Chapter Eight: Unwelcome Visitor

Interlude: Snape

The next day dawned bright and obnoxiously cheerful. The relentless summer fog had broken at last and it was one of those perfect golden days in which the blue sky stretched out endlessly and the gentle breeze staved off the worst of the heat. In other words- it was perfect Quidditch weather and behind the Manor was a well concealed grove that proved the perfect area for flying without having to worry about being spotted by muggles. Severus frowned at his own poor luck, Potter was already going to be even more annoying and entitled today of all days, and now with the temptation of playing his favorite pastime in such excellent conditions, he was going to raise hell when he learned about Severus' plans for the day. Severus let his breath out slowly, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation that he was about to endure. Regardless of what Potter might think, July 31st was a normal day for the rest of the world and Severus had no intention of upending his life any more than he had already done.

As he left the room and headed down the hall Severus mused, not for the first time in his life, about the undue ceremony people seemed to place on birthdays. It was as though merely existing for another year was some sort of accomplishment. Though when it comes to Potter, I suppose congratulations should be in order given the trouble the boy lands himself in.

Severus had unchangeable plans for the day and he was going to be damned if the brat's over-inflated ego ruined them. He came into the dining room to find Potter already there, which was a first as for the past five days since his arrival Potter usually only showed up at the last minute. In fact, the best thing that could said about Potter as a houseguest was that he was as eager to stay out of Severus's company as he was the boy's. Potter has remained largely in his room, Merlin only knew what trouble the boy had somehow managed in a single room but at least he and Draco were avoiding one another and Severus' sanity was somehow still intact nearly a week later. An event that he would not at all have been willing to place galleons on a week ago. Even better was that for once Eppy the House-elf was not engaged in some inane conversation with the boy. Severus had never seen anyone besides the Headmaster hold an actual conversation with an Elf but Potter never failed to ask how she was doing or comment on the meal that they were having. It was, Severus was forced to admit, strangely polite. Not something that he would have ever expected from a Potter- though he supposed that the boy's muggle upbringing was largely at play here. Muggleborn or raised children were invariably confused with the use of House-elves and their desire to serve. Granger's none-to-subtle campaigns in the Great Hall was proof of that. Still Potter did not approach the Elf with pity or guilt as many muggleborns would initially, but instead a genuine friendliness that Severus had only seen him use among his fellow Gryffindors.

Potter didn't seem to notice that he was no longer alone, instead he was distracted by what appeared to be more glaring at than reading the paper that was currently in front of him.

"Dragged yourself out of bed at a reasonable hour for once? How extraordinary."

Potter's glare shifted upward until it was on the Potion's Master but for once he said nothing, instead he returned his attention back to the paper as his other hand absent-mindedly spooned porridge into his mouth.

"While it comes as no surprise to me that you lack basic table manners, during the duration of your stay under my roof can you at least have the common decency of looking at the other people at the table," Severus snapped, knowing the statement was more than hypocritical. He spent most mornings reading the paper while eating with Draco.

He more than expected Potter to snap in return but the boy was unusually quiet as he folded the paper and dropped it behind a dish so that only a partial headline could be read "Chosen One- THE BOY-"

Of course Severus thought the only news that would interest the boy would be about himself.

"Morning Severus," Draco greeted quietly. Severus frowned, since the troubles with the boy's parents, Draco had been unusually withdrawn and quiet. He had hoped that in the past few days, with the distraction of Potter's presence, he had started to come out of it. He knew that the incarceration of his father had strongly affected him, leaving him angry and bitter but it was his mother's current frailty that resonated with him the most. Draco had not expected his involvement with the Dark Lord to have such an impact and the pressure of his decisions were mounting. At the moment Severus was unsure if the young Slytherin would use this a needed wake-up call and walk away from dreams of being a Death Eater or else propel him to 'provide protection' for a family he saw as more vulnerable than ever. Seeing the pale face and tired expression, he wondered if the boy had had a hard night and resolved to try to distract his thoughts as quickly as possible. As a person that was more than familiar with the effects of bad dreams he knew that the best remedy was a distracted mind.

"Good morning Draco, I'm glad to see that you're up early. I have a busy day and I can't leave the two of you to your own devices for hours on end."

Potter raised an eyebrow at this pronouncement while Draco actively scoffed, "Severus we're not infants, I'm sure even Potter can survive for a few hours unsupervised. I can look after things, I am a prefect at school, I'm used to the responsibility. Besides, in case you forgot in another year we're of age anyway."

"Yeah, I'm used to looking after myself and Draco can just watch himself in the mirror, it's his favorite pastime anyway," Potter offered.

"Lest you both forget, age 16 means as of now you are not adults. We are currently in the middle of a war and with the two of you under one roof you make a fine pair of targets from both sides. How I wound up in this untenable situation is beyond me," Severus muttered, his glare solely on Potter this time. "Besides, Draco you are familiar and welcome in the village and while you would be fine on your own, I rather thought you would prefer a more…shall we say social arrangement." Severus asked with as much patience as he could stand when his directions were called into question. He turned with considerable less tolerance towards his other charge. "On the other hand, under what circumstances do you really think I want Potter running amok in my house when I'm not present?"

"I could always just stay in my room, make no noise and pretend that I don't exist," Potter replied dully, his eyes betraying a hint of humor that Severus didn't understand but for some reason made him uneasy.

"And you could just lock the door so that he can't get out," Draco added maliciously. Potter only rolled his eyes to this addendum to the provisions of his stay.

"Ah a capital idea Mr. Malfoy," Severus drawled. "In an attempt to convince me that you are in fact mature enough to remain on your own, you first suggest the imprisonment of a minor and secondly create an obvious hazard if there was an emergency. Well done indeed."

Draco's face flushed a dull pink and muttered something about only joking in the first place.

"As I've said, today I am occupied and will be in the future so I have found a solution that will work well for later engagements as well, in addition now that this house is occupied by another guest the overly involved townspeople in this area will notice eventually and start asking questions that we don't want to answer truthfully. Potter, I trust that even you can realize the danger of unknown wizards discovering that you are staying with me?"

Potter nodded, his expression impatient. "But I thought that the entire point of me staying with you was that no one was supposed to know that I was here?"

"No Death Eaters are supposed to know that you are here. This village is protected and cannot and HAS not been breached in the past 300 years. It is this reason that the Headmaster requested that you stay here. With me." Severus sneered. "Stand up."

"Why, what are you going to do?" the boy asked suspiciously.

Severus glared, "I was planning on murdering you and thought it would be more dramatic to see your entire body crumble rather than just fall out of the chair. You are the most unnecessarily obstinate person I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. For once just do as you're told."

"It's obstinate to want to know what someone is planning to do to you before letting it happen? And you say Gryffindors are reckless," he spat.

Severus lost his patience and grabbed the boy's arm, yanking him to his feet with perhaps more force than necessary. He hadn't even realized how tightly he was grabbing the arm until he noticed that his fingers were slightly stiff as he released him. A flash of guilt hit him. After the misunderstanding with the clothing just the other morning he had vowed that he was not going to manhandle the boy in such a manner. He had always sworn to himself that he would never turn into his father. That he would never resort to violence against a child.

Draco's eyes were wide at the sight but when he recovered from his shock a smile spread slowly on his features. Potter had reacted quickly to get his feet under himself in the rush forward, his own expression hard and closed off. Severus briefly flashed to the terrible moment when Potter had found the memory of Lily and the way he had destroyed their friendship, and Severus' reaction to it- the stark fear in the boy's eyes at the rage in front of him. It was rare to see Potter so openly afraid of someone and when the realization had come- later after his second Firewhiskey- that he had caused a student to feel that they were in actual danger, he had felt a rare moment of regret. Now, however, the Gryffindor had seemingly braced himself for whatever was about to happen. Severus wasn't sure which reaction upset him more.

"I am going to change your appearance. You will be staying here for the remainder of the summer and will not be able to stay in the house at all times."

"I thought that the point of me staying with you in the first place was to stay in your 'unplottable' house?" Potter asked, taking a casual but deliberate step backwards. He was just out of arm's reach now and somehow Potter had positioned himself by the door. Severus was almost impressed, he didn't think the boy had an ounce of sense in him. "Why does anyone even have to know that I'm here at all?"

"The point of you staying with me is to make sure that no one can find you," Severus corrected firmly. "This is a very different town than one you are used to. I never said that the house was unplottable, I said the location was. The town itself is hidden. Crescent Nest is a town that combines the muggle and magical worlds almost like no other. It is home to the largest clan of Vampires in Britain but is also known as a safe-haven for squibs. Long ago there was a massacre of muggles by a rival werewolf clan and it created a virtual feeding frenzy among the younger vampires. In retribution, the Clan formed an alliance with the Wizards and created a sanctuary of sorts for the non-magical beings in the area. We have one of the largest hospitals in three townships and among muggles the town is well-known for taking care of weaker elements of society.

"The Wizarding Families that live here have been here for generations, though I have not returned here for many years, my name is still well known here. It is an unfortunate burden that as the largest land-owning Estate-owner that when I am present I am expected to participate in continuing the work the other wizards have started. They are a small but powerful minority and it is not unusual for there to be many impromptu visitors. No wizard can enter this town without the express permission of another wizard that already lives here but once someone new enters, all of the wizards in the town are aware of it. We have been lucky the past few days, mostly due to the yearly festival that occurs in the next town. Your presence will be discovered and I would rather it be on my terms than someone else's. Add to that the fact that, as I have said, you need supervision when I am unable to provide it, and this will give us the perfect opportunity."

It must have been a testament to his guilt at grabbing the boy that he had explained as much as he had. He had never cared for long explanations, he rarely understood why people were not prepared to answer their own questions. In his classroom he refused to reiterate what should have been read in the text on their own and confined his lectures only to that which was not to found in the reading.

Potter nodded slowly, his eyes watching him warily. "So all this time I thought I had to stay in the house the whole time to be safe, I could have gone anywhere in town?"

Severus' jaw clenched and he wondered why he bothered affording the brat any kind of consideration. The only thing the brat had gotten out of his explanation was that once again poor-Harry-Potter didn't get exactly what he wanted. "You can go where I tell you I approve of and with whom I approve of you associating with. The last thing anyone needs is for the beloved 'Chosen One' to run off with the wrong wizard. This town is known for being safe but one can never truly know what another person will do or where their true allegiances lie."

Potter raised an eyebrow at this and gave his professor an appraising look that Severus did not appreciate. Slowly Potter nodded once more but continued to keep a suspicious eye on the wand in front of him. Severus waved his wand and transfigured the boy's appearance slightly. The dark hair was now a light brown, slightly longer to better hide the scar so that it covered his ears. Another flick and he added a dash of freckles just across the bridge of the nose. "The transfigurations will last for about 20 hours so I will reapply them each morning whether you are planning on leaving the house or not in case company comes by unexpectedly."

He handed the boy a set of contact lens. "Put them in and look at the wall," he commanded. With a wave of his wand an eye chart appeared. "Tell me when you think you can see the fourth line," he said jabbing forward with his wand in small degrees. Potter was quiet longer than he expected so that just when he was convinced the boy was being difficult and was about to scold him, he finally said, "I think I got it."

"Read it out loud."

"J.D.L.P.Q.W."

"Merlin Potter you better pray that the Dark Lord never breaks your glasses or you're a dead man," Draco quipped with a grin. Severus couldn't say he disagreed.

Potter shifted his shoulders in discomfort, more upset by the words than Severus would have expected. He jabbed again. "Again."

"J.B.L.R.Q.V"

"Read the fifth line."

It took another two corrections for Potter to finally have the proper results and when he finally had the proper charm on the lens Severus noticed that Potter looked rather surprised at his surroundings, glancing surreptitiously at his old pair of glasses. It dawned on Severus that the boy's prescription must be wrong but rather than mention that to someone who obviously had the means of correcting the problem the boy was being his usual stubborn self. Well if the boy couldn't condescend to ask for help that he needed he wouldn't go out of his way to offer it.

"Now we will be going to a potion's shop that is owned and run by Madam Littlefold. She's a squib and as far as anyone is concerned in this village from now on, you are a registered squib."

"Registered squib?" Potter asked over Draco's chuckles, clearly delighted with this latest addendum.

Severus sniffed impatiently, "honestly Potter, have you ever once attempted to learn about our world on your own or do you just assume Granger will speak for you?"

"Actually when it comes to Wizarding Traditions I can ask Ron too. Advantages to actually having good friends," he answered snidely.

"Magical ability is a spectrum, I assume you know that much?" he asked rhetorically. "Someone like Albus Dumbledore or the Dark Lord are at the top of the spectrum, obviously squibs barely register at all. As you have undoubtedly noticed over the years some students have more power behind their spells than others. Now there are some wizards that have some magic, but not much. They are not technically squibs since they can perform spells but they are so weak that effectively they are little better than them. You are too old to have just been discovered as a squib but in order for there to be a reason for you to be here we need to act as though there is a cause for a change in your circumstances. Therefore the story that you will be telling the Madame is that you failed to receive any OWLs with the exception of an Acceptable in Potions and will not be returning to Hogwarts as you do not qualify for any NEWT level classes. Therefore will need training for your new role in life. Sylvia has helped to transition many squibs over the years and will give you a job doing menial labor on the days that I need her to. Before you complain this story gives the added advantage of having people over look you. The Wizarding Families in this town are notorious for their gossip and interloping but they will have little interest in a boy with such poor magical ability. Any questions?"

Draco was grinning widely at the idea of the famous Harry Potter having to act the part of a squib but Potter was surprisingly unresponsive. Severus had expected a revolt from the teen, both at the idea of having to be known as a squib and for the announcement that he would be spending his birthday working for a woman that he didn't know. Potter's usual defiant glare was in place but he made no other complaint and it occurred to Severus for the first time that Potter had yet to mention his birthday at all that morning.

"What about Draco? I assume that he'll still be known as a wizard?" Potter asked pointedly in an attempt to show the unfairness of only one of them being asked to play this part.

"Draco has met Madam Littlefold in the past and he knows the area a bit. As there is considerably less threat to Draco's life than the famous 'Chosen One's', he will not require a disguise. He will however," Severus turned to the Slytherin with a look that brokered no argument, "need to change into muggle clothing. Though it has a fairly high magical population, at least compared to most, Crescent Nest is first and foremost a muggle town and Draco I need not remind you the importance of remembering that."

Draco scowled, "I understand why Potter has to show his face but why does that mean that I have to go out and associate myself with a bunch of muggle filth?"

Severus pursed his lips, staring the teenager down until the Malfoy heir was forced to shift uncomfortably. "I would suggest that you refrain from broadcasting that attitude, even if not through actual words. You will be here for the remainder of the summer Draco- there is no need to bring unnecessary problems. You will not be required to work at the shop as there is no need to explain your presence other than to say that you are visiting but you will have to deal with muggles of this town on a day to day basis. I suggest you both think of today as a learning experience."

Potter scoffed, "Because clearly of the two of us I'm the one that needs a greater appreciation of doing things the muggle way," he scoffed before turning serious for a moment. "What if there is an attack? Will a squib be able to fight off Death Eaters?"

"Potter you surprise me, I would have thought you would jump at the opportunity to heroically defend them! That is your specialty, isn't it?"

Potter's jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "Sir," he grounded out, visibly fighting down a scathing remark, "I just wondered why you thought this would be safer than just having me stay in the house. You're the one that told me that the Death Eaters don't come here, now you want me to leave. I don't think it's out of line to ask why it's safer going around town than just staying here."

The calmness of the answer actually came as a surprise to Severus, who had expected the boy to lash out as he always had in the past. The previous year the boy had displayed a terrible temper and he had decided that if he was going to be forced to take in the brat for the summer he was at least going to teach him some control. He was almost a bit put out that Potter's response was so logical, for once he didn't have a sharp retort.

"As I've said, the town itself is safe from an outside attack but further than that Madame Littlefold has been doing this for a long time, she has protections against wizards that are different than anything else you might find. In fact if you were a fully qualified, of-age wizard it wouldn't be safe for you to even stay there. Now get yourself ready to go, your constant questions have put us behind schedule."

"Severus, it's about time you got here, I haven't got all day. Draco, pleasure to see you again, Catherine has been staying with me full time now, I remember that the two of you used to get along quite well."

Draco forced a smile but Severus knew that the teen was uncomfortable. When Draco had been quite young the bright and energetic older girl had fascinated him as she had been so different from anyone else his parents had introduced him to, but that changed over time. There was the fact that girl had been sorted into Hufflepuff, which had immediately soured the Slytherin's opinion of her even though she was four years older than him but more importantly Catherine's condition was not something that Draco knew how to handle well and instead preferred to distance himself entirely. "Nice to see you as well Madame, it's been a long time."

"That it has, how is Hogwarts these days?"

Draco grimaced but seemed to think before saying anything disparaging against the Headmaster. Severus knew that Draco had no use for most squibs, like his parents he found them to be an embarrassment among the magical community and especially to their own families. Something Severus largely agreed on. However, the Madame's shop was something of a legend, handed down through generations of squibs and their protégés rather than a direct family line and offered potions and enchantments that could not be found by any other apothecary. Therefore it was rewarded with more respect than the average establishment run by a squib would have been by the larger magical community.

"And you must be the boy Severus told me about," Sylvia said, finally addressing the other boy.

"Yes ma'am, thank you for taking me in today," the boy answered with surprising politeness.

"Don't thank me yet boy, I have a lot of work for you to do. I'm sure your parents have always used magic for household tasks but it looks as though that won't be an option for you, best get over the aversion to work now. I hope you realize that I don't coddle my charges, I know a lot of people have probably told you how 'sorry' they are that you can't perform the spells properly or maybe they always said that it would get easier as you get older. I don't like to sugar-coat things, you're in for a long day, glad to see you dressed for it," she added taking in the boy's clothing. "What's you name again? Severus told me but it slipped my mind."

Potter frowned at the remark about his attire, his eyes narrowing slightly at the woman's tone. "This is Jimmy Evans," Severus introduced, realizing that he had never told Potter the invented name. He had wanted a name that the boy wouldn't forget or try to contradict and for some reason Lily's maiden (her real) name wouldn't leave his mind.

"Alright then," Littlefold said with her usual briskness. "Draco go around back and find Catherine, I think she might need some help preparing ingredients. As for you lad, perhaps in a few more visits you can try your hand as a Potion's assistant, after all you still need a career in your life but for now we're going to build-up your menial tasks. The first lesson I'm going to teach you is that there is no sympathy in this world for you just because you drew a short lot in life. I've done this a long time and I know how 'unfair' you feel it is, but life is life and there's no way around that. This is a list of chores, I expect them to be done by the end of the day, come find me if you have questions about what to do but you'll find all the supplies you need in the cupboard in the back room."

"Yes ma'am," Potter agreed, his eyes narrowing at her speech about getting over the fact that life was unfair. Severus could sense that Potter wanted to say something but for once he wasn't quite sure what the Gryffindor was hiding behind his closed expression.

Severus smirked inwardly, he had known Sylvia for years and he knew full well that the first day was a test. The chore list was almost impossibly long, Sylvia had once told him that in all the years she had been helping young squibs adjust to the unfairness of their lot in life she had only had four people complete the list and only two to her actual satisfaction. Potter was in for a hell of day.

Severus apparated to Hogsmeade, nodding to Aberforth as he entered the darkness of the Hog's Head. "Did you get what I asked?"

"And a pleasure to see you as well professor, so happy to do business with a man that truly values the people he works with," Aberforth replied gruffly. For a man that sought out no personal relationships of his own he was surprisingly critical of Severus' distaste for small talk or banal pleasantries. Undeterred, Severus raised an eyebrow and waited for the confirmation he was expecting- he was disappointed.

With a swift return to crafty businessman, Aberforth shook his head, "No, no one's been in for a week. Rumor has it that one of the Dark Lord's attacks ran into some complications and he hasn't been pleased."

Severus grimaced in distaste, grateful for the moment that he had not been present when his so-called Master had been informed of the failure. The violence that the man would have unleased would have been horrible and there was always the chance of being caught in the crossfire even if you were not responsible for the latest disappointment to a man that tolerated nothing less than perfection. He knew from experience that the Dark Lord preferred to limit information so he was not surprised that he had been unaware of any such attack, but was disappointed that his usual lines of inquiry had not given him so much as a whiff of something coming.

"You mean to say that the Aurors actually managed to do their jobs for once? Shocking."

Aberforth winked, "everyone gets lucky sometimes and remember: it's always better to be lucky than good."

"Ah, Mr. Potter's life mantra."

"Hmmm," Aberforth grunted noncommittedly. Over the years the barkeeper had heard every possible account of the 'Boy-Who-Lived'- as a savoir, as a crackpot, as kind-hearted-soul, as a dunderheaded imbecil- but he had stubbornly refrained from ever commenting himself. For those that knew Aberforth they recognized how strange it was.

The conversation stopped as the door opened more out of ingrained habit in the establishment than any current necessity. "Severus I'm glad you were able to get away for a bit. I trust things are going better than first anticipated?" Albus Dumbledore greeted him warmly.

"Absolutely. After I murdered Potter the first night Mr. Malfoy has been in terrific spirits," Severus deadpanned. He was annoyed to see that Dumbledore's infernal twinkle didn't so much as dim. "Let's get this over with Albus. I have things I need to attend to today."

"Yes how silly of me, today is Harry's birthday and as his temporary guardian I would imagine that you have something planned to mark the occasion?"

Severus sneered at the Headmaster, knowing full well that Albus had no such expectations and was merely trying to lay guilt on him for failing to fulfill an obligation that was far beyond the scope of anything that should have been his. He had allowed the ungrateful brat to stay with him- providing yet another occasion in which Potter was able to be the center of attention was not part of the bargain. He had never received a large celebration for his birthday as a child and had often wondered at the need others had to blow an ordinary day out of proportion. At 16 surely even Potter didn't require such a hollow affirmation of his continued existence in the world.

"Have you spoken with Draco?" Albus asked, suddenly serious.

"I have," Severus answered cautiously, "and I still have reservations about using such a plan, perhaps even more than before."

"I trust he didn't turn you down?"

"Oh don't be absurd! Of course he agreed, eagerly. The chance to turn over Potter to the man he's idealized his entire life? A chance to bargain for the Dark Lord to break Lucius out of Azkaban? It's Draco's dream come true. I'm half surprised that he didn't run and shout out the entire plan to Potter himself out of sheer excitement."

"Do you doubt his ability to follow your directions explicitly?"

"No more than your certainty in it," Severus commented dryly. "Draco learned well from Lucius, he believes himself to be far smarter and more powerful than anyone else simply because he bears the name Malfoy. He will refuse to share credit for his 'victory' and will lack the patience we need to ensure that we have the timing right. He's too volatile and headstrong to properly control. This is a mistake Albus."

Albus nodded. "Which is why the plan truly rests on anticipating Draco's timing, not relying on ours."

"It's a ridiculous risk for no reward Albus!"

"I've already explained the benefits-"

"Yes, you get to make sure that my place is better secured with the Dark Lord, you get to make sure that Draco thinks twice before he actually takes the Mark that was promised him after he completes his mission, and you get to set up Yaxley and Macnair for botching the plan they supposedly came up with. And what if things go wrong. A trap like this... there is every chance Potter gets captured or else is killed or else they realize who truly tipped off the Order and I'm dead. The risks are too much."

"You are only taking into account the protection that we can offer Harry, you are forgetting that Harry himself is an impressive wizard. One I daresay Draco Malfoy will live to regret openly challenging on day."

Severus gritted his teeth, "Potter is 16. Can he overpower Draco? Probably. I'll even grant you that Potter is more than likely the top OWL scorer in Defense that Hogwarts has seen in 30 years and I even include myself at that age, but even you must realize that that is hardly saying anything impressive. He is no match against seasoned Death Eaters, I believe the events in June proved that, wouldn't you agree?"

"Do not make the regrettable mistake of only seeing Harry's faults, he is a person that is often underestimated."

"Except by you, who evidently expects a mediocre wizard that can't even top the ranking in his school class to save the world. I don't believe it's my expectations that are warped Albus, nor am I the one making a regrettable mistake."

The rest of the day had taken longer than he had anticipated but at least it had been successful. Severus had spoken to his contacts in Knockturn Alley as well as a few places around the country that dealt in obtaining items the Ministry would more than frown upon. He had learned a lot that day, the bad news was that the Dark Lord was looking for several rare objects, far more than Severus would have thought and it was as yet unclear what his intentions were for these artifacts. With no clue as to what the man's ultimate goal was, there was little to no chance of them stopping him from getting to each item. The only good news was that it appeared that at the moment the Dark Lord was also having difficulty obtaining them.

He knocked on the door and it was answered by a smirking Sylvia, Severus thought that she looked rather amused. "What has you looking so upbeat? I've never known you to be so… cheerful in the past."

"Cheerful is for people under 50 Severus, I'm…intrigued and that beats the usual boredom."

"Intrigued about what?"

"Your boy. He's an interesting one, I'll say that, and it's not something I say often, actually."

"Interesting?" Severus asked, his temper already rising. He couldn't understand for the life of him how Potter made everything single thing in his life more complicated than necessary. The only thing the boy was supposed to do was chores. Severus had expected to find that he hadn't finished them, or that he had done them poorly, or he had even half expected Potter to have frustratingly completed the whole list out of pure spite (he had given the boy enough detentions to know how Potter had a strange brand of defiant-obedience when it came to finishing tasks that he felt unfair or unpleasant) - but no, instead Potter had gone and made sure that he was 'interesting.'

"How you do mean? The boy couldn't have possibly gotten himself into trouble in a single day?"

"I think you underestimate the creativity of teenage boys, Severus. Most boys can spot trouble in under an hour, but before you work yourself into a state, that's not what I meant, Jimmy didn't cause me a lick of trouble. No, I meant that he's the first one in a long time that I haven't got a good read on. You know that if there's one thing I pride myself on its knowing people inside and out in under a day but Jimmy is a… strange boy." It was true, for what Sylvia Littlefold lacked in magical power, she more than made up for in intuitiveness and perception of others. She had spent her entire adult life either working with troubled muggle children overcome their issues or else teaching squibs how to adjust to the muggle world. She was a person with a wealth of experience when it came to the hardships of life and had seemingly run across every conceivable problem that a child could endure. She was not one to coddle or shield them from the unfairness of life but Severus knew that her charges found in her a rare confidant. They were open to her and learned to seek out her advice and depend her stoic reliability. She provided a constant for those with lives that felt entirely unmoored.

Years later she would be visited by former orphans, foster children and abuse cases that saw her as the one stable adult figure that they had ever known in their lives, a role they had all conspicuously lacked until they had met her. Severus knew that more than one had credited her with saving their very lives. For her to admit that anyone surprised her was a rather unique turn of events.

"Strange?" Severus asked, wondering if the boy had had the audacity to do anything magical. He couldn't see Potter taking the risk after the trial he had undergone the previous summer for underage magic but he had learned long ago never to put anything past Harry Potter.

"Well for one thing he never had to ask me a single question about how to do any of the chores, even though they were done with muggle instruments, although that isn't the strangest thing. Some families start to realize that something's off and start teaching them to adapt before I meet with them. The fact that he did all the chores the right way shows me that he's certainly done them before."

Severus was a bit surprised that Potter seemed so adept at cleaning but then he had grown up with his muggle relatives and he knew enough to know that even they had assigned him chores now and again. He had witnessed memories of it during their Occlumency lessons. Petunia had always had an obsessive streak and from the glimpses he had seen in Potter's memories that had translated in life to order within her household. "Did he give you a hard time about doing the entire list?" Severus asked.

Sylvia shook her head, her expression thoughtful, "I didn't hear a single word about it and I can't tell you the last time that's happened. It makes me wonder… Severus I don't know how long he's been staying with you and you didn't give me any details about the conditions under which he left his parents' home but there were bruises on his arms. And before you ask, of course I know what kind of bruises to look for. I've done this a very long time and someone grabbed that boy and grabbed him hard."

If Severus hadn't spent a lifetime learning to conceal his emotions, he would have flushed with embarrassment. He hadn't meant to actually bruise Potter and he certainly didn't want to admit to the old squib that it had been he had done so, even accidentally- Sylvia took no excuses when it came to violence against underage children. The fact that Potter was now 16 and nearly as tall as Severus meant nothing to her and if Severus was being truthful he had to admit that it meant little to him either. Potter was still a child- he had made that very point just that morning- and in Severus' care, he was entitled to safety.

Sylvia was watching him closely as she continued speaking, "I asked him about it and he brushed it off, they usually do you know," she added, "but…this was different. He wasn't embarrassed or ashamed and he wasn't angry or aggressive. His story was very good. He knew they were hand-shaped so he didn't give me any nonsense about being clumsy or running into something. He told me that when he had left home it was an emotional time for his family and his father had wanted to give him some last minute advice, and that he gripped his arm to make a point and hadn't realized how tightly he was holding on. Said that he has tendency to bruise easily. It was a better story than any I've heard in a long time and I might actually believe him, but I wanted to know your thoughts on the matter. You know the family better than me."

Severus blinked in surprise. He had known for years that Potter was a sneaky, devious little liar but he had never seem him work a web of intricacy like this before. The fact that Sylvia even considered believing him was a credit in and of itself, the woman rarely believed anything one of her charges told her when she first met them. Severus had often found it a strange dichotomy that the woman that got so many young people to trust her so implicitly, so quickly, never trusted them at first.

However, it was not for nothing that Severus Snape was the most skilled double agent on either side of the war effort. It was nearly second nature for him to adapt to any necessary story. "That sounds like the boy's father. I've never known them to be violent and it would have surprised me if he had been. Disappointed or possibly ashamed of his son for being a squib, but not violent."

"Jimmy made it sound as though his parents were very supportive," Sylvia said a bit casually. "I asked him a bit about it over lunch, I like to get a sense if someone has said something to them that can stew within a person, you know what I mean? We always think that the worst a parent can do to a child is beat them or harm them, but I've been alive long enough to know that the worst damage comes from the words that they can't get out of their heads. Those are wounds that don't heal for a very long time."

Severus was more than aware of that, both from personal experience and from watching Draco for so many years. Draco's parents loved him and wanted the very best for him but Lucius had a way of placing inordinate expectations and when he was disappointed that Draco had not risen to the occasion, he had a way of verbally eviscerating the boy that was almost an art form. Tobias Snape had been a cold-hearted bastard that had caused more than enough emotional scars on his child but at least Severus had always been free to hate the man, he often wondered if he had felt forced to love him as much as Draco loved his father if the man could have caused even more damage.

"And what did he say?"

Slyvia shook her head and looked rather bemused. "He was a bit thoughtful, I don't think he told me what he was really thinking, or at least not all of it but he said that if someone actually cares about you they care about the person you are and the choices you make rather than the skills that you have. If I were to guess I would say he was rather offended that I would think his parents might have thought poorly of him."

"I fail to see how all this is so strange. Or have you worked with so many troubled runaways over the years that to find someone even remotely well-adjusted is a shock for you?" Severus asked, feeling a bit impatient about discussing the boy for so long.

"I can't quite put my finger on it," Sylvia admitted, not without difficulty. She was not a woman that liked to be caught without answers. "I think it's the fact that he really should have been able to finish the chore list, but he didn't."

"No one finishes your list Sylvia."

The madam shook her head, "this wasn't a boy that was troubled or confused by the tasks, he knew what to do and before you say anything it wasn't simply laziness, if there is one thing I am certain about is that that boy is Hufflepuff through and through- never stopped working for a minute. But he seemed so tired. Is he ill Severus? He hasn't complained of anything and he certainly appeared to be fine this morning but as the day worn on…"

Severus frowned a bit at that remark. He didn't think that the boy was ill but of course there was no way to know for certain. He also knew that the boy's connection with the Dark Lord caused him occasional pain and wondered if the connection had flared once again, possibly affecting him physically. If Potter was still seeing into the mind of the Dark Lord something would have to be done, and quickly. They had seen first-hand the damage that could be created through the connection and he had no faith in Potter's ability to learn from the situation. The fact that the Matron assumed the boy to be a Hufflepuff was rather entertaining however.

"He's a bit of contradiction," Sylvia continued. "He was friendly and open when a few of the younger boys from the home when they stopped by, he seemed to get along with Catherine when she came in. Made her laugh a bit which is a bit of a challenge these days," Sylvia added sneaking a glance at Severus that he pretended not to notice. He knew that she was disappointed in the fact that he didn't seem to feel the need to broach a closer relationship with the girl, especially in light of her difficulties but Severus did not see a point in forcing a relationship that was not meant to be. He had no personal connection beyond the fact that he frequented the apothecary more than the average person and she was a former student.

"However, with the exception of answering questions, he did not seem to want to get to know me at all."

"Ahh, and it all becomes clear. Your delicate sensibilities are hurt that you have found the one teenager in all of Britain that did not instantly fall into your motherly embrace? How touching."

Sylvia glared at his callousness. "I've met stubborn before. I've met cold before. Jimmy Evans is far from the first child that's walked in the door and decided to keep his business to himself, I meant that it's a contradiction of character to be open to some and not to others. Though the issue could simply be that I'm an adult, I have enough instinct to think that there might be more to it." Sylvia shrugged and smirked, "for the first time in quite a while, I'm looking forward to figuring someone out. JIMMY!" she called into the house. The matron's house was a good-sized cabin with her apothecary shop attached at the front by a long corridor. Potter would not have been permitted into the shop on his first day- Sylvia was particular about the kind of help she allowed behind her counters and in front of her customers, but there was plenty to do both inside and outside of the cabin.

Potter trudged out from the back workroom and Severus blinked in surprised at the exhaustion that seemed to physically drag him down. His shoulders were slightly slumped and there were bags under his eyes.

"Yes ma'am? Oh…" he said as he noted that Severus had come back and he shuffled uncomfortably. There was something different about his stance, something that Severus was unused to seeing from him but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Perhaps it was the fact that for an instant Potter had reminded him ever so fleetingly of Longbottom, Merlin help them all. "Er…I still have a couple of things left on the list. Do you need me to finish them before I leave?"

"Does it seem like I want to wait around while you take ages to complete simple muggle chores?" Severus snapped.

Potter glared at him, "I don't know why you always call them 'simple muggle chores', they're a lot harder to get done by hand than just cleaning with magic. Anyone can do that." And just like that- defiant, obstinate Potter was back with a vengeance.

Sylvia's brow raised at that one, clearly taken aback that the boy would defend his position while most squibs would feel shame, at least initially, at not being able to perform spells. Perhaps as a way to break the tension, perhaps just to expedite their departure Sylvia reached into her pocket and took out a few pieces of muggle paper currency and held them out to her temporary employee. "The chores will keep, you should be on your way. There you are dear."

"What's this?" Potter asked blankly.

"Oh, right I had thought you were familiar with them since you seemed so well versed in muggle chores, it's muggle currency. They're called pounds, and every shop in the village takes them."

Potter shook his head, "I know what pounds are, why are you giving them to me?"

Sylvia raised her brow for the second time in almost as many minutes at the daft boy, "I might be a bit of slave driver as an employer but I don't expect the people who work for me to be actual slaves. You did good work, especially for your first day."

Potter looked at her in surprise and Severus found himself feeling taken aback that Potter had so easily assumed that he wouldn't receive any compensation for his work. It was true that he had made it sound as though he would be working for the Matron under his orders rather than as an employee but he had still expected Potter to demand some sort of recompense for his time and energy.

"I…I didn't realize you were actually going to pay me. I sort of assumed that Professor Snape had set up a deal with you for having me stay with him. Thank you."

"This is what I consider fair for a day's work, don't get overly excited 40 pounds is hardly considered a generous wage."

"I didn't even finish all of the chores on the list," he argued pulling out of a five pound note from the stack and moving to hand it back to her, "I don't really deserve the full wage."

This time Sylvia fully froze and Severus almost did as well. Foolish heroism and pointless chivalry he expected from a Gryffindor but humility and actual sacrifice was not something he would have expected at all.

"Don't be ridiculous dear. Truth be told you got a lot further than most of my first time workers. The first day is a bit of a test, see how they do. The money is yours and well earned."

Potter's eyes narrowed slightly at the idea that an employer would dare to test their employees, no doubt he felt it unfair to do it without their knowledge. However, he said nothing but a muttered "thank you." Just as Draco walked into the room with Catherine.

"Hey Severus."

"Draco, I hope you had a productive day sorting ingredients?"

Working with raw potions ingredients was excellent training and he hoped that Draco had used his time wisely. Draco was not a natural potions brewer and without dedicated study (yet another thing that could hardly be considered a strength) he would never survive in NEWT potions- assuming the boy had managed to scrape an O even with the extra help he had received. It was going to be close.

"It was a thrill of a lifetime. Did you finish whatever you were doing?"

"For the time being," Severus answered vaguely. "Catherine, I hope you're well."

"Thanks, I've been doing really well. Jimmy I have that book I was telling you about. See what you think of it."

"Thanks, I'll get it back to you soon," Potter answered accepting the book, a muggle one entitled 'The Handmaid's Tale'. Severus had never read it and was surprised that Potter seemed to have an interest, or perhaps he was pretending to in order to suit his story as a squib. Either way Severus found himself slightly impressed that Potter would make the effort.

"And I'll be sure to get you tickets to that play for your birthday," Draco added, casting a sideways glance in Potter's direction. Evidently the boy had not forgotten the date on the calendar, nor its significance. Harry Potter's birthday had practically been considered a national holiday in the first years following the Dark Lord's first fall, and if there was one thing the Malfoy's were known for it was keeping tabs on their enemies.

"Oh Draco that is so generous!" Catherine said fondly. "Though my birthday isn't for another couple of weeks."

"When is it?" Potter asked with a sense of obligation to the question.

"August 11th."

"Really? I have a friend that's the same day. She a bit younger though."

"Jimmy Evans don't you know better than to imply that a lady is old?" Catherine teased.

"I prefer to think of it as experienced," Potter retorted with a wink.

Catherine shook her head, "Jimmy Evans, I didn't peg you for a flirt," she said with a laugh. Snape gritted his teeth, Potter had looked more like his late father than ever before in that moment. Catherine turned to her employer, "Slyvie, can you believe it? Draco has a connection to Davis Cravis and can get tickets in Diagon Alley? Isn't that amazing? Best present anyone's ever gotten me."

"I haven't even given it to you yet!" Draco responded shaking his head at her enthusiasm. Despite the dig at Potter for bringing up another's birthday, the blond boy seemed genuinely touched that his gesture meant so much to her. Catherine waved at hand at him, "Details. Besides the anticipation is the best part, don't you agree Jimmy? Looking forward to something is even better than when it gets there, don't you think?"

Potter looked rather taken aback by having this question lobbed at him. "Er…some people's anticipation are other people's anxiety. I think I prefer the actual experience." He had a frown on his face and was obviously thinking of past experiences that appeared to be unpleasant.

Catherine also frowned at this answer for a minute before she shrugged. "Well I always tell myself, every birthday will be better than my 14th birthday," she shuddered in a bit in playfulness but Severus knew that the day had actually been horribly traumatic. Her first symptoms had manifested around that time and in the days surrounding her fourteenth birthday she had been in and out of St. Mungo's many times. "What's your worst birthday Draco?"

For once Draco had the good sense to realize that he could not compare his life with another. Draco was well aware of what had made that summer such a trying time for Catherine and while the Malfoy heir would have normally more than likely complained about a present that he didn't receive or a time in which his father had been unnecessarily detained and had been unable to be present in his younger years, he knew better than to say any of these now. "None have been that bad," he glowered at Potter and years of hatred, jealousy and petty rivalry were in that hard-edged look. "In retrospect I could say my 16th since that will be the last one I had with my father still a free man, or maybe I should just assume it will be my 17th- since that's when he'll be in prison."

Potter said nothing but there was defiance in his eyes, a certainty that justice was being done. People like Potter always saw things in black and white. Lucius was a Death Eater and should be punished, never mind the effects it might have on the family. "What about you, Jimmy?" Draco asked, his tone slightly mocking.

"Easy. That would be my 12th."

Severus blinked at the lie, for surely this was Potter's worst birthday (not a single person had acknowledged it and he'd spent the day performing endless chores), and the seamlessness with which it was delivered. Potter even had a frown of distaste on his face, as though in remembrance before shrugging it off. "But it doesn't matter, does it? My eleventh was the best and I prefer thinking about that anyway."

Catherine cocked her head slightly, "I like that attitude. I try that myself but I can't say that I always succeed. Being grateful for the good times instead of worrying about the bad ones, I mean."

Potter shrugged, he appeared uncomfortable. "I haven't always been successful either, I'm considering it a…New Years' Resolution of sorts, I suppose."

"A Summer Resolution," Catherine clarified smiling at the idea.

"We should be going," Severus said, before anyone dared bring up his own birthdays. He had hated every year that he had gotten older and Lily had not. He had not celebrated the day at all since the dissolution of their friendship, she being the only person that had ever acknowledged it in the past, and had no desire to resume the festivities at any time in the future.

They made their way back to the Prince Estate, a little over a mile away. It was a nice walk if one were inclined to appreciate scenery. He noticed that Potter truly was exhausted from the tasks of the day. He was dragging his feet and his head was bowed slightly against his hunched shoulders and Severus found himself thinking over Sylvia's concerns. Potter was lazy, defiant and rude but he had always been in fairly good shape. Skinny and small for his age, he had nevertheless competed on the school Quidditch team from the age of eleven and kept up with kids at least twice his size and at times triple his weight. The day should not have tired him the way that it had and he wondered vaguely if the boy was in fact ill. He remembered with a pang that only a few days previously he had denied the boy a proper meal and realized that such behavior could not continue. He was a strong believer in the need for strict discipline and had no qualms over issuing punishment, but he would not turn into his father. Starving and beating his son for anything the man remotely disapproved of.

As they walked in the door, Severus instructed both boys to go up and change for dinner only realizing after he said it how absurd a request it really was. Draco had done no taxing work, nor had he done anything to soil his clothes and would have been fine to eat in what he was wearing and Potter hardly had anything better than the rags he was currently wearing. Neither made any protest however, Draco no doubt eager to change back into proper Wizarding robes, and Severus continued into the dining room alone.

At least he would have a few precious moments of silence. The room was currently empty, it would be until he was ready for the meal, with the exception of the morning paper which the elves had no doubt left knowing that he had not had time to peruse it in his accustomed manner that morning. He picked it up, looking to scan the headlines before the boys returned when he spotted the headline that Potter had been reading earlier that morning. Chosen One- Boy Who Was Abused?

All of the sudden Potter's expression and his quiet demeanor at the time made more sense. Severus frowned as he quickly read through what the article had to say.

The story of Harry Potter is known to us all. How the small innocent baby was able to survive what no full grown wizard had before and managed to temporarily destroy the most evil wizard in recent memory. However, little has been said about the circumstances of Potter's childhood. Many of us will recall the shock and surprise we all felt when he had learned that Harry Potter, our savoir and hero, would be going to live with muggles.

We were told it would help a young child that was bound to be overwhelmed by his own fame. We were told that he would be raised by a family that cared for him. We were told that it was all in Harry Potter's best interest to keep the location a secret so that he could not be targeted by vengeful Death Eaters. All of this seemed reasonable at the time and yet recent evidence has come to light casting doubt on these decisions. Or at the very least calling into question why the Ministry has never taken an active role in seeing to the safety and well-being of its most famous and prestigious prodigy.

Days ago the residence of Harry Potter's muggle relations was burned to the ground. The circumstances of the event have been kept secret for security reasons but one must not rule out (or perhaps even assume) foul-play. Harry Potter, along with Albus Dumbledore, has stubbornly maintained in the past that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had returned despite constant and malicious criticism. Besides the well-known grudge that the Dark Lord must have against the boy that had once defeated him, his outspokenness on the topic has undoubtedly made him a target.

Potter and his muggle relations- Mr. and Mrs. Vernon and Fortuna Dursley along with their son Dwight- were brought to St. Mungo's and it is here that questions of the fitness of his muggle uncle have come under scrutiny. Potter's aunt, the muggle sister of the boy's mother Lily Potter, was injured and is still receiving treatment as muggles usually have a slower response to magical medicine. Witnesses reported seeing Vernon Dursley, a large, overweight man with reported anger issues, push his smaller, younger nephew up against a wall; blaming him for endangering his aunt. Witnesses continued their account by saying that Dursley verbally berated his nephew, claiming the boy had been a burden and drain on his family since the day 'he had been dropped on his doorstep like a bottle of milk'. Accounts claim that Potter expressed little surprise that his uncle would blame him for a fire that was either accidental or an outright attack.

Medi-witches expressed concern over the violent reaction Dursley had with his nephew, and experts have commented that Potter's lack of reaction reveal that such violence would be considered common-place. When the altercation was interrupted Potter declined to say that anything was wrong but questions have been raised and talk of a formal investigation have been rumored to be proposed at the office of Wizarding Child Protective Services at the Ministry. As an orphan of the magical world the WCPS should have had an active role in ensuring that Harry Potter was well-cared for with all of his needs seen to but our investigation has revealed several troubling facts. Interviews with Potter's current classmates paint a disturbing picture.

"Potter hasn't made it a secret that he doesn't like the muggles that he lives with but he never seems to have a problem with muggles or muggle-borns in general so I don't really know why he doesn't like them," Ernie Macmillan, son of prominent Wizengamot member said.

"Potter is always dressed in these like muggle rags and has never known about real Wizarding culture, I think his relatives don't even like magic," Pansy Parkinson, daughter of the successful business owner Mitchell Parkinson.

Potter himself was unavailable for comment but the evidence is troubling and it is well-known that child abuse victims are often the least likely to speak out against their abusers. Harry Potter has been the hero to us all, but it is time for the Wizarding World to consider whether or not our savior is in need of saving.

Severus lowered the paper with a distinct feeling of unease. He knew very well that the Daily Prophet was hardly known for its accuracy. They were more interested in selling what people wanted to see or toeing the Ministry line than telling the truth. For Merlin's sake they had even gotten Petunia's name wrong- Fortuna Dursley? And he could not be sure but he did not think Potter's cousin's name was Dwight. Pansy Parkinson would say anything to discredit Potter that she could and Macmillan was a pompous little moron that cared far more for his own prestige than about whether Potter was in need of protection against his uncle.

However, he also knew that stories like this usually had at least some basis in fact. As the muggles said, where there was smoke there was fire, and although this might be no more than a small flame, the fact that there was any kind of heat at all was concerning. Order members had been expressing concern for Potter's relatives since they had reconvened the Order a little of a year ago, but Severus had always disregarded everything that they had said as needless pandering to a spoiled Potter. But he had seen Potter that morning and though his expression had been hard to read as far as determining the truth of the article, it had been more than clear that boy did not appreciate that kind of attention. Dumbledore had been the one in charge of ensuring Potter's safety, to learn that a man that Severus had always considered above reproach could have abandoned any child to an abusive household made Severus feel as if his world had tilted onto its axis.

He looked up to see that Potter had returned, and he was holding out the money that Sylvia had given him. "This is what I got today from Madame Littlefold's."

"So it is. Why are you showing it to me?"

Potter frowned, weighing his words before deciding to speak, "You don't want me here, that's alright, I don't really want to be here. I thought it would easier if I didn't owe you anything."

Severus was actually rather impressed with the boy's idea, it represented a sense of character that he wouldn't have imagined the boy could possess.

"I have little need for trifling muggle amounts, and the cost of you staying here is negligible. However, as I had no intention of buying you a new wardrobe or other necessities and I would imagine the idea of me providing them for you is distasteful for you as well, I suggest you use that and any future wages that you earn to buy yourself some decent clothes or whatever else you require. I trust you have money from your parents' vault for your school supplies?" he asked, already knowing that the Potters had left their remaining heir with more than enough money.

Potter blinked at the response, "Er…yes sir. Or rather I will have enough after I visit the bank and take out some more money."

Severus nodded, "very well than I would imagine that your wages will be more than sufficient to buy yourself some decent muggle clothes, I'd rather you not run around in…whatever it is you call your current attire."

Potter lowered his outstretched hand slowly and eyed his professor warily before finally nodding his assent. "Thank you."

"I don't think much gratitude is necessary for me to allow you to keep the money that you earn for yourself. Don't expect me to supplement your income and don't embarrass me at your place of employment. You not only represent yourself, but myself as well. However, I trust that you will be able to see yourself to work when it is required. As I said, this village is perhaps the safest place possible for you at the moment but that does not protect you from your own common stupidity."

"In that case I wouldn't dream of disappointing you, sir," Potter answered cheekily, his expression one of familiar defiance and pride. Yet for some reason for the first time in almost 6 years, Severus was beginning to see a different side of Harry Potter and he was wondering if there was more to him than met the eye.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Thanks to those that favorited/followed, I hope you're enjoying it :)