Hey guys,
I'm so sorry, I know a lot of you have probably thought by now that I had quit the story, but I just haven't had time to write. I'm in high school now in an IB program that is absolutely AWFUL! It's killing me, I don't have a moment to myself, but I found this chapter, along with another uncompleted one in my documents so I decided to finally post again and hopefully I'll finish and have the next one up soon!
Again, I'm sorry for the delay... thanks for reading!
- MissGallagherGirl
Summer came a little too fast for Harry and next thing he knew he was packing for Prince Manor.
He would be spending his entire vacation with the Greasy Git of the Dungeons. However, the Greasy Git had been a lot, well, less 'gittish' lately... although he still had the greasy part locked down.
The two had actually been getting along, and gasp, they were even being civil to one another! 'Shocker right?' Harry thought, smirking to no one in particular.
But it seemed that as time progressed the two of them were able to push aside their differences and slight hatred towards one another and welcome each other with warm, open arms...
(Potter I swear to merlin, you are the most impulsive and witless little boy that I've ever had the displeasure to have met!)
They had even begun to set aside their House dissimilarity and accept that though they were in rival houses, it did not make one House better than the other.
(You bloody, foolhardy Gryffindors! Bravery... more like impulsiveness mixed with reckless behavior and stupidity that will ultimately end poorly in your behalf, as well as anyone else unfortunate enough to have partaken in whatever little 'hero' stunts you pull!)
(Yeah well you're much better, you stupid Slytherins, always pretending you know everything, with your pureblood this, pureblood that! Constantly thinking your better then all of us... and you call me arrogant!)
(Excuse me Mr. Potter. I appear to have misunderstood you, so may I inquire as to exactly What. You. Just. Said?)
(Uh, nothing sir... Uh oh, look at the time! I best be going, don't want to keep my- uhh, what do you call them? Oh yes... adoring fans waiting.)
So now that they were getting along so... amicably and pleasantly, they seemed to have finally come to a better understanding. In other words, they kept to themselves and out of one another's way as often as possible.
It was an absolutely lovely relationship!
"Hey mate, you have to owl me at least once a week so I'll know you're still alive!"
Ron's statement awoke Harry from his train of thought and he turned around to acknowledge his friend.
"Yeah, as long as the stupid bat of the dungeons lets me…."
Ron cast a concerned and slightly angry glance his way.
"Well, you know if that git so much as sets one finger on you, I swear to god I'll kill him Harry! And remember if things get too bad, you're always welcome at the Burrow! We'll get you there somehow… no matter what! I'm sure we can find another flying car somewhere if that's what it comes down to..."
Harry couldn't help but let out a chuckle and smile at his friend. Although sometimes Ron could be a huge prat he was always there for him in the end. He was glad he could finally tell his friends the truth about where he would be spending his summer; after all he could really use a support group and an outlet to complain to at least every once in a while.
After a lot of begging and persuasion on his behalf, he had finally gotten Dumbledore to agree that he could tell the news to his two closest friends, Ron and Hermione.
It had been about a month and a half ago when he first mentioned it to them and he would never forget the look on Ron's face! It kept changing from shock to outrage to concern, and all while Ron was feeling this huge turmoil of emotions, Hermione was informing him of all the advantages there were to be living with a professor for the entire summer and exactly just how lucky he really was.
"Oh Harry, that's simply brilliant! Do you know how many benefits there are to be living with any teacher? But especially with Professor Snape! This is going to be a huge asset to you! He really is the most qualified, him being Voldemort's right hand man and all… he'll know everything there is to know about him and about what you can do to defend yourself against the dark side! And I'll just bet he'll have a potions lab at his manor so maybe if you ask really nicely he'll even help you out in the subject! Merlin knows you could use some! Oh, and maybe he'll even have a gigantic library that he'll let you borrow books from! I really don't know how you always get so lucky, Harry!"
That had been Hermione's say on the matter and the whole time she was rambling on she could barely contain her excitement, as Harry rolled her eyes at her "lucky" statement.
However, Ron's point of view was a tad bit uhh... different.
"WHAT IN BLOODY HELL WAS DUMBLEDORE THINKING? THE OLD COOT HAS FINALLY GONE MAD! LEAVING YOU WITH THAT FOUL GIT! HE'LL KILL YOU HARRY! OR WORSE... HE'LL HAND YOU OVER TO VOLDEMORT, LET HIM TORUTE YOU, AND THEN HE'LL KILL YOU!"
And with that said, or more like yelled, he began to devise a plan on how exactly to get Harry out of there.
Honestly, he didn't really like either of their reactions... but if he had to choose, he'd be more on Ron's side.
And he hadn't even thought of it- would Snape really make him brew potions over the summer? Even when he probably wouldn't be taking it again next year, seeing that he likely only got an Exceeds Exceptions and not the required Outstanding on his O.W.L.'s for continuing in the subject.
Oh lord, it was going to be a long summer indeed!
And in just an hour or so Ron and Hermione would be leaving for the train while he was stuck at Hogwarts with Snape until they arrived at Prince Manor.
Turning back to his two friends, he sunk further into the comfortable armchair in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Well thank you Ron for that... enticing offer, but really I think you should stick to broomsticks, you're not that great with cars," Harry replied giving Ron a wicked grin.
The two boys laughed while Hermione looked disapprovingly remembering just how dangerous that little stunt was and how worried she had been when no one could find the 2nd year boys on the train.
Ron, noticing Hermione's frown turned to her and said snidely, "Oh come off it Hermione! He doesn't need any of that scowling from you! I reckon he'll be getting enough of it as it is from Snape all summer long!"
He shot Harry a comforting smile.
"Oh fine, but Harry really, do and at least try to behave yourself while you're with Professor Snape! You know he won't put up with any of your nonsense! Plus, the two of you should really attempt to get along a little better now that you'll be spending the entire summer together!"
Harry couldn't help but chuckle, "Yeah Hermione, me and Snape… get along... HA! You must be kidding me!"
"Really Hermione..." Ron commented, "For all the brains you claim to have sometimes you really are so dense! Harry and Snape are completely opposite people, they will NEVER get along, they have absolutely nothing in common!"
This earned Ron a large scowl and a book to the head.
Harry couldn't help but snigger. Earning himself another disapproving glare from Hermione as she scolded him, "Really Harry, don't egg him on, I swear, you're just as bad as him!"
And next thing you knew, it was time to say goodbye. With final hugs, promises of rescue, and another reminder to them about not telling anyone of where he'd really be staying for the summer, Ron and Hermione were off, leaving Harry feeling miserable and extremely lonely.
It was time for summer with the Potions Master... Harry wondered to himself if it would be any better than the Dursley's, but he knew somewhere deep down that it definitely would be. Snape really wasn't as bad as he appeared and though Harry himself was just beginning to see that (and he really didn't expect his friends to understand) he was actually beginning to take comfort in being with the man.
Not that he'd ever admit that though!
And with a final sweeping, slightly wistful glance of the Gryffindor Tower, he began to lug his stuff down to his new temporary guardian's office, reveling that for once, just maybe, it wouldn't be such a bad Summer after all.
A boy could hope, right?