetch Potter,' he thought, walking into the kitchen.
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A/N - Hey! This chapter was basically all about Snape getting more curious about Harry's mute-ness. Next chapter will be them going to Diagon Alley and maybe Harry speaking his "first word". I haven't decided yet. HA! DRAMA!
The first time I typed this chapter on my computer, I was going to have Harry and Snape Floo. But Harry can't talk. So I made the ending into…this. Not great, but still.
Most of my chapters might be short. Unless I'm really really bored. And typing this, I was just 50% bored. Really really bored for me is like…. 200% bored.
*What house should Harry be in?*
Slytherin - 14
Gryffindor - 2
Ravenclaw - 3
Hufflepuff - 0
(For the polls, it is almost the same as the reviews. I will edit them after the 1st or 2nd day I posted the previous chapter and read what you guys picked.)
Chapter 5 or 6 will be about the sorting. Chapter 4 = Diagon Alley. Chapter 5 = The train ride and maybe the sorting. If not, then it will be Chapter 6.
(1) - Yes, Snape might be a tad OOC…or a lot. (Nervous chuckle) Sorry if you guys don't like that. If you don't, then your more than happy to click the big red X and never look at this again. (But not before leaving a review!!!)
(2) - I didn't know what else to put! Any extra suggestions, I will be glad to add it instead.
(3) - Did I spell this correctly? Is this even her name? Please help me. I'm new at this whole thing and desperate.
-Overlander43
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Answering Reviews Wings that bring the fate - Possiblly. I'll think about it. PyroxMCRxFAN - Thank you. I know. I tried to make it longer, but I couldn't think of anything mroe to put. Lol. I'll try to make them friends still. I like them too. Also, I'm with you. I have the same feeling about school. =P Krystaluvstwilight - Thank you. I can't wait to write more. Maloanne - I'll try to update as soon as I can. He will accuse him in the beginning, but then he'll "see the errors of his thinking". I just make this up as I go along. I don't really know how they'll deal with the speaking problem yet, but I will know when the time comes. (Hopefully) search in all the wrong places - Thank you. Blugrl320 - Glad you're happy. It's Ok. I get the same way sometimes. With the Snape thing, I just make it up as I go along. I don't even know where I'm going with this either! LOL. I agree. I think they shoud've said more about Snape and give him more credit. I just thought it was kind of cool to write about "new super powerful types of magic". Thank you (I'm gonna need all the luck I can get! =P) loveshbhp- Thank you. I'm glad you like it. dverducci - Thank you. I'm glad you like it. amalin06 - I never saw slytherin ike that, but you're right. I might help abused kids since they know about it. I also agree on how you think Snape will take care of them. He's good (once you get to know him). Makurayami Ookami - Thank you. I'm glad you like it.