Harry plopped himself into the free chair and said "You might want to take a moment to prepare for what I am about to tell you." he joked.
"Oh Merlin, whatever it is, it can't be more shocking than you being a Mage, right?" Ron asked.
"Much more." Harry said with a chuckle as he started explaining everything from the conversation with Dumbledore, to the letter from his mother, to the conversation he had just had with his newfound godfather.
"You can't be serious." said Ron with a twinge of anger in his voice.
"He's my godfather, Ron. I have to try and make a relationship work. It is what my mother would have wanted from me.
"I agree with Harry. There's just no question about it, Professor Snape is whether you like it or not, Ron, Harry's godfather. I find it nice that they're at least trying." Hermione reasoned.
"So, now everything that the greasy git has put you through is forgotten? He has treated you horribly!" Ron exclaimed.
"Don't call him that! He already apologised, there is nothing you can say or do that will change my mind, so just let it go." Harry said he wanted to avoid getting into an argument so close to the summer.
"Dammit Harry, he's just going to hurt you again! What do you think will happen? That you become a perfect, loving family?" said Ron desperately. He hated Snape for what he always did to Harry during classes and that hatred was not going to disappear just because he is now his godfather.
"We can at least try." Harry said quietly. "You don't know what it's like to not have anyone there for you or not having a home to return to. I lived in a cupboard for 11 years! My mother wanted this and that's what will happen. Can we please talk about something else? I've had a very rough day and I don't need you here to tell me what to think."
"Fine." And with that, Ron got up and left his two friends for Dean and Seamus who were watching from across the room, wondering why the trio looked so heated.
"He'll come around, Harry. He just needs some time to process this news. I am happy for you." Hermione comforted.
"It's fine. Is it okay if I just go and lie down for a bit?" Harry said softly, not wanting to offend his last close friend. He needed to think a little about today and also about that dinner that Snape said they would have tonight about their future. He expected a note or a house elf to appear soon telling him when to go where since it was already 4pm, dinner would usually be in an hour and a half. Harry felt his stomach melt just thinking of spending an hour with Snape, he didn't have a clue what they would talk about and he certainly didn't want things to be awkward.
"Sure, I was just about to head down to the library anyways. I am going to draw up a study plan to learn off the books for next year by the time school starts." Hermione said sounding, for some reason, excited.
Harry lifted his eyebrows and gave Hermione a sarcastic look as he got up and headed towards his dormitory. When he got in, he was pleased that no one else was in the room. He crawled into his bed and slid under the covers until only his head was poking out. He was thinking over his argument with Ron. Harry really needed Ron to come around. He needed support from his best friend. He was of course grateful for Hermione but he felt that she didn't understand him like Ron did. Although Harry was quite upset about Ron, he pushed that thought to the back of his brain and started thinking about what he was going to do at the Dursley's. He thought back to the summer when he ran away from them after blowing up his Aunt Marge. He knew that she was definitely obliviated but since his Aunt and Uncle knew about the magical folk, their memories weren't altered. He wondered what they would do when he got back. Hopefully they would completely ignore him like they had before because Harry had every intention to completely learn off his potions book to hopefully make Snape happy. Harry's mind now wondered to some emergency topics he could bring up if things did get awkwardly silent at dinner. He settled on starting to either talk about Quidditch or Potions if things did get weird. When Harry reread the letter from his mother he felt a warmth spread through him, he felt a lot closer to her in a way but every time he read over his father's name he would turn cold inside. His father was a coward and a bully. He felt horrible for Snape because he knew exactly what it was like. But the difference was that Snape lost his only and best friend through the tormenting his father had done. And he hated his father for that since he could easily see the anguish in Snape's eyes when he had explained the situation to him earlier that day.
Harry somehow drifted off into a light sleep, he had after all needed some rest after the revelations of that day until he was woken up by a house-elf that reminded him a lot of Dobby. It had big green eyes and it introduced itself as Nibby.
"Wake up, Master. It is Nibby, Master Snape's elf. He is want me to tell you to meet him in his's office in 30 minutes." the house-elf practically squeaked.
Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes. He was asleep for about an hour. It was 17:30. "Yes, thank you Nibby, I will do as you say." He smiled at the elf and then she bowed and disapparated.
Now Harry could really feel his nervousness. He put on a fresh pair of wizarding robes and patted down his hair but it was of no use since it just sprang back to its usual look.
Meanwhile Severus was also quite uneasy. He had asked Nibby to make dinner so he didn't have to worry about that at least. What would he say to the boy? Severus intended for him to come and stay with him for a bit after being at the Dursley's during summer so that they could bond a little but would he even want that? He had the Prince's manor which he could probably turn into a comfortable home within the month that Harry was at the Dursley's. He wanted to talk about that with the boy but he also didn't want to make him feel like he was being pushed into saying yes. Severus really hoped that there would be some chemistry. He wanted to try and make Harry feel as comfortable as possible and he wanted him to feel open to talk about whatever he wished.
At precisely 18:00, Severus heard the knock on his office door. He got there in three long strides and opened the door for the rather nervous looking boy.
"Come in" Severus said as softly as his voice allowed.
Harry shot Severus a small smile and stepped through the big wooden door for the second time that day. Severus then motioned for him to follow. He walked through a relatively small door that was located at the very corner of his office. Behind the door was a long corridor that probably led to Snape's living quarters, Harry thought. When they got out at the other side of the corridor and Harry found himself in a surprisingly cosy living room. There was a black couch in one corner with a big fireplace in front of it. It looked like a very comfortable sofa. On the other side of the room was a wooden dining table with four seats that was already full of delicious-looking food. The house elves had definitely outdone themselves with this dinner. Beside it was a kitchen-like set up against one of the walls. In the centre of the room was a huge, rectangular carpet which had a design of different shades of green and black with the Slytherin logo in the middle. The ceiling was decorated with many lights, Harry assumed that you could choose which light you want on at any given time. The walls were decorated with green and white drapes hanging from each corner of the room. At the other side were another two wooden doors, one of which probably led to Snape's bedroom, Harry assumed. He really liked the design of Snape's living quarters, they were warm and welcoming. He felt quite comfortable and was looking forward to eating the amazing looking food on the table.
"Are you hungry? I have prepared dinner but if you wish to wait I could cast a Warming Spell on it." Severus questioned.
"I am actually very hungry, I fell asleep for a bit before coming so that's probably why." Harry said not wanting to wait much longer since he felt his stomach growl.
Apparently Snape heard his stomach because he let out a chuckle and raised an eyebrow at Harry. "Well, it seems that your stomach agrees." He walked over to the dining table and sat down, Harry did the same while suppressing the urge to laugh at the interaction that just happened between himself and his godfather. There was a lot on the table, such as roast chicken, mashed potatoes and chips, carrot soup and many other things. They both started eating and it tasted marvellous. Harry thought that it tasted even better than what they usually get at the Great Hall. As they were eating Severus tried to think of a way to bring up Harry coming to visit him in summer. "Do you enjoy being at the Dursley's, if even a little bit, Potter?"
"Sir, could you just call me Harry? I understand if we are in class but I would feel more comfortable with my first name when we are alone."
Severus was taken aback for a second, Harry didn't want to be formal with him, did that mean he should also tell him to call him Severus? No that could wait a bit. "I can see to that."
"I don't like it at all with the Dursley's. Not even one bit. I feel so trapped when I am with them, like I have to hide who I really am when I'm with them since they don't like magic at all. I wish I could go anywhere, but there, for summer." Harry said sadly.
"So I assume you aren't looking forward to returning after tomorrow." Severus stated.
"No, sir, not at all. I am literally dreading it." Harry said miserably.
"Well, Harry, if you would like, I could potentially let you live with me for a while after about a month of being at the Dursley's. Only if you want to, obviously. I expect us needing some time together before we can truly feel relaxed together." Severus said trying to analyse Harry's facial expression.
Harry felt a bubble of hope form inside of him. He felt a wave of excitement at what Snape had said. "Yes, of course! I would love to!" Harry said enthusiastically.
Severus let out a huge breath which he felt like he had inside of him for the whole day. "That is very good to hear. I will talk to Dumbledore about making arrangements and I will owl you when I know more." Severus said trying not to sound as happy as Harry was.
"Sir, where would we be staying?" Harry questioned. He still felt kind of uncomfortable with asking questions but he thought he should test the waters a bit.
"I inherited a house in my early adult years which I haven't used it since. It is my intention that while you are at the Dursley's renewing the blood wards, I will see to it that the house is suitable to live in."
"That sounds great, sir. Will we be starting my training while I am there?"
"I assume so. Your accidental magic has been showing as soon as you get angry, and you must learn to control that soon or things may get disastrous." Severus said firmly.
Harry looked down apologetically. He remembered their conversation earlier when he had made all of his Professor's essays and papers scatter about his office.
Again, Severus knew exactly what was on the boy's mind. He was so easy to read somehow. "It took a simple spell to gather the pages back. No need to worry about that. Besides, there is a reason why it is called accidental magic, Harry."
Harry nodded and felt reassured at this comment. He wondered why Snape was able to read him so easily, he wasn't that predictable, right?
"If you wish to ask any questions about anything, I will answer the best I can." Severus said, he wanted the boy to ask many questions. He felt that this was the best way, at the moment, to gain a little trust and get to know each other.
Harry was bursting to ask Snape if he was in any special wizarding category like him. Hermione also wanted him to ask about this. So he brought up a little courage inside himself and asked trying to sound rather innocent.
"Sir, are you in any special wizarding category?" Harry said cautiously.
Severus was not expecting that kind of question. But he had just told the boy that he could ask him anything so he had to answer. "Yes, Harry. But before I tell you I must warn you. You cannot tell anyone about this or I could be in a lot of danger, do you understand?" Severus said warily.
Harry nodded. He would have to lie to Hermione but the curiosity he now felt clouded that for the time being.
"I am a Mage, like you. Have you heard of Lucinda Prince?
"Yes, sir. I read about her in Hermione's notes. When she found out I was a Universal Mage, she perused the library for any information. Lucinda Prince was very talented in something called Occlu.. Occlumerr.." Harry stuttered not remembering the exact word.
"Occlumency and Legilimency, if that was what you were trying to say. Yes, she was extremely gifted in these two abilities. I am related to her on my mother's side. I somehow inherited her talents for it. People say that is why I am able to read my students so easily."
Ah, that made sense in Harry's head. It explained why Snape somehow knew what he was thinking all the time. "That's cool. Will I be learning how to do these things too?" Harry asked curiously.
"Yes, I will probably teach you Occlumency soon. This will allow you to close your mind and control your emotions around anyone. It will also protect you from anyone trying to get into your thoughts and memories.
This conversation went back and forth, Harry kept asking questions and Severus had joy in answering them until they were both full with food and dessert. It was about 19:30 when Severus decided that Harry should soon return to his common room. He was quite satisfied at their evening together, there had not once been an uncomfortable silence and Harry had become more talkative as their conversation went on.
"I think you ought to go back to your common room now. I will walk you back, who knows what kind of ideas a Gryffindor such as yourself will come up with on a walk through the corridors, alone." Severus said and he heard something that brought him warmth to his chest. Harry laughed for a bit at the sarcastic comment.
They walked through the narrow corridor, out of the dungeons and up to the picture of the Fat Lady which is where they would part ways.
"Goodnight, sir." Harry said gently. "Thank you for dinner."
He was surprised when Snape put an arm on his shoulder and also said goodnight but it made him feel good. He felt comforted after the day's events. Harry proceeded to walk through the picture after saying the password and up to his four poster dormitory. It was almost 20:00 when he got into bed and even though it wasn't late at all, his eyelids felt heavy and he fell into a deep sleep, content with how his day had ended.
