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Chapter Five

Harry rose early the next morning. The unease in his stomach following the events of yesterday seemed to now have settled. He was far from used to the idea, but had agonizingly come to accept that this was just the way things were. He decided, as he dressed for the day, that despite his new found status of blood, he would forever be Harry James Potter. For the past 13 years he had answered to that title and for the rest of his life he would continue to do so. Crossing the room into the boys bathroom, he splashed water across his face and instinctively drew his hand to his head, in an attempt to tame his wild hair. However, Harry found that his hair did not stand at it's usual height and looking up at his reflection he gasped slightly. Instead of a. thick bushy dark brown hair that stuck up in 90 different directions, Harry now had raven black hair that seemed to just flop lamely around his face. In a panic he brushed his fingers manically through his mane in an attempt to regain his 'Potter fuzz' as was often referred to by his aunt and uncle. His hair instead flopped messily in front of his eyes.

"No!" he yelled, banging his fists against the sink.

The bright sunshine that slithered through the glass windows and should have brightened Harry's mood, suddenly felt like a nuisance presence. He crossed the room and angrily shut the curtains. He knew that it was just hair and that he should really get over it. But it was his hair; the wild unmistakable trait of a Potter family member. It was his father's hair….

It was James Potter's hair, a voice echoed in his head.

"Shut up!" he snapped at no one.

"Harry Potter?" Harry turned to face the familiar voice. It was Dobby. "Headmaster Dumbledore has requested Dobby to take Harry Potter to his office. Headmaster sir wishes for Harry Potter to meet his father."

"He's not my father, Dobby." Harry grumbled, pushing past the house elf and making his way out of Gryffindor tower. Such a mood he was in that he marched straight through the silver figure of the Fat Friar.

"I say!" the Fat Friar roared, slapping his hands to his hips, "How awfully rude it is of that Potter boy."

Snape boy, said the annoying voice in Harry's head. As he turned to corner out of the ghosts view, he muttered a silent profanity at the voice in his head. The walk to Dumbledore's office felt strangely quick. Before he knew it, he was muttering the password and knocking on the door. The brown door flew open and Harry crossed the threshold. The scene before him shook a wave of nausea through his stomach. He felt unwell and wanted to go back to his dinky bedroom in Privet Drive. Sitting behind the large oak desk was Professor Dumbledore. He smiled graciously, as always, and as usual, there was the ridiculous blue twinkle in his eye. Since his first year at Hogwarts, Harry had found that twinkle Dumbledore often did to be infuriating. It was a knowing twinkle. One that made Harry feel like his insides were being scrutinized and that every emotion he felt was available to Dumbledore to openly read at ease. At the other side of the desk and sitting quite rigid in his chair, looking equally as uncomfortable as Harry, was Professor Snape. Glancing at the Professor, Harry drew a hand to his hair and ruffled it.

"I trust you slept well, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, indicating toward a seat next to Snape. Harry stared at the seat and choose to seat himself further from the Slytherin Head of House. "Your sleep, Harry." Dumbledore said again.

"It was good." he replied.

Dumbledore smiled. Clapping his hands together he leaned forward on his elbows. "I trust I do not need to explain further why either of you have found yourself taken from the beautiful sunshine of today." There was no reply. "I understand that it may be difficult for you to come to terms with what faith has handed you. I too admit that I am puzzled and am as shocked as both of you are. However, I feel that it is best for you to put aside any rifts which exist, so that you may move on happily."

"Yes headmaster." was Severus's reply.

Harry inwardly growled at his reply. He hated how understanding he was of the situation and how care free he seemed. Then it clicked inside him. Harry now understood. Snape wasn't going to loath the situation. Why would he when he could now use it against Harry? Harry's insides turned at the thought of Snape announcing to the entire Slytherin house that he was Harry Potter's father. Imagine the looks on there faces, on everyone's faces. The taunts he'd get. Slytherin's would now get away with picking on him ten fold if they found out he was Snape's son. Snape hated him anyway but at least as a teacher there were limits to the pain he could unfold. As a guardian though…. Merlin knows only what he could do.

"I want to go back to Privet Drive now." Harry said, staring blankly at the Headmaster.

"I'm afraid that can't be done, Harry. I do not think you will be returning to Privet Drive anytime soon. In the mean time we've found other means of keeping you safe and housed and I assure you, you will enjoy them immensely."

"I want to go back to Privet Drive… I've got my bags packed, I want to go. Why can't I go?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, I trust you've been informed of your reasons for staying in Privet Drive?" Harry nodded. He knew all about it, the charms and enchantments, the risks of leaving and the protection he needed. But he still wanted to go back. It was far better. "Those charms and enchantments no longer exist. The protection line has faltered and you are no longer safe to wonder freely in the muggle world. So for the remaining summer months, you will take up residence with Professor Snape."

As shocked as Harry was at the prospect of remaining with Snape for the summer, he was equally pleased that Dumbledore had referred to him as Professor Snape, rather than "Your father" as McGonagall had done so.

"It is not an appealing position, I understand that Harry. But you must realise that Professor Snape too has put much on the line to ensure your safety. His summer work will suffer due to these circumstances."

Harry frowned. "Excuse me, but it's not as if I asked for this. In fact, if I owned a time turner like that one there," he snapped pointing behind Dumbledore towards the cupboards, "I'd go back all those years before I was born and stop anything from happening! It's his fault!"

"He has a name, Mr Potter." Severus hissed, hardly moving in his seat.

"No, I'm Mr Potter. Not you." Harry challenged.

"Do not speak to me in such a manner!" Severus said loudly, clenching the arms of his seat. "You do not even realise the extent of which people have gone to protect you."

"Severus please, calm down." warned Professor Dumbledore. He stared knowingly down at the Potions Master over his half moon spectacles. Professor Snape clenched his lips shut tightly. Harry could hear him breath rapidly through his nose. "Now the both of you need to take time to understand that whether you like it or not, this is happening. Your faiths have been entwined and that's just the way things are. I suggest to you, Mr Potter, that you go at once to pack your belongings and make yourself presentable within the hour in the main hall. "

Harry stared open mouthed from Headmaster to Potions master. He could not comprehend the situation at hand and never before had he felt so belittled and betrayed. The look on Dumbledore's face told him all to well that the conversation was ended and there would be no more discussion. Dramatically and with a flamboyant stamp, Harry shoved his chair back and stormed from the office. He did not even care to shut the door behind him and as he stormed down the spiral staircase, felt he should have at least closed it behind him; not through curtsey , rather with the aim of slamming it rudely.

The walk to Gryffindor tower felt ghost like. Harry took no notice of his route but before he knew it had muttered the password and was fiddling around with his socks, stuffing them roughly into his trunk. Before shutting his trunk, Harry reached out for the photo album he had been given as a present by Hagrid at the end of his first year at Hogwarts. The album was bound in a beautiful red leather, with a large golden buckle on the front. Harry opened the book to his favourite page. A picture of himself, Lily and James; all sitting next to the Christmas tree, Harry sitting in James's lap and clutching a large wrapped gift. He touched the picture delicately, his fingers shaking as he traced the outline of his fathers face, then rubbed his fingers against his own face. A single tear fell from his eyes and splashed recklessly over James's face.

"Mr Potter, sir." a high pitched voice called from the door way. Harry quickly shut the book and flung it into his trunk.

"What?" he asked a little aggressively and then turned, his expression softened upon seeing the young house elf he had gotten into trouble before. "I mean, yes?"

The elf beamed. "Harry Potter is wanted at the main entrance by Professor Snape, sir." The elf rushed forward and grabbed the handle of Harry's trunk. "Can Tutter carry Mr Potter's trunk for him?" But before Harry could reply, the elf, now known as Tutter, had already dragged the trunk from the bed and was heading noisily down the stairs. Harry grabbed his jacket and rushed after the elf, remembering to grab his wand from the couch in the common room. He followed Tutter to the entrance hall, cringing every time the elf pulled the trunk down the step. Harry never noticed just how loud sounds vibrated around Hogwarts when it was empty. It seemed strange, almost eerie to be here in the empty corridors. His heart suddenly jerked in excitement at the thoughts of wandering around the halls in September, pushing through crowds and sneakily casting charms behind the watchful eyes of the professors. He was quickly pulled from his fantasy by another loud bang from his trunk.

"Let me help you with that." Harry suggested, eyeing the struggling elf. He twisted his wand and mttered "Wingardium leviosa". The trunk slowly rose a few inches above the stone floor but the elf continued to tug it along. Harry scowled at the elf's back. The suddenly, the drunk clattered noisily to the floor and Harry felt his wand being ripped from his grasp. He gasped and clutched at the thin air it left behind.

"Magic is forbidden in the corridors, Mr Potter." The sleek voice belonging to Professor Snape came from the entrance to the dungeons and with it the professor slowly emerged from the shadow gate way.

Harry clenched his fist tightly. A roaring fire seemed to erupt in his stomach and he struggled to retain his temper. "It's the summer." he said through gritted teeth.

"It's the rules." Severus replied and he twirled Harry's wand between his fingers, then pocketed it between his robes. "Consider yourself lucky that confiscation is the only thing to happen. Unfortunately, not even I have the ability to take points from offending houses during the summer."

Harry opened his mouth to protest loudly, but quickly shut it when he saw Severus reaching out to take his trunk. He snatched it quickly and dragged it towards him. Severus smirked at him then withdrew his hand.

"Suit yourself, carry it all the way."

Harry dragged his trunk breathlessly through the town of Hogsmeade. Despite being angry at Severus for snatching his wand and angry at himself for being so defensive he ended up having to drag his trunk around with him, despite all of this, he still managed to swivel his head left to right and up and down at all the fascinating shops he had just briefly had the chance to see while sneaking to Hogsmeade trips last year. Last year, the third years got to visit Hogsmeade, but he couldn't go because at that point in time he had no guardian to sign the permission slip; not after the disaster he caused back in Privet Drive. But then Sirius came along and he signed it. Harry smiled broadly, ignoring the odd looks he received. He had the signed permission slip tucked safely away in his socks and couldn't wait to present it to McGonagall. It was just then for the very first time that Harry's thoughts wondered to Sirius and where he was and what he was doing. He wandered was Sirius aware of Harry's situation? Was he always aware of the truth? If not, how would he react? It had become common knowledge to Harry and his friend's last year that Severus and Sirius shared no heart to heart friendship. In fact, they were not even as close as common strangers on the street.

"Potter!" Severus barked. Harry jumped from his thoughts, staring widely up at his Professor. Severus glared angrily back. "Remove yourself at once from your infernal thoughts and quicken your pace. Time is not in your hands and I have much work to attend to. Move!"

Harry followed in Severus's footsteps, occasionally stamping angrily into one of his professors footprints in the dirt. By now they had reached the end of Hogsmeade village and had walked through a little gate which led into a little field surrounded by red cliffs. Harry's trunk became heavier and he wished so much that he had not allowed his wand to be confiscated. He ploughed on, the beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. After a good ten minutes of walking through the field, Severus led him though another gate which opened into a little woods. A gravel path, littered with branches, acorns and pebbles made for much easier ground for Harry to tug his trunk on. The path wound through the trees and as they walked Harry's mind could not help but marvel at the beauty of the scene. He spotted a few nests in the trees and a burrow belonging to rabbits. He was just about to pause and pick up an acorn when he felt his trunk being whisked from his grasp. He cocked an eyebrow at Severus.

"You are taking far to long." he snapped.

Harry, although annoyed, was very grateful. He exercised his aching fingers and followed Severus out through another gate. They exited the wood and found themselves on top of a little hill. Below them lay a tiny village, from what Harry saw no more than a handful of houses. He eyed Severus and was rather shocked to see that this was his home. He had expected some sort of dark and eerie mansion. The little village presented no such grotesque manor yet.

"This is Broomfield." Severus said as they marched down the hill, Harry had to shuffle awkwardly in behind Snape as his feet ached from the to small shoes he wore. His feet had grown at a rapid pace this summer. "It is called so due to it's magical history, broom were made here in the 1800's, and the fact that it is situated in the middle of an enormous field. There are no more than ten houses of residence. One post office. One shop. One drinking tavern. You mind to steer yourself clear of anything that does not concern you. I will be watching at all times and I will be informed of any misdemeanours. Understand?"

"Yes." Harry muttered.

They passed the pub and then the shop and then the post office. Then they passed a little pig pen and a large cobble stone farm house. They passed a well and 6 apple trees and then they turned left and passed three houses. They turned right and walked down a little path. Harry discovered the path led to a small sandy coloured house surrounded by a hedge. A waist high gate barred the entrance and a gravel path, surrounded on both sides by two little patches of grass which Harry noted were growing strange smelling weeds, led to a green door with a brass knocker on the front. The house from the outside looked completely average; four square windows and one round window by the attic. Severus opened the door with a golden key and led Harry into a dark hallway. There were coat hangers to his left and picture frames on the wall to his right.

"On your left is the living room, on your right is the kitchen. In the kitchen there is another door which leads to my work area. Do not enter it without permission regardless of the situation. In the living room is a door which leads to my personal library. Do not enter it without permission regardless of the situation. In front of you are the stairs. Follow me."

Severus moved on up the stairs, lifting Harry's trunk behind him. Harry followed him up the light oak stair case onto a little landing. There was a door to his left and a door to his right and there were two more doors down a small corridor. He looked to Severus for instruction. His stomach twisted uncomfortably. He disliked the idea of living here. The house felt strangely out of place compared to the usual attire of Privet Drive which he was used to. There were not bunches of smelly flowers scattered in every corner, the staircase wasn't decorated with picture frames and the house smelled just like Hogwarts… the strange smell of knowledge, education, familiarity and old. There was also a hint of lemon.

Severus pointed to the door on the left. "Those are my private quarters. You will never under any circumstances, no matter how dire or life threatening the situation, you are never to enter my rooms. That room on the right is the bathroom. You may shower as you please, just remember to clean up and replace the towels." He moved on and paused outside the last door down the little corridor. "This is your room. At all times it is to be kept presentable. The door is never to be locked." He opened the door and Harry saw it opened to reveal a set of stairs. Severus led Harry up and stopped outside another door. "You shall reside in your room until you are called for dinner, which we will then discuss the house rules. Do not destroy anything in this room Potter. I am not housing you willingly. I would much rather move on with my life, but life is tough and you've been dealt this hand , as have I. So get used to it."

With those last crude words he opened the door and pushed Harry into the room, slamming the door behind him. Harry stood rooted to the spot, he listened until he head Severus's steps clink on the stairs, then kicked his trunk furiously. Gritting his teeth he snarled, as well as feeling angry, upset, confused and very much alone, his foot now throbbed annoyingly.

Harry leaned against the door and observed his new room. It was your average attic bedroom. Rectangle shaped with slanting roof. A round window was situated on each wall and a little rectangle window on either end of the room. A wooden bed was plonked randomly in the middle of the room and a little bedside table with a lamp stood crookedly next to it. Pushed against one wall was a closet and at the other end of the room, pushed against a wall was a desk, with a chair upturned on it. Harry looked distastefully around the room. It looked ridiculously plain and miserable. The room rather mimicked Harry's feelings; disorganised and random. He figured that seeing as this was to be his new area of living, he may as well arrange it to his taste. After all, Snape had said to keep the room tidy and right now, it was far from. So to ease his troubled mind, Harry began rearranging the furniture. He pushed his bed to one end of the room, beneath a Square window and opposite it, on the other side of the room, he pushed his desk beneath the other square window. He left his wardrobe as it were, put moved it just an inch or two to the right, just to satisfy his need to 'De-Snape' the room. He unrolled the carpet, which turned out to be a beautiful shade of spring green and placed it in the middle of the room. He then set about pinning his Gryffindor flag to the wall and adding a few items to the shelves. If all came to all, he could just remove them if Snape argued. But for now, it made him feel at ease and bit more comfortable

Thank you to all who reviewed, subscribed and took the time to read this story. Thank you for having great patience with it. I do hope you are enjoying Harry and Severus's progression towards understanding each other and creating a bond.

I hope to see you all in future chapters. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to ask.

- S.