Chapter 14

Harry woke up in a strange but familiar place. Maybe he was still asleep and dreaming? He saw that he was wearing Hogwarts infirmary's pajamas. He did not feel sick. This was not the infirmary.... There was a light in the room coming from the window, but the light felt…. Magical? Somehow He knew that the room had no real windows. He heard some one breathing near and found Snape asleep in a bed nearby. Harry remembered that they had brought potions for Madam Pomfrey, yesterday. So they had not gone home… they were in Snape's room in the dungeons.

His friends wouldn't believe him!

He sat in the bed and looked around. His clothes were folded neatly on a chair. He had not undressed himself... What time was it? Maybe 7 judging from the light.

He had felt so tired yesterday…. He guessed that he was used to his bedtime now. Or that vitamin supplement he had to take…. Well Madam Pomfrey said that he had gained weight… He should try and sleep a little bit more, he always walked a lot during his outings with professors Dumbledore and McGonagall.

He slowly drifted back to sleep. He woke an hour later hearing Snape's voice.

"Time to wake up Mr. Potter."

Harry opened his eyes and stared at him.

Snape was dresses in his usual dark teaching robes. So familiar now. So like a bat hovering beside his bed.

"I hope you are rested." Snape continued. "Last night you fell asleep at the dinner table."

"Yes Sir, sorry Sir." Harry sat on the bed yawning and stood up.

"The bathroom is the room on the left, take a shower. I brought clothes for you. You'll find them there already. We are having breakfast in the Great Hall."

"Yes Sir."

Harry entered the bathroom, it was small but had a small bathtub and shower. He saw his clothes folded over a chair. He showered fast and got dressed. He and Snape walked in silence through the dungeons up to the Hall for Breakfast.

As it was Summer only a table was placed on the dais. He saw that there were several empty chairs. But he sat close to Snape during breakfast. He felt comfortable with Hogwarts teachers, but he felt safe beside Snape, even if the picky man stopped him from eating too much bread with butter and jam, he insisted that he should eat eggs first! He drank milk and juice.

After breakfast Snape asked him to come with him back to the dungeons.

Harry knew the way to Slytherin common room, and realized that Snape quarters were farther than his office. He entered the rooms and stood in front of Snape in his living room. Snape looked serious, but Harry was confident that he had done no mischief.

"Mr. Potter you will go again on a outing, and I will stretch again the need of staying with your companions and to eat wisely."

Harry knew that it was his fault, but Snape kept on reminding him. He was not going to wander off, again.

"I will stay with them Sir. And I will try not to eat too much." Harry planed to stay with them, but was not sure if he could do the second. Professor Dumbledore always choose the most delicious food.

"Good, I expect you would really try Child. I do not think that you like your throwing up expeditions."

"I don't Sir, but… I do not remember when I am eating."

"Try to remember then, I have your backpack here, but before you leave, I want your help with this room."

Harry saw him open the door beside the bathroom.

Snape showed him his new guest room, having removed all the potion ingredients and shrunk all the books had left a good sized bedroom. He would find where to place his things latter, but meanwhile the castle elves had found a bed and a dresser, and Harry was about to choose the colors he wanted.

"What color would you like on this walls, Mr. Potter?

"Color Sir?"

"Yes Young man, what color would you prefer? I am not really into Gryffindor colors, but if you like them…."

"I rather have blue and green, but… Why Sir?"

"Because, this Mr. Potter is going to be your room."

"My room Sir? Why?"

"For you to stay when we decide to visit Hogwarts, and also for you to stay if you want…, during the term."

"During the term Sir? Would you invite me to stay with you?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, I would expect your best behavior while staying here though, it would be good if you leave here pajamas and clothes…."

"Is it for me Sir?"

Snape felt his heart soar! like Harry in his broom. He could make the child choose him right now, and tell Albus later. But it was not fair, if the boy was going to be given options, he should be able to choose.

"For the time being it is, child. We'll see after your Guardian has been appointed, but I wouldn't mind you visiting me, you have showed improvement in your studies, and I would like to keep reviewing your progress..."

"Do you know whom is it going to be, Sir? My Guardian?"

"No Potter, I don't know. But do not worry about it. I am sure that you will be all right, and you will have Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall and me here at school with you."

Snape saw dread in the boys eyes. It would be better to stop the uncertainty, the boy needed to have a permanent place. He did not know what to do. Could he promise to be there?

He got closer and said. "It doesn't matter what happen, consider this room yours."

Harry hugged Snape. What does this mean? Loud voices sound in both their heads.

"Does it mean you are going to keep on being my guardian after the Summer ends?"

"I wont stop being your Guardian until some one else is appointed, I don't know when that is going to happen. You needed a place to stay for the Summer, once school starts there wont be any problem as you stay in the Castle. I suppose that before the end of the Summer you would be given options. In the end it is going to be your choice. I do not know whom is being considered, Professor Dumbledore will tell you in time. But I want you to know that regardless of your choice, this will still be your room."

"Thank you Sir."

"Thank you Harry."

They hug for a little longer.

"Should I go on the outing Sir? I would rather stay here and help you with my room."

"I think you must go child. Just tell me the colors you want. Professor Dumbledore is excited about the outing, and it is good for you to see around. I will be here tonight. We'll go back to the Manor tomorrow. You may sleep in your new room tonight. Would you like that?"

"Yes Sir." Harry sat over the bed. It felt like his bed in the tower, but this was.... different, he would bring his toys and books and... He turned to look at Snape that was standing at the door.

"Are you being considered to be my Guardian, Sir?" Green eyes, full of interest.

"Would you like me to be, Mr. Potter?"

"Only if you want to. Sir." Harry felt like walking over eggs, carefully or they might break.... He did not look that Snape's eyes started shining.

"I'll let Professor Dumbledore know. I'll see you when you come back."

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The outing was to Stonehenge and Bath. Dumbledore had contracted a tour, it left from King's Cross station at 10, they had a hamper for lunch and dinner would be eaten at Bath.

Professor Dumbledore had seen the tour brochures on their London outing.

Snape had made Harry dress warmly, as rains were falling in all the country. Dumbledore had a raincoat, hat and umbrella, the raincoat was light blue with small raindrops, the umbrella had a special charm and if placed overhead no water could came under it. Professor McGonagall had also a raincoat, it was brown with matching rubber boots. Harry thought that maybe he should buy them some Muggle magazines about fashion.

Snape gave him a raincoat to wear just in case.

The Outing was great! they apparated to King's Cross Station from the train station at Hogsmead, from there they took a bus, it was a luxury bus, that had drinks and snacks. After two hours they arrived to Stonehenge, they had a guided tour but let the guide walk ahead of them.

Professor Dumbledore taught Harry how to feel the magic surrounding the place. They walked around and saw some sheep. They took the shrunk hamper and eat from it on a field nearby, it had three different kinds of cake! Then Harry was allowed to go into the store. Snape had told him to buy smartly, not everything he looked at. He bought a book for Snape and postcards for his friends.

Harry thought about what he had said to Snape. Did he really want to stay with him? He went back and walk around the Magical Stones, he wanted to belong to someone, and he felt that finally he belonged to Snape. He was scared to have more choices. He was not sure that Dumbledore would choose correctly, after all he had trusted that his aunt would treat him fairly…. And how would Harry choose if he had not lived with anyone else? Did he feel that he knew Snape by now? At least he knew him better than any other... He wished he did not have to choose, he had not chosen Snape and it had turned all right. He did not want that to change.... To have a room of his own in the castle! It was the nicest thing that could have happened to him! He walked around one more time and then went to his companions, they have stood by the side watching him.

After a while they were asked to go back to the bus and were taken to Bath.

Harry admired the Roman constructions, the ruins and the baths, and was surprised by the water he drank from the well, the water was warm. The tour included a guided visit to the Roman constructions and also to the ancient buildings in the place.

By tea time Dumbledore and McGonagall took him to a wizard's pub in Bath, he had shepherds-pie and ice-cream. He even was allowed a milkshake to go, for the way back. Snape did not have to know about it he thought.

They had informed the tour guide that they would spend the night in Bath, so they were not expected back in the bus. They walked again around the town Harry was drinking his milkshake while walking, once finished, they took the floo connection in the Pub to Hogsmead.

Snape was waiting for them at the School gates, he said he had just come from having tea with Hagrid. He did not say that he had rushed out once he saw them walking from Hogsmead. Snape would not have known about the milk-shake if Harry had not thrown up before entering the building.

Harry couldn't explain that it was not because of what he had eaten, well maybe a little, he did feel his stomach full, but he had no nausea, he had felt like throwing up the moment he thought that maybe Dumbledore would not like for Snape to be his Permanent Guardian.

He had slept a little in the way to Bath, and had heard McGonagall and Dumbledore talking, they had been very quiet, but he had heard them talk about Snape.

"You may think that we were asking him to leave the boy in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. What was wrong with the boy sleeping in his dormitory? Are you sure that it is the correct think allowing them to bond like this? What would happen at the end of the Summer? He would have to let the child go by then."

"Don't worry Minerva, Severus knows it's only for the Summer, he insisted in that. And I trust that we will have a permanent place for Harry soon."

Harry had not heard the answer, at the moment it did not matter, but it all came back when he saw his Guardian and recalled that he may not be allowed to stay with him.

Snape helped while he threw up and then carried him up to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey ran a diagnosis and stated that it was a mild indigestion, then gave him some chewable tablets and let him rest in bed.

Snape was pacing in front of the bed. Harry knew he was angry even though he talk calmly.

"Weren't you supposed to be careful with the food, Mr. Potter?"

The boy seated on the bed, he was playing with the hem of his shirt. He could see Shape's shoes as he walked to and fro.

"Yes Sir, I was, it's just that…. I got a little dizzy after using the floo. I'm sorry." Harry turned and looked at him.

Those brilliant green eyes, Snape could not be angry too long after a look like that, he knew that he had issues with the floo.

"How do you feel now Potter?"

"A lot better, would you let me sleep in my new room, Sir?"

As if Snape would let him sleep in the infirmary, when he had now a real room where to place him!

"Yes Harry. Let me tell Poppy that I'm taking you with me."

Harry was very happy in his new room, it was smaller than his room in the Manor, but he felt comfortable in it. There was only one bathroom that he would share with Snape. But it was all right. Snape had brought some of his clothes and books, even some toys. He liked to know that this place was available when classes started again.

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When morning came Snape allowed Harry to stay one more hour in bed. That had became a Sunday ritual. He asked the elves to serve breakfast in his room. During the afternoon he had have some calls regarding Harry's health, the boy was fine now, he did not want the rest of Hogwarts inhabitants to fuss around Potter. Breakfast was a simple thing. Snape thought it would be useless to lecture the child. The vomiting should be enough consequence for his immoderate eating. And he was glad the new room had been so graciously accepted. Even if Harry choose another guardian he would be able to invite him here.

Even if he was still not sure if it would be a good a idea, he wanted to invite a Potter to his quarters!

After breakfast Harry went to visit with Hagrid, and to ask for some Owl treats for Hedwig.

Albus and Minerva met with Snape in Dumbledore's office.

They talked about the outing, (Dumbledore insisting that this time Harry had not eaten that much), and about the coming birthday party. They agree to do it in Hogwarts as everyone invited was already there. Severus requested it to be at tea time.

"I will bring him on time, Saturday at 5."

"No Severus, I want him to choose a present, we'll pick Harry at the Manor at 10 and I will take him to a toy's store in London, we'll have lunch over there and we'll be back on time for tea at the castle, I will leave instructions to the elves to prepare him a birthday cake and pastries."

Snape thought that Harry had enough toys and wouldn't be able to eat a crumb after lunch with Albus but he understood that the Old man felt guilty over Harry's treatment at his relatives. He thought it was better to atone with actions than with presents….

"In that case I would ask Mr. Potter to be ready for you at 10."

"Would Harry know about the party or is it going to be a surprise?"

"A surprise of course Minerva." Said Dumbledore before Severus had time to think about it. "He wouldn't know as it's going to be 3 days before his actual birthday."

"You wont tell him, would you Severus." Severus was not very much into surprises, but he guess that it wouldn't harm the boy too much.

"I wont."

"You will be here at 5 wont you?"

"Yes. I guess we better stay here for the night, I will be sure that Poppy has enough Calming Draughts and Digestive Tablets."

"Do not be pessimist Severus."

"I am rather realistic Albus, Mr. Potter gets sugar crazy easily, it's better to be prepared. If you have nothing else to discuss… I will search for my ward and we will return to the Manor shortly."

"You have been doing and excellent job with that child Severus."

"I know."

Snape found Harry playing with Fang near the lake. The boy would throw a stick and the dog would run for it. Fang brought it back to the boy, but each time the big brute ended over Harry licking his face….

Snape saw as that child enjoyed the game.

Too soon he called the game to an end and took the child back to the dungeons to get cleaned. They used Snape quarters' fireplace to go back to the Manor.

Harry felt happy to be back at the Manor. He sat on the floor of the living room as Snape came through the fireplace.

"It is good to be back home. Professor."

"I am glad you think so, Mr. Potter."

"I… Hogwarts…. I think of it as it is my home…. But here…. Here is home."

"Articulate as always Potter. You should take a nap until lunch."

"It was tiring to play with Fang….I need a drink…"

Harry went to the kitchen and drank a full glass of pumpkin juice. He felt tired so he accepted Snape's advice and went to his room, he was not planning to sleep but once in his bed he did not realize when he closed his eyes.

TBC

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