Chapter 7. We need a plan.
The three wizards sat around Snape's kitchen table with cups of tea.
"I suppose you will agree with me in stating that Harry must leave his aunt and uncle's house?" Snape said.
"Certainly. I already warned Albus that they were the worst Muggles I had ever seen, but he insisted on leaving him with them." Minerva said indignantly.
Snape took a sip of his tea and nodded. "We need to know Albus' motives."
"I don't care about his motives! The boy is leaving, and that´s it." Poppy said.
"If Albus left Harry there, and then has kept him in that situation, there must be a motive. If we don't know it we won't be able to give arguments against him staying with them." Snape said thoughtfully.
Minerva snorted. "Albus and his conspiracies."
"Harry is in no imminent danger, at least not while they're here. There's something else behind the house business. Mr. Dursley has been trying to take control of the rent money, but something has prevented it, and I want to know what's going on."
"I don't know what that has to do with all this!" Minerva protested .
"For one thing half the house is Harry's, and the Dursleys are taking his money. That alone seems serious enough to me, but the husband's control over Harry's aunt is a bad sign. I'd like to talk to her alone."
"Do you think it would do any good?"
"I won't know until I talk to her."
"Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you." Poppy said .
"We've known each other since we were kids, so you're probably right, but I wasn't planning on giving her any more options."
Minerva sighed. "I can imagine."
"I propose we watch the house in shifts during the day, and when the husband goes out, I'll go in and talk to her. I could keep watch myself, but I'd rather not leave Harry alone in my house."
"That's fine with me. If you tell me where the house is I'll take the first watch." Minerva said getting up from her chair.
"I have to go back to school, call me on Floo when you need me and I'll come. I've seen the report, and Harry is suffering from malnutrition. I'll bring some supplements, but what he needs most is to lead a healthy life from now on." Poppy said. "Ah, I'll also bring him some new glasses, those aren't properly graduated."
Snape walked Minerva to the door, and pointed her to the Evans' house. Then he went back inside and up the stairs. Harry was sitting on the bed, reading with interest. When he heard the adult enter he jumped up.
"No need to get up like that, Harry, you haven't done anything wrong."
"I didn't know if I could sit up in bed." the boy said.
"Of course you can. Are you liking the book?"
"It's a little weird, but I like it."
"You were working in the garden at your grandparents' house earlier, do you like doing that?"
"I like the plants, although I don't like being scolded for getting dirty when they're the ones making me work with the dirt." she said without thinking. Then he opened his eyes wide and covered his mouth with his hands. "Please don't tell my Uncle Vernon that I said that. I mustn't tell the things that happen at home."
"Don't worry, I give you my word I won't tell your uncle."
"Thank you." said Harry, though he still looked worried.
"I'd like to know why you drank water from the hose instead of going to the kitchen."
Harry reddened. "I didn't know you'd seen me." he said embarrassed. "My uncle forbade me. He says I must wait until meal times."
"If you're thirsty I want you to go drink in the kitchen, you can stop what you're doing and continue later. The glasses are in the cabinet over the sink." Harry nodded. "I have some work to do in my garden, and I want you to come with me. You can help me, though you can also stay and read." Snape added.
"My head is starting to hurt, I'd rather work in the garden." Harry said.
Snape remembered that Poppy had just said that the glasses didn't match Harry's prescription, so he nodded.
"Come on."
They worked for nearly two hours in the garden, though Snape did all the heavy work, using magic at times and with his bare hands at others. He spoke little, but occasionally gave Harry instructions or told him what each plant was and what properties it had. The boy seemed to listen with interest.
"Do you use these plants for cooking?" Harry asked.
"No, I actually make potions with them."
"Potions are also magic?"
"That's right, one of the most important parts of magic."
Harry nodded.
"Now let's go inside and wash our hands and I'll get the food ready."
"I can help you, I can cook."
"You don't have to."
"But I like to cook, especially when I can eat what I prepare as well."
Snape felt a sudden desire to kill a walrus, but he controlled his reaction. "If you promise to follow my instructions you can help me."
"Sure, I'll follow them." said Harry.
They cooked and ate together almost silently. Harry seemed used to not bothering adults, and Snape preferred not to fill the time with casual conversation. They both seemed comfortable with the situation.
"Mr. Snape. When you have time. will you tell me things about my mother?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything, I suppose. My aunt hardly ever talks about her."
"I'll tell you something. You said you'd seen some pictures in a trunk. I'll get those pictures, and tomorrow I'll tell you something about them."
"But I don't know if I'll come tomorrow, too."
"I do know, I'll tell your aunt and uncle that you're coming back."
"That would be nice." said Harry unconvinced.