Chapter 42
Honeysuckle
Harry felt exhilarated as he left the room of requirements. Snape had taught him several new spells while they had dueled. Harry had practiced using his aura sight to identify spells, used his Animagus abilities to get away from Snapes spells when he couldn't dodge them in human form, and even learned how to use his natural Legilimens abilities to predict what Snape was going to cast or where.
It had been the most challenging and exciting training he had ever done. He had also done very well at it. He was proud of himself.
"I have to say Harry, I have been very impressed with your ability to pick up new skills. Those curses I showed you are Auror level." Snape said from beside him.
Harry blushed at the praise but kept his head up and smiled. He felt like nothing could knock him down today. Sirius was proud of his accomplishment with the Lycanthropy potion, Snape was impressed with their training. Everything seemed to finally be looking up.
"Thank you, sir." Harry said.
They walked down the hall to McGonagall's office. He and Snape were going to return to Spinner's end to clean up before the Order meeting. They were both sweaty and disheveled from there practice.
Snape rapped sharply on the office door.
Harry hoped that the headmaster wasn't still lurking up here. He knew he would be seeing the man at the Order meeting but his emotions around the headmaster were still shaky at best. Things had been so strange this summer he hadn't really had a chance to give the man much thought.
"Hello." McGonagall said as the door to her office opened.
"Good evening, Minerva. May we use your floo?" Snape asked.
"Of course." McGonagall said stepping back into her office.
Harry followed Snape inside.
"Harry go ahead through and get cleaned up. I will be through shortly." Snape said, joining McGonagall near her desk.
"Yes, sir." Harry said with a nod.
He reached for the floo powder on the mantel and moments later he was being spat out in Snapes sitting room.
Harry stumbled but managed not to collide with the low table in the room.
He made his way up the stairs and into the bathroom. He took a quick shower and dressed in his spare clothing from his bag. Once he was clean and presentable he returned to the main level of the house. He went to the kitchen and was surprised not to find Snape. He figured the man would have made it back by now.
Harry felt awkward in the house alone. He didn't live here anymore. Though some part of him missed it. He had enjoyed his space and things had been going better but perhaps he would consider returning. Though Snape probably didn't want him back. He was sure the man was enjoying finally having the house to himself.
Harry sighed, then pushed the thought away. There was no reason to feel put out, when he was the one who had requested to leave in the first place.
He was reminded that he had a letter to send. He bit his lip and considered. Would Snape let him run up to the owlery?
With a shrug he headed to the sitting room. He tossed in the floo powder and called out McGonagall's office. He wasn't a successful flooing back, and crashed to his knees as he entered the office.
"I didn't expect you to be back so soon." Snapes voice said from above him.
Harry blushed and took the hand that was now extended to him. Once he was up, he waved his hand over himself to rid himself of the soot.
"Um… Sorry. I forgot I was going to send a letter. Would it be all right if I went to the owlery?" Harry muttered glancing between Snape and McGonagall.
Snape raised an eyebrow.
"I think the headmaster would prefer your correspondence went through the Order and was hand delivered. Surely one of the Weasley's can take a note back to your friends." Snape drawled.
Harry blushed again. He did have a letter for them as well. This one was for Rokk though.
"This one is to Gringotts, sir. A reply to the letter I got last weekend." Harry said squaring his shoulders.
Snape gave him a questioning look.
"Hand it off to Bill. I'm sure he can manage to drop it off for you. School owls will be targeted this time of year as suspicious." Snape responded.
Harry swallowed hard. He hadn't thought of the school owls as being that identifiable, though he supposed it was possible. He wouldn't want the owl to get hurt.
"Yes, sir." Harry said with a nod.
"Very well. Remain here with your head of house. I will return shortly. Then we will head to the meeting. Are you sure you still wish to attend?" Snape asked.
Harry took a deep breath. He'd begun to worry that this may be Dumbledore's way of making a point. The last interaction he'd had with the teaching staff had been when he revealed his connection with Voldemort. Perhaps there were stirrings in the Order. Harry nodded firmly. He wouldn't back down. If the Order thought poorly of him now for this, he would weather this storm just as he had done with everything else. The wizarding world could never seem to make up their minds when it came to Harry. Perhaps this had swayed them against him again.
"All right." Snape said.
Harry watched as the man disappeared into the floo. He turned and saw his head of house smiling softly at him.
"Come have a seat. Biscuit?" McGonagall said as she held out a plate.
Harry smiled. He probably didn't need more sweets today. He'd enjoyed a few biscuits that Dobby had brought earlier while they had discussed the finer points of the modified wolfsbane potion.
He took a seat across from McGonagall and retrieved the offered biscuit.
"Thank you." Harry said softly.
McGonagall only hummed a little.
They sat in peaceful silence for a few minutes.
"Severus is really impressed with you Harry. He told me about your discovery." McGonagall said.
Harry blushed and looked down. He didn't feel like it was his. He had just finished Sirius' research.
"He thinks your training is coming along nicely as well. We were speaking of doing a group training activity next week. See how you handle more than one opponent." McGonagall continued.
Harry nodded. Snape had mentioned that he might bring in someone else next week.
"Yes, he mentioned that. Will you be joining us?" Harry asked.
McGonagall gave a soft snort.
"I don't think so. You are rather impressive, but I don't think Severus and I teaming up on you would be a fair fight. I believe he is going to inquire at the meeting who might be available next Friday." McGonagall said.
Harry nodded. He was sure he couldn't stand up to both of them. Perhaps he would be able to one day. The dueling practice was good to have. However, Harry had a constant nagging fear that he would actually hurt someone.
They talked for a while, waiting for Snape to return. Harry learned that OWL results would be sent out soon. Harry had lamented that he was sure a few of his scores were going to be less than he'd hoped for. With the vision interrupting his History of Magic test he was sure he'd earned a troll.
Severus walked with Minerva and Harry towards the headmaster's office. Today had been a rather good day. He still wasn't sure what Albus was playing at, having Harry attend a meeting. He had inquired with Minerva, but she hadn't heard anything. Apparently Albus had just come to visit.
"Iced mice." Minerva said to the gargoyle.
It jumped aside and they made their way up to the office.
Severus was pleased to see that nearly everyone had already arrived. He loathed waiting for the stragglers to show up.
Black and Lupin shot them smiles. Severus rolled his eyes.
He took his regular place at the back of the room while Minerva made her way towards the headmaster's desk. To his surprise Harry stayed at his side. He'd expected the boy to join Lupin or Black, or perhaps the Weasleys. Severus glanced at the boy and noticed he was occluding hard. Severus stepped slightly forward to block the rest of the room from Harry.
"If you wish to leave, now is the time." Severus said softly.
"I'm fine, Sir." Harry replied in monotone.
Severus bit his tongue to keep himself from chastising the boy. He was clearly not fine.
A moment later the headmaster stood.
"Good evening. I hope you are all well. We have several matters to discuss. You surely have now all heard of the attack in south London. Aurors were thankfully on sight within minutes and there was no loss of life. However, we have two displaced wizarding families. They will temporarily be housed in an order safe house near Manchester." Albus explained.
Severus was surprised, the fire that had been depicted in the prophet had been impressive. No loss of life was a miracle.
"Are these families we should be protecting Albus." Moody barked.
Severus wanted to roll his eyes. The man was beyond paranoid. The Dark Lord would not have sent Death Eaters to attack their own.
"Yes, Alastor. One is a muggle family with two wizarding children enrolled at the school. We are unsure at this time if they were the target of the attack or not. A neighboring wizarding family also with a school aged child was able to come to their aid, though several homes were set on fire." Albus replied.
Severus felt a jolt. There had been students involved. He caught Minerva's eyes from across the room. Several of the teachers began to murmur. No doubt concerned about which students had been effected. Just because they hadn't died didn't mean they hadn't been harmed.
"Albus, which students." Minerva asked, loud enough to be heard.
The muggle-borns had been heavily targeted this summer. Severus only had a couple in his house. The hat rarely sorted muggle-borns into Slytherin. As the years had gone on the number had been less and less. Severus had been thankful for this, as they were often targeted by their housemates. For their safety it was better that they were sorted into another house.
Albus looked a little grave.
"There were three students involved. I'm sorry Minerva but they are all from your house." Albus said solemnly.
Severus heard Harry suck in a sharp breath.
"The Creevey Brothers are incoming fourth- and fifth-year students. Ms. Bell will be a seventh year." Albus said.
Severus closed his eyes. He knew all three had been in Potters group last year. Ms. Bell was also on the quidditch team.
Severus glanced over at Harry. His hands were balled into fists at his sides and his jaw was clenched tight.
Good, Severus thought. Anger was the appropriate emotion here. As long as Harry was able to hold his tongue.
"Were there injuries?" Severus asked.
He was landed with several surprised looks from his colleagues. He knew Harry would want to know but he didn't look like he could calmly ask the question.
Albus nodded and glanced at Harry.
"Yes, unfortunately. Though they are all expected to make full recoveries, as are their families. I have sent Poppy to oversee there recovery for the time being." Albus said.
There were a few more murmurs but after a moment Albus continued.
"As the war continues, we will need to have more safe houses available. I have acquired several new properties and would like to have them outfitted with reasonable accommodations immediately. Permanent transfiguration will be acceptable for house furnishings for the time being. I would like them stocked with food and potions under stasis spells. Each house will also be equipped with a pair of emergency portkeys. I intend to send you out in small groups tomorrow to get them prepared. Bill, I will need you by early evening to set wards. I will arrive after, to set a Fidelius for each property. I would like to diversify the secret keepers. I currently hold the secret for several of the orders safe houses. However, with Voldemort sights set on my downfall, I'd be overconfident to think he will fail. I would not like to see those properties become vulnerable should I die."
There were grumbles heard around the room but no outright disagreements.
Severus hoped the headmaster did not intend for him to be part of one of these groups.
Albus began calling groups of three and four to the front. When it seemed nearly everyone had been given an assignment Albus eyes connected with his.
Severus groaned internally. Thankfully, it looked like he and Minerva were the only ones left. While he didn't want to take this assignment, he was thankful the man wasn't going to send him out with the mutts or a combination of Weasley's.
"Severus, Minerva, Mr. Potter. I would like you three to go to number four and prepare it." Albus said holding out a slip of parchment to Minerva.
Severus froze. He had nearly forgotten that Albus was planning to turn the house into a safe house.
Several eyes darted his way. Apparently, most of the order in their haste to not look his way had missed Harry standing next to him.
"Albus, He's just a boy. Surely, he shouldn't be here. I thought we had agreed on this last year." Molly squawked.
There were a few other grumbles.
"I think having Mr. Potter assist in his former home will be invaluable. He will know the property better than anyone else. I cannot say that about the other houses." Albus explained.
Molly made a sound in the back of her throat but said nothing else.
There were several concerned glances from a few Weasley's and the mutts, but no one said anything.
"Yes, Sir." Harry said firmly.
Severus looked at Minerva hoping to convey what a bad idea this was. She returned his incredulous look with a purse of her lips and a nod of agreement.
The Order meeting continued with people giving reports of recent activity and sharing rumors that were being heard.
As the meeting wrapped up Albus explained that the slip of paper with the address was a portkey to the location. Each group should arrive early and expect to be near completion by midafternoon.
With that he dismissed the group and turned to speak with Filius who was approaching his desk.
Severus glanced at Harry next to him.
"Are you all right?" Severus asked quietly.
Harry nodded firmly.
"Yes, sir." Harry answered.
Severus glanced up and was confronted with two pairs of eyes that were burning with anger. Severus groaned and made his way towards Lupin and Black. As he walked, he noticed Harry splitting off towards the Weasley's.
Probably for the best.
Harry took slow deep breaths. The rage he felt boiling under his skin nearly felt physical. Like all he would need to do was raise his hand and the anger would manifest as fire as it had weeks ago. He slowly approached the Weasley's. He knew he would need to face them eventually.
"Oh, Harry dear. So good to see you." Mrs. Weasley said scooping him into a crushing hug.
He held himself still. He had learned to expect this sort of thing. He had to admit that Mrs. Weasley's hugs were probably the most comforting thing he had ever experienced. Perhaps it was just his pathetic wish to be hugged by his own mother. He still felt uncomfortable when the hugs went on too long. Although he didn't have to wait long when the twins came to his rescue.
"All right Mum. Don't crush him." Fred said with a laugh.
"Of course." Mrs. Weasley said, releasing him.
"You gave us a right fright taking off like that." Mrs. Weasley admonished.
Harry bit his lip and looked away from her. He hadn't meant to upset everyone.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley." Harry said softly.
"All right, well, don't do that again. I know the muggles you live with are horrid, but you could have come to us." Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry felt his stomach clench. Had the Weasley's been told?
Harry sent worried glances to Fred and George who gave identical shakes of their heads. They hadn't told their parents.
"We're just glad you're safe. We know you're staying with Severus. Are things going all right?" Mr. Weasley asked.
Harry smiled at Mr. Weasley. He was such a calming presence. Ron really was lucky to have such a great family.
"I'm managing." Harry said.
"Good man." Mr. Weasley said with a nod.
"We'll still make sure we get you by the end of the summer. We've got quite the house full at the moment. Hermione and Dean have both been at the house most of the summer. I'm not sure if you heard." Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry nodded.
"I actually have a note for Ron. Could you give it to him? Tell him I'm sorry I didn't write sooner." Harry said pulling the note from his pocket.
"Of course, dear. You call if you need anything. All right?" Mrs. Weasley said, taking the letter.
Harry nodded and gave her a soft smile.
He was glad things were smoothed over. He had worried he had really messed things up with the Weasley's after he'd gotten Mrs. Weasley's letter. Although now, it was clear she had just been afraid. Harry knew that her biggest fear was losing her children. Harry had become aware that she saw him as one of her children last summer, when she had faced the Boggart at Grimmauld.
The Weasley parents walked off to speak with some other order members. The twins stepped up in front of him.
"You doing all right?" George asked softly.
Harry clenched his jaw again and shook his head. He really wasn't okay. He didn't know what to think of the attack or having to return to number four with Snape and McGonagall.
"Come on. Let's go get some fresh air." Fred said, draping his arm over Harry's shoulders and leading him to the door.
Severus cast a silencing spell around himself, Lupin and Black as he approached.
"Has Albus lost his fucking mind!" Black nearly shouted.
Severus took a steadying breath.
"You can't seriously be considering taking Harry there?" Lupin said in a near pleading voice.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He did not want to be in this situation either. He'd told Minerva last week that he didn't think taking the boy back was a promising idea.
"I will discuss it with Harry." Severus tried to placate.
"You read that diagnostic. What they did to him was sick!" Black spat.
Severus nodded. That was the simplest way to describe what the diagnostic showed. Though it didn't fully capture how truly horrifying it was. He unfortunately had also been informed about how many of the injuries occurred, when he'd had his conversation with Harry.
"I am aware. I believe Albus wanted Harry to be here tonight, in order to manipulate him into wanting to go. I've no doubt the boy would have turned it down if he had not just been informed his friends had been attacked. He likely feels that he needs to do something to help. The headmaster is giving him a straightforward way to help. If Harry doesn't want to return, I will not force him. I will even cover for him with Albus. However, it needs to be Harry's decision." Severus said.
Lupin and Black both looked unhappy with his answer.
"You're right. It needs to be Harry's choice." Lupin responded with a shake of his head.
"I want to thank you for offering to do the brew on Monday. I'm amazed at what Harry has done. You believe it will work?" Lupin asked hesitantly.
Severus nodded.
"The boy's research is solid. There is room for error though. The brew could go wrong. The spell might need adjusting. We unfortunately won't know until we try." Severus said in thought.
Lupin sighed and nodded.
"Of course." Lupin said.
"I still don't like it. Harry's relatives should be thrown in Azkaban. Harry shouldn't be forced to go back to that house." Black growled.
Severus nodded.
"I'll keep an eye on him." Severus said quietly.
Lupin nodded. Severus could see the concern in his eyes.
"How are you going to do that when he's not even staying with you? What if this sends him over the edge? You can keep an eye on him while you're at the house tomorrow but you're not going to be able to keep track of him after." Black said.
Severus nodded. He had a point. He couldn't force the boy to come back to the house though. If he seemed to upset tonight or tomorrow, he would insist he stay. Otherwise, they would have to rely on Harry to come to them if he was too upset.
"Where is Harry?" Lupin asked.
Severus turned and looked around the room. There were a few other members lingering in the room, but it was clear Harry wasn't amongst them.
"Let's go look in the hall. Maybe he just stepped out." Lupin said.
They all walked down the stairs and out into the hall. There wasn't anyone there.
"Where are you?" Black said.
Severus turned to see Black's patronus sitting in front of him.
"Go to Harry." Black instructed and the dog bounded off.
A moment later a slightly different dog returned. Obviously, Harry's new patronus.
"In the courtyard." Harry's voice came from the dog's mouth before disappearing.
The three of them made it to the courtyard. They were met with Harry and the Weasley twins, tossing around what looked like a glowing quaffle.
Severus furrowed his brow.
"He looks ok." Lupin said softly.
Severus nodded.
The Weasley twins seemed to have that effect on him.
"Sirius." Harry called as the glowing ball hurled towards them.
Black caught it and chuckled.
"This one of your new products?" Black said stepping towards the twins.
"Yeah…." One of the twins responded. Severus didn't catch what else was said.
"How forthcoming was Harry about what happened in that house?" Lupin asked quietly. Keeping his eyes on Harry and Black as they tossed the ball back and forth. The twins bouncing between them trying to snag the ball out of the air.
Severus swallowed hard. Harry had told him quite a bit. Though Harry had refused to answer some of his questions.
"We had a lengthy discussion about it. I know he didn't tell me everything though." Severus answered.
Lupin nodded.
"Keep an eye on him tomorrow. Even if he puts on a brave face this is going to be difficult for him." Lupin said.
Severus nodded.
Harry felt his stomach lurch as they landed in the back garden of number four. McGonagall had arrived at Spinners end just five minutes after Harry had. They'd all grabbed the portkey without much discussion. Snape had only asked him once last night if he was sure he wanted to return. He had agreed without hesitation.
Fred and George had pointed out that the house was empty. His relatives wouldn't be there. It was just a building now. They had all briefly talked about the attack. Fred promised they would make sure Angelina and Oliver knew. They had also offered to take the note for Rokk. Since Gringotts wasn't far from the shop. When Harry had told them he was worried about going back, they had reassured him and then got his mind off of it with a display of some of their new products.
Harry had tossed and turned all night. Even as Akela he couldn't seem to settle.
Now, standing here looking at the house, he was having second thoughts. Perhaps he shouldn't have come.
"Shall we?" McGonagall asked.
Harry took a deep breath. It was just a house, he tried to remind himself.
"Yeah." Harry said with a nod as he headed towards the back door.
The grass was a little long and the flowerbeds needed weeding. He wondered if today was going to look like him cleaning the house. He'd rather burn the place to the ground then ever clean it again.
Harry took another deep breath. The Order needed the house as a safe house. His friends might need a safe place to go. Just because the house had never been a safe place for him, didn't mean it couldn't be for someone else.
Harry twisted the knob and found it locked. Trying not to remember times he had been locked out and left in the pouring rain, he waved his hand over the knob and pushed the door open.
He was shocked by the state of the house. Trash littered the kitchen floor, and the counters were filthy. It looked like no one had bothered to clean since he had left and then trashed the place on the way out.
Harry wrapped his arms around himself. He found himself listening for footsteps, voices, any sound in the depths of the house to indicate that the Dursley's were still there.
Harry felt a hand land on his shoulder and flinched. The rhythmic motion of the thumb let him know it was Snape. Harry let the weight of the hand ground him in the moment as his eyes scanned the room. They stopped when they landed on the counter.
He could see his own blood pooling there that last day. Vernon's bulk pinning him to the counter. Harry's stomach rolled.
"What um…Where do we start?" Harry whispered out. He needed to focus on the task at hand.
McGonagall stepped past him into the room. With a swish of her wand all the debris was gone. With another twist all the surfaces gleamed.
Harry wished cleaning this house had always been that simple.
"I think a quick tour. We'll clean as we go. Then we can hit these boring walls with some color. Put a Wixen touch on the place. Then we will handle the furniture." McGonagall said.
Harry nodded. It was a good plan. He liked how clear cut it was. He always did better when the expectations were clear. He could focus better that way. Hopefully it would keep his mind and body occupied.
Harry felt Snape give his shoulder a slight squeeze and he turned to face the man.
"Thank you." Harry said softly.
Snape nodded and lowered his hand.
"Why don't you lead us through the house. Minerva and I can manage the cleaning. You can help us pick colors for the rooms when we get to that point." Snape said pulling his wand out.
Harry smirked. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to show them around. However, covering all the bland beige Petunia had favored with the bold colors Wixen preferred brought a jolt of glee to his heart.
With a nod Harry led them off the kitchen to the laundry room, the bathroom, and the small pantry.
"This would be good for a potions store." Snape had muttered as he had shot cleaning spells over the dusty space.
They returned to the kitchen and Harry avoided looking at the counter this time. Instead choosing to lead them straight into the dining room. It felt empty without the table, chairs, and oversized relatives.
McGonagall cast a scourgify at a stain on the carpet and kept walking. Harry swallowed hard. The stain had been blood. His blood to be specific. He had been too little to get it out properly and Vernon had beat the hell out of him for bleeding on the floor. Petunia had thrown his 'worthless hide' outside for two day's for not getting the stain out.
He stared at the clean spot on the floor. Apparently, he was looking at it for too long because Snapes voice broke him from his memories.
"You do not need to stay. I can take you back to Cokeworth." Snape said softly.
Harry shook his head. He could do this.
"I could never get the stain up. It's like it mocked me my whole life." Harry said, shaking his head again.
He met Snapes gaze and gave him a tight smile.
"I'm fine." Harry said with a sigh and followed McGonagall into the sitting room.
This room, like the kitchen, was a disaster. It was obvious they'd packed in a hurry. There was shattered glass on the floor. Harry assumed from one of the pictures of Dudley that had previously decorated the walls.
Harry kicked a ball of newspaper away from his foot.
McGonagall tsked as she vanished the glass and papers.
"Not a very neat sort were they." McGonagall said as she vanished a pile of candy wrappers in a corner.
Harry was sure Dudley had just stood there watching Petunia pack, cramming sweets into his mouth.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"No." Harry said flatly, turning to look around the room.
"Is there any more space on the main floor?" McGonagall asked once the sitting room was tidied up.
Harry sighed.
"Um… Just the hall and the stairs. The garage is attached. Though I'm not sure what use wizards will have for the space." Harry said.
"Perhaps a potions lab if it can be warded properly?" McGonagall asked Snape.
Harry turned to look at Snape who had a critical look on his face as he seemed to be scrutinizing the house.
Harry swallowed. Snape knew what had happened here. More than McGonagall at least. Harry mentally chastised himself for telling the man so much.
"Perhaps. I will evaluate the space and we can have Mr. Weasley assess it when he arrives to see if warding it would be possible." Snape said.
McGonagall nodded and headed out of the sitting room into the hall. Harry felt like his legs were made of lead as he dragged himself behind her. Snape followed close behind. Harry tried to avoid looking at the cupboard under the stairs. Though his eyes still glanced at it as they walked into the hall. The air vent and lock were still installed in the door. It made him sick to even think about being shut in there. His chest began to feel tight as if he couldn't breathe.
Harry closed his eyes briefly.
He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Then he led the group up the stairs.
He knew that they would see the locks on his door. Some of the Order had seen them last summer when they had come for him. They hadn't said anything, So he supposed it didn't really make a difference.
"Um… there are four bedrooms and a bathroom up here." Harry said standing at the top of the stairs.
McGonagall stepped around him and pushed the door to Vernon and Petunia's room open.
Severus stepped around Harry who seemed to have frozen at the top of the stairs. Minerva had gone to the right into what looked like the master bedroom. Severus headed left. His brows furrowed when he saw all the locks on the first door he came to. There were six in a row above the knob.
He stepped closer and saw that each was locked. He waved his wand, and each fell open. He pushed the door open and was greeted with a small, grey room. This was the first room that had any furniture in it. It all seemed to be broken in one way or another. The floor was covered in stains and there was dust and cobwebs in the corners of the room. He thought it was strange to have so many locks on a storage room.
"Not much is it." Harry's voice said from the door.
Severus turned to look at him.
Harry's arms were wrapped around his middle, but he was leaning in a way that seemed relaxed against the door frame.
"Storage?" Severus asked.
Harry snorted and a disgusted look crossed his face.
"Freak storage." Harry scoffed.
Severus looked around the room.
"This was your room?" Severus asked quietly, as understanding dawned on him.
"It was Dudley's second room. They eventually shoved me in here with all of Dudley's broken stuff." Harry nodded to a shelf of broken children's toys and damaged books.
Severus took in the room with that perspective. The locks on the door certainly explained why Harry always slept with the door open. He wondered how often the boy had been locked in here.
He looked at the floor and felt his stomach roll.
"Are those blood stains?" Severus said quietly.
He hadn't realized he had asked the question out loud until Harry answered him.
"Yeah." Harry said resignedly.
Severus dragged his eyes from the stained floor to the boy standing in the door. He swallowed hard.
Harry's eyes seemed hollow as he shook his head and walked away from the room.
Severus could hear soft footfalls as Harry walked down the hall.
Severus closed his eyes. He had read the boy's medical exam. He had seen the boy's behavior. It was not new news that he had been brutalized. But looking at the heavily stained floor was horrifying. It brought reality to Harry's past. Severus felt rage run hot in his veins.
With a quick twist of his wand everything that had been left in the room vanished. When the room was empty Severus took in the floors and walls unobstructed.
He clenched his jaw and vanished the carpet. He cast scourgify at the wood floors underneath and at the walls and the ceiling.
Severus felt tears sting at his eyes and occluded the emotions back.
Taking a deep breath, he walked out of the sterilized room.
Minerva had cleaned the master bedroom as well as the two other bedrooms quickly. They had not been as messy as the ground floor.
When she turned to leave the last room, she found Harry standing at the doorway.
She gave him a tight smile. She was sure it was difficult for him to be back in this house. She hoped to transform it from this drab muggle dwelling into a vibrant Wixen space. Hopefully, it would help the boy move on. She hoped he wouldn't ever need to come back here regardless.
"I just need to clean the bathroom and then we can start picking colors for the walls and carpets." Minerva said with a smile.
Harry gave her a half smile and led her to the bathroom at the end of the hall.
Severus headed back to the main floor while Minerva and Harry finished up with the bathroom. He wanted to take a look at the garage. He found the door quickly and stepped into the space. It was empty other then what looked like some broken boxes in the corner. Out of curiosity he approached. The top one seemed to contain paperwork, like a desk drawer had been dumped out.
He picked up the top paper and looked at it. It was columns of numbers without any context. Severus shuffled through more of the papers that all seemed similar. He found one with Harry's name on it. It was a letter explaining the child support they would receive from the government for taking on an orphan. Severus sneered at the paper. He wondered if Harry knew that they had been receiving a monthly stipend for his care.
It was disgusting. What they had done to the boy had never been care. Not to mention constantly using the boy's cost of living as a tool to make him 'work for his keep'. If the boy didn't know, Severus wouldn't tell him. He couldn't imagine how Harry would take learning they had been paid for what they had done to him.
Severus sighed as he shuffled to the bottom of the box. Nothing else seemed to stand out. Then his eye caught something trapped in the bottom flap of the box. Severus brow creased as he prodded the white edge of something. What finally dislodged from the folds shocked him.
It was a polaroid photo. Harry couldn't have been more than about six, standing against some sort of shiny wall. He didn't have a stitch of clothing on and was covered in bruises and red welts. His arms were hung limply at his sides. His head was tipped down, but sad, haunted green eyes looked up through messy black hair. Severus turned his head and vomited onto the floor. He had not expected to find something like that.
Severus vanished the vomit and cast a brushing charm at his mouth. With a steadying breath he looked back into the box and saw that the photo had words written on the bottom.
'I know what you're doing Dursley.'
Severus only considered the message for a moment before he dropped all the paperwork back on top of the photo.
He tossed the box on the floor with disgust.
He stared at the box for a long moment. Then he swallowed the sour bile rising in his throat and turned away.
He turned his attention to the next box. He reached out tentatively and pulled the flaps open. His curiosity was now tainted with dread about what else he might find. He swore to himself that if he found any more photos like that of Harry, he didn't care what Albus wanted. They would all be leaving immediately, and he would be destroying the house on the way out.
Then he would be hunting down Harry's relatives, Severus thought viciously.
The photo seemed to have been burned into his mind. The message was just as cruel. Someone had known just how bad things had been for Harry and done nothing. Assuming by the state of undress, whoever had taken the photo had then gone on to abuse the boy as well. It was sickening. Moments like this Severus wondered if he was on the right side of the war. Perhaps just letting the Dark Lord destroy everything was the right choice. Was it truly a world worth saving?
With another deep breath Severus looked into the box in front of him.
This box seemed to hold broken toy soldiers, a soiled baby blanket, empty cleaning bottles and some torn up papers.
Severus reached out and took a few of the papers. He quickly realized that they were a child's drawings. His breath caught when one of the pieces he pulled out was large enough to hold an untidy scrawl in the corner. Harry's childish signature, Severus realized.
He gathered all of the scraps of paper and set them on the floor. He knelt next to them and with a wave of his wand cast a Reparo over them. He looked at the drawings laid out in front of him. They were good for a child. One showed a large man on a flying motorbike. Another showed two people surrounded in green. Severus felt his stomach clench remembering what Harry had said about green. This was the child's way of explaining his parents' death.
There were several of what looked like stairs and spiders. All of them seemed to also contain some sort of ball in the middle of the picture. There were also a few drawings of snakes and flowers.
Severus gathered all the drawings and shrunk them before putting them in his pocket. He didn't know if Harry would want them, but it felt wrong to get rid of them.
Severus moved the box with the blanket and toys onto the floor and looked into the last box. It didn't seem to have anything in it but half empty food packages. He kicked the last box over next to the first one. He sneered at the first box before casting Incendio at it. He wouldn't let Harry accidentally stumble across it, and vanishing it didn't seem sufficient.
When the box was only ash, he vanished the ash.
"Did the box offend you?" Harry asked from the door of the garage.
Severus spun on his heal having not heard the door open. He wondered how long Harry had been standing there.
"I simply wanted to assess the ventilation of the space. The box was muggle accounting papers." Severus lied.
Harry tipped his head and furrowed his eyebrows. Clearly, he hadn't fully gotten away with the lie. He swallowed hard and pulled his occlumency barriers up.
Harry nodded and stepped into the garage.
"Will it work for a potions lab?" Harry asked, looking around.
Severus took a breath and nodded.
Severus felt a strange tightness in his chest at seeing Harry after what he had discovered. He wished to keep the boy from ever having to face pain again. To keep him safe from the horrors of this world. Severus had realized by now that he was attached to Harry. It was a strange paternal feeling he had never expected to feel. It was unexpected, and he wondered if the feeling would last. Or if it would fade once he was no longer the child's guardian.
He longed to reach out and…and what? Severus thought to himself. Pat him on the shoulder? Hug him? Severus didn't know. He realized with a jolt that he wanted to comfort the boy as much as he wanted to comfort himself in that moment.
Severus shoved the ludicrous thought away so he could answer Harry's question.
"Yes, I believe with the right wards it will work." Severus said.
Harry nodded.
"Professor McGonagall and I have finished upstairs. She let me pick the colors of the rooms. She says we'll need to go shopping for the supplies." Harry explained.
Severus nodded.
"Let's break for lunch. Will get supplies after we eat and get this finished up." Severus said.
Harry nodded. He looked exhausted.
"Are you doing alright?" Severus asked worriedly.
He'd been concerned about bringing Harry back. The boy had frozen up a few times but then had seemed to move on. After seeing the blood in the boy's room and the horrifying picture, Severus found himself split between awe at Harry's resilience, and disgust in himself for bringing him here.
Fuck Albus. Severus should have stood up to the man the minute the words had left his lips last night. Instead he hadn't said anything and had let the abused boy in front of him decide.
"I just kind of feel numb. It was sort of my default being here." Harry said with a shrug.
Severus nodded and looked at the last two boxes.
"This one has some things in it. The other looks like it was just the back of the pantry. Do you wish to look in them before I vanish them?" Severus asked.
Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward with a nod.
He knelt and opened the box with the blanket. Severus noticed his shoulders tense and a sad look cross his face.
"I came here in this blanket. Petunia always talked about how careless it was to have left a child outside in November. They had told me that my parents' friends had dropped me off after the accident. Said they didn't have the decency to come during the day. Always told me they were all drunks and probably on drugs. I wanted to hate whoever it was. I wanted to hate my parents for dying. I just never could. I didn't care who they were. Or what their lives had been like. I just wanted one of their friends to come and take me away from this place. I was a freak and according to my aunt so were they. Maybe they would accept me." Harry said quietly, gently rubbing the blanket between his hands.
"Then I did get to leave. But even in the new world I found myself in, I was a freak." Harry said with disgust tossing the blanket back into the box.
With a wave of his hand, Harry vanished both boxes. Without another word he headed for the door. Leaving Severus staring after him.
Harry picked at his lunch. He wasn't feeling as bad about being back at Privet drive as he thought he would. He had been keeping the twins' words about it just being a house in the front of his mind. Honestly, with it sitting empty and his relatives gone it was easier to distance himself from the house.
Still, he couldn't dissolve all of the anxiety of being in the house. It was still the house he had spent the majority of his life in. It was still the same layout and still smelt the same. The rooms had all gotten a refreshing change of color though.
He had picked everyone's least favorite colors as he had gone around the house. Dudley's room was a burnt orange. His aunt and uncles' room was a bright yellow that his aunt loathed. The sitting room was feminine soft pink that his uncle would have lost it over. He had done the spare room a dusty rose that he remembered Marge disparaging when Petunia had bought new sheets for the room. He had let McGonagall choose the color of his old prison. He hadn't even stayed to see what color she had picked.
"Do you need a stomach soother?" Snape asked softly from across the table.
Harry shook his head.
He didn't know what to make of Snape's behavior. When he'd found the man in the garage, he had a vicious look on his face as he cast on a box. Harry had watched the box burn and when Snape had vanished the ash, Harry had finally made his presence known. Then Snape had lied. He wasn't sure what he was lying about, but it had been obvious that what the man had said wasn't the truth. Perhaps it was that he wasn't evaluating the ventilation. He had just been venting his anger.
Snape was also throwing him off. He had shown that he could be kind, even caring. However today he seemed to be treating Harry like he was made of glass and was going to shatter any moment. He wasn't, he refused to shed one more tear in that house. If he needed to have a breakdown, he would be holding out until he was comfortably back in his motel room tonight.
Harry dug back into his sandwich. It was actually rather good, he decided.
"We will head to the grocery store after this. We will stock the house with necessary supplies." McGonagall explained.
Harry nodded.
"What will we transfigure for the furniture?" Harry asked quietly, not wanting to be overheard by the next table.
"We'll acquire a box of wooden toothpicks as well as cotton balls. That is what Albus and I have used to make furniture like this in the past." McGonagall informed.
Harry nodded. That made sense. Transfigurations were often easiest when the item was already made of the material you wanted in the end. He often forgot that the headmaster had once been the transfiguration teacher. He wondered what he had been like as a professor. Perhaps one day he would ask McGonagall.
They finished there meal with quiet conversation about nothing in particular. Once they had paid, they made their way down the street to the grocery store.
Harry had shifted his appearance before they left the house. He looked more like Remus today. He had the same honey colored hair. It was styled short and wavy like he had seen in pictures of the man when he had been a teen. His eyes were a hazel color, dark green flecked with Amber. He hadn't wanted to be recognized by the people of little Whinging. They had despised him, his whole life. McGonagall and Snape had also noted that Death Eater's may still be in the area. He didn't want to make there little group a target.
They made their way through the store and back to the house quickly. Harry had been set to putting things away while McGonagall and Snape began transfiguring the furniture and staging the house.
Harry lost himself in the monotony of the task.
"I think that should do it for the bedrooms." Minerva said, lowering her wand.
Each room now had a bed and dresser. It was nothing fancy, but it was sufficient.
Severus nodded. He wanted to get out of this house. He hadn't minded spending the day with Harry and Minerva. However, knowing that this house was where the bulk of Harry's abuse had occurred was setting him on edge.
He had been thankful to see the locks that had previously been on Harry's door were gone.
"Let's head down. We'll finish up and hopefully Bill will be by shortly. Do you want me to be secret keeper for the property? I can tell you're not handling being here very well." Minerva said softly.
Severus gave her a sharp look. He was fine. He just wanted to get this accomplished and get out of here.
"No, I can do it." Severus said with a huff and headed down the stairs.
When they reached the entry way Severus noticed the door under the stairs. His house also had such a storage space. It might be a good place to store some extra blankets and pillows.
He walked towards the door and scrunched his brows. There was a vent and a lock on the door. Something clenched in his stomach. He looked over his shoulder to Minerva.
"What is it?" Minerva asked, coming closer.
"There's a lock…and an air vent on this door." Severus said softly.
Minerva gave him a concerned look.
Severus reached out and slid the lock before pulling the door open. The space was small and empty. Nothing but a few cobwebs in the corners. Then he noticed some deep brown spots on the floor. Blood. Old blood.
He pointed to it silently and looked to Minerva.
Minerva looked pale and was looking past him. She pointed at the door he was still holding.
Severus glanced at the door and felt his blood boil. The inside of the door was covered in deep scratches. The pattern was obviously from small human hands scratching desperately to get out.
Severus swallowed hard and vanished the door.
He cast his strongest cleaning charms around the small space. When he was done, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Let me Severus." Minerva said softly.
Severus wanted to scream and rage, but he knew his anger was not at Minerva. With a shaky breath he nodded and stepped away.
Coming to this house had been a mistake. Albus, buying it had been a mistake. Bringing Harry here was cruel.
Severus took deep breaths to calm his pounding heart.
Minerva transfigured the shelves inside to extend across the whole space. She cast a charm to turn the shelves and the walls inside a light blue to match the hall.
Severus felt like they were hiding a crime scene. Just because the evidence wasn't there anymore, didn't mean it hadn't happened.
Severus wondered how often the Dursley's had locked Harry in there. How long was he forced to sit there in the dark alone?
Severus could almost hear tiny pleas in his own head to be let out.
He shook his head and pulled his strongest occlumency shields completely up. The cold numbness fell over him and he now understood Harry's comment from earlier. He had been numb living here. There hadn't been another way without completely losing himself.
With one last shaky breath he followed Minerva into the sitting room.
Harry put the last of the perishable foods into the fridge and wondered how magic and electricity would work in this house. Were there specific rules? Nothing electric worked at Hogwarts. He had never seen anything electric in any of the magical places he had been. Here though, there was electric power, as well as muggle appliances.
He closed the fridge and considered Snapes house. It seemed mostly muggle, though Snape used magic in the house. Could the preservation charms be cast on the food and still allow the fridge to work? He decided he would look more into it when he had a chance.
He went about putting away the dry food in the pantry. He avoided thinking about the times he had wished the lock to open on his cupboard and it had. Sneaking silently into the kitchen to find something, anything to eat.
Harry blew a breath out and thought about the night before. He had enjoyed playing with Fred and George. It was even nice when Sirius had joined them. He hadn't talked much to Remus. Perhaps he hadn't been that impressed or interested in the potion.
He had hoped that he could show Remus how much he loved him. Maybe start earning some of that love in return. But Remus had seemed aloof at best last night.
Harry's mind started playing some of the memories he had seen in Remus' mind. Despite his hesitations about letting himself be close to anyone, he now felt close to Remus. Whenever he thought of him, he felt a warmth in his chest he couldn't really explain. He tried to chastise himself. Remind himself that he wasn't worthy of the man's love. Remind himself that he shouldn't allow himself to feel close to anyone. However, it was what he had desperately craved his whole life. Someone to love him. Maybe Remus really did.
Harry sighed. This train of thought was not helping him keep a clear mind. He began listing potions ingredients in his mind alphabetically.
When he had put the last of the items away, He heard his professors enter the kitchen.
"Are the other rooms already done?" Harry asked.
Snape had a blank mask on. Harry wasn't sure what to make of that. The man had seemed so off today. Then something occurred to him. Perhaps The reason Snape was so good at dealing with abused kids was because he had been one himself.
Harry cocked his head sideways and studied the man.
He had always assumed that Snape was a pureblood, though now he wondered if that was true. He had grown up in Cokeworth. A town mostly made of muggles. He had been friends with his mother, a muggle-born. Perhaps Snape himself was muggle-born. Though he quickly discounted that thought. He didn't think a muggle-born would have joined Voldemort. So maybe a half-blood then. Maybe one of his parents had been muggle. Had they had been like Harry's relatives? Fearing or hating magic? Why would Snape still live there if that was the case though? Did Snape feel the way Harry was right now, when he was home at Spinner's end?
Harry sighed and pushed the thought away for now.
"We are finished. Have you gotten everything put away?" McGonagall asked.
Harry nodded and pulled his gaze from Snape. He realized he had been staring at the man and blushed. It had been a very rude thing to do.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry answered.
McGonagall nodded.
Harry stepped out of her way as she cast charms on the food. Then they all stood quietly in the kitchen for a moment.
Harry bit his lip. He didn't really know what to say. He knew they were waiting for Bill and the headmaster but what were they supposed to do in the meantime.
"Shall we take a look at the grounds and see if anything needs to be addressed?" McGonagall finally said, Breaking the thick silence that had been hanging over the group.
Harry's eyes briefly flicked to Snape's before he nodded.
He quickly turned from the professors and headed out the back door.
He knew this yard like the back of his hand. He was sure with the aid of magic it could be fixed in no time.
Albus apparated just before dinner time into an alley in little Whinging. It was a warm July day, and the sun was just now starting to sink in the sky. He had spent his afternoon overseeing different properties. Bill had suggested last night that they address number four together, since wards already existed on the property.
Albus had agreed and had sent his Patronus just five minutes before to inform Bill that he was on his way to little Whinging.
Albus glanced around and a moment later there was another pop of apparition. Bill Weasley appeared next to him.
"Evening Headmaster." Bill said.
"Good evening. Thank you for doing all the warding today. I fear these houses will be needed sooner than we'd like." Albus said as he stepped out of the alley and began making his way down Privet Drive.
"Of course, headmaster. Though I must say I'm rather exhausted. It was a lot of magical usage to do all of the wards in a single day. I'm glad this property already has some existing wards." Bill said quietly.
Albus could see the exhaustion plain as day on his face.
"I'm sorry to have asked so much of you, my boy." Albus said earnestly.
There were few others he trusted as much as Bill when it came to wards. He was highly skilled at what he did.
When Albus reached the front door, he pulled it open and walked into the house. He took a moment to glance around. From the little he had seen before, it looked completely different. He was impressed with the work they had managed. Bill seemed a little stiff standing next to him, taking in the entry way of the house.
"Looks like they've done a nice job." Albus said, as he continued through the house looking for the others.
Albus stopped in the kitchen and checked that the cupboards had been stocked. With a nod, he looked up and caught sight of his professors out the back window.
Albus and Bill walked through the back door and into the back garden.
He caught his deputy's eye and frowned. She looked angry. Albus wondered if there had been some sort of disagreement. He thought Harry and Severus were getting along better. He had been ready to pull Harry out of Severus care after the occlumency disaster. Then things had seemed to improve so he had let things lie. Perhaps he should have taken Harry away.
Albus looked to Harry and Severus and could see no emotion at all on either of them. They were both occluding heavily. Albus frowned at that.
"Has something happened?" Albus asked curiously.
"No. I think we're about done out here. The house should be ready. I think all that's left is setting the wards." Harry answered to his surprise.
Albus nodded.
"Very well. Were there any specific concerns about the house?" Albus asked looking between Severus and Minerva.
"No, Albus." Minerva answered a little coldly.
Albus nodded.
Harry glanced at Snape for a moment before turning his attention back to Albus and Bill.
"We were thinking the garage could work for a potion's lab. We need to see if it can be warded properly first though. Snape…Professor Snape already got it cleared out and…and checked for ventilation." Harry said, turning his attention to Bill.
Bill nodded.
"Sure Harry. Why don't you show me the way?" Bill asked.
Harry nodded and they headed into the house.
Albus stood in a strange silence with Minerva and Severus. He looked between them in concern.
"What's going on?" Albus asked.
Severus clenched his jaw. There was a quick shake of his head before he looked away.
Albus could see anger flash in his eyes.
"Nothing Albus. It has been a rather long day and I think we'd all like to go home." Severus said stiffly.
Albus glanced to Minerva and nodded his head.
"Very well." Albus said.
"Shall we." Albus added gesturing to the house.
He was sure something was going on. Perhaps he would talk to Minerva in the coming days.
They walked into the house and headed for the sitting room, where they found Harry and Bill discussing the wards.
"That's amazing. Maybe you could recommend some books. I'd love to learn more about warding. Hermione has explained some about runes and arithmancy. I've started on some self-study this summer. I wish I had taken the classes. Ron wanted to stick with things he thought would be simple." Harry said with a slight grin.
Bill laughed lightly and nodded.
Albus cleared his throat as they entered.
"What was your assessment of the space? It would be nice to have another property with a lab. Other than Grimmauld only one other house had the appropriate space." Albus inquired. He wanted to give his people the best chance of making it out of the war.
His self-reflection this summer had made him painfully aware of the lack of security he had truly offered those he considered friends and allies. He wanted them to feel secure and as safe as they could in the middle of a war.
Albus had been overseeing the orders training at the school. They were all coming along nicely. But the ability to fight only went so far, as this most recent attack had shown. He had been impressed with the story he had heard. The three students had been more of a force than he had suspected. According to Micheal Bell, Katie had performed spells they hadn't been aware were even taught at Hogwarts. Albus suspected that Harry's group training likely had something to do with that.
Albus hoped that the war would end before more of his students were put in such a situation.
He had managed to get his notes together quicker than he had originally thought. He planned to speak with Severus and Minerva about the Horcruxes in the coming weeks. He feared his days were numbered and he could not die holding the keys to success in the war. If the Horcruxes were not found and destroyed, they would lose the war.
The only thing he hadn't made up his mind on was weather or not to include Harry in these conversations. It pained him to know that the boy would need to be told. That he would have to die.
"It's a good space for a lab. I've warded it. It will only need to be set up now. I've added the other wards we discussed as well." Bill said with a nod.
Albus nodded and turned to look at Severus and Minerva.
"Have you decided who will be the secret keeper for this property? I plan for you all to know its location. I've done the same for the other properties. This way each group in the order knows of at least one safe house if it becomes necessary." Albus said.
"I'd like to do it, Sir." Harry said, surprising Albus.
Albus heard a slight gasp from Minerva and shot her a questioning look. He definitely felt like things were being kept from him now. He knew he couldn't know everything. He also still felt that he had made enough mistakes thinking that he did know everything. If his friends were keeping things from him, perhaps it was for the best. He just hoped they would come to him eventually.
"Harry, I'm not sure that's a good idea." Severus said, stepping towards the boy.
Harry set his jaw and looked Severus in the eye.
"I would like to know that I have a safe place to send my friends, if they are in danger. If I'm secret keeper, I'll be able to do that. We have no idea what things will look like in a few months. Or by next summer." Harry said firmly.
Albus acknowledged that it wasn't the worst idea. Though Harry wasn't technically part of the Order yet. Over the next year he expected that Harry would become increasingly involved.
"I think Harry is right. We have properties that are being kept by aurors and professors. Perhaps having one of the secrets guarded by a student wouldn't be a bad idea." Albus said thoughtfully.
There were a few moments of silence as each of the five of them thought for a moment. Severus eventually nodded.
"Very well." Severus drawled, not taking his eyes off of Harry.
Albus nodded.
They all made there way out of the house and onto the street.
They stood just outside the wards and Albus raised his wand. This was the fifth time today he had cast the charm, and it was creating quite a physical and magical drain.
When the charm was complete the house was gone from sight.
Albus looked to Harry who seemed to be staring at the space between number two and number six.
"You alone now hold a secret that the rest of us don't know. You are the only one who can share the secret." Albus explained.
Harry stared at number four. He had seen the shimmering aura as the charm had covered the house. He knew he was the only one who could see it now. Part of him didn't want to share it with anyone. Just let the house be lost to time. It could sit and rot like he had done living there.
Harry shook his head. He knew he couldn't do that.
He pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket and wrote on it.
'Honeysuckle house is located at number four Privet Drive, Surrey.'
Harry had picked Honeysuckle when they had been cleaning up the back garden. His aunt had him cut the poor plant nearly to the ground every year because it clashed with the other flowers. Secretly he thought she just had him do it because they were Harry's favorites. However, the house was now painted Honeysuckle yellow, and Harry felt that it had been a fitting name. One last 'fuck you' to his relatives.
Harry handed the paper to Snape first, with a nod.
Snape took the paper, read it, and glanced back at the house. Then handed it back. Harry repeated the process with McGonagall and Bill before turning to the headmaster.
He hesitated at this point. Did he want to share the location with him? Perhaps it would be good to have a place safely away from the headmaster.
Harry cocked his head and thought about the war. He thought about what the man had done. The good and the bad. He remembered what Mary had said about adults making the best decisions they could with the information they had. He concluded that he couldn't judge the man for his tough decisions. He hadn't always made the best ones, but he had come to Harry's aid last year at the Ministry. He had saved Snape from the Death Eaters. He was trying to defeat Voldemort. Those things had shown that the man did care.
With a deep breath Harry held the paper out to the headmaster.
Dumbledore nodded and took the paper.
Once they all knew where the house was it was time to leave. Snape would return next week to set up the lab and stock the potions cupboard.
There were quick goodbyes before Bill and Dumbledore apparated away.
Harry now stood with Snape and McGonagall. He bit his lip. He had a request, but it felt childish to make.
"Thank you for changing the house so much. It doesn't even feel like the same place anymore. I…I think I needed to come here. See it change." Harry said softly.
Snape nodded in understanding. Harry wondered if this was why the man wanted to work on his own house. Why hadn't he done it before? They had practically remodeled all of number four today. Surely, they could do the same to Spinners end. Why was he doing everything the muggle way? Questions for later he decided.
"Were glad we were able to do that Harry." McGonagall said with a faint smile.
Harry nodded.
"I um…I have a request." Harry said glancing between the two adults before looking down. He scuffed the toe of his trainer.
"Anything Harry." Snape said earnestly.
"It's a strange request…But I fear this won't be the last time I'm here. Are there any charms we can cast to change the scent of the house?" Harry asked softly.
The smell had been the most triggering thing all day. It was almost dizzying to Harry. The overwhelming cleaner smells as well as the sweet Rose sent that Petunia always sprayed around the house. There were other smells underneath that Harry couldn't identify but it made his stomach feel sick.
Snape looked at Harry a little intensely and nodded.
They all trudge back into the house. McGonagall cast a spell and Harry was surprised to find the air in the house had no smell at all. It was strange for there to be an absence of scent. Then he saw Snape twist his wand and cast a few charms.
A moment later the smell was completely different. The house smelt like Honeysuckles. There was a soft spicy smell underneath, like potions ingredients or fresh baking. It was hard to identify but it was perfect. Harry smiled.
He looked around the house and finally felt he was free of this place. He swallowed hard when he noticed the door on the cupboard was gone and shelves took up the space.
"Perfect. Thank you." Harry said around a lump in his throat.
There were a few polite goodbyes with McGonagall before she left.
With one last look at the house, Harry took Snapes arm and was spun away from little Whinging.