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Chapter 5
After two weeks at Shell Cottage Harry had learnt many things, the differences between muggles and sorcerers, what wizards had to eat and the magical sport – Quidditch.
Harry was also surprised and pleased to hear of how many people had signed up to take care of him, all of the teachers (and Hagrid) even Severus had signed up and Harry liked them all. Minerva had taken him flying, Filius had shown him some charms, and Pomona had shown him her plants and so on.
Severus didn't know quite why he had put his name down to be Harry's guardian. He supposed that as Harry was Lily's son he felt a duty to care for him having been friends with Lily for so long.
Severus had wondered why Albus hadn't put his name down but dismissed the thought by telling himself that 'Albus is probably too busy'.
Albus had wanted to put his name down but remembering caring for Ariana, his sister and the fait that had befallen her made him think that he would fail as a guardian to Harry and he couldn't let that happen as the boy had already been hurt enough.
It was nearing Harry's birthday and for the first time he was looking forward to it. He had already been told by the teachers that they would be doing something special for it and had asked him whether he would like a party to which he replied 'yes please' happily.
The 31st of July had finally arrived and brought with it some glorious weather – the sun was shining, the birds were singing and Harry could hear the sea as if it was lapping against his window. The house was full of the joys of summer and the teachers were in unusually good moods.
The party was to be a quiet affair with Harry and the professors and a few other people who Harry had seen dropping by but never met.
At noon the celebration began and Harry enjoyed opening packets of wizarding sweets, interesting books, games, jokes and other novelties. At around 12:30 the other guests arrived and he was introduced.
"Harry dear, this is Mr and Mrs Weasley" Minerva said.
"Hello sir, ma'am" Harry said politely.
"Hello Harry, this is Fred, George, Ron and Ginny" Mrs Weasley said introducing her children.
"Hey mate" said Ron, a boy of about Harry's age with vivid ginger hair.
"Happy Birthday" said Fred and George with great gusto.
The kids continued their talk while Minerva and the Weasleys parents chatted.
"He's ever so polite" Mrs Weasley said to Minerva and she chuckled.
"He seems to have won the hearts of all the staff even, dare I say it Severus'" Minerva said.
Severus was tired of everyone thinking that he was the villain. He had been overhearing conversations concerning himself and the Potter boy. He would have loved to have told the rest of the teachers about how he was not, in fact as bad as he seemed. He put on a front for the children of Hogwarts and although he acted as if he wanted nothing more than the children dead, he actually found them okay despite them acting like complete imbeciles most of the time.
It was true that he had developed a bond with Harry and enjoyed his company but what if Harry didn't like him? What if Harry found him as ominous as the Hogwarts kids did? Severus' insecurities taunted him.
Another anxiety driven thought came to him – what if Harry didn't like the present he had got him?
Harry was lying in his bed on the evening of his party going over everything that happened. He was delighted with all the presents and was especially touched that he had received an interesting potions book from Severus (who Harry thought hadn't liked him) with the promise that he could try out making some with Severus.
Harry was also looking forward to getting his Hogwarts letter and purchasing all his Hogwarts equipment in Diagon Alley. He would be going to get his stuff at the same time as Ron (who in that short time he had become good friends with) and Neville Longbottom (who he was yet to meet).
On August 20th Harry had woken to the sound of beaks tapping on his window and had opened it to find two owls holding letters. One of the owls – an eagle owl – had a letter bearing the Hogwarts crest attached to its leg. The other owl, which was a screech owl was holding a letter from Albus Dumbledore.
The Hogwarts letter told him what time the train was and what to buy for his first year there.
The letter from Dumbledore was rather more interesting it said 'Harry, I wanted to know whether you would be free to meet me in the sitting room at 6:30pm tonight to talk about arrangements for your choice of guardian. Albus Dumbledore'
Harry made his way to the sitting room at 6:25pm and sat in an overstuffed emerald green chair by the fire. Within minutes of Harry sitting down Albus Dumbledore flooed into the sitting room. Although Harry was used to this method of transport it still unnerved him and when he usually sat in the sitting room after dinner with the professors, he would occasionally glance at the fire.
"Good evening Harry" Dumbledore said while brushing ash off of himself.
"Good evening Albus" Harry replied.
After some questions Harry had asked about Hogwarts they got down to business.
"Harry I know this is a hard decision to make"
"Sir I really don't know who I to pick to be my guardian" Harry sighed.
"Harry I am sure that whoever you pick will be pleased and whoever you do not pick will not hold it against you" Albus said wisely.
"Does he like me sir?" Harry said.
"Does who like you?" Albus asked, with a twinkle in his eye that suggested he already knew.
"Severus sir"
It was clear that Harry had been mulling the question over for a while.
"Why of course my dear boy" Albus said with an amused smile.
"Sir I'm torn between two people" Harry explained.
"Consider me impartial, Harry" Albus said.
"Okay" Harry said "I'm torn between Severus and Filius" Harry said.
"Ah well, Harry there is an easy solution to that then" Albus said with excitement growing "Severus and Filius have always got on fairly well so how about they share you?"