A/N. Hi, I'm back. Sorry it's been longer than usual but life can get in the way. Thank you for all the reviews I've been getting they really inspire me when I get stuck on chapters. Enjoy the new chapter the next update will probably be after Christmas. xx
Chapter 10.
Before leaving Severus put the clothes that Narcissa had given him away in Harry's wardrobe. He then met Harry by the front door.
"Now Harry I want you to make sure you stay by my side while we are walking around the castle. There are many corridors and passage ways that one can get lost in. Until you know your way please don't wander off."
"Okay I promise" replied Harry.
"Good. The first thing I need to do is introduce you to the portrait that guards the door to my… no our rooms." Severus couldn't help but feel warmed by the small smile that Harry gave him when he said "our rooms." "All the professors and the dormitories have magical paintings on their door that require a password to get in." Severus paused in his explanation to open the door. Harry could see a painting of a tall man in long green robes with a snake curled around his feet. He jumped when the picture spoke.
"Hello Severus. Who is this young man?"
"Greetings Salazar. This is Harry, I have just become his guardian so please can you make a note of Harry's magical signature so that he can enter even without a password."
"Certainly. Harry please step up and place your hand on my portrait."
Harry stepped up nervously. "It's okay Harry, it won't hurt and it means you can always enter our rooms," said Severus.
Harry placed his hand on the painting and felt a warm tingling sensation go through him but nothing else. "All done. I look forward to getting to know you young Harry."
"Thank you Salazar," said Severus. "Off we go then Harry."
"Do all portraits talk?" asked Harry.
"Many wizarding portraits do. Photographs move also, there are very rarely still pictures in the wizarding world."
They continued on their journey through, what Harry learnt, were the dungeons and up what seemed like endless flights of stairs until they were standing in the entrance hall.
"Wow it's huge!" stated Harry, his mouth open in awe.
"Wait until you see inside the Great Hall," replied Severus leading Harry towards the large double doors. As they opened Harry's amazement grew. Severus couldn't help but remember his first glimpse at this same hall. He had been in a very similar situation to Harry but at Hogwarts he finally found a home.
"Can I go in?" asked Harry in a hushed tone, as if the moment would disappear if he spoke too loud.
"Of course, take your time," replied Severus.
Harry slowly walked into the room trying to take it all in. There were four long tables, each with a banner above them, to represent each house he mused to himself. The biggest fireplace that Harry had ever seen and on the walls were carved animals with candle holders, a snake, a bird, a lion and a badger, which Harry realised matched the banners. At the front of the room was another long table which gave a good view of the whole hall.
"Severus, what are those tubes at the front?" As time went on Harry was getting braver with asking questions as he had so many of them.
"They are the house point counters. When a teacher or a prefect gives a student points for their house; colourful stones fall into the tube. However if points are taken from a student for misbehaviour then the stones leave the tube. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the house cup. It is a matter of pride between the houses."
"Who has the cup at the moment?"
"Why Slytherin of course. We have won it for the past few years, much to the upset of my colleague Minerva who is the head of Gryffindor. She is such a sore loser" said Severus, smiling at the memory of Minerva's face when she lost out again this year.
"She is not the only one who can take losing badly though is she Severus?" came a new voice from behind them.
Severus turned and scowled at the newcomer, instantly recognising Dumbledore's voice. "I have no idea what you mean Albus."
"Ah, so you don't remember storming out the year you lost muttering about favouritism to Gryffindor's?" said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling and a mischievous smile on his face.
"Is there something you needed?" asked Severus changing the subject.
"I was just on my way to your rooms to see how young Harry was settling in when I heard your voice in here."
"I was just showing Harry around" replied Severus. It was at this point that he noticed that Harry was looking down at the floor and wringing his hands nervously. "Harry," he said and slowly moved so that the boy was in front of him. "This is Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Hello Harry" said Dumbledore walking with careful steps towards the boy so as not to spook him. He couldn't help the bolt of sadness that went through him at how small and timid the boy was. "It is nice to meet you."
"N..nice to meet you t..too Sir" stuttered Harry nervously. "Thank you for letting me stay here."
"There's nothing to thank me for, you are very welcome to stay here. Do you like your room?"
"Oh yes" answered Harry excitement creeping into his voice as he thought about his new room. "It's so big and it's all mine!"
"That it is Harry," replied Dumbledore. Seeing Harry's excitement over something most children took for granted proved they had made the right decision removing Harry from Privet Drive. "Well I shall leave you two to continue your explorations. Severus if you can spare sometime tomorrow I need you to come to my office to discuss the upcoming school year," said Dumbledore with a pointed look at Harry.
"Of course. I will come while Harry is out shopping with Narcissa."
"Very good. Have a pleasant evening boys" said the Headmaster as he left the Great Hall.
After that Severus continued showing his new charge around Hogwarts. Harry was amazed by everything he saw and had to pinch himself a couple of times to make sure this really wasn't a dream.
It was getting late when they headed back to the dungeons. Severus had shown Harry most of the important places in the castle such as the library, Madame Pomfrey's office in the infirmary, the owlery and the classrooms. He had already decided to leave the outside areas for another day. When they reached the portrait of Salazar he opened the door straight away with a slight nod of his head to acknowledge them.
"Come Harry I think a light tea is in order and then an early night. It has been a long day and you must be exhausted."
"I am a little tired," Harry admitted, "I'm not really hungry though."
"You will need to have something. A mug of soup and some toast will be sufficient. You need to take a nutrient potion and that is best done with something inside you." Severus went into the kitchen area and heated up some soup and toasted some bread. When it was ready he placed it on the table and called Harry through. He noticed that Harry was still hesitant when he sat down, as if he shouldn't be sitting at the table, but he did eat all of his soup and toast. Severus then handed Harry a small vial with the nutrient potion in it, explaining that it would help his appetite and would help to replace some of the nutrients he had been missing out on. Harry drank the potion straight down, grimacing at the taste.
"Go and take a shower and get into your pyjamas. They are laid out on your bed. I will come in and see you before you go to sleep."
Harry nodded and did as he was told. He found the pyjamas on the bed and took them into the bathroom where he found a big white fluffy towel waiting for him. He showered quickly, not wanting to use up to much water, and then got himself dressed. When he was finished he padded back to his bedroom where he got into the large bed and snuggled down under the covers. After a few moments Severus appeared in the room.
"You were quicker than I thought, but no matter." Severus walked over to the bed and made sure that the covers were tucked in around Harry. "Good night Harry, sleep well," he said.
"Goodnight Severus," replied Harry as Severus left the room. He then curled on to his side and was asleep within minutes.
Severus went back into the kitchen to tidy up and then made himself a cup of coffee to drink while he sat in his favourite chair to read a potions journal. He couldn't concentrate though. He soon found himself yawning as the events of the day finally caught up with him. He eventually gave up trying to read and decided to call it a night. Severus was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow and slept deeply until he was woken up with a start a few hours later.