Disclaimer: aw, come on! I still have to do this?
Yay for Chapter 5! Hope you like it!
Chapter 5
Severus paced back and forth through his rooms at Hogwarts.
How could I be so stupid? he thought disgustedly. So emotional… Snapes are not emotional.
He slowly sank into the honey colored leather sofa, sank back, and closed his eyes. He attempted Occlumency. He was a master at stopping people from attacking his mind, but for some reason, tonight he could not get his mind to clear.
He thought back on his life. If someone would have told him last year, or even last month that he would be contemplating caring for a mute Harry Potter and a possible friendship with Jane Granger, a muggle, he would have thought them insane. Death Eaters did not associate with muggles. He was not a Death Eater, was he? He smirked to himself. I mean, it's just an outing right? A meeting between friends. He mused the justification. He had no friends. Friends? You have no friends, A cynical voice retorted.
Sighing, he closed his eyes and forced himself to think about the reason why he was doing all of this. Harry… He opened his eyes slowly only to see a pair of twinkling eyes in front of him.
"Albus, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?" Severus asked, annoyed at the intrusion, but relieved to see his mentor standing before him. He figured Albus must have sensed his restlessness.
"It is you that called for me, my boy," Albus replied. "Is something troubling you?"
Severus stared at the headmaster as if he had grown a second head. He glared at the older wizard. Omnipotent git, Snape groused. I hate the fact that he can do that.
"Severus, you have yet to start speaking," Albus said with a little too much merriment for Severus's liking. He merely glared at the headmaster.
"I don't know where to start, Headmaster," Severus began uncertainly.
"Why don't we have some tea and you may begin your tale, my boy," Albus said and walked into the kitchen. "I always find it is best to start at the beginning." He swept out of the room. Severus noticed with great curiosity that he was floating along the hallway. Maybe I have called him here. I must have needed someone to talk to. I have only done this one other time… He thought wistfully.
Severus began to make them some tea, just to have something to do with his hands. He wasn't sure exactly where to begin. He knew that he had to start talking soon or else Albus would start talking for him. That is what happened with Lily. He was still amazed that he could be connected to another person in such a way. Lily was indeed looking after him. It warmed his heart slightly to know that he could trust Albus. He did not trust easily.
"I had an encounter on my way to bring Potter back to orphanage," Severus began.
"Harry, Severus," Albus interrupted.
"Fine, Harry," Severus stated. Why am I acting like this? I have taken to calling Potter Harry for weeks now, and all of a sudden I am back to calling him by his surname. Snape scowled into the cup of tea he was preparing for Dumbledore.
"Tell me about this encounter, my friend," Albus requested.
"I literally ran into Jane Granger, a muggle, on the platform at Kings Cross Station," Severus continued. "She was with her daughter, Hermione." Severus paused for breath and Dumbledore waited for him to continue.
"The girl has a magical Aura, Albus," Severus stated. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brighter at this new piece of information.
"Really, how interesting," Albus replied coyly. "Did Harry take to her?"
"Yes, he did, actually," Snape said miserably. Albus noted the look on his former pupil's face and almost empathized with him.
"You said she was a muggle?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Severus replied his eyes narrowing at the twinkling in the headmaster's eyes. Just what was the old man trying to get at? He thought suspiciously.
"Maybe we have finally found someone to take our Harry," Albus mused. Come on my boy, just a little bit farther. Albus thought as he watched a myriad of emotions pass over the Potion Masters face.
What!!! He cannot be serious! Severus thought irritably. Jane and Hermione are acceptable, but Harry should be brought up by Wizards.
"Headmaster," Severus began slowly. "While, the muggles are acceptable, they are not Wizards. Harry should be brought up in the Wizarding world."
"Why, Severus, who could we find that would be willing to take in the boy who lived?" Albus baited.
"He is not The Boy Who Lived, Headmaster," Snape said angrily. "He is Harry, and it is my belief that he could receive a normal childhood if he was brought up here, just as easily as in the muggle world."
Albus' eyes were twinkling madly. "Who could we ever get to teach him, Severus?"
"I could continue to teach him, sir, if it is your wish," Severus replied demurely.
"Severus, I don't know if that is a good idea," Albus stated mischievously. "He is James Potter's Son after all."
"He is also Lily's son, Sir," Severus spat out. "Perhaps in another life, he might have been mine…" He stiffened after the words were uttered, visible aghast by his own admission. Damn you Albus Dumbledore.
"Perhaps he still can be, my boy," Albus replied softly. Time stopped in that moment as Severus and Albus stared at one another. Their eyes locked in silent communication. Albus, willing Severus to fulfill his potential and Severus, trying to get over his disbelief at the implications of Albus' statement. Severus tore his eyes from his Headmasters' after several minutes.
"It may not be a terrible idea to get him in touch with another child his own age," Albus offered innocently.
"I agree," Severus replied. "I have made plans to meet with the Grangers and Harry later today."
"Very good, Severus," Albus replied. "I must be going now, my boy. I believe you have everything worked out."
"Yes, I do, sir," Severus replied. "For the time being, however, I may require your assistance again."
"Anytime, Severus, anytime," Albus replied as he disappeared.
Severus awoke later feeling rested and at peace. It was an unusual for him to awake feeling rested, but pushing aside his inquisitive nature he set about getting ready for his day.
An hour later, he stood before the orphanage in his finest muggle clothing. He had settled on black wool trousers and a grey cashmere jumper. He was going to take Harry over to the Grangers to have tea and lunch. He figured it was best to get Harry out of this environment as much as possible. His caregivers did not seem to mind. There were a lot of children under their care.
Harry was waiting for Severus in his new tan trousers and an emerald green jumper. Marie had said it brought out the color in his eyes. He had his trusty doe with him as well as the owl and picture book that Severus had just given him. He was looking at the pictures when Severus entered the room.
"Good Morning, Harry," Snape called out as he walked up to the boy. "Happy Boxing Day," He greeted somewhat stiffly, uneasy about showing any affection toward the boy in front of Marie. I do have a reputation to maintain.
Harry smiled brightly at his new friend. He waved at Severus and rose to his feet.
"Are you ready to go?" Severus asked.
Harry simply nodded and pulled him toward the door. Marie stopped them as she made him put a cloak on.
"We will see you later on, Harry," Marie said affectionately. "Please be on your best behavior with Professor Snape."
Harry smiled his understanding and left with Severus.
They stood outside the Grangers' home 20 minutes later. Harry's eyes were sparking with excitement at taking his first bus.
Severus bent down so he was eye-level with Harry.
"You will be on your best behavior in there, Harry," Snape warned. "Jane and Hermione have been nice enough to open their home to us this afternoon, so we will not disrespect that."
Harry knew from his tone of voice that he was serious, so he nodded his head solemnly. He slipped his hand into Severus' and waited for the Grangers to answer the door.
Severus was mildly shocked at the emotion that he felt when Harry held his hand. It was almost a sense of protection and belonging. He was the Greasy Git Potions Master, but maybe in Harry's eyes he didn't have to be. He smiled slightly and knocked on the cottage door.
Jane Granger opened the door and smiled brightly at the two visitors.
"Severus, Harry, please come in out of the cold." Jane invited. "I have prepared lunch and tea in the library."
"Thank you very much, Madam," Severus said politely. "This is Harry. Harry this is Mrs. Gran…"
"Jane," Their host interrupted. "Please, both of you may call me Jane."
Severus nodded his assent and followed her into the library. Harry still had not let go of his hand.
"Hermione," Jane called out to the bushy-haired girl sitting on the floor with a picture book in front of her.
Hermione looked up at her mother's voice and smiled. She scrambled up and went over to her mother, hiding he face in her mother's skirt.
"Mia," Jane addressed her daughter gently, using her nickname. "This is Harry. I told you about him." Jane continued when Mia turned her face toward the visitors.
"This is Profess..." Jane started.
"Severus, please Jane," Severus interrupted.
Jane smiled at him. "This is Severus, Mia. He is Harry's teacher."
"You teach Harry?" Mia asked.
"Yes," Severus replied. "I teach him to talk using his hands."
"You teach me too?" Mia asked hopefully.
Harry thought that he had misheard her. Did someone want to talk to him? He grinned so big that it almost split his face in two. He let go of Severus' hand and vaulted himself at Mia, throwing his arms around her neck, sending them both spilling to the floor.
Mia's laughter could be heard as she and Harry rolled around on the floor. They stopped after a few minutes and Mia picked up his owl and handed it to him.
"What is his name, Harry?" Mia asked.
Harry looked at Mia and handed her the letter book Sev had given to him. He then spelled out S…E…V… using his tiny hands. Mia used the letter book to look up the letters.
Mia smiled at him and they sat down together to look at the book.
Severus and Jane watched the two children interact. Severus visibly relaxed at the site. Maybe Harry would be all right after all.