Chapter Three
Sev's POV
After that genuine scene in the kitchen, I bring him outside. Moreover, if my plans go right, he will be just there the most of the summer. He needs sunlight, and that very badly. However, I do not want him to be in any danger because of that. And the home of a Death Eater isn't the least dangerous place you can hide in, even if a spell warning you of people Apparating in, flying in or flooing in, is woven around the house. People visit, and not only when you are expecting them. Voldemort himself has been here on surprise visits.
"Harry?"
He stops in his path before me, turning around in the sunlight, a questioning look on his face.
"Yes, Severus?" he replies.
Severus. Now he calls me Severus. The first time he does so. I don't know quite what it will mean for our relationship, but. I would never have thought that such a small thing could make me so happy. Nevertheless, it does, filling me with a contentment I haven't felt since the time I finally managed to betray Voldemort and turn to good again. However, I'm not sure I deserve it. Not after what I have done.
I reach into my pocket, grabbing the thin chain with a clear crystal hanging from it. When it dangles in the air, reflecting the sunlight, it looks like the most precious of diamonds. And it is precious – at least to me. It's the only thing I have left from my family, the only thing they have given me but this house and Honey.
"Wear this."
I'm surprised at the roughness my voice holds. It sounds like I'm just about to cry. But I am not, am I? This piece of rock means a lot to me, and for me, the act of leaving it to another being is very serious. Nevertheless, it has to be done.
"It will protect you" I can hear my voice explain. "It looks after you, even when you doesn't want it to. Even if you don't know you're in danger. And not always in life threatening situations, but in small matters you will easily ignore. Wear it always."
I hold it out to him, surprised when he doesn't take it immediately. Instead, he scans my face, as if watching for something. Damn, this kid is too perceptive for his own good.
"Are you sure about this?"
His voice is soft, almost not audible, but filled with hesitation. Somehow, he has once again noticed my feelings. Because I don't think it's about lack of trust. Harry has always had good instincts.
"I can take care of myself," he continues. "I don't need this to stay alive."
I can't help but snort at this. Maybe he wouldn't need it facing Voldemort (he always seems to get away unscathed from him), but he would need it in every other situation. That boy could stumble into trouble even if he is just walking down to his common room. But instead of trying to argue with him, I close the distance between us, yank him closer and hang the crystal around his neck while muttering a locking charm – and a very complicated such too.
"There" I say, true satisfaction in my voice. "Now you're caught."
His eyes widens a little, but not in panic or fright as I would've thought. I mean, if I just had a necklace put on me with an unbreakable locking spell by my nasty, ex-evil teacher turned nice, I would freak out. But Harry just showed his individuality by looking surprised and slightly thankful. And suddenly, I find myself shuffling his hair and smiling. I'm definitively abandoning the shield I usually carry.
Harry's POV
One month has gone by since I first arrived now, and I find myself having one of the best times of my life. Severus and I are beginning to really like each other (still platonic, folks), finding ourselves enjoying each other's company at most times. Sometimes, he seems to have a relapse though, snapping at me. And always in reference to his past. He can see a simple article, just step into the room he gave neither or me. It's spooky. I want to help him so much, but I cannot do that, as he won't tell me. Nevertheless, the still tightening bond between us makes me hurt too.
At first, I had problems accepting the new him, but those doubts were put aside when he needed help. I am not one to refuse to help anyone, even if they do not ask for my help, and that day in the kitchen, he needed my help. If he admits it or not. You don't need to be a genius to see that Severus still carries a lot of weight from his past. And you certainly don't have to look very hard to see that he thinks he deserves it.
Severus is a whole other person here in his home, compared to who he is at Hogwarts. In addition, I get the feeling it isn't just the fact that he can't make Voldemort suspicious. He don't want to be seen, he don't want to be approached. He cloaks himself in loneliness, and thinks its just fair for him to be alone and miserable after having done whatever horrible deeds he did as a Death Eater. I think the only ones who have managed to break through that façade are Dumbledore and I really. Nevertheless, if I can, I will help others to do the same. No one needs to be lonely. No one should be. Voldemort may not even have turned out the way he did, if he hadn't been forced to grow up in an orphanage. But then again, it's not an excuse. You can make a turn for the better or be good from the beginning. Just look at Severus and me.
Once a week, approximately, he leaves by Apparating. Always after gripping his arm in blinding pain. I don't know if he knows that I know, but it's obvious he goes to Voldemort at those occasions. It's his luck I know he does it for Dumbledore, because when he gets back, he's usually shaking and completely gone. One of the backsides to the Cruciatus curse. I make a point of waiting up for him, in company of Honey, having a healing potion on the stove for his return. He certainly needs it. When he has drunken it, I get him into bed and hug him goodnight. Then I spend the night in a chair beside him, listening to his every breath and waking him up every other hour to give him more of the potion.
He never talks of these nights, but I know he's thankful. After the first night, he even decided to tutor me in potions. Outside of course. He seems to have a thing for keeping me outside. Personally, I think he believes I'm too pale. Or was, at least. I've acquired a tan these days and not even one sunburn. That crystal he gave me sure can nag sometimes.
Today is the day after one of the nights with Voldemort. We're sitting outside in the sun, him reading while I am preparing a potion by the name of 'Calaesumbora', supposedly meant to be spilled on your skin to reveal if you've had an Unforgivable curse put on you the last two days. He hasn't told me, but I have the feeling this isn't potion making suitable for someone my age, but someone much older. Same old Severus. I can't help but smile for myself while slowly stirring the potion. He still has troubles acknowledging when I've done something right.
Then, suddenly, a bell tolls from somewhere within the house, startling Severus and sending Honey off into hiding. Severus jumps to his feet and gives me a sharp look.
"Hide" is his only word, and lead by the crystal, I run into a shrubbery, throwing myself to my stomach on the ground. And in the next second, I can see two dark robed figures practically storming out of the house.
At least one of them is. The other one has a tight grasp on the first one, trying to slow him down. When they come closer, I almost jump up from sheer surprise, but subdue myself. It is Sirius, in a black mood suiting his surname, and a much calmer Remus Lupin, who has a slightly apologetic expression on his face.
Severus is standing proudly in the middle of the flower-decorated lawn, and differently from them; he wears a white tee and a pair of slacks. It has to be said that he don't even flinch as Sirius grabs him by his neck, a murderous look on his face.
"Where is he?" he roars. "If you have hurt him any way…"
Severus roughly takes his hands from his neck and steps backwards.
"In safety, Black" he coldly says. "Unlike what he would be with you."
Sirius' face gets even redder, and his knuckles whiten as he tries to keep from punching the man in front of him. I tense, desperately trying to keep Sirius from flaring up more. However, I didn't need to worry, as Remus steps between them, hindering every chance at a fistfight.
"Calm down, Sirius" he harshly says before turning to Severus, speaking in a softer tone. "We just came to visit Harry. Dumbledore told us that he would be here."
Severus nods, a slight smirk on his face.
"Of course" he says, and then turns away, facing me.
Now, I can see that he has a slightly pained expression on his face, undoubtedly; one of his wounds has gone up, together with a strange sense of worry. I can't get why though, as I know that he certainly does not fear either Sirius or Remus. Unasked, I get up, dusting some dirt off my tee and cut jeans, walking over to the three of them, grabbing the cup with the healing potion I have waiting by my cauldron.
The expressions on Remus' and Sirius' faces are hilarious. Especially Sirius'. Did they really expect me to be beaten and tired or something? Well, I am tired, but that's not the point, is it?
I stop as I come to Severus, silently handing him the cup. He gives me a slight smile and a faint 'thank you', which causes some strangled noises to come from Sirius. I touch his arm in a reassuring way, and then turn to Sirius and Remus, a bright smile on my face.
"Sirius!" I exclaim, hugging my godfather warmly.
"Harry" he affectionately replies, hugging me back.
Then he holds me at an arm's length, looking squarely at me.
"How is he" he nods towards Severus "treating you? Are you alright?"
I look at Severus, shooting him a smile. He looks much better now, talking slightly with Remus.
"Severus' treating me great" I carefully assure him. "He's been helping me with potions."
Sirius lets me go, a relieved look on his face. He has cut his hair off into a shoulder length cut now and has gained some much needed weight. In my opinion, I think he doesn't even look like the Sirius Black whom fled from Azkaban.
"You have resolved your issues then?" he asks.
I nod. That we certainly have. It was awkward in the beginning, but now we have reached a state where we live as family. The trust and affection is still fragile between us, but it's growing stronger every day.
"Yeah, why?" I reply.
Sirius glance at Severus and Remus, then takes me outside their hearing range.
"I think it's time you know why Severus Snape and I detest each other so much" he softly says. "You will need to know it, believe me, if you're going to spend the summer with him."
Then he smirks.
"Does he still run into that ravine when coming here?" he asks.
"Yes" I grin. "It looks hilarious. How did you know?"
Sirius sobers up, looking at me, a sad look in his dark eyes, so much like Severus'.
"My mother, was the sister of Snape's mother," he slowly says. "As we were hidden by the Fidelius Charm when my aunt and her husband died, we could not take care of Severus. That's the reason he despises me. The reason I despise him, is that he was the one who betrayed my parents by finding out who was their secret keeper. Like some sort of revenge."
I stare at him, perplexed by what he has revealed. Severus and Sirius, cousins? But somehow, it makes sense. And it sure explains, the hostility they hold against each other.
"You know he has changed" I say looking into Sirius eyes. "I know you has changed. Can't you two just see beyond the mutual loathing you created so long ago, and settle this? None of you could do anything about the situation back then."
"I know" Sirius says, dragging his hands through his hair in a very Severus-ish way. "But forgiveness has to go both ways."
You can see they're cousins. In some ways, they're remarkably alike.
"What?" Sirius asks, as he catches me smiling.
I shake my head, still smirking slightly.
"Severus does that all the time," I tell him.
Sirius gives me a strange look.
"You really like him now, don't you?" he frankly says. "Now when you have seen past the animosity you held against each other."
Sev's POV
¨That boy is an angel. I don't know how to tell him, how much I appreciate what he does for me, after my meetings with Voldemort. Not only him watching over me, and making the healing potion I need (I'm still wondering where he found the recipe), but also the feel of being human, he gives me through a simple hug.
I quickly swallow the pleasantly cool potion in the summer heat, feeling it running through my body, taking away the after-effects of the Cruciatus curse. He has seasoned it with mint and blueberry this time, giving it a winterish flavour.
"Severus?"
It is Remus of course. Who else would talk to me of their free will?
"Yes, Remus?"
I'm surprised, how tired my voice sounds. But then again, I am very tired. And if I am tired, I don't want to think about how tired Harry must be, after having watched over me all night.
"Why would you need a potion, meant to heal the after-effects from the Cruciatus curse?"
Damn the werewolf and his knowledge of potions!
"Voldemort wasn't too pleased with me yesterday" I pleasantly reply, hoping to get a reaction out of the imperturbable Remus.
"Why?" is his only response though.
Sigh. I guess Dumbledore told him.
"Because I hadn't found out why Harry isn't with the Dursleys this year, and where he is," I simply say.
Remus just arches his eyebrows.
"That wouldn't make him too happy, no," he agrees. "Do you think Sirius is finished with Harry yet?"
I glance at the pair, standing quite a bit away, Harry having an amused look on his face as Sirius talks. Undoubtedly, Sirius has told him about our relation. He didn't seem to have anything against it though.
"Yes" I decide and start to walk over to them, arriving just as Sirius asks Harry a question.
"You really like him now, don't you?" he says, an understanding tone to his voice. "Now when you have seen past the animosity you held against each other."
Harry has already seen me approaching, and is looking into my eyes, as if he can see my soul.
"No, Sirius" he softly says, almost too low for me to hear.
That little word crushes me for some reason I can't understand. It feels as if a small knife is stabbed through my heart, causing an allergic reaction. But then, he continued.
"I love him like a dad. He may not be my father, but in these weeks, he has been my dad in every way possible."
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