Summary: Severus has never done anything for anyone, but what will he do for one small boy named Harry.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot
A/N: Of course it is AU. I also would like to thank my beta Nita
Chapter 50
Severus bounded through the door like a man possessed. He barreled past Gertrude, nearly knocking the poor thing down in his eagerness to get to Harry. Minerva seemed to be hard pressed to keep Harry still as he fought back against the unknown assailant.
"I do not know what triggered it, Severus."
Minerva handed over Harry, who was reluctant to let go, and yet the familiar scent of his father's robes seemed to pull his hands free and open his eyes.
"Dad?" he said, uncertain of anything at the moment.
Severus held out his arms for Harry, and he scrambled into them, clinging to his robes till his small hands turned a bit white.
"Hush now, I am here and everything is fine," the man soothed, though one look from Minerva said otherwise.
"Severus, tell me you have done nothing to get yourself thrown into Azkaban."
Severus glared at her, knowing that was the last thing Harry needed to hear right now.
"We shall not speak of it just now, but if you must know, yes, he still lives."
Harry didn't know what they were talking about, and truly didn't care. All he was concerned with was that his father was here, and that meant they were only dreams, that he didn't have to go back to the Dursley's. His shaking stopped after a few more minutes and he looked up.
"I'm glad you're back," he whispered.
"Harry, sit here and I will go and make us some tea."
Gertrude looked shocked and a bit put out that her master was going to make anything in her kitchen, but she wisely said nothing, taking a seat beside Harry as Severus and Minerva walked into the other room.
"So, it was true? Remus really did put something in Harry's drink?"
"He did more than that. What he did was put a memory potion in his drink, hoping that Harry would remember all the good times he and the others shared. What the imbecile failed to realize is that not all memories were good. Harry saw the very day Remus was bitten."
Minerva's face paled at the thought.
"That was the day that his cousin was killed."
"Yes, and I am sure that is not the only sight Harry saw. It amazes me that he is not curled up in a ball and comatose right now."
"What he needs now is a schedule. Something that keeps him mind occupied until this wears off."
"How long will that take, Severus?"
"Not more than a day or two at most. I will watch him closely tonight, as I am sure he won't get much sleep. Tomorrow, I would like you to come over and continue with his lessons. Perhaps you could bring along some of the regular school books, the ones you friend's daughter uses. She is about Harry's age, is she not?"
Minerva again failed to see the point.
"What good would it do to teach him Muggle studies now? He will enter Hogwarts in just over a year."
Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"It will help him to settle a bit, I think, or at least, I hope. He went to a regular school at the Dursley's. Perhaps too much magic at one time is overwhelming him. I do not want him to be naive about magic, but I also don't want to rush too much of it at him."
"Severus, do you think he will even be ready to by tomorrow? You did not see the state that poor child was in. I had a hard time restraining him without magic."
"I only hope in time he forgets what he has seen, and that the joy of childhood can be found."
Severus picked up the tray with the tea and cups and went back into the sitting room.
"Harry, why don't you try some tea?"
Harry didn't want any tea, as a matter of fact he didn't want to leave the comfort of his father's arms right now. He had never had the luxury of being coddled, or even given a hug before, and Harry found that he liked being the center of attention, even if only for a minute or two. It even made him forget the dreams for now.
Severus noticed Harry hadn't even touched his cup, but rather sat there staring off into space.
"Harry, what is it?"
Harry's eyes focused once more and he glanced from his father to Professor McGonagall, who were both now staring at him.
"It's nothing, I just ... well, how is it I saw my mum when she was in school?"
"I am afraid that was a side effect from a potion you were given. The dreams should wear off once I have given you the potion to counteract it."
Harry sighed, he really wanted to go to sleep.
"Dad, I'm so tired, but I am afraid to go back to sleep."
Severus' heart clenched in his chest.
"Go, brush your teeth and I will come in and bring the potion."
Harry lingered, not wanting to go anywhere alone.
"Can Gertrude come with me, you know, till you get there?"
Severus never even had to ask the house elf. Gertrude grabbed Harry's hand and soon they disappeared behind the door to his room. This is when Severus stood to escort Minerva to the floo.
"I shall expect you promptly at five tomorrow evening, after classes."
Severus, it seemed to Minerva, had resumed his usual stoic manner. She turned to leave, quite exhausted from the emotional stress of the night. She threw in the floo powder and got ready to leave when a hand was on hers.
"Thank you."
Minerva heard it but couldn't quite believe it. Severus Snape did not give thanks, nor accept it. With a quick nod of understanding, she stepped into the floo and Severus went to check on Harry. When he entered Harry's room, he found Harry sitting on top of the bed, his knees pulled up to his chest.
Severus went over and took a seat on the edge of the bed, and asked Gertrude to come over.
"Can you go into my lab and get me the fourth bottle on the top shelf? Be careful not to spill it, or pull the stopper out."
Gertrude left and that is when Harry spoke.
"Dad, can I sleep with you just for tonight?"
Severus did not know what to say.
"Harry, though I would do anything for you, I think you are old enough to sleep here alone. I promise you that you won't have anymore dreams once you have taken the potion."
Harry wanted to believe him, but he had seen so many things, things that scared him.
Severus could see the fear.
"I promise not to leave till you drift off, and I will try to fill your head with something good."
"Like what?"
Severus pulled the covers back and waited for Harry to crawl underneath. Once he was satisfied that Harry was properly tucked in, he handed him the potion. Harry drank it down with one gulp, but felt as if he would be sick from the taste.
"Now, how about a story of when your mother beat me in a broom race across the lake?"
"Did she really?"
"She did indeed, though I shall never admit it to anyone else. You see, to be beaten by anyone, much less a girl, was humiliating, though Lily was graceful as ever when she won."
Severus continued on telling Harry about the race, and then telling him how Lily had come home one day to find tiny green peas all over Harry, the ceiling, her table, and also the small cat they had at the time. Severus noticed Harry drifting in and out of sleep and slipped his feet over the side of the bed.
"Don't go!" Harry squeaked, and Severus immediately sat back down.
"I promise you won't have any dreams at all tonight. The potion I gave you keeps you from dreaming."
Harry did not seem convinced, and Severus scooted him over and propped himself up against the headboard. He really wanted to get some sleep himself. So much needed to be done. Final exams were coming up next month, not to mention that McGonagall was coming over to start Harry on some of the regular schooling he had missed.
Four hours later, Severus did wake to find a crick in his neck, and his arm asleep underneath Harry. All that was fine with him as Harry seemed to be sleeping peacefully, without even a hint of a nightmare. This is what the boy needed. What Severus needed, though, was to go to the loo, and find something to eat, for it sounded like his stomach had begun eating itself. Carefully, he removed himself from the bed, tucking the sheets up around Harry, and went to relieve himself. Once finished, Severus rummaged through the pantry, and was none happier than when Gertrude popped into the kitchen.
"Can Gertrude get sir anything?"
Severus took a seat at the table, rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes.
"If you would, bring me something to eat, I feel famished."
In not more than a couple minutes, a plate of bangers and mash sat before him, along with a slice of blueberry pie. Severus' mouth, sad to say, was watering at the sight and he dug into the meal with gusto. Not until he sat back, his belly full, did he even remember that Gertrude was in the room.
"Thank you, that was quite good."
"Is Master Snape needing anything else?"
"Please retire for the night, but if you wouldn't mind, check on Harry beforehand."
Severus took his cup of tea and went to sit by the fire. His mind would not stop reeling with so many thoughts. First, there had been Lucius and his damned meddling in things, and now he had Lupin to contend with. He hoped he had gotten his point across to both, but he feared that would not be the last he heard from either of them. He knew he should get up and attempt to go to bed, but before he knew it, Gertrude was waking him, his cup now gone, and covers laying over him.
A bit disoriented, Severus sat up, his normally straight hair now a mess atop his head. Harry was already sitting at the table, and for the first time in days, he looked to be refreshed.
"Did you sleep well?" Severus asked, coming to take a seat at the table.
"I didn't dream even once, but when I woke up, you were gone, and I came to look for you. You were asleep on the couch so I covered you with the blanket."
"Thank you, I am afraid I needed a bit of rest, and couldn't find any till I had eaten, though strangely enough, I find myself hungry again."
Both of them spent the entire meal talking about what it was that Muggle children studied before coming to Hogwarts. Severus was pleased to hear that Harry had made decent grades in the subject they called Science before leaving the Dursley's. That brought about something else Severus had let slip his mind.
"Harry, if you would, I need to be going a bit early this morning. I let it slip my mind that I need to visit someone before I go to Hogwarts."
At the look on Harry's face, Severus hurried to reassure the child.
"I will be home promptly at six to have dinner with you. I will also help with any studies you have."
Harry sighed, but knew his father had to go to work.
"Can I go out and work in the gardens?"
Severus didn't want to let Harry out of his sight so soon after what had happened, but he also knew he couldn't keep the child locked away inside.
"You may go out and work in the gardens for half an hour, but no more. You need the fresh air, and Fred needs to learn to claw something besides my favorite chair. Two reparos I had to cast yesterday to fix the holes."
Harry gulped.
"Sorry, I know he just misses going outside."
Severus hugged Harry good-bye and went about his way. He didn't want to visit the Dursley's, but with the hair from the brush in the loo safely tucked inside one pocket, and the advanced Polyjuice potion in the other, he made his way there.
When Severus arrived he found that the yard was in disarray. It looked as if no one had cut the grass, or tended the flowerbeds in a very long time. This wouldn't do, and Dumbledore, or whomever he sent would surely notice the change and come to investigate. With a gentle swish of his wand, Severus cast a charm on both to keep them trim and looking fresh. he would reapply it when he returned again.
Taking his hand, he rapped on the door and waited for an answer. Footsteps were heard inside and soon a very unhappy Vernon Dursley slung open the door.
"We don't want any of what you are selling!" he screamed before he realized who was standing there.
"Move aside, or be moved," Severus said, in a voice that showed he meant what he said.
Once inside Severus turned to the portly man.
"Where is your son?"
"He's in his room. The poor tyke won't come down to play anymore. You have caused our family enough grief, don't you think?"
Severus took in the appearance of the man standing before him. Clearly overweight to the point of obesity, unshaven, his clothes were stained, and there was a small hole on the sleeve.
"It is clear you misunderstood me. I did not ask about your well-being or that of your son. I came to give him the potion and to depart."
Vernon Dursley became bold suddenly.
"He won't take it I tell you, not another drop!"
Severus turned around and grabbed him up by the soiled shirt, pulling him to within inches of his face.
"I have no time for you, Dursley. It is clear to me that you only miss what used to be your house elf. You have not suffered, nor your son. I can, however, show you true suffering. I could let the Dark Lord know your whereabouts at any time. Hundreds of his loyal servants would come."
Vernon's eyes became huge then, but his stupidity overruled any thought.
"He doesn't want me, he wants my nephew, and I would gladly tell him where he was."
Severus pushed Vernon away from him.
"Go then, shout it from the rafters, but know that once you do, there is nothing that can stop the madness. Giants, centaurs, Death Eaters, and even vampires will come to see the famous Harry Potter. When they find he is not here, they will not spend any time questioning you, oh no. What they will do is slowly kill your wife and child while you watch, and then, when they have been amused enough, they will kill you."
Vernon was now shaking from head to toe.
"You people are evil, vile beings. I should have drowned the boy as I planned when he first arrived. I should have rid our family of him."
"I'll not have you speak about my son that way," Severus said, the slap resounding off the fat cheek.
"Get up!" he yelled, his patience gone. "You will do as I say or you will find yourself, and what little brain you have left under my control."
"You cannot fool me! I know my rights even in your world."
Severus chuckled.
"Dursley, right now your last two brain cells are somewhere inside your head committing suicide. I am bound by nothing but my own morals which I might add are lacking with people like you, and let me tell you this, I have done many things that I should be punished for. Many people have wrongly died at my hands, but your death would be nothing short of a blessing to all. I have no qualms about killing you, none at all. Will you be calling your son down, or shall I go up and get him?"
Vernon yelled up to Dudley, who came to the edge of the stairs, a cookie in one hand, and video game in the other.
"Dad, I told you I don't want anyone to bother me while I am playing my new game."
"Dudley, come here and take this so he will go away."
Dudley immediately tried to turn and run, but a quick body bind and levitation spell brought him to in front of Snape.
"You know I have no time for spoiled children."
With one quick movement, Severus poured the vial down and massaged his throat till Dudley swallowed. Once he did, Severus released him from the body bind, and watched as the boy scampered back up the stairs as if he had been lit on fire.
"I will be taking my leave of you now. I shall return in three months time."
"You are not welcome in my home!"
"Welcome or not, I am coming, unless of course you would like me to send Hagrid."
"Hagrid?"
"Oh yes, he is our Gamekeeper at Hogwarts. Completely devoted to the Potter family, and not a happy giant when actually upset."
"Giant?" Vernon said, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Yes, though I must clarify Hagrid is only a half-giant, so therefore, his normal stature is reduced. I believe he is only nine feet tall, compared to the fourteen feet of his mother. Nevertheless," Severus said, waving his hand as if swatting a fly, "he is very protective over Harry. Seems he never quite got over our choice to leave him here when he was a babe. Swore on oath that should he ever find out that the Muggles mistreated him that he would make them regret it."
"Just be gone. The less I see of you the better."
"As you wish, Dursley."
Severus heard the door slam behind him and his face broke into a smile. His task complete, he hurried to apparate to Hogwarts.
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Harry spent the morning cleaning his room, and playing Gobstones with Gertrude. After a quick lunch though, Harry was eager to go outside and work in the garden. He had not been out in days, and he couldn't wait to see how the plants were growing, and to stretch his legs. He was still fearful, but the overpowering need to feel the fresh air quelled that fear for now.
Once outside, he ran over to the flower garden.
"Look, Gertrude, the plants are starting to bud!"
Harry was ecstatic.
"You said they wouldn't grow, but they are. Dad will be so surprised when he sees them."
Gertrude walked over and shook her head.
"Gertrude is not knowing how they is growing, but she is happy for Master Harry."
Harry watered the garden,and removed all the weeds, though when he was only halfway through, he saw the other half was done, and knew Gertrude had helped out. Harry was now very warm, even though the April day was not that hot, pulling weeds and chasing after Fred had made him sweaty.
"How about we is going inside for lunch, Master Harry?"
Harry couldn't agree more and after grabbing up Fred, followed Gertrude inside. It wasn't till he splashed the cool water on his face in the washroom did Harry even think about the strange man. It was good to go outside without having to worry about him, and his father had said he wouldn't come around again. Somehow this both made Harry happy and sad, but the smell of the soup in the other room made Harry forget quickly.
Once lunch was over, Harry found himself propped up in one of the chairs, his book open to the chapter on Potions. He really didn't think he would ever get used to cutting up dragon hearts, or anything else such as that, but he wanted to please his father. Remembering what came next was easy, it was the actual time it took for some of the potions. One even took constant stirring for two days, and Harry doubted he could stay up that long.
It wasn't long before the smells of roast chicken stirred him from his book, and soon after, the door was opening to his father and Professor McGonagall.
"How has your day been?"
This of course sent Harry racing towards his father, and flinging himself into his waiting arms.
"My day was good, and did you hex any students today?"
Severus grinned, though Minerva looked shocked.
"How about we start on your lessons until dinner, Harry."
Honestly, Harry wanted to ask his Dad about his day and then tell him all about the garden, but he knew that Professor McGonagall had come just to make sure he didn't fall behind in his lessons. He went and took a seat next to the fireplace, and Minerva and Severus took a seat across from him.
"What was the last thing you studied in Arithmetic?"
Harry put his finger to his mouth, biting his nails as he thought.
"I think it was fractions."
They spent the next twenty minutes going over fractions till Minerva was satisfied that Harry understood.
"You are quite the student, Harry. I hope you continue this once you enter Hogwarts."
This brought about a proud smile from Severus, and a equally huge grin from Harry.
"How about we try going over American History next?"
Minerva opened the book to the Revolutionary War, and began reading. After a few minutes she tossed the book down.
"I can't believe they would use such barbaric ways."
Severus picked up the book, curious as to what set the normally prim Professor off.
"This cannot be the way civilized people acted."
Harry was now eager to find out what they had read.
"What?"
Severus showed him the chapter.
"It says here that they used guns, and canons, but that is not the worst of it."
Harry held in the small grin. He knew all about the Revolutionary War, and how they fought.
"What's the worst thing, Dad?"
"The so called President had teeth made of wood. How does one eat with teeth made of wood? There are splinters to consider, and what of eating things you had to chew? Only Muggles would come up with such a horrendous thing."
Harry couldn't take it any longer and burst out laughing, and they spent the meal going over different times in American history till Harry thought his ears would bleed if he heard anymore.
Severus got up to escort Minerva to the floo.
"I thank you for coming and tutoring Harry. I am afraid with end of grade tests to prepare for, we won't have much time to get together often."
"What about Harry? Who will look after him while you get things ready?"
Harry wanted to know that too. It wasn't as if he couldn't take care of himself, but with all that had happened lately, knowing his father would be home promptly at six was what he looked forward to each day.
"I'll be fine here with Gertrude."
Severus' heart once again filled with pride. Harry was trying to seem independent when Severus knew the boy still had lingering fears. Wishing Minerva a good night, he ushered Harry towards his bed.
"It is time you got some sleep."
"Do I have to drink that stuff again?" Harry asked, making a face to show his disapproval of it.
"We will try without it and see how you do."
Harry put on his pajamas and crawled into bed, waiting for his story.
"What story are you going to tell me tonight, Dad?"
Severus tried to think of something mildly amusing, something that would give Harry happy thoughts before sleep. The only thing he could think of was the Three Pigs. It was too young for Harry, but it was a short story and one that shouldn't give him any bad thoughts before bed.
The story was over, but Harry couldn't make himself fall asleep.
"Dad, can you sit with me?"
Severus pulled the chair up to beside the bed. He had so many things to get done, but a few minutes spared for Harry's well being came first.
"Dad, tell me about the things you have to do to get ready for work."
"Why would you want to hear about that?"
Harry grinned.
"It should put me to sleep, don't you think?■
Severus threw the pillow at Harry who ducked, and tried to look innocent.
Severus, on the other hand, grinned and that made Harry nervous.
"Well, since you asked; I have numerous things to get done. I have exams to write up, and then, of course, I must make sure I have enough potions in stock for the exams. Not to mention the meeting I must attend, and of course, the curfew watches I must do. All in all, I think that between the exams and my students regular needs, I will have very little time to spare."
Harry listened to all this and one thing bothered him.
"Dad, will you still have time for me?"
Severus blanched, knowing the answer.
"Harry, I will always have time to tuck you in at night, and perhaps we will have dinner together as well, but I am afraid exams will keep me busy. I will not forget, however, to tell you how much I love you each night, and how also to eat your broccoli at meal times."
Harry grimaced.
"Thanks Dad."
Severus leaned over and kissed his forehead, and turned out the lights in the room, leaving Harry alone to think. He was jealous of Hogwarts, of the time his father would be spending there. He wanted to keep him at home. Harry tucked his hands beneath his pillow and fell asleep, wondering how he could get to spend more time with his Dad.
A/N: See you next week .
