Disclaimer: Ok, this goes for the entire rest of the story. This is all JKR's world. I am just a humble author telling my version of events!!!
A/N – Ok, it has come to my intention that I did not write a part in the last chapter too well. One reviewer asked me how Harry could see the small tape dispenser and not Snape. My explanation is that Harry was actually looking for the tape and focusing his energies into finding it, while merely glancing around the room, he did not notice Snape. Hope that clears everything up!!!
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Severus was under a temporary probation from Dumbledore. He really had two missions while here. Dumbledore told him that if he could successfully handle fifth graders, then he would be hired as the Potions teacher next year. Although he really would have liked to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, he knew that this would not be happening any time soon. The Ministry of Magic refused to let a Death Eater, even one turned spy, teach impressionable young minds how to protect themselves.
Severus also was there to check on Harry Potter. The boy looked astonishingly like a smaller version of his father. He had the same annoyingly messy midnight black hair. He even had many of the same infuriatingly obnoxious expressions. He almost did not even have to ask his name once he saw the look of remorse on his face. His father's face often held the same expression. Remorse that he had been caught. Harry was an exact replica of his snob of a father. Except for his eyes. He had Lily's eyes.
It was pure luck that the boy just happened to fall right into his lap that morning. Now all he had to do was get invited to the boy's home and prove to Albus just how easy Potter's life was. His aunt and uncle must have raised Perfect Potter to think he could just strut wherever he wanted and take whatever he wanted. The events of that morning only strengthened his belief that the boy was a spoiled brat.
Severus watched angrily as a small child came into the room. The boy nervously looked around his room. Severus smirked to himself, the brat must be worried that he would be lurking in the shadows of the room. He vaguely wondered if the elder Potter brat was a skinny and small when he was a child. He pushed this thought aside, though, in favor of trying to scare the boy as much as he could.
"Well, Mr. Potter, at least you are not above coming to me after school." Severus sneered to the boy. "You will wash all the desks in this room before you may go home."
Harry was very visibly relieved. All he had to do was wash some desks? He was used to cleaning for the Dursley's, and this wouldn't be too hard for Harry. He had been expecting something much worse from the terrifying man.
"Yes, Mr. … What did you say your name was?" Harry timidly requested.
"I didn't." Severus snorted at Harry's rude remark. "You may call me Mr. Snape or sir." Harry nodded that he understood. Harry then set to work using a spray bottle and paper towel.
Perhaps this man wasn't as bad as Harry thought. After all, Harry did just walk into his room and take some tape without asking. Harry had been in trouble for much less and for what he didn't do before. This man seemed almost cuddly to Harry compared to Aunt Petunia's screech and Uncle Vernon's bellow. Harry grinned to himself at the thought of the harsh man standing at the front of the room wearing a giant teddy bear costume. He hid his smile when he saw the man give him a harsh look, and set to work again, more furiously than before.
Once he quickly finished his job, he handed the spray bottle back to the man, and threw away his paper towel. The man then told him, "I've hope you have learned your lesson and there will be no need to repeat this experience." Harry looked up at the man somberly and nodded his head that he had in fact learned his lesson. He then grabbed his plastic bag and left the room, running as quickly as he could to avoid having even more meals taken away for not coming home on the bus.
Harry walked into Number Four Privet Drive with a frown. He half expected his aunt to be watching out the window just waiting for the chance to punish him. When she wasn't Harry found that he didn't know what he should do. Deciding on the safe approach, he sat down at the kitchen table and opened his writing book. He began to slowly and carefully write the letter A over and over again on the page. Just as he was finishing, he heard the front door open. He could tell that it was his aunt and Dudley.
Dudley and Aunt Petunia shuffled into the kitchen and Harry immediately knew why they were not there when he got home. Dudley had various flavors of ice cream all over his face and down the front of his shirt. Harry tried to hide the disgust from his face, but found it very difficult. His aunt finally noticed him at the table.
"You, boy, why weren't you on the bus?" she yelled. Although Harry knew that the only reason she really cared was because she missed a chance to show Harry once again how much more they liked Dudley at the ice cream stand. Harry mumbled something about missing the bus and his aunt just glared at him, announcing that he would have no supper that evening. Harry found that he didn't mind as much as he usually would but he put on a weepy face that he knew would please his aunt.
He then told her that he and Dudley needed their books covered for the next day of school. His aunt chose not to respond to this and Harry figured that this was his signal that he could leave if he wanted to. Harry walked out the back door and began walking around the neighborhood. He cringed when he heard the door to the house slam behind him. Looking back, he saw Dudley with his face and shirt still dripping the ice cream which was getting so bad that the flavors were melting through the shirt and it started to cling to his bulky frame. Harry stood still for a moment too long.
Dudley noticed him and began to chase after him. Harry turned and ran as if Satan, himself, was on his heels. Harry cringed when he heard more footsteps add to his cousin's. He knew that Dudley's new gang were all out of their homes and now chasing after him. They ran for a good while. Through the park at the end of the street and around the corner. He turned another corner and began tearing down the street. He saw Mrs. Figg, his babysitter's house and cut into her back yard. He knew where there was a loose board in the fence and he could get away from the other boys.
He pulled the wooden board aside roughly, giving himself a few splinters in the process, but slid his tiny frame through the gap in the fence with ease. He saw that the boys had seen his trick and he just left the fence as it was and made a run for it. Harry was looking behind him to see if any of them could fit through the fence when he slammed head on into a man standing with his arms crossed over his chest.
Harry gulped when he looked up at the towering frame of Severus Snape, who looked like he would gladly ring Harry's neck. Harry took a step back and then turned around, prepared to flee. He then realized: Dudley and his gang were on the other side of the fence. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or as Harry thought, a mountain and a whale.
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To my Reviewers:
Rachie-baby18 – you will just have to wait and see the way that Snape treats Harry, although the way he does in this chapter may change….
Saturn Angel1 – I hope this is soon enough for you!
Ice-Angel – Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. No it will not be slash or romance. This is just about a little boy needing someone to help and love him. Sorry about the part with Harry's glasses, I should have been more descriptive. See note at top.
Kateri1 – Thanks, mine too!
Shortnsassy – yes, I was a tad confused, but I'm glad you cleared that up!!! Thanks for your review, I believe this chapter answered your question!
Gina – Thanks
Tati1 – Haha, yep, it is Snape. It's ok, I like the hyper reviews, they make me laugh, as I can get a mite hyper at times myself. (My friends are now mocking me and gasping in shock that I am hyper!)
Fairygirl131129 – Yay, you guessed it was Snape!!!
Rofro05 – I know, I was sad too, but I knew JKR said that Harry didn't have any friends because of Dudley so I wanted to stay true to the books!
t.a.g.0 – yep, this chapter explains why Snape has to work at the muggle school, I mean, it makes sense, I can't believe that Dumbledore would thrust innocent young children on him without at least knowing if Snape can stop himself from strangling them!
Melissa Jooty – Thank you so much for your review!!! I know, I am American, can't help it, I am going to try a bit harder to use the British versions of the words to get my work as close as I can to canon, you really have helped me out!
Sylvanus Snape – Thanks, it made me sad too!
Azntgr01 – I hope this one was long enough for you!
Amber16 – I love Ice Age, it is so funny!!!!
Andromeda's Kitty – You will just have to wait to see!!!
Jessyka – Why? WHY? I actually have no idea why, call me a crazy artist!!!
Wolf Lupin – I try to update relatively quickly!!!
GoddessMoonLady – Yep, it is Snape. Yeah, rough day for Harry!
Anora – You will just have to wait and see if Snape is evil the whole story!!! HEHE!
Majandra2 – I don't think I have ever been threatened to write or else. I am scared!!! I am learning French. Bonjour!!!!
A. M. Winters – I am glad you feel special, you should. Ok, deflating my head now. Yeah, the other kid did have mental disabilities, I was trying to put it nicely. Yep, it is Snape and as we all know he is not a very nice person!!!
Ok, Please REVIEW!!! It helps me so much!!! You guys are great!
