Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, though I wish I did
Chapter Two, A Request.
Professor Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, his fingers steepled together in contemplation. Nearly ten years had passed since he had left Harry on the Dursley's doorstep, and his only request had been ignored in light of petty hatred.
When he had confronted them, things hadn't gone so well. Not that he had imagined them to, really. A small part of him told him that he shouldn't feel bad for causing the argument that would soon dissolve their marriage, and he partially agreed. Still, he did feel bad, and allowing that kind of hatred to rule him was not healthy.
He held a letter in his hands, twiddling it idly. The thick parchment blurred as he spun it between his fingers, waiting.
The melodious sound of gadgets whirring was interrupted by two sharp taps on his door. He set the letter down and laced his fingers back together.
"Enter," he said calmly.
Severus Snape opened the door and walked into the room. "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" he asked, tilting his head forward by way of greeting. His black hair, oily and slick with fumes from brewing potions, fell into his face and he impatiently swept it back into place.
"Indeed, Severus," said Dumbledore. "I need a favor." When Snape said nothing, Dumbledore motioned to the chair in front of his desk. Snape sat, crossing his leg.
"Professor McGonagall is rather buried under paperwork, and I need you to student letters." Snape's face remained impassive. "I'm sure you remember our policy of delivering letters to children whose parents might not understand, or are otherwise incapable of receiving their letters."
Snape nodded, having seen Lilly receive her letter this way.
"We two students who require their letters to be hand-delivered," said Dumbledore, picking up the letter he had been examining before Snape's arrival and another. "To one Hermione Jean Granger," he said, handing Snape the letter. "And to one harry James Potter."
Snape didn't reach for this one. His face hardened slightly, before he answered, "Surely one of Potter's maids is in charge of collecting the mail?"
Dumbledore's blue eyes flashed. "Severus," he said in a voice that was not to be tested.
Snape bit back a retort and picked up the letter, eyes moving quickly over the address. "Room 8B, Cole's orphanage?" he asked, looking up at Dumbledore, his look of disbelief quickly masked. "Surely there has been a mistake."
"No Severus, there hasn't. Mr. Potter has been residing at Cole's Orphanage since the age of one. Of course, he has been looked after by some of the Order from time to time, to make sure he is not in danger," said Dumbledore, as calm as ever.
Snape looked ready to hurl insults at the old man. When he found the ability to talk without screaming, he said, "An orphanage, Dumbledore? Surely you could not find him a better home?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "He was safe in anonymity, and moving him around too much would have certainly caused a stir."
Snape muttered something about 'codgers' under his breath, but Dumbledore had either not noticed, or decided not to care.
"In any case, you are to deliver these letters to their recipients, and explain their nature. Should you require assistance, I shall be more than happy to send someone along with you. I do not know how Ms. Granger's parents will react," continued Dumbledore.
Snape shook his head. "I can take care of myself," he said in a clipped manner.
"I'm sure you can, Severus. Well, that is all."
Snape stood up and gave a withering look to Dumbledore, who did not look away. Snape walked out of the door and down the spiral staircase. He walked briskly back to his office and sat down.
It was just turning nine in the morning. He looked back to the letters and stuffed them in his pocket.
He didn't trust himself to floo back into Dumbledore's office and give him a piece of his mind. He stood up and grabbed a fistful of floo-powder, tossing it into the fireplace. He stepped into the flames and deliberated for a moment before calling out "Three Broomsticks Inn," and was gone in a flash of green flame
AN: Dun dun dun! What could come of this!? Since I got such an immediate influx of good news (My inbox was full to bursting!) I decided to give you a very eary update. Well, kiddies, please review. I know the chapters have been kind of short, but I don't want to pad them too much with tedious details. That would get old quick. I'll keep them short until I have enough details to put into the chapter. The next one will probably be longer. The Chapter has been retrofitted to match later chapters.