LOST CHILD

Chapter 7

Friends and Relations

Snape arrived back at Grimwauld Place and entered the front door, careful not to disturb the portrait of Mrs. Black. He was in no mood to listen to the foul mouthed matriarch of the Black family spew her outrage at having her home invaded by what she would consider undesirables. He mounted the stairs swiftly, black robes billowing out behind him, heading directly to the second floor. He wanted to check on Harriet and see how her healing was progressing and give her some more potions. Moving down the hall he spotted two figures by the door to his niece's room, their backs away from him. Unaware of his presence, he approached them without a sound. His students never knew that he actually had placed a silencing charm on his boots, enabling him to catch them out of bounds, on his nightly rounds. It had also proven useful for his spying duties.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, what may I ask what are you doing by the door to Miss Potter's room," he questioned, voice soft and smooth, startling the two teens making them jump in his direction.

"We just want to see Harry, Sir," Hermione replied nervously.

"I thought she might be bored and want some company," Ron interjected. "I'm sure she could use some cheering up, Professor Snape." He shifted awkwardly from foot to foot under his hated professor's dark gaze.

"Did you receive permission to come up here and visit?"

"Ah…well…you see…" Hermione stammered, unable to lie to her professor.

"Mum said we should wait till after lunch and we finished two hours ago," Ron stubbornly responded.

"Mr. Weasley, did your mother give you permission to come up and see Miss Potter at this time?"

"Well she didn't say we couldn't," he answered, face growing red.

"Then suppose we ask her, shall we?" Snape drawled, arching his left brow.

"No, Sir, that won't be necessary. We can come back later," Hermione responded, nudging Ron in an attempt to keep him from giving Snape an angry retort.

"We just want to make sure she is all right. No one will tell us anything!" Ron glared back at his teacher, stubbornly ignoring Hermione's elbow digging into his side.

"I can assure you, Mr. Weasley, your friend will recover. Right now she needs rest and should not be disturbed. The healing potions need time to work. When she is well enough for visitors you will be allowed in and not before," Snape hissed, becoming angry at the boy's defiance.

"But…" Ron started to retort when he was interrupted by a shrill screech from the other end of the hallway.

"Ronald Weasley, what are you doing up here? I told you that I would let you know when you could see Harriet after lunch." Molly Weasley bustled up the hall, cheeks red with anger, stopping before her errant son and his girlfriend. "I would have thought you would have used some common sense, Hermione, and come to me before trying to visit Harriet," she said, exasperated.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione responded, accepting the woman's chastisement.

"You on the other hand," she pulled her son by the ear, pulling him around and giving him a good swat on the bottom with her other hand, "I should have expected nothing less."

"Owww…, Muuummmm…" Ron yelped in pain. "We were just trying to make sure Harry was okay."

"You deliberately ignored what I told you, Ronald Weasley, and I won't stand for it. You will not come up here until Professor Snape or Madam Pomfrey state that you are allowed to visit. If I so much as catch you anywhere near here again you will be scrubbing all the floors in this house for the next month. Now, the both of you get back downstairs this instant!" She shooed them off down the hall, Snape watching with amusement. The two fled down the stairs, Ron taking two at a time with Hermione close behind, neither wanting to anger the Weasley Matriarch more than they already had. "I'm sorry, Severus," she apologized, wringing her hands. "It will not happen again. I hope Ron did not give you too much of a hard time."

"Nothing that I couldn't handle, Molly. While the children's loyalty to their friend is laudable, they are both old enough to know better than to disturb Miss Potter until it is safe to do so."

"I fully agree. Now I best be getting downstairs to make sure they are not getting into any more mischief."

"One Moment, Molly, has Harriet awakened yet?"

"No, I didn't think she should be disturbed. Poppy fire called and said she would be here about three o'clock to check on her. I was on my way up to see if she was awake yet when I heard all the commotion."

"Please send Poppy up as soon as she gets here. Right now I need to give Miss Potter her next dose of potions."

"I'll see that she comes directly here," Molly stated, departing down the hall.

Snape entered the room, closing the door behind him. He went directly over to the bed and pulled several potions from his pocket. He smirked, glancing down at the teen on the bed. Her eyes were closed and she was curled up on her side, but he caught the subtle shift in her breathing before he spoke.

"I know you're awake, Potter, so how about you open your eyes and take these potions like a good little girl so I don't have to force them down your throat?"

"First of all, I am not a little girl!" Harry exclaimed, annoyed at the reference. "I am almost sixteen, and secondly I sincerely doubt that the Headmaster would be pleased if you forced those potions down my throat, Professor." Her green eyes flashed up at the dark man staring down at her beside the bed. "Furthermore, it would have been polite to knock before you came in."

"I can see by your testy attitude that you are on the way to recovery," Snape commented dryly. He refused to let the girl get to him. "I did not knock as I was uncertain if you were awake and I did not want to startle you."

"I have been awake long enough to hear the conversation you had with my friends in the hall. You could have let them in to see me!"

"Until I am satisfied that you are well enough for company they will not be allowed to come in. Or would you prefer that they know about your ordeal with your family? I would be happy to fill them in."

"What! You wouldn't dare!" Harry gasped.

"I would if it would keep you quiet and resting since I am sure you would not want to face them for some time," Snape remarked stoically.

"But why can't I see them? They're my friends and are worried about me," she whined.

"I never said you could not see them. I merely said that you were not yet ready for visitors. It is vital that you rest so that your body can heal and your magic needs time to replenish itself. Now take your potions," he remarked, handing her four vials.

"What are they?" she questioned suspiciously.

"This one is a slow acting poison. It will eat away at your vital organs and cause you to bleed out," he casually stated, pulling up a chair and indicating the purple vial. "The red one is the Cruciatus Potion, a favorite of the Dark Lord. The black one is the Draught of Living Death, and the green one is one of my favorites, a bone breaking potion."

"Now I know why you were such a good spy. Anyone who could say that with such a bland expression could fool the devil himself and get away with it." She grinned up at him. "Besides, I could probably figure out what they are by myself."

"Indeed, then why don't you tell me what they are? It would be interesting to find out just how much you actually understood in my class." He arched his brow, waving his hand towards the four vials.

"Ha! I'll have you know that I learned more than you think I did. My potions would have been a lot better if they weren't being sabotaged all the time," she huffed.

"Stalling for time, Potter? Or do you believe you actually know what they are?"

"Humph," she snorted. "The purple one is an organ mender, the red one is the blood replenisher, and I believe the green one is simply a nutrient potion."

"You failed to mention the black one," he stated, trying not to smile, pleased with her responses.

"Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

"Language, Harriet, I will not have you speaking in such an undignified manner."

"Sorry Sir. I would guess that it is some kind of pain reliever. At least I hope so, but I don't ever recall brewing anything that turned black."

"That is because you haven't brewed it. That potion is a neuromuscular regenerator. It is a master's level potion and not taught at Hogwarts. There was much damage done to your nerves and muscles from your experiences with your relatives and fall from the second story window."

"Oh," she responded, looking away from him.

"Harriet," he started, tipping up her chin to look at him, "You are healing well, but it will take time. I also have a pain potion for you but I wanted to wait until after Poppy checks you first. I don't want to mix too many potions together in your system at the same time."

"I understand. It wouldn't do any good if they counteracted one another."

"Precisely," he agreed. "I am also pleasantly surprised that you were able to recognize the other three potions without the help of Miss Granger."

"Hey, I'm not stupid you know. I don't rely on Hermione all the time."

"I never thought you were stupid, merely lazy. However, I am beginning to wonder why you never did as well in some of your classes as I see you are quite capable of doing. I can only assume that it had something to do with your Muggle relatives." Harry merely studied her hands at his comment. He paused for a moment and then continued, "Your silence simply confirms my suspicions, Harriet, but it is of no consequence at this time. Suffice it to say we will discuss this at a later time." She looked up sharply at his remark, her pale skin becoming a shade lighter, green eyes wide. Snape just ignored her reaction for the time being and kept speaking. He had no desire to upset the girl even more. It could bring her to tears and that was something he was not ready to deal with. "Nonetheless, I will expect you to perform at your very best from now on and complete all assignments on time. I will also review your homework and answer any questions you may have. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," she gulped. 'Snape will be checking my homework assignments…I'm doomed. Voldemort just kill me now!' She thought horrified.

"There will also be rules for you to follow. I am now your official guardian and I expect you to comport yourself accordingly. First off, do not lie to me. I will know when you attempt to do so. If you have done something tell me. You will either not be punished for your behavior or your punishment will be mild. Should you do something which I feel is something serious, you can expect no less than lines and an essay along with being grounded from seeing or writing to your friends. I may also confiscate your broom, which is now in Professor McGonagall's possession. She will be returning it to you at the beginning of the school year and no sooner due to your poor physical condition."

"Will I be able to play Quidditch? What about the ban, Sir?"

"The ban has been removed. You will be allowed to play so long as your injuries have healed completely. That is not to say that I will permit you to play in any match if you are being punished or behind in your studies, understood?" She nodded in the affirmative and he continued. "Finally, if you do commit any actions which I find has placed you or your friends in danger you will receive a spanking." Harry flinched and backed away. Snape could see the fear in her eyes, which he had expected, knowing he would need to clarify the difference between a simple spanking and a beating. "Harriet, there is a vast difference between a spanking and the beatings which your family subjected you to. I will never use a belt or any other device which could cause you injury. I will simply put you over my knee and give you what I feel is an acceptable amount of swats on your buttocks with my hand. If you were a boy I might occasionally have used a hairbrush or a wooden spoon such as Mrs. Weasley does with her own sons. Nor will I ever ask you to drop your drawers to smack your bare bottom. At your age and due to your gender it would be considered highly inappropriate. Once any smacking is done you will receive whatever other disciplinary action that I deem necessary and that will be the end of it. You will be forgiven any transgressions."

"I understand, Professor," she whispered, unaware that she had gripped the sheets in her hands and had begun to tremble, memories flooding her mind.

"No, I do not believe that you do," Snape said, narrowing his eyes at her reaction, moving to seat himself on the bed. "Understand, I will never harm you," he explained, his voice soft with what he hoped was a comforting tone, carefully placing one hand on top of hers. "As your guardian it is my duty to see to your physical and emotional needs as well making sure that you are properly clothed and fed. I am sure that with both our tempers there will be many times we disagree, especially in the beginning. However, I will never beat you, starve you, throw you in a boot cupboard, or force you to do any chores beyond keeping your room clean and helping me with some of the household duties. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

"Professor…I…I want to…believe you…but…the Dursleys they…would lie…to me…all the time."

"Have I ever lied to you, Potter?"

"No, Sir."

"Nor will I ever do so. I may not be able to tell you certain things but I will tell you as much as you need to know if and when it becomes necessary. I know it is hard for you to trust any adult, including me, after the way I have treated you for the past five years. Up until this time you pretty much had to take care of yourself, but I give you my Wizard's Oath that everything I have said is the truth." She relaxed slightly with this statement so he removed himself from off the bed, returning to his seat in the chair. "Now take those potions and then we have a few more things to discuss before Poppy arrives."

"Yes, Professor," she answered, downing the potions one after the other. "Yuck, this stuff tastes awful, Sir."

"They're medicines, Potter, they aren't meant to taste good."

"Then maybe wizards should learn from Muggles. They at least have some medicines that have a decent taste. Hermione told me that some of the Muggle antibiotics taste like cherry or banana. At least the ones they give to kids. Adults usually take some kind of pill.
"I am aware of such medicines. As a Potions Master I had to study them."

"So why don't you do the same for wizard medicine?"

"It will reduce the effectiveness of the potion. Our bodies react differently than those of Muggles," he explained. "Here, take a drink of water to rinse the taste from your mouth." With a brief wave of his wand he conjured a glass of water.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry stated, then downed the water. "You said that you wanted to talk to me about something else, Sir?"

"I do. We will not be staying at Grimwauld Place for any length of time. If I can arrange it we will be leaving by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" she questioned. While she did not particularly want to stay in Sirius' house it would mean that she wouldn't get to spend hardly any time with her friends.

"Yes, tomorrow," he stated firmly.

"Are we going back to Hogwarts?"

"No, we will be going to my mother's family residence, Prince Hall. My grandparents still reside there, but we shall be staying in the Carriage House on the property."

"I have great grandparents?" Harry's eyes lit with interest.

"Yes. You will meet them when we are there. However, I must warn you now that your great grandfather is a strict Pureblood. My mother was an only child and he disowned her when she married my father."

"Why would he do that? She was his only child!" Harry cried indignantly.

"Because, Potter, my father was a Muggle; my grandfather was furious when she eloped rather than carry through with an arranged marriage to Antonin Dolohov."

"Professor, isn't Dolohov a Death Eater?" Harry gasped.

"Indeed, but my grandparents are not followers of the Dark Lord. They have remained neutral and are aware that I am not truly a Death Eater. As a result their estate is warded as heavily as Hogwarts."
"I thought Hogwarts was the safest place in the country."

"The wards on my grandparent's estate are almost as old and also have some Romany magic blended in. Our ancestry goes back to a Romany Prince, who married the daughter of a Saxon merchant, both of whom were magical."

"I don't understand. You said your mother was disowned but how come they still allow you to go there? Wouldn't you be excluded from the family too?"

"After my mother died, my grandfather blamed himself. My grandmother became very distraught at never knowing my mother had been ill. However, I rejected any overtures they made at that time, having already joined the Dark Lord. I had only just begun spying. Dumbledore contacted them when the war was over and we made amends. I am their only heir. I do not go there often since my grandfather never lets me forget that I am a Halfblood."

"Great, that's all I need is a great grandfather who complains about my not being a Pureblood. Is he aware that I will be coming with you and that I am Harriet Potter?"

"He is aware that he has a great granddaughter and that my mother hid her other child for protection. Dumbledore contacted him yesterday. We agreed that he not be told of your identity until after our arrival. He was merely instructed that Dumbledore would be coming to reinforce the wards with him and that I would explain later."

"Oh, okay then. If nothing else it will prove interesting. I hope they don't fawn all over me. You may think I enjoy all the attention but I really hate it."

"That remains to be seen," he replied noncommittally, as a knock sounded on the door. "That should be Poppy." He rose to answer the door and let the matron in.

"Good afternoon, Severus. How is our patient?"

"Doing as well as expected but she is having some pain. I waited to give her the pain killers until after your visit."

"Very good," she said, pulling out her wand, directing her attention to Harry. "How are you feeling, Miss Potter?"

"I'm fine Madam Pomfrey."

"We'll just see about that, shall we?" She waved her wand and a scroll appeared and then began her scan. It took about ten minutes for her to finish and then she turned back to the Potions Master. "Her liver is healing well and her nerves and tendons are coming along as is her magical core. The broken leg is fully healed."

"Will she be able to travel by tomorrow? I have arranged for a safer location which is unplottable."

"Albus has informed me that you will be going to visit your family. I understand that he wants you both in a secure location but I am reluctant to let her go so soon. How are you planning on traveling?"

"We will have to disguise ourselves and use Muggle transportation for the majority of the journey, but we will have to walk for the last mile."

"I am not happy about the walking. You will have to go slowly and allow her to rest if needed. Is there no other way?"

"I am afraid not, unless we Apparate or use the Floo system, neither of which I believe would help with her healing process. Nor would a Portkey be of any use since it could possibly be tracked."

"I agree. A Portkey would also be too jarring to her internal injuries," Poppy commented. "Very well then, I will allow it but keep your emergency Portkey to the infirmary with you just in case. I would rather have to patch you both up then loose you to the Death Eaters."

"I understand, Poppy. I will only use the Portkey if absolutely necessary." He nodded to the mediwitch. The Portkey would only be used in a life or death situation to get Harriet to safety.

"Now I think Harriet needs to rest. She has a long day ahead of her tomorrow. Have you a vial of the pain killer and a mild sleeping draught?"

"Of course," he responded, pulling the two vials from within his robes.

"I was hoping I could see my friends," Harry protested.

"You may see them after dinner this evening, Miss Potter, for an hour. Right now you need to sleep." She took the vials from Snape, handing them over to Harry.

"Drink them, Harriet, and I give you my word that I will inform your little friends that they can come up after dinner."

Harry downed the two potions, Snape smirking at her expression. She immediately felt her body relax as the pain killer took effect, her eyelids closing of their own volition. The last thing she was fully aware of was Poppy Pomfrey bidding Snape good-bye and the click of the door as she left the room. She heard Snape settling himself back down in the chair beside the bed. Her last thought was that Snape was sitting guard duty before she finally succumbed to sleep.

Harry awoke four hours later, stretching her limbs to work out the kinks; she took her glasses from the night table. Snape was asleep in the chair, a copy of Dracula open on his lap. 'No wonder everyone thinks he's a vampire,' she thought amused. 'Maybe he gets inspiration from the novel on how to sneak up on the students and scare them without making a sound.' She shook her head at the possibility while she studied his features. His face was softer in sleep, the lines less pronounced on his pale skin. His hair was not really greasy, just very fine and straight. Combined with his dark eyes, fine brows and thin lips he had just missed being handsome, his large crooked nose spoiling what might have been considered a very aristocratic face. It rather reminded her of Edward Rochester, in Jane Eyre. The analogy further amused her as both men had made mistakes in their youth and had hidden secrets. She quickly dismissed these thoughts though, the need to use the loo making itself known by the pressure within her bladder. Silently, she threw off the blankets, slowly pulled her body to a sitting position on the side of the bed. Allowing her feet to touch the floor she stood up on wobbly legs, taking a tentative step forward, her knees buckling beneath her.

"Potter, where do you think you are going?" Snape voice hissed in her ears, strong arms grasping her about the waist, preventing her from falling.

"Professor," she gasped, "I didn't want to wake you," she said, as he placed her back onto the bed.

"You will find, Potter, that I am a very light sleeper. Now what were you thinking trying to get out of bed?" He glared, dark eyes glittering dangerously.

"I need to use the bathroom," she explained, biting her lower lip.

"Oh for the love of Merlin," he swore through gritted teeth, picking her up.

"I can walk you know!" she exclaimed as he headed across the room towards the bathroom.

"You are still very weak and should not be moving about on your own," he said. Pushing the half open bathroom door with his foot, he entered the loo and placed her onto her feet beside the sink. "I will be just outside. Do you think you can manage or should I call Mrs. Weasley to help you?"

"I'll be fine," Harriet answered, holding the sink for support.

"Very well, call me when you are finished and I will help you back to bed." He spun on his heel and left the room, pulling the door shut to give her privacy.

Harriet was never more grateful that the toilet was next to the sink. Using it to brace her weight, she undid her pajamas, shakily stepping over to the toilet. Sighing with relief, she emptied her aching bladder, and then slowly readjusted her clothes, once again using the sink for support. 'Merlin, I look like hell,' she muttered, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Frowning, she turned on the tap and quickly washed her face and hands. She then brushed her teeth and pulled a brush through her wild hair, unsurprised that someone had placed her personal items on the sink. She was startled by a sharp knock on the door.

"Potter, are you all right in there?"

"I'm okay, Professor, you can come in. I just needed to freshen up a bit," she stated, as he opened the door.

"Come along then, it is time for dinner." He bent down and picked her up, cradling her against his chest heading back into the bedroom.

"Put me down, Sir!" Harry struggled in his arms. "I am not a two year old."

"Then stop acting like one and save your strength. You'll need it for the journey tomorrow." Snape sneered, plopping her unceremoniously back into bed he placed a dinner tray on her lap. "Now eat your dinner and maybe I will allow your friends in to visit."

"You said they could come and see me for an hour," she bit back annoyed.

"That was before you decided to take an unauthorized trip out of bed. So stop this silly whining right now before I curtail any visits except to say good – bye for five minutes in the morning," he warned silkily.

Harry just glared up at him, green eyes blazing, but knew enough not to open her mouth again. If nothing else Snape would keep his word and she would not get to visit with Ron and Hermione. Snape sat back in the chair to have his own dinner, which was on the nightstand, while she busied herself with the tray on her lap. She was pleasantly surprised to see roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and chocolate pudding for dessert, along with a tall glass of lemonade. They ate in silence for awhile, the only sound being the scraping of the silverware against the plates, before Harry dared to look up at her uncle.

"Ummm…Sir," she began tentatively, unsure how to broach what she wanted to ask.

"What is it, Potter?"

"Please, can't you call me Harry instead of Potter? You used Harriet earlier and Potter just sounds so callous. If we're going to form any kind of truce and try to be a family it would help." Snape studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable, and his mask firmly in place.

"Very well," he agreed. "But why you insist in that infernal nickname rather than Harriet is beyond me."

"Harriet just sounds so formal and old fashioned." She shrugged.

"I see. I suppose you should like to call me something besides sir or professor as well?"

"It would help. Professor Snape sounds like we're at school and I can't go around calling you sir all the time either."

"Since we are not in school and you are my niece you may call me Uncle Severus or just plain Severus. Whichever you are most comfortable with. However, once back at Hogwarts you are to refer to me in public as Professor Snape or Sir except when we are in private. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Uncle Sevie, it is perfectly understood," she responded teasingly, giving him a mock salute.

He narrowed his eyes at the nickname, but realized she was just testing the limits of their new found relationship, having caught the laughter in her voice, green eyes dancing with amusement. 'Let's see how she likes to be teased in the same manner,' he contemplated silently. 'I think I know just how to put a stop to the Sevie nonsense without an argument.' Leaning forward in his chair, he whispered in her ear. "If you ever call me Sevie again you will find that instead of practicing with your Quidditch team you will be taking remedial Potions for real."

"Absolutely, Uncle Severus." Harry gulped eyes wide. She knew he wasn't kidding but was curious as to why it bothered him so much. Before she could stop herself she blurted out, "How come you don't like the nickname? Is it something my dad said, like that awful Snivellus?" She immediately realized what she had said, clapping her hand to her mouth, green eyes staring back at him fearfully.

"No, Harriet, it is not something your father said," he replied, gritting his teeth. "Now finish your pudding and I will allow your friends up." He stood from his seat and left the room to find the two Gryffindors. His head was filled with thoughts of his sweet mother. She had been the only one he had ever allowed to call him Sevie, and Harriet Potter of all people had unknowingly stirred memories of his own painful childhood.

Harry stared at the closed door when he left the room. She had already said something wrong and she could tell Snape was upset with whatever memories she had unwittingly stirred up. Fortunately, he hadn't lost his temper with her. Shaking her head, she finished the pudding and put the tray back onto the bedside table when the door opened and her two friends clambered in.

"Ron, you should have knocked first!" Hermione scolded the redhead. "Harry may have been asleep."

"Mione, you know Snape said we could come up. He wouldn't have said so if she were sleeping!"

"It is still the polite thing to do, Ronald. What if Harry had been changing her clothes?"

"Why would she have been doing that?" he asked, face flame red with embarrassment at the thought he may have caught Harry in her knickers. "You know she's on bed rest."

Their bickering was interrupted by a soft chuckle from the bed, and the couple turned towards her wearing sheepish expressions.

"It's good to you guys." Harry grinned.

"Oh, Harry, we were so worried," Hermione said, flinging her arms around her friend.

"Ah…Mione, I am a bit sore," Harry explained, wincing as she untangled herself from the embrace.

"Yeah, Mione, give the girl room to breathe," Ron remarked. "Harry, you look like you've been run over by a Hippogriff."

"Is that all? I would have thought more like a Mack truck, actually."

"What's a Mack truck?" Ron questioned, scrunching his face up in puzzlement.

"It's a Muggle vehicle, Ron, in fact it's a large truck. What they call an eighteen wheeler," Hermione interjected. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Harry."

"It's okay, Mione. Snape has me so full of potions that by the time I finish Hogwarts I'll probably be immune to just about everything," she laughed. "I have loads to tell you too. Please sit down so we can talk before he comes back and throws you both out."

"Humph, what right has the greasy git got to keep us out of here?" Ron snorted. "We tried to visit after lunch and he wouldn't let us get anywhere near you," he commented, taking the chair Snape had vacated while Hermione took a seat on the bed.

"Really, Ron, Harry was injured. I'm sure he was just making sure she got the proper rest and treatments."

"Something like that, Mione," Harry smirked. "Now tell me what the latest news is. Aside from the attack at Privet Drive what has Voldemort been up to?"

"Nothing we could find out, Harry. There was an Order meeting the night they brought you in but nothing since then. What happened anyway? I overheard mum talking with Dumbledore and he said that you were injured prior to the attack and then jumped out a window. She shut up real quick when she realized I was on my way down the stairs."

"Just the usual summer with the Dursley's." Harry shrugged, evading the question.

"Harry, whatever they did had to have been horrible," Hermione commented. "Madam Pomfrey was really upset with Dumbledore. She said your injuries were really serious."

"Yeah, mate, she balled him out good after when he came to check on you," Ron agreed.

"I'd rather not go into any details. Just suffice it to know that my uncle and cousin used me as their private punching bag and leave it at that. I was able to get away when my magic went wonky and I jumped out the window."

"Oh, Harry, that is just awful," Hermione wailed, tears filling her eyes.

"Now don't start crying, Hermione," Ron consoled her, getting up to give her a hug. "Harry's going to be fine."

"I'm well on the road to recovery," Harry told her fondly.

"Harry, I don't know if they told you…but…the Dursley's…they…"

"Were killed," Harry finished for her. "I was there, Hermione, when Bellatrix attacked my cousin and kidnapped my aunt and uncle."

"I'm so sorry, Harry."

"Mione, maybe they didn't deserve to die like that but my so called family was not nice people. In fact if my uncle had been magical he probably would have been a Death Eater," Harry commented quietly, Ron nodding in agreement.

"But where will you go now?"

"I heard mum ask Dumbledore if you could come and live with us," Ron grinned, "and with Mione staying with us we'll have a blast."

"Ron you know that Dumbledore told her other arrangements were being made."

"Yeah, well mum is not one to give up easily."

"Uh…Ron…it turned out that I have another relative. An uncle, in fact. The relationship only just became known to him and he's now my new guardian."

"Harry, I thought your mother only had the one sister?" Hermione questioned.

"So we all thought. It turns out that mum was not really her sister. A witch switched babies with the Evans family when their child was stillborn."

"So your mum was adopted?"

"Not legally, no. The witch modified their memories. My mum was small for her age since she was a twin. My grandmother kept her son with her and hid my mother. Mum was actually a few weeks old at the time."

"Merlin, Harry, is this for real?" Ron demanded astonished.

"Oh it's real all right. I had to have a blood test and so did my uncle for a familial potion to prove when his mother wrote in a letter to him before she died. The letter only came to his attention a few days ago. That's why the blood wards collapsed at Privet Drive. Dumbledore said that once it became known to my uncle that mum was not a real Evans the wards started to fall."

"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. "You had no real blood tie to your aunt."

"Blimey, Harry, if your grandmother was a witch that means that…"

"Yes, Ron, my uncle is a wizard," Harry finished for him.

"But, Harry, how can you be sure he isn't a Death Eater?" Ron demanded, jumping up and pacing the floor.

"Really, Ronald, do you honestly believe that Dumbledore would allow Harry to go with just anyone even if it was proven that he was her uncle?"

"I reckon not. But what if he won't let her come back to Hogwarts? Or maybe he's one of the Death Eater's that we don't know about. Dumbledore's been fooled before. You-Know-Who has plenty of followers."

"I wouldn't worry about that, Ron," Harry replied, enjoying her little story. 'Ron is going to flip when he hears who my uncle is,' she thought. 'I just hope he can accept it.' It had only just occurred to her that he would refuse to have anything to do with her once he found out. She knew Hermione would see it as an opportunity to have a Professor as a relative.

"Not worry…not worry she says…Harry just who is this uncle that Dumbledore trusts enough to take you?" Ron asked, ears going red. "Furthermore how can he be so sure he isn't a follower of You-Know-Who?"

"Actually, Ron, he was once, but he quit the Death Eater's. Dumbledore personally vouched for him at his trial." Harry hinted, watching Hermione's eyes grow wide with understanding while Ron just looked dumbfounded, mouth gaping like a fish.

"Harry…that means…that…your uncle…is…"

"Professor Snape," Hermione finished for him. "Oh, Harry, that's wonderful."

"Is it really Snape, Harry, or are you just pranking us?" Ron looked as if he would turn green at any moment.

"No, Ron, it's not a joke," Harry advised him softly. "Our Potions Master is in fact my mum's twin brother."

"Harry, I've seen pictures of your mother and they don't look a thing alike," Ron commented in disbelief.

"They were fraternal twins, Ron. They don't always look alike," Hermione reminded him calmly.

"Mione, you act like this is a wonderful thing. How can you be happy that Snape is Harry's uncle? For all we know he may bring her directly to You-Know-Who," Ron argued.

"Ronald, Professor Snape is a spy for the Order," she huffed. "He knows better than anyone how to protect Harry."

"I still don't trust him!" Ron exclaimed, waving his arms. "He's been nothing but mean to Harry since she started Hogwarts. How can you believe she'll be better off with him than with the Muggles?"

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Mr. Weasley," Snape's silky voice came from the doorway, three heads snapping up to look at him. The trio hadn't known he had been listening from the hall for the past five minutes to see how Harriet's friends would react to their relationship.

"Professor Snape," Ron squeaked. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Obviously not," he replied, raising his left brow.

"How long have you been listening, Uncle Severus?" Harry asked, annoyed that at least a part of their conversation had been overheard.

"Long enough to know that Miss Granger has no qualms about our being related. Mr. Weasley, on the other hand, seems to think I plan on turning you into potions ingredients for the Dark Lord."

Ron shuffled for a moment under the Professor's sharp scrutiny before bolstering up his courage to speak. "Professor, you have never been nice to Harry and now you expect me to believe that she'll be safe with you? Everyone believes you're a spy but how do I know you aren't really working for You-Know-Who?"

"I am no longer a spy for the Order nor am I working for the Dark Lord. I am certain that when the Prophet comes out tomorrow I will be second on his list of people to kill; right behind my niece and just before the Headmaster." Snape answered calmly. "Harriet and I will be going incognito to a safe, unplottable, house tomorrow. If you value your friend's safety you will not ask where," he added anticipating the boy's next question. "She will be able to write to you once we have settled in."

"That still doesn't explain why you have been so mean to her all this time."

"Suffice it to say that it was necessary to my cover as a spy. There are several of the Death Eater's children in my house. It would have been inappropriate to have acted otherwise else my cover would have been blown. In which case, Harriet would now be in the hands of the Ministry rather than with family. And before you argue that she would have been welcomed by your parents let me assure you that Minister Fudge and his Undersecretary would have easily prevented that from happening."

"Professor Snape is right, Ron," Hermione admonished. "You owe him an apology for what you said about him." She crossed her arms with a glare.

"I suppose if Dumbledore trusts you then I should but if I find out you are hurting Harry I am going to come after you along with the rest of my family. She's as much of a sister to me as Ginny," Ron said, blue eyes flashing as he faced his professor.

"Gryffindor bravado suits you Mr. Weasley. Let us hope that the stresses of the war do not weaken it but make it all the more powerful."

"Harry, did he just compliment me?" Ron inquired, shocked.

"Indeed, Mr. Weasley. However, if you ever tell anyone I will see to it that you clean the entire trophy room with a toothbrush every week for the entire school year. Now I suggest you and Miss Granger say good-night to Harriet so that she can get some rest. She will have a difficult day tomorrow."

"Yes Sir," Hermione answered for them. "Good-night, Harry. We'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, mate, we'll see you before you have to leave."

"One second, guys. Uncle Severus is there any chance that Ron and Hermione could come and visit sometime over the rest of the summer?"

"Perhaps, I shall consider it once you are fully recovered and only if the Headmaster can arrange for their safety beforehand." Harry's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and she gave him her first genuine smile. He was somewhat surprised that she didn't argue with his answer but showed true happiness that he would even consider allowing them to come to his family home.

"Thanks, Uncle, and good-night again guys."

"Good-night and thank you again, Professor," Hermione answered.

"Talk to you tomorrow mate." Ron waved in farewell, closing the door behind them.

"I've brought your potions, Harry. I have included the Dreamless Sleep in addition to the pain potion. I was serious when I said you would need to be well rested for our journey tomorrow."

"I understand. How long will we be on the road?"

"Several hours, however, part of that will be by train. A compartment has been reserved for us under the name of Charles Blaine and his daughter, Eunice."

Eunice? That's as old fashioned as Harriet," she commented, wrinkling her nose. It's definitely not a name I would have picked.

"That happens to be your great grandmother's name," Snape replied, smirking.

"Oh! Sorry I didn't know. No disrespect was intended." She flushed embarrassed. "Is Charles my great grandfather's name?"

"No, it is his middle name. His first name is Septimus. It is tradition in the Prince family to name the children with the same first initial as the grandparents. My mother's name was Eileen. Even after the breach with my grandparents she maintained the tradition and named me Severus."

"Did my mother's birth name start with an E like her mother's?"

"No, but her middle name was Eileen, the same as your grandmother's. Lily's actual birth name was Selina Eileen Snape."

"I think that is rather exotic sounding."

"Indeed, it may also interest you to know that your mother resembles our great grandmother, who was one of the Prewetts."

"You mean Mrs. Weasley's family?"

"I do. Your friend Ronald is actually a distant cousin to us both."

"Does Mrs. Weasley know you're related?"

"Since most all the Pureblood families have some kind of tie to one another I am sure she knows that we are related. Both my great grandmother and her grandfather were brother and sister."

"Wicked! Wait till I tell Ron. He's going to flip out." She grinned. "It will be fun to see his face when I tell him he's related to the both of us."

"Yes," Snape sneered, "I think I will enjoy watching his reaction."

"What else can you tell me about our relations?"

"Nothing else for tonight," he began, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. Shaking his head in annoyance, he got up to see who it was only to find Dumbledore awaiting entrance. "Headmaster, come in."

"Good evening, Severus. I am glad to see you are keeping Harry company."

"Actually, Albus, I was just about to give her some more potions. She needs to be well rested for our trip tomorrow as you are well aware."

"Which is why I have come, I have your tickets for the train. I have also concluded my business with Ms. Skeeter. You are now free from your spying duties."

"Rita Skeeter," Harry interrupted, "what has she got to do with all of this?"

"Manners, Harriet! You will address the Headmaster with respect."

"Ah…sorry, Uncle Severus," she said, contritely. "I apologize for interrupting, Headmaster."

"That is quite all right, Harry. I am sure you will enjoy reading the morning edition of the Daily Profit. Rita has written a lovely article about your mother and Severus and how you have just discovered that he is your uncle."

"Headmaster, she will only write something awful!" Harry protested.

"No fear, Child, I approved the article and she is aware of the consequences should she print any falsehoods or innuendo," Dumbledore answered, looking over his spectacles, blue eyes twinkling madly.

"But what about Voldemort?"

"I suspect he will be quite displeased. However, you needn't worry. The wards at the Prince family estate are as strong as Hogwarts and I myself have strengthened them along with your great grandfather."

"I thought he didn't know about me being Harry Potter?"

"He doesn't. He only knows that Severus spying days are at an end and he needs to go into hiding before the rest of the term to protect his niece from the Death Eaters."

"Oh, alright, then. I guess I shouldn't worry but I can't help it."

"Understandable, Harriet. Nevertheless, Severus will be changing your appearance in addition to his own. Which reminds me…now where did I put it…ah yes," he stated, pulling what looked to be something made of metal and leather from his robes. "This is for you, Harry, as per Madam Pomfrey's instructions."

"What is it?"

"A leg brace," Snape answered, watching as Dumbledore resized it with a wave of his wand.

"What the Bloody Hell do I need that for?" Harry was looking at the brace in disgust and missed Snape give a subtle wave of his hand, causing her mouth to fill with soap. She immediately began spitting out suds, glaring up at her uncle, while Dumbledore chuckled.

"I apologize for my niece's language, Headmaster. I have warned her about swearing but it seems she has forgotten."

"Undoubtedly, but I see you have the situation well in hand my boy." Harry glared up at the two men, growing more furious by the second, continuing to spit bubbles. "Although, I do believe she has learned her lesson," Dumbledore commented, ending Snape's spell and handing her some water. "Now, where was I?"

"Leg…brace," Harry sputtered, rinsing her mouth.

"Ah, yes, Poppy wants you to wear this so as not to damage the muscles in your leg which are still healing. She is concerned about your having to walk for almost a mile."

"Tell her I will see that she does, Albus," Snape informed him.

"Very good. Now I must be going. Inform me when you arrive at your grandparent's home, Severus."

"I will, Headmaster."

"Oh, and don't forget our bet. I do believe I may have already won," he laughed, exiting in a flurry of bright orange robes. Snape just scowled after him before turning back to Harriet.

"Take your potions and get some sleep. We will be leaving at seven-thirty sharp."

"Why so early?" she questioned.

"It will be safer if we board the train during rush hour. There is safety in crowds. Now take the potions or do I have to feed them to you?"

"No, Sir," she replied, swallowing the vials each in one gulp. She wasn't sure which tasted worse, the soap or the potions. Taking a sip of water she settled down into the bed, the sleeping draught taking effect rapidly.

Snape waited until he was certain she was in a deep sleep and tucked the blankets around her shoulders. It was a damp night and he didn't need her to catch a chill. At least that was what he was telling himself as he left the room to retire to his own bed. He scowled when he thought of the bet he had made with the Headmaster. The old coot was as manipulative as ever and it had only been two days. 'The nerve of him to think that he had already won!' he mused turning down the covers and climbing into bed. He considered taking a sleeping draught, but deciding against it should he be needed during the night, he turned off the lamp. It had been a trying day and tomorrow would be the same. He needed to keep his mind clear until they reached the safety of his family home.

15