In Dumbledore's office Snape was beyond enraged.
"They beat the boy, Albus beat him and kept him in a bloody closet!" he thundered his normal impassive features contorted with rage.
"Surely young Harry would have said something if this were the case Severus."
Scowling the Potions master whirled on the elder wizard and spoke in little more than a hiss. "Potter is not known for speaking when it is in his best interest, and on another note abused children rarely speak about the abuse."
"While I do not doubt what you saw Severus, perhaps this was a single occurrence." began Dumbledore.
"And what of the attack his uncle inflicted upon him earlier this summer?" He demanded.
At this Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "As to that manner I have no idea, but as it stands Harry must return to his relatives at the start of summer holidays."
"The hell the boy dose, I made a vow, a vow to protect that boy and by Merlin I will do whatever it takes to fulfill it!"
At this statement the maddening twinkle returned to Dumbledore's eyes.
"Anything, Severus?" intoned the headmaster.
"I'd as soon let the boy live with myself than allow him to return to his relatives."
"Then it is settled, Harry shall remain with you during his holidays that is, if you have no objections."
Realizing he had been conned Severus was quick to check his tongue before he spoke again.
"I do hope you know what you are getting the boy in to Albus, I will not mollycoddle him, Nor will I treat him any differently than any other student."
"Nor would I expect you to Severus." The elder wizard responded as he folded his hands upon his desk.
"Potter is not likely to take well to the news, you do realize this?" questioned Snape.
"Harry will understand that it is for his protection, any objections he may have will be short lived." Responded Dumbledore.
"I do hope that this scheme of yours works, if the Dark Lord were to find out that the boy had been placed in my custody, you realize that my position would be compromised." Intoned the potions master.
"If and only if that occurs, we will cross that bridge when we come to it, I do believe and have trust in your ability on keeping Voldemort from breaking your mental barriers."
"It is not that, that worries me Albus."
A white eyebrow rose at this and the elder of the two cocked his head to the side. " Then what is it that dose my boy?" he questioned.
" The Dark Lord's ability to break in to Potter's mind."
"Ah, and there is the reason we are going to resume teaching young Harry Occlumancy."
At Severus scowled. " I have already spoken to the boy about it, and he has conceded that it would be to his benefit."
"Wonderful work Severus." Intoned the headmaster.
Nodding his head the potions master exhaled through his nose.
"What is it that troubles you Severus?" came the unexpected question.
"My temper with Potter, we often do not see eye to eye."
"I do believe I have told you that Harry has an incredible capacity to love and to forgive."
At this Severus snorted "The likelihood of Potter forgiving me is as likely as he is to forgive the Dark Lord."
Bemused by this statement Albus shook his head. "He may very well forgive you Severus, but I will admit, that will take time to transpire."
A curt nod was his only answer.
"Now then" began Albus " I have discovered the possible location of another Horcrux."
At this admittance, a noticeably strained look came to Snape's face as he turned to face the headmaster. "Where is it?" came the soft question.
"In the home where Tom's parents resided" responded Dumbledore.
"When is it you attend to go after it, I shall need time to restock my potions should the need for any arise."
"It would be best, if I were to go after it before the start of term."
"So soon?" questioned Severus "Surely you would need more time than just a month Albus."
"Alas Severus, time is something we have little of I'm afraid, as Voldemort gathers more support the chances of him hiding the Horcruxes behind more powerful illusions grow stronger."
At this the potions master sighed and took a seat in the chair across from the headmaster. " How many do you believe there to be Albus?" he questioned softly his black eyes meeting Dumbledore's blue one.
"I do not know Severus but the chances of it being a number with magical properties is highly likely."
"But that would mean it is between seven and thirteen." Summarized Snape.
The headmaster nodded in an affirmative as he looked at Severus.
Do you plan on telling the boy of this Albus, it would be beneficial for him to know I believe."
"I very well may include Harry in the search for them Severus."
"Do you think that wise, allowing him in such close proximity could have an adverse effect on him"
"I do not believe that the Horcrux contains enough of Voldemort's soul to harm Harry."
Severus nodded at this before he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I best be taking my leave Albus, I do need to begin brewing and it would also give me time to prepare for the reaction I am to receive from the news I have to deliver to Potter."
Dumbledore nodded as he watched the man stand and begin to leave his office. "Oh and Severus my boy, Do take care of yourself, I do worry for you Dumbledore nodded as he watched the man stand and begin to leave his office. "Oh and Severus my boy, Do take care of yourself, I do worry for you after all."
Severus nodded at this before opening the door and descending the large spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office.
Shaking his head once, Dumbledore looked to Fawkes and spoke in a subdued tone. "I do believe that, that was one of the most difficult conversations I have had in quite sometime my old friend."
A high trill from the Phoenix sounded and a small smile came to Dumbledore's lips.
As Severus was making his way to his quarters he allowed himself to become lost in his thoughts. The headmaster must be up to something, why else would he want him to watch over the Potter boy. Sighing in frustration he continued to make his way down the many stair cases that led to the dungeons, blatantly ignoring the call from Filch that he was dirtying the flagstones that had just been polished. A glare in the Squib's direction was enough to silence the man.
As he reached his quarters his eyes traveled over the furnishings. Many would have expected them to be filled with dark colors, but contrary to what they thought it was painted in a pale cream color and contained rich mahogany woodwork.
Sighing he walked over to the rarely accessed liquor cabinet and pulled out a tumbler and poured himself a generous helping of deep red wine.
Taking a sip he sat down in his favorite armchair and stared deeply into the flames crackling away in the fireplace.
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