"A Child's Hope" by Canopus Carina
* * * * *
Key: "speech" 'thought' /emphasis/
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter or Severitus Challenge.
* * * * *
Chapter Two: Severus and Remus
* * * * *
"Welcome, gentlemen. It is good to see that you have finally put your arguments aside."
The werewolf stayed silent while the potions master each gave a snort of disagreement and glared at the other.
'He will never see that he is acting like a child,' the werewolf, named Remus Lupin, thought quietly.
"I have called you here today because I have the bad feeling that the protection charms around Harry Potter's house are breaking." The two present looked back up at the headmaster. Mixed emotions filled he room.
Snape looked up with indifference, 'what does that have to do with me?' he thought.
Remus didn't feel the same though; his thoughts racing with confusion and fear.
"How could that be though?" Remus asked, "I thought that the protection charms would stay on as long as..."
"The people who live in the house care for him," Dumbledore finished his previous student's statement, "or if he isn't there since he is at Hogwarts."
'Harry always said that his relatives were mean to him,' Remus remembered, 'is it bad enough for the charms to break? Were these people really the ones who should be watching Harry? After all, the incident with Sirius was two months ago... is he having nightmares because of it? Or did Harry run away? If he did, he could be in great danger.'
"I'm asking you to go to the house and bring Harry here. I don't think it would be wise for him to stay at that house any longer."
"Do you think that it is that bad?" Remus interrupted, "what do you expect is happening there?"
"He hasn't sent many letters to anyone. The ones were have been getting are off the point, always dodging his health. Of course he says that he is doing fine, but I have experience to know that he isn't telling us everything."
"What does this have to do with me?" The Potions master interrupted.
"Well, Severus, this has a lot to do with you. If I'm not mistaken, you promised Lily that you would watch over her child, no mater what."
"Albus, why would I watch James' son? Lily said that because she thought that we would have a child together and she didn't want a bad relationship between the baby and me."
"That wasn't why she said it though," the Headmaster said in his knowing voice, "she wanted you to know Harry even if he was James son... to watch him when the danger gets high. I think it is time for you to fulfill your promise."
The Potions Master sat in silence, knowing that he was beat but the elderly wizard.
"I want you to go to Harry's house and bring him back to Hogwarts."
* * * * *
"What are we doing?"
"We're trying to find Harry, Severus, did you forget so easily?" Remus asked in mock surprise, "I though you never forgot facts like that. You're losing your touch."
"Severus glared at Remus, raising an accusing finger, "Just because you have your werewolf strength, I can hold my own in a fight, you know."
"I know, but I'd probably win anyway."
"Where are we going?" Severus asked, ignoring Remus' last comment, "And why don't we just apparate closer or even floo there?"
"You aren't using your mind are you? The apparition wards are covering a large area since we aren't going to take any chances of Death Eaters, and the muggles aren't connected to the floo network. I don't even know if they have the fire going at any time. They have an electric fire."
"Why on earth do they have an /electric/ fire? That's just weird!"
"These muggles are weird, period."
"Well, they would have to be if they raised Potter."
"They didn't want to watch him, and they hate each other."
"Whatever," Severus answered, not listening to his companion, "Let's just get to the house, find out he's being treated like a king, get the brat and return to the school where I can rest."
Remus just shook his head, continuing his walk to Number four, Privet Drive.
* * * * *
"This is it?"
"This is it."
"But it's so boring! These muggles could drive anyone crazy. It's no wonder Potter is so close to insanity."
"Severus, why are you so mean to Harry? Especially when you were married to Lily before."
Severus stopped right where he was, causing Remus to bump into him. "How do you know about that?"
"I'm close with James and he knew."
"Does that mean Pettigrew knows?" It was then that an emotion no one had ever seen on the Potions Master had come, fear. 'If that damned rat knows about Lily and me, then Voldemort will find out! I wonder why he hasn't told yet. Is he helping me? Yeah, right!'
"No," Remus answered, "Not even Sirius knows, only me. I don't know why he told me, but he did, and I don't know why he was protecting you, but we may never know."
"That will be a discussion for another day, Lupin," Severus answered, walking up the pathway. Without another word, he knocked on the door only to be confronted by a large man.
"Who are you?" the man, Vernon Dursley, asked, "What are you doing here? I don't need /your/ kind! Get away from my house!" and he shut the door on Severus' face.
"What was that about?"
"He hates everything that has to do with magic," Lupin said knowingly, "but he usually wants Harry to leave, as Ron tells me, so I wonder why Vernon is yelling at us."
"You mean he's always like that? But why isn't he throwing Harry out at us if he hates magic?" Severus asked, thoughtfully but became worried, "what if he threw Harry out at a Death Eater?!?"
"When have you even cared about Harry?"
"Do you know what would happen if Potter was captured?"
"The Death Eaters would broadcast it everywhere... and did you call him Harry?"
"No, I called him Potter, like I usually do."
"...the time before that, Severus."
"No... okay, maybe I did, but it doesn't matter anymore, he's Lily's child and I am to watch over him. I promised."
* * * * *
Sorry I couldn't get it up on Saturday, but ff.net wasn't working. Hope you all read this one. To my wonderful reviewers-
Gryphnwng: I should say that Ravenclaw could get five points because of Remus. I hope you like this chapter even though Harry doesn't see Severus yet.
jedi-master-farah: Ten points to Gryffindor for Remus and the 'talkie- things' as you called them. They only connect Hermione, Ron, and Harry and are called 'Calculusos' which is Latin for 'stone talk'
Lady Lightning: Five points to Gryffindor for Remus.
SafariGoddess: Ten points to Slytherin for Remus and Severus.
Sharai Darekin: All fifteen points to Ravenclaw for Remus, Severus, and how they find Harry (though you find that out in chapter three).
Rickman's Girl: You should have gone with Severus! I know that it would be stupid to send Severus if Death Eaters were there, but sadly, they don't know of the Death Eaters. It's a good idea about the tracking devices, but the Order doesn't know about the stones. Sorry, I hope that you'll start to know how I think and that the questions will be easier... only one person got everything! But then again, she has to deal with me at school. He he.
Sakura Ryou: Well, my crazy Slytherinistic reviewer, you get five points for Remus. I am a Gryffindor, so you have to remember that I won't tell you the answers. Hehe.
SweetDreams: Thanks for the vote! I think that good Draco with his temper is a good choice, it'll work great. Five points to Slytherin for Remus.
Tenshi-Chikyuu: Thanks for your review, but you forgot the question at the end of chapter one. It seems as if some people like Draco as the "snarny prick" but on the side of good at the end.
Tropic: You're the third that said that Draco should be stuck up and on the good side; it seems as if it might be unanimous! Five points to Gryffindor for Remus.
ArisReagan: I'm sorry my friend, but you didn't get any points for Slytherin. You should have already known that I think like a Slytherin and would warp my answers so it seemed as if they didn't come until later! Hehe.
Remember everyone, this is a Severitus Challenge, Severus and Remus have to be involved!
Question for Chapter Three: Hermione, like she is always, automatically talks once she gets on to the stones (Calculusos). What is one of the topics that she talks about before Harry tells his friend about the Death Eaters that 'visited' him? (5 points) You don't have to tell me your House if you have already reviewed (unless you want to change it).
Houses: If you don't know what house you should be in, I found a sorting that actually has questions that matter (unlike harrypotter.com). I have the web address on my bio, its really good! I am half Gryffindor, half Ravenclaw. There are many quizzes at that place, just click "Harry Potter" for more (it says I'm like McGonagall!) You definitely have to take the love test! It shows you who you would be with if you fell in love with one of the characters of Harry Potter; you'll never predict the answers!
Voting: In your review, please tell me whether or not you want Draco to go to the side of good.
Score: I don't know how this is possible, but there is a triple tie. Everyone has twenty points though in reality, Ravenclaw is winning because they had the least amount of people participating and still got twenty points. It then goes to Gryffindor and then to Slytherin. Hufflepuffs, don't be shy!
Canopus: Another thousand words done. I can't believe it! My other story was with only five hundred words. Anyways, Harry is found by Severus and Remus next chapter... I think. I know who is reading this story, so I expect a review! Hehe. Anyway, if people read this chapter, I'll update next Saturday (if ff.net is working).
Contact: If you want me to send you a notice when I update the story, please put your email address on a review. Anyone who wants to talk, whether it's just a 'hi' or you don't understand something, my AIM is K091288.
* * * * *
Key: "speech" 'thought' /emphasis/
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter or Severitus Challenge.
* * * * *
Chapter Two: Severus and Remus
* * * * *
"Welcome, gentlemen. It is good to see that you have finally put your arguments aside."
The werewolf stayed silent while the potions master each gave a snort of disagreement and glared at the other.
'He will never see that he is acting like a child,' the werewolf, named Remus Lupin, thought quietly.
"I have called you here today because I have the bad feeling that the protection charms around Harry Potter's house are breaking." The two present looked back up at the headmaster. Mixed emotions filled he room.
Snape looked up with indifference, 'what does that have to do with me?' he thought.
Remus didn't feel the same though; his thoughts racing with confusion and fear.
"How could that be though?" Remus asked, "I thought that the protection charms would stay on as long as..."
"The people who live in the house care for him," Dumbledore finished his previous student's statement, "or if he isn't there since he is at Hogwarts."
'Harry always said that his relatives were mean to him,' Remus remembered, 'is it bad enough for the charms to break? Were these people really the ones who should be watching Harry? After all, the incident with Sirius was two months ago... is he having nightmares because of it? Or did Harry run away? If he did, he could be in great danger.'
"I'm asking you to go to the house and bring Harry here. I don't think it would be wise for him to stay at that house any longer."
"Do you think that it is that bad?" Remus interrupted, "what do you expect is happening there?"
"He hasn't sent many letters to anyone. The ones were have been getting are off the point, always dodging his health. Of course he says that he is doing fine, but I have experience to know that he isn't telling us everything."
"What does this have to do with me?" The Potions master interrupted.
"Well, Severus, this has a lot to do with you. If I'm not mistaken, you promised Lily that you would watch over her child, no mater what."
"Albus, why would I watch James' son? Lily said that because she thought that we would have a child together and she didn't want a bad relationship between the baby and me."
"That wasn't why she said it though," the Headmaster said in his knowing voice, "she wanted you to know Harry even if he was James son... to watch him when the danger gets high. I think it is time for you to fulfill your promise."
The Potions Master sat in silence, knowing that he was beat but the elderly wizard.
"I want you to go to Harry's house and bring him back to Hogwarts."
* * * * *
"What are we doing?"
"We're trying to find Harry, Severus, did you forget so easily?" Remus asked in mock surprise, "I though you never forgot facts like that. You're losing your touch."
"Severus glared at Remus, raising an accusing finger, "Just because you have your werewolf strength, I can hold my own in a fight, you know."
"I know, but I'd probably win anyway."
"Where are we going?" Severus asked, ignoring Remus' last comment, "And why don't we just apparate closer or even floo there?"
"You aren't using your mind are you? The apparition wards are covering a large area since we aren't going to take any chances of Death Eaters, and the muggles aren't connected to the floo network. I don't even know if they have the fire going at any time. They have an electric fire."
"Why on earth do they have an /electric/ fire? That's just weird!"
"These muggles are weird, period."
"Well, they would have to be if they raised Potter."
"They didn't want to watch him, and they hate each other."
"Whatever," Severus answered, not listening to his companion, "Let's just get to the house, find out he's being treated like a king, get the brat and return to the school where I can rest."
Remus just shook his head, continuing his walk to Number four, Privet Drive.
* * * * *
"This is it?"
"This is it."
"But it's so boring! These muggles could drive anyone crazy. It's no wonder Potter is so close to insanity."
"Severus, why are you so mean to Harry? Especially when you were married to Lily before."
Severus stopped right where he was, causing Remus to bump into him. "How do you know about that?"
"I'm close with James and he knew."
"Does that mean Pettigrew knows?" It was then that an emotion no one had ever seen on the Potions Master had come, fear. 'If that damned rat knows about Lily and me, then Voldemort will find out! I wonder why he hasn't told yet. Is he helping me? Yeah, right!'
"No," Remus answered, "Not even Sirius knows, only me. I don't know why he told me, but he did, and I don't know why he was protecting you, but we may never know."
"That will be a discussion for another day, Lupin," Severus answered, walking up the pathway. Without another word, he knocked on the door only to be confronted by a large man.
"Who are you?" the man, Vernon Dursley, asked, "What are you doing here? I don't need /your/ kind! Get away from my house!" and he shut the door on Severus' face.
"What was that about?"
"He hates everything that has to do with magic," Lupin said knowingly, "but he usually wants Harry to leave, as Ron tells me, so I wonder why Vernon is yelling at us."
"You mean he's always like that? But why isn't he throwing Harry out at us if he hates magic?" Severus asked, thoughtfully but became worried, "what if he threw Harry out at a Death Eater?!?"
"When have you even cared about Harry?"
"Do you know what would happen if Potter was captured?"
"The Death Eaters would broadcast it everywhere... and did you call him Harry?"
"No, I called him Potter, like I usually do."
"...the time before that, Severus."
"No... okay, maybe I did, but it doesn't matter anymore, he's Lily's child and I am to watch over him. I promised."
* * * * *
Sorry I couldn't get it up on Saturday, but ff.net wasn't working. Hope you all read this one. To my wonderful reviewers-
Gryphnwng: I should say that Ravenclaw could get five points because of Remus. I hope you like this chapter even though Harry doesn't see Severus yet.
jedi-master-farah: Ten points to Gryffindor for Remus and the 'talkie- things' as you called them. They only connect Hermione, Ron, and Harry and are called 'Calculusos' which is Latin for 'stone talk'
Lady Lightning: Five points to Gryffindor for Remus.
SafariGoddess: Ten points to Slytherin for Remus and Severus.
Sharai Darekin: All fifteen points to Ravenclaw for Remus, Severus, and how they find Harry (though you find that out in chapter three).
Rickman's Girl: You should have gone with Severus! I know that it would be stupid to send Severus if Death Eaters were there, but sadly, they don't know of the Death Eaters. It's a good idea about the tracking devices, but the Order doesn't know about the stones. Sorry, I hope that you'll start to know how I think and that the questions will be easier... only one person got everything! But then again, she has to deal with me at school. He he.
Sakura Ryou: Well, my crazy Slytherinistic reviewer, you get five points for Remus. I am a Gryffindor, so you have to remember that I won't tell you the answers. Hehe.
SweetDreams: Thanks for the vote! I think that good Draco with his temper is a good choice, it'll work great. Five points to Slytherin for Remus.
Tenshi-Chikyuu: Thanks for your review, but you forgot the question at the end of chapter one. It seems as if some people like Draco as the "snarny prick" but on the side of good at the end.
Tropic: You're the third that said that Draco should be stuck up and on the good side; it seems as if it might be unanimous! Five points to Gryffindor for Remus.
ArisReagan: I'm sorry my friend, but you didn't get any points for Slytherin. You should have already known that I think like a Slytherin and would warp my answers so it seemed as if they didn't come until later! Hehe.
Remember everyone, this is a Severitus Challenge, Severus and Remus have to be involved!
Question for Chapter Three: Hermione, like she is always, automatically talks once she gets on to the stones (Calculusos). What is one of the topics that she talks about before Harry tells his friend about the Death Eaters that 'visited' him? (5 points) You don't have to tell me your House if you have already reviewed (unless you want to change it).
Houses: If you don't know what house you should be in, I found a sorting that actually has questions that matter (unlike harrypotter.com). I have the web address on my bio, its really good! I am half Gryffindor, half Ravenclaw. There are many quizzes at that place, just click "Harry Potter" for more (it says I'm like McGonagall!) You definitely have to take the love test! It shows you who you would be with if you fell in love with one of the characters of Harry Potter; you'll never predict the answers!
Voting: In your review, please tell me whether or not you want Draco to go to the side of good.
Score: I don't know how this is possible, but there is a triple tie. Everyone has twenty points though in reality, Ravenclaw is winning because they had the least amount of people participating and still got twenty points. It then goes to Gryffindor and then to Slytherin. Hufflepuffs, don't be shy!
Canopus: Another thousand words done. I can't believe it! My other story was with only five hundred words. Anyways, Harry is found by Severus and Remus next chapter... I think. I know who is reading this story, so I expect a review! Hehe. Anyway, if people read this chapter, I'll update next Saturday (if ff.net is working).
Contact: If you want me to send you a notice when I update the story, please put your email address on a review. Anyone who wants to talk, whether it's just a 'hi' or you don't understand something, my AIM is K091288.