A/N : Yes, hikaru117. I don't want Sirius to die either, but I can't find a way to make the story afterwards logical if Sirius is still alive. For Sirius fans, I apologize for his death. I really did racked my brain to prevent this plot. Back to the story, after so many chapters of angst, I think both Harry and Severus deserves some peace, but it may not last long. Enjoy!
Chapter 16 : Arrangements
After two days of necessary rest, both Harry and Snape were getting restless. True, they had not fully recovered yet, but they couldn't bear spending the whole day lying on their respective beds anymore. However, Madam Pomfrey was not compromising her professionalism either. Snape almost ended up sparring with Poppy due to her refusal to give him permission to visit his dungeons. Harry was silently urging Snape on, wanting a break as well. It turned out that both of them were rescued by a timely meeting requested by Dumbledore.
It was the evening of their second day bedridden when Dumbledore finally stepped into the hospital wing. To be frank, both Harry and Snape were expecting him to visit earlier. Dumbledore usually detoured to the hospital wing to accompany Snape when he was hurt after a Death Eater meeting for a short while each day, even if he was sleeping or unconscious. In Harry's first year, Dumbledore had even waited in the hospital wing for Harry to wake up after the Philosopher's stone 'adventure'. Anyhow, neither of them voiced their questions and followed Dumbledore to his office contentedly. To their delight, Madam Pomfrey hadn't been able to convince Dumbledore to delay their meeting.
"Chocolate frog." It appeared that Dumbledore had not changed his password yet although he used to change it every week. "Perhaps he has been really busy these past days," Snape thought to himself. He knew Dumbledore well enough to know that security is one of his main concerns. Pushing that though aside, he forced himself to focus on the current time.
Upon entering Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore gestured to Harry and Snape to take a seat on two comfortable chairs in front of his table. They obeyed with a nod. "Lemon drops?" Dumbledore offered. Both took one as they knew it would waste more time trying to convince the headmaster that they didn't need one if they refused. Happy with the accepted pleasantries, Dumbledore started to speak.
"First of all, I would like to apologize to you, Harry. I should have listened to Severus when he suggested the possibility of abuse occurring in the Dursleys' household. Instead, I was blinded by the protection the blood wards offered against Voldemort and ignored that harm that might be implied by your own relatives." Dumbledore's blue eyes bore into Harry's emerald ones, sorrow and regret evident.
"I never blamed you sir. I also thought that I could cope with it, thus deciding against revealing the truth. I just didn't expect it to worsen this summer." Harry almost slapped himself for saying the last sentence. He was not volunteering to provide information that he deemed the Order members did not need to know, but it's too late. "Harry, speaking of this, do you mind giving me and Severus some knowledge about what happened this summer? I was wondering if it has something to do with Voldemort. I know you are reluctant to do so, Harry, but I would really appreciate it if you could give us some insights into Voldemort plans for the future. I promise that everything you said will be between the three of us only." Sensing Dumbledore's gaze, Snape also affirmed, "Yes, Potter, I vow to keep your secret."
Sighing inwardly, Harry knew there was no way he could get out of this, especially when he was with two of the most accomplished Legilimens in the wizarding world. "Professor Dumbledore, you actually guessed right. Voldemort was the main planner behind this. He used an Imperius charm on my Uncle so that he would take drugs. And…my uncle wasn't exactly pleased with having me in their household. The drugs destroyed the self-control he had and he sort of flew at me. Besides, I suspect Voldemort did interfere when he thought my uncle's actions weren't enough to thrust me out of the house. You see, although my uncle was…let's say angry, to have me, he wasn't cruel either." Snape couldn't help wondering how Harry could be so forgiving. Based on the memories Harry relieved to him, describing Vernon as cruel would be an understatement.
"How did you know these, Harry? Did Voldemort tell you?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded, "I guess he wanted to taunt me that I will never get rid of him, not even in my house." He added softly. "And may I know what had your uncle do to drive you out of the house? From what Poppy told me, some of your scars were one week old, so it was obvious that normal beatings will not cause you to run out of the house that you knew was responsible for your safety."
Snape could sense Harry hyperventilating beside him. Glaring at Dumbledore for his tactlessness, Snape gently held Harry's hand. Harry flinched at the touch, but didn't pull away. It was actually comforting once he got used to it. After calming down enough by focusing on his breathing, Harry tried to answer Dumbledore's question. "He…my uncle...he…I can't!" Harry buried his face in his hands. There was no way he could tell them that his uncle was trying to rape him. Although he had not succeeded, Harry felt filthy. How can the savior of the wizarding world be so weak to allow his uncle to 'touch' him that way?
"Potter," Snape tried again when Harry did not acknowledge him. "Potter." Still no answer or even any body language that showed he had heard it. "Harry," Using his first name worked. Harry's eyes snapped up and locked with Snape's. "Harry, remember I told you that anything abusive adults do is not our fault?" Harry nodded, but he couldn't bring himself to believe Snape's words. "Harry, listen to me. My father had once tried to touch me, you know?" Harry's jaw dropped, and guilty, he felt better learning that he was not the only one experiencing it. Anyhow, he started muttering apologies. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to…you don't have to…I'm really sorry."
Harry's reaction confirmed Snape's suspicions. He had enough experience with abused children to know that the hardest to acknowledge deeds was sexual abuse. Putting a firm hand on Harry's shoulder, Snape forced Harry to look into his eyes again. "Harry, you needn't apologize. I'm telling you this because I went through this process of self-doubt you are experiencing now, and it's not worth it. I don't feel ashamed of my past, and you shouldn't either." This time, Harry nodded with a little bit more confidence. Snape knew it would take Harry some time to get past this, but he would do anything he can to ease it. "Yes…my uncle…he tried to sexually assault me."
Across them, Dumbledore was flabbergasted. He never knew that Snape's father attempted to rape him even though he was aware of other abuse. And Harry, he was so young, but was forced to endure years of abuse, which as his headmaster, Dumbedore failed to prevent. Gawking, he tried to clear his mind. Knowing what his mentor was thinking, Snape voiced. "Albus, it's not your fault, abused children are mostly reluctant to seek help. Being magical, we have a lot of means to hide our scars. It's normal that you and other teachers didn't recognize the signs."
"Thanks for the consolation, Severus, but it's still my responsibility to oversee students' well-being. I will put more effort into this, and I hope you can help." "Of course, headmaster." Being Dumbledore, nothing could shock him for too long. Regaining his composure, he recalled his main motive of having Harry and Snape at his office. A smile crept up his face as he saw Snape gently caressing Harry's hair, calming him down. He also didn't fail to notice Harry's attempt to move closer to Snape, seeking physical security.
"I would like to ask both of your opinions about Harry's accommodation for this summer. It was obvious that Harry can't go back to Privet Drive, so we need a new guardian." "But sir, the blood wards?" Harry asked. Of course he wanted to get away from the Dursleys, but the risk was too great. "We will think of a way Harry, don't worry about that. Even if the new wards might not be as strong as the blood wards, Voldemort won't know where you will be, so that offers an extra protection." Harry furrowed brows relaxed a little.
However, that didn't last long. Worry crept into Harry's heart just moments later. "But who will willingly take me? The risk of having Voldemort on their backs because of me is pretty high." Of course, nobody would want him. His presence was similar to a timed-bomb. None of his guardians who really cared for him was safe. His father. His mother. And now Sirius. His stomach dropped.
"I do." Harry looked at Snape with utter disbelief. True, he was becoming more civil and caring, but taking him in was a new height. "Are you sure?" Harry struggled to keep the hope out of his voice. "Of course." Snape replied plainly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "My cover as a spy was blown, it's not safe for me to do anything for the Order now. But I want to take care of you, Harry. Unless you don't wish me to?" "Oh, I do!" Harry's eyes were shining with happiness. He threw himself towards the unexpecting professor and hugged him so tightly, as if afraid that he would slip through his hands. Snape returned Harry's hug rather stiffly, but he couldn't control the smile that crept up his face.
"Well, that's settled then. Is that okay, Albus?" "Of course, my boy. I will do you both good. Another thing, Severus. You mind teaching Harry how to control his magic? His success in Legilimency during an emergency proved that he is capable of extremely powerful magic if he learns to control it." Harry's spirit dampened a little at Dumbledore's words. He almost forgot about Sirius' death for a fleeting moment, but it had crashed on him again.
Sensing his new wards' discomfort, Snape replied "my pleasure" to Dumbledore before turning to leave. He took Harry's hand gently and led him out of the office. Behind them, Dumbledore was smiling serenely at the scene before him. It was the scene of a father and a son.
A/N : Most of the Severus mentor fiction I have read portrayed a evil Dumbledore, but I wanted to stick to the original personality of the characters(at least I tried to). Feel free to give any feedbacks about the plot and characters.