Author's Note: Now the water starts to get murkier.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promises. ~ Machiavelli

~~~~LHLHLHLHLH~~~~

Dear Mr. H. Potter,

I was very pleased to receive your letter late last week and have made the necessary changes to your timetable. I commend your forethought and I do believe that choosing to focus on more, shall we say, academic pursuits is commendable. I have removed Divination from your course selections and added Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

I do warn you, Mr. Potter, that attempting three electives is ambitious and should you find yourself struggling, please do make an appointment to meet with me. We can discuss strategies for time management so that you can complete all of your assignments on time and to the best of your ability. I look forward to seeing you on September 1st, please enjoy the remainder of your summer.

Respectfully,

Professor Minerva McGonagall,

Head of Gryffindor House

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry smiled and put the letter away. He'd already picked up the two additional text books as it was, deciding that if she said no that he would still attempt to teach himself on his own time. If he'd learned nothing else this summer, it was that he couldn't depend solely on the Headmaster and he needed to start looking out for himself. He'd also gotten a letter from Hermione, telling him that she, Ron, and all the Weasley's would be arriving at the Leaky Cauldron to spend the last few days of holidays with him. He had to admit…he missed them both, a lot.

He'd had a great day out with Draco and his mother, but it wasn't the same. He and Draco were still trying to learn to be something other than enemies, and it left things a little strained at times. At least with Hermione and Ron he could relax and let his guard down. Well, mostly down. He paused, realizing that he was going to need to keep his guardianship issue a secret from them as well.

He tidied up his room and opened his new runes book, deciding to spend the afternoon reading and trying to get his head wrapped around this new topic before he got to school this year. He knew Ron would probably be upset with him for changing his classes, but he'd make it up to him. He also wondered if maybe it wasn't a good idea for him and Ron to have at least one class apart, sometimes he just needed some room to breathe. Hermione, he knew, would be happy that he'd decided to focus more on academics this year.

He knew that at least with Hermione he'd have to do some explaining about his new clothes and the whole incident with his aunt. He sighed and put his book away, knowing that with everything circling his head not much about Runes was going to stick. He honestly felt confused.

He really wanted to trust the Headmaster, he did. The man stood for all the things he knew to be right and yet…why had he lied to him? Why had he put him with the Dursley's when he could have been somewhere safe and loved? He'd lived in a cupboard under the bloody stairs until the Dursley's had realized that someone might know their dirty little secret. Deep down he also knew that there had to be things that Dumbledore wasn't telling him, and that scared him more than anything. It was his life, and if he was going to be in danger he had a right to know why and what was coming for him.

Harry put his books away and headed down to the main part of the Leaky Cauldron and nodded to Tom, who just smiled and nodded to a group that was coming through the doorway. He found himself smiling widely and running over. "Ron! Hermione!"

"Harry!" Hermione said excitedly and hugged him.

"Hey mate." Ron smiled and nodded as Harry moved back from Hermione.

"Oh Harry, it's good to see you dear." Mrs. Weasley moved through the herd of Weasley's and gave him a look over. "You're looking well, have you been keeping out of trouble?" She asked.

"Yes Mrs. Weasley." He smiled.

"And you've got all your school supplies, all your books?" She double checked, feeling the need to mother him a little.

"Yes, I made sure to get everything." He said, not minding the fussing.

"Good. All right, let's all get up to our rooms and get settled." She said, shooing the kids along as Mr. Weasley talked with Tom at the bar.

Ron, and the twins ended up across the hall from Harry's room and soon Ron and Hermione were sitting in Harry's room with some hot chocolate and listening to Ron tell them all about the Weasley family trip to Egypt.

"That sounds brilliant Ron." Harry smiled, glad his friend had finally had the chance to go and do something that none of them had. He knew that it wasn't always easy being his friend and that occasionally Ron fell into periods of jealousy. Harry tried not to hold it against him, knowing that in time Ron would get over it.

"Yeah, it was great. It's just too bad you weren't there mate." Ron said. "I got you this though, it's a sneak-o-scope. Not sure if it really works…but looks pretty cool." He said and handed the interesting object to Harry.

"Thanks." He said and looked it over. It was kind of cool, all on its own.

"So how's your summer been? I mean, must be kind of weird to be here on your own." Ron said.

"Actually, it's been pretty great. I got to explore Diagon Alley, and I've got all my summer assignments done. Speaking of, I ended up writing to Professor McGonagall and asking her to switch one of my electives." He said casually really hoping that it didn't spark an argument.

"Really, what did you want to take?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"I asked to drop divination and pick up Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy in addition to Care of Magical Creatures." Harry said. "I spoke to some of the wizards here, at the book shop and the apothecary, and they said it was a better use of my time and would open me up to more specialties after school." He said.

"But we were going to take Divination together." Ron said, face falling.

"I know, I'm sorry…I just think I need to be more serious about school." Harry said.

"I think that Harry is being very responsible." Hermione said.

"You would." Ron muttered.

"I'm sorry Ron, it really was a last minute decision and I didn't want to bother you on your holiday." Harry said.

"It's ok, I mean most of the other Gryffindors are taking it, so I'm sure I'll be able to find a decent partner." He shrugged. "Were you in much trouble for the thing with your aunt?" Ron asked, trying to brush the class changes off.

"No, it was kind of strange really…but I'm not going to ask too many questions about it. I'm just glad that they were able to put her right and I didn't have to go back there, at least not this summer." Harry sighed.

"Well, I think you're very lucky." Hermione said. The three friends spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and laughing about stories from the summer. Harry very carefully left out any mention of the Malfoys…or his possible new guardianship.

LHLHLHLHLHLHHLHLHLHLHLHLHLH

Morwenna strolled down the empty corridors of Hogwarts and took a deep breath as she descended down into the dungeons. It had been her home for her seven years at school and she did miss the simplicity of those days. She ran her fingertips along the cool stones and followed impossible twists and turns to the private labs that belonged to the current Head of Slytherin, none other than Severus Snape himself. She could smell a faint aroma of aniseed, and she knocked politely.

"Enter." Came a sharp and distracted voice.

"I do hope this isn't a horrible time." She said and stepped in, unable to help the smirk that curved her lips as she came face to face with her former classmate. Severus had been a couple years ahead of her in school, but a legend even then.

"Morwenna, I was surprised to get your letter." He said and added a few final ingredients to his cauldron and covered it. "That needs to simmer for a few hours. Tea?" He asked her.

"Please." She smiled and walked with him through a doorway, into a well-appointed sitting room. With a little 'pop' a tray of tea, biscuits, and little cakes appeared. "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, especially during your precious free time. I know you get very little of it during the school year."

"You said that it was of dire importance." Severus said, sipping his tea. "You were never one for needless dramatic gestures, so I assumed you were serious."

"I am and it is. Before we begin…any and all matters discussed here today cannot be repeated to anyone save the parties currently present. You will need to swear to that effect." Morwenna said formally.

Severus frowned. "Official business then…very well. I, Severus Snape, do swear to keep all matters discussed confidential and private. You have my undivided attention." He sat his cup down and leaned slightly forward. It was not the first time he'd been involved in a formal ministry inquiry, but this felt different.

Morwenna cast a simple, but powerful spell around them that would prevent anyone from listening in, or distort any memories of this meeting viewed in a pensieve. "I am here on the matter of the last will and testament of James & Lily Potter. You were named as a guardian for their son and heir, and I am here to ask you if you would wish to assume guardianship of the boy." She said, not pulling any punches.

Severus was…stunned. "I was under the impression that the boy was living with his relatives."

"Those…muggles are lucky I am a temperate individual. I was informed of some troubling circumstances and took it upon myself to conduct a home visit. I made it very clear that they could either cede their rights to the boy, or I would personally have them on charges of abuse and neglect. I am working quickly, and secretly to find the boy a suitable guardian before Albus Dumbledore discovers what I've done. He is the one that superseded the Potter's will and put the poor child there. If you don't wish to take him…Lucius and Narcissa plan to apply for guardianship. I think we both know that is not, perhaps, in the child's best interests. They would care for him, certainly, but Harry Potter deserves to be more than just a chess piece. You were Lily's best friend, and I believe that is why she added you to the will…despite your falling out." Morwenna said.

Severus took a deep breath. "You have pensieve memories of your home visit to the Dursley's I assume?" He asked, weighing things in his mind. At her nod, he continued. "I would very much like to see them, and if things are truly as you claim…I will accept guardianship of the boy." He said. "It's very likely that he will not be pleased by that news, but I swore after his mother's death that I would protect him as best I could." If what Morwenna was telling him was true, then Albus had been lying to him all these years and to Severus, that was an unforgivable sin.

She reached into her bag and withdrew a slender, crystal vial. "I assumed you would wish to see it for yourself." She said and offered it to him. As he took it, she removed a portable pensieve from her bag as well and placed it on the table between them.

Severus accepted the vial and tipped the contents into the pensieve. He leaned forward and let himself fall into the memory. He watched the confrontation between Morwenna and the woman he assumed had to be Petunia. The years had not been kind to her. He walked through the house with Morwenna, fingers tracing along the rows of locks outside the boy's bedroom. What truly shook him to the core was the images of Harry growing up in that place. It made his stomach turn to realize that his own perceptions of the boy had been very wrong.

He pulled back from the memory and used his wand to retrieve it, and place it back into the official vial. "Get me the paperwork and we will see this done quickly and quietly." His features were carefully schooled, not wanting to reveal anything just yet.

Morwenna pulled a folder from her bag and handed it to him. "I can return in a few days to collect the papers, so you can review them properly. This is an important decision, and it's not something to rush into." She said.

"If you give me a few moment, you may take them with you when you leave. As you said, we must move quickly if this is to be done without interference." Severus said and started reading through the guardianship papers. It was all very straightforward, but his responsibilities were outlined most clearly. He summoned a quill and ink with an effortless movement of his wand, not needing to speak the incantation. He took a deep breath and signed the papers. He only hoped that this was really what Lilly had wanted. "I assume I was not the only one named in the will."

"No, but given the danger that child faces…you were the only one that had any hope of protecting him." Morwenna said simply. None of the others had the talent, ability or shrewdness to do what was required to protect the boy from Voldemort, and his allies.

Severus nodded quietly. "True enough." He handed the papers back to her and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "When will you tell him?"

"Once things are finalized, we will meet with him together to explain what has been done, and to discuss with him the options for making it known publically." Morwenna said. "Ideally the longer we keep it a secret the better, but if we must make it known it is far better to employ the media to our advantage and spin it so that your guardianship seems to be a perfectly logical thing. If we do that, Dumbledore's proverbial hands will be tied." She said.

Severus nodded and steepled his fingers. "And it would be best to bring Lucius on board in this, he will not be entirely pleased that you've given his prize to me. If you don't handle him properly he may well side against us both, and that would be disastrous." He knew his friend's temper all too well. Lucius was a vengeful creature and his pride was surprisingly fragile. Handled properly though, he could be a valuable ally.

"I'm supposed to meet with him later this week, I'll discuss it with him then." She said and placed the papers in her bag most carefully. "I'll see to this personally Severus and owl you when it is done. It won't likely be until after the start of term, so we can always arrange to meet with Mr. Potter during the first Hogsmeade weekend."

Severus nodded. "Doing it away from the castle would be best. I can make the arrangements for the time and place and inform you of it." He said, trusting his own methods over any other.

"Of course." She smiled. "Thank you Severus, I'm glad we were able to handle this so efficiently." Morwenna said and picked up her tea cup as the spell dropped around them.

Severus smiled and once they had finished their tea, he walked her out of the dungeons. "I'll be looking for your owl." He said as he took his leave of her. It had been nice to have some intelligent, adult conversation for once. It reminded him forcibly that he was often surrounded by children or those that he had to keep up appearance with. Morwenna's family had been very careful to stay neutral during the conflict between Voldemort and Dumbledore. Many of the small pureblood families had done just that, rather than throwing in with either side. It left her someone that either side could safely approach, since she was very careful to never speak against either side.

"It was good to see you again Severus, we'll speak soon." She promise and with a smile she headed out.

As she disappeared through the main doors Severus descended back down into the dungeons to tend to his potion. He had much to do in order to prepare for this and knew that his continued employment here could, perhaps, be in jeopardy. He'd be moving against Dumbledore publically, and while the man pretended to be a kindly old wizard, underneath he was just as cunning as his great opponent.

As Severus bottled his batch of calming draught and moved his cauldron over to the sink to soak. He would clean it later. Once he had dropped off the freshly bottled potions at the infirmary, he headed out of the castle. He made the long walk to the gates and once off the grounds, Severus apparated.

As he reappeared, he took a deep breath of the crisp sea breeze. His more commonly known residence at Spinner's End was a dreary place, and he spent as little time there as he could. This place was his escape. He'd bought it with his inheritance years ago after the death of his mother's parents. They might have forsaken their daughter for marrying a muggle, but they had taken pity on their half-blood grandson. The small house stood on a bluff that looked down on the sheer cliffs that fell down to the sea. The Orkney Islands were remote, and he was far enough from the little settlements that he doubted anyone even remembered this place anymore. He'd woven charms into the land to make it unplottable and the wards were growing stronger every year. He started down the path to the house, the grey stone well weathered by exposure to the elements. If he was going to take guardianship of Potter, he needed to do some additional work to the wards.

He went inside and headed straight upstairs. He had never seen himself as a parental figure, so this would be an adjustment for him. He entered the spare bedroom and took stock of it. He'd only put the most basic furniture in here, never anticipating having guests, let alone a child. He let out a sigh and started to transfigure things into something more appropriate for the young teen. He refused to bedeck the bedroom in crimson and gold, and decided instead on more neutral tones. He chose blues and creams for the bedding and curtains, pleased with the overall effect. The boy could make any changes he wished, later. Given what he had seen of the boy's bedroom, this would be a marked improvement.

He knew that he was getting a little ahead of himself but this meant a great deal to him. It meant that at least on some level…Lily had forgiven him. Despite his poor choices, she'd had enough trust in him to entrust her son to his care. It didn't matter to him who else had been named, or what the order was, *he* had been named. He could do nothing about the years lost, but now that he did know Severus would do everything in his power to ensure that the boy was raised properly and prepared for what lay ahead.

TBC