Severus sighed as he filled out the last part of the forms. It had taken him a couple of hours, but he had done it in time to go and meet the other Professors for dinner in the Great Hall. He had occasionally let his eyes slip from his work and over to Harry, who had quietly sat reading his book on snakes the whole time. Severus had always doubted the boy's attention span. He saw now that was another thing he had been wrong about.
He cleared his throat, "Harry?"
The Gryffindor did not respond, making Severus raise an eyebrow. Was this incompetence, or was the boy simply immersed in his book? Severus tried again, "If you could respond when I speak to you, that would be most appreciated."
Harry's head snapped up when Severus' tone got sterner, and he smiled apologetically at the Potions Professor. He twitched a little, but Severus knew it would take some time before he fully understood the idea of not being beaten, "Sorry, this chapter is about parseltongues specifically, not just their behaviour around snakes; I find it very interesting."
Severus nodded once, still frowning but trying not to, "I often find myself lost in a good book. Most people do, as long as they are reading something of worth and meaning to them. However I must intrude, as it is time for dinner in the Great Hall. Get ready promptly. I am not one to be late."
Harry agreed, "Yes Severus." He ran off and quickly re-entered the room in one of his new outfits - a blue t-shirt with black jeans and brown boots, and a blue beanie over his head. He was also wearing his new glasses, still with black frames but not as thick. Severus nodded in approval, "These clothes are amazing. Thank you for them."
"You have already thanked me more than two dozen times, Mr Potter," Severus commented dryly, as they exited their quarters and the portrait shut behind them, "You do not need to keep doing so."
As they walked, Harry started telling his Professor all about the book he had been reading. Part of it had been autobiographical, written by an anonymous parseltongue who believed it was better to keep his skill silent, for fear of being accused of dark magic. The other parts were simply what the man had learned about snakes and their behaviour on his travels. He noted that most snakes are kinder to a parseltongue, while two or three of the most aggressive species of snakes may find a parseltongue threatening.
"That's like the Basilisk in second year." Harry commented, "I tried to talk to it, but it didn't seem to make a difference."
"An interesting point of view." Severus said, "However remember you do not know who the author is, or his credentials, and therefore everything he says could be made up. I was not aware it was an anonymous author when we picked the book up. I tend to stay away from them myself."
"There is a note on the very first page saying the name on the front of the book is pseudonym." Harry informed him, "I would have done the same as the author and used one if I wrote a book. I saw and still see how many feel about me being a parseltongue. It frightens them."
Severus creased his brow at how upset the boy looked, "If it helps at all," Severus started, making Harry look up, "It does not frighten me."
Harry grinned at the revelation and walked, looking at the floor, with a content smile on his face. Severus was satisfied; he had much to learn about being a parent, more than the forms in his pockets, but he was trying. Comforting Harry about his abilities seemed like an appropriate action to take, after all speaking parseltongue was very rare, and he thought that perhaps the boy should revel in it a little more than he did. Revelling in one's abilities was a Slytherin quality to know vowed to teach the boy.
They arrived in the Great Hall at five minutes to seven, with most of the teachers already there. They nodded at Severus and smiled at Harry, who waved nervously, trying desperately to remember everything Severus had said they would tell other people about his 'circumstances'. They sat on a squared table, instead of a rectangular one, in the middle of the hall, and chatted until everyone had arrived.
"Good evening everyone," Professor Dumbledore began, and his teachers nodded back at him out of respect, "I trust you all had a pleasant day. A quick announcement before we eat. You will have now noticed that Mr Potter is staying with us. He will be staying at Hogwarts for the remainder of the summer holidays."
"It's a pleasure to see you Harry." Professor Sprout said warmly.
"Truly, yes." Professor Flitwick's squeaky voice added, "Though, and I don't mean this offensively at all Mr Potter, why has this precaution been taken? We are all aware of the blood magic that surrounds Mr Potter's home in Surrey."
Harry felt slightly conscious of himself, but Severus spoke to his fellow teacher calmly, "In the light of he-who-shall-not-be-named returning, it was decided between myself, Minerva and the headmaster that Harry is safest here at Hogwarts. The Dursley's were no longer seen as an appropriate choice to house Harry during his holidays, and will henceforth no longer act as his guardians. Hogwarts magic is stronger than even the blood wards, and we must do all we can in this situation."
"Ah, of course, perfect, yes, that makes perfect sense." Filius bobbed his head, and the other teachers followed suit, "Well I suppose then we must make Mr Potter as welcome as we can for the rest of the holidays! Harry, feel free to come up to my rooms and have tea anytime. I would be most delighted to have you."
"Thank you Professor." Harry replied, "I would love to."
"Pardon me for interrupting a joyous event," Professor Sinistra, teacher of astronomy and a snarky woman to say the least, interrupted, "We all know the laws regarding guardianship. It cannot just be terminated when Mr Potter is only fifteen. Guardianship must be transferred, and he must be living with whoever takes him as their ward. Headmaster, who exactly will be taking that role?"
"That would be me, Professor Sinistra." Severus cut in, giving her a hard stare.
"You?" The woman gaped, expressing what everyone else in the room was thinking. Flitwick and Sprout and all the other teachers looked between the Headmaster and Severus in horror, "You can't be serious. You're not exactly parent material Snape!"
"Severus has been great, actually." Harry quipped, and all the bugged eyes in the room turned to stare at him, especially at the casual use of Snape's first name, "We went into Diagon Alley and Muggle London today, and brought everything I need for the upcoming term."
"Parenting is not just about buying things -" Professor Sinistra scoffed, though she was clearly taken aback at Harry's remark.
"I know," Harry told her, making sure he was still smiling as it clearly shocked the woman, "He's also making sure I eat properly because I've lost some weight, and he's brewing special nutritional potions for me. He is going to go through my summer homework with me, too, so I am on course for the upcoming school year."
Professor Sinistra looked flustered at his words, and Harry just grinned at her. Severus felt a bit red in the cheeks, and rolled his eyes, "You are deliberately trying to ruin my reputation, Mr Potter." He said dryly, "I do believe we spoke about that."
"We did," Harry replied, "I was just making sure Professor Sinistra, and all of the other Professors, knew of the situation, and didn't get the wrong idea. Obviously this wasn't the first situation that came to mind, but it is a good one."
Severus found himself pleased at the comment, and turned back to his colleagues, "Any other questions about our situation? Or shall we hurry up and eat?"
"Is this going through the ministry as an official guardianship then?" Charity Burbage, teacher of Muggle studies, asked.
"Correct, Professor Burbage." Dumbledore nodded, his eyes dancing behind his spectacles, "Severus is completing the forms to begin the process, which should be quite short. Harry will then complete a small section that shows his consent to Severus taking him as his ward. If they are both approved, all it takes is the Dursley's signature and the guardianship will be transferred."
Severus sent the forms flying across the table, "I was able to complete my own section in a relatively short time period Albus, please send them along. I would have given you them after supper but since we are speaking of it, I see no reason to delay."
"My my, I didn't expect these back till the morning." Severus scowled at the Headmaster's words, "Severus I am not making fun of you. I knew you were away with Mr Potter today so I did not expect them back so soon. I will send them to the ministry directly after we have eaten."
"Thank you Professor." Severus nodded.
The Headmaster nodded back, "If that is all?" Everyone stayed silent, "Very well, let us eat."
He waved a hand and the food appeared on their table. Light chat was made throughout the meal, but everyone was clearly contemplating what had been said about Harry's guardianship. Professor Sinistra kept throwing glares towards the two, so Harry strived to keep his head down and his eyes facing his food - some roast chicken and various vegetables. He managed to finish all that was on his plate, and sat back happily.
"Well done." Severus murmured, gesturing towards his plate.
Harry smiled at the acknowledgment. He knew it was only managing to eat his food, but having someone there to compliment and spur him on was new to him, and he was cherishing it. He was aware it was Severus Snape, of all people taking on this role, the man who he had despised for the past four years of school, but clearly he had a lot to learn about the man.
"Professor Dumbledore, has there been a choice made on the new Defence against the Darks Arts professor yet?" Sprout suddenly asked, and the table went quiet to listen for the answer. Harry's eyes darted up to look at his Headmaster.
Dumbledore finished off a spoonful of vegetables and, seeing everyone else had finished, waved the food away. He looked around, seeing the interested faces and sighed, "There has been much talk about who will take over the position. An advertisement went out but we have not had replies. The Minister of Magic is rather adamant that one of his closest staff members will be filling the position, but I have not met her yet."
"And who would that be, Albus?" McGonagall narrowed her eyes, as did Severus. Most of the teachers at Hogwarts held a deep mistrust of the ministry. They had been printing all sorts in the Daily Prophet, denying the return of Voldemort, and calling both Dumbledore and Harry a variety of insults.
Albus sighed, "Her name is Dolores Umbridge. She is Senior Undersecretary to Minister himself. He believes she would be the perfect candidate for the defence post."
"The woman in the Daily Prophet?" Harry spoke up, and everyone looked at him, "She was defending some legislation she had passed, apparently it has received some criticism. She didn't seem well liked."
Dumbledore frowned, "Dolores Umbridge was responsible for passing a particular piece of controversial legislation a few years ago, making it very difficult for those infected with lycanthropy to get jobs. It was partially the reason I was so keen to give Remus Lupin a job at the school. The legislation affected him profusely, and he was finding life very difficult."
"And Fudge is considering bringing such a woman into the school?" Minerva asked the Headmaster, aghast, "She harbours clear racial hatred for many different races. Surely that is not the kind of person we want teaching children?"
"What of her credentials specifically for the post she would take?" Severus questioned.
"I completely agree Minerva. As for her credentials, she does not have much on defence, and nothing on teaching. There lies my concern." Albus said gravely, and then looked hesitantly at Harry, "Though I fear have forgotten my place, my apologies Harry. We have spoken too much."
"I won't say anything to my classmates." Harry vowed, knowing what the headmaster meant, "Honestly, you can trust me."
"I thank you for your silence, Mr Potter," Dumbledore nodded, "In truth I do not believe I have much choice on the matter, even if I am Headmaster. The Minister has recognised the school as a threat, since the events of the Triwizard Tournament, and believes it would be more secure with one of his colleagues keeping an eye on it from within."
The general murmuring of the teachers seemed to disagree with the Minister's opinion, but as desert appeared they were settled and talked amicably again. They finished quickly and then Severus and Harry bid everyone goodnight, and returned to the dungeons.
"I hope Umbridge doesn't become our new defence teacher." Harry wished out loud, kicking off his shoes, and Severus made a noise of agreement, "Being a werewolf doesn't make someone evil, they aren't even any different from everyone else. There is no reason to pass such laws against them."
"The change in genes makes them more aggressive and primal, more prone to acting out." Severus pointed out, "But I do agree with you Harry. Contrary to what I wanted to believe in your third year, Remus Lupin made a surprisingly good teacher of defence. He should have been allowed to continue. I apologise for my meddling in that situation. I harboured hatred against him as I did against you, on the account of what happened in our school days."
Harry shrugged, "In a way, it was his own fault. His actions came back to haunt him. Though I didn't think Remus was a bad as James or Sirius?"
"You call him James?" Severus asked, surprised at Harry's use of his father's first name.
Harry fidgeted uncomfortably, "Sirius pointed that out as well. I just don't see the point. I used to call them that, 'Mum' and 'Dad I mean, but then I grew up and I thought, I don't actually know them. Biologically, of course, they will always be my parents. I just find it difficult to call them 'Mum' and 'Dad' when they are two people I can't even remember."
Severus' face softened, thinking to himself, that would have devastated Lily.
Severus cleared his throat, "If that is how you feel, I will respect that. In answer to your question, no, Remus was not as bad as either Potter or Black. It was simply difficult not to associate him with the same antics."
Harry nodded, and went to place his shoes in his bedroom. He returned to the living room afterwards, and sat down on the sofa, "You said there were some rules you wanted to go over? You called them stipulations, for me being your ward. Shall we go over them?"
"Yes, let's." Severus sat down on the opposite sofa, tucking his robes underneath him, "Firstly, the curfew for the rest of the school applies for when you are staying here. Professor Dumbledore has agreed that you may sleep here whenever you wish, but heavily advises you remain in the Tower with your classmates as much as possible, during the week if not the weekend. I do not mind. If you want to spend a night here every now and again, or use it for some distance or peace, you are more than welcome."
"Thank you. What else?" Harry queried.
"You will make sure to always drink your potions, when you are here or not here. You will not, at any point, put yourself in harm's way. I know your track record. You will come and speak to me and I will deal with any situation. You will let someone know where you are going if you are going alone. You will not fight with other students, with magic or without. You will do all of your homework on time and to the best of your ability. You will keep your room clean, and any other mess you make in the quarters is your responsibility. And please, use your common sense to the best of your ability." Severus smirked at the end of his tirade, "Would you like to add anything?"
"Can my friends come down and study here with me?" Harry asked hopefully. He particularly wanted Ron and Hermione to see his new room.
"I would prefer if they did not, these are a teacher's personal quarters after all." Severus pursed his lips, "I recognise, however, that these are your quarters too. If you are in dire need of somewhere peaceful to study, if the library is full, and they do not disturb me, then fine. Only, and I mean only in the strictest sense, for the purpose of studying. I do not want the whole of Gryffindor gallivanting around my quarters. You will stay in the living room, and you will limit the number of people. Understood?"
Harry bobbed his head, "Understood with perfect clarity. Thank you."
Severus was about to tell the boy off for thanking him yet again, when a phoenix patronus appeared. It had Dumbledore's voice as it spoke, "The first section of your guardianship forms have been sent off. The section I am sending with my patronus is for Harry to fill out. Thank you, I will see both of you tomorrow. Severus if you could come up to my office mid-afternoon, we have matters to discuss."
The graceful phoenix dissolved, and a small stack of papers drifted to the floor. Severus picked them up and handed them over to Harry, who took them gratefully, "Why didn't Dumbledore just give us both sections at the same time? I could have finished them when you did."
"Merlin knows how that man's head operates, and Merlin is probably wishing he didn't know." Severus remarked, making Harry snigger. The boy sat down on the sofa and flicked through the papers.
"I am going to go fill these out; I should have enough time before bed, there isn't much. It is mostly opinions and comments about what I think of the guardianship. Easy enough." Harry said, smiling, "I can use my new quill and ink."
"You can indeed. I am going to work on my lesson plans for the upcoming year; if you need me then I will be in the library. Other than that, I will bid you goodnight; please do not stay up too late." Severus stood, bowing his head slightly. He was still unsure of how to act around the boy, though he had found it simple enough to stay civil.
"I don't have a specific curfew?" Harry enquired.
"As long as you are safely in our quarters by the school's curfew time, then I do not mind. I would advise you are in bed between ten and eleven, certainly no later than eleven, if you want to be decently awake for the next day."
Harry told him he would take into consideration that advice, and retreated into his room. As he went to shut the door, he poked his head back out and said, "Goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight Harry."