You Can Live: Chapter 3
This story is a little hard for me to write, 'cause I really only remember the movies, so I hope Harry isn't too OC. I admit that he will be a bit, but let me know if you think he's being completely different, and that I have made an original character and labeled him as Harry Potter.
No slash here, only guardian/ward psuedo-parent/child relationship and friendships.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, except for the plot. I would be able to afford school if that were the case.
Warnings: SEE CHAPTER 1 FOR WARNINGS AND OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES!
Digitalis Purpurea
Snape looked over the top of his Daily Prophet at his charge. Harry had been quiet for most of the trip, merely asking how long the ride would take at the beginning. He appeared to be very fascinated with staring out the window, despite the perfectly good book sitting in his lap. Severus decided to see what had captured the boy's interest so deeply and took a peek out of the train car.
It was quite lovely, Snape would admit. There were a few late bloomers still open and some fresh flowers were just beginning to blossom in the summer heat. There wasn't another town or vehicle or person in sight, leaving nothing but the open countryside, in all its glory. He even spotted Lily's favorite flower, Digitalis Purpurea. Lily loved the flower for its brilliant color and unique shape. He could hear her now, telling him all about the garden she would have when she grew up. She loved flowers, and always sought to teach Severus everything she knew about each one they came across. Though Snape already knew most everything she told him, he would never pass up the opportunity to see Lily light up talking about gardenias and fire lilies and lavender bushes- Harry's voice startled him out of his musings.
"I never really got to take it in when we were jumping from place to place searching for the Horcruxes. I'm pretty certain we at least passed through here at one point. It really is quite lovely." The contentment on the boy's face was inspiring. Despite everything he went through, growing up without parents, betrayal, pain, the war, he could still find it in him to smile at a blue sky and a field of flowers. Thank Merlin, he was stronger than anyone ever thought.
"I was wondering, Sir, what you might have me...do at your residence for you?" Snape quirked a brow at the odd question. Then it made sense.
"I already have a house elf, Harry. I am not in need of another one. The only chores I will require you to do are to keep your areas well kept, to not come unannounced into my laboratory, and do not touch anything in my laboratory. Understand?" Harry seemed a bit confused but nodded nonetheless. Without a daily list of chores, he was really unsure as to how he would keep occupied. However, he was sure he could find something to do in the country. And maybe Snape would be willing to teach him some more potions.
The rest of the train ride was over quickly. The station they exited on was quiet, only three other passengers exiting with them. Harry and Severus carried their meager personal belongings with them, as they went in search of a taxi.
Snape had explained to Harry that the nearby town was mostly muggle, though there were one or two wizard families in residence. However, he did not have to worry about being spotted flying on his broom or using magic, because his property was a good ways away from any prying eyes.
As the car went down the road, Harry was once again drawn to look out the window. Gone were pristine green lawns and identical houses. Gone were the nosy neighbors that still didn't see anything. And gone was the dread and fear that had made him their playground every summer previous. Harry was excited at the prospect of living somewhere else, anywhere else, as long as it wasn't Privet Drive.
They drove through a small town, with little shops lining the way and a farmers market bustling with locals.
"The local farmers are known well around here for their produce. The blackberries are particularly good. I will take you some time." Harry smiled at Snape as the town went out of view. The rest of the drive was filled with gorgeous open fields and then woods and more woods. Due to the large clustering of trees, the house was blocked from Harry's sight until they had pulled far up the long driveway.
To say he was surprised would be an understatement. When he was younger, he had pictured the 'dungeon bat' to live in some dark, menacing cave, glaring out from the dark at any other living thing. However, now he found himself staring at a beautiful two story cottage. The wood paneling and stone walls were a dark shade, allowing the cottage to blend in nicely with its surroundings. Sweet Merlin, there's even a porch! He could not stop the look of incredulity directed towards Snape. The potions master in turn raised a brow at him.
"You did not honestly believe I lived in a cave did you?" Harry was able to just barely contain a blush as the thought had crossed his mind. Instead he shrugged and looked out the window again as the car slowed to a stop.
"No. I just never pictured something so sunny." He exited the vehicle before Snape could give a rebuttal. Stepping out, he felt the unpaved drive crunch under his soles and the warmth of the day hit him. A slight breeze carried the scent of rustled grass and dense forest. At the sound of the trunk of the cab closing, Harry quickly turned back to help carry his own luggage in.
"Sorry, Sir." Snape bit back a sigh, because after all the progress he had thought he made that one night so long ago, Harry had near instantly gone back to calling him 'Sir' and 'Professor'. His attempts to get the boy to call him by anything else led nowhere. So, Severus brushed it off for now, and added it to his list of things to work on, and stood holding his bags.
"Gather your things, Potter. It may be a nice day, but I will not have you laze about outside when there are things to be done inside." Harry followed Severus up the steps to the front porch. The wood creaked beneath him in a comforting, strong way, rather than the ominous groans of the Shrieking Shack.
Harry stopped in the doorway, and his mouth dropped open. The interior looked like something out one of those Muggle design magazines. Colorful splashes adorned the wooden floors from the ornate rugs. The walls similarly wood paneled as the floor, and framed landscapes dotted them periodically. A large fireplace, large enough to floo travel in, dominated one wall of what Harry guessed to be the living room. Most all of what they had packed away had already been put in their proper place. Snape sighed.
"Snippy can never leave things lying around. One of her pet peeves." He shot Harry a warning look, then. "Do not think to use such knowledge to your advantage, Potter. I expect you to put away your own things, and clean up after yourself. Snippy will handle most of the house chores and the cooking. I will not have you burden her unnecessarily." Snape regretted his poor choice of words as soon as they had left his mouth, for he did not miss the flash behind Harry's glasses at the word 'burden'. He made a note to watch his tongue more closely.
However, he chose to put it behind them for now. Bringing up every little thing, before either of them got settled could very well lead to the boy running off. Snape would have to tread carefully. This summer would be a long a difficult one; that he was certain of.
Harry sat on the edge of his bed and tried to take it all in. His own room. One complete with a desk with the same length legs, a comfortable chair, a wardrobe, his own bookshelf, and a queen sized bed with a complete set of sheets and a comforter. It's amazing...but after years of a cupboard, then a room with only a cot and a rickety desk, and then sharing a room with four other boys during every school year left it feeling too empty and large.
Harry walked over to a large window and pulled open the dark curtains. His view was of the back yard and woods. Without hesitation, he unlatched the window and pushed it open, reveling in the lack of bars. The summer air hit him immediately, and he loved it. He took a deep breath, letting the warmth soak into his lungs and the fresh scent of the outdoors calm his worries. When he started to sweat, and feel stifled by the air rather than freed, he closed the window and looked at his small bag. Should take no time at all.
So he stood and began to unpack his meager belongings. He placed his broom in the corner for easy access, and his photo album took center stage on his desk. Now, with a few articles of hand-me-down muggle clothing in hand, he went over to his oversized wardrobe. When he opened it, however, he nearly dropped his clothes in surprise.
The wardrobe was filled with a wide selection of wizard robes and muggle clothes, ranging all the way from extremely formal robes to t-shirts and sweats. Harry stood there with his mouth open for a few moments, before his wits came back to him. He reached a hand out and fingered the fabric of a midnight blue robe. It had to be the most expensive piece of clothing he had ever felt. Quickly, he pulled away, not wanting to dirty it.
A thought popped into his head then, as he was looking again at all of the clothing in his wardrobe. How was he going to pay Professor Snape back? He didn't want to be a burden on the man. Spying some parchment on his desk, he made up his mind and sat down to write.
What do you think Harry's doing? Hmmm...Free hugs to whoever guesses correctly! :)
Please Review :)