Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot and anything you don't recognize. If you sue, you will get little more than pocket lint.
Rating: M
Summary: Harry Potter is 16 and beginning the summer between his 6th and 7th year. He is found to be in danger and some crazy events change his life forever.
Pairings: SS/HP hinted RL/SB
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Chapter One: Hogwarts
Homeward bound
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home, where my thought's escaping
Home, where my music's playing
Home, where my love lies waiting
Silently for me – Simon and Garfunkel "Homeward Bound"
They had arrived late in the night; the darkened castle looking uninhabited- an unusual sight for Potter. Severus sighed, knowing that the summer was going to be unbearably long. At least he had become civil with Potter last year on Albus's commands. Though, he thought this wasn't a very good way to show gratitude.
Now, the pair sat and awaited orders from that same man. Severus glanced at Potter only to find him nearly asleep. He wished that Albus had let him go. He didn't see why he was needed. He had done his duty and wanted nothing more to do with the boy, though, he very well couldn't disobey orders. He again sighed and closed his eyes.
The next time he opened them, he found the Headmaster taking his enormous chair. Severus prodded Harry awake and took an upright sitting position. He glared at the Headmaster.
"Why am I needed here?" he asked, his voice cold and untrue to his actual feelings.
"I called you both here to arrange the room situation. Harry is in danger, the reason that I have brought him here. I believe that he needs someone to keep an eye on him the majority of the time whilst he is here," Albus paused, hoping that Severus would understand what he was suggesting. Severus knew that this could only mean trouble.
"I understand that neither of you will like this arrangement but, m'boy, you are my most trusted on my faculty. I appoint Harry to your protection. He will be moved into your rooms which have been modified for his stay," Albus said, placing clasped hands on his desk.
"NO!" two shouts of horror came flying at the old man.
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Harry couldn't believe what he heard. Dumbledore could not be serious. He knew that they hated each other and had only civil on this very man's orders. Now they were forced to live together. It was outrageous.
"I will not house him!" Snape stated angrily. Harry was somewhat hurt by this, but knew to keep his mouth shut for fear of royally pissing him off.
Dumbledore, of course, countered quickly. "There is no one else in the castle asides from Professor Trelawney. I do not suggest we send the boy up to her to easily get killed." Harry agreed with this statement. He did not trust Trelawney nearly as much as he did Snape, even if he did dislike him. Snape's mood however, did not take this well.
"Why does he not stay with you?" You are the only person the Dark Lord fears if that is whom we are protecting him from," Snape questioned, his voice reflecting his anger slightly. Harry could tell that Dumbledore was losing his patients.
"I am not here enough to take on that task. You would do well not to question my judgment. It causes me to believe that there is a lack of trust in you. I know that neither of you like this, though, it is the best we can do. You will learn to live with each other and that is that. Now, Harry, all of your stuff has been moved in by a house elf. All you have to do is get Severus's password and arrange your room," Dumbledore smiled. "I am sure you will both make this work. Good night," he said as he walked out of the room through the door in the back.
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Severus was in an extremely rotten mood at this point and stood abruptly, his black robes billowing around him. Not only had he been forced to stay awake but was now being forced to share living quarters with his most hated student. He glared at Potter before speaking.
"Come Potter," he spat. He silently stalked out of the room and down the hall to the dungeons with Potter on his heels.
"While you are staying with me, you will touch nothing without permission. I will not have your friends in my room and you will do well to stay out of my way," he began, sounding angrier than usual. Potter murmured a small, 'yes, sir' and continued to follow him.
Once they arrived at the dungeons, Severus led him to the painting of a green snake sleeping soundly. "Signum Venus," he muttered, his tone changing slightly. The portrait opened revealing a small hallway with a door at the end.
"Stand on the mat and do not move until I signal for you," he muttered before stepping to the other side of the door to reset his wards. After a few minutes, he motioned for Harry to step through.
Severus took no time in starting the tour. He guessed that the added door to the entrance hallway was Harry's room. They had been painted maroon and gold, a deed that Albus surely had done. He motioned for the young man to step in and followed closely behind to see just what had been added to his home.
"These will be your rooms whilst you are here," he said stepping out.
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Harry knew that Snape had not designed the rooms. He never would have put so much thought into them. He smiled, glad that at least he had his own room and bed. The walls were maroon with thin gold stripes. A desk sat in the far corner, next to it a bookshelf. On the other wall was a dresser and the same wall as the door, a closet. All the wood was a rich chocolate color that matched the color scheme nicely. The bed was maroon with a lion embroidered in the corner. Golden pillows covered the majority of the bed and Harry couldn't help but stare.
After a quick job of unpacking he stepped back out into the hallways and stared at Snape, who turned and walked to a large open room. The walls were stone and held no color, fitting the man who was now giving the tour.
"This is the sitting room," Snape said silkily the moved to a small adjoining kitchen. They moved on to the other side of the sitting room where two doors were located. "You are never to enter those two rooms unless I specifically tell you to," Snape stated, glaring at Harry the entire time. Harry simply nodded.
"I feel that Dumbledore gave you a bathroom therefore, I have no further need of you. Do as you please, Potter," Snape said as he headed for one of the forbidden doors.
"Sir," Harry said boldly, causing the older man to turn. "The name's Harry."
A/N: Hope you liked it. Time to read and review! The more reviews the sooner I update so send 'em.