~Chapter Two~
Upon arriving in the infirmary the two men had to hide a smile as they saw the small child having a one sided conversation with a snowy cat that Severus had named Malachi when he had found the feline three years ago.
His left ankle and wrist were wrapped in gauze, and his shirt had been removed, showing gauze wrapped around his small ribcage. Severus winced at the sight of the small boy.
Albus approached the child and smiled as the boy, and the cat looked up at him. Chuckling Albus lifted the cat and handed him to Severus, who smiled at the cat, gave him an affectionate pat and the placed him on the floor and watched him make his way out of the infirmary.
"Harry, I'm Albus Dumbledore, and you remember Severus don't you?" The boy smiled and reached out for Severus. Almost unconsciously Severus reached out and lifted the undersized wizard toddler into his arms, and watched as Harry attached tightly to his "savior". In that instant Severus knew that his "only temporarily" had just flown out the window.
"Sevy," the boy said softly. Severus rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Just wonderful," murmured Snape as he continued to hold the child protectively.
"Excellent you are both here. I am pleased to say Harry has sustained fairly simple injuries, all from a beating however. He will be fine, and healed before you can say chocolate frog, however emotionally and mentally I think the boy will need some firm and steady love," Explained Poppy as she came out of the back room.
"So…I can take him home tomorrow?" Poppy nodded.
"You may take him now if you'd like, I see no reason to keep him around here. He's going to be fine in time, it's a good thing he was taken out so soon, I don't know what a few more years would have done to him," Severus nodded and looked down into the emerald eyes, which looked back up at him. The small child pointed up to his nose and giggled.
"I don't know what you find so amusing small one," Severus said, allowing a soft smile to flicker across his face.
"I will ask Pinky and Misty to head over to the manor and clean it up, I will also inform them that they are to remain and help you, but not as slaves, as help," Severus looked up at Dumbledore as the old wizard spoke, then he nodded.
"All right," Commented Severus softly.
"I'd also like you to join the rest of the staff at four tonight, in the meeting room with Harry," Again Snape nodded.
Severus occupied himself the rest of the evening with washing Harry up gently, and transfiguring a couple sets of clothes to keep the boy warm.
During the summer holidays it was rare to see many of the teachers in their usual robes, as it was so hot, and today was no different. Severus was dressed in a pair of comfortable black slacks, and a black t-shirt. He then made his way to the staff room, where Minerva McGonagall was dressed in a pair of slacks and gold and scarlet sweatshirt. Albus was in his normal pleasantly bright robes. Remus Lupin was present as well, and Flitwick had joined the group as well as Rebus Hagrid.
"Glad you could all come, for those of you who do not know, Harry Potter was removed from his aunt and uncle's house early this morning," Albus began, as Severus seated himself between Minerva and Dumbledore.
"Who will the boy stay with headmaster?" Inquired Lupin. Severus looked up, nervously. Minerva smiled and looked at Harry, who seemed very interested in her hat. She easily lifted him from Severus' arms and sat him in her lap.
"Severus shall care for the boy for now, I look to each of you to help a little bit with Harry, as he is now our responsibility," he received a nod from everyone.
"Excellent, I hope you all have a wonderful summer holiday, and I shall see you all in three months," with that the meeting was over, Severus remained in his seat, watching Harry play with Minerva's hat gently, as she bounced him on her knee.
"Severus…I know we were never friends, and I'm not seeking friendship here….but Harry's all I've got left. Three of my friends are dead and the fourth is in jail for killing them. I'm… I'm asking for a truce, and a chance to know the son of my best friend…and maybe to gain a new friend," Severus studied Remus for several moments and then smirked. Placing out his hand he shook Lupin's.
"You could have stopped them Lupin, however, I… as Harry's guardian right now, I can hardly keep him from the chance of knowing and possibly loving a good man such as you. Of course, friendship can come in time," Severus stated. Remus smiled and then looked at Harry.
"May I Minerva?" The elder female witch nodded and watched Lupin lift the boy into his arms.
"Hey kid, you're going to grow up with quite a view of the world, and someday you'll realize just how famous you are, but remember Severus is here to keep you grounded and to love you. He's a good man Harry, I trust you know that already." The boy looked at Lupin and reached his arms around the man's neck.
"Severus, I just spoke with Misty, she says your house is ready," Dumbledore spoke as he moved towards the two men and Harry.
"Thank you Headmaster, we'll be going by flying, well Harry, ready to go home?" Severus asked looking at the small child. The child nodded, just as a hand landed upon his shoulder.
"Severus, it may hurt at first, you haven't been there in five years," Severus nodded and slowly left the room.
Severus stood just outside the manor, it was huge, it had a basement, that Severus planned to change into a potions room and play room for Harry. Ground level was a living room, library, a study, a dinning room, and the kitchen. Upstairs was the master bedroom, two guest rooms, each with bathrooms, as well as Severus' old room, which would be Harry's room until the boy grew a little older. The top level was an attic, which Severus had turned into his domain once he reached Hogwarts, not that it did any good, since his father tended to wait up there then beat on him.
Severus gazed down at the child in his arms and realized the boy was fast asleep, head on Severus' shoulder. Sighing Severus took a step towards the house, "Consider yourself lucky that Dumbledore saved you little one, no one ever came to save me," Severus said quietly as he pushed the front door open….
Flashback
A small greasy haired boy crouched in a corner, desperately trying to hide his face and head from the violent attack: "You stupid…worthless child!" yelled the older black haired man with the crooked nose.
"Papa, please papa," cried the boy.
"No child of mine losses to a Gryffindor! Especially a girl!" Hollered the older man….
End of flashback
Severus shook his head, for many years this house had held bad memories, now it would only hold good, if Severus had anything to say about it. Everything had once been covered in a fine sheen of dust, Severus walked towards the now clean bedroom and opened it….
Flashback
"And you'll bloody stay in here until you learn not to back talk! Little twit!" the older man yelled at the ten year old boy….
End Flashback
The room was now red, yellow, green and blue, a crib sat near the window, where Severus' old bed had been all his life. There was a rocking chair in the other corner, a cabinet and a chest for clothes. There was also a small closet. Toys were in the crib as well as in the corners. Severus smiled, the elves had done well for only a evening. Sighing, Severus placed the sleeping child in the crib and covered him up, taking in the little form.
"Sleep well little one," Severus left the room, he slowly walked into the master bedroom….
Flashback
"Come here Sevy," came the soft voice, the five year old child looked up at his mother, she was weak, from her latest beating, but she never held it against her baby boy.
"Momma?" He asked gently, she looked down at him as he sat next to her in the crook of her arm, "why does papa hate me?"
"Honey…" Jasmine couldn't find the proper words, she knew her husband didn't hate him, but she wasn't sure how to explain it to her child.
"Sev, listen to mom for moment okay," the boy nodded, "when a mother and father have children most of the time it's for more than one reason, I wanted you because I wanted a son, a child to hold, and talk to. Your daddy, he wanted you for different reason baby, he wanted a child to carry on the line of Snape. I know it's hard to understand honey, especially right now, but daddy loves you, I believe that somewhere deep down your father does love you, he just doesn't know how to show it because he was never really shown it."
"Are you sorry you married him?" She looked at the innocent boy.
"No, I've never been sorry for having you, and you came out of marrying him. Severus I want you to look me in the eyes and promise me something," Severus nodded.
"Anything momma."
"I want you to promise that when I die you won't give up, you'll fight for your life, and for what you believe in. You've got so much good in you, but your good side is scared. I want you to love someone, and maybe someday be a daddy. There is a child out there somewhere that will need you Sev, a very important child. He's going to need a savior. So hang on for me and for that little boy," Severus looked at her, unsure what she was talking about, but not wanting to defy his mother he nodded.
I'll hold on," he whispered as she drew him close and kissed him…..
End of Flashback
Severus stood in the dark room, looking at the green blankets, "I kept my promise mom, I'm still here, and I'm holding on. I don't know how you knew I'd end up as a father to such a important child, but you did. I love you mum," he whispered as he felt tears drip from his cheeks.
The elves hadn't changed much in this room, dusted mostly, and made the bed look twice as comfortable. Sighing Severus quickly stripped to boxers and slipped on a pair of comfortable pajama bottoms, then slid between the cool sheets and the bed, closing his eyes he sighed and was soon fast asleep.
The black pool like eyes flew open, disorientated for a moment, Severus didn't realize what had woken him up…until he heard it yet again. A screaming, coming from Harry's room.
Pushing the covers back, and grabbing his wand from under his pillow he hurried towards the room right across the hall, he busted through the door, half expecting to see Voldermort there himself, however there was nothing but darkness of the room.
Severus moved forward cautiously, as he peered down into the crib he saw Harry squirming and crying loudly, as though begging to be held. Severus instantly realized the child was having a nightmare, and a bad one apparently. Reaching down Severus scooped up the small child and began to rub circles over the boy's back, listening to the wrenching sobs become hiccups and coughs. Severus sighed as he felt tears on his bare shoulder. Grabbing a blanket from the crib, he sat down gently, gripping the infant to his chest.
"Shh, you're okay Harry," he whispered, running his hand over Harry's soft black hair as the boy continued to whimper.
"You're safe Harry, as long as I'm around you'll always be safe," whispered Severus again, continuing to rub his back and neck. After a few moments he heard the even breathing of the little boy, pointing out that he had fallen asleep.
A/N: Thanks once again for all the great reviews, however now I'd like your opinion, I know what I want, but I want to see what you guys want. Which house do you most want to see Harry in, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Gryffindor, I didn't add Hufflepuff because I just don't see Harry there. So let me know, the most votes will win. Please let me know what you think!
Can You See--Surprisingly enough Snape won't be changing far too much, besides a few things which you'll notice later on. Glad you're liking the story so far! Keep reviewing please!
Harriet Jamina Potter, Heather Snap, Destroying Angel & lilith--Thanks for the reviews you two, I'm glad you're enjoying this, I really like seeing Severus as the father figure too, makes me feel better that people know he does have a heart!
Jaximillion--lol, you'll have to wait and find out, give me your opinion, it counts. As for Severus seeming to out of Character. There are going to be times where he seems more out of his personality than others, when Harry gets to Hogwarts he'll be a little more like the normal Snape, but not as bad. Don't worry, I'm going somewhere with everything.
Slythgrl18--Um right now Severus will be Harry's Adoptive father, however that could lead to something a little further, I haven't decided a hundred percent about your question, you'll find out, just keep reading!
Athenakitty--You'll have to wait and see if Severus is going to get custody, that's chapter three (The Hearing) I haven't really decided if the Dursleys will get what's coming to them, I may put something in there, but I haven't made my mind up yet. Thanks for reviewing!
Thanks again for all the reviews!