When Severus had left the guest room, Harry had stared after him. He trusted his professor and knew that here at Hogwarts he was safe, he was safe from the men who had hurt him in those awful ways, but he would have to return to Privet Drive next summer. Dumbledore would make sure of that, and Uncle Vernon would send him back or do things worse than he had done before.
Harry quickly made his way into Professor Snape's bathroom and looked at the shower. He would take a shower, only because his professor had asked him to and he didn't want to make him angry at him, he didn't want to make him send him away or think he was revolting like everyone else did.
He turned on the hot water and removed his professor's pajamas and stepped into the scalding hot water. He would not touch his body, or wash his hair or his skin. Too many had touched him and his body was disgusting. He got out when his skin was a bright red from the burning water.
He got out and listened by the door, just in case Snape was back early. When he assured himself that no one was there, he quickly got dressed. Even though it was still warm outside, for early September, Harry put on a long-sleeved turtle neck and long pants in addition to his invisibility cloak.
Harry knew he would get hotter as he made his way through the schools corridors and out onto the grounds, but the long and covering clothing made him feel more secure and safer.
He threw his Invisibility Cloak on over his head and went towards the Potions Master's portrait entrance. As he stepped out he looked towards Snape's office and saw George knocking on the Professor's door.
He quickly closed the portrait and made his way through the familiar hallways. He loved the freedom his cloak gave him as he managed his way through to the Entrance Hall before he saw somebody he knew.
Draco was leaning on one of the large wooden doors that led out to the grounds. He was watching the first and second years play a game of pick-up Quiddich.
"They're a little sloppy," Harry said and Draco spun around, "Don't you think?" Harry smiled as Draco's mouth fell open.
"Harry!" Draco said and threw his arms around Harry but stepped back when Harry went rigid. He looked back at the Pitch and smirked, "Worried about your team, Captain Lion?"
"Not a chance, Captain Snake," Harry smiled and glanced around quickly, "I've got my star beaters back, all I need now is the chasers and keeper. What does your team need?"
"I need my entire team," Draco sighed and looked at Harry with raised eyebrows, "Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"
Harry shook his head, "No, Madam Pomfrey let me stay with Snape. He let me go outside while he talked to Fred and George."
"Why are you going outside?" Draco asked and then noticed the dark haired man looking towards the lake, "Never mind, I'll just go find Longbottom or the twins."
Harry smiled as he threw the cloak over his head and Draco turned on his father when he had murdered his mother and went to Dumbledore for help. Almost a month later the only two students staying at Hogwarts for Christmas were Harry and Draco.
Draco had been the one to sit with Harry on top of the Astronomy Tower on Christmas night, after the Order had sent word of the attack. Draco hadn't said anything but he had sat next to him with his hand on his shoulder offering the support everyone everybody else was too busy to give. His onetime enemy had seen what nobody else had that night, not even the werewolf had seen the need for someone to sit with him just as his friend, to offer comfort and support the raven haired boy had needed. After Draco and Harry became friends, Draco had made a point to be friends with Neville and the Twins, the Gryffindors soon became accustomed to seeing the blonde Slytherin in their common room with them.
Harry turned towards the grounds again and took the path down to the lake and glanced towards Hagrid's Hut and shook his head, as he remembered his last visit to the half-giant.
Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Great Hall when Hedwig came sweeping down from above them. It had become too dangerous for him to send letters with Hedwig, so the two friends were immediately on edge.
Harry swiftly removed the letter and recognized Hagrid's hand writing and let out the breath he had been holding. He glanced up at Hermione whose eyes were red and her face was pale. He knew he didn't look much better, Fred, George, and Charlie had just returned a week before and their relief for the three remaining Weasley's had turned into grief for the rest of the family.
"Hagrid wants to see us today," Harry said hoarsely, "Said that he found something we've been looking for."
"Let's go before we go see the twins and your training with Professor Snape," Hermione sighed and stood up and grabbed her bag, "Come on."
Harry nodded and stood up and followed Hermione out of the main school doors and onto the deserted grounds. Harry knew he and Hermione were wondering the same thing, what had they been looking for? Hope, certainly, but now that Dumbledore had gotten the Weasley's back; there wasn't any need for his hope any more.
Harry knocked on the door and Hagrid opened the door and ushered them in to his hut. Hagrid didn't smile and Harry was immediately eagerly anticipating what Hagrid wanted to show them.
"Hagrid," Harry said sitting on one end of his large chairs, "What do you have for us?" Hermione took a small sip of the tea that Hagrid had given her.
"Ron…Ron used to have a rat, right?" Hagrid asked hesitantly, stumbling over Ron's name. Harry silently nodded as his blood boiled at the mention of Pettigrew. "Thought he looked familiar," And Hagrid pulled out a jar and inside, surely enough, was Scabbers sleeping. Harry and Hermione both jumped up and pulled out their wands in an instant.
"Harry! Call Professor Snape!" Hermione yelled taking the jar from Hagrid.
Harry sighed as he saw Hagrid walk out of the forest with Fang and a puppy, who Hagrid had bought in hopes of giving to Harry. Harry made a mental note to stop by and see his friend before he went back to the dungeons.
Harry continued down the path under his Invisibility Cloak and made his way to the war memorial by the lake.
There were exactly two hundred and sixty four names engraved into the huge white marble wall. Harry had sat in front of the wall all day the day after it had been revealed and read every single name over and over again.
Harry sat in front of the wall that Dumbledore and Kingsley had revealed to the public of the Wizarding World the day before. The faces of the people's names that were etched upon the stone kept flashing across his mind. Ron, Hermione, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Cedric, Sirius. Each time their face would flash into his mind a memory would accompany it.
Harry sat there for hours just going through his memories of his friends, not realizing that night had fallen and that the coldness as beginning to seep through his cloak and clothes. It seemed that nothing would break Harry out of his thoughts, not even the steady freezing rain had began to fall. He was so lost in thought that he did not notice the man completely clothed in black approaching from behind him.
"Harry?" The man asked, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. He was not surprised when he had a wand trained between his eyes in moment's notice; after all he had trained the boy well. "It's only me; I think it's time to come in. Poppy will kill us if we end up in her infirmary again."
"Yes Professor," Harry said, and Severus was startled to hear the defeated sound in his voice. Hadn't this boy just defeated the Dark Lord not even two weeks ago? He should be happy, proud, excited to begin a normal life. Then he looked to the wall where his entire life was written.
"Come," Severus said, "We'll have some tea in my office and then I will take you to Gryffindor Tower."
Harry blinked as he came out of his memories and looked down as he left something collide with his ankles. He looked down, and smiled down at the small black puppy he had seen with Hagrid earlier and he threw off his cloak.
"Hey there, boy," Harry said kneeling down and laughing when the dog began to lick his face. "We better get you back to Hagrid." He picked up the puppy and headed towards the half-giants garden where he was tending to his pumpkins.
"Harry!" Hagrid called ambling over towards him, "I see you like your late birthday present, how do you like him?"
"He's brilliant," Harry smile fell, "He's for me? Hagrid, we aren't all to have dogs at school!"
Hagrid laughed as the puppy tried to get Harry to let him down, "Dumbledore bent the rules a little."
"He's always doing that," Harry muttered and then smiled up at Hagrid, "Thanks Hagrid, he's brilliant. Does he have a name?"
"That's the best part of having a dog, Harry," Hagrid told him, as though a two year old would have known that. "Naming your dog, that is." And Harry looked down at the dog. He looked like Snuffles, and Harry grinned even more.
"Padfoot," Harry said, scratching the dog behind its wars, "Your name is Padfoot."
Harry stayed and talked to Hagrid for another half an hour before he realized that if he did not start back to the dungeons he would be late for lunch with Professor Snape and the twins.
"Bye Harry!" Hagrid called as he watched Harry race up the path with Padfoot chasing after him and barking at his ankles. "Come for a visit soon!"
Harry waved over his shoulder and scooped up Padfoot close to his chest under his Invisibility Cloak and carefully made his way by the students going into the Great Hall. He really didn't want to see anyone other than his professor and the twins right now. He would send Hedwig to Neville later, to let him know that he would be back in the dormitory Sunday night, hopefully. Going back to the dormitory terrified him, even if it was only he and Neville in the sixth year dormitory now.
Harry groaned when he made it to the professor's quarters. He stared at the portrait and tried to remember if Snape had given him the password. He sighed when he could only remember the one from last year, 'Aconite'. Harry sighed in relief when the portrait opened and Snape was standing there, smirking at him.
"Wolfsbane," He said and he raised his eyebrows as Harry took off the cloak and he saw Padfoot, "What is that?"
"This, Professor, is a dog," Harry said handing Padfoot to George who was sitting with Fred on the couch, "Hagrid gave him to me. His name is Padfoot." Harry turned back to the twins and smiled at them, "How are you two?"
"Fine," Fred said and George shared a look with Severus who nodded inconceivably. Harry was acting as if nothing had happened, and it certainly had, and it worried Severus. "I love when we come back on a Friday."
"Where did you guys stay this summer?" Severus asked, watching as Harry sat of the floor and played with a small ball Hagrid had given him for Padfoot. Padfoot was chasing the ball back and forth between Fred and Harry as George sat at the table.
"Grimmauld Place," George said and shuddered, "I couldn't go back to the Burrow and not have Mum there. Not yet anyway. Maybe we'll go back for Christmas, or Easter, maybe take Harry with us."
"I wish Charlie would write back," Fred put in from where he sat. "I may have been able to go back if he was there. But the git won't even reply to us, let alone show his face."
"Fred," George said softly and Fred seemed to snap out of his momentary depression. Severus also understood what the older twin was feeling. Without Charlie there, Fred had to take the role of eldest brother and protector over George. Not that he wouldn't have done it either way, but Fred was not the one meant to be the eldest. In all honesty, he was considered one of the younger kids in the family, before their months in a cell. Severus quickly wrote a note and slipped it into Fred's cloak pocket. Tomorrow he would speak with Fred, knowing he had his hands full with George and Harry today.
Severus pulled out his chess board set for he and George while Fred and Harry continued to play with Padfoot. As Severus was setting up the pieces he missed the short glimmer of loss and pain that made its way into George's eyes, but Fred did not. Just as George was about to take his first move the floo flared green and he nearly knocked the table over the table and Fred was at his side in seconds.
"Headmaster," Severus said and Harry was surprised to hear the cold tone the man used with the old man, "What can I do for you?"
"Severus," Albus looked around at the three Gryffindor students, "I was wondering if I may have a word with Mr. Potter."
"I'm not going back, Professor," Harry said softly looking to Severus for encouragement. "Not after this summer, and if you even try to make me I will file the complaints with the Ministry."
"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, and Harry flinched at the cold, commanding tone, which sounded very similar to one of the men's voice in the brothel, "They are your legal guardians, and you are far safer there, the Ministry will not find fault."
Severus wanted to murder the old man in front of him, as he watched as Harry began to panic at his tone of voice.
"Headmaster," George said glaring at Dumbledore, "You seem to forget that his uncle sent him to a brothel, has been known to abuse his wife and Harry, and has neglected him all his life. The Ministry will not let that slide."
"Albus," Severus said, standing and opening his portrait, "Minerva is already ready with the papers. I told you last night that I would not allow him to go back. They will be signed by tonight." Severus closed his portrait to a furious Headmaster, and sighed as he saw Harry begin to hyperventilate and retreat into himself.
Severus pulled Harry into his chest as the twins watched, "Harry its okay, you are safe now. Look at me; it's only me, Professor Snape, Fred, and George."
Severus glanced around his rooms and saw that Padfoot was curled up on the carpet in front of the fire and Fred was pulling George into his chair.
"Harry, Professor McGonagall will be bringing me guardianship papers for me to sign later, I will sign them if you would agree. You will never have to go back to the Dursley's." Severus looked for a sign that the boy had heard him and sighed when he felt a jerky nod against his chest.
"If you don't mind, Professor," Harry whispered, and stood as Dobby popped in with their meal. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You are not a burden," Severus said, and made a note to aske why he was only 'Professor' now. Harry had always called him Snape or sir in their lessons, but not once this year.
Severus flicked his wrists and the chess board was levitated off of the dining table and onto the coffee table. Padfoot was bounding towards Harry's feet as he sat at the table.
"Dobby, can we get something for Padfoot?" Harry asked, reaching down and scratching Padfoot behind the ears, "I don't think he will like what I am having." Harry looked at the broth and vial of nutrient potions.
Dobby quickly popped away and back again with a turkey bone with a little meat, left over from the feast the night before. Harry picked up the vial and grimaced at the smell and then took it all in one swallow and forced himself not to gag.
"That is disgusting, Professor, "Harry said, smirking at Severus, "Isn't there anything else I can take for this?"
"There is one potion that will enlarge your stomach in one dose. It is strictly regulated by the Ministry and will require your guardian's signature. I can get it from Poppy for tonight before bed," Severus said, slapping away Fred's hand from his small glass of firewhiskey.
"So when Professor Snape gets your guardianship," Fred started, buttering his roll, "Are you going to have to stay in the dungeons like a snake?"
"For the time being," Severus replied, "He will stay with me in these rooms. It may be a while before he returns to the dormitories."
"Why?" Harry asked looking up, "I'm fine, I want to go back to the tower. There is nothing wrong with me."
"We will talk about this later," Severus said, knowing that Harry would feel differently once they talked about this past summer.
"So did I make it into NEWT Potions?" Harry asked when everyone was finished eating and Padfoot was sleeping in his lap as he wrote notes to Draco and Neville while Fred and George picked up their cloaks to leave, "I mean I only got an E on my OWL."
"The teachers have agreed to lower their NEWT expectations for OWL grades," Severus said, "Otherwise the only sixth year I would be teaching is Draco."
"Hey! We got our O in Potions!" Fred said while a ghost of a smile flickered across George's face. "So it would not be only Draco."
"Let me rephrase," Severus smirked, "Draco would be the only one I trust to have in my class."
"We'll see you later, Harry," Fred said as he checked his pockets and Severus knew he had found his note. "Maybe breakfast tomorrow?"
"Sure guys," Harry said, "Can you give these to Draco and Neville? I believe they are in the Room of Requirements." He handed George two rolls of parchment and looked to Fred as he nodded.
Harry returned to his seat on the chair at the table and picked up Padfoot, "Professor has anyone heard from Moony? Last time I knew he was in Spain, healing from the second bite and taking your potion."
Harry had been in the middle of a training session when Remus had run into the room, claiming that the new Wolfsbane had worked. Harry had looked at Severus in shock when he explained that the new formula would make it possible for a werewolf to remain human and not feel the effects of the full moon and allowed the person to use their wolf like an Animagus.
Harry had been in the middle of a duel with Bellatrix Lestrange the night of the full moon and she had brought Greyback along and Remus had jumped in front of Harry as Greyback had lunged at him. While Remus had managed to kill Greyback, he had also been bitten again. He had decided to go to Spain and begin taking the potion again in order to beat the curse again.
"Actually, Harry," Severus chuckled, "He has a new job at school. I believe you recall how Professor Umbridge lost her job? Well who better to take her spot than Professor Lupin?"
"I need to go see him," Harry said getting up but he froze, "Does he know?"
"No, he doesn't," Severus said and quickly added, "I'll invite him over for dinner tonight, only if you sit and talk with me."
"Please, Professor," Harry begged, "Let me go see Moony," Severus saw that Harry was beginning to search for a way to escape the rooms so he silently locked his portrait and cut off the floo.