Chapter Ten: When Right Is Easy

A/N: Y'all have been so patient with me in the two days I was naughty and didn't update, so maybe, just maybe, I can get you two chapters to drool over to make up for it? Let's get cracking then! You all have been so fantastic with your input and ideas, and your reviews and suggestions mean the world to me. Several of you have made suggestions or voiced things you did not want to see, and I want you to know right now that in my notes I have saved every idea that has been left in a review and have plans to work all of them in at some point in my story. I also want to let you all know that after much reflection, and several deep discussions with some of my readers, this will NOT be a slash fiction. I LOVE slash fiction...like...over half my stories are slashes, but this one just NEEDS to be between a boy and a girl. I have kind of decided on who I want my girl to be, but I guess we'll have to see what my muse thinks. I also want you to know that romance is still many years off, but this romance needs to bud from a pre-existing, long standing friendship, so I have to introduce my character now to form the required bond. This will also be a slow moving relationship on both parts due to Harry's abusive past. Anywhat, I hope you all enjoy, and again, more thanks than I have for making my dreams come true with this story. Over 20,000 views. That's insane!

It was a very nervous Severus Snape that met with Lady Greengrass, Head of the Department of Wizarding Child Services the first Monday after the holidays. It was absurd really, being nervous over a silly little meeting. He, Severus Snape, had played the role of double agent, lying to two of the greatest wizards the world has ever know; risked his life daily teaching hundreds of dunderheads the delicate art of potions, and yet he could not even face a woman who he had had a working relationship with for almost a decade, and whom he had known almost his entire school career.

"Severus, how lovely to see you again. Nothing horrible has happened over the holidays has it? Harry is still progressing isn't he?" asked Lady Greengrass in a slightly worried voice.

"Harry is progressing wonderfully. He is still taking his potions regimen, and eating a carefully constructed diet, and is even starting to put on weight. He has hit a slight growth spurt, so he is not as terribly short as he was last you saw him, but he is still a good head below the next shortest member of his year."

Delilah heaved a sigh of relief.

"And the rest of your house has returned relatively unharmed?"

"Better than expected."

"Then what is so urgent?"

Severus sat for a moment, brow furrowed, glaring at the floor.

"The arrangement that I have with Mr. Potter..." he started, and then stopped.

"Yes?" Lady Greengrass urged.

"It isn't working out," he huffed out.

"I'm afraid I don't understand," she frowned.

"Harry needs structure. A family. He craves someone that he can love, and confide in. I am perfectly willing to care for Harry, and to make sure his physical, educational, and mental needs are provided for, but Harry needs someone that he can attach himself to emotionally. I am afraid he has already started forming an emotional bond to me, and I fear what will happen to him should the WCS find a family to take him in."

"Well, Severus...we have had several families apply already, although most of them aren't quiet suited for a child of Harry's quality."

"You mean they desire the fame," he snorted.

Lady Greengrass only frowned.

"I have...done things, in my past, that I will forever regret, and I know that they paint me in a horrible light, but I did them out of teenage angst and adolescent stupidity. I am older now; changed. And I know that I have no partner...I doubt I will ever find someone to fulfill that roll in my life, but...I want Harry. I want Harry to be mine. It is all I have thought of since the reading of the wills. Lily stupidly placed her trust in me to keep her and James safe, and I failed them miserably, but I will not fail Harry. I will protect him with my dying breath if that is what is required of me. I have more than enough money to ensure that he leads a comfortable lifestyle. I will be close to him to work with him year round. I can educate him in ways that will help him overcome his disadvantage. I may even be able to find a cure for his muteness. I did not hand him over to Dumbledore, and should the Dark Lord return, I will go to the ends of the earth to keep Harry from him. I swear it on my life. I will do whatever it takes, but...I respectfully request to be entered into consideration for the right to adopt Harry. And I don't want him because he is Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, or whatever other ridiculous name they will come up with. I want him because he is just Harry. Just a boy who needs someone to love and understand him, and unfortunately, I think that I would be able to understand him better than most."

Lady Greengrass sat there absolutely stunned by the heartfelt proclaimation that her long time friend had just made.

"Severus. I'm sure you know how much trouble children are. And Harry is special in many ways. He will require a large amount of attention. He will need someone who as you said can provide stability and continuity. He will need someone who can work with him on several levels. Physical, education, mental, emotional. His rehabilitation and financial responsibilities will fall solely on the family who takes over his care. He must be their first priority. Is that a burden you are sure you are willing and able to take?"

"Harry is NOT a burden. It has been an absolute pleasure to have him in my care, and I am wholy blessed to be able to help in his recovery. I can assure you that my finances are sound, and that caring for Harry will make only a small dent in my vaults at Gringotts. If it becomes required, I will relinquish my post at Hogwarts, and can maintain my finances through my work as a private brewer, although I assure you that I could quit today, and never work another day in my life and my finances would still be in adequate order."

"You know your past will be brought up."

"I am well aware. But I am entirely repentent and I can assure you that should...He, become a problem again, I will not be returning to His services in any capacity. I will die before V-Voldemort gets his hands on Harry. And I would hope that the work I have done with you would count for something."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Positive," said Severus with a note of finality.

"Very well," said Lady Greengrass nodding her head. "There are several forms that I will need you to fill out. I will need you to consent to an audit of your financial records. We will be interviewing members of Hogwarts in relation to your employment history. There will be a background check," she grimaced, "I will need to conduct a home visit. You will need to meet with Madame Bones. I will need to interview friends and family members if you have any. If it is alright with you I may interview random parents of your students, and, parenting classes are required of anyone considering fostering long term, or adopting."

"Where do I sign?" asked Snape. This process would be long and painful, and he would make no mention of it until he knew the final outcome for sure, but if everything went as he hoped, Harry would be his, and he would give him the best home he could. It may not always be sunshine and roses, but it would be far better than anything Harry had had before.

Thirty days later Severus Snape found himself back in the office of the Head of the WCS.

"Severus, I hope all is well."

"Just so," he said. "I came as soon as I got your owl. Is anything remiss?"

"Not yet," she smiled. "This is just a status hearing of sorts. We let you know what we have done on our end, check in on the progress of the placement, and make sure that you have not changed your mind."

"I can assure you my mind is permanently set. This was not something I considered lightly, and I would not have approached you were I not 100% sure this was what I wanted. As for Harry, he has put on one stone, and he seems to be a few inches taller. He is doing quiet well in school, even if his lessons are somewhat modified, and we have begun a light work out regimen to help improve his muscle mass and body control. He seems to be opening up more socially, although he still tends to stick to friendships with those inside of Slytherin House, and the Headmistress has hired a Squib to teach the staff and students sign language. It is optional of course, but all of the staff members are on board, and a great majority of the school has also signed up. Harry and his friends are doing very well, and the use of notes has diminisherd significantly."

"That is wonderful to hear."

"Yes. Well. My main concern is that Harry feel as normal as possible. I do not want him to be ruled by his temporary disadvantage. I have, in private, begun to go over the theory of non-verbal magic, and he seems to be doing very well, so his ability to be a fully functioning wizard isn't lost yet. And I have been consulting with a few colleagues about the possibility of repairing his vocal chords through the use of potions. No one has come up with anything as of yet, but I will be attending a conference next month in Italy that sounds promising."

"And what of young Harry?" asked a stern looking woman who was also seated in the room.

"Oh! Forgive me! Severus, I would like you to meet Madame Longbottom. She is our Childrens Advocate. Madame Longbottom, please meet Potions Master Snape."

The two shared a rather harsh look.

"It is a pleasure, Madame," he said. "Harry will be on Easter Break, and has requested to stay with Draco Malfoy and his family. I have spoken with both Lord and Lady Malfoy and they have assured me that it will be no trouble at all. I have requested that Harry's personal house elf Kipper be allowed to accompany him. Kipper has been trained to understand sign language, and can be summoned using a bell. He is fiercely loyal, and obsessively protective when it comes to his Master. I have every faith that Harry will be well taken care of in my absense."

"Very parental thinking if I may say so myself," said Lady Greengrass. Madame Longbottom just made a severe noise.

"We have recieved your financial statements back from Gringotts and everything seems to be in order there. We also got your background check back, and as I know you are aware, some...things...came up. I was able to request a review in front of the Wizengamot to see if we could perhaps have them pardoned, or expunged since you were never found guilty, and we have that scheduled for the end of next month, but in preparation for that I must request that you submit to a scan at Gringotts. It just a standard procedure and it checks for any hexes, curses, or charms, mainly tracking, compulsion, and memory charms."

"That is agreeable," nodded Severus.

"Within the next month or so we will be consulting your former employers, co-workers, family, friends, the parents of students in your House, or students that you have taught, or are currently teaching. I will also be submitting a report, more of a commendation, that speaks to the advocacy that you have demonstrated in helping disadvantaged and abused children, and how it was you that noticed Harry, and how you alone gathered all the information, and then promptly brought it to my direct attention, demanding that something be done immediately, and how, in order to protect Harry from any further harm you accepted custody of Harry, and finally, that Harry has blossomed under your care."

"Thank you, Lady Greengrass," Severus said, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Think nothing of it," she said. "This department wants only the best for Mr. Potter. I'm sure you understand why all of this in necessary."

"Quiet. I shall set up a meeting with Gringotts immediately, and shall notify you of the results as soon as possible. Now if you excuse me, I must be going. I promised Harry I would explain some rather complicated bits of magic he discovered while reading."

Severus bowed to both occupants of the room and quickly made his way out of the office and to the floo. Gringotts was his next order of business, and he was curious as to what they might find.