All right! The new book! I'm not going into details because I know some might not have finished yet however I will say this: Leave Snape Alone! Enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 8

Harry stood in his place and listened to the echoing voices coming from the sitting room. "You brought a Potter into this home?" Athena demanded.

"There was no choice Athena!" Alex retorted. "His other Aunt lets her family attack him. I couldn't bear to send him back to that. And this way he's safe if any death eaters decide to get revenge."

"You're alright with this Severus?" Athena asked her son. There were a few moments of silence before the Potions Master's voice filled the room.

"I won't lie that I've been completely behind this idea. But the boy is better off here and I have the understanding that he won't cause trouble." More silence followed.

"Harry Potter Sir, follow me." Came the squeaky voice of the forgotten house elf.

"Right, sorry." Harry said, quickly moving up the stairs hoping that they didn't hear anything downstairs. They must not have, Harry assumed, when the voices continued to float up the stairs. Harry no longer listened to what they were saying, the words that had been spoken by Snape were wrapping around his mind.

Then it struck him as to why. It almost sounded like Snape was concerned for his safety… the more Harry dwelled on it; the more he wanted to doubt it.

"Harry Potter's room sir." The elf said looking up at him. Before he could question the elf he realized that she couldn't reach the door handle to open it for him.

"Thank you… uh… sorry but what's your name?" Harry asked her.

"You ask my name sir?" The elf was obviously taken back, not like Dobby was, but still slightly thrown by the question. "Rappy Sir."

"Thank you Rappy." Harry said opening the door and walking in.

"Most welcomed sir." Rappy said backing out of the room. It looked as though nobody ever spent time in this room. There were no pictures on the wall and only a few books on a shelf and there was an empty desk placed firmly in the corner. "Better then the Dursleys." Harry Reminded himself, sitting on the bed and taking his shrunken trunk (say that five times fast) from his pocket.

"Everything okay?" Alex asked appearing at the doorway.

"Fine. It's a much nicer room then I normally have during summer holidays." Harry smiled at her.

"Glad to hear that." She smiled back at him. "Dinner is at 6, try and be prompt. Athena has a policy of if you don't care enough to be on time, you don't care enough to eat." Harry just gave a weary smile. "Look I know you aren't thrilled about this summer but it won't be as bad as all that."

"Why does Athena not want me to be here?"

"Athena just remembers what your father did Severus and you can't really blame a mother for begrudging someone who caused their child pain and embarrassment. Don't worry she'll see that you aren't completely like James and warm up to you… maybe." Alex tried to reassure him. "I'm going to go unpack. If you need anything we're right down the hall."

"Alright, thanks."

"Sure thing see you at dinner." Alex smiled, then closed the door behind her. She began to walk down the familiar hall to the room she and Severus were sharing. As she made her way she began to remember her first time in the house….

You'll have to wait till next chapter for the Flash Back.