Chapter 6 - Wardrobe
Harry felt really good after his nice big breakfast in bed. His fever was gone, his arm was healed and the sun was shining. He stood on shaky legs and slowly walked over to the window. He couldn't believe his eyes, the place was enormous and quite beautiful.
He looked down at his clothes and wondered what he was supposed to wear. He was still in hospital pajamas and didn't think they had any of his clothes with them, not that they were much anyways.
Just then Snape walked through the door and snapped out, "Who told you, you could get up Mr. Potter?"
"I- I feel pretty good … sir," Harry said feeling slightly apprehensive over being Professor Snape's house guest.
"Well we don't want a relapse so take a shower and get dressed, then we will see how you feel." Snape toned down his normal abrasive speech, knowing full well how that might affect the boy.
"Erm, I don't have any clothes here … sir," Harry looked down in embarrassment.
"Well then, it's a good thing I have a superb tailor," Snape snidely remarked.
Harry felt really stupid for saying this but he didn't want to walk around Hogwarts in creepy black suits all year. "Um, I really just need a pair of jeans and a couple of shirts sir. I have money at Gringotts and I could pay you back as soon as school starts," Harry looked up into angry brown eyes, and stepped closer to the window.
"First off Mr. Potter, you are my responsibility now so I will pay for everything you need. Does it look like I need your pathetic money," Snape said stretching out his arms. "Secondly, you will wear what I tell you to wear and not complain about it. And lastly I do not want to see you traipsing around Snape Manor wearing JEANS!"
Harry stood there in total humiliation. Of course he should have known he would cause embarrassment to Snape. Hadn't Uncle Dursley always told him how embarrassed they were of him.
"I-I don't want to embarrass you sir. I'm sorry," Harry stammered out as his face flushed.
Snape just realized what he had done to the boy. He really needed to control himself around Potter. The last thing he wanted to do was make Harry feel unwanted and ashamed of himself. Snape couldn't believe the drastic change in the boy. What happened to the self assured, cocky Gryffindor? This boy was stammering and stepping back and acting as if any minute Snape would turn into a Dementor.
"You do not need to be sorry all the time Mr. Potter. I will floo call my tailor immediately. Proceed into the shower and I'll have Kinsey, my elf, bring in some garments for you." With that he turned and walked out the door, robes billowing behind him.
Harry stepped out of the shower to find a soft robe and under garments on the sink. When he entered his room again he was surprised to see a short plump man with a tape measure in hand and rolls of fabric spread across his bed.
"Erm, hi. I'm Harry."
The man stood there with his mouth hanging open unable to speak a word. Imagine, fitting Harry Potter for clothes. Wait till tell my wife, she will be beside herself.
Snape glided into the room with a sneer on his face. "Lotus! Get hold of yourself."
Lotus snapped back to attention at the sight of the professor.
Snape began giving him a list of items, " We will need two dress robes of the finest quality, three school robes, button down shirts, t-shirts, several woolen jumpers, under garments, ten pajamas, several athletic wear pants and shirts, socks, two dress shoes, two pair school shoes, two pair sneakers and three dress pants, seven complete school uniforms, and ... two pairs of jeans." He said the last while looking at Harry with a smirk.
Harry didn't know what to say … didn't have more than 2 pairs of pants in his life, let alone all the other stuff.
Lotus walked over to Harry and began measuring him. He tried to measure his waist but the robe was too bulky. "Do you mind removing the robe Mr. Potter," he asked kindly.
Harry hesitated as he knew his back and ribs were pretty ugly, even with all the potions and creams.
Snape saw the hesitation and put his hand on Harry's shoulder while slowly pulling the robe off. He felt the boy tense up when he saw the reaction of the tailor.
Lotus gave a loud gasp and looked at Snape with angry eyes. What the bloody hell is going on around here!
It took Snape a moment to realize Lotus thought he had done that to his young charge.
Harry tried to grab the robe away from Snape but the potions master threw it on the bed.
"Take your measurements Lotus and be quick about it" snarled Snape. He felt it was below him to explain Harry's injuries to the tailor.
Harry stood in humiliation and tried to think of something else. It seemed Snape was trying to take his mind off this too because he walked over to Harry's closet and pulled out a present wrapped in gold, about the size of a broom.
"Mr. Potter, here is an early birthday present from Professor Lupin. He will not be able to see you on your birthday and asked that I give this to you. I do not want you using it without my permission though. Understood?"
Harry reached for the gift and slowly opened it. Inside was the Mega Sweep 5000 Firebolt! The newest, fastest and most expensive one out. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Thank you sir," he whispered, "How do you think he managed to pay for this?" Harry couldn't stop himself from rubbing his hand along the broom, trying to take it all in. Wait 'til Ron sees this! He wanted to jump on it and ride it right now.
Harry's smile made Snape feel satisfied that he had given the gift to the boy early.
"Well, I suppose Black might have had something to do with it. Perhaps Lupin was left a sum."
Harry looked up at Snape and was just about to thank him again for giving him this gift early, when his scar burst with pain. Harry fell to the ground holding his head and screaming in agony before biting his lip in silence.
Lotus jumped back, terrified of the scene before him. He could see blood running down the boy's hand and knew that no one had touched him.
Snape knelt down next to Harry, rubbing small circles on his back and telling him to breathe. Witnessing one of these attacks from Voldemort was rather nerve wracking as there was nothing you could do to help the boy. A few minutes later the pain eased and Harry slumped against the professor.
Harry was leaning on Snape trying to catch his breath and feeling like he was going to lose his breakfast. " My head ... I'm going to be sick," immediately he threw up his breakfast all over Snape's new robes. He was mortified!
Lotus was scared for the child and thought Snape might strike the boy.
Snape pulled his wand out and cleaned up the mess. He picked the boy up and saw that the Gryffindor bed was covered in bolts of fabrics, so he carried him to his own quarters. Harry felt drained and didn't protest. Snape placed him on his bed and went into the bathroom to fetch a potion to help the boy's headache.
"Here son, take this and get some sleep," Snape said in a calm voice.
'Son…' thought Harry, was this the same potions teacher who took points every chance he had? Harry took the potion and pushed his head back on his pillow.
"Could you tell me what the Dark Lord was after Potter?"
"I think Voldemort's angry about something. He feels like he lost something and he was really mad," said Harry in a whisper. He looked up at Snape and was shocked to see the fright in his eyes.
"What is it sir?"
"I believe he is mad because he lost you," whispered the Professor cryptically.
Snape sat down next to Harry and began pushing Harry's hair off his forehead. He did it without even realizing what he was doing. When he looked down at Harry's face he saw that the boy had closed his eyes and was starting to fall asleep. He grabbed a quilt off the chair and covered Harry's bruised up body. Just then he noticed the tailor at his door and strode out into hall.
"The clothes will be ready tomorrow sir."
"Not soon enough Lotus, get them here today," snapped The Potion Master.
"Yes sir." Lotus said and peeked over to where Harry was fast asleep. "For that boy, I'll be sure to do it. Will he be okay?"
"Yes, but I must ask that you not divulge anything you witnessed here today," Snape said in a threatening voice.
The tailor nodded his head and looked once more at the sleeping boy.
XXXXXXXXXX
Harry awoke to a room filled with clothes. He couldn't believe that someone would actually waste their time making him clothes. Snape was beginning to act as if he might actually care for him. He felt sort of uncomfortable with the whole idea but the dream with his mum in it reassured him. Who would have ever known that Snape could actually be nicer than the Durselys?
He went into the bathroom and washed his face and brushed his teeth with the new toothbrush on the bed. He looked at all the clothes hanging magically in the air on hangers and chose black slacks and a blue jumper. The handsome custom made black boots were brilliant so he put those on too.
He walked down the hall, looking for the professor. The place was a mansion, literally. He would get lost in here if he didn't remember where he was. The house was decorated in such a fine manner that Harry made sure not bump into anything. He went down the stairs and heard voices coming from the big room on the left with a giant fireplace. He walked into the room and stopped in his tracts. Sitting on the sofa was none other than Mrs. Figg.
Mrs. Figg spotted him, "Oh, Harry I was so worried about you ."
Snape whipped around, "Who said you could get up! Do you want another relapse? Get over here and take a seat!"
Harry felt a spark of annoyance over being bossed around like a two year old. No one had ever cared enough to look out for his well being, it would take some getting used to.
"I'm fine sir, I actually feel pretty good."
"I'll be the judge of that," Severus countered in a cold silky voice.
Harry reluctantly made his way over to the leather chair by the fire. Snape felt Harry's forehead. When he didn't feel any sign of fever he reluctantly offered Harry a drink of pumpkin juice, instead of making Harry get back in bed.
Harry took the drink then faced Mrs. Figg, noting her house dress and worn down slippers.
"I can't believe you're here," Harry said as he saw his old babysitter looking around with awe.
"I gave Dumbledore a piece of my mind over leaving you with such horrible people! I was shocked when he told me Severus was looking after you. Out of the cauldron and into the fire, I told him. Albus finally relented and let me see with my own eyes that you were safe," Arabella said as she noticed the smirk on the Potion Master's face.
There was an uncomfortable silence after that. Snape wasn't used to house guests and didn't feel the need to fill in the void.
"You know what those newspapers are saying about you don't you?" Mrs. Figg asked as if the whole fiasco was a big secret.
"No ma'am. I haven't been allowed a paper," Harry admitted.
Arabella gave Snape a her own glare before stating, "The whole wizarding world is demanding to know how you are and exactly who did that to you."
"Enough," Severus irritably. "Potter doesn't need any other concerns plaguing his mind."
"I think we should leave that up to Harry," Arabella snapped.
"No, I think not. I am his legal guardian and I will make all decisions concerning him."
Arabella sat up straighter feeling indignant over the rebuff, "When does this guardianship end Mr. Snape?"
"That is not your concern. It may be permanent in any case," Severus haughtily replied.
Harry looked up at the Professor, this was news to him. "Permanent?"
Snape ignored the boy's inquiry, not wanting to reveal anything further in front of the squib.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Arabella protested, "I'm not going to let Harry be harmed further by an ex- Death Eater!"
"You have lost all rights and privileges to anything concerning Mr. Potter. I believe it was your job to watch out for his welfare this past summer? A fine job you did, Arabella."
That comment effectively shut down any further comments Mrs. Figg was about to make. She gathered her handbag and walked towards the fireplace. She stopped in front of Harry and gave him a soft pat on the head. "Sorry son."
Without another word she threw green floo powder into the fire and disappeared.
Harry stood up and faced the Potion Master, "Why did you have to talk to her like that!"
"Mr. Potter mind your conduct," Snape warned in an ominous voice.
"No. She did her best for me!" Harry shouted.
Something odd had been happening to Snape. Ever since the moment in the infirmary he had been feeling an evil thread of anger grip at his soul. Something was definitely wrong but at the moment he had no control.
Snape felt a gripping anger at his emotions and something dark overtook his heart. He couldn't control it as hard as he tried. He tried to push it down and take control of his anger but it spiraled out of control. It was almost magical...dark magic.
Before Harry knew what was happening Snape had grabbed his arm and threw him up against the wall, his head slamming hard.
'Don't you ever talk to me in that tone of voice again boy! Do I make myself clear?" Snape snarled out in anger. The anger was so sudden and had come from nowhere. Snape tried to push it down but could not control the mysterious wave of anger that coursed through his body.
Harry froze, this was familiar. He couldn't respond, he was so scared by the professor's reaction. Memories of Vernon and the punishments flashed through his head.
Snape grabbed Harry's hair on the back of his head. He felt so angry, so red hot angry at this boy. He couldn't get a handle on his emotions, he was a master occlumens and tried with everything he had to push these feelings down
Harry waited for the blow. He was still too frightened to speak.
"I said, do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes sir," Harry stammered out.
Snape threw him against the chair, just intending to have Harry sit in it, but Harry lost his balance and went flying into the glass coffee table. He fell with such force that the table exploded around him. Glass splinters embedded in his arms and chest. He was utterly terrified. He couldn't move.
It was happening again! Just when he thought he might actually have a person in his life that cared. He must really bring out the anger in people. Harry thought he would be safe with Professor Snape but knew he had this punishment coming. Didn't he disobey Snape and get out of bed … twice? Harry was not thinking straight, he had not only been physically damaged but most importantly emotionally damaged. In his mind he was just getting what he felt he deserved after killing his Godfather and Cedric and his parents. In his damaged self he accepted what was coming. His mind shut down as it did when Vernon was abusing him. The bubble of reality gone.
Snape raced over to Harry as the anger suddenly left him. Harry raised his arms to protect his head from the blows that must certainly be coming next. But Snape carefully picked him up off the floor and held him, with a look of horror on his face. The boy was bleeding from hundreds of tiny cuts all over the front of him. The worse one coming from his mouth.
Snape was horror struck! He was acting like a Death Eater to the boy who was going to be his son. What had happened to him just then? The anger was now completely gone. All that was left was bewilderment over how he had acted and how he couldn't control his emotions. That was just not acceptable to him.
Harry's eyes were starring off as if he was no longer there. Snape's stomach dropped and he began to panic.
"Potter, son can you hear me?" Snape began walking up the staircase with the catatonic boy in his arms.
"I-I didn't mean for that to happen, it was an accident. I'm sorry," Snape actually had meant it too. He wanted to be a father to this boy but the influence of his own father kept sneaking into his demeanor and maybe that was why he couldn't control his emotions?
He placed Harry on his bed and looked carefully at his wounds. The wounds to the boy's body were superficial but the one to his lip was deep. He took all the glass out and then put a healing potion on all the cuts. The cuts healed instantly but the only one to not heal was on his lip. Snape stayed by Harry's side all night checking on his wound. Harry just kept starring at the ceiling, until he finally drifted off to a very fitful sleep.
Snape was terrified over what he had done to the boy. He honestly hadn't any control over his anger. That had never happened to him before and he was so frightened that it might happen again. The boy hadn't said anything out of the ordinary but Snape took it as if he had said something evil. This was not right and Snape knew he had to find the cause. For Harry's sake and for his future.
XXXXXXXXXXXX