Ordinary Magic
By, Tigerlily
Summary: In which Severus Snape, a reclusive Chemist, meets orphan/runaway, Harry Potter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters etc. I am not making money off of this. I am doing this purely because I am a neurotic person who loves Harry Potter and needs an outlet until the next book comes out.
Warning: This is a slash fic. If that squicks you please leave. Don't read it and then complain, because that's illogical and pointless besides.
****
Chapter 1: In which Harry meets the Beast
The early morning sun slanted through the window and scattered on the sheets of a massive bed.
Harry Potter the room's only occupant was huddled under the down comforter. The only sign of his existence was a tuft of messy black hair sticking out.
'I must be dead.' He thought to himself, 'because only heaven could be this nice. Either that or I'm dreaming. Any moment now I'll hear Aunt Petunia.'
A flutter of eyelashes and Harry reluctantly opened his eyes. He expected the room to vanish and the comfort to erode. It did not.
With a start he was wide awake. Scattered images flitted past in his mind. A shipwreck, a massive mansion, and a man.
It was obvious to Harry that he was in fact inside the mansion. How he had gotten to this bed though was another matter completely.
With no small amount of trepidation Harry emerged from under the blankets and looked about. Years of experience with the Dursley's had taught him that it was better to remain hidden unless you were specifically asked for.
Bearing this in mind Harry settled down in the room to wait for his host to greet him, throw him out or whatever they so desired.
Within moments the door to his suite was opened. A plump jovial looking woman entered the room bearing a tray laden with a massive amount of food.
"Good morning. My name is Mrs. Moore and I am the head servant on this estate." The woman beamed.
Harry nervously tried to return the sentiment.
"You have nothing to fear here young man. That is except the master." This last part was said with a smile, but Harry noted her eyes did not convey such lightheartedness.
"Now eat up and afterwards I'll take you on a tour of the estate." Cautiously Harry picked up the utensils and began to eat. The food was extraordinary and Harry dug in with the hunger of a growing boy.
A chuckle emerged from behind him and Harry guiltily dropped his fork. He had forgotten his manners and the very presence of the woman. He had never felt so foolish in his life.
'Stupid stupid stupid Harry, first rule, always use your best manners. Second rule, never ever forget where you are, not even for a minute.'
Mrs. Moore frowned. She hadn't meant for the boy to stop eating and it was obvious that he needed to. "No, no young man I didn't mean for you to stop eating."
Harry merely shook his head. He'd blown his chance.
With a sigh the women spoke. "Well if you're done with the food lets see about getting you dressed and ready to meet the master."
Harry gave a nervous nod of assent. Mrs. Moore bustled about getting ready and Harry was torn between asking if she needed help and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Finally she was finished and she carefully herded him toward the bathroom.
Harry had learned at a young age that being naked meant being vulnerable. Clothing offered protection. Baths had never been relaxing to Harry as a child and the tension in his small frame was easily evident.
Wanting to offer the poor boy some semblance of privacy she left the small room as soon as everything was ready.
Alone in the bathroom Harry quickly stripped, hopped into the tub, scrubbed and was out before even five minutes had passed. Mrs. Moore had left some clothing for him to change into. Although it wasn't a perfect fit it was still better than anything else Harry had ever worn.
If Mrs. Moore was surprised at the speed with which Harry bathed she didn't comment on it. Instead she guided him up the grand staircase.
"Now," She began gravely. "You will meet the master now." Harry merely nodded. Mrs. Moore appeared to wish to say more, but they had reached their destination and the chance for conversation was over.
A single oak door swung open to reveal an elderly man. He bowed to Harry and walked into the dimly lit room. Harry stood frightened in the doorway until Mrs. Moore gave him a push with a hissed, "He wants you to follow him."
With an awkward stumble Harry entered the room and rushed to catch up with the man. The old man stopped next to the back of a great, green, armchair. He leaned in and spoke to the occupant and then stepped away. In an instant Harry realized that the man was leaving him alone with the master of the mansion.
A sigh emerged from the chair and then a form unfolded itself in the flickering firelight. The form was huge, menacing and imposing.
Harry gulped, all resolve was failing now.
The form turned revealing only a thin, sallow, middle-aged man. His long black hair gleamed by the firelight and he glared at Harry through beady black eyes.
'The man from before!' Harry thought with a start. He remembered the man with his silhouette stark against the bright light from inside the mansion.
'I'm in for it now. This man looks none to pleased to see me. I'll be thrown out on my arse any minute now.'
"My name is Severus Snape. You will call me Master Snape. Breakfast will always be served in your chambers, lunch will be served in the green room and dinners in the main ball room. As it is lunchtime I suggest we retire to the green room."
Harry blinked in surprise. Was this man truly allowing him to stay? What was the catch?
Severus Snape smirked at the wary look on the boys face. Here was a smart one. You must always question propositions. Perhaps he would like this boy.
"I am in desperate need of a gardener. I am assuming you have no where else to go either way. Therefore I am proposing you stay and tend to it.
Again Harry was surprised. Surely though a gardener would not be allowed to eat dinner in the ballroom! He was tired though and he truly had nowhere else to go. Being a gardener couldn't be that hard. He had tended to Aunt Petunia's garden for years.
Perhaps he could make a life for himself in this strange place
By, Tigerlily
Summary: In which Severus Snape, a reclusive Chemist, meets orphan/runaway, Harry Potter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters etc. I am not making money off of this. I am doing this purely because I am a neurotic person who loves Harry Potter and needs an outlet until the next book comes out.
Warning: This is a slash fic. If that squicks you please leave. Don't read it and then complain, because that's illogical and pointless besides.
****
Chapter 1: In which Harry meets the Beast
The early morning sun slanted through the window and scattered on the sheets of a massive bed.
Harry Potter the room's only occupant was huddled under the down comforter. The only sign of his existence was a tuft of messy black hair sticking out.
'I must be dead.' He thought to himself, 'because only heaven could be this nice. Either that or I'm dreaming. Any moment now I'll hear Aunt Petunia.'
A flutter of eyelashes and Harry reluctantly opened his eyes. He expected the room to vanish and the comfort to erode. It did not.
With a start he was wide awake. Scattered images flitted past in his mind. A shipwreck, a massive mansion, and a man.
It was obvious to Harry that he was in fact inside the mansion. How he had gotten to this bed though was another matter completely.
With no small amount of trepidation Harry emerged from under the blankets and looked about. Years of experience with the Dursley's had taught him that it was better to remain hidden unless you were specifically asked for.
Bearing this in mind Harry settled down in the room to wait for his host to greet him, throw him out or whatever they so desired.
Within moments the door to his suite was opened. A plump jovial looking woman entered the room bearing a tray laden with a massive amount of food.
"Good morning. My name is Mrs. Moore and I am the head servant on this estate." The woman beamed.
Harry nervously tried to return the sentiment.
"You have nothing to fear here young man. That is except the master." This last part was said with a smile, but Harry noted her eyes did not convey such lightheartedness.
"Now eat up and afterwards I'll take you on a tour of the estate." Cautiously Harry picked up the utensils and began to eat. The food was extraordinary and Harry dug in with the hunger of a growing boy.
A chuckle emerged from behind him and Harry guiltily dropped his fork. He had forgotten his manners and the very presence of the woman. He had never felt so foolish in his life.
'Stupid stupid stupid Harry, first rule, always use your best manners. Second rule, never ever forget where you are, not even for a minute.'
Mrs. Moore frowned. She hadn't meant for the boy to stop eating and it was obvious that he needed to. "No, no young man I didn't mean for you to stop eating."
Harry merely shook his head. He'd blown his chance.
With a sigh the women spoke. "Well if you're done with the food lets see about getting you dressed and ready to meet the master."
Harry gave a nervous nod of assent. Mrs. Moore bustled about getting ready and Harry was torn between asking if she needed help and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Finally she was finished and she carefully herded him toward the bathroom.
Harry had learned at a young age that being naked meant being vulnerable. Clothing offered protection. Baths had never been relaxing to Harry as a child and the tension in his small frame was easily evident.
Wanting to offer the poor boy some semblance of privacy she left the small room as soon as everything was ready.
Alone in the bathroom Harry quickly stripped, hopped into the tub, scrubbed and was out before even five minutes had passed. Mrs. Moore had left some clothing for him to change into. Although it wasn't a perfect fit it was still better than anything else Harry had ever worn.
If Mrs. Moore was surprised at the speed with which Harry bathed she didn't comment on it. Instead she guided him up the grand staircase.
"Now," She began gravely. "You will meet the master now." Harry merely nodded. Mrs. Moore appeared to wish to say more, but they had reached their destination and the chance for conversation was over.
A single oak door swung open to reveal an elderly man. He bowed to Harry and walked into the dimly lit room. Harry stood frightened in the doorway until Mrs. Moore gave him a push with a hissed, "He wants you to follow him."
With an awkward stumble Harry entered the room and rushed to catch up with the man. The old man stopped next to the back of a great, green, armchair. He leaned in and spoke to the occupant and then stepped away. In an instant Harry realized that the man was leaving him alone with the master of the mansion.
A sigh emerged from the chair and then a form unfolded itself in the flickering firelight. The form was huge, menacing and imposing.
Harry gulped, all resolve was failing now.
The form turned revealing only a thin, sallow, middle-aged man. His long black hair gleamed by the firelight and he glared at Harry through beady black eyes.
'The man from before!' Harry thought with a start. He remembered the man with his silhouette stark against the bright light from inside the mansion.
'I'm in for it now. This man looks none to pleased to see me. I'll be thrown out on my arse any minute now.'
"My name is Severus Snape. You will call me Master Snape. Breakfast will always be served in your chambers, lunch will be served in the green room and dinners in the main ball room. As it is lunchtime I suggest we retire to the green room."
Harry blinked in surprise. Was this man truly allowing him to stay? What was the catch?
Severus Snape smirked at the wary look on the boys face. Here was a smart one. You must always question propositions. Perhaps he would like this boy.
"I am in desperate need of a gardener. I am assuming you have no where else to go either way. Therefore I am proposing you stay and tend to it.
Again Harry was surprised. Surely though a gardener would not be allowed to eat dinner in the ballroom! He was tired though and he truly had nowhere else to go. Being a gardener couldn't be that hard. He had tended to Aunt Petunia's garden for years.
Perhaps he could make a life for himself in this strange place