A Different Life
Chapter 7 - Owl?
Severus awoke to someone pulling on his arm. He looked over to see Harry looking very worried. He went to sit up but he immediately stopped half way feeling immensely stiff.
"What is it Harry?" Severus asked, stretching as best he could while still sitting in the chair.
"Owl is missing, she flew off, and I can't find her." Harry said in a rush, trying to make Severus stand up.
"Owl?" Severus asked, trying to remember what Harry was talking about.
"Yes Owl, I named her Owl." Harry quickly said
"You named her what?!" Severus said, wondering what possessed him to call her Owl!
"Owl...I kept calling her Owl because I couldn't think of a name, and she seems to like being called Owl. Now quick!" Harry said, running out of the room.
Severus slightly groaned and reluctantly followed Harry, wondering what was the time was he looked at his watch, which he had forgotten to remove from last night to see that it was 5am. Why was Harry so insistent on getting up so early? Though they did have an early night... Severus was pulled out of his thoughts by Harry pushing him from behind.
Once they were outside Harry began looking around frantically in the sky, trying to see her.
"See, I can't find her, I've lost her! What if she dies? It will be my fault. I'm a terrible person, how could I have done this? I'm so sorry..." Harry was still frantically searching, trying to look in three places at once.
"Harry" Severus said softly, but Harry didn't even seem to hear him.
"Harry!" Severus said more forcefully. He sat down in front of Harry, feeling too tired to be standing.
He pulled Harry to sit in front of him too, though that didn't stop Harry's head from moving around, trying to spot his owl.
Severus sighed, he then took both his hands and put them on either side of Harry's face, making him face him and not being able to keep moving his head around.
"Harry, I assure you, Owl-" Severus made a face at saying it's name "- will be fine, she's just getting a feel for the place, probably hunting for some food... she'll be back in no time, so stop worrying. And you are not a terrible person, if I remember correctly, I have lost you twice, so I wouldn't worry just yet about that." Severus said, waiting for Harry to nod his head before letting go of his head. "Now, how about you get some more sleep?" Severus said hopefully.
"I'm not tired..." Harry mumbled, still looking around to see if he could see Owl, but not as frantically as he was before.
"Come on, let's get some breakfast." Severus said, leading a very reluctant Harry inside.
Once Severus was taking gulps of Coffee to try and wake him up, Harry suddenly looked up at him, as if remembering something.
"How did my parents die?" Harry asked innocently.
Severus immediately spit out the coffee that was in his mouth, clearly not expecting that to be Harry's question.
Harry looked slightly shocked by his reaction, but ignored it and continued talking.
"My Aunt once said that they had died in a car accident... is that true?"
Severus, getting over his initial shock, waved his wand and all the coffee that he had spat out was cleaned up.
"Harry, I'm not sure I'm the right person to be asking... maybe next time you see Albus, he will tell you..." Severus said, seeing the disappointment on Harry's face.
"...Okay..." Harry said, falling into an uneasy silence.
Severus couldn't stand the look in Harry's eyes... God he hated himself when he was weak.
"Okay, I'll see what Albus is doing today, but no promises."
Harry's face immediately lit up. He was finally going to get some answers!
"You wait here... I want to see that you have finished all your breakfast when I come back." And with that Severus walked back out and into his living room to floo to Hogwarts.
Harry sat patiently waiting for Severus to get back, he had to resist the urge to go spy on Severus, knowing that he was probably talking to Dumbledore through the fire.
After what felt like ages, but was probably only in fact about 5minutes, Severus re-entered the kitchen.
He looked on in amusement as he saw Harry face, full of anticipation.
"Well?" Harry said, hope flickering around his face.
"Well what?" Severus said, enjoying teasing the boy.
Harry pouted, and Severus out righted laughed at that.
"Alright, alright." Severus said sitting next to Harry, he first checked Harry's plate to see that he had eaten all his toast. "Okay, Albus will be coming over for dinner, and he will explain everything to you after dinner."
Harry smiled and jumped up from his chair.
"But" Severus said.
Harry's smile flickered slightly.
"Only on the condition that you do not get out of bed, unless I say you can, or if it is an emergency before 8 o'clock am until we get to Hogwarts. Is that understood?" Severus said, smiling inwardly at his own brilliance.
Harry thought for a moment, and then nodded his head enthusiastically, agreeing to what Severus had asked.
*************************************************
The day past quickly with Harry playing outside, wondering around looking for Owl, and Severus down in his dungeon, making some potions and making lesson plans for his students for when school started.
When there was half an hour before Albus was due to arrive, Severus went to go get Harry, knowing that he would use magic to cook, therefore it wouldn't take very long to prepare.
Upon seeing Harry he openly gaped at him.
"I...ummm...I had a small accident." Harry said, indicating to his clothes with were absolutely covered in mud. He smiled innocently.
Then Severus heard the fire blaze behind him and he turned to see Dumbledore step through. While he was dusting himself off he began talking, not looking up.
"Sorry I'm early Severus, but I was hoping I could get a head start on..." Dumbledore looked up to see Harry covered in mud just in the doorway, Severus just beside him. "...on explaining everything. Hello Harry." Dumbledore finished off, smiling at Harry, eyes twinkling like never before. Amusement written all over his face.
"Hello Albus" Harry went to Walk into the room but Severus grabbed the collar of his shirt dragging him back.
"Oh no you don't, I don't want to be cleaning up mud everywhere. Now go up to the bathroom and clean up."
Harry immediately ran up the stairs and into the bathroom up there.
Severus just stared after him until he was out of sight, shaking his head at him.
After about 15 minutes Harry came back down, his clothes were changed and he didn't look quite as muddy, though you could still see it on him in a few places. In his hand he held his dirty clothes.
"Where do I-" Harry began but Severus just waved his wand and the clothes that were in Harry's hand disappeared. And so did the stray bits of mud that had been on Harry.
"Thanks..." Harry said, looking down at himself.
By this time dinner was ready so the discussion was going to have to wait until after to happen.
Harry wasn't really a fussy eater, 4 years at the Dursleys had taught him to eat whatever was put on his plate, no matter how disgusting since it might be the last time he was fed for a while.
About half way through Owl flew in through an open window. She immediately flew over to Harry and nipped his Finger.
"Owl! Your back!" Harry said excitedly, patting her on the head.
"Owl?" Dumbledore asked, looking at Severus.
"Hey, don't look at me. I wasn't the one who named her." Severus said, taking a mouth full of his dinner.
"What's wrong with the name Owl?" Harry said slightly defensively.
"Well it's not very imaginative." Severus said.
Harry narrowed his eyes slightly at Severus and then turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, do you know of any other person who owns an owl, or any owl for that matter, which is called Owl?" Harry asked, smiling sweetly at him.
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I believe you are the first person that I know of to call their owl Owl. I do believe he has got you there Severus." Albus said, widely smiling.
Severus rolled his eyes at the both smiling people around him, he knew he wasn't going to win this one even though he knew he was right, and he didn't have the energy, he was starting to feel tired already. He was thoroughly looking forward to being able to sleep in longer then usual tomorrow.
Once dinner was finished, they moved into the living room and settled into the furniture there.
Dumbledore explained everything, but left out any mention of Severus ever being a Death Eater. But he explained mostly everything else.
Harry just sat shocked, a couple of times Severus was sure Harry looked like he was about to cry, but he never did.
Harry had never imaged this was what had happened. His parents were murdered! And he made the evil wizard who did it go away?
Once Dumbledore had finished explaining it all they all sat in silence for a while, Severus was the first to break it.
"Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed Harry. I'll be up in a minute to check on you." Severus said, feeling slightly sad for the boy, more innocence being ripped away from him.
Harry didn't even look as though he registered what he had said, but he got up, indicating that he probably did.
Harry was feeling very sick by the end of it all, and was glad when he got the chance to leave.
Once Harry was gone Severus turned to face Albus again.
"Thankyou Albus for telling him, I don't think I could have." Severus said as they made their way over to the fireplace.
"That is quit alright. Tell Harry I said goodbye. Oh and Severus, thankyou for a lovely dinner." And with that Dumbledore stepped into the fire and he went back to Hogwarts.
Severus made his way back upstairs and checked on Harry, he saw that he was in his pyjamas brushing his teeth still.
Once Severus saw Harry go back into his room Severus went into his room and got ready for bed.
He put just flannel pants on and a plain long sleeved shirt and was about to get into bed when he heard his door creak open slightly, looking over his shoulder he saw Harry standing in his doorway.
"Harry... what's the matter?" Severus said, ushering Harry to come over as he sat on his bed.
Harry walked over to Severus so he was directly in front of him.
"I don't feel to well." Harry whispered.
Severus felt his forehead but it didn't feel too warm.
The truth was Harry didn't want to be alone in his room that night.
Severus seemed to realise that as well. He sighed.
"Did you want to stay here tonight?" Severus asked.
Harry immediately nodded, a weak smile appearing on his face briefly.
Severus picked him up and placed him on the other side of the bed. Helping to tuck him in.
"Now remember, I don't want you to wake me up before 8am, okay. Unless of course it is an emergency.
Harry nodded and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Severus watched him for a while before sleep slowly took him over as well.
Chapter 7 - Owl?
Severus awoke to someone pulling on his arm. He looked over to see Harry looking very worried. He went to sit up but he immediately stopped half way feeling immensely stiff.
"What is it Harry?" Severus asked, stretching as best he could while still sitting in the chair.
"Owl is missing, she flew off, and I can't find her." Harry said in a rush, trying to make Severus stand up.
"Owl?" Severus asked, trying to remember what Harry was talking about.
"Yes Owl, I named her Owl." Harry quickly said
"You named her what?!" Severus said, wondering what possessed him to call her Owl!
"Owl...I kept calling her Owl because I couldn't think of a name, and she seems to like being called Owl. Now quick!" Harry said, running out of the room.
Severus slightly groaned and reluctantly followed Harry, wondering what was the time was he looked at his watch, which he had forgotten to remove from last night to see that it was 5am. Why was Harry so insistent on getting up so early? Though they did have an early night... Severus was pulled out of his thoughts by Harry pushing him from behind.
Once they were outside Harry began looking around frantically in the sky, trying to see her.
"See, I can't find her, I've lost her! What if she dies? It will be my fault. I'm a terrible person, how could I have done this? I'm so sorry..." Harry was still frantically searching, trying to look in three places at once.
"Harry" Severus said softly, but Harry didn't even seem to hear him.
"Harry!" Severus said more forcefully. He sat down in front of Harry, feeling too tired to be standing.
He pulled Harry to sit in front of him too, though that didn't stop Harry's head from moving around, trying to spot his owl.
Severus sighed, he then took both his hands and put them on either side of Harry's face, making him face him and not being able to keep moving his head around.
"Harry, I assure you, Owl-" Severus made a face at saying it's name "- will be fine, she's just getting a feel for the place, probably hunting for some food... she'll be back in no time, so stop worrying. And you are not a terrible person, if I remember correctly, I have lost you twice, so I wouldn't worry just yet about that." Severus said, waiting for Harry to nod his head before letting go of his head. "Now, how about you get some more sleep?" Severus said hopefully.
"I'm not tired..." Harry mumbled, still looking around to see if he could see Owl, but not as frantically as he was before.
"Come on, let's get some breakfast." Severus said, leading a very reluctant Harry inside.
Once Severus was taking gulps of Coffee to try and wake him up, Harry suddenly looked up at him, as if remembering something.
"How did my parents die?" Harry asked innocently.
Severus immediately spit out the coffee that was in his mouth, clearly not expecting that to be Harry's question.
Harry looked slightly shocked by his reaction, but ignored it and continued talking.
"My Aunt once said that they had died in a car accident... is that true?"
Severus, getting over his initial shock, waved his wand and all the coffee that he had spat out was cleaned up.
"Harry, I'm not sure I'm the right person to be asking... maybe next time you see Albus, he will tell you..." Severus said, seeing the disappointment on Harry's face.
"...Okay..." Harry said, falling into an uneasy silence.
Severus couldn't stand the look in Harry's eyes... God he hated himself when he was weak.
"Okay, I'll see what Albus is doing today, but no promises."
Harry's face immediately lit up. He was finally going to get some answers!
"You wait here... I want to see that you have finished all your breakfast when I come back." And with that Severus walked back out and into his living room to floo to Hogwarts.
Harry sat patiently waiting for Severus to get back, he had to resist the urge to go spy on Severus, knowing that he was probably talking to Dumbledore through the fire.
After what felt like ages, but was probably only in fact about 5minutes, Severus re-entered the kitchen.
He looked on in amusement as he saw Harry face, full of anticipation.
"Well?" Harry said, hope flickering around his face.
"Well what?" Severus said, enjoying teasing the boy.
Harry pouted, and Severus out righted laughed at that.
"Alright, alright." Severus said sitting next to Harry, he first checked Harry's plate to see that he had eaten all his toast. "Okay, Albus will be coming over for dinner, and he will explain everything to you after dinner."
Harry smiled and jumped up from his chair.
"But" Severus said.
Harry's smile flickered slightly.
"Only on the condition that you do not get out of bed, unless I say you can, or if it is an emergency before 8 o'clock am until we get to Hogwarts. Is that understood?" Severus said, smiling inwardly at his own brilliance.
Harry thought for a moment, and then nodded his head enthusiastically, agreeing to what Severus had asked.
*************************************************
The day past quickly with Harry playing outside, wondering around looking for Owl, and Severus down in his dungeon, making some potions and making lesson plans for his students for when school started.
When there was half an hour before Albus was due to arrive, Severus went to go get Harry, knowing that he would use magic to cook, therefore it wouldn't take very long to prepare.
Upon seeing Harry he openly gaped at him.
"I...ummm...I had a small accident." Harry said, indicating to his clothes with were absolutely covered in mud. He smiled innocently.
Then Severus heard the fire blaze behind him and he turned to see Dumbledore step through. While he was dusting himself off he began talking, not looking up.
"Sorry I'm early Severus, but I was hoping I could get a head start on..." Dumbledore looked up to see Harry covered in mud just in the doorway, Severus just beside him. "...on explaining everything. Hello Harry." Dumbledore finished off, smiling at Harry, eyes twinkling like never before. Amusement written all over his face.
"Hello Albus" Harry went to Walk into the room but Severus grabbed the collar of his shirt dragging him back.
"Oh no you don't, I don't want to be cleaning up mud everywhere. Now go up to the bathroom and clean up."
Harry immediately ran up the stairs and into the bathroom up there.
Severus just stared after him until he was out of sight, shaking his head at him.
After about 15 minutes Harry came back down, his clothes were changed and he didn't look quite as muddy, though you could still see it on him in a few places. In his hand he held his dirty clothes.
"Where do I-" Harry began but Severus just waved his wand and the clothes that were in Harry's hand disappeared. And so did the stray bits of mud that had been on Harry.
"Thanks..." Harry said, looking down at himself.
By this time dinner was ready so the discussion was going to have to wait until after to happen.
Harry wasn't really a fussy eater, 4 years at the Dursleys had taught him to eat whatever was put on his plate, no matter how disgusting since it might be the last time he was fed for a while.
About half way through Owl flew in through an open window. She immediately flew over to Harry and nipped his Finger.
"Owl! Your back!" Harry said excitedly, patting her on the head.
"Owl?" Dumbledore asked, looking at Severus.
"Hey, don't look at me. I wasn't the one who named her." Severus said, taking a mouth full of his dinner.
"What's wrong with the name Owl?" Harry said slightly defensively.
"Well it's not very imaginative." Severus said.
Harry narrowed his eyes slightly at Severus and then turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, do you know of any other person who owns an owl, or any owl for that matter, which is called Owl?" Harry asked, smiling sweetly at him.
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I believe you are the first person that I know of to call their owl Owl. I do believe he has got you there Severus." Albus said, widely smiling.
Severus rolled his eyes at the both smiling people around him, he knew he wasn't going to win this one even though he knew he was right, and he didn't have the energy, he was starting to feel tired already. He was thoroughly looking forward to being able to sleep in longer then usual tomorrow.
Once dinner was finished, they moved into the living room and settled into the furniture there.
Dumbledore explained everything, but left out any mention of Severus ever being a Death Eater. But he explained mostly everything else.
Harry just sat shocked, a couple of times Severus was sure Harry looked like he was about to cry, but he never did.
Harry had never imaged this was what had happened. His parents were murdered! And he made the evil wizard who did it go away?
Once Dumbledore had finished explaining it all they all sat in silence for a while, Severus was the first to break it.
"Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed Harry. I'll be up in a minute to check on you." Severus said, feeling slightly sad for the boy, more innocence being ripped away from him.
Harry didn't even look as though he registered what he had said, but he got up, indicating that he probably did.
Harry was feeling very sick by the end of it all, and was glad when he got the chance to leave.
Once Harry was gone Severus turned to face Albus again.
"Thankyou Albus for telling him, I don't think I could have." Severus said as they made their way over to the fireplace.
"That is quit alright. Tell Harry I said goodbye. Oh and Severus, thankyou for a lovely dinner." And with that Dumbledore stepped into the fire and he went back to Hogwarts.
Severus made his way back upstairs and checked on Harry, he saw that he was in his pyjamas brushing his teeth still.
Once Severus saw Harry go back into his room Severus went into his room and got ready for bed.
He put just flannel pants on and a plain long sleeved shirt and was about to get into bed when he heard his door creak open slightly, looking over his shoulder he saw Harry standing in his doorway.
"Harry... what's the matter?" Severus said, ushering Harry to come over as he sat on his bed.
Harry walked over to Severus so he was directly in front of him.
"I don't feel to well." Harry whispered.
Severus felt his forehead but it didn't feel too warm.
The truth was Harry didn't want to be alone in his room that night.
Severus seemed to realise that as well. He sighed.
"Did you want to stay here tonight?" Severus asked.
Harry immediately nodded, a weak smile appearing on his face briefly.
Severus picked him up and placed him on the other side of the bed. Helping to tuck him in.
"Now remember, I don't want you to wake me up before 8am, okay. Unless of course it is an emergency.
Harry nodded and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Severus watched him for a while before sleep slowly took him over as well.