Harry tried to think of some way that he could communicate to Professor Snape that this spell would be reversed in just another day. But as Harry lay in the Gryffindor common room, he was unable to come up with any ideas. For a moment, Harry had considered sending an owl to Professor Snape but Harry knew just how well that would go over with his uncle. Harry had no way of even knowing whether or not his uncle had harmed Hedwig or not; would it be a good idea to risk the safety of a school owl just for Professor Snape to not even get the message.
Before he went to bed, Harry finally decided to send a letter to Professor Snape before the rest of the house could wake up. Harry also attached a couple rolls, a bit of jam and some bacon. Harry knew there was a way to cloak the owl from muggles but he didn't know the spell, so he simply sent the bird with instructions to his window and wait outside for instructions. From there, all Harry could do was hope they hadn't shoved Professor Snape into the cupboard under the stairs; Harry didn't want to imagine Professor Snape knowing Harry had slept under the stairs for ten years.
Harry went back to the Gryffindor common room, he had finished his potions, transfiguration and history of magic essays yesterday. It was much easier to focus without Ron going on about Quidditch or one of his other dormmates do something to distract him. Harry found that he was actually enjoying what he was studying when he actually had the chance to pay attention. Harry wondered what Hermione would say if she knew Harry was actually beginning to enjoy studying. She might try to have Ron and Professor Snape switch
Harry wondered what Hermione would say if she knew Harry was actually beginning to enjoy studying. She might try to have Ron and Professor Snape switch bodies. Harry wondered briefly who'd react worse to such a switch; Professor Snape or Ron.
Harry knew he was going to be stuck in Professor Snape's body until tomorrow, so he decided to take full advantage of the situation. Harry went to the library and retrieved a copy of the 2nd year potions textbook for the previous year and made his way to the potions classroom. For once this year, Harry was going to be ahead of the game. Maybe he'd even be able to give Hermione a run for her money.
Who was Harry kidding? He was only going to have one day to work on potions and then he'd be back at the Dursleys for the summer. Harry seriously doubted he'd be able to find time to study. Harry wondered if he would even be allowed near his school supplies over the summer. It'd probably be for the best that Harry just didn't use any of his supplies around Dudley. Dudley would have no problem steal and or breaking any 'freaky' item he saw Harry using. Harry was going to have a tough enough time finding time to get his textbooks without worrying about replacing his supplies from this year as well.
Walking into the potions lab, Harry couldn't help but feel odd for being in the room while it was empty. There was a brief, illogical moment where he expected Professor Snape to appear and scold him for being in the lab while he was supposed to be at home. But then he remembered why he was there in the first place and knew that that would not be happening.
Harry opened Professor Snape's ingredient storage and paused briefly when he saw a picture of Hogwarts students. It looked like a Hogwarts graduating class photo. Within a few seconds, Harry found Professor Snape standing in the photo waving proudly with the Slytherins. Harry was surprised to find his father and mother also in the photo but standing with the Gryffindor house.
Harry set the picture down and began pulling out the potions ingredients he was going to need. He just hoped that Professor Snape didn't get too mad at him for using them. But Harry didn't worry too much because for now, he hadn't been told he couldn't use them, so technically he wasn't breaking any rules.
Severus had spent the entire night reading Harry's journal. It went from the time Harry was nine right up until the day Harry went to Hogwarts. Severus could tell the progression was natural because he could see subtle changes in the writing as he progressed. Harry didn't write in the book every day, more like once or twice a week. Severus knew the boy had probably been too busy from all of his chores to actually find time to write more often.
Harry had confessed a lot into this book that Severus would have never imagined happening to any child, let alone Harry Potter. There was everything from days without food, to beatings and even an occasion where he wasn't allowed in the house because he had the flu. After reading this, not only did his view on Harry Potter change drastically, he found himself coming up with a few choice words for Dumbledore when he saw that old coot next.
Another thing that shocked him about the book was Harry's mindset. Harry wrote about ways he'd gotten around punishments by shifting words and drawing on other intents and skillfully diverted their attention all together... It was positively Slytherin compared to the moronic Gryffindorish tendencies he'd been expecting. In fact, after reading this, Severus found himself wondering how on Earth Harry had managed to not wind up in Slytherin.
What really bothered Severus was the lengths the Dursleys had taken to keep Harry from getting his letter and going to Hogwarts leaving Hagrid to deliver the boys letter. Of course, Severus did find it rather amusing that the games keeper had taken the liberty to give Dudley a tail so fitting to his personality. Severus found himself actually feeling a bit proud of Harry when he told them that if they kept him from Hogwarts the staff would simply come to the door to retrieve him and then asked his aunt what the neighbours would think when they came to the door cloaks and all.
By the time the sun had started to rise, Severus was rereading the book for the second time when a familiar tapping came from the window. When Severus looked at the window, he found a Hogwarts owl sitting there with a package. Severus opened the window and took the parcel. The owl fluttered out the window and sat obediently on a close tree branch. Severus knew the owl was awaiting instruction.
Severus opened the parcel and the first thing he spotted was the biscuits, jam and bacon; his stomach appeared to rejoice at the site of food. Severus knew from the taste of the biscuit that it was a Hogwarts biscuit. Severus opened the letter and quickly recognised the writing of an eleven-year-old.
Professor Snape,
I don't know how this happened or why but I spoke with Madam Pomfrey and she said the spell should wear off after 48 hours and we can pretend like this never happened.
I hope you are okay and that my relatives aren't treating you too bad. You're probably hungry, so here is some food. I tried to send more but the owl refused. I'm sorry for how my relatives are probably treating you now but you could always remind them of the spells 'you' were taught and they might back off. I never did tell them we aren't allowed to do magic outside of school. Just start spitting out random words and gestures; Uncle Vernon and Dudley will definitely be dumb enough to fall for it but I'm not sure about Aunt Petunia.
I have a first aid kit hidden under my bed and in the dresser. There is a loose floor board with cookies, fudge, crackers and fizzy drinks. Also, there are vitamin tablets there that I try to take every day, especially when they don't want to feed me too much. Please be careful not to anger the Dursleys too much. They can be a bit unpredictable. And if you are going to try and sneak food, please avoid peanuts because I'm also highly allergic.
Signed,
Harry
Severus stared at the letter with relief; he was going to be back in his own body by tomorrow morning. By then Dumbledore would be back and Severus could give him a piece of his mind. Severus was going to ensure that Harry Potter was removed from this house as soon as possible.
This treatment could not be allowed to continue and with the magical community on his side, he was personally going to see that the Dursleys were prosecuted to the highest degree possible. Perhaps get their whale of a son released back to the ocean... Or a military school to learn how to function properly in society. Severus would personally see to it. The first thing he'd do is break Dudleys Smelling... Smelting stick!
Severus had just finished the food Harry had sent when someone loudly smacked the door indicating it was time to wake up and play house elf again. Severus scribbled back a quick response before getting up and getting dressed. As Severus worked that day, he began plotting everything he was going to do once he was back in his body.
He was doing the dishes from supper that evening when he heard the loud tinkle of broken glass from the living room followed quickly by Dudley telling his aunt the 'Harry had done it'. Severus heard thunderous steps coming towards him. When Severus turned around, he came face-to-face with a purple-faced furious Vernon Dursley. Severus knew he was about to pay for whatever 'Harry' had just broken, despite the fact that he'd been in the kitchen the whole time.
By the time midnight came around Harry had made three second-year potions and was proud to say they were pretty good. He wasn't sure if they were going to be in the curriculum this year or not but he did like the chance to work on his potion brewing skills in general. He was going to have to work damn hard in potions with what Professor Snape was no doubt enduring on his behalf.
Harry made his way to the Gryffindor common room, unsure what time they would be switching back. It would be some point in the morning. Harry found nerves bubbling in his stomach; he had not idea what was waiting for him at the Dursleys. He had no way of knowing how they were going to react to him now that he had actually gone to Hogwarts.
The owl he'd sent to Professor Snape was back and the response was short and sweet, telling him not to mess up his personal quarters and that he'd be having a word with Harry when he could.
As Harry curled up in his bed, he scribbled a note and put it on his side table for when they switched back; either way, Professor Snape wasn't going to be pleased to be in the Gryffindor common room.
When Severus woke up, he found himself surprised by the fact that he wasn't in any pain. After the beating Vernon Dursley had delivered, every part of his body should be screaming in pain and agony. He'd done his best to tend to the wounds but he only had a muggle first aid kit. When Severus finally opened his eyes, he realised that he was no longer in Harry Potter's bedroom.
When Severus finally opened his eyes, he realised that he was no longer in Harry Potter's bedroom. He was in what appeared to be a dorm room, a red and gold themed dorm room.
Severus sat up quickly and began frantically looking around the room. On one end table, he saw notes, essays, books and a homework list. The rest of the room was empty except for the neatly made beds and empty end tables.
One the end table to Severus' right, there was a note clearly written by Harry Potter himself.
Got locked out of your quarters, this was the only place with a bed besides the hospital wing that I could access.
So, Harry had had him sleeping in the Gryffindor common room for the past two days. As much as he wanted to be mad about staying in the Gryffindor common room, he understood Harry's logic. He was thankful to the boy for not leaving him to Madam Pomfrey's mercy. He would have had to submit to diagnostic testing before he would have been allowed to leave.
Severus stood up and took a second to appreciate the fact that he was in his own body once again before taking off toward's Dumbledore's office. That man had a lot to answer to.
I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been really busy with work and haven't had time or energy to do any writing. I also got a new cat who has been taking a lot of time and energy. I'm hoping to update this story soon.