Disclaimer: I am a starving college student - I own nothing.
Review Responses:
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and to those who answered my question about the italics.
bakachan17: eek... don't worry, I would never pair Neta with Harry, I'm not that evil! Actually, I don't intend on having any romances in this story, except perhaps in passing reference if it aids the plot line.
kizna2: erm... I'm not quite sure how to answer this, as I didn't think I had mentioned any pairings anywhere in this fic, nor do I intend to seriously develop any. I hope you enjoy this story anyway, but it's really not meant to be a romance.
Lillinfields: This isn't a story about love, it's a story about family! Alright, alright, you'll see some of that soon enough. Harry hasn't even reached his birthday yet! Snape and Harry aren't about to stop hating each other too quickly. They're each rather determined in their opinion of the other (though, admittedly, Snape is worse).
* * * * *
Severus Snape was exceedingly pissed off.
Severus Snape had not been thinking clearly.
Severus Snape had no one to blame but himself.
Severus Snape knew this.
Severus Snape was not happy about this.
Severus Snape rubbed his temples.
Severus Snape poured himself a shot of firewhisky.
Severus Snape downed said shot of firewhisky.
Severus Snape threw his empty glass into the empty fireplace.
Severus Snape liked empty things.
Severus Snape liked breaking glass.
Severus Snape would prefer to break something else.
"Insufferable Brat!"
Severus Snape would prefer to break Harry Potter's neck.
Severus Snape knew that Albus Dumbledore would not approve of this course of action.
Severus Snape didn't care.
Severus Snape wanted blood.
Severus Snape sighed, and collapsed into his black leather armchair. It was his favorite armchair.
Severus Snape knew he shouldn't have indulged in the pleasure of torturing the Potter boy. Severus Snape knew that getting Voldemort out of the Potter boy's head was the most important concern that evening.
"I should have left Albus to deal with that," Snape muttered.
"You should have done no such thing, Severus," Albus replied.
How the bloody hell does he manage to do that, Snape wondered.
"What can I do for you, Albus?" Snape said out loud.
It was late, and Snape was tired. Severus had excused himself from the Headmaster's office shortly after the Bothersome Brat, the Ridiculous Woman, and the Infuriating Wolf had taken their leave. Somehow Snape had known that Albus wasn't done with him for the night.
"I'm not going to run off and get myself killed tonight, so rest easy," Severus deadpanned. Severus was vexed. The Headmaster seemed convinced that Severus was a petulant child like to do something rash.
"Tonight?" asked the Headmaster.
Leave it to the Albus to concentrate on the fine points.
"I don't want to have this discussion tonight, Albus."
"Then when would you like to have it?" Albus challenged. Severus knew there was not use arguing when the Headmaster took that tone. Thad didn't stop him from trying.
"Albus, my role as a spy is integral to the functioning of the Order. I will not relinquish said role until there is irrefutable evidence that that role has been irreversibly compromised." Severus knew the Headmaster wouldn't like hearing this, but he wasn't prepared for the anger evident in the Headmaster's expression. Severus had very rarely seen the Headmaster actually become angry. I suppose he won't be offering me any lemon drops tonight.
"You are important to the Order, Severus," Dumbledore corrected his potions master angrily. "And to me," the Headmaster added softly.
Severus allowed his eyes to shut. He felt Albus lay a hand on his shoulder. "We will speak again tomorrow, Severus. In the meantime, get some rest."
Severus heard the door shut as the Headmaster let himself out.
* * * * *
Severus Snape awoke early the next morning. He promptly quelled the desire to surrender himself to the Dark Lord, got out of bed, showered, and prepared himself to face the day ahead.
Snape constructed a mental checklist of things he had to do. He wanted to work on his counter-potion to Veritaserum, though he'd have to stop by Diagon Alley first to pick up some ingredients. Snape figured he should also try to contact Lucius, see if he could determine the extent of the damage he had done the night before, and perhaps assuage some of it. And he had promised the Headmaster he would begin Potter's potions tutorials soon. Snape supposed he should summon Potter at some point that day.
Just then, Snape's left arm twitched. Oh, bloody hell. He would have to call now, wouldn't he?
Severus grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, lit a fire, and threw the powder into the flames.
"Headmaster's office," Snape spoke, his head now in the green flames.
"What can I do for you, Severus?" Albus questioned, noticing his potions master's head in his fireplace.
"I've been summoned." Snape began.
Albus Dumbledore rose from his seat. "Allow me to come through, Severus."
Snape moved away from his fireplace and retrieved his Death Eater regalia from his bedroom. He put on his standard issue Death Eater robes, though he wouldn't don the mask until he reached the Forbidden Forest. He always felt silly in that costume.
When Severus returned to the living room, the Headmaster was standing in the middle of the room, looking grave.
"Severus," the Headmaster looked sadly at the mask in the younger wizard's hands. "I wish you would reconsider."
"Albus, you know as well as I the reasons why I cannot." Snape subconsciously rubbed at his Mark.
Albus nodded his head sadly. Placing a wrinkled hand on Severus' forearm, the Headmaster spoke gently. "Come home safely, child."
Severus nodded curtly, turned, and exited his chambers.
* * * * *
Snape knelt in front of his master, knees touching the dirt as he crawled forward to kiss the hem of the Dark Lord's robes.
"Master," Snape breathed. "You honor your loyal servant by requesting his presence. How may I serve you, Master?"
"Rise, Ssnape," hissed the Dark Lord. "I have heard enough of your professions of loyalty, my faithful Sseveruss." Voldemort ran a long, spindly finger down Snape's cheek, his mask having been removed so that he could face his master. Snape suppressed the urge to shudder and shy away from the contact.
"Why did you not inform me that the Potter brat had been placed in your care for the summer?" The Dark Lord, to Snape's surprise, did not sound furious. Time to roll the dice.
"This is a recent development, My Lord. The Muggle-loving fool, Dumbledore," Snape spat the epithet, "only recently brought the boy back to the school. I intended to inform you of this development, Master, when next you summoned your humble servant."
"I will accept that, for now, Sseverus, my slippery servant." Snape slowly exhaled as he heard these words. "Is there anything else of which you would like to inform me, Severus?"
"Yes, My Lord." Snape replied. "The Mad Old Man has requested that I train his Golden Brat in Occlumency. He was not forthcoming with an explanation as to the need for this, and I thought it better not to arouse any unnecessary suspicions by prying for one." Snape paused, then, for good measure, added, "I assure you, Master, the Potter brat is performing abysmally under my careful guidance." Severus allowed a smirk to form on his face at this.
"Very good, my dear Sseveruss, very good. You will ensure Potter's continued failure. You may go now," the Dark Lord dismissed his spy.
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you, My Lord." Snape respectfully backed a number of yards away from his second master before Disapparating.
* * * * *
"It was altogether too easy. He's pleased about something, and that worries me." Severus Snape paced Albus Dumbledore's office as he pondered his earlier luck with a certain Dark Lord.
"I fear he might have learned something new, and something useful, about the link yesterday. It is the only plausible explanation, I have never seen the Dark Lord in such a pleasant mood before." Snape shook his head at this disquieting thought.
"Lemon drop?" offered Dumbledore.
Snape shook his head at the Headmaster's disquieting behavior. Wonderful, reflected Snape, now it appears that both of my masters have taken full leave of their senses.
"I had to tell Him that Potter is being taught Occlumency, though I am convinced that he knew of that already. The question then becomes, how he came by that knowledge, or if he merely surmised as much."
Albus' head shot up. "Did you inform him that you, specifically, are teaching Harry Occlumency?"
"I did," Snape affirmed.
Dumbledore nodded his head, deep in thought.
"He seemed understandably pleased at that," Snape continued, "which implies that he was either operating under the assumption that Potter would be taught Occlumency, or that his source of information within Hogwarts, if he has one, is of limited use."
"I don't think there is a leak from within Hogwarts, Severus. The evidence points to Voldemort basing his conclusions on his attempts to break into Harry's mind." Albus extended a hand toward one of the seats in front of his desk, gesturing for Severus to cease his pacing and have a seat. "Harry knows better than to mention something like this in front of anyone of doubtful trust."
Snape snorted at this as he accepted the proffered chair. "And Weasley, do you believe he possesses the requisite brains and self-control to keep his mouth shut regarding important issues? Granger, perhaps, but Weasley, I highly doubt it. He could very well have inadvertently divulged something of importance in front of one of the Death Eater's children. Luckily, the damage was contained if this indeed was the case, though I fear what he might do in the future. The boy is a security risk, Albus."
"Yes," Albus agreed, "though there is precious little to be done about that beyond impressing upon him the gravity of this concern."
Bloody Useless Gryffindors, Snape mentally cursed.
* * * * *
After leaving the headmaster's office, Severus Snape suffered the misfortune of encountering one of said Bloody Useless Gryffindors in the corridors.
"Potter," Snape spat. Snape was disappointed to see that the brat looked annoyed rather than fearful.
"Yes, Professor?" Potter had the audacity to ask.
"We will begin your potions training this afternoon. I will expect to see you in the potions classroom at four o'clock.."
What the hell is a house elf doing cowering behind a suit of armor? Snape wondered.
Snape shrugged it off as a matter of no concern to him and resumed his Purposeful Stride without waiting for a response from Potter.
Severus Snape truly hoped he could accomplish something of use that day. Between the demands of his two masters, Severus didn't really have much time remaining which he could devote to his research.
Severus entered his lab, noting the list of items in need of replacement that he had intended on seeing to that day. He would have to replenish his stores on the morrow.
Severus situated a cauldron and the necessary ingredients for a basic healing potion on his work table. If nothing else, with Potter around, this was sure to come in handy.
Severus tidied up his lab as four o'clock approached, and went to await a certain Migraine-Inducing Gryffindor in his classroom.
Snape set up two workstations, one at the head of the room for himself, and one near enough to the front for him to supervise easily yet far enough away to discourage frequent interaction. Satisfied with the arrangements, Snape sat at his desk, waiting for the bane of his existence to make his appearance.
At four o'clock precisely, said Migraine-Inducing Gryffindor knocked on the door.
"Enter," said Snape.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Potter said.
Snape was automatically suspicious of the brat.
Snape narrowed his eyes at Potter. "Sit over there." Snape indicated the student worktable where a cauldron, ingredients, and instructions had been laid out "You will find instructions for a mild truth serum as well as the necessary ingredients waiting for you. You should not require supervision in concocting this potion, though doubtless you will. You may begin."
Potter headed to the specified location and begun work immediately. Now Snape was certain the brat was up to something.
"I have chosen truth serums and healing drafts as the core topics of study these sessions, as the increasing levels of intensity possible with such potions render them convenient subjects for analysis, and because they will prove useful to you in your career as an Auror," Snape sneered, "assuming, of course, you live long enough to require such tools."
Snape was rewarded with a noticeable twitch in Potter's hand as he sliced his shrivelfigs.
Quite suddenly, all of the items on Snape's desk began to levitate as a harried house elf shook a warning finger at the potions master. "Sir is not to be threatening Harry Potter!" screeched the oddly-attired elf.
Snape's face reddened.
"Dobby," Potter hissed.
Dobby looked up at the face of the irate potions master, folded his hands behind his back, then looked sheepishly at the ground. "Dobby is to be protecting Harry Potter, Sir."
Snape advanced threateningly on the contrite elf, wand in hand.
"Out, elf," Snape commanded.
"But Dobby is to be protecting Harry Potter, Sir. Dobby is not to be leaving Harry Potter's side." Dobby stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest.
Snape pointed his wand at Dobby. "I am a master of this school, AND I SAID GET OUT!"
Dobby squeaked, and fled the room.
Potter groaned.
The objects that had been hovering midair came crashing down, leaving Snape covered in a messy mix of potions ingredients.
And here I thought I would only have to deal with aggravating humans today, thought Snape.
Yes, well, you should have know better than to assume that, shouldn't you have?
Damnit. Snape's infuriating second voice was back.