As usual, when we arrived at Private Drive, I stumbled, almost falling. Surprisingly, it was Snape that caught me, keeping me from landing face first in a pile of gravel. I shot him a thankful look and steeled myself as we approached the front door.
I went right inside, they wouldn't have a chance of locking us out then, like they had done in the past. They were currently having dinner and Vernon got up. I sighed, I had really hoped he wasn't home.
"Boy, what are you doing, bringing more freaks into my home! Isn't it enough that we have to put up with you?" He bellowed. It didn't have any effect on me any more, but it helped that Snape was here, oddly enough. I cut in before he could really get screaming, "don't worry. Hopefully this is the last that you'll ever see of me. I'm getting my stuff and leaving, my seventeenth birthday is in two and a half months, so I wouldn't come back anyway." I redirected my attention to Snape, "stay here, I'll go get my trunk." He nodded and turned to glare at my relatives, who glared back. As I left the room I heard a loud yelp as one was on the receiving end of a hex and I grinned, it was good to have him on my side for once.
After picking the lock on the cupboard and getting my trunk out, I went up to my room. Now here was the real challenge. There were six heavy duty locks on the door, not all of them could be picked as easily as the cupboard. In fact, each of them took about five minutes. The cupboard took thirty seconds. I sighed heavily and got to work.
After I started on the fourth lock, Snape stormed up the stairs, "Potter! Merlin's beard, it shouldn't take this long to pack..." he trailed off after seeing what I was doing. "What trouble on earth are you up to now?"
"Vernon has the keys and I didn't think to get them from him. Think you could help a guy out?" I asked, giving up on my current lock. He nodded and I stepped back as he cast Alohamora at the door. It sprung open and I went inside to get my few possessions I kept in there. After making sure Hedwig knew where to travel to, I had Snape shrink my trunk so I could carry it easily.
He said nothing as I closed the door behind us and we went downstairs. At a look from Snape, they all cowered and I couldn't help but smile. I waved as we left the dining room. We walked out into the street in silence and I took the arm offered to me, Apparating back to Snape's home without a word.
We still hadn't spoken by the time we were in the house. I was almost relieved, as I stepped back into the large cottage, that I never had to see their faces again. Oh I would, on my birthday I would pay them a visit, officially being able to do magic, but the fact that I didn't live with them anymore made me feel free. Even if I was currently residing with the old bat of the dungeons.
"If you give me your trunk, I'll unshrink it and then go start dinner," he said. I was shocked, he was being, well, not pleasant, but not a total jerk either. I wordlessly handed over my trunk, which he returned to full size, and said, "dinner will be in an hour. I'll tell you ten minutes in advance when it shall be done, so you can wash up. I suggest you use this time to either to your summer homework, or read the book that I gave you." I nodded and he walked into the kitchen at a brisk pace.
Something was wrong. The way he was acting, you'd think I was dieing or something. Since I didn't want to think about what had gotten me into this mess to begin with, I chose, 'or something'. I set about my summer homework, I hadn't even started it, with my items being locked in the cupboard every summer.
I started on Transfiguration first. It was surprisingly simple. I frowned as I re-read the chapters. It was clearer and simpler than every before. It dawned on me that this was probably because I was turning into a vampire. Cool, finally a perk. I could totally deal with intelligence. Maybe I could pass potions this year.
That thought made me groan. I was living with the potions master. But he had been surprisingly civil. Maybe next year wouldn't be so bad? I could only pray that it wasn't. After this last year, I was totally ready to drop potions completely, find some other way to get the credits I needed. As I thought about that, I finished my transfiguration essay. I revised it and frowned again, this was the best thing I had ever written and I had done it in forty minutes.
A sharp knock on the door made me jump. "Come in," I called, straightening my stacks of homework. I had some, most actually, of my assignments from my classes last year. It was two years ago when I started to seriously pay attention in class, putting everything I had into my assignments. Let me tell you, my marks improved drastically.
"Mr. Potter, dinner is done. Wash up while I set the table," he said. I nodded, piling my books onto the small desk in front of the curtained window. I scrubbed my hands and face, though I wasn't all that dirty, considering what I had been through.
I went into the kitchen, wanting to remind myself to explore the small cottage later. While it was quaint, it was still wonderful. Even though it belonged to Severus Snape, it felt like someone lived here. It felt like a home that someone lived in and enjoyed.
As we sat down to dinner, we descended into a silence. Not an uncomfortable one filled with hard looks and glares like I was used to at the Dursley's, but one that almost resembled companionship.
Of course, Snape had to break it. "So, Potter, would you care to explain why there were seven locks on the door to your bedroom?" I shrugged, "I told you, my relatives were muggles who hated magic." He raised an eyebrow, "but that doesn't explain why there were locks on your bedroom door."
"Well Sir, it kind of does. I was forced upon them when I was one. They resented me every day for it. When I found out I was a wizard, they freaked out and thought I would turn them into toads or something. So they started locking me in my room. One for every summer I've stayed there since eleven." I explained, taking a bite out of my meal. In all honesty, Snape's cooking was heavenly. I silently berated myself for thinking that his talents were limited to potions, while it extended to cooking. I wondered what a cake he made would taste like. I can picture it now, Severus Snape, in an apron that says 'Kiss the Cook', putting pink frosting on a large two tier cake. That mental image almost made me lose it.
He was actually frowning, though it wasn't directed at me, "how long has this treatment been going on?"
"Locking me in my room? Since I left Hogwarts after my first year. My second year they tried to prevent me from going back." I told him, savoring his cooking. If I got three meals a day that tasted half this good, I would put up with whatever crap Snape threw at me. He could insult my entire family - save for my mum - and I wouldn't bat an eye.
I was so caught up in my meal, I hadn't been eating a lot over the past few months anyway, that I almost missed what he said next, "what of your treatment before you started going to Hogwarts? Were you considered part of the family?"
That made me laugh so hard I choked. After calming down I answered him, "are you kidding me? You were listening when I said 'unwanted burden', weren't you? The Dursley's couldn't care for me if I were the only one that could save them from a dementor's kiss. No, I made sure I stayed out of their way for the most part, hid in my cupboard most of the time-"
"Your cupboard, what on earth are you talking about?" Snape interrupted. I rolled my eyes, "how can you seriously not know? All the teachers and half the school knows, not that I had any say in the matter. But until I was eleven, I slept in the cupboard under the stairs."
Never in my life had I seen Severus Snape gobsmacked, but apparently there was a first for everything. "Sir? Are you alright? Are you having a stroke or something?" He just sat there, mouth open. I gently shook his shoulder, "Professor? Maybe you need to go lie down. You're pale...er than usual, that is." He just nodded and I helped him into the living room, helping him lie down on the couch.
After some trial and error, mainly finding where everything was in his kitchen, I brought out a tea tray, setting it on the coffee table. I put a very sugary cup of tea into his hand, grinning as he sipped it and grimaced.
"Sugar is good for shock. We've had two fairly competent teachers while I was in school, one did turn out to be a death eater, but Lupin knew his stuff. Are you sure you're okay? Did you get bitten by something? It's not every day Severus Snape comes close to fainting," I said, my grin coming back. He glared at me, but it lacked it's usual bite. It made me just smile more.
"What the bloody hell are you doing, Potter?" Snape croaked. I grinned, perching in an arm chair, "wondering how you ever find anything in that kitchen of yours. Did you know it took me ten minutes to find the sugar?" I told him. This was probably the best time I had had with Snape...ever. I grinned as he groaned. Finally he was filled with enough sugary tea that he wasn't going to faint. I knew my cheek was probably going to come back and bite me in the arse, but it wasn't every day that you got to have a laugh at the expense of Severus Snape and somewhat get away with it.
He sat up, his head in his hands. Then suddenly he shot to his feet, letting out a stream of angry Latin. He spoke so fast that I couldn't understand him. He began hexing every piece of furniture in sight. I froze, I had seen the man angry, I had even seen him seething, but I had never seen him this mad. Did what I say really get to him that much? I didn't mean to upset him, but then again, I never did.
Without even realizing it, I was underneath a small table, knees drawn protectively to my chest. I was shaking, soon Uncle Vernon would find me after demolishing the room again. I couldn't remember what I did this time, I think I burnt the bacon for breakfast. He would start with throwing me across the room, maybe get out the belt. God, I could only hope that he wouldn't use the side with the buckle, that side tore skin. At least the leather side only left welts. Then I would be left in my cupboard, probably for a few hours. I heard my name, my given name, not 'boy' or 'freak', but Harry.
I blinked, eyes focusing on the figure in front of me. It was Snape. What on earth was Snape doing here? I frowned, my fear slowly edging away. I wasn't at the Dursley's anymore. I was with Severus Snape. While that wasn't much better, I knew he wouldn't hurt me physically. I realized he was trying to coax me out from under the table. I didn't even remember crawling under the table.
"Harry, it's Severus Snape. I won't hurt you. I'm not that terrifying. Come on out from under the table, I've stopped throwing things, it's safe to come out," he murmured, his voice soothing my panic. I hesitantly crawled out from under the table, more than ready to retreat in case he got angry again. He stayed back while I straightened myself. My fists were clenching nervously, impulsively.
"Harry, take deep breaths. That's it. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breath out. Calmer?" Snape asked me, for once his voice holding something that I can only liken to concern. I nodded and sweeped my hair out of my face. I was feeling calmer, the twitchy urge to run and hide was still present, but it wasn't overwhelming.
"Harry, you need to-" I flinched, he had just laid his hand on my shoulder and the automatic reaction seemed to concern him even more. He took his hand of my shoulder and started again, "Harry, you need to stay calm, okay? You sit down and I'll start fixing the room." I nodded, my legs barely supported me. My mind was still on the multiple beatings I had gotten at my 'home'. Ghosts of pain ran through my body, everything that had gotten broken, or bruised, or injured at that house.
I set an armchair right and sat down in it, not making a sound with my hands in my lap. There was a pop to my left and suddenly I found my hands being shoved full of biscuits and tea.
"Bobbles is helping young master. Young Master must be eating the biscuits and be drinking the tea. It will help young master," the small house elf said. Her huge eyes just staring at me. I didn't bother to argue, just took what she gave me and ate it without tasting it. I could tell they were of Snape's making, they were delicious. Still, I ate without really tasting them.
I watched as the Potion's Master waved his wand, everything magically repairing itself. He sat down on the newly fixed loveseat, eyes focused on me as I ate the biscuit in my hand. His intense gaze made my skin crawl, but he didn't let up.
"Harry, are you okay?" He asked. I nodded once, giving my automatic answer, "I'm fine." Rule one of being the Boy-Who-Lived, never show any weaknesses. Especially to the adults or anyone who has control over your life. That rule was only reinforced by the Dursleys. If you cried out or showed any weaknesses, you got beat even more.
"Harry, I want you to be honest, what are you feeling, right now?" He asked. He locked eyes with me and because of his intense gaze, I didn't dare lie again. "Terrified, anxious, and wondering where your house elf came from." I answered. He elegantly arched an eyebrow. Huh, that was weird. I never thought of him as elegant before. "That house elf is named Bobbles and helped me attend to you. I can understand why you're feeling terrified and anxious, would you like a calming draught?"
I shook my head, "no thank you." I fidgeted with the hem of my robes. I wasn't terrified of the tall man sitting across from me, but I knew what it was like to be the object of his temper, which wasn't pleasant. I would have had him drink a calming draught, but I don't think that would go over well.
"Harry, you must understand, I wasn't angry at you. I was angry at those muggles you lived with. But I can honestly say that you will never go back to them, do you understand me?" He asked. I nodded, wondering why it sounded like he cared. He sighed, sitting back. He was obviously giving up on trying to get anything out of me. That was fine by me. They all gave up eventually.
He stood up, "I'll get started on supper. Feel free to explore the cottage or go to your room." I nodded and waited until he left the room before I moved. I got up, slowly looking around the room. It looked the same as it had before he had destroyed the room. Something caught my eye, just a little glint.
I walked over to the corner where I saw it, finding a picture frame with broken glass lying on the floor. I picked the pieces up, setting them on the table before freezing at the sight of the picture. It was Snape, a very young Snape. He looked my age. He was actually smiling, he was actually happy. He was playfully jostling a petite, red-headed witch beside him, my own eyes staring back at me. My mum.
I sat on the nearest piece of furniture my bum could find. I looked at the picture, seeing how happy they were together. I saw the way Snape looked at her. He loved her, probably more than anything. I was still just staring at the picture of the two care-free teenagers half an hour later, when Snape came in the room.
"Harry, dinner's done," he froze when he saw the picture.
"I found it in the corner, the glass was broken. Were you really friends with my mum?" I asked, looking up at the much older, harder version of the teen in the picture. He sighed, "I was, long, long ago. Shortly after that picture was taken, I... made a mistake. I was a fool and in my anger I cost us our friendship of over seven years."
I set the frame on the table, "do you think...that you could tell me about her? None of the Order were really friends of my mum, they never could tell me what she was like." I said quietly. He let out a breath, looking far more haggered than his thirty-five years.
"Well, she was a very caring woman. You didn't want to get on her bad side, that's for sure, but those few she cared for felt lucky just to be around her. She was a lot like Granger in things like house elf liberation. Only she didn't take it that far." His eyes became unfocused as he dived into his memories. "In her second year, she came prepared with a treat for the house elves. Are you aware of the muggle candy, Pixie Stix?"
I nodded, knowing my mum was a muggle born. He smiled slightly, clasping his hands in front of him. He talked to me for a while, telling me about my mother's feats. I noticed that he never talked about my dad or himself, maybe he just didn't have any memories that he thought were worth telling.
By the time he was done talking, it was close to dawn. He looked at the clock, "well, maybe I could reheat dinner before it's time for bed." I smiled, "alright. Professor, thank you." A faint smile touched his lips, "any time Harry. Now let me see if I can salvage our meal." I followed him in the kitchen and watched him work. I made a mental note to watch him next time he was brewing, he looked so relaxed and at peace when he was cooking, I wondered if it was the same way with potions.
After a small meal, he bid me good night and I went to my room, closing the door and collapsing on my bed. I opened the window and watched the sunrise. After that, I closed the curtain and went to bed.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who commented or subscribed, there was a point where my inbox was almost blowing up with them and it made me a very happy person. This story isn't going to be too long, just until Harry goes back to Hogwarts. Also, if you noticed, I'm completely ignoring the Half Blood Prince in this. I may bring back some aspects, like the fact that Harry was using the Half Blood Prince's potions book, but Harry never gets Occulmancy lessons with Snape, never looks in his pensive, and Snape doesn't kill Dumbledore. I've decided there will be no pairings, but will be hints at future pairings.
So rate, subscribe, favorite, all that good stuff. Tell me what you think, you won't hurt my feelings if you think it's bad.