Disclaimer: I own nothing but Hailey… and I'm not even sure I own her! So just for legal sakes I own nothing!
Plugs: Sorry I have to plug a story! It is called Three Girls, No guys, and a Piece of Cardboard written by ElfLuvR2931. It is a LOTR fanfiction and interesting. So sorry just had to plug them in there!
Updates: Sorry it took so long to post really I am but I now reposted the first chapter also and it makes much more since and *blushes* I no longer misspelled Vernon!
Thanks:
Allison- my wonderful proof reader, my grammar sucks without you!
Liz- My wonderful context editor… I mean we can't have Snape saying the funny now can we?
Reviewer thanks:
Mel- Don't leak the plans don't! hehehe and no spilling coveted info on the reviewer boards!
Midnight-Skies- Wow you are my first real reviewer who isn't my neighbor or family! I'm once again sorry about the delayed post. This chapter was 21 written pages in length and took forever to type! Oh, and please do stick with me, Snape may seem mean in this chapter… but people don't change over night. I do however have a special place in my heart for Snape and if you stick with me till the end I'm sure you'll be happily rewarded!
HyperCaz- Woot, you are my second non neighbor reviewer. I have no idea if this story has been done before … mainly because I can't read ever Harry Potter Fanfic out there. But I assure you … it will be intresting… even if this chapters a little dull… but hey story needs a foundation.
Nessa- No leakage from u either! You and Mel ripped the ideas out of my dead and lifeless brain… well not exactly lol… and who is kicking who's butt when it comes to *cougheditingcough* the story!? Hehe just playing!
Have fun Read and Review!
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Severus Snape scanned the pitiful scene around him. To his left, Vernon Dursley lay on the floor, still trying to make sense of what had just happened. To his right stood a gaping Harry Potter, and behind him was his once again upset chair. In front of Snape was a coffee table with a tousled tea tray on top of it. Behind the coffee table sat Hailey Black on the sofa. Snape's robes wisped behind him as he hurried over towards Hailey. She stood to greet him.
"Are you alright?" Snape asked urgently, cupping her face. "Dumbledore picked up magic use by you, what happened?"
"Nothing Uncle Snape, really, I'm fine," Hailey replied gently removing his hands from her face, while looking into his panicked eyes. "Harry didn't realize who I was at first," Hailey continued, "so he pulled his wand on me and I disarmed him."
"You foolish git!" Snape reared around on Harry. "Go and make yourself useful! I've had a long trip and am parched."
Harry was wondering how parched one could be after apparating when Uncle Vernon quickly got up from the floor. He looked angrier then ever, probably because someone besides himself was ordering Harry around, Harry thought to himself.
"I will not tolerate this! You will not order my boy around or be doing magic in my house! I want the both of you out, now!" shouted Vernon.
"I agree," Harry chirped in, hoping to get rid of Snape.
Turning towards Vernon like a hunter about to kill his prey, Snape took out his wand and pointed it at Vernon's chest. "Mr. Dursley, do you know what I can do with this?" Snape rhetorically asked "Let's just say it's a lot more then this boy of yours can do." As he said this he motioned with his head towards Harry. "Now, you will allow Hailey and myself to stay here until we see fit, won't you?"
Vernon gulped and nodded in response.
"I'll prepare a second bed in Harry's room for you, Mr. Snape, and I'll bring some blankets down for Hailey, to sleep on the sofa." Petunia said as she scampered up stairs.
All Harry's thoughts of Snape leaving had vanished, as did all of his courage when Snape turned to face him. His eyes were filled with intense dislike as he flicked his wand towards Harry's head to brush the hair away from his scar. He then laid his wand to rest on Harry's scar. Pain seared through Harry's body and his eyes watered. "And you, boy should be thankful I came to escort you at all. Be a pity if The Dark Lord got a hold of you wouldn't it?"
"That's enough!" Hailey said with her wand drawn. When Snape still didn't remove his wand she repeated herself. "Uncle Snape, I said that's enough!"
"Indeed it is," said Snape, withdrawing his wand and pocketing it.
"Harry, are you okay?" asked Hailey as she maneuvered around the coffee table to pick up Harry's chair.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said as she helped lower him into his chair.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Hailey accusingly to Snape. Harry was sitting with his burning forehead in his hands. Snape, who now was comfortable on the couch, leaned around Hailey to view his inflicted damage on the Boy Who Lived.
"He looks fine to me," replied Snape.
With this Hailey wheeled around on Snape with so much malevolence that Harry no longer doubted her upbringing. "He is not alright! You knew he could not block The Dark Lord's power!" she cried in furry.
"I'm fine," said Harry. "Really, I will be."
"Fine," Hailey said succumbing to defeat
However, Harry felt that she wasn't going to forget this. Just then a boasting, porky Dudley walked through the front door. His eyes immediately locked on Harry, Snape and Hailey. He seemed oblivious to the mess around him.
"Why, hello, miss… I hope Harry is not beleaguering you," Dudley said taking up Hailey's hand and kissing it. Harry tried to stifle a laugh as the seated Hailey wiped the kiss off on her jean shorts. Hearing Harry, Dudley momentarily leered at him and then continued to woo his prey. "I must say you are looking beautiful today, miss" Dudley continued sweetly while sitting next to her.
"Well I'm afraid to say I'm not interested," replied Hailey coolly.
At this point Harry worried for Dudley's life, since it was evident that Snape would rather have anyone else other than Dudley touching Hailey. Harry would even go so far as saying Snape would rather have Harry himself touching her. However, Dudley was saved by Mr. Dursley's return, who Harry hadn't even noticed leaving the room.
"Dudders, get away from her!" Vernon screamed as he heaved his son off the couch.
However, this made Snape even angrier. He withdrew his wand from his pocket and aimed it towards Mr. Dursley and Dudley. "Remember what I said about hospitality, Mr. Dursley…" Snape sneered ominously.
With that, Uncle Vernon screamed at Harry, "You heard the man! Go and get him his water you lazy boy!"
"Sit down," Snape said quietly to the rising Harry. Harry knew this meant one thing: Snape had some form of pay back for Vernon.
Addressing Vernon and Dudley again while brandishing his wand, Snape snapped "No, the little porker will get it, and you Vernon," he said with a hiss, "will clean this mess up and leave us. We have important matters to attend to."
After Snape's orders were fulfilled, Hailey spoke to Snape in a cynical tone which Harry has never heard anyone address him in before. "You could have cleaned it up in a second you know."
Harry, not feeling like another row, replied to her, "Cleaning wouldn't harm them. Now Snape… Err Professor Snape, sir, what was the important information?"
"Watch it Potter," Snape said. "I still expect to be treated with the same respect I would be at school."
"Yes, sir, I understand," said Harry, trying to think of all the times he ever got Snape's respect.
"All right then …" Snape started.
"Wait," Hailey said, "Let Harry ask some questions first. I'm sure he has some."
"Err…um," Harry started, "Well yes I do. How can you, Hailey, be Mrs. Figg's granddaughter and be Sirius's daughter?"
"That was just my Muggle cover from the Order of the Phoenix, Harry," stated Hailey.
"Okay, err…did you break my fall when you disarmed me? With the force of that spell I should have went through the wall..." Harry said warily.
"Yes, you should have," confirmed Snape, "However; Hailey is very powerful and trained with her wand. Her special circumstances allowed her to start magic at a young age."
Harry was glad to see Snape was less peeved even though he was boasting. "Err, are we going back to Grimmauld Place?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," said Hailey. A short lived smile lit up on Harry's face.
"Actually we're not," said Snape, "There was a raid on the Order by Death Eaters. You two are to go directly to Hogwarts."
"Is everyone from the Order okay?" asked Hailey.
"They're fine but the place needs to be cleaned up," replied Snape.
"And the new secret keeper?" asked Hailey urgently.
"Dumbledore decided on Harry, much to my protest, since Sirius left his estate to you and him." Snape told her.
"He what?" asked Harry, who was astonished this wasn't addressed sooner.
"He did," said Hailey. "We are to share everything fifty-fifty. I hope you don't mind I still let the Order use number twelve Grimmauld Place."
"No, No I don't," said Harry. "How will we get to Hogwarts without the train?" Harry finished by changing the subject.
"Portkey," said Snape, "I have had it arranged by Dumbledore. However we must first get your school supplies at Diagon Alley. I still take it you can produce a Patronus?"
"Yes, why?" asked Harry uneasily.
"Because you will need it." replied Hailey. "Diagon Alley has been closed all summer to those who can't perform a Patronus. Mainly because the dementors have been wreaking havoc on it all summer by striking at unknown times."
"That is it for tonight's questioning," said Snape getting up from the couch. "You know what you need to know. Potter, show me the way to our room."
Harry grimaced at the thought of sharing a room with Snape. However, he nodded curtly. As Snape was kissing Hailey goodnight, Harry was trying to mentally recap if he did his potions homework or not.
He didn't have to worry about Snape finding a disheveled room however, because Petunia had removed all of his trunk's contents from the floor where he had left them and put them away. In the place of the mess was a cot set up for Snape.
"Small, but it will do," said Snape, surveying the room.
"You could always sleep in the cupboard," replied Harry.
"Just because I was nice to you today doesn't mean I always will be," Snape said closing in on Harry. However, Snape seemed to regain his sense and went off to his cot. He sat down on it and took out of his cloak pocket a black vial. He removed the stopper and drank the contents. Harry knew enough not to ask what it was for. Harry himself began to crawl into bed when Snape spoke to him.
"Do you snore, Potter?"
"I don't believe so, sir," Harry replied quickly.
"Well if you do, I have a potion to cure it," Spoke Snape cheerily. Harry however, knew that it was an open threat, for he saw Hailey remove all of his extraneous vials before Snape retired for the night.
The next morning, Harry had trouble remembering what he was thinking about before he had drifted off to sleep. However, he knew it was important. Harry could not shake the feeling he was forgetting something. Afraid of waking Snape, Harry opened one eye. He saw that Snape was no where to be found in his room. Great, Harry thought. Now he can criticize me with the fact that I was tardy. Harry slowly rose from bed. His head was pounding. Voldermort was toying with him as he had been all summer. Last night as Harry slept he revisited Cedric's and Sirius's deaths. He knew his dreams had to have come from the death eaters who had witnessed these events because he could see his own pained expressions every time Cedric and Sirius died. Harry made a mental note that if time prevailed to ask someone about this. When Harry was at the bottom of the stairs he saw Hailey and Snape sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. Hailey was wearing a v-necked powder blue sweater with a knee length skirt. Snape was in his usual black robes. Hailey and Snape, he realized, looked as if they got no sleep. He noticed they were engrossed in Muggle news and talked merrily.
"Good morning Harry" said Hailey without looking up from her paper.
"Good morning" he replied. Harry set straight away to making breakfast, for he knew that even though Snape and Hailey was present, Uncle Vernon would have his hide if breakfast was not served when he awoke.
"As soon as you are ready we will leave for Diagon Alley. We have a long day ahead so hurry," said Snape, annoyed.
As soon as Harry broke the first egg in the pan Dudley thudded down the stairs. He began to taunt his cousin before he even entered the kitchen, to show off for Hailey no doubt, Harry thought.
"Oh, no Cedric, not again! Sirius! Don't hold me back Lupin, I have to save him!" by now Dudley had entered the kitchen and was sitting diagonally to Snape. He was unaware of the severity in the situation. At the mention of Sirius' name Harry noticed Hailey's eyes glisten over. All Harry wanted was for Dudley to stop. However, he didn't.
"Who were they, your only friends or you boyfriends?," taunted Dudley.
Snape glanced at Harry then Hailey who were both semi-frozen with grief from Sirius's name. "Don't speak of things you know not of!" said Snape sharply and sternly.
However, Dudley did not heed these warnings. "Oh no, Voldermort, Voldermort!" shrieked the acerbic Dudley.
With this Snape snapped. He reached across the table and grabbed Dudley by the neck, choking him. Harry rushed to Dudley's right side and Hailey rushed to Dudley's left.
"Don't ever use the Dark Lord's name, you don't know his evil!" Snape said in a sinister tone while tightening his long boney fingers around Dudley's porky neck. Dudley could only gasp for air. Snape seemed impervious to Harry and Hailey's pleas for him to release Dudley.
"Please Uncle Snape let him go" Hailey pleaded as she grabbed his left arm.
Snape looked at her briefly and released his grip from Dudley. Not knowing what to do, Harry went back to making breakfast. Dudley however jumped to his feet, shrilling "You, you tried to kill me! Dad will have your neck when he hears this!"
"No he will not because he will not hear about it. You will sit and remain quiet for the rest of breakfast." Hailey said as she forcefully pushed Dudley in his chair.
The kitchen was silent except for a few murmurs from Snape and whimpers from Dudley by the time Harry had finished the eggs. He was about to start with the bacon when Aunt Petunia came down the stairs and uncharacteristically told Harry she would finish breakfast and that he could have a seat with his friends. The only seat left that wasn't Vernon's or Petunia's was the one next to Snape. When he sat down Snape gave a puzzled glance from him to Petunia. "Glad to see you heeded Dumbledore's warning, Petunia." Petunia just shifted uncomfortably while flipping bacon in response. Vernon came into the kitchen and surveyed the scene.
"Just because those freaks are here," he said pointing to Hailey and Snape, who began to fold the paper they were reading to look at him, "doesn't mean you're not going to help out around here! Get up and help you aunt with breakfast!"
"I told him he didn't have to today," said Petunia quickly.
"Well I still want my bloody paper," said Vernon, snatching the paper that sat between Hailey and Snape. Vernon seated himself on the end of the table closest to Hailey and Snape. Petunia brought over the food and seated herself on the end of the table next to Dudley and Harry. Just then the center of the table burst into flames. Dudley went running and screaming to his room where he remained until Harry left. When the flames cleared there were three papers and a letter lying on the table.
"What in bloody hell was that?!" Vernon croaked as he choked on his bacon, looking at his wife. Petunia, who was looking a little white, excused herself and like Dudley did not venture out of her room until Harry left.
"Fawkes?" asked Harry who knew whatever had happened was the work of a Phoenix.
"Yep," said Hailey, grabbing the papers and letter. She handed Snape a letter and a paper. "Here," she said to Harry, "Dumbledore sent one for you too."
Harry immediately took the Dailey Prophet and began flipping through it. Vernon spewed his juice. "By golly, they're moving!" he said staring at the pictures. Regaining his sense he hissed for them all to put the papers away. Hailey and Harry both looked at Snape to see if they should. He was too engrossed in his letter to see them.
"What is it?" asked Hailey.
Snape checked his watch. "We have to go now to catch the Portkey," he informed them. "Harry, go get you things," he said still looking disconnected.
Harry brought his trunk downstairs with all his Hogwarts belongings in it.
"We have to go to Mrs. Figgs to travel by floo," stated Hailey as if knowing he was going to ask that question. Before Harry walked out the door he hollered, "See you next summer!" to the cowering Dursleys.
Mrs. Figg was tending to the fire when they arrived. Magically Snape and Hailey's trunks appeared. "I take it you can travel by floo powder, Potter? "Snape asked snidely. Harry nodded his head while remembering the last time he attempted to get to Diagon Alley by floo and ended up in Knockturn Alley.
"Good. You go first and keep a hold of your trunk," Snape warned, "Please do speak clearly Potter. I do not want to be saving you today."
Harry was angered by that comment but he picked up his floo powder and threw it in the flames. He then waited for the flames to turn blue. Finally stepping into the fire, he yelled, "Diagon Alley!"