Title: Summer Holidays

Pairing: Severus Snape x Harry Potter, OC x OC, hints of RWHG

Genre: Romance

Disclaimer: None of the Harry Potter characters are mine, no matter how much I wish they are.

Warnings: OOC-ness (I think, this is the first time I'm writing a Harry Potter fic after all)

Summary: The normal. Albus Dumbledore thinks that it is no longer safe for Harry Potter to stay with the Dursleys and someone comes to bring him back to Hogwarts. That someone is no other than Professor Severus Snape. Will their hidden feelings show themselves?

Chapter 1

"BOY, GET DOWN HERE!!" Harry jumped in his seat and quickly made his way downstairs into the dining room.

"Yes, Uncle Vernon?"

"Listen, boy, Dudley's friends are going to be coming over to stay for a week or so since it's the holidays..." Harry had a bad feeling about what was going to come next. "So, you will have to move out of your room for them." Uncle Vernon looked quite satisfied with himself as he said those words.

"But... Where will I stay then?"

"Back where you did before you moved into that room which is obviously too big for you." Uncle Vernon growled. "They're coming over in two days time, and I want your things out of there by tomorrow morning so that we can make sure that the place is ready for them, is that understood?"

"... Yes."

"Good." Uncle Vernon huffed, turning to walk out of the room.

Harry sighed. The Dursleys had been treating him worse and worse ever since they heard that Sirius was really not a murderer and that he had died. Since sixth year, he had started to get beatings instead of just a scolding every time he did something they were unhappy with. The worst thing was, they had decided that he was too dangerous to keep with the wand. Hence, the moment he hopped off the Hogwarts Express and met the Dursleys at platform nine and three-quarters, he was required to hand his wand over to them. Harry packed up what little he had in the room and then brought the trunk into the cupboard under the stairs. This place is too small for me now... Harry thought as he bent down to enter the room. He placed his trunk at one corner and then coughed at the amount of dust present. Remembering that Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were going out that afternoon and that Dudley would most probably be sneaking out to play with the next-door neighbour, he smiled a little as he realised that he could clean up his own room when the others were not in the house. After all, he was supposed to clean the house that day. He'd just have to make sure that they didn't catch him trying to make his room more liveable. He trudged out of the room and went back upstairs, deciding that he should write a reply to Ron and Hermione before proceeding to cook lunch for the Dursleys.

After lunch and a beating later, Harry finally found himself alone in the house. He took out the vacuum cleaner and started to vacuum the place. After about ten minutes, when he was sure that the Dursleys weren't doing to return because they had forgotten something, he opened the door to the cupboard under the stairs and started to vacuum the room, happy when the air in the room was much easier to breathe in. He quickly closed the door and pretended to vacuum the corridors as he heard Dudley return with Aunt Petunia.

"Dudley dear, I thought I told you not to run off on your own? It's dangerous out there."

"But I don't want to stay cooped up in the house!!"

"Still, dear, we can't possibly leave him in the house alone with our possessions. It's not safe."

Dudley ignored Aunt Petunia and stomped up the stairs, whining all the way.

Noticing Aunt Petunia glaring at him, Harry quickly turned off the vacuum cleaner. "You, Vernon said to make sure that dinner was ready by the time he returns, you hear?"

"Yes, Aunt Petunia..."

"Now carry on with the chores!"

Harry nodded and then kept the vacuum cleaner, proceeding to get a mop to mop the dining room and kitchen. Suddenly, a scream was heard from upstairs. No sooner than a few seconds later, Dudley was seen bobbing down the stairs towards Harry. "You!! It HAS to be you!! What did you do with my gameboy?? You must have stolen it!! I can't find it anywhere!!"

"I didn't take it."

Dudley then grabbed Harry's collar, banging him against the wall. "Like I'll believe that! You're the only one in the house and you were left alone here just now. Who else could it be?!" With that said, Dudley threw a punch across Harry's cheek. Aunt Petunia heard the screaming and quickly ran into the dining room.

"Dudley! What's the matter? What did he do now?"

"Mom, he stole my gameboy!!"

Aunt Petunia gasped. "What audacity! You ungrateful thing! We give you food, clothes and a roof to live under and this is how you repay us?!"

"But I didn't..."

"Don't deny it!" Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Dudley let go of Harry and stomped outside, opening the door. "... Oh! I did, did I? ... Thank you so much!" The door then closed. Dudley appeared a few seconds later at the dining room door, smiling at Aunt Petunia. "Mom, I found my gameboy! I left it next door and Tom brought it over."

"Oh, that's good."

Dudley then went back upstairs, leaving Harry and Aunt Petunia in the room. "Listen to me, boy. This may not have been done by you, but I know that you've been stealing food from the house. The titbits and chocolates and some other food have been disappearing from the kitchen. Don't think I don't know anything about it."

Harry looked up at Aunt Petunia weakly, his body still not yet recovered from the impact. "But... I didn't take those... Dudley was hungry and he..."

"Nonsense!! My Dudley wouldn't steal." When Harry just stared at her, she quickly snapped, "well then, don't just sit there. Do your chores. Remember, dinner is to be expected before Vernon returns." With that said, she left the room.

The doorbell rang. Dudley and his two friends were playing something called the playstation in front of the television, and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were eating dinner. "Boy, go and get the door! And if anyone asks about the bruises, you fell down the stairs, understood?!"

Harry nodded weakly, moving towards the front door. He opened it just as the visitor rang the doorbell again. "Yes, may I know who y..." Harry stopped mid-sentence. "P... Pro...fessor... What... I... you..."

"As much as I like to see your wonderful impersonation of a goldfish, Potter, I would appreciate it if you would close your mouth and only open it when you have thought of something to say."

"Professor Snape... What... What are you d..."

"BOY! Who's that at the door?!" Harry's eyes widened, as if just realising that the Dursleys were around. He quickly turned around and was face-to-face with Uncle Vernon. "Useless brat. Can't you do anything right?! Open the door!!" Harry did so shakily. "What the... Who the bloody hell are you?!! You're one of those... Oh no you don't!! I've got guests and I will not allow them to see any of you freaks in my house."

"... Are you Potter's Uncle?"

"So what if I am?"

Snape looked at Harry, then back at Uncle Vernon, clearly not happy. "I'm here to collect your nephew back to Hogwarts School of Wi..."

"Don't say those words in my house!!"

Snape's patience was clearly running out, and Harry gulped, knowing that a war was about to break out. "Err... Pro... Professor, why are you here?"

Snape glared at Harry. "Because, the headmaster wants me to escort you back to Hogwarts."

Behind them, a voice could be heard asking, "what's Hog-words?" Then another quickly answered, "That's another name of the school for which Harry is going to."

Harry ignored them and looked back at Snape. "But the summer holidays aren't over yet..."

"Albus thinks that it's no longer safe for you to stay here, and he wants you back at..."

"You mean the school for boys who are mental?"

Harry gulped, hoping that Snape did not hear that. Unfortunately, Snape heard every single word. Having lost his patience, he pushed open the door and grabbed Uncle Vernon's collar, pushing him into the house and slamming him against the wall. "I don't know what you've been telling them, but insulting Hogwarts is as good as insulting me. And everyone knows that I do not. Tolerate. People. Insulting. Me."

Suddenly, there was a scream. "Mommy, that's one of those freaks again, isn't it?"

Aunt Petunia quickly held Dudley in her arms, and Snape narrowed his eyes. "Freaks?"

"Shh, Dudley, don't say anymore..."

"But mommy, I don't want any of these freaks in the house!!"

"Is that so." Snape withdrew his wand and muttered a few words under his breath. Dudley suddenly disappeared and a mouse appeared in his place. He cast another spell effectively freezing everyone in their place, before turning to Harry. "POTTER! Go get your things now. We're leaving. I'm not staying in this pathetic muggle house any longer than I need to." Harry smiled despite the cold voice and quickly ran to the cupboard to retrieve his things. Snape followed close behind him. "This is your room?"

"Err... not really..." When Snape raised an eyebrow, he added, "I stayed here until I was in Year 1... then I moved upstairs to the old room where Dudley used to keep his toys... but this week Dudley's two friends are here to stay so I had to move out..."

Snape kept silent for a while, before barking out "Hurry up, we haven't got all day." Harry tried to pull his luggage, but his weak body started to hinder his movements. Snape glared at him and pointed his wand at the luggage, casting a weightless spell. "I'm sure you can hurry now, right?"

Harry's face turned red with embarrassment, and Snape left the cupboard to release the Dursleys from the binding spell.

Harry came out in a short while, one hand with his luggage and the other with the cage with Hedwig in it. "Let's go." Snape snapped, ignoring the three trembling at the back of the room.

"Pro... Professor..."

"What now, Potter?"

"Erm... my wand..."

"What about your wand?"

"It... It's with my uncle..."

Snape turned to Uncle Vernon. "Well then, if you don't mind, could you return Potter here his wand so that we can get out of here?"

Uncle Vernon dared to step forward. "No, I am not returning the boy his wand! I'm not letting..."

Snape glared at Uncle Vernon, effectively causing the other to freeze.

"The wand. NOW." Uncle Vernon gave a squeak before running to get the wand.

When he returned, he seemed to have regained some of his wits. "I'll give it to you on one condition. Turn my son back."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "I think he looks better the way he is now." He waved his wand and the wand in Uncle Vernon's hands flew over to Snape. Snape passed it to Harry before Uncle Vernon could say anything. He turned back to the two boys behind and pointed his wand at them. "Obliviate." The two promptly fainted.

Snape turned to leave when Uncle Vernon pounced on him. "What did you do to them?! And my son!! You can't leave here, you murderer!! The both of you are the same, murderers, that's what you are!!"

Snape turned and flung Uncle Vernon off him. "Potter, get out." Harry immediately left the house. "Your mouse will return to his pig size in an hour, and those two boys will wake up around the same time. I don't know. They fainted on their own. But don't worry, they won't remember a thing about me." With that said, Snape slammed the door close as Uncle Vernon rushed for him. "Merlin, what pathetic muggles." Snape muttered.

Harry chuckled, earning himself a glare. "Thank you, professor. But... how are we leaving?"

"We're flying."

Harry looked shocked, but his excitement couldn't be hidden from his eyes. "But... won't the muggles see us?"

"I'm casting a spell on the both of us, so we won't be seen by muggles." Harry's look of surprise turned to one of joy. "Shrink your luggage and let your owl out of the cage." Harry immediately complied, but just as he placed his luggage into his back pocket, he fell, wincing as his body made contact with the ground. He quickly tried to get back up, but had barely the strength to do so.

Snape cursed softly under his breath and kneeled down next to Harry. "What the..." Snape glared at Harry. "Why are you injured so badly?"

"I... was beaten... by Uncle Vernon..."

"That bas..." Snape stood to make his way back to the house when Harry grabbed onto his wrist.

"Professor... It's okay... I'm fine." He's concerned about me?

"That's a lie. And I said nothing about wanting to hex them because of you. The disrespect they have for wizards and witches is reason enough for me to hex them half way across London." Snape kneeled back down next to Harry and took out his wand, muttering a few spells under his breath. Soon, the cuts began to heal. "You're sitting on my broom." Harry nodded, not saying anything. He climbed onto the broom and Snape settled himself behind Harry, placing his hands in front of Harry after casting a spell. Snape then flew up and towards Hogwarts. Harry smiled, looking around him.

"Professor Snape?" Snape grunted. "May I know why you decided on flying instead of using the floo network?"

"What, you'd rather me go up to your pathetic excuse of an uncle and ask him whether we could use his fireplace?" Harry chuckled at Snape's temper. "Besides, I thought the night air would do you some good."

Harry froze for a while, before he relaxed and smiled. "Thank you, professor." Harry said softly. His only reply was another grunt from behind him. When they got back to Hogwarts, Snape led them to the Headmaster's office.

"Cadbury chocolate." Snape muttered to the gargoyle. The statue shifted and they made their way up.

"Cadbury chocolate?" Harry thought aloud.

"Hn. Some muggle chocolate I suppose." Snape stepped into the office. "Probably ran out of names of sweets."

"Actually, Severus, I didn't. I just ate one of those a week ago and I thought they were good. Well, next to chocolate frogs. Lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked, gesturing for them to take a seat.

"No thanks, Albus. Let's just get this done and over with. I need to bring Potter here to Pomfrey after this."

Harry winced as Snape said that. Dumbledore, however, paid no attention. "Harry?" Dumbledore asked, offering his sweets. Harry shook his head politely, sitting down next to Snape. "Okay then. I suppose you're wondering why you're here?"

"Erm... Professor Snape told me that it was because my house wasn't safe any longer... But I... I mean... Voldemort was defeated at the end of last year."

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, and there's no need to avoid saying that you defeated Riddle, because you did."

"But I had help."

"Yes, the both of you defeated Tom Riddle, and I'm proud of the both of you."

"Albus, get back to the topic."

"Right. Anyway, recently Lucius Malfoy has been trying to rise and become the next Dark Lord."

"Lucius Malfoy?"

"Yes. And besides that, the wards surrounding your house has been weakening, and it's not safe for you to stay there any longer."

"Oh..."

"So, for the rest of the summer, you will be staying with Professor Snape down in the dungeons."

"What? Why?"

"Because there's no one else here to take care of you. And it's not safe for you to be alone in the Gryffindor common room."

"Yes, that's right. Anyway, I'm sure you trust Professor Snape just as much as I do. Perhaps even more. So there shouldn't be a problem." This earned a snort from Snape.

Harry nodded. Well, it is true that I trust Snape... Harry glanced at Snape. I trust him with my life. But that's because of last year... when we worked together against Voldemort...

"Albus, I have something to talk to you about..." Dumbledore nodded. "In private."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Yes, I see..." Turning to Harry, "Harry, I don't suppose you can wait outside for Professor Snape? He won't be long." Harry nodded, leaving the room to stand outside the door, curious as to what they would be talking about. After a few seconds, the conversation started.

"Albus!! Do you know what those muggles did to him?? He was covered in bruises and cuts when I went to pick him up!!"

"Severus, calm..."

"No!" Snape's tone turned softer. "And bloody hell, Albus, you know how I feel." Louder, "And despite that, you still ask me to take care of him. Do you seriously think that I..."

"Severus, I want you to calm down and listen to me."

Silence.

"Good. Chocolate frog?"

"ALBUS!"

"Alright, calm down. Severus, I trust you. And so does Harry."

"But I don't trust myself!!"

A chuckle. "You'll do fine. The both of you. Trust me."

"... I do hope you know what you're doing, Albus, 'cause I sure don't."

"Don't worry. I do."

A sigh. "Fine."

Sensing that the conversation was coming to an end, Harry ran down the stairs, only stopping when he was next to the gargoyle. After a minute or so, Snape emerged from the office. He turned to Harry and nodded, before walking in the direction of the infirmary. "We're going to get you to Madam Pomfrey first, then you're coming down to the dungeons to my room."

Harry nodded. "I... you didn't tell the headmaster about what happened, did you?"

"... Not really."

Hearing the irritation clear in Snape's words, Harry kept silent, neither saying anything until they reached the infirmary.

A/N: I guess I started again... ;;; Do please be kind and review!