Music And Flying

The next three days passed quickly. Bronwyn had some trouble sleeping at night because of spasms but after the first day Severus was able to remove the casts temporarily and apply the Relaxation Salve. They both spent a great deal of time talking to the portraits of Eileen and Camilla and Bronwyn was delighted to hear that her uncle was not always so stern and strict. Eileen told her of the problems he got into as a boy and Camilla told her about her time Hogwarts when Severus was her teacher as well as her guardian.

Severus and Bronwyn also spent a great deal of time outdoors in the gardens and Bronwyn learned to pick flowers and arrange them. Of course, Tillie made sure there were fresh violets and roses in her room every day. Severus also made sure to get a piano tuner for the piano.

Before they knew it, the three days had passed and Healer Morris stopped by to examine her and remove her casts. Bronwyn was thrilled that she could sit in her chair and her legs did not cross anymore or hurt. She spent the hour she was allowed every day outside in the gardens as well as playing with Snowflake. The little dog was growing and knew many tricks and could pick up and retrieve anything that she dropped. Severus was also pleased that the little dog would do anything to protect her mistress and barked loudly if she thought there was any danger about.

As time went on, Bronwyn became more and more relaxed and independent. She used the floating chair to go from place to place on the grounds of the Manor but was always careful to let Severus know where she was going at all times and took Snowflake with her. During the time she was laying down, her uncle would teach her basic subjects such as reading, math, and history as well as basic Potions. At first he was afraid to allow Bronwyn into his lab, but she was so quiet and attentive that he knew she could be safe. He taught her basic Potions and was amazed that she could use Wandless magic to stir, chop and add ingredients. He was pleased that she seemed to inherit his gift for Potions and taught her basic first-year solutions.

The truly frustrating thing for Bronwyn was the use of a quill. Severus prepared them for left-handed use, but her control was erratic. She worked every day but didn't seem to be making progress. It was at these times Severus would see her temper flare. Once she caused an inkwell, quill and parchment to smash against the library wall. This earned her a timeout and a cleaning of the wall with a sponge and Magical Mess Remover. Severus helped her but said, "Young lady, I understand your frustration, but you will not throw things around like that again. The next time it happens you will get a spanking. Do you understand?" Bronwyn nodded miserably. She hated to disappoint her uncle and knew he would follow through with his punishment. She had already learned that he would take her piano privileges away if she misbehaved. Camilla even said that she was disappointed. Even though her mother was only a portrait, Bronwyn was crushed that she was angry as well.

One night, after Bronwyn had gone to bed, Severus sat down and talked to both portraits. "Do you think I'm too strict? She is very young."

Eileen looked at him and smiled. "Of course not. She is a smart little girl who is capable of controlling her magic very well. I think it is a good sign that she is relaxed enough to misbehave with you. She knows your punishments are appropriate and fair. When the punishment is finished, you put her on your lap, hug her and tell her that is the end of it. She knows you won't drag it out and hold her error against her."

Camilla smiled and agreed. "Sev you are doing exactly the right thing. She can be stubborn, but she loves you to pieces and hates to disappoint you. She is told me that she wishes she could do more for herself so you would not have to help her so much. You'll have to reassure her that you are happy to help her and she is not a burden."

Severus seemed shocked to hear that his niece thought of herself as a burden. A month had passed since her surgery so she was out of the casts and using her chair more often. One day when they were in the garden and he was gathering herbs for his potions he picked her up and walked through the garden pointing out each individual plant, telling her their names and what they were used for. When they were done, he sat down on the garden bench holding her on his lap. "Bronwyn, do you really think you are a burden to me?" She looked down at her lap saying nothing. He took his finger and tipped her chin up so she was looking into his eyes. She nodded and her eyes filled with tears. "I know I am. I can't do so many things myself. Dressing, eating, talking or walking. I want you to be proud of me! Even my magic is strange!"

Severus hugged her saying, "Foolish child, don't you know that I am prouder of you every day? You learn something new every day and are learning to take care of yourself more and more. Someday you may not even need your old uncle! Here he sighed dramatically putting his hand on his heart. Bronwyn giggled at him saying, "you're silly now!"

"Silly am I? All right let's just see how silly I can be!" He turned her across his lap and began tickling her.

A few days later Bronwyn asked again if Harry and Hermione could come to visit. This time Severus agreed since he wanted to talk to the two Gryffindor's about helping with Bronwyn during the school term. He sent his owl Asphodel to the Grangers and Hermione answered right away telling him she would be ready the following Saturday for him to come and get her. Harry was staying at the Burrow with the Weasley's and said he would be ready for Severus whenever he came. He also asked his Professor if he could bring his broom. Severus sighed to himself but agreed.

Bronwyn spent the week of the visit getting things ready with the elves help. They planned a simple lunch of sandwiches, lemonade, pumpkin juice and a treacle pudding for dessert. Severus told her that Hermione would love to see the library and she loved books as much as Bronwyn did. He didn't say too much about Harry because after what Bronwyn had shown him he really had to think about what he was going to do.

Saturday dawned sunny and cool and after getting ready for the visitors and eating her breakfast Bronwyn waited impatiently in the garden. Severus Apparated to the Grangers and promised Hermione's parents that she would be back after dinner. They returned to the Manor and Severus left her with Bronwyn in the garden. Bronwyn showed Hermione all the plants and herbs that grew there and then took her into the library. Hermione was thrilled with all the books the Professor had and made a note to ask him if she could borrow a few. When they heard the Floo sound, they went to say hi to Harry. He smiled at them both and thanked Severus for the invitation.

Severus asked Bronwyn to make sure the lunch was ready and asked both his students into his study. As he sat down behind his desk, he saw both Gryffindor's shifting nervously in front of the desk. He smiled a little and said "Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, this is not a replay of the Spanish Inquisition. Please sit down. I just have a few things to discuss with you about my niece before lunch." Both students sat down nervously waiting for him to speak.

"I appreciate that you are willing to help with Bronwyn once the term starts and you will find she is eager to please and learn. She can do many things for herself but will still need help with writing, eating and so forth. I would appreciate any help you can give her in these areas. She is learning basic school subjects as well as basic potions. I will give you a schedule that you can use as a guide. She is having a great deal of difficulties learning to use a quill and any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. One of my house elves Tillie will be there to help as well. Do you have any questions?"

Hermione asked, "Is she still mind speaking only or has she begun to talk?"

"Yes, Miss Granger she is talking but slowly and she is still a little nervous about doing it with strangers. However, as she relaxes, she will improve around you both. My main concern is keeping any other students from teasing or tormenting her."

Harry spoke softly but firmly, "Don't worry Sir, we'll watch her very closely."

Even though he didn't say it, Severus smiled to himself as he listened. Harry sounded so like Lily at that age and as he looked at the boy, he saw more and more of Lily in her then James Potter. Perhaps this would work out.

He stood up and said, "Well now shall we go out to lunch? Bronwyn has been planning it all week." They walked out into the garden, where Bronwyn was waiting anxiously. The meal was pleasant and everyone was relaxed and talking about how their summers were getting on. Afterwords Bronwyn took them to the garden and showed them the flowers and herbs growing there. As they walked around the garden and Bronwyn began to relax, she became more animated and talkative. On an empty stretch of lawn, Harry asked Severus if he could use his broom. Severus agreed and Harry took off flying circles and figure eights above them. Bronwyn laughed and clapped as she watched and Severus could see the longing on her face to be able to fly. He quietly called for his own broom, placed a Sticking Charm on it and placed Bronwyn in front of him. He flew up next to Harry, who seemed shocked to see his serious Potions Professor flying. Severus then took a practice Snitch out of his pocket and made it fly just ahead of them. Both Bronwyn and Harry began to follow the snitch around the lawn as if they were both Seekers fighting for the Snitch. Hermione was sitting on a blanket watching them and as Harry or Bronwyn caught the Snitch she would shout, "Gryffindor wins" or "Slytherin wins." They played this game for a half an hour and then came down to get a cold drink and go inside for a while.

Bronwyn wanted to show them the piano so they went into the music room. As she sat on the sofa, she played "Glowworm" and "Flight of the Bumblebee." She was applauded and complemented on her playing and Hermione told her she could play a little as well. Bronwyn asked her to pick something and play Hermione chose "Three Little Maids from School" from the Mikado.

After that, they were introduced to the two portraits in the library. Eileen talked to Harry about his mother and Camilla talked to them about Severus. Both students were more than a little shocked that there strict Professor was once a student as they were. As Severus helped Bronwyn get ready for dinner, Eileen said, "Harry Severus really loved your mother and but for one stupid mistake he lost his best friend. I know he is hard toward you but when he looks at you, he sees both Lily and James. Try to understand how hard it is for him. He doesn't hate you and has been trying to protect you because of a Vow he made to your mother."

Harry was stunned. He thought Snape hated him and because of that he treated Harry badly. It seemed all of Harry's perceptions about the man were flawed. After dinner, he would speak to him privately.

Dinner was roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with onions and carrots. There was also lemonade, pumpkin juice, and tea. For dessert, there was a double chocolate cake.

When Hermione and Bronwyn went back into the library, Harry spoke quietly to his teacher. Looking directly at Snape, he said, "Did you really make a vow to my mother to look after me?" Severus was stunned. He had made a vow to Lily right before she and James went into hiding but after they were killed and Harry was sent to the Dursley's he didn't do anything until Harry started at Hogwarts. He felt as if Lily was standing there reproaching him for doing nothing. He looked at Harry and quietly said "Yes."

Harry looked at him and said angrily, "You didn't even check on me once! Why not?"

The Potions Master didn't answer. Harry plowed on. "All you saw was my father and nothing else! Go on, take a good look!"

As he spoke, he removed his shirt and showed the welts and marks of Vernon's rage.

Severus felt sick as he looked at the welts and marks on Harry's back. He could clearly count the boys ribs and saw that his clothes were much too large for him. Being abused himself, he knew better than anyone at Hogwarts the signs and he knew that Petunia hated magic and probably took it out on Harry whenever possible.

"Mister Potter…" He stopped. What could he really say? He had failed the boy and he really didn't know how to make it right. He took a breath and started again. "Harry, I know how unfair I was and how wrong. I am truly sorry."

Harry felt his anger leaving as he saw the stricken look on his teachers face. He sighed and said, "Did you really hate my father that much?"

The look he saw on Severus's face told him all he needed to know. He sighed and said "I will help you with your niece Professor, but I won't be a nuisance to you anymore. I think I should go back to the Weasley's now." He walked to the fireplace, took some Floo powder and said, "The Burrow."

As he disappeared into the green flames, Severus turned and walked into the library. "It is time for Hermione to go home now."

He called for Tillie asking her to take Bronwyn and get her ready for bed. In response to the look, Bronwyn gave him he said "Harry had to leave, but he will see you soon." Hermione walked with him to the Apparation point and walked her home. When he returned home, he spent time in the library thinking about all Harry had said. He looked at Eileen's portrait angrily. "Why did you tell him that?" He demanded. "He didn't need to know that and besides what can I do now?"

Eileen looked at him sternly"," You know exactly what to do Severus and you know what Lily would want you to do. I suggest you think about it very carefully."

Severus went upstairs to say goodbye to Bronwyn, who was talking excitedly to Tillie about her day. As Tillie popped out he said, "I'm glad you had such a good day. Would you like to invite them to your birthday next month?" Bronwyn's smile answered the question for him. He kissed her and walked back down to his study where he thought long and hard about what to do for Harry.

Authors note: sorry this took so long but life does tend to get in the way. Now I need help. I want Severus to help Harry but I'm not sure about how to go about it. Any suggestions would be welcome, please PM me with any ideas. The next chapter will be Bronwyn's birthday. And then on to Hogwarts. Once again everyone face England bow three times and say, "We do not own Harry Potter or we wouldn't be looking for change in between sofa cushions."