The Vow And It's Consequences

Chapter 12

Dealing With Minerva...Harry Wakes Up

Severus had been unable to resist brewing, he'd lasted until after dinner. Although he only brewed a potion he could brew in his sleep. Then again Severus could brew most potions in his sleep. He hadn't received his Mastery in that particular subject for nothing. His mind though, despite brewing was caught up in numerous scenarios and other things he had to decide. Most of them of course, revolved around the sleeping child, the up coming weeks were going to be hell. It would be no fault of Harry's, and he hoped he could keep his temper in check. It had been the one thing he inherited from his father, if one could call him that. He'd never been the most patient of men, ironically unless it came to potions. He was trying to decide what was best for him, in the long run of things. Did he teach Harry himself? Or did he bring in a tutor? Did he allow him to experience life as a normal child and attend primary school as both he and his mother had?

Severus stirred the potion a final time, before flicking his wand at the flame making it go out. The potion would need to cool before placed in their vials, otherwise it would just cause the fragile glass to crack and break. Thus rendering any potion within it, completely useless. There wasn't a single potion in the manor, either the house elves had cleaned them out, or no potion had been brewed within these walls for a very long time. Either scenario was likely, potions didn't last forever, they only had so long life expectancy before they become feeble, old and useless. Not that Severus would use them, he didn't trust other peoples potions. Not even from the people who were in name only his grandparents.

Not for the first time, Severus wondered why they had given all this to him. They'd disowned his mother, and ignored him for his entire life. He'd received nary a gift, acknowledgement or even seen them. Of course Severus was always one to think of Troy when handed a gift. Wondering what awaited inside it, 'Trojan horse' always came to mind. Nobody gave him something for nothing, unless it was Dumbledore and his damnable sweets.

"Master Severus, this letter was at the edge of the wards," said Flippy looking extremely unsure. After all she wasn't yet used to this new Master, and didn't know how he'd react to certain things. Especially being interrupted during brewing, something they tried not to do. "The owl has stayed, they want a reply."

Arching an eyebrow in curiosity, it mustn't be from Dumbledore, otherwise he'd have used his Phoenix. As far as he knew Phoenix's could get past all wards, Fawkes could disappear and reappear in Hogwarts. He wasn't deluded in thinking it was the safest place in the world, like everyone else. He knew though that you couldn't Apparate, Fawkes and the house elves were able to. It was almost as if they were on a different frequency, that magic couldn't detect. Nevertheless he floated it on to his desktop, and cast nine different spells before he was satisfied it was in no way tampered with.

"Thank you," said Severus quietly nodding his head, indicating that Flippy's services was no longer needed. The house elf, smart enough to realize its dismissal promptly left the Dungeons.

Severus opened the letter wondering who could be contacting him, the writing was familiar. Yet it was as if the missive had been hastily written, therefore making him unable to tell exactly why it was so familiar. He looked at the signature first, and groaned in exasperation. The last thing he wanted was to deal with Minerva McGonagall.

Severus,

What is going on? Albus just informed us you had been accepted into the WIOM in Geneve Switzerland. I am very proud of you, nobody else I know has accomplished such a feat. Unfortunately I'm beginning to suspect that it's not even true, you cannot be in two places at once after all. I want an explanation as to why I've just been alerted I'm godmother to Harry Potter! Not that I mind, I adored his parents after all, it has come as a shock of course. Why would you have him?

You have twenty four hours to reply before I come looking for you.

Minerva

Severus ran his hand tiredly over his face, flicking his wand, the time materialized before him. At this time she was usually in her office, sighing in frustration he immediately left the dungeons. He knew Minerva didn't threat idly, she would try and find him. In doing so rouse Dumbledore's curiosity and maybe even suspicion. Something he wanted to avoid for as long as possible, until he'd cemented his role as Harry's guardian. Entering the living room, he grabbed some Floo Powder from the container it sat in, on the side of the fireplace. Placing a cushioning charm on the marble, he threw in the powder, shouted in the words, and stuck his face into the magical green flames.

Minerva was pacing her office, looking a cross between, worried, terrified, thrilled and cross. She had in her hand no doubt, the letter from Gringotts alerting her to her new status as Harry Potter-Snape's new godmother.

"Minerva," said Severus, causing her to jump in fright, before glaring at the man for his impudence. "I assume you have locked and warded the room?" making sound like a suggestion instead of an order.

"It is now," said Minerva flicking her wand and saying the words that would accomplish what she wanted. Once it was done she turned her chair facing Severus' direction and sat down. "Did you get into WIOM?"

"No," said Severus, "I know a few of the Potions Master's there, they have agreed to place my name on the list, so whenever someone Floo's they will think I work there but am unavailable. Many choose not to allow Floo calls in their quarters." they completely immersed themselves with the objective of creating something new. Most of them didn't even have families, those that did had discovered their new calling and left.

"Why is Harry with you?" asked Minerva, her face full of apprehension, all the scenarios filling her head were none she liked. Harry being discovered by Death Eaters, nearly killed. Being abandoned by his Muggle family, she had never liked them. Even the thought of Severus getting revenge on James had regretfully crossed her mind. She just couldn't understand why Severus would take him. Mention Potter and his entire face would scrunch up in disgust. He'd loved Lily, but that was as far as his love went. Yet she'd remembered Dumbledore telling her that Severus had sworn to protect Harry. Then the thought of the Death Eaters and the Dursley's began to cement in her mind.

"What do you know of his Muggle family? If I'm not mistaken I remember you saying that night they were the worst sort of Muggles, that someone should keep an eye on him. Was this not done?" asked Severus his face made of stone, his eyes though was filled with a fierce anger.

Minerva's heart sank, she knew that look all to well, the few abused students Severus had found out about. Or of course there was the instance when Severus' parents had been brought up. She was half glad he wasn't in the room with her, she may be older than him but he was indeed intimidating. "I did indeed, the child they had was absolutely spoiled, I believed the same might happen to Harry or worse he may be ignored."

"Was there someone watching him?" repeated Severus, wishing he'd listened to the conversations Minerva and Albus had about Harry over the years. Unfortunately he'd shut them out, not wanting to hear about the boy, when he'd survived and Lily had not. Also a big factor in there was the fact that he had been Potter's son.

"Of course there is, Arabella Figg looks after him," said Minerva confused, "Severus what is going on?"

"Figg? That insane cat woman who can't see past her bloody nose and cats?!" Severus rasped out stunned beyond belief. "A squib to boot! She was the one who was looking after Harry?"

"Harry?" repeated Minerva, it must be bad for Severus to actually call him Harry and not Potter. "Severus there are wards stopping anything getting to him, now tell me what is going on now!" she was getting very impatient now.

"I observed two five year old boys beating what appeared to be a three year old up in Cokeworth, naturally I stepped in. Before I could try and help the child, he flinched away from me and ran as if the grim was on his tail. Not only that but I could feel desperate magic emanating from him. Magic a twelve year old should possess not a three year old. I cast a tracking charm on him, vowing to keep an eye on him. If my suspicions were correct I'd take him to St. Mungo's and that would have been that." said Severus pausing to catch his breath and rearrange his thoughts. He kept his face stony, Minerva on the other hand looked terrified of what may be revealed.

"Turns out they didn't live in Cokeworth, the family was just visiting. I did a scan on the child, and how he'd survived so long surprises the hell out of me. He had a list of injuries longer than the magical register holds of magical children. Only then did I realize who he was, and what age he truly was. He's been abused Minerva, severely abused. All in the name of protection wards and the greater good. Figg has failed in her duties you all have. I truly do not know if Harry will ever be normal, but I have the best chance of doing that." said Severus seriously. "I did indeed make you godmother, he needs strong women in his life. I just sincerely hope you will not fail Lily's son again."

Minerva had tears running down her face, her mouth covered by her hand. Her eyes were filled with aguish, defeat, regret and most importantly - shame. If only she had fought Dumbledore harder, insisted more. Even just visited once, she might have seen something was going on. She shoved those thoughts aside, straightened her spine and became the woman Severus knew best - one who would defended her little lions to death. "Where are they?" she asked her voice filled with fury. Her claws were out and she wanted blood.

"We cannot take action yet, you know this. Dumbledore would have Harry back at the Dursley's before we could blink. Being the head of the wizengamot he has a huge amount of power in the legal department." cautioned Severus. Its why many of the Death Eaters had been sent to Azkaban without trial, and also why he was able to get him out so quickly.

"Yet? So you plan to?" asked Minerva hopefully.

"They wont get away with it, I just need to cement my role as Harry's new father. As soon as he turns eleven I'll have him claim his headship of the Potter line, giving him the ability to bring them up on charges. Not even Dumbledore would be able to stop the demands of the last of the heir to the Potter Estate." replied Severus. Which meant Harry would be 'emancipated' in many ways, and would never be forced anywhere he didn't want to go. So if by some miracle the charges were dropped Harry would be safe. Harry would be able to choose whether he wanted to remain a Potter-Snape or if he just wanted to go back to being a Potter. Once he died, Harry would have the Prince name under his belt as well.

"You have thought this through then." said Minerva unsurprised, Severus was always a man who could think and act at the same time. The notion of act first think later was probably foreign to Severus. It was a truly Slytherin move to make, and she knew that Harry would be safe with Severus. "Can I see him? Is he okay?" she was biting her lip, a sure sign of high stress and worry. Minerva didn't have children, only nieces and nephews, all of which she adored and she constantly worried about them. Severus could always tell when her family was having a crisis with that action alone.

"I'll let you know when you can, he's not woken up yet, unfortunately I haven't revealed the worst of it." replied Severus, and even from the fire Minerva could see he was extremely tense.

Minerva paled, she knew whatever he was going to tell her was very bad indeed. Abuse in Severus' book was the worst, lowest of the low. "Out with it." the Transfiguration teacher said, bracing herself for yet more unbelievably news.

"His magic was bound," said Severus, it didn't take a genius to figure out who could have done it. Voldemort was going to kill him, why bind his powers? Hagrid couldn't turn a matchstick into a needle never mind bind someone's magic. Plus the fact seventy five percent of his magic had been bound, was a grave indicator that only one person could have possibly done it.

"Black," scowled Minerva looking sick.

"No," said Severus bitterly, "He couldn't have bound seventy five percent of Harry's magic. The rest which I may add, worked solely to keep him alive the past years."

"He wouldn't," murmured Minerva her face openly displaying her shock and denial.

Severus just stared her in the eye, letting her remember who she was talking to. He never said anything that wasn't one hundred persent true. "It's true unfortunately." said Severus, his voice had an underling fury added to it.

"Why would he do such a thing?" gaped Minerva, her world rocked to its core, the news was shattering her belief in all she thought she knew. She now would have to pick up the pieces and act as though nothing happened. If for no other reason but to keep Harry Potter safe. As his godmother now, she had to do her best by him, especially after failing him so badly. Although if she got her hands on Figg it would be fair game for all involved.

"You tell me," said Severus, he couldn't come to any conclusion for the bound magic, at least nothing good. "Where does Figg stay?" he then asked changing the subject.

"Wisteria Walk I believe, two blocks from where Harry stayed in Privet Drive." said Minerva. She fancied actually going there and inflicting some sort of damage on the woman. "What are you going to do about her? She will notice Harry is gone."

"As much as it would satisfy me to flay her alive, I will just redirect her mail - its illegal I know but to be honest I really don't care." said Severus.

"She has access to the Floo Severus," said Minerva quietly pointing out a flaw in his planning.

Severus swore nastily, and Minerva couldn't blame him really.

"Any ideas?" growled Severus.

"I have no idea Severus, you don't have to worry as of right now, she's currently in the hospital if I remember correctly." the feline Animagus said. "Perhaps I can arrange for a impromptu holiday, for her?" the more distance they put between Severus leaving and Harry being found missing the better. That way Dumbledore wouldn't be able to connect the dots.

"Perhaps that's for the best," said Severus agreeably, although she didn't deserve a holiday. "Let me know where you send her." he'd made sure she ended up hurt in some way, a small repayment for letting a five year old be abused.

"Severus, where are you? Albus mentioned going to Spinners End, are you currently residing in Potter Manor?" asked Minerva, it was the only free place she could think of, she knew Godric's Hollow was not fit for living in. Not that Severus would step foot in there, he hadn't done since that night.

"No, I had the Prince Estate Willed to me by my grandmother. We have taken up residence in one of the properties they...I own." said Severus honestly. His back was beginning to get sore from this kneeling, it was time to cut this conversation short.

"Oh, why did you not mention it before?" asked Minerva surprise flashing across her features.

"I did not know I had inherited it, I still do not know why I did not receive mail for the Prince Estate from Gringotts." said Severus, "Unfortunately I think I have a good idea as to who stopped it." with what he'd learned about what Dumbledore had done to Harry, there was little doubt he'd stoop so low to keep his inheritance from him. A mail redirecting spell did that nice enough, just as Lucius had stated. He had gone into a lot of trouble to control Harry, wouldn't surprise him the least if he'd been doing the same to him.

"I do hope you've complained to Gringotts!" said Minerva frankly astonished and furious. It was unheard of, for someone to be the last heir and have no idea of their holdings. Gringotts weren't stupid, surely they had noticed something wrong. She would have pitched a fit and stripped them bare with mere words alone.

"They know how unhappy I am." said Severus wryly, he froze in the fireplace, "I have to go Minerva, I shall contact you later."

"Of course," said Minerva wondering what was wrong, once he was gone, she turned her chair around and stared blankly at the Gringotts parchment in front of her. She was trying to process everything she'd just learned. To try and store it in some sort of acceptable order. She couldn't, she was deeply shaken by everything. She had known Albus since she was eleven, he had given her, her love for transfiguration. She'd gone on to get her mastery then became the Transfiguration teacher when Albus was made Headmaster. She had been through a lot with him, especially during the war. This new side she'd learned was extremely daunting to say the least.

Harry came to it, feeling strange…then he realized why, he wasn't in agony, and more importantly he was on the softest surface imaginable. It felt so good against his body, and he was warm. Harry couldn't remember a time where he felt this warm, this comfortable and this pain free in his life. Where was he? The Dursley's wouldn't allow him to be this comfortable. Harry opened his eyes and looked around, as best as he was able to anyway. The room was the kind Dudley had, except a lot bigger. Where was he? Where were the Dursley's? and most importantly why was he here?

"Welcome back Harry," said a voice from the door staring the living day lights out of Harry, despite its softly spoken tone. Harry turned back round, almost getting whiplash in the process as he tried to figure out who it was. He squinted at him, trying to figure out who it was. He couldn't, he'd never seen him before in his life and the voice was unfamiliar too. Was Harry his name? Did they have the wrong boy? It seemed likely. He didn't want to tell this man, but he knew he had to, it was the right thing to do.

"My name is not Harry," replied the trembling five year old, watching the figure warily, keeping a closer eyes on his hands and feet. They there the first indicators that someone was angry. His green eyes were filled with total fear, that would put the most abused house elf to shame.

"No?" questioned Severus, his heart sinking, the child didn't even know his own name. He didn't even have to ask, he just knew the child probably thought his name was Freak. It had been petunia's favourite name for Lily upon her going to Hogwarts. Then he remembered what Petunia had called him upon entering the room. Boy. "Well I happen to know you ARE Harry. The scar upon your forehead gives you away little one." the unfamiliar words rolled of his tongue, as he tried to lessen the fear in the child. He was terrified, his skinny body was still trembling dangerously. If he didn't watch he would end up having a panic attack. Something Severus rather hoped to avoid, he wasn't good at comforting people. Never mind abused five year olds.

Harry ceased his trembling as he became confused, what was so special about his scar? How could it be used to identify him? He'd gotten it in the car crash that had killed his freakish parents. The one he should have died in.

"Are you hungry Harry?" asked Severus, changing the subject, he was unsure of what to do now the boy…no Harry was awake. He couldn't call him boy, not unless he wanted to set the trembles off again.

Unfortunately the trembles did start up again, more noticeable than ever as Lily's green eyes widened with fear again and a heavy dose of suspicion. The question was, was it because he asked and Harry didn't want to decide for fear of answering with the wrong answer or because of something else? He could only imagine what they'd done to the child for the past four years. Even his own parents hadn't abused him the manner Harry had been abused. He'd gotten a wallop here and there, and neglected, and hated by his father at least for having magic, and worn second hand clothes. Nothing severe as broken bones, and complete starvation. Harry had unfortunately been completely starved, the state of his malnutrition gave that away. Not for the first time he wished he could go and kill the Dursley's and start on Figg the stupid Squib that she was.

Sorry its cut so short I cannot update anymore tonight its too late (1.34AM! here) still unsure if I should have harry trust Severus or not, he is five and not totally destroyed would a meal and getting healed be all it takes for harry to trust him? or will severus tell Harry about his mum cementing the awe Harry would feel for him and trust him completely? or will I have be a real task of Harry trusting severus? so you all want a wizard to teach Harry huh...hm does sound better than a primary school! so a tutor huh and perhaps from the states? or will it be a relative of the MAlfoy's healer who comes? will severus teach him alone until he's ready to meet someone new? or will severus realize he needs to social immediately and get a tutor? so that Harry doesn't fully become dependant on him...he wants a independent Harry after all?! R&R PLEASE!