Chapter 6- Changes
Professor Dumbledore was not in his office when Snape arrived so he went up to see Madame Pomfrey.
The medi-witch was sitting at her desk and looked up as Snape walked in. "Severus," she said "I was just making a list of the supplies we need for the school year. We're very low on calming drought and skele-grow and I think we'll need a vat of burn salve and about a dozen vats of pepper-up potion and healing potion. Can you make all of that before the school year starts or does Dumbledore have you running around for the Order?"
"It shouldn't be a problem Poppy." Severus replied, "I'm afraid Dumbledore is going to have to remove me from some of my duties in the Order as something much more important has come to light. May I see Potter's records, please?"
Poppy was a bit taken back. "Certainly Severus", she said as she summoned Harry's records for him, "but might I ask why the new interest? Is something wrong?"
"Harry has requested that I do not speak of anything for the moment but you'll know soon enough I'm sure. Do you know where Dumbledore is?" he asked as he made a copy of Harry's record to study later.
"He was headed to his office via the kitchen." Poppy replied concernedly. She really wanted to ask what was going on but Severus had said she would find out so she didn't ask questions.
"Thank you, Poppy." Severus said and left the hospital wing. He headed back to Dumbledore's office. He mentally went over what he was going to say to the Headmaster and prepared himself for a fight.
Severus ran into Dumbledore just as he was entering his office. "We need to talk, Albus." he said.
"Certainly Severus, is there something wrong in the Order?" he said as he entered his office and sat down. "Lemon drop?"
Snape scowled, "No thank you. There are no problems with the Order at the time but after I tell you, what I plan to do, things might be different."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "What might that be Severus?"
Snape looked gravely at the Headmaster. "Harry has been abused and neglected at his relatives place. It will not happen again. I am going to take him in and make sure he is properly taken care of. He will do well in school but he will also be trained for the inevitable war he must participate in. He won't be mistreated again." He said. Dumbledore began to speak again but Severus interrupted. "Before you say anything about blood wards and the like, I already have it all figured out. I will perform a transfer spell. With that, Harry and I will be bonded and new wards can be created." Snape finished. He stared at his friend and mentor. He was very aware that this could cause a rift in their friendship but Harry's safety was much more important than that and he didn't care. "Well?" he asked the Headmaster.
Dumbledore was lost in thought. He trusted Snape and if anyone could make the boy survive the war, it was he. The only thing was this put a huge damper on his plans of Severus spying for the Order. "What about your spying? How will that be worked out?" he asked.
"I am not planning on keeping Harry in the dark anymore, Albus. He will know, maybe not everything, but I won't lie to him unless I absolutely have to. He must trust me in order for the transfer spell to work. That will require me to be open and honest with him. I know you don't think he does at all right now, but I believe that has changed as of last night and a couple of hours ago."
"What makes you believe so?" Albus asked.
"Ask him, when you see him about last night and today." Snape stated. He had been hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, and he wasn't sure where this conversation was heading. He peered at the Headmaster. Dumbledore seemed lost in thought.
Finally he spoke. "I will do just that, Severus. You're plan does sound like a good one and he would be much safer. I have visited the Dursley's often and I never liked the way they were treating Harry. I just didn't have any alternatives until now. I will speak with Harry and then we can discuss everything together."
Snape was stunned. This certainly did not go the way he expected it to. He had to go and speak with Harry. "I think this is best, Sir. I have some things to do I will see you tomorrow." He said as he stood and went to the fireplace.
"Goodbye, Severus." Said Dumbledore to Severus' back as he flew back to Headquarters.
He turned to Fawkes his eyes twinkling more than ever. "Things are coming together, Fawkes. Things are definitely coming together. If Harry agrees to this he will finally be as safe as we can make him." He said stroking the phoenix's golden plumage.