Chapter 2; Prince Manor
Severus nearly lost his footing as the Portkey dropped the two of them off in the dark gardens of his new home. He shook the disorientation out of his mind and tossed the can that had been their mode of transport away, moving briskly to the door.
Severus had never been so happy for magic as he was then, the lights instantly turning on as he entered a room, allowing him to quickly, and safely, make his way up the stairs and into the nearest bedroom. The room was warm, the fireplace in the far corner instantly coming to life as he moved to set Potter on the bed.
Moving quickly, with the efficiency he had gained over the years, Severus pulled the blanket away from Potter and started to look over the boy for injuries. Most of what he had suffered were bruises, though his arm was assuredly broken. The worst of it, however, was at Harry's backside, as horrible, deep tears showed the evidence of the molestation that he had endured.
Severus cursed under his breath and pulled a potion out of a pocket and gently, carefully, applied it to the bleeding wounds. He watched as the bleeding stopped and only light scaring remained. He sighed and made his way to the wardrobe, pulling out a simple pull on shirt and some sweatpants, carefully laying them across the trunk at the foot of the bed and pulling the covers up to cover Potter's body.
I can't dress him with his arm like that...Severus thought silently as he made his way to the fireplace and opened the lid on a container filled with a sparkling green powder. I need a much more skilled healer, now.
Severus took a handful of the powder and threw it into the herth, causing the flames to kick up green and bright.
"Albus Dumbledore's Office." He called into the flames before sticking his head through. The spinning was very disorientating, but once he saw the large office with all of it's whirling gizmos and the bright red Phoenix on it's perch, Severus called out into the room.
"Albus!" His voice had a strange echo in his ears, as his voice drew the attention of the bird, golden eyes turning to look at him tiredly. It was only a moment later that the old wizard in his silver robes came into the room, a cup of tea in one hand.
"Now Severus, what is with that yelling? It is quite late you kn-" The headmaster began to chastise, but Severus cut him off with cold, clear words.
"Potter is injured."
THAT snapped the old man into a much more serious look, setting his cup down and pulling out his wand. Severus pulled his head out of the floo just in time for Dumbledore to step through, appearing in the room and making his way over to the bed the boy now lay in.
"What happened?" Albus asked, pulling the sheets back to observe the boy's injuries himself. "Was it…"
"Not Death Eaters." Severus said, crossing his arms and leaning against the far wall. "His Uncle."
"His...I see…" Albus went quite as he saw the drying blood on the boy's legs. He sighed and started to pass his wand over the boy's arm, muttering soft incantations causing the bones to snap back into place. It was quick, and before long Harry Potter was tucked into the bed, sleeping peacefully as Dumbledore made his way over to Severus with a sad look in his blue eyes.
"Where are his things?" The old man asked and Severus sighed again.
"I had no time to collect them, as I figured getting Potter medical attention was much more important. Knowing that the boy is alright now, however, I will go and collect them."
"No no no, Severus. I will inform Molly and the others, some of them may go and collect his things, I need to speak to the Minister. I need you to stay and tend to the boy, he is likely to be very scared and confused when he wakes."
Severus bowed his head on acknowledgment as Albus made his way out of the room and closed the door behind him. Only a few moments later, there was a whooshing sound from downstairs as the old man no doubt flooed either back to his own office or to Grimmauld Place.
The room was quiet now, save for the rain pelting the window, dark all save for the fireplace. Severus Snape waited just a little longer before moving toward the bed again, picking up the clothes he had set aside, and started to dress the boy. The clothes were massively too large for the emaciated teen, the shirt hanging off of him like a tent, but it was all they had for the moment.
Once the boy was fully clothed he lay him back down and pulled the covers up to his chin, brushing thin fingers through the mop of black hair, seeing the lightning scar on his forehead. He removed the boy's glasses and set them on the bedside table before taking a seat on the edge of the bed, looking at the boy more closely.
He did look eerily like James Potter, sending a cold, hateful feeling down his spine despite his best efforts. He was all too aware that the boy was not at fault for his father's behavior, but the resemblances have been piling up. Up until that point, Severus had felt very justified in his claims that Harry had been JUST like James, but now...all he could see was a thin, hurt boy who took solace wherever he could find it. Far too much like himself than he truly wanted to admit.
"He has her eyes, Severus." Those were the words Dumbledore had used to convince Severus to remain his protector after the death of Lily, and Severus felt ashamed for never having looked. Now, with his eyes closed and sunken into his gaunt face, Severus was unable to see if that was really true. If so...perhaps he could, SHOULD, focus on that far more than the rest of him.
Shaking his head, Snape stood again and made his way out of the room and down the stairs, his feet sounding loud as they hit each, hardwood step. The house was far too large for just him, thus why he tended to stay in the tiny house his dreaded father used to own. When he had learned of the inheritance from his mother's side of the family, he had been mildly overjoyed at the fact that he could leave the "Snape" side behind, at least in that one sense. However the house was cold and far too quiet, the open space actually made Severus feel afraid, exposed. However it was heavily warded, wards what had recently been reinforced by all members of the Order and even the ministry, probably making this one mansion out in the middle of nowhere even more safe than Hogwarts school itself.
The state of the place left much to be desired, however. While Severus had made a point to clean and restock his new property, especially once he learned that he would be sharing it with the "Savior of the whole Wizarding World!" the place was still a right mess. Even with magic, it was impossible to keep it clean all by himself, it was simply too large. Albus had offered to lend him some of the Hogwarts House Elves, but Severus had refused. He had no interest in silently supporting slavery, even if the Elves themselves had been bread to enjoy servitude. He simply did his best to maintain it himself.
The kitchen was, undoubtedly, the cleanest place in the house, other than his potions lab in the basement. The fridge was fully stocked and he had enough cooking supplies to feed the entire Weasley family, extended relatives included. So he pulled out a large pot and started to slice up the vegetables for a simple stew. If he was going to be put in charge of caring for the boy, be would be damned if he didn't give him a proper meal when waking up, laced with some calming drought no question. The boy would probably be a nervous wreck, having gone through what he did, just to wake up in the presence of his most hated teacher. It was best to ensure he stayed calm and did not stress himself too much.
It was about twenty or so minutes after he started cooking that the fireplace started to flare up with green flames, and several people, one after the other, started to pop out into the sitting room, getting soot and ash all over the floores. Severus glared slightly as the Seven Weasleys, followed by Lupin, Tonks, Mad-Eye, Shacklebolt, and finally Black all filled his house.
Well it's not empty anymore. He thought to himself as he stirred the broth in front of him, his dark eyes staying on the Order as Sirius Black quickly made his way over to the Kitchen Island and slammed his hands on the counter.
"Where is Harry!?" Black asked, his eyes cold and accusing. Severus gave him a dry look and put the lid on the pot before stepping out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He observed the group, most of them were holding bags and suitcases, though Ronald Weasley was holding the cage containing Harry's Owl.
"Thank you for getting his things." Severus said quietly, causing the youngest four Weasley to look quite shocked. Severus sneered slightly. Brats. "Mr. Potter is upstairs in the first room to the left. He is currently sleeping, so I ask that you remain quiet, he need his rest."
"Thank you, Severus." Arthur Weasley said with a kind smile, placing one hand on Snape's arm before motioning the others to follow him up. Molly gave him a similar gesture and a smile as they all went up, save for Black, who remained in the room with Snape, glaring daggers at him. Severus turned to the man, his face voice of emotion.
"Is there something you needed, Black?" He said coldly. "I'm afraid I have no bones for you to gnaw on, they all went into the stock."
Black gritted his teeth at Snape, who half expected him to growl. Black moved forward, getting up into Severus' face with cold, judging eyes.
"What are you playing at, Snivellus?" Black asked in a hissing tone. Severus raised an eyebrow and pushed past Black, returning to the kitchen and his cooking.
"I am simply doing as Dumbledore instructed. If you have a problem with it, take it up with him." He said coldly as he moved to take the lid off the pot. A firm hand stopped him, pressing his hand down onto the hot metal. He winced in pain as he turned to look at Black, who was looming over him, despite being significantly shorter than himself.
"I'm taking it up with You." Black actually snarled at him. Severus maintained a calm visage, despite the feeling of skin blistering on his hand. "Cooking a meal, telling everyone to be quiet so Harry can rest? Since when did you care about whether or not he got proper rest or not?"
"Since I saw, first hand, what he was forced to endure under the watch of his, supposed, family." Severus said coldly. "Let's just say I felt the slightest twinge of sympathy for the child. I understand what it is like, if you recall."
Sirius visibly flinched away as Severus said those words, giving him enough leverage to wretch his hand away from the scolding metal, leaving a rather bloody handprint on the lid. Severus glared at Black before taking the lid off of the pot and tossing it into the sink for a brush to start washing, while he wrapped his hand in a towel to stop the bleeding.
"Now if you are going to visit the boy, do so, otherwise get out of my house." Severus' tone was cold and harsh, a tone he had used many times in the past to intimidate the enemies of the Dark Lord. Sirius took a step away, glaring at Snape with a mixture of loathing and...guilt? It was hard to tell. But eventually Sirius did leave Snape alone to finish his cooking, and left to visit Harry in his room.
Severus watched at Black left, carefully unwrapping his hand to look at the damage. He had certainly had worse, what with The Dark Lord's temper, but having a bloody hand would likely cause some problems with his job. So he carefully slathered his hand with the same healing salve he had used on Harry earlier, closing the wounds and easing the pain. He was able to return to his cooking just as the fireplace lit up again, Dumbledore returning through it with an exasperated look. Snape raised an eyebrow at him and shook his head, pulling the finished soup, not really a stew, off of the burner and started to plate it up and lace it with the calming draught. Albus walked over to him and leaned on the counter, his blue eyes looking all to serious.
"What is it?" Snape asked, not meeting those eyes. He had a bad feeling.
"Well...It's about the protection." Severus looked up at him and he continued. "I need to speak with both you and Harry, once he wakes. Have the others come by with his luggage?"
"They are all upstairs with him now." He said as he put a glass of water on the tray as well before wiping his hands off and looking at Albus. The Hogwarts Headmaster smiled slightly and picked up the tray to Severus, understanding that he had already 'Shamed' himself enough by even cooking such a nice meal for the boy. The two of them made their way upstairs and Severus opened the door for Albus as they entered into the all too crowded room. Severus was quite shocked to see Potter sitting up in bed, staring at the two of them with his large eyes in shock.
God, they are like hers…. He thought as he met them. Albus gave a kind smile as he walked in and placed the tray on Harry's lap.
"Hello, Harry, I am glad to see you awake. Severus did a very good job at treating your injuries." Albus said, causing Snape to scoff. Old man just had to tell him, didn't he?
"Snape did…?" Harry asked, his voice soft and hoarse, seeming mildly dazed, not that Snape blamed him.
"Professor Snape, Harry, and yes. He took you away from your Aunt and Uncle and brought you here. He has been taking care of you for a while now." Dumbledore said with a soft smile. Though the look on Harry's face turned from one of confusion to one of terror.
He saw? Oh god…
The boy's thoughts were so loud Severus did not even need to actively cast Legilimens. He looked away from the boy, understanding the shame he must be feeling. He couldn't help but hurt for the boy. No one, not even The Dark Lord himself deserved to go through what this boy had gone through. Albus placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, trying to comfort him, but it clearly did not work. There was silence in the room as the members of the Order all looked around at the three of them, clearly not sure as to what to do or say. Albus turned to them and gave an apologetic smile.
"I am sorry, but I need to speak with Harry and Severus, alone." He said softly. "Thank you all for gathering his things, but I think right now the less people crowding him the better. Besides, it is too dangerous to gather like this."
While Ron and Ginny Weasley did protest, they were all ushered out by the older members of the Order, Black giving Harry a hug and Snape a glare before exiting the room. There was silence until they heard the large group leave through the Floo again. Severus pulled up two chairs, lending one to Albus and he himself sitting in the other. Harry was looking between them nervously, clearly wandering what was going on.
"First of all Harry, I need to make sure you received the letter we sent ahead, telling you that Professor Snape would be picking you up?" Albus asked, and Potter nodded. "Good, that will make this easier to explain. The reason why you need to stay with Severus for the remainder of the summer is because your Mother's protection is no longer active, now that you are seventeen. As Severus is hightly skilled in wards, dueling, and know Tom better than anyone else, I decided it would be safest to put you in his care. And so far, I can see that it was a wise choice, if I do say so myself."
"You looked awfully serous when you returned Albus." Snape said, wanting to stop the old man's ramblings. "What happened? Is there an issue with the wards?"
"Not necessarily…." Albus said, scratching the bridge of his long nose. "It is a point the Minister brought up to me, in reguards to a form of protection, similar to what Lily had placed on Harry when he was a baby…"
Severus and Harry both frowned slightly, clearly wandering what he was talkng about.
"You mean...like an extra layer of protection?" Harry asked, and Dumbledore nodded, looking worriedly at Severus. What are you doing old man…
"Yes Harry. For both you and Severus, as it will not take long for Tom to realise that he has changed sides for good." Albus said slowly. "I beleive it is the only course of action to take, for both of your sakes."
"Albus...what are you saying?" Severus asked, a cold chill running up his spine. Albus took a breath and sat up straight, looking at both Severus and Harry with determined eyes.
"I am saying that you two shall be bonded, emediately."
Severus's mouth dropped open in utter shock, the force of whick causing him to drop his own mental blocks.
"Albus you can't be serious!" He said, standing up in utter shock and horror. Albus looked up at him, blue eyes sympathetic but unwavering.
"Ah, but I am all too serious, Severus. It really is the best way. I recomend you calm down, and accept it." Snape bit his lip and clenched his fists at his side. Once the old man made up his mind, that was it. He couldn't go against his oders.
"I don't get it…" Harry asked, clearly confused. "What does it mean to be bonded?" Snape looked at Harry, a scowel on his face despite not actually being angry at the boy. He suppose he had to tell him in blantant muggle terms.
"It means we are getting Married. Tonight."