-
Chapter 4"Headmaster? Headmaster? Are you there?"
Dumbledore looked up from the stack of paperwork he was sorting through in surprise. It was rare for someone to contact him this late in the evening during the summer holidays. He turned to the fire and saw Molly Weasley.
"What can I help you with my dear?"
"Harry has just shown up at the Burrow. No doubt there have been more problems with those muggles of his. I just thought you ought to know where he was."
"Harry is there? With you? When did he arrive?"
"Not ten minutes ago. He came by the Knight Bus, poor dear. Looked exhausted too, and even more thin than usual. A good hot meal should help that out."
"Did he say why he came? Any explanation at all?"
"Well, he didn't go into any detail, mind you, but he did mention something about a spell working…but come to think, he hasn't had his birthday yet so I must have misunderstood him."
"Could you send him here? I need to speak with him."
"Of course, Headmaster. Just a moment."
Molly's head withdrew from the flames and Dumbledore stared pensively into the flames. Perhaps it was now time to reveal a little more of the plan. Yes, the timing seemed right. He quickly jotted a note and gave it to a house elf to deliver. Yes, things were progressing nicely.
The flames turned green again and Harry stumbled out of the fireplace. "You wanted to see me headmaster?"
"Yes, my boy. Why did you leave the Dursley's?"
"Because I couldn't stay any longer" Harry explained shortly.
"And why would that be?"
"Because they forbid it."
"What happened?"
"I got tired of it all. This summer I had some additional protection and it was needed this evening. Once Vernon was incapacitated I packed up and left."
"I see. Did they actually forbid you to return or did you just assume that you should not go back?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore incredulously. Was he actually being serious? Had he not just explained that something happened with his uncle that was bad enough to incapacitate him? "Yes sir. They expressly told me to never set foot on their property again." Gods, how embarrassing. Being kicked out by your only living relatives. Even people he was related to didn't want him.
"I see. Well I suppose you will have to stay here this summer."
"Here? Why can't I stay with Ron?"
"Now Harry, that is hardly fair to the Weasleys. They have so little and you ask them to share it with you…"
"I see" Harry said quietly. Dumbledore hid a smirk. It was too easy to play the boy as he wanted to.
"Don't you think Ron deserves a little time out of the shadow of his famous friend?"
"I see."
"And they don't have near enough protection to house you there. What would you do if you were attacked? If the Burrow was under fire? If one of the Weasleys were killed because you selfishly wanted to stay by your friend?"
"I see." Harry spoke in a bare whisper. "I guess that you are right. Shall I go to the tower then?"
"No, no, my dear boy. That wouldn't be at all acceptable. No, we shall find other accommodations for you. I believe that it would do nicely to place you with one of our other summer residents. Please enter, Severus."
Harry turned in shock to find Severus Snape standing outside the door. Gods, could this day get any worse? Snape sneered down at Harry then turned to Dumbledore. "You wanted to see me, Albus?" Over the past year their relationship had smoothed out a bit and Harry and the Potions Master had resigned themselves largely to ignoring the other's existence.
"Yes my dear boy. I wished to discuss Harry's summer lodgings. His home at the Dursley's has been found unacceptable. He will be staying here at Hogwarts until the school year starts."
"I see. Why am I involved?"
"I thought it would be ideal for him to use your guest bedroom. After all, a young boy can't be left completely to his own devices, can he?" Snape refused to dignify this statement with a response.
"Headmaster, you cannot be serious. We'd kill each other!" For once, Snape looked like he agreed completely with Harry.
"It really is all for the best. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly."
"I'm sure we'll be at each other's throats. Please headmaster, let me stay in the tower."
"No, that would be quite unacceptable. I'm sure you will learn to live together."
Snape cleared his throat. "If I may, Albus, could the boy" he absently noted Harry flinch "not stay in guest quarters on the first floor?"
"You know full well Severus that your rooms have the highest level of security in the school. Who better to protect him?"
Snape barely caught Harry's muttered "interfering old coot" and hid a smirk. His thoughts exactly. "I see. I'm not going to have a choice in this am I? Don't just stand there boy" again, the flinch…he would have to investigate this at a later date, "I don't have all day."
"I'm afraid I will need to see you both again in the morning. With events being what they are, I feel the need to show you both something. Please return after breakfast and we can have our little chat." Both Harry and Severus made ill-concealed snorts. Little chat indeed. "Have a good evening, gentlemen."
Harry looked at Snape hesitantly, tightening and relaxing his grip on his bag compulsively. "Well come along, Potter" Snape said as he swiftly left the room. Harry tossed his bag over his shoulder and hurried to catch up. He had no idea where the Potions Master's private rooms were and he knew that if the got separated that Snape would not go to look for him. He had to jog to keep up with Snape's long stride. Either the Potions Master did not notice how short Harry's legs were or he did not care. By the time they stopped in front of a portrait in the dungeons Harry was panting.
The portrait opened at Snape's glare and he swiftly stepped inside, once again leaving Harry to catch up. Harry hesitantly stepped into the room. Although the room was dark it was not as bad as he had originally believed it would be. Deep blue seemed to dominate the room with snatches of cream and green.
Snape sneered at Harry's obvious curiosity. "If you're quite finished with your inspection we can proceed to your room."
"Yes sir." They proceeded down the hallway on the left, completely ignoring the doors on the right side of the sitting room which presumably led to a kitchen and lab.
"This is the bathroom which we, unfortunately, will be sharing. Don't touch anything that is mine. This is my bedroom which you will never enter. Do try to contain your curiosity. I will know if you have been in there and you do not want to consider the consequences of disobeying me. This will be your room." With that Snape turned a doorknob at the end of the hall. The door opened into a small but nicely furnished room. Again, it was dark but not the unrelenting black that Harry had expected. This room was a slightly lighter blue with silver accents. It sure beat anything the Dursleys would ever give him.
"Thank you, sir."
"Do not wander around. Do not enter any room that you are forbidden to enter. Do not touch my things. Do not go poking your nose where it does not belong. The Headmaster may tolerate your undying curiosity but I will not. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well then." Without another word Snape turned and left the room. Well this should be an interesting summer. Harry thought. Maybe we actually can learn to get along. He wasn't that bad today. Yes, I think there was a definite improvement over his usual behavior. This summer just might turn out all right. Harry set his bag down by the dresser and stripped down to his boxers to sleep. He glanced down at his unmarked skin and grimaced. He couldn't wait for the day that The Boy Who Lived could finally be who he wanted to be. He couldn't wait to stop hiding.