Ok BIG thank you to those of you who reviewed. Your opinion really means a lot to me. You guys are my inspiration. If anyone has anything they would like to happen later on in the story, let me know and I'll see what I can do. I really had fun writing out all the details in this chapter so I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: MINE MINE ALL MINE...ok you're right it's not...but a girl can wish right?
A New Guardian
After breakfast the headmaster asked Minerva to meet him in his office at half past two that afternoon. She agreed, although she had no clue what this meeting was about. After receiving her answer he went to his office to floo Remus Lupin and asked him to join them at two-thirty as well. He did not see Severus at breakfast so he must be in his labs. Albus stood up and decided to tell the Potions Master in person.
He strode to the dungeons and knocked on the door to the potions lab. After hearing a quick 'Enter' he opened the door to see Severus working on some more potions for the hospital wing.
Albus entered the office and waited until Snape finished the step he was on and turned to face him. "Yes Headmaster?" he asked.
"I just wanted to inform you that a time has been set for the meeting." He said. "The Adults will meet at half past two, in order to be informed of the situation, and then Mr. Potter will join us at three for a decision on where to place him." The old man had a twinkle in his eye and Severus eyed him suspiciously. The old man was up to something, there was no doubt about that. He hated it when Albus got like that. There was nothing anyone could do.
On the way back from the dungeons, the Headmaster stopped by the Infirmary to request Poppy's presence early as well. When he entered he found Harry napping and four sealed letters on the side table. He saw that they were addressed to Ron, Hermione, Remus, and 'Snuffles'. The headmaster couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the name the boy had given Sirius and his animagus form. He picked up the letters and decided to take them to the owlery himself, so that the boy could get cleaned up before the meeting without having to rush.
He made his way to the infirmary office. Poppy was currently filling out some papers for the boys file. "Poppy," he called.
"Yes, Albus?" she asked.
"If you would be so kind as to grace us with your presence at two thirty this afternoon in my office. I would like to inform everyone before hand, of Mr. Potter's situation" he told her.
"Of course Albus, I will be there" she answered.
"Also if you would let Harry know that I have taken the liberty of owling his letters for him, I'm sure his friends are eager to hear from him." With that the headmaster bowed to her and stepped out of the office.
Severus stepped into the hospital wing to deliver more potions. He noticed Potter sleeping and walked over to the boy's bed.
"The boy looks almost likable when he's sleeping does he?" a voice in his head asked.
"He looks no older than an 11 or 12 year old from the undernourishment"
"After all, he has been abused just as you were...you really should give him a chance."
'Where are these thoughts coming from?' He thought. He suddenly noticed the boy becoming uneasy in his sleep. He was obviously having a nightmare. Severus didn't know why he did it but his body moved forward over to the boys bed out of it's own accord.
Potter had started whimpering in his sleep. Without realizing what he was doing, Snape placed his hand on the boys head. The boy leaned his touch. Snape snatched back his hand. He was not expecting that to happen. He had hoped the boy would merely quiet. Of course he must be starved for human affection. Severus himself was until he reached about Potter's age.
As if realizing what he was doing, he turned and left the boys side to go find Poppy. Robes billowing behind him. He couldn't believe himself, what in the world was he doing?! He had just tried to comfort the Potter brat!
"you know the life he's had, not easy at all, and no one to love him like a parent would" the voice replied
'That makes no difference he is still Potter' he thought back.
"yes but he is still abused and unloved, you are starting to care for the boy. He is not who you thought he was and seeing him like this, so small and abused, hated, and unloved, is getting to you. Look at what you did to those muggle relatives of his. You CARE for him now!"The voice taunted.
'I do NOT care for him. So what if he learns life isn't fair. It's not like I had anyone care for me. Look how our turned out.' He thought back.
"My point exactly!" the voice replied again before it went silent.
He found the medi-witch in her office. "Here are the potions you requested Poppy." he said as he sat them on the desk.
"Oh yes, thank you Severus. Those were getting rather low." he inclined his head to the witch and turned and left.
Harry woke around lunch time and Madam Pomfrey check him over and told him as soon as he ate he was free to go. She called Dobby and asked him to bring Harry a light lunch. Dobby immediately agreed. As always he was thrilled to do anything to help 'His Harry Potter Sir' and a moment later a tray appeared.
Lunch consisted of some type of vegetable soup, a plate of saltines, and orange slices. Of course as with all house elves, it was enough to feed 3 people instead of just one. Madam Pomfrey instructed Harry to just eat what he could. That his body still needed time to adjust to the food after not eating for so long. He ate about half an orange, several bites of soup and several saltines before he started to feel full.
After he ate, Madam Pomfry banished his tray and checked him over one last time. "Now as I said Mr. Potter. You need to take it easy for the next several days. Make sure you get plenty of rest. If you start to feel sick or if you feel anything wrong at all please come see me. No matter what I said earlier about not wanting you back in here for a while, I would rather be able to heal you than have you walk around with something wrong." She informed her patient. "Also, the Headmaster wanted me to inform you that he took the liberty of owling your letters for you. He felt that your friends were eager to hear from you. You are free to go Mr. Potter. You're trunk is at the end of the bed. You may want to clean yourself up some and change out of the hospital pajamas before you meet the headmaster."
After she left, Harry looked over at the side table, astounded that he didn't notice his letters missing. He stood up, a little shaky at first. He was not used to moving yet after all. After a moment of steadying himself he made his way to the end of his bed to his trunk and pulled out the best clothes that he had, and his toiletry kit.
He made his way to the infirmary loo, and quickly showered and dressed. His clothes were not that great but they were the best he had. The knees of his jeans were extremely warn and had grass stains on them. The bottom cuffs were frayed and the waist was about 4 sizes too big. His shirt was just as big as the pants, but only had a few small rips and tears. His socks had holes in the toes and heels but they were the best he had. Every article of clothing he owned, save for the school uniforms, and jumpers from Mrs. Weasley, were worn hand-me-downs from his cousin Dudley.
Harry proceeded to brush his teeth and trying to comb his unruly hair. After several minutes he gave up. It always stuck out at odd angles and would never lie flat.
Even after Eating, showering, and dressing, he still had about forty-five minutes to kill until his meeting in the Headmaster's office. He decided to spend this time out in the court yard of the castle. It was a beautiful sunny day outside and it had been a while since he hand been outdoors.
While Harry made his way down to the courtyard three other occupants of the castle were making their way to the Headmaster's office for their pre-meeting gathering. Just as the Professors and Madam Pomfrey entered the office, Remus Lupin entered through the floo.
Just as they all entered the office, the Headmaster waved for them all to take a seat. Once they were seated he conjured a tea service with chocolate biscuits. After they had all fixed their tea and took a biscuit, he turned and looked each one of them in the eye.
"I have asked you all here early so that we can inform two of you of what we have discovered in the last week." His eyes were not twinkling as he spoke looking at each one in turn. "Last week Minerva... Remus, with the help of Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, brought it to my attention that we needed to check on Mr. Potter. They had all written to him several times along with certain Godfather of Harry's, and he did not respond to anyone at all. This was most unlike him." he gravely stated. "I was also informed that both of his friends said that they normally send Harry food during the summer holidays. They said that Mr. Potter had mentioned in passing that his relatives often with held food from him, at times for periods of several days." Minerva and Lupin gasped at this news. "Also it was brought to my attention that Mr. Potter had asked the Weasley's to look after his owl because he was afraid his uncle might harm her. After this bit of information, I went to Severus and asked for him to go check on Mr. Potter. I have to say that what he found is most upsetting. I will allow him to explain." he nodded at Snape and hung his head.
Snape looked from Lupin to Minerva and requested that each of them take a calming drought. Both complied and he continued with his tale. "When I arrived I did a little exploring first, there was no sign that Potter lived there at all, no pictures no nothing. I followed a magical signature to a cupboard under the stairs which was boarded and locked and was sickened by what I found. There was a small cot just big enough for a house elf, ratty blankets, it reeked of blood and bodily filth. There I found the boy's trunk and on the wall written in red crayon, by a five or six year old from the looks of it, was the words 'Harry's Room'." He paused for a moment and took a sip of his tea. He noticed the looks on their faces, they all wore a cross of horror and fury.
"I shrunk and pocketed the trunk and continued up the stairs to look for Potter. I check the bedrooms, all were nice respectable living spaces, but none belonged to the boy. I found the boys room which was locked with 5 muggle locking devices from the outside. The room was definitely Potter's. It also had his magical signature, but was weaker. The room was not fit to house a cockroach never the less a teenage boy. The desk was broken, the wardrobe was in shambles and the bed looked to be no more than a pile of wood with a flat lumpy mattress and old thin ragged blankets with holes in them. I walked over to the window and thats when I saw him." he told the now infuriated and distraught people. Even Pomfrey hadn't heard this part of the tale.
"I quickly ran through the house to the back garden where I found Potter. He was tied to a post with a thick rope. He had been beaten, and starved. He was unconscious and reeked of bodily waste. He looked to have several injuries which included but were not limited to, broken limbs, a punctured lung, high fever, infection, multiple concussions, and severe dehydration. There was an empty bowl, presumably for water, and a bowl of rancid meat that not even the vilest creatures would touch. That is when I left and apparated with the boy back here to the infirmary." When he finished his tale, there was not a dry eye in the room, with the exception of his own. He scowled at their weakness to show emotion.
Lupin jumped up and shouted "I'LL KILL THEM, I'LL KILL THE BASTARDS THAT HURT JAMES AND LILY'S SON!!" to say he was furious was an understatement. Dumbledore looked over the room with sad eyes. It was hard to believe that all of this was happening because he had left the boy on his aunts doorstep 13 years before.
"Since we all know and are agreed that there is no possible way that Mr. Potter will be returning to Privet Drive, we are meeting with him in five minutes to find an alternative. Then to discuss the arrangements for Harry's first birthday party! So everyone please try to get yourselves under control. Mr. Potter is nervous and embarrassed enough as is." Dumbledore asked of them.
Just after everyone had finished cleaning their faces and schooling their emotions (for the most part at least), there was a knock on the door. Dumbledore opened the door with a flick of his wand, "Please come in and have a seat Harry, and help yourself to the tea and biscuits" he invited.
Harry sat quietly, and quickly fixed himself a cup of tea and started nibbling on a chocolate biscuit to busy himself. He knew from the looks of pity on everyone's faces that they had each been informed of what had happened to him at the Dursley's.
He looked down at his tea and tried to avoid the looks on everyones faces knowing that they held looks of pity. He looked up into Dumbledore's sad eyes and nodded his head.
"Ah, now we need to decide who is to become your temporary guardian Harry." he told the boy.
"I know that Molly and Arthur would be glad to take you in, as they have made clear time and time again, however with Petigrew now on the lose, I'm afraid thats just not possible." He looked into the boys emerald eyes and saw understanding. The boy knew that he would be at risk and placing the Weasley's at risk by residing at the Burrow.
"I'll take him Albus, you know that I care for Harry as if he were my own son" Lupin told the room at large. "Yes I know you care deeply for the Harry, Remus, but at this time we need to file for a temporary guardian for him, and with your condition you know that it is just not possible. I'm sure it means a lot to Harry though to know that you would take him as your son if you could." Albus replied. The werewolf nodded his understanding.
"What about you sir?" Harry asked. "Why can't you be my guardian?"
"Well Harry, I would love to, and to hear that you would want me to do so, makes me that much sadder that I can't. The second the Ministry got wind of it they would contest it, saying that as Headmaster of Hogwarts I am far too busy to provide you with the needs of a 13 (almost 14) year old boy. I hate to say it but Minister Fudge would love nothing more than to get control and guardianship over 'The Boy Who Lived' and I fear that would be worse that you returning to the Dursley's." he told the boy.
Harry got a momentary look of fear and panic on his face. "Fear not Mr. Potter, you will not be returning to your relatives...ever!" McGonagall informed him with a stern but compassionate look on her face. Harry relaxed some at hearing that.
"I would ask Minerva to be your guardian Harry, but as she is your Head of House, that would end up raising questions of fairness towards you and your friends during the year." Dumbledore told the boy. Harry nodded that he understood. So where was he to go? He looked around and the only other persons in the office were Snape and Madam Pomfrey.
Harry knew that Madam Pomfrey cared for him, however the medi-witch would be too busy during the year with all her patients to take care for him. That only left...no...no no no no NO! "NO!! YOU CAN'T!! HE HATES ME!!" yelled Harry.
Just then understanding dawned on Snape's face and he paled. "Headmaster, you cannot mean for ME to take the brat!" he told the headmaster. He knew the old fool had been up to something but even this was a shock for him. How could Albus do this? He had never had to care for a child before and knew nothing about it. And a Potter none the less!
"Yes Severus. You are the only one capable of gaining guardianship of the boy. Not to mention that you are more than able to provide protection for him considering your past experiences" he said with a pointed look. "Also I think that it is high time that you two learn to get along. It is time for you Severus to learn to look past the face of James Potter and see Harry, and it is time for you, Harry, to look past the stereotype of Slytherin and see a decent man." he clarified.
"Albus I can not do this!! I know nothing of caring for a child, especially an arrogant, defiant, trouble causing, self-centered one like the son of James Potter. It's preposterous." the potions master ranted.
"I AM NOT MY FATHER!!" Harry interjected.
"Ah, well I am sorry Severus and Harry, but there is no other choice. Harry simply cannot go to anyone that the ministry will contest." he replied.
"You don't think the ministry would object to an ex-Death Eater having guardianship over The Boy Who Lived?!" he asked.
"Actually no I don't. You are an EX-death eater, a spy for the light. I vouched for that. Crouch was the one who tried to charge you, not Fudge. He may still be in the ministry but he is not minister. You will have no problems with this Severus. Now.. "
"Sir!! You can't!! Didn't you hear me? Snape HATES me! He doesn't care what happens to me, he never has and never will!!" Harry interrupted.
"Ah, on the contrary my boy, Professor Snape does care for you, even if he doesn't realize it himself" he said with a side ways glance at the man. "Who was it that tried to save you when Professor Quirrell was hexing your broom during the quidditch match? And who was it that followed you to the Shrieking Shack and tried to save you thinking that Sirius Black was a murderer? Also even this summer, when technically all he was supposed to do was check on your situation, and report back. Who was it that found you and took you and rushed you immediately into the care of Madam Pomfrey?" he reminded the green-eyed boy.
Harry and Snape knew that there was no use arguing, that once the Headmaster had his mind made up there was no changing it. And neither could muster the courage to outright defy his wishes. Even if they did feel the need to argue it a bit first. The two sat and looked at each other a moment, all other eyes on the room on them.
Professor McGonagall spoke up first, "Are you sure this is such a good idea Albus?" and Remus Lupin seconded that question. "Yes Minerva, Remus, I fear that this is the only decent solution there is to come to."
"Professor Dumbledore, you said that students weren't allowed to stay at the school over the summer holidays." Harry interjected.
"Ah quite right you are my dear boy, however there is an exception. If that student is a charge of a professor then the rule does not apply" He smiled.
"I will agree to this but ONLY if Potter here obeys my rules." Severus began.
"And what are those rules Severus?"Albus asked.
Harry rolled his eyes thinking they would be the dumbest rules ever. Such as 'don't breath, don't talk, don't move, don't look at anything...' and was surprised when Snape continued "First off Mr. Potter, you must listen and do as I say. You will go to bed when I say so, work on your summer work when I say so (and yes I am aware you have not began), you will respect me at all times and not talk back. There will be no midnight wondering and you will return to our quarters by no later than 10:30 each night. You will eat proper meals, and you will pick up after yourself. As I am not your maid and neither are the house elves...Do I make myself clear?" he finished.
"Yes sir,...However if I am to abide by those rules I have a few conditions of my own" Harry stated.
"And pray tell what might those be Potter?" The Potions Master inquired snidely.
"For starters you will not belittle me or my parents, I got enough of that from the Dursley's. Second you will not keep me from interacting with my friends, Remus, or my Godfather. Those are my conditions. Are we agreed?" he smirked, along with Remus and the others occupying the room.
"That sounds like a good trade to me, doesn't it to you Severus?" the headmaster grinned.
"It will do," Severus replied.
"Well then, I shall get the paperwork in order after the meeting is concluded. Now I believe that we have a party to plan!" Dumbledore smiled jovially. "What kind of cake would you like at your party Harry?" asked the headmaster.
"Um.. I don't really know sir, I've never had a cake before." Harry told them shyly.
"Well then it looks like we'll just go with a multi-flavor cake. The house elves will be thrilled! Is there anything in particular you would like to receive for your birthday Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked with his eyes twinkling madly.
"No sir, no one has to get me anything. I don't want anyone spending their money on me. I have everything I need." he told the group at large.
"Nonsense my dear boy! What's a party without presents? We shall just have to think of something on our own then." he stated.
"Thank you sir, for..er.. giving me a party that is. I've never had one before so I'm sure that even without presents and a cake, it would be the best day of my life just to spend it with my friends and all of you away from the Dursley's." that statement had tears pooling in Minerva and Poppy's eyes.
"Well then, how about we schedule it for the 29th at 4pm? As it is on a Saturday, we'll have an early dinner in honor of the celebration. Mr. Potter I will allow you to send out the invitations to the Weasley's and Grangers. I'm sure you wouldn't mind your friends bringing their families along. Poppy and Minerva, if you wouldn't mind helping myself and the house elves with the decorations, I'm sure Professor Flitwick would be delighted to help as well. With that I say Meeting adjourned! Severus, Harry would you remain a moment please?" Albus asked.
Harry and Severus waited for the others to file out of the office. Before flooing back, Remus walked over and placed and hand on Harry's shoulder and squeezed it gently saying "I'm glad you're ok Harry." He exited through the floo, and Harry and Severus turned towards the headmaster.
"Ah yes, if you two gentlemen would have a quick seat, I believe I have a couple of papers for each of you to sign." his eyes twinkling like stars in the night. He reached into one of his desk drawers and pulled out 4 sheets of parchment. He handed over two of the parchments, one to each involved. "This is the terms of the guardianship, if you would each take a moment to read through them and sign at the bottom stating that you understand the responsibilities. If you should have any questions feel free to ask." He looked directly at Harry as he made the last statement.
Harry read through the papers noticing things like, rite of abode, rite of safety, rite of legal consultation, things of that nature. Basically stating what was expectations and rights of a guardian. After reading through he reached for the never-out quill that Dumbledore offered and signed on the bottom line. He waited a few moments and Snape did the same.
"Now, this one is the actual guardianship paper. It states that you both understand what it entitles and both agree to this arrangement. Being that Mr. Potter is soon to be 14 he is entitled to sign for himself, any younger than 13 and he would have to have a ministry worker from child services sign for him." He handed them the paper and after they both reading it they both looked at the other for a moment. Both knew they had no choice and signed the document. After being signed the Documents disappeared in a flash of bright gold light. "Ahhh... well that is taken care of" Dumbledore stated.
Harry thought for a moment "Sir, wouldn't my Aunt have to sign over her right as my guardian?" he asked.
"Not in this case my dear boy. You see 13 years ago when I left you in your Aunt and Uncle's care, I somewhat fogged over the matter of your guardianship from the Ministry. So everyone assumed they had been named your guardian, when actually you haven't had one legally since the day your parents died. Also even if they were, by wizarding law, anytime a wizard child is abused at the hands of a muggle guardian they forfeit all rights." He informed the curious boy.
"Oh, I guess that makes it easier then" said Harry.
"Yes it does. Now that this is taken care of, I will allow the two of you to go and get settled in. I believe you also have some party invitations to send out Harry. Here why don't you take this.." he reached in his desk and pulled out to crisp white pieces of thick parchment and handed them to Harry. "You can use those to write out your invitations. The ink will appear whatever color you wish it to."
"Thank you sir." Harry stated.
Snape and Harry stood and left the Headmaster's office. As they stepped off of the revolving stair case Snape turned to Harry and said "Follow me Potter I will show you to our quarters and your room."
"I still need to go get my things from the hospital wing sir" Harry replied.
"Belkin!" Snape said all of a sudden, making Harry jump and take a step back. In that moment a old house elf with huge tennis ball sized blue eyes appeared.
"Yes Master Snape sir? Belkin is at your service" the elf said.
"This is Mr. Potter, he is my charge now and will be staying in my guest quarters. Kindly retrieve Mr. Potter's things from the infirmary and place them in his room." The elf vanished with a pop, and Harry looked up at Snape in shock.
"My room sir?" he asked.
"Yes Potter your room" his new guardian scowled "You know where people sleep and keep their clothes and things? Did you think I was going to be so uncivilized as to make you sleep on the sitting room floor? I do have manners Potter" he drawled.
"Uh...well...er" Harry stuttered. He wasn't trying to insult Snape, but he was just shocked. He had never had a room to call his own before.
"Really Potter try to make words out of that babble you are speaking" he taunted.
"I'm sorry sir, I wasn't trying to insult you or anything. You see...It's just that..well..." Harry tried to explain.
"This year Potter! We don't have all day!" He snapped at the boy.
"It's just that I've never had a room to call my own sir." Harry finished shyly as he looked down. He couldn't believe he just told that to Snape, his greasy git of a potions instructor.
"What about that room at your relatives? Surely that must have been your room, thats where your things were after all."
Harry looked down at the floor. "Actually sir.."
"Look at me when you speak boy!" Snape interrupted. At that exclamation Harry drew back and put his arms up to shield his face.
"I am not now nor ever going to hit you Potter. Kindly put your hands down, and look at me when you speak to me." Snape tried to calmly tell the boy.
"That room was actually my cousins second bedroom. I was allowed to sleep there but thats it. They moved me there after I received my Hogwarts letter sir. Thats where they put all of the things that Dudley broke but didn't want to throw out. I was never allowed to do anything but sleep there" Harry scoffed.
"Why were their locks on the outside of the door?" he asked the boy.
"Um...no offense Professor but could we discuss this another time? Somewhere other than here in the corridor?" Harry asked, feeling a little uncomfortable standing and speaking of his life with the Dursley's where anyone can walk up and hear.
"Very well Potter, follow me." With that he led Harry through the castle down to the dungeons. They passed the door to the potions classroom, and went past the corridor that led to the Slytherin common room. Harry had never been to this part of the dungeons before and was looking around in awe. It was still dark and dank but not as much so as the other parts of the dungeon. He was not paying attention and nearly ran into the back of Snape when he suddenly stopped at a blank space in the wall.
"Just tap the stone thats even with the center of the side of the picture over there, with your wand." He told Harry as he did it. The stones just seemed to melt right out of the way. They entered another corridor of sorts. Harry turned back to see the stones reforming themselves. This was amazing he had never knew this part of the castle existed. It wasn't even on the marauder's map!
Snape stopped in front of a picture of an old man with a long beard of pure white and hair to match. The man also had twinkling blue eyes and bore a startling resemblance to the Headmaster. In his hand was a staff, at the top of the staff was a silver claw that held a crystal orb. "Lord Kinston" The potions master greeted.
"Ah, Severus, how are you today?" the man in the portrait asked.
"I am well sir. This is Harry Potter. I have recently been named his guardian. He will be residing here from now on as well." Snape sneered.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, how nice to meet you." Harry was still gaping at the resemblance between this man and Dumbledore.
He shook his head clear of thought and replied. "Nice to meet you too sir. Please call me Harry."
Lord Kinston laughed, "Ah Harry, you have seen a talking portrait before have you not?"
"Um, yes sir. I'm sorry, it's just that you reminded me of someone." he tried to explain.
"Oh yes, you must be referring to my great-grandson. I have been told we look alarmingly similar I believe you know him to be the Headmaster?" The man asked with a smile. Harry gaped and his eyes if possible were the size of golf balls.
"You..you mean Professor Dumbledore is your great-grandson?" Harry asked, astounded.
"Why yes.." the elderly man began to reply.
"If you two could kindly continue this conversation some other time. We do have things to attend to." interrupted the head of Slytherin.
"Yes yes, sorry Severus. Would you like for me to set up entrance for the boy as well?" asked Lord Kinston.
"Might as well, he shall be living here." answered Snape.
"Please verify your signature Severus." With that said Snape placed his palm on the corner of the portrait.
"Very well, Harry please place your palm over the crystal on my staff, so I can recognize your signature." Harry complied and placed his right palm over the crystal. He felt a warm tingling sensation start in his fingers and work it's way up his arm and into the rest of his body. "Thank you Harry, now whenever you would like entrance just place your palm on the crystal as you just did and I will open for you. However, this will only work for you as it designed for your signature." he informed the boy.
"Thank you sir." Harry answered. Lord Kinston's portrait swung open to allow the two occupants of the quarters to enter.
Harry entered the quarters and was overwhelmed with what he saw. He was expecting it to be a dark, cold, and gloomy dungeon room, all decorated in green and silver, Slytherin colors. Instead, what he found was living quarters that would have been suitable for even Professor Flitwick. For beginners it was a huge room, double the size of the Gryffindor common room, and it had a huge magical bay window off to one side that over looked the grounds out towards the Black Lake. Harry knew it had to be magical since they were actually underground. The room was decorated in cream and navy blue with dark brown accents. There was a fireplace on the far wall, with a warm fire roaring, so it was nice and comfortable in the room. On each side of the fireplace and bay window, were bookshelves with tons of books. 'Hermione would be in heaven down here!' Harry thought to himself.
The third wall was decorated with an occasional book shelf and a few painting that contained no people just scenes of nature. In one was a meadow with horses running, another had a view much like the lake, with a nice shade tree on the bank with the limbs blowing in the wind. A third contained a lightly wooded area with wildlife running in and out of the frame.
Harry was in awe. In the center of the sitting room was a cream colored sofa with brown claw feet, and blue pillows. In front of the couch was a dark mahogany coffee table. Beside the table was a navy blue chair with a brown throw pillow, and on the other side of the table was a dark brown leather chair with a cream colored throw pillow. Off of the other end of the room was a large dining area, the table was also dark mahogany, and there was a fancy china cabinet over against the wall in the corner.
The look on Harry's face must have showed his surprise because the potions master smirked and commented "Contrary to popular belief Mr. Potter, I do not enjoy dark, damp, cold places. Especially if I am to live there. I also, as you can see, do know and enjoy more colors than black and green, even if I do not wear them." The Potions Master couldn't help but to smirk at the shocked look on the boys face.
"Professor, this is..uh...really nice" Harry complimented.
"Why thank you Potter, for that assessment." he snapped. "Now this way if you please."
Harry followed Snape down the narrow corridor that was to the side of the dining area. The hall was lit by torches giving off soft dancing light. It was not as comforting as the sitting room but it wasn't as gloomy as a dungeon area should be. Snape walked over to a door on the left hand side and announced "This Potter, is my private lab. You are to stay away from this room at all times. Do I make myself clear?" he asked with a snarl.
Harry nodded and replied "yes sir".
Snape walked down the narrow hallway before stopping at another door. He opened the door. Harry looked in and saw a room full of bookshelves from floor to ceiling. In the middle of the room was a large table for doing research. Over to the side on one wall surrounded by bookshelves was a decent sized desk. On the desk was stacks of parchment and a few ink wells. "This is my private study and personal library, you are only to enter this room without permission. If you even so much as crinkle one page you will scrub every inch of this castle on your hands and knees with a muggle toothbrush. Is that understood?"
Harry gulped audibly and nodded "yes..yes sir. I understand."
A little further down the corridor there were two doors, one directly across from the other. Snape stopped in front of the door on the left hand side. "These are my personal chambers," he said with clinched teeth "as with my private lab, you are not to come in this room at all. If I catch you here I'll let Filch do what he pleases with you. Even let him use some of the devices for punishment he's been begging the headmaster about for years! Do...I...Make...Myself...Clear?" He finished so quietly that Harry didn't think this man could ever sound more menacing. Harry couldn't talk so he just nodded his head. "I can't hear the dust rattling inside your head Potter. I said 'Do I make myself clear?'"
"Yes Professor" Harry replied quickly.
"That over there is your bedroom, you may decorate it any color you wish, so long as it's not Gryffindor colors, and preferably not green. I see enough of that in the Slytherin dorms." Harry was astonished at the fact he got to decorate his own room, he was sure that Snape would demand that it be green and silver. "You will find your stuff already in your room. You will find a personal restroom off of your chambers. You will be expected to meals on time. Breakfast is at 7:30am, lunch is at 12pm and dinner is at 5:30pm." Snape turned and went back to his study.
Harry turned the doorknob and entered his chambers. As soon as he lit the torches, he stopped dead in his tracks, sure he was going to have a heart attack. The room was HUGE. It was four times the size of Dudley's second bedroom. In the middle of the back wall was a large four-poster bed, complete with hangings and covers, and a side table. His trunk was already at the foot of his bed. The floor was stone and had a gigantic area rug that was surrounded the bed for a good 3 meters. There was a bay window, just like in the sitting room. Except this one showed a view of the quidditch pitch.
Beside the window was a large maple wardrobe. He could probably fit all the clothes he had ever owned in it twice! On the wall opposite of the window was fireplace and in the corner was a roll-top desk. A bookcase that matched the wardrobe, and a comfortable desk chair were against the back wall beside the desk. In the middle of the room was a love seat and a chair. Harry couldn't believe his luck. Whoever would have thought that the greasy git would give him a nicer room than the Dursley's? Especially one this nice. He walked over and placed the parchment for the invitations on his new desk.
He walked over to the door that Snape informed him was the loo. Upon opening the door he obtained his millionth shock of the day. This was almost as big as the prefects bathroom Ron's brother talked about. He had his own in-ground tub with 5 taps, a walk in shower, a toilet fit for a king, and a large wash basin. Maybe living with Snape wasn't going to be so bad after all...
Snape showed the boy to his rooms and turned to enter his study. He stopped and looked back at the boy and couldn't help but smirk. The boy opened the door and froze stock still. He knew that this was the nicest place the boy had been given so far, it was even nicer and larger than in most peoples homes. Snape stepped into his study and began reading one of his potions books.
After exploring his room Harry decided to unpack his trunk. He took out his clothes and placed them in the wardrobe. Then took his school books and placed them on the shelves. After unpacking his books, he took his toothbrush and other toiletry items to the bathroom. He looked at himself in mirror and was startled when it said "You could use a bit of cleaning up deary! Lovely green eyes though."
He returned to his room and placed his parchment and ink on the desk, and placed his quills in one of the drawers. He went back over to his trunk and took out the photo album that Hagrid had given him, and placed it on the side table next to his bed. He then placed his owl cage on top of the bookcase.
After unpacking all of his belongings he decided that with his birthday party so close he needed to go ahead and send out the invitations to the Weasley's and Grangers.
He went over to his desk and decided to write up a draft of what he wanted to say on normal parchment first. He started out with the Weasley's. After about an half hour, and several balled up pieces of parchment later, he came to accept the fact that he had no idea how to write out a formal invitation. Seeing as this was his first party ever, he wanted it to be perfect.
After some debating with himself, and the fact that he needed to send them out as soon as possible, he decided that he would have to ask Snape for help. This was not what he wanted to do but felt like he didn't have much of a choice. So he slowly got up and made his way out of his room.
He found the Professor in his study reading. He finally got up the nerve and knocked on the door. The potions master looked up, scowl firmly in place and stated "I was under the impression that you didn't need a babysitter Potter, obviously I was wrong"
"Sor..sorry professor. Never mind, it's not that important, sorry to disturb your reading sir" Harry stated and turned to leave.
"Potter! You are here now what did you need?" Snape asked as the boy turned back around.
"Um..well I was working on writing the invitations for my party, but since I've never had one or had to write invitations before, I don't know how to write formal invitations sir. I was wondering if you did and if you could help me." Harry said as he looked at the floor.
"First of all Potter, look at me when you are speaking to me. Secondly yes I do know how. If you will fetch some supplies I will help you write out your invitations."
Harry left the room and returned a moment later with ink, quills and parchment. He sat them on the table at the center of the room where Snape was, and sat down opposite of the potions master. Snape marked his page and turned to the boy. "First off since they are friends and they are being invited to a casual birthday party, you don't want it to be too formal, yet at the same time you want it to sound proper. Might I suggest starting off with a mild endearment such as 'Dear Friends'" Harry wrote down 'Dear Friends' at the top of the parchment.
"Then you need to inform them that they are invited something along the lines of 'Your presence is requested' "
"Sir, would it be ok if I put 'you are all cordially invited'?" Harry asked.
"Yes that would suffice. Then you need to let them know what they are invited to. I believe the headmaster said an early dinner?" Snape replied
"So could I say 'You are all cordially invited to an early dinner, in honor of celebrating my birthday?" the boy inquired.
"I would not, it sounds too much...it sounds rather arrogant" Snape replied, he had to cut himself off mid sentence, he started to say 'it sounds too much like something your arrogant father would write'. "It needs to be something along the lines of 'You are cordially invited to an early dinner to in honor of Harry Potter's birthday' " he corrected.
"Would it sound ok sir, to say 'You are cordially invited to an early birthday dinner in honor of Harry Potter'?" Harry asked.
"Yes, the next part needs to include the time and date." Snape informed.
Harry replied "So how about, 'The event is to take place on Saturday the 29th of July, at four o' clock in the evening'. "
"I believe you do have the idea Mr. Potter." Maybe the boy is not as dense as he seems, thought Snape. "And now the location and closing."
Harry thought for a moment before scribbling something down. "ok sir how does this sound?"
"Dear Friends
You are all cordially invited to to an early birthday dinner in the honor of Harry Potter.
The event will be held on Saturday the 29th of July at Four 'o clock in the evening.
Please join us in the the Great Hall at Hogwarts for this event.
We hope to see you there."
"It is not perfect but for an event such as this it will suffice" Harry was informed. He figured that was as close to a complement he would ever receive from the man.
Harry went back to his room and rewrote the invitations, in the neatest handwriting he could manage, onto the pieces of parchment that Dumbledore had given him. He wrote out the one for the Weasley's and decided that he wanted the ink to be royal blue, and was surprised when it changed immediately to that color. Next he wrote out the invitation to the Granger's and decided on burgundy for the ink. After waiting a moment for the ink to dry, he noticed that it was five 'o clock and decided he had just enough time to go up to the owlry and have Hedwig deliver the invitations.
He went back to the study to let Snape know where he was going and that he would be back in time for dinner, only he wasn't there. He walked into the sitting room and noticed the man on the sofa. "Sir, would it be ok if I went to deliver these? I'll be back in time for dinner." he asked.
"Fine but make sure you hurry Potter. I will not have you late for dinner, or smelling like bird filth. We will be eating here tonight." Snape told the boy.
"Yes sir," and with that he rushed out of the room making sure to take notice how to get back to the dungeon quarters.
He hurried up to the owlry, remembering to take it easy on his weak bones. As soon as he got there Hedwig flew down and perched herself on his shoulder. "Hey girl," he said as he rubbed her on the top of her head. He tied one letter on each of her legs and pointed them out as he told her "ok girl, I need you to deliver this one to the Grangers, and this one to the Weasley's." She hooted and nipped his ear in understanding and took off.
Harry quickly made his way back down to the dungeon quarters, and made it to the portrait of Lord Kinston with about five minutes to spare. When he entered the sitting room from the portrait, Snape was in the dining area setting the table. "Go get washed up Potter. I will not have you coming to the table looking and smelling like some trash of the streets". Harry sighed and went and washed up in his bathroom. Since he was at Hogwarts he applied a freshening charm, that he had learned from Mrs. Weasley last year, to his clothes.
Just as he entered the dining room the food appeared on the table. Harry waited for the professor to be seated and then seated himself. The meal looked delicious. There was roast chicken, broccoli with cheddar, fresh rolls, boiled potatoes, stuffed eggs, pumpkin juice, and milk. "I expect you to eat what is placed in front of you Potter, if you don't like it you don't eat. There will be no ordering something else. Also I expect you to eat a taste of everything if your stomach can handle it so soon. If you do not eat and adequate amount during a meal, you will skip pudding as well." It would not do for Potter to be picky of the food.
"Yes sir, no need to worry though, when you're deprived of food for so long, you learn to eat about anything." Harry said solemnly through clinched teeth.
Dinner was silent and delicious. He ended up eating a few bites of everything until he started to feel full. Madam Pomfrey told him that he wouldn't be able to eat that much starting off so he didn't worry too much about it. When pudding came Harry took a small piece of treacle tart and smiled at the shocked look on Snape's face because he did not take more or a bigger piece.
After dinner Snape cleaned the dishes with a spell and levitated them back to the cabinet. Harry excused himself and went back to his room, and picked up one of his school books and did a little reading for his summer assignments.
Harry read for a few hours until he noticed that it was around 9:30. He marked his place in his book and gathered his clothes for a shower. He entered the bathroom and thought the tub looked too inviting to pass up.
He turned on the taps for the hot and cold water while he disrobed. He stepped into the tub with the water still running and decided to find out what the other 3 taps were for. He found that one was for bubble bath. He had never had the liberty of a warm bubble bath before so he decided to definitely use that one. The other two he discovered, were for scent. One smelled of lilac's and the other of fresh pine. He decided he would definitely rather smell of pine, so he used that one too. After the tub had filled. He turned the taps off and sat back and relaxed for a little while. This was certainly something he could get used to. After several minutes of just soaking and relaxing in the hot bath, he washed his hair and body and released the water in the tub to drain. He stepped out and dried himself off and changed into his night clothes and finished up by brushing his teeth and hair.
He went back into his room and looked around a moment. He called for Dobby wondering if the house elf would come. After a moment the energetic house elf appeared. "Master Harry Potter called Dobby? What can Dobby do for his Harry Potter?" he said bouncing with excitement.
"Hi Dobby, I was wondering if you could change the colors of the room for me? To royal blue with silver trim maybe?" Harry asked.
"oh yes yes yes Master Harry, Dobby is being pleased to do whatever Harry Potter needs!"
With a snap of the little elf's fingers the colors of the room changed. The bed clothes and hangings were now royal blue with silver trim, as were the drapes on the window. The floor rug was a mixture of blues and silver, and the love seat and chair were royal blue with silver throw pillows. It wasn't perfect but Harry didn't want to complain. He had learned a long time ago not to, and not to ask for changes. He only just barely felt safe asking Dobby to change the colors of the room.
"Thanks Dobby, you did good. It looks great" he told the little elf.
"Oh Master Harry Potter sir is too kind! He is the bestest wizard ever, along with Master Headmaster Sir. Dobby the house elf is unworthy of Master Harry's praise!" he sobbed.
"No Dobby, you're worth every word of it. Just because you enjoy your work doesn't mean you're any lower than us." Harry told the sobbing elf. Dobby threw himself forward and hugged Harry's legs. He then snapped his fingers and a fire appeared in the hearth and he disappeared a moment later.
Harry walked over to his bed climbed in under the covers and continued to read. This was the softest, most comfortable bed ever. He was currently reading the theory behind transfiguring small stones into furniture. When he finished that section he decided to read up on his potions assignment. He fell asleep sometime later with the book laying on his chest.
Severus Snape cleaned up and exited his private labs when he noticed the time nearing one in the morning. He was on his way to his rooms to change and get some sleep when he noticed the lights from the torches flickering from underneath the door of the bedroom across from his.
The Potter brat. How could he have forgotten? 'He should have been in bed asleep by now' Snape thought. The little pain is probably still up polishing his broom or some other menial task. He went over to the room prepared to tell the boy to go to sleep. He was surprised when he opened the door and found the boy sleeping. Snape thought he was going to have a heart attack when he noticed that not only was the boy sleeping but that he fell asleep reading. However the real heart stopper was when he noticed what the boy was reading. A potions text! Potions! 'Ok' Severus thought 'who kidnapped Potter and replaced him using polyjuice potion?' Snape sighed and levitated the book over to himself. He looked at what the boy was reading. "The effects of moonstone in various potions." Hmm maybe the boy is actually trying to learn something for once. He marked the page the boy was on with a conjured ribbon, and levitated the book back to the bedside table.
He noticed an album on the table as well and accio'd it to him. He opened it and noticed that the first picture was one of Lily and a baby Harry waving. His heart caught. Lily...his dear friend. The one that he always loved but was too scared to tell. He turned the page and saw a photo of Lily that fool Potter with the baby boy. If he had of just told Lily what he really thought of her while he had the chance maybe he would have been the one in this photo, smiling beside her and the baby instead of that arrogant, idiot Potter. He sighed and sent the album back to it's place on the side table. Hmm.. the boy has decent taste too...royal blue and silver, not bad.
He extinguished the torches with a wave of his wand, and turned and left the room. Pulling the door closed slowly behind him.
Review!! Please and Thank You!!
Also to those of you who are reviewing as anonymous because you do not have an account here if you would like a reply then go to my info page and send me a message, or email me at the address on my page I can not reply if you don't.