Chapter 8 - House Guests

Harry was tired after having such a big meal and then walking the grounds of Snape Manor. The size of the manor was astounding and the grounds alone were as big as the entire block he grew up on. Harry wished that he had time to take a nap but Snape was expecting his Great Aunt Vespa for an extended visit and wished him to meet her upon arrival.

The thought of meeting one Snape's relatives made Harry feel more nervous than he would have thought. He was instructed to change into his best shirt and tie and dress robes for lunch so he knew this meeting was important to the professor. He just didn't want to disappoint the Potions Master again after all the professor had done for him.

He started up the giant winding staircase stopping halfway up to get his breath back. He felt hot and dizzy and the room started to spin. He sat down quickly leaning his head in both hands, which only helped minimally. The thought of turning into some weakling, always sick and tired made him push himself to stand back up once again.

He didn't want Snape to think he was weak so made his way into the bathroom to wash up and change. But soon as he stepped into the bathroom he felt his stomach protest and ran to the toilet to wrench up his big breakfast. He broke out into a cold sweat feeling his stomach twist as he slowly stood up and decided another shower was in order.

After the cold shower, Harry looked at himself in the mirror wondering if Snape would see that he didn't feel so great. The last thing he needed was to be sent to bed in front of Aunt Vespa. His new robe fit him perfectly and after much coaxing and a little magic, his hair laid flat on his head. If he didn't hurry downstairs he was going to be late. The one rule Snape demanded was that he be on time for everything.

Harry made it into the living room just as the tall grandfather clock struck noon. Snape turned away from the fireplace with a look of displeasure.

"Cutting it close Potter. Do not let me catch you rushing into a room again. You must walk like a gentleman into a room, not run like a dog."

"Yes sir." said Harry, still feeling sick to his stomach.

Just as Snape was going to reprimand Harry for not standing up straight, there was a loud bang that came from the fireplace. The fire suddenly turned green and two house elves, a butler, a teenage girl and an old lady with a severe hat on, stepped out into the living room. There was much commotion as the house elves tried to carry out a large trunk.

Snape immediately walked over to the older woman and bent his head down to kiss her extended hand.

"So nice of you to visit Aunt Vespa. We are pleased you are honoring us with this visit," said Severus.

Snape had been quite surprised when an old lavender owl had delivered a letter from his Great Aunt Vespa announcing their arrival today. The last time he had seen her was eight years ago at a very strange tea she had insisted he attend. The tea was actually the worse he had ever had. There was a distinct metallic taste to it. She had insisted he finish it, insisting that it would be rude not to. She was not the most accommodating person by far but being his elder Snape had felt he should oblige.

"Yes, yes it has been a while. You look quite a bit older Severus and your hair is rather stringy, is it not? Humph."

She then turned her attention to Harry.

"You must be the famous Harry Potter? You are under fed and pale." Aunt Vespa turned her nose up at Harry and looked as if something smelled bad.

Snape walked over to Harry and placed his arm over his shoulder.

"Aunt Vespa, I would like to introduce you to my son, Harry."

Harry looked up the professor shocked over being introduced that way.

Aunt Vespa looked at Severus with a stern look on her face, "He is not your son yet Severus. I'll be the judge of that!"

Harry looked at Snape and wanted to ask what Aunt Vespa meant by that, but Snape gave Harry a slight shake of the head and pulled him closer.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Harry with a slight bow.

"Yes, yes, I want you to meet my great niece from my late husband's side, Charlet. Come, come girl, don't drag your feet." she said as she grabbed Charlet by the arm.

"Pleasure to meet you Harry," she turned towards Severus and said, "Thank you for the hospitality Severus."

Harry was tongue tied by her beauty. She had raven black hair and startling blue eyes. Her slender figure and regal stance only added to her attractiveness.

Severus invited everyone to have a seat and partake in a beverage before lunch was served.

Harry was still feeling overwhelmed that Severus had introduced him as his son. The thought of having a real family made Harry look past the fact that this was the Potion Master that made his life hell while he was at school. Besides, hadn't Snape been the one to rescue him and nurse him back to health? The idea of having a real father was almost too good to be true. Besides this was much better than living with the Dursley's.

Lunch was a fancy affair without much talking from the young people at the table. Aunt Vespa seemed to have an opinion on everything she laid her eyes on in the house, none of it good. She didn't like the way Kenzi cooked the cabbage, she hated the drapes, she was appalled by the ancient carpet and complained about it being too cold in the room. More logs were added to the fireplace and Harry thought he would pass out from the heat. His head was throbbing and he knew the fever was back again.

Vespa turned her attention to Harry just as he was taking another drink of his ice water.

"Boy, why are you not eating? You need to finish what you have been served," Vespa admonished. "Severus, you must take control of him before he withers away. What kind of father are you to let him just drink water for lunch?"

Severus cleared his throat before rebuking, "Harry eat everything before you."

Harry picked up his fork and picked at his lamb a little. The smell was making him sick and he couldn't swallow the tiny piece in his mouth. He started to perspire even more and wished he could rip that dreaded tie off his neck. He pushed his food around a little and wished everyone would stop staring at him.

Snape didn't seem very pleased by his progress, "Mr. Potter, I require you to eat everything on that plate young man." Merlin, I sound like my mother.

Harry gave him a glare, angry over being spoken to like a child. He picked up another tiny piece of lamb and pushed it into his mouth.

Charlet was watching him from across the table with a look of disdain on her face.

"Um, is it okay if I'm excused, Severus?" whispered Harry as he looked down at his plate. He just needed to lie down to make his head stop spinning.

He heard a gasp from across the table and Vespa was shaking her head.

"You see Severus, I told you he was brought up like an animal and he wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility of being a Snape!" Vespa said haughtily.

She had been referring to a little conversation they had that morning by floo. She had said she was just checking up on him, but Severus knew she wanted something else. She never checked up on him.

Snape looked over at Harry closely, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. He noticed the perspiration on his forehead and wondered if he might be ill.

"Harry do you feel ill?"

"No sir, I um... ," and trailed off not knowing what to say.

"No then Mr. Potter, you may not be excused. Finish eating and begin to mind your manners," Snape said in a clipped tone.

Harry flushed to his roots and wanted to melt into the carpet. He stabbed another piece of lamb and prayed he would make it through the lunch without losing his lunch!

"Harry are you aware of what they are saying about you in the newspaper?" asked Charlet in a syrupy tone.

"No, I'm not supposed to read the paper right now."

"Yes Charlet, the paper has many false reports on Harry," explained Severus.

"So it's not true that you were locked up and beaten?"

"I erm, I …" stammered Harry with a quick glance at Snape.

"Harry need not speak of his experiences to anyone Miss Charlet," snapped Snape.

"Oh, I'm sorry cousin, I was just trying to support him, you know," Charlet replied sweetly.

Something about Charlet didn't sit right with Harry. He couldn't put his finger on it but it seemed she took joy over his discomfort. He looked at her and noticed that smirk again. What does she have against me, he thought. Suddenly she didn't look so pretty in his eyes.

Suddenly Aunt Vespa pointed to the window, "What is that ugly statue of your grandfather still doing out there? I told you to get rid of it!"

This was just the diversion Harry needed. He scooped the rest of the lamb over the side of his plate and wrapped it in his napkin, quickly stuffing the napkin in his robe.

Snape and Vespa continued to argue about the statue until lunch ended.

"I think I need a nap before the others arrive Severus," said Vespa. "Maybe you should teach that son of yours some table manners before we dine again!"

With that she snapped her fingers at Charlet. Charlet rushed to her side and the old lady took hold of Charlet's arm and headed up the stairs. Charlet gave him a wide smile as she walked out of the dining room.

Snape looked at Harry as they both stood up.

"What was going on during lunch Potter?" asked Snape as he walked towards Harry.

Harry took a couple of steps back and tried to come up with something to say. He knew how angry Vernon always used to get whenever he claimed to be ill and didn't want the Potion Master to find out how he was feeling right now.

Snape walked over to him and grabbed his shoulder, "Potter I expected more from you. Look at me when I am speaking to you."

Harry tensed at Snape's touch but continued to look down at his shoes. His throat was dry and his head was swimming. He didn't know how Snape would react to his illness and didn't think he could handle another punishment right now.

"I'm sorry about the lunch. Could I go now sir," Harry asked in a tight angry voice.

Snape grabbed Harry's chin roughly forcing his head up, then he froze. Harry was burning up. He could feel the heat burn his hand as he lifted Potter's chin and saw that the boy's eyes were red and his cheeks were flush with fever. So this is why he couldn't eat. Why didn't he tell me? What in heaven's name was wrong with the boy? Doesn't he trust me to take care of him?

Severus was angry at himself and angry at Potter for not speaking up, "Get up to your room."

Harry didn't know what to expect and he didn't know what had set Snape off all of a sudden. He tried to keep his balance on the way upstairs but his head was throbbing making him a little off balance. Suddenly Snape grabbed his arm from behind and practically dragged him into his room.

Snape pushed Harry towards the bed and growled, "Get undressed."

Harry stood without moving as thoughts of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his Uncle replayed in his mind. His hands shook as he fumbled with his buttons.

Snape walked over to him and started loosening Harry's tie, pulling it roughly from his neck. Then he began pulling off the boy's robe, until Harry pushed his hands away.

"What the hell are you doing?" Harry asked in a panicked voice, stepping back against the bed.

Snape tried to ignore the way the boy was looking at him, "I am putting you to bed Mr. Potter. You have a fever that could set this house on fire and you failed to let me in on that little secret."

Snape was not fond of secrets being kept from him, especially when he was in charge of the boy's welfare and safety.

"Get into bed before I toss you in."

Harry fumbled with his clothes while Snape rummaged through the dresser looking for pajamas. Where the hell did all those pajamas go? When he couldn't find any he grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and threw them at Harry. "Be in bed by the time I return," Snape said in a tone that left no room to argue. He turned on his heel and headed out the door.

Harry put the clothes on and slowly climbed into bed. He felt so sick and he just needed a few minutes to think clearly. His head was swimming and every bone in his body was sore from the fever. He felt so tired he couldn't think.

Just then his stomach gave a lurch so he got up and made his way to the bathroom. He was going to vomit. Snape walked in just as he was crossing his room.

Snape totally lost it when he saw Harry out of bed and grabbed him by the front of his shirt growling out, "When I give you an order I expect you to obey!"

Snape took a deep breath and let go of Harry's shirt. That odd feeling of anger coursing through his body was back again. Get control, don't let it control you. Snape took a few steps back and looked at the boy before him. The boy looked horrible. Snape concentrated on Harry's eyes and pushed the anger away. It was so hard, so very hard to control. He knew there was something wrong with him, something magical, dark magic.

Snape stepped closer to Harry intending to help him to bed, just as the boy pitched forward. Without warning, Harry vomited up his entire lunch on the front of Snape's dress robes.

Oh no, Harry was totally mortified. This is not happening again. He looked up into Snape's face fully expecting to get hit but couldn't believe his eyes. Snape was actually ...smiling?

 Harry was totally mortified.He looked up into Snape's face fully expecting to get hit but couldn't believe his eyes. Snape was actually ...smiling?

"Harry," he smirked, "When I decided to adopt a teen, I thought I would be past getting thrown up on all the time!" With that he pulled his wand out and cleaned them both up, then gently pushed Harry into bed.

He handed Harry a fever potion and glass of water then pulled a chair next to the bed.

Harry took a few sips of water then placed the glass on his nightstand. He swallowed the contents in the vial without asking what it was but knowing that the Professor was trying to help him. It was an odd feeling to actually have someone stay with him. It made him feel good to know he was being watched over, cared for like Dursley's used to do for Dudley when he was ill.

"Professor, I'm sorry about the way I acted during lunch."

Snape shook his head but didn't look angry, "Harry, I just ask that you let me know when you are feeling ill or are hurt. It is my job to watch over you now and I take my job seriously. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir. It's just that the Dursley's used to get angry when I was sick and I didn't want to disappoint you again."

Harry watched a cloud of anger flicker across the Potion Master's face. He wondered if he should have brought up the subject of the Dursley's? Maybe he would just push those memories away, pretend like they never happened.

Severus checked his emotions, forcing himself to calm down at the mention of Potter's family. "Yes, well suffice it to say, I am not the Dursley's." Severus watched the boy's face close down, offering no emotion now. That subject would definitely need to be addressed soon.

Harry pulled his glasses off placing them on the nightstand. He pushed back into the mound of soft pillows, grateful he was here and that he had someone watching out for him.

"Thank you Professor."

Snape didn't say anything else but suddenly realized that his once hardened heart was being pulled at. He took out the book about the vampire and read to Harry until the boy nodded off to sleep.

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