Author's note. Once again, I'm really sorry for taking so long to update.
Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, favourite, or alerted this story, I really appreciate it.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
Once Minerva had gone, Severus got a quill and paper to write down his thought on the situation with Harry. He liked to do this so he could go back and go over what he'd already thought and add to it if necessary.
Firstly and the biggest issue that came to mind, was the fact that Harry was essentially abandoned. Granted, it wasn't his guardians who had done this but the fact still remained that they had entrusted Harry to this person in the first place. Did they realise this Marge was so irresponsible or would they be horrified by her actions.
Severus wrote this down grimly, he would personally find out this answer. And woe betide them if he found out they'd been hoping to conveniently lose their nephew in such a fashion.
The second point was their physical neglect of their only nephew. He could still hardly believe Petunia kept Lily's son in a cupboard under the stairs. It defied belief when they had two spare bedrooms. It was no wonder the boy was so scrawny if he had to spend so much time in a dark, cramped space.
And speaking of scrawny, he probably didn't get a lot to eat. He had had a healthy appetite when eating with Severus and yet he was tiny. Neither Lily nor James had been small and Petunia definitely hadn't. So he shouldn't be this small, not by a long shot.
So, he'd probably need to give the boy some nutrient potions and make sure he ate all his vegetables up. And drank his milk, fruit juice, the list went on. The boy would a diet plan worked out, one that would make up for the inadequacies he'd experienced so far.
Some self defence wouldn't go amiss either, as he knew Harry and his cousin weren't bosom buddies. If his parents were mistreating Harry, then Dursley junior wouldn't more than likely imitate them. And little boys tended to be physical when they bullied.
And lastly and possibly the most important thing on his list was their psychological mistreatment of Harry Potter. He was forbidden to ask questions, mention magic and obviously never allowed to ask for anything he wanted. Petunia and Dursley were keeping him downtrodden as possible, trying to destroy his heritage.
He smirked slightly, did they really believe they, as mere muggles could achieve that? Frankly, they were lucky Harry's magic hadn't turned inwards and started exploding out of him. He could quite easily harm them if they truly pushed him too far.
And speaking of harm, if the boy was continuously mistreated, he would likely take out his sadness and anger out on the world. They could actually have another Dark Lord in the making, the abuse could actually end in that.
Abuse. It was a word that brought horrible images to mind and was generally referred to in hushed tones. It could refer to many things, from mental to sexual. And it affected people in different ways and could shape the kind of person they became.
Severus knew something of abuse and the consequences of it. And he was determined that Harry would not be dragged down by it.
The next day.
Harry woke to sunshine shining on his face. He grinned, loving the feel of it on his face. He certainly wasn't used to that, light had a hard time penetrating his cupboard back home. But here, with the curtains slightly drawn, he could enjoy the morning's warmth.
And enjoy it he did, snuggling down into his covers and relaxing. He couldn't remember feeling so happy and secure, this was loads better than the Dursleys. Could his dream of a loving guardian about to come true? He certainly hoped so.
He wondered what time it was, and guessed it was early but not too early. Certainly not quite the usual hour he got up but still not as that late for him. He knew he wouldn't fall asleep now but he didn't really feel like lying around it bed for too long. He was just too used to getting up and doing stuff.
So he did just that and in no time had all, was washed and dressed.
He crept down the gloomy stairs, he always walked quietly. He wondered if the professor was up and about, he suspected he was. Like Harry, he seemed the type who liked to be up and doing something.
And he was proved right when he pushed open the secret door and found Severus sat at the table. He was idly reading a paper which Harry was delighted to see had moving pictures and also drinking some strong smelling coffee. With a grin, Harry moved forward as Severus's black eyes shifted from the paper and onto him.
"Morning Harry," he said unsmiling but Harry could tell that he wasn't upset or angry. This was just his usual expression, like Dudley always had a fairly stupid look on his face all the time.
"Morning Professor," he said very chirper making Severus think there should be a law against children who were so happy in the morning.
Harry looked around before asking.
"Where's Bas, is she sleeping?"
"No Harry, she's gone home," Severus said gently and Harry looked very disappointed
"Don't worry, she's bound to turn up again sometime soon," he added and Harry beamed.
"Come on child," Severus now said, gesturing to the table. "Sit down and eat your breakfast up."
As Harry obeyed, Severus tapped a covered dish with his wand before lifting the cover. He'd just lifted the enchanted which kept the boy's food piping hot so Harry could fully enjoy it. It also meant he didn't have to prepare breakfast twice.
As Harry quickly poured himself a glass of milk, Severus pushed a green coloured vial towards him.
"I want you to drink this before you start eating, it's a potion to help you get all your nutrients. They'll help you grow," he added as an afterthought.
Harry looked pleased about this and took the vial carefully. As he pulled out the stopped, Severus warned him.
"It doesn't taste very nice I'm afraid so try to drink it in one go. You can wash away the taste with some orange juice."
Harry grimaced slightly but still did as told, gulping the vial's contents in one gulp. He gagged slightly and made a face but Severus ignored this. As Harry quickly to a swig from his glass of juice, Severus said.
"Be sure to drink your milk as well, Harry."
"I will, sir," Harry replied, amazed that the professor cared so much about him eating.
Even when he was eating at the Dursley's, they didn't care what he was actually consuming as long as Dudley wasn't missing out. What little he'd learned in school about eating right, he'd tried to follow.
Just as he was digging into his porridge with a little bit of honey for taste, Severus said.
"A friend of mine is coming along later Harry, someone I think you'll enjoy meeting."
Harry looked up, curiosity all over his face.
"Who's that, sir?"
"Her name is Minerva McGonagall, she teaches at Hogwarts."
"That's where you teach, sir," Harry said intelligently.
"Indeed," Severus said with a small smirk. "She was my Transfiguration teacher when I was your age and in a few years time, she'll be yours."
"What's she like?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"Strict but fair," Severus said evenly. "I think you will like her a lot Harry, she is very protective of her lions."
"She has lions?" Harry said with wide eyes which made Severus chuckle at his mistake.
"No, no, Harry, I'm sorry, I forget you haven't been to Hogwarts yet," he said and as Harry looked confused, explained.
"Minerva is head of Gryffindor House whose symbol is that of a lion. So, members of that House are referred to as Lions or cubs. Just as she is referred to as a Lioness by both her friends and enemies."
"Oh," Harry said, nodding as he understood and the rest of breakfast passed without incident.
Minerva's POV.
Minerva was feeling slightly nervous as she walked up Severus's overgrown garden. Not of Severus, goodness knows, she still thought of him as her pupil sometimes. Nor of Harry himself, she had already seen what a sweet little boy he was.
No, it was more that she suspected that things were going to change very soon and she would be a part of it. But she quickly repressed this feeling, it would be silly to appear nervous in front of this innocent child who knew not of his fame. No, she would be her normal composed self.
She knocked sharply on the door and stood back. It was soon opened by Severus who smiled and gestured for her to enter. She did so, adding.
"Thank you Severus, I trust everything is in order?"
"Indeed it is Minerva, why don't you come through to the sitting room?"
She accompanied him through to the surprisingly cosy room. There, she found a small boy playing with some old toy figures. He jumped up when he heard the footsteps and smiled shyly at her.
"Hi Professor," he said politely as she came forward."I'm Harry, Harry Potter."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr Potter," she said with a smile and he giggled at the formal title.
"If you'd care to sit down Minerva, I'll make you a cup of tea," Severus said and when she nodded, he disappeared into the kitchen.
She made herself comfy in an armchair, not being very fond of sofas, at least in human form. Harry plonked himself on the sofa, still gazing at her shyly.
"Severus told me he had a visitor," she said by way of starting a conversation. "I didn't expect to meet you until you came to Hogwarts, young man."
"I don't think Uncle Sev...I mean Professor Snape did either," Harry said truthfully, and her lips twitched at his near mistake.
"Did you know my parents?" he suddenly burst out which made her really smile.
"Indeed I did, Harry, they were both in my House and very talented. They were a credit to the school and I was very fond of them."
She gave him a slightly sad smile.
"I remember Lily was very happy when she had you and your father was simply beside himself with pride. They thought themselves the luckiest parents on Earth."
This made Harry beam with pleasure.
"Professor Snape was mum's best friend," he said proudly to which she smiled.
"Yes he was and a very shining example to the other Houses," she said firmly.
"What do you mean?" he asked and she explained.
"Well Harry, your House is something like your family and often your closest friends belong to your House. It is somewhat unusual to have a close friend from another House although you will of course count those from other Houses among your friends."
"Why is that?" Harry asked, fascinated by what she had to say.
"Well, you spend so much time with your House Mates, with the same classes, same table at meal times, same Common Room, you basically find you are much more likely to have your best friend from the same House and normally Year."
She then smiled.
"But as Severus and Lily showed, this isn't always the norm although they had the advantage of knowing each other before they came to Hogwarts."
She sighed, she really did wish there were more friendships like that, especially between Gryffindors and Slytherins. The original Founders had been great friends but somehow their fallen out had passed through the generations of their students. And despite Slytherins rather pro Wizard views, she still felt he'd be horrified at how his name had been associated with darkness.
"But don't worry about that Harry," she now said as Severus re-entered the living room.
"You will undoubtedly make lots of friends and probably from all the Houses."
"That would be nice," Harry said seriously and she did her best not to scowl. The poor boy probably had little to no friends.
They had a very pleasant afternoon tea in which Minerva and Severus talked about mostly Hogwarts and their experiences. Harry listened attentively and seemed to take everything in. And the two adults enjoyed talking to the eager little boy, it did their memories of his parents good.
But just as Minerva was in the middle of talking about a rather amusing incident involving James and a love struck plant, a regal looking owl suddenly flew in from an open window. Severus frowned as it dropped a letter on his lap before swooping away with a loud screech.
He examined the handwriting and grimaced.
"Lucius."
To be continued.
Author's note. Heh, a little cliff hanger for you all and a promise I won't take too long with the next chapter. What does Malfoy want with Severus wand what does it mean for Harry? Find out next time, until then.