DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.

WARNING; Pre-slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames please.

PAIRINGS: HP/SS, GW/NL, RW/HrG

Chapter 9 Leaving the Dursleys

Bill smiled at his mom and walked over to the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and gave Harry an assessing look, "Hi Harry, I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances but I am glad to see you looking okay. I just need to perform a couple of spells and then we can move you out of here. You will be going to headquarters for the rest of the summer along with Remus and my family."

Harry who had been watching his hands throughout the Bill's conversation looked up, his face calm. "What kind of spells" Harry asked warily. He wondered what had happened with Dursley's but did not feel like asking.

Snape watched as Harry donned a mask, a mask that was much like Snape's own. Snape recognized it at once. He had only seen the fool Gryffindor wearing it for most of the previous months. Snape wondered how he had learned to conceal his true self and when exactly he had started to wear a mask like that. With a casual look around, he realised that nobody had noticed the change. Hell, he thought the others were smiling at Potter as if glad to see him looking normal. Why had none noticed that they were not seeing the real Potter? For that matter, why had not he notice something was different about the young man?

>>Because that would have meant he was important to you >> said the small voice. Snape snarled inwardly and the voice shut up. He was beginning to realize that it was not his own conscience (or reasonable facsimile thereof) talking to him but an outside voice. 'As soon as we are back at Hogwart's' he thought to the voice, 'I intend to find out exactly who you are'. The voice did not answer but Snape thought he felt a hint of smugness come through. Ignoring that emotion, he focused back in on the conversation.

"Nothing of major importance; you won't feel a thing I promise" Bill smiled down at the teen.

Severus snorted but subsided when Bill turned to glare at him. 'You would think someone would realise that if you told the brat the truth the first time then he would not go out of his way to get into trouble.' He thought watching as Harry looked from Bill to him and back again. He could feel the bond tugging at him as he felt the young man's confusion, "damnit not now."

Harry looked at Bill's innocent face and wondered when he had become less trusting. Looking at Snape's face, he caught the smirk he was hiding and wondered why he suddenly trusted someone who from all intents despised him. He could feel something tugging at his mind but was not sure what it was, 'Oh well' he thought 'what else is new.'

Hermione decided that Harry could use some back up and interrupted them "What kind of spells?"

Mrs. Weasley turned to her "Now dear I am sure that Bill knows what he is doing so why don't we just…"

Hermione once again interrupted "Mrs. Weasley I am sure that Bill knows what he is doing but I believe that Harry would feel more comfortable if he knew what spell was being cast and why. We are not children anymore you know. While I know that we are not exactly adults in the eyes of the world, we will be shortly when we all turn sixteen. The three of us have gone through much more then your average teenager. Harry has probably gone through more then your average adult. If you want to keep us safe then stop hiding things from us and start treating us as if we might actually have a brain." This was said with a pointed look at Snape. Hermione looked over at Harry who nodded for her to continue. "Given all that Harry has gone through is it so hard to believe that he wants to know what a spell is before it is cast on him."

The others looked at each other with understanding. Snape chose that moment to speak up "The punishment for the Dursley's has been decided." Everyone turned to look at him and there was a frown on Bill's face. Snape smirked at him and continued speaking wondering when he had become the reasonable one of the group. Oh the horrors. "One aspect of this punishment is that they will have to relive the emotional and physical pain they have inflicted on Mr. Potter. This spell will link the pain to them for the duration of their punishment. Mr. Potter however will not have to relive those moments nor will he have any knowledge of the transfer." Noticing a scared look from Potter he continued, "They will only feel the pain not the thoughts of the individual." He saw Potter relax again. "Now if we may continue I for one would like to leave this hell hole."

With another frown at Snape Bill looked at Harry who nodded for him to proceed. "Harry you may feel a little dizzy so I need you to lie flat on the bed." As Harry got into position Bill continued speaking, "you are going to see a light coming from you to my wand and that is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Ready?" As Bill uttered the spell there was not a sound in the room. Soon Harry was enveloped in a bubble of light that formed a stream to Bill's wand. Hermione peered interestingly at the spell trying to memorize it while the others just waited. Finally, with a nod, Bill stopped chanting and the glow faded.

Harry spoke up "Is that it?" Harry felt like he was running a light fever but was not dizzy. Suddenly he realised that he was looking at Snape for an answer and moved his attention back to Bill. 'What was wrong with him? If he did not watch himself, Snape was going to find out he had a crush on him. He could not let that happen. Concentrate, I just need to concentrate. I hid this for year I can keep on hiding it.'

Bill nodded to Harry before giving a quick look at Snape who was watching him with that blank expression again but his eyes were almost glowing with anger. He knew, Bill thought, somehow he knew what that light meant. Bill gave a quiet goodbye to the others and left the room heading back to the Dursleys. What he had not mentioned to anyone was that the brighter the light the more intense the emotion behind it. That light had been almost blinding. He wished that Snape had succeeded in killing that fat Muggle and was pretty sure that Snape planned to do something about that just from the look on his face now. He for one intended to look the other way and make damn sure that the rest of the family followed along.

Snape opened his mouth to speak but the door opened and Dumbledore and Pomfrey walked in to the room. The headmaster moved over to the bed and with a smile at Harry spoke quietly. "Well my boy you are looking much better. I believe that it is time to remove you from here so with your permission" here he paused waiting for a nod from Harry before continuing, "Severus if you would be so kind as to assist Harry up I will make a portkey to take both of you to headquarters. Harry you will be staying there from now on during summers and holidays, Remus will be living there and when he has to be gone on assignment Professor Snape will be staying with you. Molly, Arthur and the rest of their family will also be visiting as well as Miss Granger and her family. This way they are all protected against attacks from Deatheaters."

Molly interrupted with a sideways look at Snape who was furious and not hiding it well. "Albus I believe that it would be better if I accompanied Harry back to headquarters. We have all his things packed and…"

"No Molly, the portkey will be taking them just outside the wards and if there is any danger then Severus is the best protection we can provide. Severus the house elves have prepared the room next to yours so that you will be able to monitor his health for the next few weeks. If you are ready we can proceed." Dumbledore said all this with a decided twinkle in his eyes.

Snape was furious he knew what the old fool was up to even if no one else did. One of these days, he was going to hex that man if he did not stop meddling into his affairs. 'Protection my arse' he thought, 'Albus is trying to get me to spend time with the little horror so he can see what type of bond forms. If I have any say in the matter, it is going to comrade-in-arms. I am not the father figure type and never intend to be either. As for the last option, there is not a chance in hell that I intend for that to happen. I am not one of those wizards that take great delight in taking a partner that has just reached the age of consent. I know it is the done thing for pure bloods to pick a young spouse. I can hear my father now, you have to know when to select a certain type of spouse, the young ones are best for second or third marriages. They are trainable and are easily satisfied with baubles. Get a couple of extra heirs, you should have at least one from the first one, then pack them off to the country. Never, Never, Never, I do not even like the fool Gryffindor.'

>>I believe that protesting too much Severus. Do not think I have not noticed the sly glances this year. He is just your type tall, slender, sleek muscles, dark hair, and courage enough to stand up to you when you are wrong. He turns 16 soon and there are no school rules against it. You have noticed that he has been watching you lately, the shy looks when he thinks no one is watching, and the blushes. You cannot lie to me you know.>>

'Most teens develop crushes at one point or another. Usually it is on each other occasionally it is on a teacher. I would be blind not to notice it but I am not a monster and I will not take advantage of a child. Now shut up already, I have work still to do.' Snape fumed inwardly, as soon as he had some time he was going to find the source of that voice and hex into next year.

The voice sounded serious now where it had sounded playful before,>> you are not a monster Severus; there is nothing wrong with noticing the young man. He is not a boy and has not been one for a long time. You know that, you know what he has been through, more then any person should ever have to go through. The two of you are alike in many ways perhaps that is why you bond so nicely together.>>

Snape snorted then looked up as he realised that the others were watching him. Raising one eyebrow in an inquisitive manner, he looked at the headmaster.

Dumbledore only smiles "if you are back with us my boy I have the portkey ready for you." He held out a teacup and gesture to Harry to join them. With a shrug, Harry eased off the bed now clad in worn jeans and a tattered sweatshirt. He swayed a little and Severus found himself holding out his hand and grasping Harry's shoulder in a firm but comfortable grip. Pulling Harry towards him, he stood behind the younger man with his arm around his shoulders then stretched out his other hand to the portkey. Just as suddenly as that, they were in the alley behind number 12 Grimmauld place. Harry was shaking in his grip then slid slowly to the ground.

Tbc