Chapter 3
Professor Snape and Mrs. Weasley
Harry just stood there with his mouth open. Snape sneered and said, "What's the matter, Potter? Trying to catch some worms?"
Then he laughed quite nastily as Harry closed his mouth and said quite increduously, "Who the bloody hell made you Head of the Order?!"
Snape looked as if he had eaten a canary, and said smugly, "Why Potter, don't you like the choice Professor Dumbledore made? He was quite insistent that I take the job."
Again Harry's mouth opened in total surprise. Lupin then spoke up. "Yes Harry, Severus Snape is Head of the Order of the Phoenix. That also means that we all answer to him. Alastor wasn't so sure, but Albus was, that Sevarus was the correct choice."
"There is no way Professor Dumbledore was in his right mind when he decided this! He couldn't have been serious. This has to be some kind of terrible joke!"
"No Potter. He was quite clearminded about me, so I suggest you get used to it. Besides, do you really think I took this job just to torment you? But of course, in your exaggerated sense of worth, you would think so." Looking at Lupin, Snape said," I'm off to coordinate with Tonks and Arthur how we are to 'protect' young Potter here from causing himself any 'distress'." As Snape said this he looked at Harry as if he was nothing but an insignificant bug crawling on the wall.
When Snape left the room, Harry looked at Lupin with much trepidation. "You know he's going to make my life more hellish than it already is, don't you? He hates me more than he hated my father!"
Lupin said looking kind of sheepish. " Yeah, I know, but there is really nothing I can do about it."
"Why did he get picked to be the Head?" Harry asked.
"Obviously Albus thought he was the best choice. Mad Eye doesn't get along with everyone very well ," Lupin said quietly, "and I had told Dumbledore many years ago, that I wouldn't feel comfortable with the job if it came down to me; you know being a werewolf and all. If I had known he was going to pick Snape, I definitely would have changed my mind!"
Then Harry asked the question he had to know the answer to. "What is Voldemort up to? With the Professor gone, I'm sure he'll act soon."
Lupin said quickly," Ah, Severus doesn't think you need to know anything about his or our plans. You are to just stay here hidden."
"WHAT?!! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"
"Oh yes, I am quite serious. I also think Severus is correct in this." said Lupin.
"OH SO NOW I AM TO PLAY THE PART OF SIRIUS, SITTING AROUND HERE GOING ABSOLUTELY INSANE! KREACHERWILL PROBABLY MURDER ME IN MY SLEEP!
"Calm down Harry. It is not that bad. When the new school year starts, you will be on your way to Hogwarts. Anyway we are expecting the Weasleys to be here any time this week, so at least you'll have Ron to be with."
"Okay, Okay, I'm sorry, I don't know what my problem is. Maybe Voldemort is influencing me again, but I'm not too sure about that." Harry said quite wearily.
"I think you just need to be around people your age, Harry. When Ron and Ginny get here, I'm sure things will look less dark." Lupin replied wisely.
"Yeah, maybe.Can I ask you another question Professor Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Of course."
"Will I be allowed to go to Professor Dumbledore's funeral today?" Harry wanted to know.
"Don't get mad Harry if what I say upsets you, okay?" Lupin said gingerly.
"Severus believes that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are expecting you to attend, so that they can kill you there. Even with the protection of the Order and the Aurors, your life would not be guranteed."
"So that is his final word on this? I suppose he thinks I'll try to attend anyway. Since he has such a low opinion of me, why would he care if I was to be killed?" Harry asked searchingly.
"Albus made him promise to protect you. He felt you are the best chance to defeat Voldemort." Lupin answered.
"I know. We talked about it after he sent me to his office after S- Sirius was k-killed. He told me what he felt my destiny was. I don't know if Snape believes that or not." Harry said.
"Well, I don't really know. We havn't exactly talked a whole lot about you these last couple days."
"Oh."
"Tell you what Harry. Maybe I can do something for you."
"What?"
"You know that Albus had his pensieve don't you?"
"Yeah, I've seen it a couple times."
"I think he wanted you to have it."
"Are you sure?"
"No, but who better than you?"
"Why would I need it?"
"I think he had some thoughts that he would want you to have."
"Like what?"
"Why don't you look in it and find out?"
"You have it here?"
"No, I believe it is still at Hogwarts. So when you go back you'll have to collect it in his office. I think Professor McGonagall maybe able to help you with getting it."
"Okay, Professor Lupin, thanks."
"No problem, Harry."
Lupin left the kitchen and Harry was alone.
Harry was wondering what he would do now when Kreacher came in the kitchen.
"Well, if it isn't Master Potter. (The little pissball, oh what would my mistress say about this scumbag being in her house).Kreacher mumbled to himself.
Harry got mad then. "I've just about had it with you and your little comments, Kreacher! Just stay out of my way, and keep your mouth shut!"
Kreacher looked at Harry with glee, knowing he had gotten a reaction out of him. "What is the matter with Master Potter? Does he not like the service that poor Kreacher has been giving him? (As if I would do anything for the little pissant.)
"That's it, Kreacher, no more or you can have your head on the wall!"
Kreacher answered him back,"You cannot do anything to me, you worthless brat. I do not have to listen to you, and I won't!"
He then left the kitchen muttering, " stinking half-breeds and what would his mistress say..."
Harry just put his head in his hands and wished Sirius or Dumbledore or anyone who really cared about him was there.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, and Sirius' mother started screaming again. "Maybe somebody can put a silence spell on the old hag," Harry thought.
Feeling very lonesome, Harry went to see who was there.
Suddenly he heard a familiar voice. "Harry, where are you?"
"Ron! Ron! It's so good to see you! Can you believe it about Professor Dumbledore? I can't believe he's dead! Are you going to his funeral? Did you know Snape is the new Head of the Order?" Harry called out to him as Ron walked in the front door.
"Whoa Harry! First question. No I can't believe it. Second question. Yes I'm going to his funeral. Are you? Third question. No! I didn't know that! I wonder when that happened. Mum didn't say anything to me about him being Head.
Harry said smugly, "Well at least I knew something before you did. When did you find out about the Professor?"
"I found out the night before it came out in the paper. I would have sent you an owl but Dad said the owls would probably be watched so he said no. He knows you get the "Prophet" so he figured you'd find out soon enough."
"Oh. I thought you were just not telling me to 'protect' me." Harry said quietly.
Ron said quickly,"Oh no, Harry, not after last year when they wouldn't tell you anything." Then he looked at Harry and asked him, "Well, are you going to the funeral?"
Harry said miserably, "No. Snape thinks its a bad idea and Lupin actually agrees with him." Then Harry filled Ron in on everything that had been said.
Ron looked as miserable as Harry did. "That really bites, mate. You'd think Snape would want you to go so he'd be rid of you...if something did happen to you." Ron said hastily.
As they were talking they had walked up to Harry's room, where Kreacher was just coming out.
"Oh crap I forgot to lock my door! Kreacher has probably stolen something!" Harry remembered. "Kreacher! Come here this instant! What did you take out of my room?!"
Kreacher just walked unhurriedly away as if he hadn't heard a word he said. Harry pulled out his wand, but Ron pushed his arm down as he aimed at Kreacher.
"No Harry! Don't use that here! The Ministry of Magic will know in an instant and then so will Voldemort!" Ron's impassioned cry brought Mrs Weasley from her room where she had been putting away her belongings.
"HARRY POTTER! DON'T YOU DARE CAST A SPELL HERE OR YOU'LL ENDANGER US ALL!!" she screamed at him.
Mrs. Weasley had never spoken to Harry in that tone before, and he just stood openmouthed, gaping at her, as if she has slapped him.
"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley. Ron. I don't know what's come over me lately. I can't seem to control my temper. It's just that Kreacher makes me so angry, and he just came out of my room. I figured he probably stole something." Harry said rumpling his hair.
Quickly, Mrs. Weasley came to Harry, and enclosed him in a big bearhug. "I'm sorry too, Harry. I was so afraid you would use your wand, that I had to yell."
Harry enjoyed the motherly hug so much that he hugged her back. "I haven't had too many of those. Living with the Dursley's, hugs were nonexistent for me."
Mrs. Weasley almost looked like she would cry. "I know Harry. It's a very sad thing when people can't hug their children, or relatives in your case."
"Mrs. Weasley?"
"Please, Harry call me Molly."
"Oh, okay Mrs...Molly, did you know about Professor Snape being appointed Head of the Order?" Harry wanted to know.
"No! Where did you get that idea from?" Mrs. Weasley said very perturbed.
"Well, earlier I was talking to Professor Lupin and Professor Snape, and they told me Professor Dumbledore had appointed him." Harry said.
"Nobody said anything to me, or Arthur either, unless he didn't tell me." Mrs. Weasley said looking even more disturbed. "Don't worry about it Harry. I'll get this straightened out."
Professor Snape and Mrs. Weasley
Harry just stood there with his mouth open. Snape sneered and said, "What's the matter, Potter? Trying to catch some worms?"
Then he laughed quite nastily as Harry closed his mouth and said quite increduously, "Who the bloody hell made you Head of the Order?!"
Snape looked as if he had eaten a canary, and said smugly, "Why Potter, don't you like the choice Professor Dumbledore made? He was quite insistent that I take the job."
Again Harry's mouth opened in total surprise. Lupin then spoke up. "Yes Harry, Severus Snape is Head of the Order of the Phoenix. That also means that we all answer to him. Alastor wasn't so sure, but Albus was, that Sevarus was the correct choice."
"There is no way Professor Dumbledore was in his right mind when he decided this! He couldn't have been serious. This has to be some kind of terrible joke!"
"No Potter. He was quite clearminded about me, so I suggest you get used to it. Besides, do you really think I took this job just to torment you? But of course, in your exaggerated sense of worth, you would think so." Looking at Lupin, Snape said," I'm off to coordinate with Tonks and Arthur how we are to 'protect' young Potter here from causing himself any 'distress'." As Snape said this he looked at Harry as if he was nothing but an insignificant bug crawling on the wall.
When Snape left the room, Harry looked at Lupin with much trepidation. "You know he's going to make my life more hellish than it already is, don't you? He hates me more than he hated my father!"
Lupin said looking kind of sheepish. " Yeah, I know, but there is really nothing I can do about it."
"Why did he get picked to be the Head?" Harry asked.
"Obviously Albus thought he was the best choice. Mad Eye doesn't get along with everyone very well ," Lupin said quietly, "and I had told Dumbledore many years ago, that I wouldn't feel comfortable with the job if it came down to me; you know being a werewolf and all. If I had known he was going to pick Snape, I definitely would have changed my mind!"
Then Harry asked the question he had to know the answer to. "What is Voldemort up to? With the Professor gone, I'm sure he'll act soon."
Lupin said quickly," Ah, Severus doesn't think you need to know anything about his or our plans. You are to just stay here hidden."
"WHAT?!! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"
"Oh yes, I am quite serious. I also think Severus is correct in this." said Lupin.
"OH SO NOW I AM TO PLAY THE PART OF SIRIUS, SITTING AROUND HERE GOING ABSOLUTELY INSANE! KREACHERWILL PROBABLY MURDER ME IN MY SLEEP!
"Calm down Harry. It is not that bad. When the new school year starts, you will be on your way to Hogwarts. Anyway we are expecting the Weasleys to be here any time this week, so at least you'll have Ron to be with."
"Okay, Okay, I'm sorry, I don't know what my problem is. Maybe Voldemort is influencing me again, but I'm not too sure about that." Harry said quite wearily.
"I think you just need to be around people your age, Harry. When Ron and Ginny get here, I'm sure things will look less dark." Lupin replied wisely.
"Yeah, maybe.Can I ask you another question Professor Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Of course."
"Will I be allowed to go to Professor Dumbledore's funeral today?" Harry wanted to know.
"Don't get mad Harry if what I say upsets you, okay?" Lupin said gingerly.
"Severus believes that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are expecting you to attend, so that they can kill you there. Even with the protection of the Order and the Aurors, your life would not be guranteed."
"So that is his final word on this? I suppose he thinks I'll try to attend anyway. Since he has such a low opinion of me, why would he care if I was to be killed?" Harry asked searchingly.
"Albus made him promise to protect you. He felt you are the best chance to defeat Voldemort." Lupin answered.
"I know. We talked about it after he sent me to his office after S- Sirius was k-killed. He told me what he felt my destiny was. I don't know if Snape believes that or not." Harry said.
"Well, I don't really know. We havn't exactly talked a whole lot about you these last couple days."
"Oh."
"Tell you what Harry. Maybe I can do something for you."
"What?"
"You know that Albus had his pensieve don't you?"
"Yeah, I've seen it a couple times."
"I think he wanted you to have it."
"Are you sure?"
"No, but who better than you?"
"Why would I need it?"
"I think he had some thoughts that he would want you to have."
"Like what?"
"Why don't you look in it and find out?"
"You have it here?"
"No, I believe it is still at Hogwarts. So when you go back you'll have to collect it in his office. I think Professor McGonagall maybe able to help you with getting it."
"Okay, Professor Lupin, thanks."
"No problem, Harry."
Lupin left the kitchen and Harry was alone.
Harry was wondering what he would do now when Kreacher came in the kitchen.
"Well, if it isn't Master Potter. (The little pissball, oh what would my mistress say about this scumbag being in her house).Kreacher mumbled to himself.
Harry got mad then. "I've just about had it with you and your little comments, Kreacher! Just stay out of my way, and keep your mouth shut!"
Kreacher looked at Harry with glee, knowing he had gotten a reaction out of him. "What is the matter with Master Potter? Does he not like the service that poor Kreacher has been giving him? (As if I would do anything for the little pissant.)
"That's it, Kreacher, no more or you can have your head on the wall!"
Kreacher answered him back,"You cannot do anything to me, you worthless brat. I do not have to listen to you, and I won't!"
He then left the kitchen muttering, " stinking half-breeds and what would his mistress say..."
Harry just put his head in his hands and wished Sirius or Dumbledore or anyone who really cared about him was there.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, and Sirius' mother started screaming again. "Maybe somebody can put a silence spell on the old hag," Harry thought.
Feeling very lonesome, Harry went to see who was there.
Suddenly he heard a familiar voice. "Harry, where are you?"
"Ron! Ron! It's so good to see you! Can you believe it about Professor Dumbledore? I can't believe he's dead! Are you going to his funeral? Did you know Snape is the new Head of the Order?" Harry called out to him as Ron walked in the front door.
"Whoa Harry! First question. No I can't believe it. Second question. Yes I'm going to his funeral. Are you? Third question. No! I didn't know that! I wonder when that happened. Mum didn't say anything to me about him being Head.
Harry said smugly, "Well at least I knew something before you did. When did you find out about the Professor?"
"I found out the night before it came out in the paper. I would have sent you an owl but Dad said the owls would probably be watched so he said no. He knows you get the "Prophet" so he figured you'd find out soon enough."
"Oh. I thought you were just not telling me to 'protect' me." Harry said quietly.
Ron said quickly,"Oh no, Harry, not after last year when they wouldn't tell you anything." Then he looked at Harry and asked him, "Well, are you going to the funeral?"
Harry said miserably, "No. Snape thinks its a bad idea and Lupin actually agrees with him." Then Harry filled Ron in on everything that had been said.
Ron looked as miserable as Harry did. "That really bites, mate. You'd think Snape would want you to go so he'd be rid of you...if something did happen to you." Ron said hastily.
As they were talking they had walked up to Harry's room, where Kreacher was just coming out.
"Oh crap I forgot to lock my door! Kreacher has probably stolen something!" Harry remembered. "Kreacher! Come here this instant! What did you take out of my room?!"
Kreacher just walked unhurriedly away as if he hadn't heard a word he said. Harry pulled out his wand, but Ron pushed his arm down as he aimed at Kreacher.
"No Harry! Don't use that here! The Ministry of Magic will know in an instant and then so will Voldemort!" Ron's impassioned cry brought Mrs Weasley from her room where she had been putting away her belongings.
"HARRY POTTER! DON'T YOU DARE CAST A SPELL HERE OR YOU'LL ENDANGER US ALL!!" she screamed at him.
Mrs. Weasley had never spoken to Harry in that tone before, and he just stood openmouthed, gaping at her, as if she has slapped him.
"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley. Ron. I don't know what's come over me lately. I can't seem to control my temper. It's just that Kreacher makes me so angry, and he just came out of my room. I figured he probably stole something." Harry said rumpling his hair.
Quickly, Mrs. Weasley came to Harry, and enclosed him in a big bearhug. "I'm sorry too, Harry. I was so afraid you would use your wand, that I had to yell."
Harry enjoyed the motherly hug so much that he hugged her back. "I haven't had too many of those. Living with the Dursley's, hugs were nonexistent for me."
Mrs. Weasley almost looked like she would cry. "I know Harry. It's a very sad thing when people can't hug their children, or relatives in your case."
"Mrs. Weasley?"
"Please, Harry call me Molly."
"Oh, okay Mrs...Molly, did you know about Professor Snape being appointed Head of the Order?" Harry wanted to know.
"No! Where did you get that idea from?" Mrs. Weasley said very perturbed.
"Well, earlier I was talking to Professor Lupin and Professor Snape, and they told me Professor Dumbledore had appointed him." Harry said.
"Nobody said anything to me, or Arthur either, unless he didn't tell me." Mrs. Weasley said looking even more disturbed. "Don't worry about it Harry. I'll get this straightened out."