A/N: Hello! Thank you for your wonderful response. Here's Chapter 2.
CHAPTER 2
Severus Snape was not one to be amused easily, especially not in the summer when he preferred the solitude of his small cottage on the outskirts of London. However, this summer was different. Albus Dumbledore had asked him to stay back at Hogwarts to restock potions for the Infirmary, as Madam Pomfrey was tending to her ailing sister. It meant Snape had to endure a few extra weeks at the castle, much to his annoyance.
He had cast a charm to alert him to any late-night owls, and when Harry Potter's owl arrived at 2 am, Snape's irritation peaked. Reluctantly, he read the letter, but instead of further annoyance, Snape found a rare amusement in it. It was gratifying to see his long-standing belief vindicated—James Potter's son was proving to be as reckless, undisciplined, and impetuous as his father.
Now, seated comfortably in Dumbledore's office, Snape smirked as though he had secured the rarest potion ingredient. Dumbledore, currently writing a letter, had summoned him after lunch, likely to discuss Potter's letter and the possibility of expulsion.
"Severus," Dumbledore finally addressed him.
Snape looked up with a small, victorious smile. "Albus. Do you want me to write the letter?"
"Letter? What letter are you referring to, Severus?" Dumbledore asked with genuine confusion.
"The letter for Potter's expulsion, of course," Snape smirked knowingly.
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Oh, Severus, you do have a sense of humor."
Snape's smile faltered. "Albus, does this mean you've already expelled him, or are you letting his behavior slide yet again?" His voice held restrained anger, and Dumbledore sighed.
"Severus, you know very well I cannot expel Harry, especially now with Voldemort's resurgence," Dumbledore explained patiently.
"Do you expect me to forget what happened then? Like the countless other times when the boy has disrespected me and undermined my authority?" Snape thundered. "I know he's crucial for the wizarding world's survival, but he needs to understand that actions have consequences! His behaviour is simply unacceptable, Albus. You cannot let this continue!"
"Severus, will you listen to me?" Dumbledore interjected firmly, successfully cutting off Snape's tirade. Snape huffed, uncharacteristically wrapping his cloak around himself tightly and sitting rigidly.
"Severus, I don't mean to sound lenient. What Harry did was wrong, and I'm not dismissing that," Dumbledore assured him. "I understand he needs to respect you. After all, you play a pivotal role in his survival—"
"I don't—" Snape began, but Dumbledore continued.
"—and so, something must be done. Harry clearly needs reprimanding. I've already taken the first step toward that."
Snape knew Dumbledore well enough. The twinkle in the old man's eyes usually signalled something positive for the public, but Snape knew better. It never boded well for him.
He growled in frustration. "Albus, what sort of atrocity have you concocted this time?"
"Oh, Severus, no atrocity at all," Dumbledore replied cheerfully. "I simply wrote a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, informing them of my intention to visit this evening—"
Severus squinted, trying to discern the issue when it became apparent.
"—with you."
There it is.
"With... me?" he asked incredulously.
/
Despite several attempts to extricate himself, Snape ultimately found himself standing in front of Number 4 Privet Drive.
"I shall wait outside," he announced firmly.
"Absolutely not," Dumbledore countered, proceeding to walk up to the porch.
Snape rolled his eyes and reluctantly followed. Just as Dumbledore was about to ring the bell, the door swung open, revealing Vernon Dursley, scowling deeply as he ushered them inside.
"Don't go ringing any doorbells now, don't want the neighbours to see you freaks," Vernon grumbled, eyeing Dumbledore's colourful attire and Snape's black cloak with disdain.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Dursley," Dumbledore greeted cheerfully, unaffected by Vernon's rude demeanour. "How are you today?"
Dursley shot him a glare before leading them into the parlour. Snape's first impression of Dursley wasn't favourable—the man was like a walrus, his behaviour toward Dumbledore only fuelling Snape's simmering anger. Still, he kept quiet, observing the house with keen interest. He had expected some sign of Potter's birthday celebration, but the Dursleys didn't even have a photo of him displayed.
'Strange, but unsurprising,' Snape thought with a sneer.
"Ah, Petunia, lovely to see you," Dumbledore greeted, interrupting Snape's thoughts.
"Albus," Petunia responded curtly. "Just take the boy and leave. We don't want him here."
"Come now, Petunia. You've cared for him for so many years; one would think you would have grown fond of him."
"Fond of him?" Vernon interjected angrily. "He's unlikable, that brat. Ungrateful, little runt! ALways bringing trouble and bad luck upon us. He deserves nothing but the worst!"
Petunia's gaze landed on Snape, and she shrieked in horror. "You?!" she exclaimed.
"Good to see you, Tuney," Snape smirked. He despised this woman with all his being.
"Don't call me that, you freak," Petunia retorted.
Snape rolled his eyes, far past such childishness.
"Where is young Harry?" Dumbledore inquired loudly. "It's his birthday, after all. Surely you have plans?"
"What plans? What birthday?" Vernon sneered. "We don't care."
"And if you do, just take him with you. How many times do we have to tell you? We. Don't. Want. Him," Petunia added vehemently.
"Where is Harry?" Dumbledore pressed again, the polite tone evaporating.
"How would we know?" Vernon sneered.
"I saw him," a timid voice spoke from the doorway. "I saw him at the playground about twenty minutes ago."
Dumbledore and Snape turned to see Dudley Dursley standing there, looking at them with a scared expression.
Just then, the front door creaked open, and Harry stepped inside. He was about to ignore everyone and head upstairs when Vernon called him.
"Potter! Get in here."
Harry winced and glanced at Dudley, who merely shrugged. Slowly, Harry walked inside, his eyes widening at the sight of his two professors.
"P-Professor Dumbledore," Harry stammered. "And... Professor Snape."
"Harry!" Dumbledore exclaimed, rising to greet him. "Happy Birthday, my boy!"
"Thank you," Harry replied with a tentative smile, then turned to Snape, who gave him a sour scowl.
"Potter!" Vernon barked. "Why are they here? What did you do?"
"I... I didn't do anything," Harry replied, glancing nervously at Snape, who raised an eyebrow sardonically.
"Why don't you leave us for a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley?" Dumbledore suggested firmly.
Vernon huffed and led Petunia away, and Dudley disappeared down the hallway.
"Sit down, Harry," Dumbledore instructed kindly, conjuring tea. "I don't suppose we can expect tea from your aunt."
Harry managed a sad smile and shook his head. "Sorry, sir."
"So, Harry, what have you been up to today?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"Nothing special, sir," Harry replied, expecting the worst.
"I hear from Professor Snape that you had quite some... fun last night," Dumbledore remarked, peering over his spectacles.
Harry glanced at Snape, who was smirking. "Underage drinking is not permitted even in the Wizarding world, Potter," Snape interjected.
"Sir, I'm really sorry for the letter," Harry said, looking at Dumbledore. "It was a huge mistake, and I've learned my lesson."
Snape snorted derisively.
"I'm not the one to whom you need to apologize, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly, his eyes twinkling.
Harry looked at Snape uncertainly, then sighed, realizing what was expected. "Professor Snape, I'm sorry for my actions last night. It was wrong of me to send you that letter. Please forgive me."
"I don't need your apology, Potter," Snape replied coldly. "Drink all you want. I'm only here on the headmaster's orders."
Harry looked at Dumbledore, shrugging helplessly. "Well, I tried," he muttered.
"We cannot let this behaviour slide, Harry. So, when the term starts, you shall have a week of detention with Professor Snape."
Harry groaned inwardly but nodded. Snape was looking at Dumbledore with an incredulously expression. A week's detention with Potter was more like a punishment for Snape than Harry.
Albus smiled warmly at Harry before standing up. Snape and Harry followed suit. Dumbledore moved toward Harry, cupping his face with one hand.
"Are you doing well, my boy?" Dumbledore asked, peering into Harry's eyes, making the younger wizard gulp nervously.
"Yes, Headmaster," Harry replied quickly, blinking rapidly. "I'm good, really."
Dumbledore nodded uncertainly before producing a small packet from his robes. "Before I forget, I've had this for a while, thought you might like it. A little birthday present."
"Sir, you really didn't have to," Harry said, genuine surprise lighting up his face as he accepted the gift and opened it slowly. Inside was a small wooden box with various strings.
"It's a music box," Dumbledore explained. "It captures any sounds you like and plays them back later."
"Wow, like a recorder," Harry exclaimed. "It can record any number of sounds?" Dumbledore nodded.
"Thank you, sir!" Harry grinned, genuinely touched.
While Dumbledore continued to talk to Harry, Snape quietly slipped outside, standing on the porch his disdain for the situation evident in every tense line of his frame. Severus grumbled silently about being dragged into what he deemed yet another of Potter's misadventures. He tapped his foot impatiently, the mere thought of Potter's antics irking him further.
"Excuse me, Mister?"
Severus turned sharply at the sound of a timid voice. Standing beside him was Dudley Dursley, Harry's large cousin, looking unusually nervous.
"Are you a teacher at Harry's school?" Dudley asked cautiously, eyeing Severus as if expecting him to lash out.
"Yes," Severus replied curtly, eyebrow raised. He was intrigued by Dudley's approach, though he remained guarded.
"Sir…" Dudley hesitated, glancing around nervously before continuing, "you should take Harry with you."
Severus nearly scoffed in disbelief. "What?"
"He's not happy here…" Dudley's voice trailed off uncertainly.
"Just because your parents don't cater to his every need doesn't mean he's unhappy, Mr. Dursley," Severus retorted with a hint of irritation, dismissing Dudley's concern.
Dudley looked genuinely confused. "Needs? What needs? Harry has never asked for anything."
Severus was taken aback. Dudley's words were contradictory to what he expected from the Dursleys.
"Did he put you up to this?" Severus asked sharply, suspecting some sort of trickery from Potter.
Dudley shook his head adamantly. "Look, all I can say is that he's not had a decent meal in this house for years. My parents don't like him. Just… take him away if you can. Help him. Because God knows Potter won't ask for help himself."
Severus was at a loss for words. Dudley's plea seemed genuine; his demeanour surprisingly earnest. The mention of Harry not having a decent meal in years struck a chord of concern in Severus, though he tried to mask it.
"Why are you telling me this?" Severus asked, his voice softer now, betraying his confusion.
"You're the only one who's visited except the old man," Dudley shrugged. "He knows, but he doesn't do anything."
Severus blinked, his mind racing to make sense of Dudley's revelations. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place, painting a darker picture of Harry's home life than Severus had ever imagined.
"Look, Harry…he's been hanging out with the wrong crowd," Dudley continued, his voice tinged with worry. "I've read about this in school. Children who aren't loved at home usually take the wrong path."
"Wrong crowd?" Severus scoffed disbelievingly. "Potter is the wrong crowd."
Dudley shook his head solemnly. "I-I am probably the last person to say all this, but Harry saved my life last year. It changed me. I started seeing things in a different perspective."
Before Severus could respond, footsteps approached from inside the house.
"Take him." Dudley pleaded one last time before diappearing outside through the garden.
Albus Dumbledore emerged, breaking Severus' tense train of thought.
"Shall we, Severus?" Albus asked, oblivious to the conversation that had just transpired.
With Dudley's words echoing in his mind Severus nodded mechanically in response to Albus.
As they walked towards the apparition point, Severus stole a glance at Harry standing by the window, his expression a mix of resignation and silent plea. It was a look that seared into Severus's conscience, leaving him with a thousand unanswered questions.
/
Severus Snape retired to his quarters later that evening, nursing a glass of FireWhiskey that did little to soothe his troubled mind. The encounter at the Dursleys' had left an indelible mark, replaying in his thoughts like a relentless echo.
Vernon and Petunia's hostility towards Harry, Dudley's unexpected plea for Harry's well-being—all of it weighed heavily on Severus. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had stumbled upon a truth buried beneath the facade of the Dursleys' disdain.
Lost in contemplation, Severus realized he hadn't even known what Albus had given Harry for his birthday. The visit couldn't have been merely about Harry's feeble apology; there was something deeper at play, something that gnawed at Severus's insides.
"Albus," Severus muttered, setting down his empty glass with a sigh, "what game are you playing?"
The clock struck 11:30 PM, and Severus knew he needed answers, yet he resigned himself to waiting until morning. Fatigue weighed heavily on his shoulders, and despite the tumult in his mind, he succumbed to sleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
/
The next morning, Albus Dumbledore felt a rare sense of satisfaction as he reflected on Severus's unexpected visit. The potions master had confronted him about Harry's living conditions, prompted by Dudley Dursley's startling revelations.
"Severus, what do you want me to tell you?" Albus had responded calmly. "It is what it is."
Severus had persisted, demanding that Harry be moved somewhere else for the summer, citing concerns about the company he was keeping and the detrimental effect it might have on him and in turn, on the war.
"He is your precious Golden Boy." Severus said mockingly. "Do you really want a drunk and a drug addled boy standin- more like swaying against the darkest wizard of all times?"
"And where should I send him?" Albus had countered, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "He's cut off from his friends for the summer. I can't send him to the Grangers' or the Weasleys'. As it is it won't be feasible for their families however warm and welcoming they might be."
Severus's frustration had been palpable. "Send him to Grimmauld Place."
Albus had raised an eyebrow. "Under whose protection?"
"He's 16! He can handle himself!" Severus had argued passionately. "He can live alone."
Albus had hesitated, considering Severus's proposal carefully. "Do you really think so? Staying at his Godfather's place who recently just died. To top that his alleged drinking, Severus, that's cruel even for you."
"Albus, clearly you don't want him to stay there at the Dursleys', and nor does he," Severus had asserted, pacing with agitation. "You took me there to get an opinion. This is my opinion. Take him away, put him up at Grimmauld Place."
Albus had steepled his hands thoughtfully. "I will have to think."
"He's drinking, Albus," Severus had added pointedly, his unusual concern for Harry's welfare overriding his usual composure. "How long do you think until he gets involved in other things? What's next, smoking? Drugs? Marijuana?"
"Severus, this is unlike you," Albus had remarked gently, observing the rare display of emotion from the usually stoic professor.
"I do care, Albus!" Severus had erupted, his voice raw with intensity. "I care because he is Lily's son. I care because he is a child who didn't have a choice. I care because I am—"
"—a father?" Albus had interjected with a knowing smile.
Severus had huffed in response, his thoughts momentarily drifting to his own daughter, Elara Snape, who was currently seven years old. Elara had come into his life unexpectedly, a result of his own youthful indiscretion. Despite the challenges and initial thoughts of leaving the baby on the steps of an orphanage, Severus had embraced fatherhood with a fierce determination, keeping Elara a secret from all but a few trusted confidants.
"Where is our little Elle?" Albus had inquired warmly, using the nickname by which Severus usually called her.
"She's at school," Severus had replied, checking his watch. "I have to go and pick her up soon."
Albus nodded knowingly, understanding the complexities of Severus's dual life as a father and a formidable potions master.
"Albus, think about it. Grimmauld Place is the only option," Severus had stated firmly before preparing to leave. "I will see you later."
With that, Severus had departed, leaving Albus to ponder the weight of his words and the implications of Severus's impassioned plea.
As Albus pondered Severus's suggestion, his mind raced through the implications. Grimmauld Place was indeed a secure location, protected by ancient magic and linked closely to the Order of the Phoenix. It would provide Harry with a safe haven away from the toxicity of the Dursleys, whom Severus had described with disdainful accuracy.
Yet, moving Harry was not a decision to be taken lightly. Albus knew the boy's resilience, but he also understood the dangers that lurked around him, especially if he fell into the wrong hands. Severus's revelation about Harry's recent behavior—drinking, and the hint at potentially worse influences—was troubling. It was a stark reminder of how fragile a teenager's path could become without proper guidance and care.
Albus sighed deeply, his thoughts turning briefly to Severus and his daughter, Elara. The child had been a secret well-kept, even from the majority of the Order. It spoke volumes about Severus's private struggles and his fierce protectiveness over the ones he loved—a trait Albus had seen in Lily Potter and now recognized in Severus himself.
"Severus cares deeply," Albus murmured to himself, "perhaps more than he lets on."
He knew that Severus's proposal was not just about relocating Harry to a safer environment but also about fulfilling a duty to protect the son of Lily Potter—a duty he had sworn to uphold, even at great personal cost.
Albus's resolve hardened. Grimmauld Place could indeed be a sanctuary for Harry, but the logistics and safety measures needed careful consideration. He would have to ensure the wards were reinforced, additional protections put in place, and regular check-ins organized to monitor Harry's well-being. However, maybe there was a better and safer way?
Rising from his desk, Albus summoned Fawkes, his loyal phoenix, who appeared in a burst of flames. The bird trilled melodiously, sensing its master's thoughts.
"Dear Fawkes," Albus addressed the phoenix, "we have much thinking to do."
With a flutter of fiery wings, Fawkes took flight, disappearing through the open window.
Albus Dumbledore stood by the window for a moment, gazing out at the grounds of Hogwarts. The stars twinkled in the night sky, a reminder of the vast universe beyond their magical world. But tonight, his focus was on one young wizard, burdened by a legacy and surrounded by shadows.
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