I know. It's short. *weeps* I'm sorry, but it should end there. You know? Otherwise it would've ended up being, like, two and a half chapters in one. Which is just no good.
Well then. Eight chapters complete! It's been going bloody fast, I reckon anyway. Which might change now, as I start school in two days. Something I am actually looking forward to. I mean, is it just me or does being free for so long during the summer get boring after a while? Eh? Yep.
Anyway, I hope you like it and that it isn't too... I dunno. Weird? Oh, and please do review. Reviews are like chocolate covered strawberries during the setting of the sun on a particularly fine evening.
Ivy
With the excitement evident on his face, Harry bounded along the corridor, following Joanne to the Slytherin Common room. He had his book in his left hand and the box of dragons in his left, and the seventeen-year-old watched his activity with amusement.
"Harry, come back! The entrance is here." In his eagerness, the boy had barrelled past the portrait, completely oblivious. He turned back to see Joanne shaking her head. "Come along, scamp," she said, giving the password to let them both in.
Harry had walked past the painting several times, but this was his first time inside the dungeon room. There were barely any students there, as the majority of them had already gone to class. The ones that were present, though, were sixth and seventh years, who looked up when they heard the two enter.
Everyone stared in amazement at the bespectacled boy, and gave Joanne an incredulous look.
"Professor Snape's ward, Harry Potter," she said, warning everyone in the room with a glare, not to ask questions.
"Hello," Harry said quietly, suddenly feeling rather shy. There were six people in the room, all a lot older than him, and they were gawking. He edged closer to Joanne and almost hid behind her. The girl, noticing this, grimaced and then smiled, taking the boy's hand.
"Come on, Harry, let's go sit over here." She pulled him along to one of the tables, where two girls were sitting. "Harry, this is Margaret and Serena Lewis."
"Are you sisters?" he asked, his curiosity overriding his shyness. They grinned.
"Twins," they said simultaneously. Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"Really? I've never met twins before! But… You don't look that much alike," he added with a small frown. Margaret had shoulder length brown hair, while Serena had almost black hair, short and curly. They both had brown eyes and similar shaped mouths, but they were hardly identical. They laughed.
"We're fraternal," Margaret said. Harry simply said "Oh", not actually knowing what the word meant. Serena elbowed her sister, and smiled at Harry.
"So, Snape is your guardian?" Harry nodded. "Poor thing," she said with sympathy.
"But he's nice!" Joanne snorted, and Harry looked up at her in befuddlement.
"Er, sit down Harry." Nodding, he hopped up on one of the chairs, and Joanne sat next to him. She chucked a few of her books on the table and then put her bag on the floor beside her. The other two girls were watching intently, interested to see how Joanne explained all of this to the little kid. "You see…" She silenced and glared at her friends who were trying to suppress their giggles. "Oh never mind." Harry frowned, but then shrugged, not sure what it was she was going to say anyway. "I have to finish an essay, but you go ahead and read or play, okay?" she directed at the boy, who nodded smilingly.
"Okay!" He opened the book, deciding to read Babbitty Rabbitty once more.
Snape heaved a deep sigh as the last fifth year exited his classroom and it was finally time for lunch. He hadn't seen Harry, Joanne or Henry at all until that point, and was getting rather itchy to find out how it had all gone. As much as he loathed admitting it, even to himself, he was feeling a flicker of concern for the boy. The Potter whelp. Merlin help him. The child seemed so accident prone and full of energy that he could hardly bear to look away for five seconds, let alone an entire morning. He was quite certain that his prefects were sensible and clever enough to handle the boy, but he couldn't help but think that the boy's supposed "cuteness" would lead the teenagers into allowing him to run wild. He was so much like his father…
Stacking the homework assignments he'd received back on his desk, he proceeded out of the room and headed for the Slytherin Common room to fetch the Potter boy. He was still not convinced that he should be presented to the rest of the school, and so he would lunch with the boy in his quarters. Come next term and Potter would practically be a student at the school, Heaven help the staff.
He entered the Common room, and noticed with satisfaction that all chattering students quieted when they saw their Head. First years tended to catch on quickly, and now that they'd been at the school for a year, they were dead silent when Snape appeared. He ignored them and strode over to the couch were Potter was sitting, fiddling idly with one of the dragons, which kept nipping at his fingers. He reached the sofa, and tapped the top of the boy's head. Potter looked up, and smiled timidly at the stern man.
"Hi," he said, stuffing the dragon back into the box.
"Where's Miss White?"
"Oh, she went to lunch. Henry's here… Or he was. I think he's in his dorm." Snape frowned, and decided he'd deal with that later. He inclined his head.
"Come along, time for lunch." Harry jumped up immediately and followed the Professor. During this exchange, none of the students moved or said a word. Harry, feeling fantastically proud of himself for being so good all day, happily sat down to eat his lunch when they reached their destination. Snape took off his robe and hung it up, sitting down at the table. With a snap of his fingers, two plates full of food appeared in front of them, as well as a jug of pumpkin juice and a glass for Harry. He was just about to pick it up and poor himself some of the drink when his hand was grabbed in a vicelike grip and pulled away. Snape raised an eyebrow at him.
"I seem to recall that that didn't go particularly well last time," he commented, and poured Harry a glass himself. Harry blushed and thanked the man quietly. They ate the meal in silence, but it wasn't, surprisingly enough, an uncomfortable one.
The rest of the day Harry spent alternating between talking to Joanne and joking around with Henry. They already felt like his brother and sister and he fell asleep with a small smile on his lips.
"Enter." It was ten to nine on a Thursday evening. It had been almost two weeks since Harry had arrived at Hogwarts and he'd already settled in nicely, gratefully forgetting his less than pleasant growing up at the Dursleys. Snape was still silently worried about exactly what had gone on there, but because the boy showed no physical sign of mistreatment, and barely any mental ones, he decided to let the matter die, for the time being.
The professor had asked his two Prefects to come to his office just before nine, to talk to them regarding arrangements when it came to their babysitting Harry. Starting on Monday, they would both be busy with sitting their final exams, and would not have time to keep their eyes on the energetic boy all the time.
Joanne and Henry walked inside. They both knew why they'd been called, but it was never particularly comforting to walk into their Head's office. The majority of the time that students found themselves there it was because of some misdemeanour or other.
"Good evening Mr Wolff, Miss White," he greeted them, scratching down an Acceptable on one of his fourth-year-essays and then putting the quill down.
"Good evening, sir," they both answered and stood in front of his desk, not knowing quite where to look. During the past weeks they'd had a different relationship towards the professor. Because they were looking after his ward, he'd been talking more to them than he would normally. Both the teens had discovered that underneath his sneering and snapping at the child, he seemed to care. Genuinely. They'd both shared smug looks about it, but not been reckless enough to mention anything aloud.
The reason that Snape had called them at such a late hour was because he wanted Harry to be asleep. He doubted the boy was sleeping at the moment, but he was at least in bed and wouldn't dare to leave his room. He'd tried that a week earlier and not liked the results.
"The reason for my summoning you is simple: I want to thank you for having looked after Potter thus far. I know you now have a lot of studying to do, and exams to get through, so you will no longer have to watch him during the days. It has been an immense help, and I truly appreciate it." It felt odd to be thanking students, but these were two of his oldest snakes. They were both good students and had, in fact, been very decent about the whole thing. Merlin knew that he would never have willingly babysat an eight-year-old boy at the age of seventeen.
"Thanks, sir," Henry said brightly. "He's a nice kid."
"Hmm," was Severus' noncommittal reply.
"Yes, thank you," Joanne put in. "We'll miss him."
"Sure," Henry nodded.
"Yes, I'm sure he will be quite distressed to see you leave," Snape mused, wondering what on Earth he would do with the boy come the last day of school for his teen friends. "On a different note. Do you feel well prepared for the exams? I trust you have been studying hard?" He levelled them with a firm gaze. They both nodded.
"Yes, sir, I am feeling rather confident," Joanne replied seriously.
"So am I," Henry nodded in agreement. "It feels as though I know every nook and cranny of that library now. I'm turning into a Ravenclaw…" Snape allowed himself a small smirk.
"Being studious is not strictly a Ravenclaw trait, Mr Wolff," Snape said with a raised eyebrow. Henry cleared his throat.
"No, sir, I know."
"Very well. I will see you in class tomorrow."
"Yes, sir. Good night, sir," they both responded and headed for the door. Before they could exit, though, Snape said:
"Also, I will be putting up the times for your individual talks tomorrow." All seventh year students had individual talks with their Head of House at some point during the exam weeks, simply to bring up once again what the students wished to do after Hogwarts and if they thought they could get there. This was also the time when NEWT students would ask for recommendations. Snape had so far never written a recommendation, as none of his students had had the skill or will to become a Potions Master.
"Right," Henry said, quickly adding "Sir" when Snape shot him a stern look.
"Good evening," he said decisively, and the students hurried out and closed the door behind them. It was with a heavy heart that Snape once again picked up his quill to continue marking the essays. It was obvious that he would not have a lot of students studying Potions for their OWLs. It didn't matter, really. It was nicer with a smaller group of students, and he found it easier to work in such an environment. In their fifth year, students had also chosen whether or not to continue with the subject, and generally applied themselves. It was a great relief when he wouldn't have to hover to make sure they didn't blow anything up. The nicest classes were, of course, by far, the NEWT students. They were only about seven or eight in each group, and all worked with concentration and in silence. Absolute heaven.
The previous weekend he had spoken to some of his colleagues about tutoring Harry. Flitwick had happily agreed to help him with some basic charms work, and Sprout had assured him that she would help as much as she possibly could. Naturally, the Head of Gryffindor Professor McGonagall had overheard the conversation, and given the younger Potions Master quite an uncomfortable time about whether or not Harry would be trying Transfiguration.
"What do you mean, it is unnecessary?" she had asked sharply, staring at the younger man.
"Minerva, please," Snape drawled. "He is eight years old. Transfiguration is far too complicated for such a young child."
"And you are telling me that Potions is simpler?" she fired back. "I seem to remember a certain professor complaining about how dim the first years are on the subject."
"Which is precisely why I intend to teach him something before he joins my class," Snape ground out.
"I see no reason why the boy can't at least read up on my subject," she said, pursing her lips in her very own way.
"We are talking about a boy who can barely sit still for ten minutes, Minerva. Reading is not one of his strong points. Besides, I can hardly have him studying all summer, even if I wish I could."
The conversation had been a heated one indeed, but McGonagall had finally relented, though with the assurance that she would be visiting often to see Harry.
In three weeks, the school term would be over and the students would all go home. Normally, Snape stayed at Hogwarts during the summer, so as to have some company (not that he enjoyed company), but this year he would bring the child back to his house. Things had been going rather well, and the Headmaster had been dropping hints about maybe trying to go through with a full adoption sooner than the 31st of July. Snape was a tad suspicious about this. Usually, if the Headmaster had made up his mind about something, that was that and nothing you did would make him change his mind.
Soon after his father's death, Severus had sold the small house in Spinner's End. Despite it being closer to Lily's childhood home. He simply couldn't bear the place, and the thought of those parks and playgrounds without the little redheaded witch made him ache.
With his work at the famed school, and as a renowned Potions Master, he had earned a sufficient amount of money and bought himself a large town house in London. It was hidden to all Muggles and protected by pretty much everything apart from the Fidelius. Dumbledore had agreed that it would be better for the boy to be away from Hogwarts during the summer, and to settle in properly with Severus as his guardian. Though the Headmaster had used the word "father", to which Severus had cringed.
After having finished work on the essays, he decided to leave the office and head back to his quarters. Partly because he was tired and partly because he was wary of leaving Harry alone. Not out of concern, of course. He was more worried that the brat would get up and cause some havoc or other in his absence. With quick movements he placed all the rolls of parchments in neat stacks, put his quill away and screwed the lid on his bottle of ink before dimming the room and heading for his small living room.
A fire was crackling in the small fireplace, giving the room a soft light. He saw light spilling out into the corridor from under Harry's bedroom door and smirked a bit. His feet quiet on the floor, he made his way to the door and grabbed the handle. With a yank it was pulled open, and the small boy sitting on the bed jumped high in surprise.
"Mr Potter," Snape said, eyeing the child sternly. "It is twenty to ten. Oughtn't you be sleeping by now? Or at least have turned off the light?" Harry blushed and closed the book he had open in his knee, plopping it on the bedside table.
"I was just reading…" he mumbled.
"Have you even tried to sleep?" Snape demanded. He let the boy read after he'd gone to bed, for a bit, but over an hour after his bedtime? Not a chance.
"Well…" He shifted at the stern flash of his guardian's eyes. "No, sir," he murmured despondently, carefully crawling under the covers and lying down.
"Your bedtime is at eight-thirty for a reason," Snape said sharply. He stalked over to the bed and took the glasses off the child's face, folding them and placing them on the table. "You will be spending tomorrow with Professor Dumbledore," Snape told him, feeling he might as well spill the information now, as the boy was awake. Unfortunately, the whelp looked far too excited.
"Really? For real? With Dumbledore, all day?"
"Professor Dumbledore," Snape corrected firmly. "And yes, 'for real'," he added. "You will do well to behave yourself." Harry pouted.
"I always behave myself." Snape snorted.
"I mean it. Any misbehaving and you will spend the weekend in a very uncomfortable disposition. Now go to sleep," he said, walking to the door and turning off the lights.
"Yeah, okay… Good night."
"Good night, Potter." He walked out and left the door half open, as had been made the routine. When he re-entered the living room, he almost fell over with surprise. It quite annoyed him, too. Normally, he always had his defences up, and not having noticed Dumbledore's arrival made him extremely irritated.
"Headmaster," he bit out, and Albus twinkled at him from where he was sitting on the couch.
"Severus my boy. I am sorry to have startled you." Snape snorted and walked over to sit in his chair. "Is Harry all right?"
"Perfectly. Although he should be sleeping now, and he knows it." Just remembering, Severus drew out his hand and cast a silencing charm around them. "I'd rather not have him hearing us," he said, stowing his wand away again.
"Oh, I'm sure he wouldn't eavesdrop," Dumbledore said merrily.
"What can I do for you, Albus?" Snape asked, not even dignifying the Headmaster's comment with a response.
"Oh, nothing, my boy. I simply thought would pay you a visit. We haven't spoken for a while." Snape had consciously avoided the Headmaster's presence for the past week or so, wanting to get used to life as the Boy Who Lived To Torment's guardian, without the wise old wizard's input.
"Indeed we haven't," he replied simply, folding his hands in his lap.
"Would you mind if I got us some tea?"
"Not at all," Snape agreed, knowing that arguing was futile and that the Headmaster would eventually have his tea anyway. The Headmaster smiled and an elf popped in instantly, leaving a tray with tea, two cups, cream and sugar before bowing smilingly and popping back to the kitchen.
"Would you care for a cup?" Snape nodded and the Headmaster settled some tea for the both of them. "I was thinking, earlier today, about our plans of adoption," the Headmaster began casually, sipping his tea as he leaned back into the soft cushions on the couch.
"Yes?" Snape urged him on, reluctantly feeling some curiosity at this turn of events. Lately, Albus had dismissed all talk on the matter, saying merely that they would discuss it come Harry's ninth birthday, seeming to have forgotten that he'd been touching on the subject of going through with the adoption earlier than that.
"You seem to be getting along well," Dumbledore said instead.
"Indeed," replied Severus with raised eyebrows.
"Harry seems to like and respect you." Snape snorted at "respect", but didn't say anything. "And I think you really care for the boy," he continued. Of course, Snape knew not what to answer to this. He couldn't say no, because he wouldn't deny it, but agreeing would mean that Dumbledore was right. He gave a noncommittal nod. "Maybe…" He paused, almost frowning. "Maybe we ought to speed the process up." Snape managed, barely, to keep himself composed, but discretely put his tea cup down as to not drop it in his lap by the surprise of hearing Albus speak of in such a straight forward manner.
"Really? What has brought on this need for haste then?" he enquired, genuinely interested in why Albus Dumbledore, of all people, would have changed his mind. He had been so set on waiting earlier that Snape had simply let the matter drop. He was also of the opinion that sooner was better than later. He wanted the stability of being the permanent guardian of the child. The possible release of Sirius Black was also presenting a problem, and he couldn't deny that he felt some degree of smugness about the whole thing. What would the mutt think, being released from prison and unable to fulfil his duties as the brat's godfather?
"We live in uncertain times, Severus," Dumbledore said solemnly, looking into his sugary tea. "Harry seems comfortable with you still, and you have established a routine. I see no reason why we shouldn't make it official. It will, of course, be known in the press soon." Snape groaned silently. Brilliant. Rita Skeeter on his neck, just what he needed. The woman was one of the top reporters for the Daily Prophet, and she was always digging about where she had no right or reason to. A complete menace, in short.
"You already know my view on the matter," Snape said placidly.
"I have owled the Ministry already," Dumbledore continued. "It might present a few obstacles, what with Sirius' upcoming trial, but nothing we can't overcome."
"About that… The fact that Black is Potter's Godfather will surely cause immense havoc," Severus said. "Will it be possible at all for me to gain… custody of the child? You know the Ministry doesn't think much of me," he added with a sneer.
"It has its perks, being me," Dumbledore said with slight amusement, finishing his cup of tea. "It might take longer than it would have if Sirius wasn't about to be released, but it won't make it impossible."
"And Black? It will, of course, take time before they release him, but what will he say once he realises what fate has befallen his precious godson?"
"Sirius is an impulsive man," Dumbledore said quietly. "Impulsive, but kind and righteous. He will, naturally, be quite unhappy about the whole thing to begin with. I am certain, though, in time, he will come to terms with the situation and accept it as what is best for Harry." Snape snorted, once again deciding it was better to keep silent than give the Headmaster an answer he would not like. "I am expecting the Minister for a meeting on Saturday, if she can make it," Dumbledore said, knowing full well that there was nothing that would prevent the Minister to drop by. "I would like you to join us." Snape suppressed a groan. The Minister, Millicent Bagnold, was the most uptight person he had ever had the misfortune to meet. A former Ravenclaw, she took great pride in her supposed wit, and would never answer a question when it was presented, but tell you she'd "get back to you". Spoken like a true politician, Snape thought grimly.
"Certainly, Headmaster," he answered instead, he, too, finishing his tea.
"Well, I have intruded long enough," Albus smiled, rising. Snape stood, too. "Good night, Severus," he said, chucking some Floo powder into the flames.
"Headmaster," Snape nodded as the man stepped into the flames and disappeared back to his office. Feeling absolutely knackered, Snape banished the tea pot and cups and proceeded to his bedroom, feeling immense relief that tomorrow was Friday and then he would finally be free from the students for two days. Somewhat anyway.