Thank you all so much for your amazing reviews. I hope this next chapter does not dissapoint.
Chapter 8
Later that same day at a much less ungodly hour, Dumbledore strolled into the hospital wing. Truth be told, Harry had been rather bored for the past hours. He had been able to sleep some of the time away but one couldn't do that all day long. Besides, if Harry was going to sleep the entire day, he would not be able to go to sleep during the night. And it was at night that the darkest kind of thoughts started swirling in his head.
Despite being bored out of his mind, Harry was very reluctant to speak with Dumbledore. He didn't want to ask the man to stay here. Not again. But while he didn't exactly promise Snape to pose this rather difficult question, he knew very well that the man expected it of him. Not only that but if he did, Snape would do his best to help him. Or so the man had said. It still seemed very unlikely to Harry that the Potions Master cared one bit about Harry's pitiful home life but it was a flicker of hope nonetheless.
But hope was dangerous. Harry managed to get through his horrible summers because he knew that things were as they were supposed to be. He learned to roll with the punches. But if he actually dared to hope that things could become better, even marginally so, the blow would be utterly devastating when this hope was shattered.
He was reluctant to hope but couldn't stop it. And so, he bravely met Dumbledore's gaze as the powerful wizard moved towards the chair next to Harry's bed. His movements were slow and deliberate as if he were approaching a frightened animal. Somehow, Harry took offence to that but made no comment. After all, it would not do to antagonise the man you wanted to ask a favour of.
"Gooday, Harry," Dumbledore greeted merrily. His smile didn't reach his eyes, though, Harry noticed.
"Hello, Professor," Harry greeted back. "How are you?"
Dumbledore chuckled wryly. "How kind of you to ask, dear boy," he replied, something akin to sadness brimming in his eyes. "I am well, thank you very much. Though I am sorry for what happened to you."
Not sorry enough to get me out of there.
Dumbledore sat down and leaned back comfortably, his calculating eyes resting on Harry. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better," Harry admitted. "I'm still somewhat sore but the potions are helping with that."
Dumbledore nodded knowingly. "Professor Snape has done his best to provide you with fresh batches of everything you need," he explained. "They should be as potent as they can be. I am pleased to hear that they are helping."
Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for monopolising Snape's time like that. Especially since he knew that Snape did not like spending his summers thinking about him in the slightest. There was no doubt in his mind that Dumbledore had requested the man to brew everything from scratch.
"That was not necessary," Harry protested weakly. "I'm sure that whatever you had in stock would have been just fine."
"Yes, I would presume so as well," Dumbledore said kindly, his eyes twinkling ever so slightly from behind his half-moon spectacles.
Harry didn't know what to make of that and decided to just avert his gaze. Broaching this subject was really hard.
"Speaking of Professor Snape," Dumbledore continued when Harry made no attempt to speak. "He has told me that you wish to ask me something."
Harry was taken aback enough to stare at Dumbledore with eyes wide in shock. That certainly made it easier for him. But to think that Snape cared enough to push Dumbledore in his direction like that. This morning seemed like a far-off dream, no doubt because Snape had come in when Harry was still somewhat groggy.
But now…
He probably just wants me to make a fool of myself.
Harry sighed as he started wringing the blanket between his hands again, careful not to rip it this time. Dumbledore seemed to notice because he put a soothing hand on Harry's fervent ones. It took everything to keep himself from flinching away from the man's touch. The Dursley's treatment was still far too fresh in his mind.
"It's alright, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly.
But it's not.
"You can ask me anything."
But I can't.
"Just tell me what's on your mind."
Harry took a deep breath to try and still his turbulent thoughts. There was no harm in asking, was there? All he needed to do was not get his hopes up. He needed to ask his question, knowing full well what the answer would be. If he expected the worst, he could not be disappointed, after all. Right?
Best get this over with in one go. Like ripping off a band-aid.
"Can I please stay at Hogwarts for the remainder of summer?" Harry asked, doing his best to look Dumbledore in the eye. "I think everyone would be happier if I did."
For a moment, Dumbledore just stared. The seconds ticked by at an excruciatingly slow pace and Harry couldn't help but feel bad when all the remainder of Dumbledore's merry twinkle disappeared. Eventually, the man released a long-suffering sigh and Harry felt his heart clench painfully.
"Harry," Dumbledore said carefully. "You know that's not an option. I thought you understood?"
"I don't," Harry retorted, amazed with himself that he didn't just go along with Dumbledore's reply. "I know that privet drive is protected in some way but wouldn't I be a lot safer at Hogwarts, anyway?"
"You would not be," Dumbledore replied calmly.
Well, that explains a whole lot.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked for good measure.
"You have to understand that the wards surrounding your home are put in place in no small part because of your mother's sacrifice," Dumbledore explained. "These blood wards are the most powerful wards known to wizardkind. Not even the fidelius wards are a match to their power."
Dumbledore sighed again and put a hand on Harry's shoulder in an attempt for comfort. "When it comes to your situation specifically, it truly is much safer for you to remain with your relatives rather than at Hogwarts."
Harry frowned as he thought that over. "Do I really have to stay all summer, though?" he asked. "Since you don't make me go back for Christmas, that doesn't seem right."
"The longer you stay, the more powerful the wards," Dumbledore explained patiently. "Furthermore, it is of the utmost importance that you keep considering your home just that."
"I haven't considered that place my home in years," Harry muttered.
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "I know that you believe that," he agreed. "But seeing how the wards are still firmly in place, I know that some part of you still does."
And wasn't that just the awful truth? While he told his friends that he considered Hogwarts to be his real home, how could that be true? After all, he had no family here. He had a few close friends, sure. But he had no father, mother or siblings. Not a single person at this school was truly his. There were only vague reminders of the marauders and trophies depicting James' Quidditch glory days.
Petunia and Vernon were not the parental sorts in the least. Not to Harry. But they were the closest thing he had. And while he had all but condemned the idea of hope to the furthest reaches of his mind, an inkling of it still insisted that one day his relatives might come to love him after all. If he was good enough. If he listened. If he obeyed. He wasn't ready to give up the idea that the uninspired house on privet drive was his home. He couldn't.
"I see," he finally replied sullenly, aware of the fact that too much time had passed in silence.
"Harry," Dumbledore said sadly. "I know that this is hard but I assure you that I have no intention of allowing your relatives to mistreat you like that again. I have already conversed with your aunt and uncle about the way they behaved and am certain that they will abstain from such behaviour again."
Harry snorted. He didn't believe that for one second.
Dumbledore removed his hand and rose from his chair. "I know you to be a strong young man, Harry," Dumbledore said confidently. "And I assure you that this is the lesser of two evils. I simply cannot hope to keep you safe from Voldemort here at Hogwarts. Sadly, the previous years are a clear indication of that."
Harry didn't reply. He didn't even look at Dumbledore again. The man's mind was made up and he knew it. Hell, he had known that in advance.
"I'll come visit you again tomorrow," Dumbledore said. "Until then, I brought you a couple of books from the library. I'll leave them on the table for you, alright?" Harry nodded but didn't look up until the receding sound of footsteps signalled Dumbledore's departure. He stared at the door as it fell shut, listening to his own breathing as he was left alone once more.
He hadn't fostered any hope. He had known full well that Dumbledore would say no. He even got some extra information for his trouble. Things he hadn't know yet. That had to count for something, right?
Before Harry full well realised what he was doing, he grabbed one of the empty potion vials and flung it across the room, watching as it shattered against the door with a satisfying cling. Harry grabbed his pillow, buried his face into it and screamed.
Hope was a horribly painful thing indeed.
When next someone entered the hospital wing, Harry didn't even move. He had just finished eating his dinner and was now lying flat on his belly, one arm underneath his pillow and the other one hanging limply off the side of the bed. He had almost fallen asleep and was in no mood to entertain whoever it was that had come to disturb him. So he kept his eyes shut, careful not to clench them and was mindful of his breathing.
The sound of footsteps approached his bed and then stopped. Harry became aware that someone was staring at him, bringing him back from what would have been a sweet slumber.
Just go away, he thought desperately.
"Mr Potter, I do know that you're awake, you realise," sounded Snape's snappish voice.
Harry did nothing but groan in reply.
"Are you in pain?" Snape asked evenly. Really would it kill the man to show some concern?
"No more so than this morning," Harry mumbled. He still refused to sit up. Let Snape talk to the back of his head for all he cared.
A few more footsteps, towards the door this time and a muttered oath. "Is there any reason in particular why you decided to throw my empty potion vials?" Snape asked darkly.
Harry flushed a bit at the wording and decided that the polite thing to do would be to sit up and face the man after all. Especially after smashing his belongings. He looked up just in time to see Snape repair the vial with a swish of his wand, pocketing it instantly.
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I was a bit… upset."
"That does not give you leave to start throwing things," Snape was quick to reply. "Especially not things that shatter on impact. You are fifteen, not five."
"I said I was sorry!" Harry exclaimed. "Since I so obviously annoy you, you're free to leave, you know?"
"I cannot do so until I've examined you, Potter," Snape said easily, fixing Harry with a cold stare.
Harry groaned. "I'm fine," he said.
"You'll forgive me if I don't take the word of a moody teenager for it," Snape replied sardonically. "Lay still."
Snape pointed his wand at Harry, causing him to freeze. Snape didn't seem to care. He moved his wand in a complex pattern before resting it on top of Harry's head. Out of nowhere, a piece of parchment appeared. Snape snatched it out of thin air, his eyes moving to take in the neat writing.
Harry, who was never too keen on silences, couldn't help but talk after a few minutes of Snape immersing himself in the medical diagnosis.
"I asked him," he said, hoping that Snape would know enough. The man nodded, without looking away from the parchment. It signified that he was listening, though and that was enough to prompt the next sentence.
"He said no," Harry continued sullenly. "Something to do with blood wards."
"I see," Snape replied. Harry thought there was a smidgen of anger present in the man's voice but that could just as well be Harry trying to fool himself that someone cared. Someone that had seen his situation.
"You will need to take a nerve restorative draught, it would seem," Snape then said. "A nutritive potion would not be amiss either but that doesn't mix well with blood replenisher potion so that will have to wait for a few more days. How is your balance?"
Harry grit his teeth, upset that he was being ignored. He had suspected something else from Snape. But what, he wasn't entirely sure of.
"Potter, answer the question," Snape urged coldly.
"My balance is fine, sir," Harry replied.
"No dizziness? Shortness of breath?"
"No and no," Harry said curtly.
Snape made a notation on the diagnostic parchment and caused it to vanish with a wave of his wand.
"Anything else that you wish to inform me of?" Snape then asked. "I will not appreciate you leaving anything out, mind you."
Now, Harry was thoroughly chagrined. He crossed his arms and glared at the Potions Master even as he conjured a couple of potions and placed them on Harry's bedside table.
"No," he replied.
"No, sir," Snape corrected.
Whatever.
"I do not appreciate your attitude, Potter," Snape snarled, clearly seeing the defiance on Harry's face.
"Duly noted," Harry muttered. Snape stared at him darkly for a while before apparently deciding to let Harry's insolence slide. Out of nowhere, he veered the conversation into a direction Harry had most definitely not seen coming.
"I bring news of your cousin," he said matter-of-factly while clearing the empty vials that still stood on Harry's table.
Harry gulped down his surprise before he spoke. "Is that right?"
"It is," Snape replied easily. "He is to be released to go home soon."
"That's good news, I suppose," Harry replied, fidgeting with his blankets again. If Dudley was able to go home, his relatives might not be too incensed with what he had done to him. Not if they saw that Dudley was healthy again. He would still be punished severely, sure but Vernon might not beat him senseless again.
Snape nodded. "He still requires some additional care. Potions and low-level spells, I was told. Until he's entirely himself again."
Harry frowned. "Does that mean some mediwitch will stop by on occasion?" he asked. "I don't think the Dursleys will like that very much."
"If their son's health is at stake, I'm rather certain that they will not decline outside interference," Snape replied. "If what I saw while at that house was any indication."
Harry snorted. "I take it you didn't like being coddled, sir?" Harry asked. That had been a bad idea. Snape looked at him darkly, tapping his fingers into the folds of his crossed arms.
"Mind your tongue," he growled. "I do not wish to recollect any of their nonsense at present."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied. "So, what will happen now?"
"That's really rather simple," Snape said. Harry didn't like the man standing there, looming over him. He just wished the man would take a seat already rather than looking as if he was about to deduct points from Gryffindor. Of course, he didn't say as much.
"Your cousin is still in need of magical assistance but it is rather busy at St Mungo's at the moment." Snape looked meaningfully at Harry, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "It would appear that the good staff of the hospital did not take too kindly to your cousin's anti-magic sentiments. None of them desire to visit him at his home and encounter the people who raised him to become that way."
Harry frowned again. "That's not really nice," he said. "Dudley may not be the friendliest person around but he deserves medical care as well. Don't magical healers need to take an oath or something?"
"Do they?" Snape asked sardonically. Harry got the distinct feeling that Snape was trying to make a point. Attempting to have Harry see something but whatever it was, Harry didn't get it.
"I don't know," Harry said, shrugging and wincing slightly when he did. "Can you get to the point, sir? Because I really don't know what you're getting at."
Snape sighed in exasperation. "Do you recall our earlier conversation, Mr Potter?"
"Of course," Harry replied. "If not, I wouldn't have talked to Dumbledore."
Snape nodded, his piercing eyes radiating ice. "I expect you did so because you would hope that I uphold my end of the bargain."
Harry gulped. "Well," he said, suddenly feeling very small, "I know what you said but you also told me that you didn't exactly want to have much to do with me during the summer, so…"
Snape tilted his head ever so slightly, taking in Harry with a hint of curiosity. "Does that matter?" he said. "Surely, you would expect my interference."
Harry chuckled wryly. "Why? Because I'm Harry Potter?" he asked, correctly guessing Snape's thoughts if the man's sudden scowl was any indication. "Don't worry, Professor. I know what it's like to be forgotten."
"Yes," Snape agreed after a moment's hesitation. "I would imagine you do. I assure you do that I firmly believe in the phrase 'a promise given is a promise kept' if that clears things up."
"You didn't promise me anything, though," Harry pointed out.
"Potter," Snape all but spat. "What are you attempting to do? Would you rather I left you to your abusive home situation on account of semantics?"
"Of course not!" Harry exclaimed. "I just don't want to be…" he trailed off, not wanting to say the rest.
A bother.
Snape's expression seemed to soften ever so slightly before hardening right back into one of steely resolve. He finally seemed to be sick of standing and gracefully sank into the chair next to Harry. The boy shifted back a few inches, not even aware that he was doing so and looked at his professor.
"The situation is as follows," Snape then said, his tone the same one he used when he was teaching. It did nothing to put Harry at ease.
"Your cousin is in need of magical assistance. Since professor Dumbledore deems it unnecessary to remove his golden boy from the less-than-adequate care of his relatives, I see no other option than to take on the role of substitute mediwizard myself."
Harry realised that his mouth had fallen open and closed it with a click.
"But sir," he protested, "You're not a mediwizard."
"Indeed I am not," Snape replied, raising one distinctive eyebrow. "But I have enough knowledge in the medical field to be allowed a role this… insignificant."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Insignificant?" he asked. "Wait a moment. Does Dudley really even need any more magic?"
Snape smirked ever so slightly. "He might," he replied. "Or he might not. I doubt it's a risk that Petunia would take."
Tuney.
For some reason, until now, Harry had all but forgotten about the familiarity that had been evident between Snape and his aunt. But now the memory came crashing back and it was very disconcerting, to say the least. The magical and muggle world were not supposed to mix in Harry's mind. That made this situation all the more troublesome indeed.
But that thought, however urgent, was not strong enough to dispel the words Snape had just said. Harry had to pick his battles, he knew. And at this moment, he wanted clarification about the present rather than the past.
"So you're going to come over?" Harry asked hopefully. "To check on my cousin?"
"You misunderstand," Snape replied slyly. "I have no intention of sporadically coming over. No, I think that your cousin still has the chance to relapse during any moment of the day. If this happens while I'm not present, he might never return to his normal self again."
"That doesn't sound right," Harry said, frowning again.
"Of course it doesn't, you difficult child," Snape said harshly. "That's because it's utter nonsense. Your relatives, however, have no way of knowing or even verifying this. They will be sure to allow me entry into their home with no trouble whatsoever if it means keeping their son out of harm's way."
"So you were actually serious before?" Harry asked. "About staying over, I mean."
"I certainly did not state so in jest," Snape replied, shaking his head. "And I expect you must be out of it more than you let on if you believe me capable of such things in the first place."
Harry couldn't help it. He chuckled. "My bad," he said. "I don't know what I was thinking."
Snape's features twisted in what might have resembled the beginning of a smile but before Harry could be certain, it disappeared again, Snape's much too serious gaze now locking onto Harry once more.
"There may be external reasons for you to remain with those muggles but rest assured that I will not allow anything untoward to happen again," Snape said seriously. "As long as I remain in that house, you will be safe. You have my word."
Harry didn't know what to say to that. And even if he did, he wasn't sure that his throat would allow him to. Different emotions seemed to be at war within his mind, struggling to break free. On the one hand, he was happy that someone would try and keep him safe at the Dursleys, even if he still needed to go back. On the other hand, though, this was Snape. The sardonic, greasy, foul Potions Master that never spared his sharp tongue, using it to cut most Gryffindors, and Harry in particular, to ribbons.
And while he might have been quite decent recently, Harry could not push past the resentment he still felt for the man. After all, caring for someone who was in the state Snape had found him in was the bare minimum to be considered decent, was it not? And brewing potions for Hogwarts and the order was his job.
Staying at your house and defying Dumbledore for your sake certainly isn't.
Harry ignored the little voice inside his head and tilted his chin to appear more confident than he felt at that moment.
"And what will you do with the information you gather while you stay at my home?" he asked. Surely, the man would have no problem telling his Slytherin students just what went on in the house. Maybe he would even discuss his life in gruelling detail with the likes of Filch.
Snape regarded him carefully, placing his folded hands in his laps as he seemed to consider the question for a while.
"Well?" Harry asked shortly.
"I cannot imagine that I would learn anything of import, Mr Potter," Snape replied icily. "If you are talking about the matter of the abuse –"
"Stop calling it that!" Harry suddenly shouted. He hated that word and was sick of Snape saying it. He was not abused. Because that would make him weak. And he couldn't be weak. His life did not allow for such luxuries.
"Don't interrupt me," Snape said, his tone dangerous. When Harry glared at him but kept his mouth shut nonetheless, Snape seemed satisfied.
"As I was saying," he continued. "The matter of your unfortunate situation is not one that should be shared with any of my colleagues, light or dark."
Harry swallowed thickly. He hadn't even considered the death eaters. It was a good thing Snape was on their side if one believed such things. Harry did, he thought. Probably.
"And your Slytherins?" Harry dared prompt.
Snape hissed between his teeth before replying. "Leave it to you to worry about your fellow students rather than the Dark Lord," he spat. "Of course they won't hear a word of what transpired at your house, you blundering fool. Frankly, I am astounded that you would think me capable of such banal gossip, even with our past as difficult as it is."
Harry immediately felt shame colour his cheeks. Okay, so maybe that particular fear had not been well-founded.
"Sorry," Harry mumbled.
"It's of no matter," Snape admitted. "I suppose those particular worries are only to be expected from any adolescent such as yourself."
That must have been the most understanding Snape had ever been and Harry couldn't help but stare a bit.
"You appear weary, Mr Potter," Snape then said. "I suggest that you rest. Unfortunately, you will be leaving this place soon enough. Therefore you should remain horizontal for as long as you possibly can. And that means no midnight escapades or gallivanting around the castle."
Harry snorted. "I'm not in the mood for any of those things, right now," he said truthfully.
"See to it that your mood remains as such," Snape said silkily. "Drink your potions. I will be back to check on you tomorrow."
"Yes sir," Harry replied dutifully.
Snape nodded one more time and left in a flurry of robes as Harry sank back into his pillow.
Gallivanting around the castle. Who talks like that?
Harry snickered to himself, uncorking his potions and downing them as instructed. This summer was turning out to be even stranger then he had anticipated.
And there you have it folks. I have two more chapters all ready so I can defenitely update again on Tuesday. Please let me know what you think! Oh, and on another note. Do you feel that the lack of a Snape pov is detrimental to the story?
