Chapter 15

By the time Harry returned to the living room, the room was empty. If he closed his eyes, he could hear familiar voices. He followed them until he arrived at a big library he didn't know his Professor possessed. If Hermione could see it, she would spend the rest of the summer surrounded by all these books, likely in Crookshanks's company. Minerva and the Snapes were talking about something and didn't look like they had noticed his presence.

"It's our home, Minerva. Don't expect us to leave all the work to you."

"Nonsense, Severus. You brewed my potion. I'll do this for you. Besides, the potion took months, but this will be done shortly," she insisted.

Severus was about to retort, but his wife touched his arm to silence him and intervened, "We really appreciate it, Professor McGonagall, but-"

"Please, call me Minerva. We'll be coworkers."

Skyrah smiled. "Right. Minerva, I'm sure it will be exhausting to build a room out of nothing. Accept our invitation and stay for lunch at least."

"We will help you, Minerva, no matter what you say," added Severus.

Minerva's gaze shifted from Skyrah to Severus, pondering the situation. She finally gave a swift nod. The three adults turned around to walk out of the Library and get to action, when they saw Harry watching them from the door with a flask filled with a lime green liquid on his hand.

"Here's the potion," he mumbled.

"We can already see it, Potter. We are not blind," spat Severus.

Harry was starting to fume. Really? He obeyed his orders only to get rewarded with more snarls coming from his Professor! Gratefully, Skyrah's tone calmed him down.

"Thanks, Harry. Minerva is going to arrange a room for you and we'll assist her to the best of our abilities. Severus and I had initially thought about redecorating the library to make some space and create your room there. We couldn't do anything else… But since your Transfiguration Professor has offered to help us, we'll be able to transfigure a room for you, next to the library."

Minerva was the only person there who didn't know about the abuse. She didn't know that he had lived in a cupboard for ten long years. Thus, she didn't really comprehend why her student had an expression of mixed emotions that went from bliss and gratefulness to disbelief. His eyes had even got tearful, moved by the fact that he'd have a room. Skyrah and Severus understood everything though, and although Severus didn't do anything, Skyrah did. She guided Harry out of the library, the other adults following right behind them, and then she took the flask and put it on a table.

She turned around to face both teachers and nodded, as if encouraging them to start working already. They took their wands out as Skyrah and the boy headed out to the garden. The smell of lilies relaxed him considerably.

"I know that living with your professors wasn't on top of your things-to-do-list. Safely, it wasn't in the list at all... Are you all right?"

He gulped in nervousness, but didn't voice his thoughts.

"You'll have your own room, Harry. It will be neither a cupboard nor a tiny room you have no space to walk in."

Harry gave her a timid grin. It was more than enough to Skyrah, who smiled broadly at him. No more words were exchanged between them, but there was no need to. Their expressions spoke louder than words could at the moment. Skyrah wrapped her arms around Harry and held him close. Harry didn't even hesitate: this time he hugged her back tightly.

"Thank you."

His voice was pure emotion, and Skyrah couldn't help but feel her eyes watering too. Her heart was breaking for the boy. He hadn't even had a decent room for himself.

"Skyrah! Please come!" the familiar silky voice reached the garden, making Skyrah snap out of her whirl of emotions and thoughts.

"I guess I have to leave you," she mumbled apologetically, drawing back from the embrace.

She was about to go when he yelped, "Wait!"

She raised an eyebrow and faced him.

"What am I supposed to do while you transfigure my room? You won't let me help you, will you?"

She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Harry. It is quite advanced magic. You wouldn't be able to help us much… Why don't you do some homework? I'm sure you have some due September. You could stay here, far from the noises we will be making. You'll be able to concentrate then," she proposed while pointing at a little desk and chair located in a corner of the garden.

He could not express his opinion on that. Skyrah had already wriggled out.

The three professors managed to have the room ready in a few hours, something which would have been impossible without Minerva's impeccable skills. During the process, she noticed that Skyrah squealed and jumped in excitement every time they got something together, let it be either the the wall or the desk. She had joked around too, something which had greatly surprised Minerva. She had expected someone with a similar personality to Severus in order to marry him; but she had been wrong. What she had been the most shocked about was that those jokes had elicited crooked smiles and low chuckles from Severus. He acted more carefree around her, an unusual sight. Minerva was accustomed to the snarky Potions Master, but she could see that Skyrah had done him good. Granted, she was still offended for not knowing about the wedding, but she was glad that Severus had found Skyrah.

Minerva was the one who broke the news to Harry. He forgot about homework and hurried to the living room. There was a new door next to the library. The gentle push Skyrah gave him encouraged him to open the door.

"Th-this… This is my room?"

"Do you like it?" inquired Skyrah.

Harry took in every detail. It was certainly bigger than his cupboard or previous room. There wasn't much furniture, just the necessary (following the trend of Severus's home): a cozy bed he sprawled on (not that lumpy mattress he slept on while staying with the Dursleys), a spacious desk (so that he could do his homework, or so Severus stressed), a comfy chair and an ample wardrobe. There was a window which looked to the garden. The walls were painted in Gryffindor colors, much to Severus's dismay (Minerva had insisted and Skyrah hadn't minded it). It was a simple room, but it was his: his first real bedroom. It felt wonderful to finally own one. He thanked them all, making Minerva and Skyrah smile and Severus nod.

They let the boy settle in the room as they went to the living room. Severus enchanted the kitchen tools so that lunch would be cooked while the three adults chatted. Minerva was telling Skyrah about the time when Severus got pranked by two peculiar Gryffindor twins.

"I swear, Minerva, tell her about that, and I will let her know just what happened to you when the same members of the Weasley family targeted you four years ago."

Minerva shut up, making Skyrah titter. She noticed that those two had a friendly bickering. She was glad that Severus had a friend at Hogwarts, even if he wouldn't admit it.

Before they realized it, lunch was ready and they found themselves eating. Harry felt out of place, as if he was eating in the teachers' table from the Great Hall. Who had lunch with three professors, anyway? The good thing was that the meal was delicious, so he focused on the food and let the adults have their chit-chat. He only opened his mouth when he was asked to. Harry noticed that Skyrah was chatty, in contrast to Severus. But then again, the greasy git seemed to talk more than habitually. Luckily for Harry, lunch time and the awkwardness it carried with it went away quickly and Minerva took the potion and left.

Skyrah offered to write a letter to Albus to inform him about the new arrangements. When she saw fear written all over Harry's face, she assured him that she wouldn't mention anything related to the abuse, as promised, and that she'd let him read it all, if that tranquilized him.

"Show me what you've been doing for homework, Potter," Severus ordered once his wife was out of the room.

"What? Why?"

"You are going to focus on school and give your best while you stay at my house. I will point out your mistakes so that you can correct them later. I expect you to strive. Nothing more, nothing less."

Harry blushed when he remembered that he hadn't been able to write more than one paragraph of the History of Magic essay. That had always been one of his worst subjects. However, that wasn't the only reason why he hadn't written much. The truth was that he had been too busy finally assimilating that he was to spend summer with two Snapes who knew what his life had been like at the Dursleys. If that was not enough, while he had been in the garden, he couldn't help but remember that three Hogwarts Professors were transfiguring him a room, his first real room, not far from where he was. The excitement had not let him concentrate much.

"I don't have all day, Potter."

Crestfallen, Harry got his one-paragraph essay and handed it over.

When Severus saw the extension, he snarled, "After four years as your Professor, I would have expected you to know that I do not appreciate any kind of jokes, Potter. We have been working on your bedroom for nearly three hours. Is one paragraph about the Giant Wars all you can write after three hours of sitting on my garden chair holding a quill? I do not want nor tolerate sluggish people at home."

Harry clenched his fists. Severus always got under his skin.

"Well, maybe I would have focused on the bloody essay if I hadn't been so busy thinking that I was going to spend all summer with two professors, including one who clearly hates me! Do you think I wanted anyone to find out what happened at the Dursleys?! Of all the people I know, it had to be you!"

Severus sneered. "Unthankful brat! I welcomed you home. I promised nobody else would find out about your situation and I don't go back on promises. I even transfigured a room for you! A little of gratitude would be cherished, but of course, arrogance runs in the Potter family."

"I'm still getting used to it! And my father wasn't arrogant!"

"Tomorrow I expect to read at least three pages regarding the Giant Wars, Potter."

Harry stayed silent with mad eyes and breathing hard. Severus held his gaze unfazed. Skyrah walked into the living room. The aversion in the air was suffocating.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Harry and Severus replied at the same time, making Skyrah look at them askance.

"Really? Because you look like you are about to hex each other," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

Neither had missed her sarcastic, impatient tone, but neither opened his mouth to contradict her. She shook her head in defeat, realizing she wouldn't get any response, and gave the letter to Harry. He gave a nod once he read it and sent Hedwig to deliver the post to the headmaster.

"Come with me, Harry. We're going to do some Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Skyrah.

The boy didn't vacillate. Any place was better than staying in front of Severus. How could someone like Skyrah be married to someone as despicable as the bat of the dungeons, again? He guessed he'd never know.

They practiced the stunning spell in the garden, careful not to damage anything, mainly the orchard and the flowers. Harry found that he liked Skyrah as a teacher. She was as kind and patient as Remus Lupin, and at the same time, she was as strict as Minerva. That suited him just fine. He felt relaxed around her. Skyrah noticed it and took advantage of the situation: the moment the lesson ended, she grabbed his arm and asked him what had happened with Severus before she arrived. Harry shrugged.

"Harry Potter, you are telling me what happened right now or else…" she warned him, scaring him a little as the image of Skyrah threatening Aunt Petunia crossed his mind.

He confessed everything.

Skyrah's face softened.

"I'm trying to do whatever I can to make you feel at home, sweetheart. Even if it doesn't look like it to you, my husband is also trying; he is merely having more difficulties to let it sink in, just like you. You must realize that we didn't expect this to happen. We're all coping with it. I understand that you had some trouble concentrating on the essay. Still, you were entirely focused on perfecting the stunning spell just now, so why would you write only one paragraph if you had three hours to work on it? Is there something else you aren't telling me?"

Harry averted her gaze. Skyrah waited patiently and took his hand, reassuring him that she just wanted to help him out.

"I didn't even know where to begin with… History of Magic has always been my worst subject. Well, that and Divination. I'm just not good at them."

Skyrah grinned ruefully at him. "Well, aren't you lucky? I've taught History of Magic for nine years! And trust me… I've had all kind of students. I'll help you, but I must advise you that for you to truly succeed, you must really want to learn. Otherwise, there won't be any progress."

"Y-you'll help me?" he asked astonished.

"Why wouldn't I? You just have to ask," she mumbled with a wink.

Two weeks passed. Albus had taken the news well and made no questions: that was what he had wanted all along, anyway. Skyrah and Severus kept teaching the boy Occlumency and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry hated Occlumency lessons, especially with Severus. They were a waste of time. They only made him feel vulnerable, for he couldn't help but unwillingly show his Professor some not-so-nice scenes at the Dursleys. Surprisingly, Severus didn't make any fun of it nor comment about them, nonetheless his black eyes couldn't completely mask angry feelings. The wrath wasn't directed towards him though, and for that he was grateful.

Skyrah kept confusing Harry. She called him sweetheart and gave him space when he needed it. She wasn't afraid to hug him and hold his hand; even in front of Severus, who looked incredibly awkward every time he witnessed that kind of interaction. It was strange and funny, to see Severus struggling like that, yet Harry didn't dare to make a sassy comment about it. No woman had ever behaved like that towards Harry and he didn't know how to feel. He only knew that he was starting to really like her: she was an incredible teacher and she made him laugh and feel at ease.

Last day had been uncomfortable for Harry. He had been doing his homework in his own room. He got out to hand Severus his finished work so that he could correct it, as usual, only to catch the two adults embraced and kissing passionately on the couch, Skyrah straddling Severus while he kept one hand on her head and one on her butt. Needless to say, Harry let out a startled gasp. Not even that separated the Snapes. They were that into it. Awkwardly, he made his way to his room again and took a big breath. That was a sight he had never wanted to behold. How was he supposed to sleep at night now? The image of baby Snapes filled his mind and he shuddered at the thought. He'd have nightmares about it.

The clock said a quarter past five. Skyrah was teaching Harry Occlumency, to his relief, when a knock on the door interrupted them. They weren't expecting any visitors and Skyrah was aware that the only ones who knew about the whereabouts of their house were Albus, Poppy, Minerva and the Malfoys. The first three were able to use the floo network freely, which left only one option. Either the Malfoys or some lost muggles were knocking. Skyrah prayed for the latest.

Severus approached the door to see who was out there. The knocks got more insistent and Severus hurried back to Harry and Skyrah, cursing out loud. He usually didn't use bad language unless he was stressed or extremely angry, so Skyrah knew that her suspicions about the Malfoys were spot on.

"Are they…" she started to ask, just to make sure she was right.

Ignoring her, he ordered Harry, "Put on your invisibility cloak and don't take it out! Hide in our bedroom. They would never enter there… Now!"

"How do you know about my cloak?"

"Don't ask stupid questions, Potter."

The knocks grew adamant. Severus pushed the boy towards the stairs.

"They'll wonder why we are taking so long. My father almost certainly sent them. Let's give them what they want to see."

Severus realized the meaning of her words too late, when his hair was already disheveled and some of his buttons unfastened, showing some skin and hair of his chest. She proceeded to do the same with herself. They looked like they had been interrupted in a sex session. He wanted to stop her, but she was already opening the door.

"Sorry for not coming earlier… We were-er-busy", she mumbled as she fastened the last button of her robe and used her fingers to comb her hair.

Severus hurried to do the same. Skyrah recognized Lucius, but there was also a beautiful blonde woman and a boy about the same age than Harry who resembled Lucius an awful lot and who was staring at her and at her husband with flushed cheeks. Skyrah freaked out, but didn't let it show. Why hadn't Severus warned her that there was also a boy out there?

Lucius lifted an eyebrow and eyed Severus.

Amused, he said, "I see that you take the Dark Lord's orders very seriously, Severus."

Severus had never blushed so much in his life.