'Harry sit down.' Harry sat and so did Sirius.
'Look I'm sorry, but we have to do this job for Dumbledore. This will help Voldemort not regain his full power that he once used to have. I can't really say anymore but Harry, if we both.die, then I want you to promise that you will go and live with Snape. After all he is you uncle and your next of kin.'
Harry didn't say anything because he knew he couldn't promise that. It would be like living in hell. The thought repulsed him. Living with his enemy. I deadly one of them and someone who was part of the killings of his mother and father. He thought he should change the subject but he didn't know what to change it to.
'Promise.' Sirius commanded after several minutes of silence from Harry. Harry remained silent racking his brains for a subject he should change to.
'Promise Harry, now.' His voice was calm but with an edge to make Harry do it. But Harry resisted. He didn't want to disobey Sirius but he believed he could not live with him.
'Harry promise right now or I will make you stay with him if I come back or if I don't.' Harry didn't want that to give in but he certainly didn't want to live with Snape. In the end he compromised.
'Maybe, if you don't come back, not that you won't, I should try to live with him. If I'm unsuccessful I should go and live with the Dursleys again or live on my own. I will promise to that.'
'No Harry. Promise to what I said.'
'No, I won't. I have compromised and if you won't settle for that, then you won't get a promise out of me.'
'Okay. Promise to that. At least you will try. But you won't go and live on your own. Do you know you are as obstinate and stubborn as James.'
'I'll take that as a complement and I promise to try to live with him.'
'Good.'
'Live with who?'
Harry and Sirius spun round to see Hermione and Ron. This was their second interruption today. 'No-one.'
'Okay.' Though Hermione and Ron were both eyeing them both suspiciously. *** When Ron and Hermione had cut their visit short and gone home, Sirius got Remus to do some work and secretly locked the door so that he could not walk in on their small conversation before Snape arrived. Harry couldn't believe that he had never been aware of this situation and wondered why he couldn't have stayed with Snape when his parents then. Did he not want Harry then? Or was it guilt that had started eating its way through Snape and tearing small pieces from his heart? Harry wondered.
When Sirius had made some tea and conjured up some biscuits, he and Harry sat down.
'Now Harry, Snape is going to come in about a quarter of an hour. I just wanted to say before you two get to know each other here, that I am sorry I never told you before. I'm going to miss you, you know. Try to be good and don't annoy him too much, though do play some tricks on him now and then. I may need a good laugh when I come back and I don't doubt in saying that you may need one when you're there.'
'I'd better start planning then.I am going to be evil.' Harry strained the word evil with a voice quite like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers.
Sirius laughed. 'Anyway, I can't really go into detail about Remus and my mission but I am just going to say that I am going to be in the country. Working sort of against Fudge and of course Voldemort. If you want to send a letter to me, send it with Hedwig. She was always intelligent enough to find me when I was on the run. I am sure that she is still like that now. I will try to send as many letters to you too but I can't put where I am or anything about our assignment just in case our letters get intercepted. Don't write in anything about Fudge or Voldemort. Got that?'
'Yep.'
'Oh, and try to be nice when Snape arrives. I daresay that the Dursleys' made you learn manners and I know you really shouldn't use them with Snape but on this occasion you need to otherwise the next two months are going to be hell.'
'They will be hell either way.'
'Please.'
'Okay.'
'So, have you packed?'
'Yep, I just.'
There was a small pop from the kitchen and at once Harry and Sirius jumped up and tried to run to the door first. Harry got there first but Sirius simply pulled him back and told him to stay there.
Harry sat down. Not sure how he was going to address Snape he tried to rehearse some. Hello, Snape how are you doing? Or, Hi, professor how is life without school then? Or, So Severus, if I may call you that, do tell me why you tell my parents get killed? Then Harry remembered, Sirius had asked him not to be vicious. ''Sup Uncle Sev, how is my fav dude of an uncle today?' The thought of calling him UNCLE repulsed Harry. He thought he better still with professor or better, try not to address him.
Just then Harry heard raised voices. 'You dare, in any way, hurt or say anything to upset him and I will be back. Don't think I've gone soft in Azkaban, because I didn't. And, I remember trying to kill you at school so don't put it past me now. If they put me in Azkaban I'm sure I could escape again.'
'Sirius, I.' Harry ran through the hall to listen into Sirius and Snape's conversation. 'and you know how much I love him though I never show it. After all, I may not have liked James, but he was my brother and Harry is my nephew. You can't change that. I'm his family.'
'He has me.'
'I believe your running off. You take him in for a couple of weeks, which were probably the best days of his life and then you leave him. He can't even go back to Lily's sister's house.'
'I'm not running off, I'm doing a job for Dumbledore.'
'You should have thought of that before bringing him here.'
'I didn't think.'
'That's right Sirius you didn't. You never do. Even as kids you never thought about the consequences.'
'Get lost you miserable git.'
'By that as it may.'
Sirius flashed Snape a wicked smile which Snape was only too happy to return.
'Have you finished? Only I was under the impression I was meant to collect Harry.' Snape said in a smarmy tone.
'You.' Sirius exhaled. 'You, one day, I'm gonna.'
'Oh shut up with your empty threats. If I thought you were seriously going to do them I might be scared but at the end of the day you don't have the balls.'
'I do. I tried to kill you.'
'Your glorious moment.'
'Well at least I didn't go around killing innocent people and being part of killing my brother and his wife.'
Just then before Snape pounced on Sirius, Harry strolled in. Trying to act calm he stood in the middle.
'So, I was under the illusion that you had both called a truce and were going to keep it. If I hadn't have walked in possibly hell would have been let lose. Please, I thought I was the child here.'
Both Snape and Sirius were startled.
'So, are you two going to stand like that forever because I thought you had a job to do Sirius and you,' looking at Snape, 'have to go to work in the fall unless you have quit.'
They both snapped out of it and looked at Harry from their locked eyes.
'Sorry Harry we just got a bit carried away.'
'A bit?'
Sirius shook his head.
'Well urm, you better greet your UNCLE.' Sirius said stressing Uncle like it was grotesque, in Sirius' eyes Snape was.
'Hello Harry.' Snape said extending his arm.
'Hi.' Harry said stunned. Snape had just called him Harry and he had just pulled out his hand to shake Harry's. Harry shook Snape's hand.
'I was thinking. We should probably start a fresh. I think it would be best.'
'Okay, I had wondered how we were going to get through the next two months, no disrespect sir.'
'Harry there is no need to call me sir I'm your family, not your professor now.'
'Sorry.' Harry who really didn't want to think Snape as family but thought as he was starting a fresh and Snape was trying to forget that Harry was his loathed brother's son.
'Well um, where're your things?' Snape asked Harry.
'Upstairs, I'll go get them.' Harry spinned around to go upstairs.
'No, I'll get it.' Snape walked past Harry and up the stairs.
'Well that went.well.' Harry said to Sirius.
'I suppose.' Sirius sniffled.
'I'm glad I'm not leaving you two to live together for two months. You wouldn't have past two days without one of you being killed, Sirius.' Stressing Sirius.
'Look, I'm not weak you know, I would kill him before he killed me.'
'Sure.'
'Harry, I thought you would have taken my side seen as I have been closest than that slimy git.'
'I'm not disputing that. And I never thought I'd day this but your talking about my family.' Harry said laughing.
Just then Severus entered hauling a heavy trunk and Hedwig. 'Hope I'm not interrupting something and by the way Harry, it was a very nice comment you just made even thought I thought it would have taken a lot longer for you to stick up for me especially to Sirius.'
'Well, I did do it just to annoy him but that doesn't mean I wouldn't do it to a passing stranger or someone else.'
'I guessed that. Just wanted to be sure. Just thought if you had really stuck up for me than you might been to be taught to be weary of people.'
'Are you telling me to be wary of you?' Harry asked with sarcasm though Snape either didn't see it or he ignored it.
'No, I'm just saying that you, of all people, shouldn't always let people in without being on your guard.'
'Your fast.'
'Potter, just because you're now my nephew doesn't mean I have seen you in a different light. Your still a rule breaker that is too nosy and steals from other peoples private stores.'
'Calm now you two.' Sirius cut in but they both didn't pay any attention to him.
'I never went in your private stores. It you had tested me with that Veritaserum or whatever it was like you threatened than you would know that it wasn't me. And you the rule breaking, I only do it because I know I have to, to save something or someone, like Ginny Weasley or the Philosopher's stone.'
'Going into the Whomping Willow with a werewolf and a convicted murderer and.'
'I never killed anyone and I was set free.' Sirius said in his defence.
Snape just continued. '.And, getting your name into the Goblet of Fire, Gillyweed which you used you taken the day before you used it and some Boomslang skin and other materials that would probably make a Polyjuice potion but why you needed to know that I'm not sure. To find out something. To go into the staff room or another common room perhaps.' Snape now had a mad glint in his eye not unlike the one he was wearing when he caught Harry sneaking back from Hogsmeade.
'I.I.I never, I didn't put my name it that goblet Crouch did he told us, you were there. And the Gillyweed I used was given to me by someth.one.' Harry knew he couldn't have said something or Snape would have probably been able to put two and two together.
'Ah, so this thing that gave you the Gillyweed wasn't a person but something living like a house elf perhaps. Called Dobby?' Harry couldn't reply. His mouth was wide open. 'And, The Polyjuice potion?'
'Ur.ur, must have been.someone else.' Harry lied.
'Sure. So it was Dobby who got you the Gillyweed and the materials for the potion was got by who?'
'I never said Dobby.'
'That's exactly why I've come to that conclusion Mr. Potter. And I'm still waiting for a lie about the Polyjuice potion.'
'I told you it must have been someone else.'
'I think you need to work on your lies Harry. You won't even get past Flitwick with that excuse.'
'I told you the truth.' Harry exclaimed.
'Harry, just because you have lied once or twice doesn't mean you have to make a habit of it. Now just tell me it was you who used it.'
Harry said nothing. 'Just say it. I won't do anything now.'
'Not now but when we return to school.'
'Be that as it may.'
'See?'
'I won't then. Just tell me who went in and you used it. And, where you kept it hidden?'
Harry sighed, he might as well just tell him. 'Hermione, I created a diversion in your lesson with the fireworks, Ron, Hermione and me and in the girls' toilets where moaning myrtle lives.'
'I knew it. It was you. Well I did see I would get you expelled but instead I'll just give you some extra potions homework, shall I? But I must say, you obviously thought it out well or should I say your girlfriend did because no one found out, till now.'
'Girlfriend?'
'Granger.'
'She's not.'
'No need to lie. It's so obvious the way you look at each other. I think Weasley fancies her too so watch out you've got competition.'
'But I don't even like her like that.' Why does everyone think that I fancy her?'
'Who else?'
'Sirius, Remus, and some others from Gryffindors.'
'I told you.'
'Shut up.'
'I think you should respect your family. We will have none of this at my house.'
'I think you should remember 15 years ago. Then think whether we will have none of this at your house, you know I can always stay here.'
'I think not.' Erupted from both Snape's and Sirius' mouths.
'Why not? I can take care of myself. Then that way it would save both of us from constantly being at each other.'
'Your not living here yourself and that's final.' Both echoed from both mouths.
'I'd rather make you live with Malfoy not that that would be safe.' Sirius continued.
'And, I would rather have you living with me for my life.' 'Wow, calm down guys. I didn't realise how much it you would annoy you. Actually, that's a good idea.'
'You dare. You can take that idea out of your head right now. I'm not going traipsing to everyone's house for you.'
'You will.' Sirius but in.
'Of course I would you dumb arse. Who do you think I am?'
'You.'
'Oh give it a rest.'
'Ditto.'
'Ditto about what?'
'I don't know. It sounded good.'
Both of you shut up. I seriously doubt both of your sanities.'
'Well al least they have some.' Remus piped up.
'Look I'm sorry, but we have to do this job for Dumbledore. This will help Voldemort not regain his full power that he once used to have. I can't really say anymore but Harry, if we both.die, then I want you to promise that you will go and live with Snape. After all he is you uncle and your next of kin.'
Harry didn't say anything because he knew he couldn't promise that. It would be like living in hell. The thought repulsed him. Living with his enemy. I deadly one of them and someone who was part of the killings of his mother and father. He thought he should change the subject but he didn't know what to change it to.
'Promise.' Sirius commanded after several minutes of silence from Harry. Harry remained silent racking his brains for a subject he should change to.
'Promise Harry, now.' His voice was calm but with an edge to make Harry do it. But Harry resisted. He didn't want to disobey Sirius but he believed he could not live with him.
'Harry promise right now or I will make you stay with him if I come back or if I don't.' Harry didn't want that to give in but he certainly didn't want to live with Snape. In the end he compromised.
'Maybe, if you don't come back, not that you won't, I should try to live with him. If I'm unsuccessful I should go and live with the Dursleys again or live on my own. I will promise to that.'
'No Harry. Promise to what I said.'
'No, I won't. I have compromised and if you won't settle for that, then you won't get a promise out of me.'
'Okay. Promise to that. At least you will try. But you won't go and live on your own. Do you know you are as obstinate and stubborn as James.'
'I'll take that as a complement and I promise to try to live with him.'
'Good.'
'Live with who?'
Harry and Sirius spun round to see Hermione and Ron. This was their second interruption today. 'No-one.'
'Okay.' Though Hermione and Ron were both eyeing them both suspiciously. *** When Ron and Hermione had cut their visit short and gone home, Sirius got Remus to do some work and secretly locked the door so that he could not walk in on their small conversation before Snape arrived. Harry couldn't believe that he had never been aware of this situation and wondered why he couldn't have stayed with Snape when his parents then. Did he not want Harry then? Or was it guilt that had started eating its way through Snape and tearing small pieces from his heart? Harry wondered.
When Sirius had made some tea and conjured up some biscuits, he and Harry sat down.
'Now Harry, Snape is going to come in about a quarter of an hour. I just wanted to say before you two get to know each other here, that I am sorry I never told you before. I'm going to miss you, you know. Try to be good and don't annoy him too much, though do play some tricks on him now and then. I may need a good laugh when I come back and I don't doubt in saying that you may need one when you're there.'
'I'd better start planning then.I am going to be evil.' Harry strained the word evil with a voice quite like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers.
Sirius laughed. 'Anyway, I can't really go into detail about Remus and my mission but I am just going to say that I am going to be in the country. Working sort of against Fudge and of course Voldemort. If you want to send a letter to me, send it with Hedwig. She was always intelligent enough to find me when I was on the run. I am sure that she is still like that now. I will try to send as many letters to you too but I can't put where I am or anything about our assignment just in case our letters get intercepted. Don't write in anything about Fudge or Voldemort. Got that?'
'Yep.'
'Oh, and try to be nice when Snape arrives. I daresay that the Dursleys' made you learn manners and I know you really shouldn't use them with Snape but on this occasion you need to otherwise the next two months are going to be hell.'
'They will be hell either way.'
'Please.'
'Okay.'
'So, have you packed?'
'Yep, I just.'
There was a small pop from the kitchen and at once Harry and Sirius jumped up and tried to run to the door first. Harry got there first but Sirius simply pulled him back and told him to stay there.
Harry sat down. Not sure how he was going to address Snape he tried to rehearse some. Hello, Snape how are you doing? Or, Hi, professor how is life without school then? Or, So Severus, if I may call you that, do tell me why you tell my parents get killed? Then Harry remembered, Sirius had asked him not to be vicious. ''Sup Uncle Sev, how is my fav dude of an uncle today?' The thought of calling him UNCLE repulsed Harry. He thought he better still with professor or better, try not to address him.
Just then Harry heard raised voices. 'You dare, in any way, hurt or say anything to upset him and I will be back. Don't think I've gone soft in Azkaban, because I didn't. And, I remember trying to kill you at school so don't put it past me now. If they put me in Azkaban I'm sure I could escape again.'
'Sirius, I.' Harry ran through the hall to listen into Sirius and Snape's conversation. 'and you know how much I love him though I never show it. After all, I may not have liked James, but he was my brother and Harry is my nephew. You can't change that. I'm his family.'
'He has me.'
'I believe your running off. You take him in for a couple of weeks, which were probably the best days of his life and then you leave him. He can't even go back to Lily's sister's house.'
'I'm not running off, I'm doing a job for Dumbledore.'
'You should have thought of that before bringing him here.'
'I didn't think.'
'That's right Sirius you didn't. You never do. Even as kids you never thought about the consequences.'
'Get lost you miserable git.'
'By that as it may.'
Sirius flashed Snape a wicked smile which Snape was only too happy to return.
'Have you finished? Only I was under the impression I was meant to collect Harry.' Snape said in a smarmy tone.
'You.' Sirius exhaled. 'You, one day, I'm gonna.'
'Oh shut up with your empty threats. If I thought you were seriously going to do them I might be scared but at the end of the day you don't have the balls.'
'I do. I tried to kill you.'
'Your glorious moment.'
'Well at least I didn't go around killing innocent people and being part of killing my brother and his wife.'
Just then before Snape pounced on Sirius, Harry strolled in. Trying to act calm he stood in the middle.
'So, I was under the illusion that you had both called a truce and were going to keep it. If I hadn't have walked in possibly hell would have been let lose. Please, I thought I was the child here.'
Both Snape and Sirius were startled.
'So, are you two going to stand like that forever because I thought you had a job to do Sirius and you,' looking at Snape, 'have to go to work in the fall unless you have quit.'
They both snapped out of it and looked at Harry from their locked eyes.
'Sorry Harry we just got a bit carried away.'
'A bit?'
Sirius shook his head.
'Well urm, you better greet your UNCLE.' Sirius said stressing Uncle like it was grotesque, in Sirius' eyes Snape was.
'Hello Harry.' Snape said extending his arm.
'Hi.' Harry said stunned. Snape had just called him Harry and he had just pulled out his hand to shake Harry's. Harry shook Snape's hand.
'I was thinking. We should probably start a fresh. I think it would be best.'
'Okay, I had wondered how we were going to get through the next two months, no disrespect sir.'
'Harry there is no need to call me sir I'm your family, not your professor now.'
'Sorry.' Harry who really didn't want to think Snape as family but thought as he was starting a fresh and Snape was trying to forget that Harry was his loathed brother's son.
'Well um, where're your things?' Snape asked Harry.
'Upstairs, I'll go get them.' Harry spinned around to go upstairs.
'No, I'll get it.' Snape walked past Harry and up the stairs.
'Well that went.well.' Harry said to Sirius.
'I suppose.' Sirius sniffled.
'I'm glad I'm not leaving you two to live together for two months. You wouldn't have past two days without one of you being killed, Sirius.' Stressing Sirius.
'Look, I'm not weak you know, I would kill him before he killed me.'
'Sure.'
'Harry, I thought you would have taken my side seen as I have been closest than that slimy git.'
'I'm not disputing that. And I never thought I'd day this but your talking about my family.' Harry said laughing.
Just then Severus entered hauling a heavy trunk and Hedwig. 'Hope I'm not interrupting something and by the way Harry, it was a very nice comment you just made even thought I thought it would have taken a lot longer for you to stick up for me especially to Sirius.'
'Well, I did do it just to annoy him but that doesn't mean I wouldn't do it to a passing stranger or someone else.'
'I guessed that. Just wanted to be sure. Just thought if you had really stuck up for me than you might been to be taught to be weary of people.'
'Are you telling me to be wary of you?' Harry asked with sarcasm though Snape either didn't see it or he ignored it.
'No, I'm just saying that you, of all people, shouldn't always let people in without being on your guard.'
'Your fast.'
'Potter, just because you're now my nephew doesn't mean I have seen you in a different light. Your still a rule breaker that is too nosy and steals from other peoples private stores.'
'Calm now you two.' Sirius cut in but they both didn't pay any attention to him.
'I never went in your private stores. It you had tested me with that Veritaserum or whatever it was like you threatened than you would know that it wasn't me. And you the rule breaking, I only do it because I know I have to, to save something or someone, like Ginny Weasley or the Philosopher's stone.'
'Going into the Whomping Willow with a werewolf and a convicted murderer and.'
'I never killed anyone and I was set free.' Sirius said in his defence.
Snape just continued. '.And, getting your name into the Goblet of Fire, Gillyweed which you used you taken the day before you used it and some Boomslang skin and other materials that would probably make a Polyjuice potion but why you needed to know that I'm not sure. To find out something. To go into the staff room or another common room perhaps.' Snape now had a mad glint in his eye not unlike the one he was wearing when he caught Harry sneaking back from Hogsmeade.
'I.I.I never, I didn't put my name it that goblet Crouch did he told us, you were there. And the Gillyweed I used was given to me by someth.one.' Harry knew he couldn't have said something or Snape would have probably been able to put two and two together.
'Ah, so this thing that gave you the Gillyweed wasn't a person but something living like a house elf perhaps. Called Dobby?' Harry couldn't reply. His mouth was wide open. 'And, The Polyjuice potion?'
'Ur.ur, must have been.someone else.' Harry lied.
'Sure. So it was Dobby who got you the Gillyweed and the materials for the potion was got by who?'
'I never said Dobby.'
'That's exactly why I've come to that conclusion Mr. Potter. And I'm still waiting for a lie about the Polyjuice potion.'
'I told you it must have been someone else.'
'I think you need to work on your lies Harry. You won't even get past Flitwick with that excuse.'
'I told you the truth.' Harry exclaimed.
'Harry, just because you have lied once or twice doesn't mean you have to make a habit of it. Now just tell me it was you who used it.'
Harry said nothing. 'Just say it. I won't do anything now.'
'Not now but when we return to school.'
'Be that as it may.'
'See?'
'I won't then. Just tell me who went in and you used it. And, where you kept it hidden?'
Harry sighed, he might as well just tell him. 'Hermione, I created a diversion in your lesson with the fireworks, Ron, Hermione and me and in the girls' toilets where moaning myrtle lives.'
'I knew it. It was you. Well I did see I would get you expelled but instead I'll just give you some extra potions homework, shall I? But I must say, you obviously thought it out well or should I say your girlfriend did because no one found out, till now.'
'Girlfriend?'
'Granger.'
'She's not.'
'No need to lie. It's so obvious the way you look at each other. I think Weasley fancies her too so watch out you've got competition.'
'But I don't even like her like that.' Why does everyone think that I fancy her?'
'Who else?'
'Sirius, Remus, and some others from Gryffindors.'
'I told you.'
'Shut up.'
'I think you should respect your family. We will have none of this at my house.'
'I think you should remember 15 years ago. Then think whether we will have none of this at your house, you know I can always stay here.'
'I think not.' Erupted from both Snape's and Sirius' mouths.
'Why not? I can take care of myself. Then that way it would save both of us from constantly being at each other.'
'Your not living here yourself and that's final.' Both echoed from both mouths.
'I'd rather make you live with Malfoy not that that would be safe.' Sirius continued.
'And, I would rather have you living with me for my life.' 'Wow, calm down guys. I didn't realise how much it you would annoy you. Actually, that's a good idea.'
'You dare. You can take that idea out of your head right now. I'm not going traipsing to everyone's house for you.'
'You will.' Sirius but in.
'Of course I would you dumb arse. Who do you think I am?'
'You.'
'Oh give it a rest.'
'Ditto.'
'Ditto about what?'
'I don't know. It sounded good.'
Both of you shut up. I seriously doubt both of your sanities.'
'Well al least they have some.' Remus piped up.
