Chapter Four:

Summoned

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! I am glad so many of you like this story :)

Reminder: This story is AU - I told you to take that warning seriously. Saying that, yeah, Albus is gay but in this story he is married to Minerva and they have a child. Again, AU. If you have a problem with that then read something else.

Savoren.

Harry sat at the kitchen table, bent over his Transfiguration essay. Earlier when they arrived at the house Snape immediately made him put away his new clothes and then demanded that he finished his summer homework, reminding him that once he was done he would assign him more work. By now Harry had re-read all of his essays more than once in an attempt to look like he was still doing homework.

He looked up when he heard Snape entering the kitchen. Putting his quill down, he let out a tired sigh and stretched his hand, "Did you send Dumbledore the letter?"

Severus immediately threw him a withering glare, "Headmaster Dumbledore, Potter. How many times do I need to correct you? Shall I have you write it until it gets stuck in that brain of yours?"

Harry glared right back, "Did you send Headmaster Dumbledore the letter?"

Severus' glare only got harder, "I did. Your tone needs to disappear, Potter."

Leaving out a huff, Harry slouched in the chair and glared at the Transfiguration essay. Everything I do is wrong. He's always just going to bitch about everything.

Just staring at the boy was grinding on his nerves. "Don't slouch, Potter!"

Clenching his jaw, Harry slowly sat up. He kept his eyes locked on his essay, not trusting himself to look at his new guardian.

Finally satisfied, Severus looked at the essay and asked, "Have you completed your assignments?"

Harry immediately locked his jaw. If I tell the truth then he will make me do even MORE homework. If I lie and say I'm not finished, what if he finds out?

Severus could feel his patience wearing thin. The nerve of this boy is going to be the death of him! "When I ask you a question, Potter, answer it!"

Snapping his glare up to his professor, Harry felt his breathing quicken in anger. "Will you get off your high-horse?! Just STOP!" Breathing heavy, Harry felt his blood run cold as his eyes locked on his Professor's face. "I-I'm sorry, you're just driving me insane! Nothing I do is right! You bitch about everything!" Harry clamped his mouth shut, realizing he was only making things worse for himself.

Severus hid his shock behind his fury. "Stand," that one word sent ice down the boy's spine. Severus leveled the pale-faced boy with a dangerous look. "Now, Potter!"

Harry felt frozen. Chancing a glance up at his guardian, he immediately dropped his eyes and swallowed to fix his dry throat. He fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling torn with what to do.

Feeling all patience leave his body, Severus roughly pulled Harry out of the chair and forced him to bend over the table. Feeling the boy fighting under his hands, Severus landed a hard smack against the bottom and snarled, "Be still, Potter!"

Clenching his eyes shut, Harry bit his lip and forced himself to stay silent. He felt an internal fight brewing inside his stomach. I shouldn't have swore at him or yelled at him! But he's such an asshole! I don't do anything right in his eyes! A hard smack against his bottom brought him out of his mind, "OW! I'm sorry!" When did he get the paddle?! Taking in a shaking breath, Harry closed his eyes again and forced himself to accept the punishment. He couldn't help but feel that he deserved it.

Swinging the paddle for the fourth strike, Severus felt a burning sensation stabbing at his left forearm. Hissing out in pain, he lost focus for a second and landed the stinging strike against the back of Harry's thighs. He barely heard the cry of the boy as he dropped the paddle to the floor and clutched his forearm. Not exactly sure of what to do, Severus backed away from the table and headed toward the fireplace, "Go to your room, Potter!"

Sobbing, Harry stayed bent over the table for a minute. His mind felt foggy with confusion as he stood and slowly went to the guest room, not knowing what else to do. Laying down on the bed, Harry hid his face in the pillow and let his tears fall. His rear and the back of his thighs felt like they were on fire but the feeling in his heart hurt more.

Last time he said I was forgiven. He didn't even lecture me or finish the punishment - it's like I'm too rotten for him to waste his time on. He probably didn't want to see me, that's why he sent me away. I'm such a fuck-up! He bought me clothes and school supplies today. He feeds me and makes sure I have adequate amount of sleep and I repay him by being a brat! I shouldn't have swore at him or given him attitude! He's probably on his way to the Ministry to unsubscribe as being my guardian. I'm too much to handle. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon should have warned him or at least given him some tips to keep me out of his hair. Why do I fuck everything up all the time? I don't know what I did to Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon but I ruined any chances of them caring about me when I was a baby and now I'm scaring Professor Snape away too. Why do I even care though? He's a horrid guardian! I should be happy that he doesn't want to waste his time on me. . . So why do I feel so sad?

Hearing a soft knock on the bedroom door, Harry sniffled and glanced at it. Surely he didn't change his mind?

The door cracked open and revealed a concerned looking Professor McGonagall. Seeing the tear-tracks on the boy's face, she immediately went to his side and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Mr. Potter are you alright?"

Sniffling, Harry immediately sat up, trying not to wince. "Professor McGonagall? W-what are you doin' here?"

Reaching out, she gently wiped away a stray tear and eyed him closely. "Professor Snape fire-called me. He was in quite the hurry. He asked if I could come sit with you until he returned."

She's babysitting me so he can sign the papers to stop being my guardian. "Oh. Okay," Harry's voice was soft and he tried to keep the confusing disappointment out of his voice. Why do I even care?!

Frowning, she eyed him with concern. "What is wrong, Mr. Potter?"

Harry sniffled, blushing brightly. Sitting up on the bed, he hurried to scrub away any remaining tears and kept his eyes down, refusing to look at her. "Nothin'."

Pursing her lips, she crossed her arms and leveled him with a stern look. "Of all the years you have known me, Mr. Potter, you should know by now that you cannot get away with lying. What has you in such a fuss? Surely staying with Professor Snape isn't that bad."

Harry couldn't stop himself before rolling his eyes. "You have no idea."

She rose an eyebrow at his statement. "Then help me understand, Mr. Potter." Remembering that she briefly noticed a paddle on the floor in the kitchen, she eyed him closely. "What did you do?"

Gaping, Harry gave her a tiny glare. "I didn't do anything."

Sighing, she dropped her hands from being crossed. "Mr. Potter, I am fully aware that Professor Snape is strict and can sometimes be intimidating. However, I also know that he would not punish you without reason." Seeing Harry's scarlet blush, she let out a small sigh. "There is no need to be embarrassed, Mr. Potter. Though you are almost sixteen, you are still learning and making mistakes. It is Professor Snape's job, as your temporary guardian, to reign you in and guide you into making better decisions."

Harry bit his lip and kept his eyes down. Does she know about my arrest too? He immediately felt sick with embarrassment.

She asked again, "What did you do to deserve his wrath?"

Keeping his eyes down, he whispered, "I swore at him and was disrespectful." Looking up at her, he added, "But he was a jerk from the start this morning! I don't do anything right in his eyes, Professor McGonagall!"

She let out a small sigh and gave a shake of her head. "This is new for the both of you. You are not used to having a guardian that will keep you accountable for your actions." Seeing that Harry was about to argue, she continued on before he could open his mouth. "This is new for Professor Snape, Mr. Potter. He doesn't even have a child of his own. Though being a guardian and a Head of House contain many similarities, they also have many differences and he needs time to figure out those differences."

Harry huffed and glared at the floor, "Well I need time to figure out the rules! It's not fair."

"In time, the two of you will be perfectly fine," Minerva reassured her student. "In the meantime, do your best to remember the rules and it will make your stay easier."

Harry grumbled something disrespectful under his breath, glad that she couldn't hear him. Raising his voice, he said, "I don't know why he's even bothering. He keeps saying the guardianship is temporary - if it's not going to last why should I bother trying to learn new rules and get comfortable with a new guardian? Why bother at all? I'm fine with my relatives."

She gave him a stern look, "Because it will make your stay more comfortable, Mr. Potter. Do not put it passed Professor Snape to punish you every time you break a rule. It would be wise if you just learned the rules and accept them."

She didn't even answer my question! Harry diverted his eyes and glared at the floor. "I'm fifteen. He has no right to punish me! He's not my father and he never will be."

Minerva sighed softly, "Having this attitude will only dig you a hole. It would be better if you just accept the situation. Whether you like it or not Professor Snape is your guardian. If you are perfectly alright with not being able to sit every day then do not take my advice, Mr. Potter."

Harry turned his glare on to her. "Why are you okay with this?! Isn't he your nemesis? Why do you condone how he treats me?"

"Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Potter, your guardian and I are not enemies. We respect each other. Much to your surprise, the way he is treating you is normal in the wizarding world. Your relatives may not have used corporal punishment on you but, in the wizarding world, this type of correction is widely used. Surely you have heard stories from the Weasley clan?" At Harry's small head-shake, she said, "Well, I assure you, it is normal. In fact, in the past I have been known to contact Mrs. Weasley (at least once a semester) for her to come correct her children."

Harry remained silent. If she's not going to tell me what I want to hear then she doesn't have to keep talking to me. Realizing that this was easier said than done, he decided it would probably be better if he just changed the subject. "I didn't know you had a son, Professor McGonagall." He forced himself to remain respectful even though she just irritated the hell out of him.

Accepting the change in conversation, Minerva stood from the bed and walked toward the bedroom door, "Why don't we have this conversation over a cup of tea?" Eyeing him closely, she added, "We can have the tea in the living room instead of at the table."

Blushing, Harry slowly followed. If there is a God, please just kill me now. My life is joke.

"Did you honestly believe you could hide the guardianship from me?" Voldemort jabbed his wand out for the second time, striking his follower with another Crucio!

Once the curse was lifted, Severus remained on the ground, panting heavily. Through clenched teeth, he tried to ignore the pain as he said, "My Lord, I was hoping you would be delighted - he is now at your disposal. I am dearly sorry for displeasing you!"

Draco watched on with disgust as the Dark Lord lowered his wand, stopping the torture. How could he take Potter's guardianship like that?! He didn't even talk to me about it! I'm his bloody godson, does my opinion not matter to him?!

Slowly standing, Severus kept his head bowed low, "My wish is to only please you, my Lord."

Voldemort glared at Severus with an intensity that could melt every polar cap in the world. "Look at me!" As soon as his eyes locked with onyx ones, he ripped through Severus' mind, digging for any memory that could reveal traitorous acts. Memory after memory flashed in front of him until the scene of his most faithful follower paddling the Potter brat caught his attention. With a satisfied smile, he pulled free from the mind in front of him. "This. . . This does please me, Severus." He stayed silent for a few minutes, watching his follower closely. After a few moments of silence, he said, "I want you to gain his trust, Severus. Form a bond with the boy - make him love you like a father. Adopt him, if you must, but make him idolize you. Love is what saved him in the first place. Love will now destroy him!"

Severus forced his face to stay blank. Any time the Dark Lord mentions Lily's love his heart clenches in pain. With his emotions hidden behind his mask, Severus spoke up, "My Lord, that might be harder than we think. The brat despises me just as much as you despise him."

Voldemort cackled a nasty laugh, "Surely not! The boy is probably eager for a father-figure. After all, I took his away before he could even get to know him." He laughed again, causing nausea to grow in Severus' stomach. Voldemort continued, excited about the prospect of breaking the boy's heart, "Give it time, Severus. Let the relationship grow so we can destroy it."

Severus bowed low, relieved that Voldemort had not tortured him more or demanded that he brought Potter to him right away. I can work with this plan. Albus will know what to do.

Pleased with how the night has ended, Voldemort looked at his followers and raised his hands, motioning that they may take their leaves. "You are dismissed." Looking to Severus, he added, "Do not fail me, Severus. Make him love you, feel secure and content."

Severus bowed even lower, "Yes my Lord. I will do my best, my Lord." Straightening, he waited for the motion to leave and then turned and headed toward the apparating hall. As he exited the room, he heard Voldemort saying to his godson, "Your plans, Draco. Bring them to me." Frowning, Severus forced himself to keep walking. I cannot worry myself with Draco's doings. I tried to convince him not to join and he did anyway. Sighing, Severus entered the apparating hall and was just about to spin on his heel when he stopped, seeing Narcissa walking toward him. He forced himself not to sigh out loud. What could she possibly want? "What can I do for you, Narcissa?"

She quickly looked around herself before coming closer and whispering, "Draco has been ordered to assassinate Albus Dumbledore. I fear he is too young and innocent to perform such a dark act."

Severus looked around him, seeing several Death Eaters apparating out of the building. "And what do you want me to do about it, Narcissa? The boy made his choice." Severus couldn't help but feel highly disappointed in his godson.

She sighed softly, "I want you to guide him and help him. If he fails his first task the Dark Lord will dispose of him."

Severus looked away, trying not to show how much he cared. "I have my own task that I need to fulfill. Have Bellatrix help him."

"You know how she is, Severus! You are his godfather! Teach him, guide him and make him perform the right choices," Severus could hear the begging in her voice and it only made him sick and irritated.

Forcing himself not to roll his eyes, Severus muttered darkly, "Since when did being his godfather make him want to help him? The boy does not take my orders. He does not let me guide him. I tried to help him and he made it perfectly clear that he did not want my help. Have your sister do it." He went to move away but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He forced himself not to growl at her.

"Please, Severus. I'm begging you! Since Lucius went to Azkaban he has no father-figure to look up to. He still needs guidance, he is but a child."

Severus stared straight into her eyes and snapped, "I cannot help him, Narcissa. My task is to make Potter see me as his father. Do you truly think killing his Headmaster would aid in that task? No. I warned Draco what he was getting into and he chose to accept the responsibilities. Now he needs to show his worth to the Dark Lord. He cannot have everyone always taking care of everything for him. I warned him, Narcissa, and now he must face the consequences of his choices. There is nothing I can do for the boy anymore." Seeing the hurt flash in her eyes, Severus pulled away from her, "Now, if you excuse me, I must take my leave. I have a new ward I must bond with." He didn't wait for a response and instead, spun on his heel to go speak with Albus.

Harry felt overwhelmed with all the new information he just gained about the Dumbledore family. He learned that Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had a son named Zachary. Zachary fought in the first war and was murdered eight years ago by Fenrir Greyback. When Zachary died he left behind a wife, Maria, and a three-year old son (Kendin). Harry also learned that Maria is a muggle and that Kendin lives with his mother in the muggle world but spends most of his summers with his grandparents at Hogwarts. They keep Kendin under the wizarding world radar in an attempt to keep him safer.

Minerva watched Harry digest the new information. "Do you have any more questions, Mr. Potter?" At Harry's tiny head-shake, she stated, "Kendin is looking forward to meet you. He looks up to you, Mr. Potter. He says you are "cool." All I ask of you is that you do not rub off on him."

Harry gaped at her, oddly feeling offended. "Excuse me?"

"Do not let him follow you on your dangerous adventures. Everyone just comes to the acceptance that you will put your life in danger at least once every school year but I do not want him following you. You are like his superhero, Mr. Potter. Kendin wants to be just like you. It has taken a lot of effort to keep him from meeting you."

Still offended, Harry asked, "Do you honestly think I'm that bad, Professor McGonagall?"

Hearing the hurt in his voice, Minerva quickly tried to fix her mistake. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. You are not bad but you do not make the best decisions sometimes. I hate seeing you put your life in danger every year and am truly hoping Severus can nip that in the butt."

Harry sighed, "I understand what you are trying to say, Professor. Since your grandson looks up to me so much he is going to want to do everything I do."

She nodded, relieved that he understood. "Sometimes it feels like you do not realize how many youngsters look up to you. After the Triwizard Tournament in your fourth year Kendin would run around the castle pretending to fight off dragons and monsters. I even caught him swimming in the Black Lake! He said he wanted to meet the merpeople!"

Harry couldn't help himself from rolling his eyes, "I don't see how that was my fault at all. It was the Triwizard Tournament. . . I should not have had to perform any of those tasks in the first place - I was fourteen years old!"

Minerva nodded in agreement, "Well said, Mr. Potter. When he found out you fought the troll (in your first year) he went troll hunting in the dungeons. Do you understand what I am trying to explain?"

Harry gave a tiny nod of his head. "Yes ma'am. I need to think about how my actions will seem to children. In my defense though, I never asked for any of this. I definitely never asked for little kids to look up to me."

"I know, Mr. Potter. The fact of the matter is though, every single year we have a new batch of eleven-year olds who have been dying to meet you. You need to set a good example for them."

Harry let out a deep sigh, "Well, I already screwed that one up. Everything I have done though, needed to be done."

Minerva kept herself from reminding him about his adventure to the Ministry last school year. She knew that was still a sensitive topic for him. Instead, she changed the subject, "Do you have your homework completed?"

Choosing his answer wisely (just in case she told Snape), Harry said, "I have your assignment finished."

She frowned, "None of your other assignments?" She eyed him closely, knowing something was up with the boy. "First day of classes is Monday, Mr. Potter. Be sure to have all your assignments completed by then. You know as well as I do that your guardian will not accept excuses for not having your assignments finished."

Harry sighed, "He said if I finished my summer homework then he will assign me more."

Minerva smirked, "So you have been taking your good ol' sweet time?"

Nodding, Harry forced himself not to laugh at her amused look. "I assure you, Professor McGonagall, all of my homework will be finished for classes on Monday."

Giving him a firm nod, she said, "See that it is, Mr. Potter."

Before Harry could say anything else, the fireplace lit up with green flames and out stepped Snape.

Immediately looking at his coworker, Severus asked, "Did he behave for you?"

Minerva nodded, eyeing him closely to make sure he is in good health. She's not stupid, after all, she knows he was summoned to the Dark Lord. "He was very well behaved, Severus."

Glancing to Harry, he asked, "Did you eat supper?"

Harry nodded, "Professor McGonagall made us sandwiches."

"And you are full?" At Harry's small nod, Severus waved him off. "Then go get cleaned up and get ready for bed."

Harry frowned, It's not even eight!

Seeing the familiar look of defiance growing on Harry's face, Minerva spoke up, "Do as your guardian says, Mr. Potter."

Huffing, Harry ignored the stern look thrown at him by both adults and stomped off to get ready for bed. This is bloody ridiculous. How old does he think I am? Two?!

Once the loo door shut behind the boy, Minerva immediately scanned Severus for any injuries, "He wasn't hard on you was he?"

Growling, Severus moved away from her, "Blasted woman! I am fine! Must you always do this when I return?!"

Smirking, Minerva forced down her motherly feelings and walked toward the fireplace. Before grabbing a handful of floo powder, she turned back and said, "The boy is starting to think that everything he does is wrong. Perhaps you should think about being a little less strict with him? At least until you form the guardian relationship with him?"

Severus narrowed his eyes, "A strict guardian is what the boy needs and it is what he is going to get, Minerva. You will do well to mind your own business."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Minerva leveled him with a dangerous look. "And you will do well to not push your ward away from you. Do you want the boy to hate you?"

Severus lifted his nose to show he did not care. He ignored the pestering feeling that he actually did care and snapped, "It is not my job to be his friend, Minerva. It is my job to reign his disgusting attitude in."

She eyed him closely, "But surely that is not the only thing you want, Severus? This is Lily's son - you must remember that! Yes he needs some polishing and he has made some really bad choices but he also needs a father-figure that he can look up to. Do you not want to be that person for him? Now is your opportunity for a family, do not take it for granted." She grabbed a handful of floo powder and left before he could say anything else.

Severus sighed softly as he watched the color of the flames return to their original color. That blasted woman knows exactly how to get under my skin. . . I lost my opportunity of having a family a long time ago. I do not deserve a family nor should anyone want to be my family. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Severus quickly set about making himself a cup of tea. In the kitchen he noticed the paddle still on the floor. Sighing, he picked it up and banished it back to his bedroom. Once his tea was brewed, Severus returned to the living room and sat in front of the fireplace. He allowed his mind to start wandering again. I was a little too strict with him earlier. Perhaps I should apologize for hitting his thighs - it's not like I meant to do that, after all. Even thinking it though, Severus didn't know how to go about apologizing to his ward.

When he heard Harry leave the loo he said in a no-nonsense tone of voice, "If you do not need a snack or glass of water, go to bed." He didn't even bother looking up from the mesmerizing fire. I could talk to him about earlier instead of sending him to bed but how would I start that? Besides, does he deserve an apology? He misbehaved and got punished. Yeah, I didn't mean to hit his thighs but I also did not finish the punishment either. One smack to the thighs equals a full-blown spanking, right? However, I also did not forgive him for his misbehavior earlier.

Harry glared at his guardian, knowing he couldn't see him. "It's only eight o'clock! You said my bedtime was at ten!"

Pulled from his thoughts, Severus immediately grew angry. Standing, Severus turned and leveled the brat with a dangerous look, "When I tell you to do something you do it without backtalk, Potter!" Know what? I will talk to him about it tomorrow! If I hear disrespect one more time tonight he won't be sitting for days! It would be better if I just sent him to bed - save him the punishment.

Clenching his teeth, Harry crossed his arms over his chest and glared right back. "Why do I have to go to bed so early?"

Having heard enough, Severus closed the gap between them. He tightly gripped Harry's forearm and started pulling him toward the guest room. "Because I said so, Potter! I am not in the mood to deal with your delinquent tendencies!" Opening the door, he pulled Harry toward the bed and kept the firm grip on him while he turned down the bed sheets. Turning Harry to the side, he landed a sharp smack against his backside and then pushed him into the bed. "Do not move a muscle unless you need to use the loo, Potter!"

Harry stayed frozen in place as he watched his guardian stride out of the bedroom, turning the light off as he went. Once the door slammed shut behind him, Harry immediately fought with his tears of frustration. Why is he so grumpy all the damn time? He winced and wiggled to try to ease the sting in his backside. How can one smack sting so bad?! His thoughts came to a halt when he noticed movement outside the bedroom window.

Moving toward the window, Harry peeked out and watched as the neighbor girl (Anastasia?) crawled out her bedroom window. He watched as she carefully closed the window to a crack and wildly glance around herself to make sure no one was witnessing her escape.

Curious, Harry debated following her. He eyed the closed bedroom door with hesitancy and then decided to throw caution to the wind. What better way to make friends then to break curfew with them? Besides, Snape is already convinced he is a delinquent, why not prove it?

Decision made, Harry opened the bedroom window and slipped into the night.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this chapter. I know, Sev is kind of an asshole but he has reasons to act like that. Give him time :)

Savoren.