The Worst Summer

Chapter 5

The trip to Diagon Alley was mostly unremarkable. Remus accompanied Harry and helped him pick out acceptable clothing, after which they went to Magical Menagerie. Snape had given Harry some spending money (he had taken it cautiously, he was sure the bag might explode), and Harry thought it would be fun to own a snake, since he could actually talk to it. Harry turned to Lupin and said, "Do you think Snape would let me have a snake?"

Lupin said, "Severus did say for you to buy whatever you want. But it probably would be best if it isn't a large one."

Harry looked at the snakes until he came upon a red snake with white and black stripes on it. He read the inscription at the bottom of the snake's cage:

Chrysopelea pelias

Flying snakes are a small group of species of tree snakes that live in South and Southeast Asia. At rest they appear unremarkable, but on the move they're able to take to the air by jumping from the tree, flattening the entire body, and gliding or parachuting to the ground or another tree.

Harry thought that it would be interesting to own this snake. He looked at the snake and said in Parseltongue ~What iss your name?~

The snake responded, ~My name issCalypso. I have not met a human who speakss my language before. What iss your name?~

~My name is Harry. Would you like to come home with me?~

~Yess, that woulds be nice~

Remus helped Harry pick out an aquarium and all the necessities for his new friend. Harry let the snake wrap around his wrist, and Remus used a shrinking spell to shrink the other items and put them in the pockets of his robe.

They left and crossed the street to go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. As they were sitting enjoying their ice cream, Severus walked over to them. Remus looked at Severus and said, "Finished?"

Severus said, "Yes, but I still want to go to the bookstore. I believe it would be prudent to keep Mr. Potter busy, and there are several books I need in order to tutor him."

Harry looked up and asked, "What subjects am I going to be tutored in?"

"Potions, Arithmancy, Runes, Defense, as well as knowledge in Wizarding culture. I understand that you have not taken Arithmancy and Runes, but knowledge in both subjects would be helpful to you. Professor McGonagall told me you wanted to take NEWT Level potions, and I doubt you performed acceptably on your O.W.L.s, so you will be taking potions lessons three days a week. You'll be ready, or die trying."

'Wonderful,' thought Harry. 'A whole summer of potions.' He said, "I thought you were going to treat me like a normal fifteen year old boy. I bet Ron doesn't have to study his summer away."

"What else are you going to do, spend your time moping in your room? That was working so well for you. It will only be two hours a day, plus however long it takes you to complete your homework. That should be a maximum of four hours out of your day. The rest of the time will be yours to do with what you wish." Snape noticed the look of defiance in Harry's eyes, but chose not to comment on it. Harry finished his ice cream in silence. He was about ready to get up when Snape said, "What is that on your arm, Potter?"

Harry raised the sleeve of his robe to show Snape his new friend. "His name is Calypso. I hope it's ok for me to have him."

"I don't mind you having a snake. However, when school starts, he might have to stay with me. They don't usually allow snakes into the dormitories."

"Will I get to visit him?"

"Of course. You don't think I'm going to take care of the snake for you. I expect you to be responsible for it no matter where it lives. Anyways, it will be a good excuse any time you need to see me for something and don't want anyone to know the real reason."

Harry thought, 'I'll never visit you unless I have to. I'm only agreeing to this because it's a step up from the Dursleys. But instead of voicing his thoughts, he just nodded, and they all rose and trudged to the bookstore.

While Snape was getting the books for Harry's tutoring sessions, Harry was looking for anything he could find on Occlumency. He was going to learn it even if he had to teach himself. Harry had been afraid to bring up the issue with Snape, because he didn't want to 'rock the boat' just yet. Unbeknownst to Harry, Snape had glided over and was standing behind him. "What are you looking for, Mr. Potter?"

Harry jumped, and turned around. "Umm...I'm-looking-for-books-on-Occlumency," he mumbled.

Snape sighed and said, "You need not be afraid to answer my questions. Now speak more clearly and look at me when you are talking to me."

Harry looked up. "I was looking for some books on Occlumency."

Severus reached over and pulled out two books, one was titled, Defending your Mind, and the other was The Art of Meditation. Snape said, "Read the meditation book first. It will teach you how to clear your mind. Once you have read both and are ready to seriously take up Occlumency lessons again, let me know."

Harry said, "Thank you. I don't want anyone else to die because of me."

"This is not the time or the place to discuss this, Potter. When we get to Snape manor I want you to write a list of all the reasons you think you are responsible for your godfather's death. We will discuss it tomorrow." Snape turned and took the books to the counter to be bought with all the others. Harry followed him, and soon they were leaving the Bookstore and heading back to the Leaky Cauldron.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus picked at his food. He had something to discuss with Potter and wasn't sure how to bring it up. The direct way was always the best. "Potter--"

"Please call me Harry. After all you will be my guardian."

"Harry...there is something I need to discuss with you."

Snape eyed Harry. The boy was apprehensive and angry. At least he wasn't horrified...yet. Harry warily said, "What do you need to talk to me about?"

"Do you remember the promise I made to you yesterday?"

"Yeah, you said that my secrets would be safe with you."

"And they still are. However, I believe that if Lupin is going to be taking a parental role in your life that you need to tell him about what life was like at the Dursleys'. In addition, I would like to confront your relatives, but I will not if you aren't comfortable with it."

Harry knew at some point that Remus would want to know about his life at the Dursleys', and today was as good of a time as any. But why confront his relatives? Curiosity won out and Harry asked, "Why do you want to confront the Dursleys?"

Snape looked thoughtful and said, "The magic that protects you at the Dursleys' also protects them. I am sure, no matter what your aunt says, that she is aware of this. It may take some convincing to get her to sign you over to me. I was planning to use a Dictaquillto record our conversation. I am also planning to sneak a mild form of Veritaserum into her drink to ensure she tells us the truth."

"I guess it's all right," Harry said reluctantly. "But if you get to ask her all of that, I want to ask her about my family...I know almost nothing about my mum's family. Not even what happened to my grandparents, and I want to know. Lots of people talk about my dad, but almost no one talks about my mum."

Remus said, "Severus can tell you quite a bit about your mum. He tutored her in potions, and she tutored him in charms in return. If not for the incident in our fifth year, I think they would have remained close."

Harry thought he knew which event Remus was talking about. Harry said, "About that..." Harry forced himself to look Snape in the eye and said, "I need to apologize to you. I should have never looked into your pensieve. I'm sorry for invading your privacy. But in a way I'm glad it happened, because now I understand why you hated my dad so much. I would have hated him too, if he treated me that way."

Snape looked shocked. He had never actually expected an apology from Potter for the pensieve incident. Lupin had told him the events had upset Harry, but Severus hadn't actually believed him. But now it fit all together. Harry had been bullied as a child and could relate to what he saw happening to Severus. To be sure he asked, "How did you really feel about what you saw in my pensieve?"

"I felt ashamed of my dad. In fact, I contacted Sirius and Remus to try and find out why my dad acted like such a git, but they really didn't give me any good answers."

Remus said, "That's because there weren't any good answers to give, Harry. What Sirius and James did was wrong, and my not forcing them to stop was wrong, too. I let my fear of losing their friendship stand in the way of doing what was right."

Harry said, "I just have one question. Why did you call my mum a Mudblood?"

Snape actually chuckled. "Think about it, you daft boy. I was a fifteen year old boy being publicly humiliated and was saved by a girl, of all things. I said what I did out of spite because of my embarrassment. I apologized to her later, but it took another year for Lily to believe me. By that time she was involved with Potter, and of course he hated me. It was amusing to watch, actually. Potter would hex me when Lily wasn't looking, and Lily would visit me when Potter wasn't around. "

Harry said, "Is my mum the real reason you're helping me?"

Snape said, "I will admit that your mother was a deciding force in my moves to protect you all these years, but it was our discussion yesterday that decided it for me. As I said earlier, no child should have to live through the abuse you have. I believe the headmaster has lost sight of some important things in his zeal to protect you. He has forgotten that life is more than just existing. Being with your relatives saves your physical body, but that just isn't enough. And honestly I am not the one able to provide you with many of those needs. But I believe Lupin will."

Harry said softly, "Thank you for being honest with me. That's what has really been bothering me lately. A lot of the adults in my life haven't told me things I needed to know. If I had known about the prophecy last year maybe things wouldn't have happened like they did. And I don't expect you to get all mushy with me. If you feed me well, provide me with decent clothing and don't lock me in my room, than you will be a step up from the Dursleys."

Snape said, "I believe we've covered that already, Mr. Potter. Now, I believe that it's time for us to confront those relatives of yours."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry stepped out of the Floo and greeted Mrs. Figg. A moment later, Remus stepped out (Severus had gone first to make sure everything was okay). The trio walked to the Dursleys', and Severus knocked on the door. Petunia answered, looking much as she did the last time Severus had been there.

Petunia said, "Is he coming back here to stay?"

Severus answered, "That is what we are here to discuss. May we come in?"

"Of course," Petunia answered nervously as she stepped back for the trio to enter. "You're looking better today, Harry."

"Thank you," muttered Harry.

Severus turned to Harry and said, "Show me the cupboard you told me about."

Harry pointed to the door of the cupboard under the stairs, and Severus opened it and looked at the tiny bare space that had been Harry's room for so long.

"And you lived here for ten years?"

Harry looked down. "Yes, sir."

Severus reached over and forced Harry to look up. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Potter. The Dursleyshowever," he said as he glared at Petunia, "have much to be ashamed of."

Severus rose to his full height, and gave Petunia what most students referred to as the death-glare. "I am certain that if the roles were reversed and Lily had been raising your son, none of this would have happened to him. No child deserves to be locked in a cupboard."

Petunia was glaring at Harry. "You just had to open your mouth, didn't you boy?" Harry backed up and Severus and Remus moved forward in a protective stance. Severus said, "You will not harm him. I gave Mr. Potter a potion that forced him to answer my questions honestly. Otherwise, the abuse he suffered would still not be known. Now, if you have a place to sit, we need to discuss where Mr. Potter will be staying for the rest of the summer."

Petunia led them to the kitchen. The trio sat down while Petunia made some tea. Harry was going to get up to help her out of force of habit, but Snape grabbed his shoulder and forced him to sit back down. He leaned over and whispered, "You are here as a guest. Let her do all the work for once."

Petunia returned with tea and biscuits a few moments later. The two older wizards had seated themselves in such a fashion that Petunia was forced to sit between them. Once the tea had been poured Severus stared pointedly at Remus, and Remus distracted Petunia with questions about the muggle appliances in their home. While Petunia's head was turned Severus poured a clear potion into her tea, much to Harry's delight. Then Severus gave Harry a pointed look that said in no uncertain terms, 'If you let her know what just happened you will die.'

It wasn't long before Petunia drank the tea and the real questioning began. Severus got out the Dictaquilland parchment to record the entire meeting. Once it began writing, he started firing questions at Petunia. When he had finished, he motioned to Harry to let him know he could begin questioning his aunt.

Harry found out that his grandparents had been killed by death eaters a couple of years before his parents died. He also found out that his mother wasn't completely Muggle-born. His great-grandmother had been a Squib, actually. At the end of the questioning, Petunia excused herself. When she returned she was carrying a lock-box. She handed Harry the key and said, "Your mother came to visit me about a month before she died. She gave this to me and told me to give it to you if anything ever happened to her." Then she handed Harry the key to the box.

Harry wanted to open it then and there, but Remus said, "Maybe it will be better to open it when we go home, Harry. There might be things in there you don't want others to see."

Severus had Remus distract Petunia as he placed the antidote to the potion in her tea. Then he let her see the parchment. Petunia paled. It listed every abuse Harry had ever suffered from the Dursleys.

Severus said, "I wish to take guardianship of Mr. Potter. I hope you will do so willingly, but if not, I will send a copy of this parchment to the proper wizarding authorities."

Petunia said, "Th-that won't be necessary."

Severus took several rolls of parchment out of his robes and enlarged them. The first was the guardianship papers, which had to be signed by him, Petunia and Harry. Severus explained that Harry had to sign the papers because of his age. When Harry went to sign the parchment, Petunia screamed and ran across the room. She had just noticed that Harry had a snake wrapped around his wrist. Remus saw the problem, and went over and assured Petunia that the snake would not harm her. It took some time before Petunia would return to the table. It took all of Harry's self control to not laugh at his aunt.

Then Severus said, "Harry, I know that you don't want anyone to replace your godfather. And I am not trying to have anyone be his replacement. But if something were to happen to me, then you would be at the mercy of the ministry or Professor Dumbledore. So I would like to appoint someone as your godparent. Unfortunately, because of the laws, Remus cannot be appointed. Will you allow me to do this?"

Harry said, "Who were you going to appoint?"

"Who would you like it to be?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

Snape nodded. The boy made a good choice actually. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a crystal. It glowed in his hands and he said, "Molly and Arthur Weasley."

Harry heard the voices of both Weasleys in answer to his call.

Snape said, "Please Apparate or Flooto Mrs. Figg's, and come to Harry's relatives. He needs to see you."

A moment later there was a knock on the door. Apparently Molly Weasley thought it was an emergency and had Apparated right on the doorstep. She came in and looked Harry up and down, drawing him into a tight hug. "Is everything ok, dear?"

Harry assured her that everything was fine, and told her he needed to talk to her about who to appoint as his new godparents.

Severus had considered whether it would be a good thing to tell the Weasleys. He knew of Molly's love for the boy, and thought that perhaps she, too, thought the headmaster wasn't doing what was best for Harry. In the end he was correct. Once Arthur arrived, Severus explained the plan to them and they agreed. Severus was thankful. He really didn't want to have to Obliviate them.

A few moments later, Arthur arrived. He and Molly were thrilled to be Harry's godparents. Arthur said he would try to get the guardianship and godparent assignment papers passed through the ministry without anyone noticing. Molly said she would try to be the one sent to relieve Lupin during the next full moon, and would try to delay telling anyone where they were for as long as possible. Lupin walked them out, and unbeknownst to Harry, gave them Sirius' mirror so they could contact each other without anyone knowing.

Once Molly and Arthur left, Severus passed the third parchment to Harry.

It said,

I, Severus Snape, do hereby agree to the following items:

1. Mr. Remus Lupin will share in the guardianship of Mr. Harry Potter.

2. I will provide Mr. Harry Potter with adequate food, clothing, and shelter.

3. I will strive to treat him as the 15 year old boy he is, not the-boy-who-lived.

4. I will do my best to protect him from the meddling of Albus Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic.

5. I will not lock Mr. Potter in his room as a punishment. However there may be times when it is necessary for Mr. Potter to go to a safe room for his protection.

6. If Mr. Potter misbehaves the only acceptable punishments will be loss of privileges and extra writing or work assignments. At no time will he be harmed physically or given a curse that would cause physical pain.

7. If Mr. Potter believes a punishment is unfair, he may speak with Mr. Remus Lupin. If Mr. Remus Lupin believes the punishment is unfair, then he and I will work together to find a suitable one.

Harry looked over the agreement, and then asked Severus if he could see his quill. He then added the following statement:

8. I will no longer be a spy, as doing so could cause my death, and Mr. Potter needs me to be his guardian.

He signed the form, and handed it back to his new guardian. Severus just shook his head and signed the form. He said, "I had not told you yet, Potter, but the fact that I'm becoming your guardian puts and end to the extracurricular activities you spoke of. However, putting it in writing will give us a suitable defense if I'm questioned about it."

Harry nodded and looked relieved.

Once the last form was signed the parchments automatically duplicated themselves and the first two disappeared. Severus explained that the first two had been automatically filed, then took the copies of the first two parchments, shrunk them and put them in a pocket of his robe. He shrunk the original and copy of the last scroll, handing one to Harry. He said, "This is your copy. There is only one other item that needs to be discussed. I need you to write a letter to Professor Dumbledore."

He reached into his robes and pulled out a piece of parchment. "This parchment is spelled so that the reader will know if the person writing has been honest. I need for you to tell Professor Dumbledore how you feel about me being your guardian. We will leave this letter here and when they send someone to relieve Lupin, they will take the letter to Dumbledore. That should give us a week or two of peace before the wizarding world finds out what we have done, even if Molly is not the one sent to relieve Lupin."

Harry sat down and thought for a moment for a moment before beginning his letter:

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

Professor Snape told me this parchment is spelled to tell if I'm telling you the truth. I am writing to tell you that Professor Snape is now my guardian. I am in agreement with this. To be quite honest, he could be no worse than the Dursleys have been, and at least I won't be considered a freak. I'm tired of you manipulating my life. You say you care about me, but you still send me every summer back to people who hate me. I think if you tried you could have found a better way to protect me then sending me to live with the Dursleys. I'm still really mad at you for not telling me about the prophecy earlier. Guess that's all I have to say for now.

Harry Potter

Harry rolled up the parchment and asked Remus to seal it for him, as he was not allowed to do magic during the summer, and didn't have his wand anyways. After Remus sealed it for Harry, Severus told Petunia that someone would be coming in the next few weeks, and to give them the parchment when they came. He also told her to act like Harry was still living here if she was called by Mrs. Figg. Petunia agreed, only because she knew that Severus still had the list of the abuses Harry had suffered.

Severus led Harry and Remus to the dining room. "We're going to have to use an unauthorized Portkey, as I don't want anyone to know that you're not here right now." He pulled his quill back out and said, "Portus Snape Manor." Harry and Remus grabbed the quill, and Harry felt the now familiar pulling at his navel.