The Boy Who Found a Home

Mr. Filch's grumbling about wet, muddy spots on his floors didn't faze the Headmaster in the least, while the twelve-year old boy fretted about future retribution. Severus, in a borrowed waterproof and Wellington boots that Mr. Filch had located in one of his closets, gave a wide berth to the Caretaker and followed the Headmaster out into the storm.

Rain struck Severus with needle-sharp jabs. He tucked his head down into the corduroy collar and held the hood of the waterproof with one hand, while his other hand was jammed into a pocket for warmth. Mud squelched over the toes of the green boots and made a sucking sound as he trod in the wake of the Headmaster.

Sparing the briefest of glances at the back of the tall wizard walking in front of him, Severus was surprised that the rain was deflected from the older man.

The younger wizard's gaze fell back to the mucky turf as he struggled to keep pace. Then he noticed something odd. There were no impressions from where Professor Dumbledore had stepped. Severus turned back to look at the ground behind himself; his own footprints were clearly discernible as they rapidly filled with rainwater.

"Sir?" Severus asked in a smallish voice.

Pausing, the Headmaster turned back to the waterlogged boy and raised a questioning eyebrow. Severus looked like an urchin from a Muggle Victorian romance novel, with his stringy hair plastered across his face, the flushed cheeks of a long gone tubercular era, and wearing an overly large, hand-me-down waterproof. The rain-soaked boy looked up at the old wizard with a look that demanded to be informed.

"Would you like to learn the charm?" The question had a slight smile to it.

Nodding, Severus came closer to the Headmaster. "Y-yes, sir," he replied through chattering teeth.

"Wand out." Professor Dumbledore waited while Severus excavated it from deep within the waterproof.

"While your intention to keep your wand dry is admirable, you should always keep your wand easily accessible, Severus. Observe the motions closely. The incantation is Repello Aqua."

"Not Pluvius?" Severus interrupted in surprise.

The Headmaster went into his lecturing stance. "No, Pluvius specifies rain. I want to avoid water in all of its machinations; therefore the use of 'aqua' specifies, within the spell, what I wish to avoid."

"How is it the mud isn't soiling your shoes, then? Did you cast a separate spell for that, sir?" With an irritated swipe of the back of his hand, Severus removed the raindrop that dangled on the end of his nose.

"No, I tweaked the Repello Aqua to force the water from my feet and to remain within the soil."

"Oh..." Severus said, and thought a moment. "So your incantation was on yourself and not on the area around you, Headmaster?"

"Five points to Slytherin."

"It isn't term, sir."

"No? All the same, that was very fine deductive reasoning, Severus. Now, how could I have altered my basic incantation to manage such a feat? No pun intended, by the way," the Headmaster said with a merry laugh.

The boy's blank look of puzzlement caught Professor Dumbledore by surprise. "A pun is a play on words that exploits words which share the same sound, but that have different meanings, Severus."

"Oh," he replied slowly.

"Never mind. What else could I have done to alter the spell?" the professor asked, as he turned and continued toward Hagrid's hut.

"You might have used something that dried the ground. Or you might have used a cleanliness charm of some sort, but that seems a bit strange. Maybe you used a repelling charm of some sort, though that doesn't explain why you didn't leave footprints in the mud. Could you use a levitation charm, Professor?"

"That is an interesting idea. Five points to Slytherin!"

"It's not term, sir," Severus muttered and beamed a self-satisfied smile into the squelching mud. He hurried to follow the longer strides of the Headmaster while his hand tightly clutched his slippery and very wet wand.

"I would like you to visualize the rain striking an umbrella. The rain runs off the surface of the umbrella, leaving you dry underneath it. Have you a strong mental image of that?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

Severus nodded his head and screwed up his face as he concentrated.

"As you build the image and see the umbrella, speak the incantation: Repello Aqua."

"Repello Aqua!" Severus intoned, as he exerted great focus on the spell. The rain falling on him lessened to a drizzle. He was concentrating so intently that he stepped into a particularly deep puddle, the icy water rushing over the top of one boot. Yelping in anger at the sudden rush of cold water, Severus felt his magic surge, releasing static into the rain soaked air, prickling him uncomfortably.

"Severus," the Headmaster said in a calm, yet firm voice, "concentrate on holding your Repello Aqua charm. Try to expand the edges of your charm - slowly. Good. You see? You can do it if you take the time and don't allow yourself to become angry."

The young wizard put a damper on his rising temper and tried to hold onto the spell.

"Five more points to Slytherin!"

The young man felt a self-satisfied twitch at the corner of his mouth as he re-established a passable Repello Aqua. His flare-up of raw magic subsided quickly as he focussed on the charm.

"There are useful variations of the Repello charm. I used them quite often while I was a student. It was marvellous in keeping me free of any variety of hexes. I once found it quite useful in sending the hex back at a particularly pesky fifth year."

Severus' charm was weakening; he simply was too young and inexperienced to maintain a spell that required such finesse for long periods of time. It took careful work to develop the strength and skill to increase a charm's effectiveness. If a student was pushed to expand his magic before he learned the building blocks, the results could be horrific.

Severus felt the power of the old wizard's charm overlap his, just as his suddenly quit. The Headmaster put an arm about his slumped shoulders and drew him closer to his side. Severus leaned in to the contact.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Severus?"

"I-I'm sorry I lost my temper, Headmaster."

The wrinkled hand squeezed his shoulder gently - reassuringly.

"Alas, stepping into a knee-deep puddle is reason enough to make the best of us want to scream. Did you notice that when you lost your temper, your magic flared? "

He turned his head to look up at the tall wizard. "Yes, Headmaster," Severus said, his voice muffled by Professor Dumbledore's robe.

"So you're aware of how it feels to have all that power rushing uncontrolled through you?"

"Y-yes, Headmaster."

"I would like you to imagine what it would be like if you could control that power, channel it into your incantations."

"That would be - amazing, wouldn't it, Headmaster?"

They continued to walk; Professor Dumbledore continued to shelter them from the rain.

"You could learn to control that magic, Severus."

"I could, sir?"

"Yes, you could, though it will require you to master your own emotions."

"How do I learn to do that, sir?" Severus whispered.

"Your professors have already begun to teach you to build that control. Professor Flitwick has been teaching you the necessary basics for a good, strong incantation. I'm sure your wrist has been tired and achy from having to learn the correct motions.

"The casting of incantations might seem very simple, but if your wrist turns out, or if you intone one of the syllables incorrectly, it can alter your spell.

"For example," the professor said, as he transfigured a grass blade into a feather. "Now, if I speak the incantation, and my wand is turned too far in, it will explode like this: Wingardium Leviosa!" The feather burst into flames.

Severus, who was still nestled against the Headmaster's side, observed the wand motion as well as the emphasis placed on the syllables of the incantation. Professor Dumbledore had placed the emphasis on the third rather than on the second syllable of the first word, Wingardium. The incantation had misfired, just as it had to one of his classmates in Charms.

"Did you notice the angle of my wand, Severus? You noticed nothing peculiar?"

He shook his headhe had not seen the improper positioning of the wand.

"Let me illustrate it for you again; then, I would like you follow with your own wand. The proper position is like this, not like this. Move it like this. Good. Sweep upward and snap. Sweep and snap. Make it a sharper snap. Good, very good."

Severus continued to 'sweep and snap' as they approached Hagrid's hut.

The door banged open and the large boarhound clambered out to the top step for a moment before he attempted to backtrack into the dry hut; the wet weather didn't appeal to him. Hagrid toed him down the steps.

"Mornin' Headmaster, Severus," Hagrid said, and greeted the two wizards with a sniff. He shrugged a crossbow to his shoulder. "'fraid the rain will wash away the scent fer the dog."

"I have faith in both of you to lead us well, Hagrid," Professor Dumbledore said seriously.

Sniffing deeply, Hagrid looked up to the dark, raining sky. "Yeah, I don' think it'll be ter long a hike through the Forest. Keep close ter one o' us, Severus."

"What are we looking for, Hagrid?" the boy asked, his voice rising slightly.

"A Pine Bender."

"A what?" Severus trotted to catch up with the long strides of the much taller man.

"A Pine Bender. It's a creature that captures unwary travellers," Professor Dumbledore said sombrely.

"What does it do?" His voice shook slightly, suspecting something highly unsavoury.

"They're Dark beasts that tie th' hands of Muggles between trees, to tear the person in half," Hagrid said grimly.

"Are there many of these Pine Benders about?" Severus asked, as he looked intently at the pine trees for signs of one.

"They aren't native to Britain, Severus," the Headmaster said and sighed sadly.

"What's it doing here?"

"I rather suspect someone moved a Pine Bender to the area for some foul purpose. Unfortunately the summer weather brings many non-magic folk to the Highlands. This area is ideal both as a recreation area for Muggles and as a hunting ground for a Pine Bender.

"Our task is to remove it from the Forest before the Muggle police recognise a pattern and attempt to search the area. We, as wizards, have an obligation to protect Muggles from magical creatures. We cannot allow unknowing Muggles to venture into the Forbidden Forest. So, we must remove the threat for them."

"Have any Muggles been killed?" He heard a definite squeak in his voice.

"Hagrid found some rather grisly remains at a site a week ago; two days ago, he found the remains of five more Muggles on the far side of the Forest. That glen leads down to the Muggle village not three miles distant. While we have charms placed in the area surrounding Hogwarts, Hogsmeade also has wards to keep Muggles from venturing near. Something or someone has altered those wards."

"Why would someone bring Muggles to one of those things?" Severus huffed, trying to keep pace with the two larger men. He stopped to catch his breath and found both wizards had halted beside him. They were looking off into the depths of the trees.

"I don't know, Severus. Perhaps someone thought it would be amusing. Are you able to continue now?" the Headmaster asked, placing a hand on Severus' shoulder.

They moved deeper into the trees. Hagrid kept his crossbow aimed forward. His boarhound walked with its nose to the ground, sweeping the wet soil in great deep breaths, searching for magical scents. The dog halted suddenly and barked a deep bass howl. The boarhound then raced forward, jowls flapping wildly, capturing the scent on the air and ground.

Hagrid increased his pace to keep the boarhound in sight, his finger on the trigger of the crossbow. Professor Dumbledore had drawn his wand and motioned to Severus to keep his ready as well. He leaned down as they hurried forward and said urgently, "When I stop, I want you to also. Do not move until I tell you it is safe."

Severus could hear Hagrid yelling in the distance. Professor Dumbledore had a ferocious expression on his face and moved Severus to his non-spell casting side, his left hand resting on the young wizard's shoulder.

There was a shriek from the trees as they were forced to bend to the ground. Severus began to move up his hands to his ears, but the Headmaster pulled his hands down with an urgent hiss - "Keep your wand ready, Severus!"

In the near distance, they could see a tree being pulled down to the forest floor. A large human-like thing was strapping a man to a tree's crown; one wrist was already bound to a neighbouring pine. The man was shrieking in terror. Two other Muggles were bound to keep them from fleeing.

Hearing the barking of the boarhound, the Pine Bender turned and growled a deep, guttural howl. It began to move toward Hagrid, excited by the half giant's size.

"Stupefy!" the Headmaster bellowed. The Pine Bender began to fall, and the two trees began to spring upward. Severus felt the incredible surge of power emanating from Professor Dumbledore's incantation. It swirled through the trees, swallowing the great human-like beast with the minimal wave of his wand. The young wizard's mouth fell open amazed by the control over the spell.

"Immobilis Arbor!" The trees groaned in protest as the spell halted their movement skyward. The Muggle tied between the trees fainted.

"Hagrid, cut the ropes," the old wizard urged, keeping his wand pointed at the Pine Bender.

Hagrid cut the ties with one hand, keeping his finger on the trigger of the crossbow. The man fell hard to the pine needled forest floor. Hagrid dropped to a knee, scooped the man up with one hand, and carried him over to the Headmaster's side.

"Severus, I want you to remain here and look after the Muggle, while I bind the Pine Bender."

"Yes, Headmaster." Severus knelt down next to the man, uncertain of what to do. The man had tight ropes around his wrists that cut off the blood flow to his hands. With one hand the Slytherin loosened the bindings and touched the red welts. The man stirred, while his companions, freed by Hagrid, ran off into the Forest.

"Don't move, we'll take care of you," the young wizard said as reassuringly as he could. He kept his wand aimed in the direction of the Pine Bender.

The Headmaster contained the creature with an imperceptibly small flick of his wrist. It took Severus' breath away.

Severus saw the white-haired wizard lift his wand and send scarlet jets of colour high into the sky. Within seconds, five men Apparated to the spot and enlarged a small cage. One of the wizards walked to Professor Dumbledore and presented a scroll.

"This authorizes us to remove the dangerous creature listed here, and to modify the memory of any Muggles found in the vicinity. Is this the only one?"

The old wizard looked down at the man now stirring on his bed of pine needles. "No, two others fled into the Forest; you'll need to find them. Is he injured, Severus?"

"I'm not very good at diagnostic spells," Severus muttered in an apologetic rush.

"Why don't we leave him to the experts, then?"

"May we go home now?" Severus asked in a wistful, tired whine.

"I'd like to stay and watch them move the beastie," Hagrid said, motioning to the wizards opening the cages door.

With a wave of acknowledgment, Professor Dumbledore directed his young charge back toward the castle.

The two wizards were tired as they emerged from the forest, close to the castle. Severus was silent the entire journey back. He stumbled over tree roots and walking into low hanging tree branches.

"Sir? Was using the Debilis Hex Dark magic?" Severus heard himself ask.

Professor Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up in surprise; he'd obviously not expected the question.

"It was not a Dark curse, Severus. You do get close to the fringes of it sometimes. I don't enjoy having to punish you when you get carried away and hex others."

Entering the lower levels of Hogwarts, the Headmaster took the dripping raincoat from Severus and hung it on a hook along one wall. Severus used his toe to remove his right boot, before repeating the process with his left boot. His guardian waved the boots to rest against the wall.

"Sir, Black and Potter hex me all the time; I have a right to defend myself," Severus said resentfully.

"I'm not denying you have the right to defend yourself, child. But you tend to get carried away and strike back with a vitriolic intensity," the Headmaster said calmly as he pushed Severus up the stairs.

The Slytherin shrugged the hand off his shoulder.

Professor Dumbledore said no more until they reached his office. "Why don't you change into something dry?" he asked.

Severus stomped down the corridor; he bounced off the walls to his room and banged the door shut. He felt angry for no discernable reason.

Kneeling before his school trunk, Severus lifted the lid and began to rummage through the contents without regard to what was displaced. With a cry of relief, Severus found what he'd been looking for, then sat back on his heels. Burrowing his nose into the familiar black coat, he closed his eyes tightly.

It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair that he was always reprimanded. It wasn't fair that no matter how hard he worked, he was the one in trouble. Everyone blamed him for everything!

It wasn't fair that his father had died. It wasn't fair the only mother he'd known had turned him from the home he'd grown up in.

It wasn't fair he was Sorted into Slytherin, a house that placed so much value on your family blood. They would turn on him once they discovered the truth. If they didn't cast him out for impure blood, they were certain to throw him out for having the Gryffindor Headmaster take him in.

Severus wasn't so naive that he didn't know he was an orphan at the mercy of others. He had no money, no family, and no friends. The Headmaster could, if he desired, throw him back out onto the streets, or worse, give him over to the Muggle authorities.

He pushed up off the floor and went to stand at the window - it overlooked the main gates. Staring out at the gates, he remembered wanting to run home his first night at Hogwarts after he had antagonized his Head of house and one of the fifth year boys.

He wished he'd found a way to return home then, and maybe his father wouldn't be dead. Hagrid had found him that morning, just as he'd found him on the platform at Kings Cross Station just a week ago.

When Hagrid brought him to the Headmaster's office, he felt as though he'd returned home. This was all so confusing. He was told not to be concerned; Severus fretted anyway. Over the past week it seemed that sometimes Professor Dumbledore almost liked him. Then again, like just a short while ago, it was very clear that the Head of Hogwarts held his tie to Gryffindor more firmly intact. And the Headmaster had the power to suspend or expel him. The ground under his feet felt very tenuous.

The Headmaster seemed to assume that anytime there were difficulties with the Gryffindors, he was the person at fault. It wasn't fair. Potter, Black, and their friends were always getting away with everything, while he was always punished for the merest of infractions. They never seemed to care about their lessons and spent their time trying to impress everyone at Hogwarts with their cleverness.

Potter, Black, and Pettigrew were always neglecting their homework assignments or giving the most pathetic excuses to the professors. Meanwhile, Severus was the one who was sent to either Professor McGonagall's or the Headmaster's office for having a poor attitude in class, and lectured how he should strive to be more like Black and Potter.

Severus felt the cold and damp of his trousers against his legs and shivered slightly. He tucked his feet closely under him, to warm his toes. He pulled his feet back out after realizing the socks were still very wet. He peeled them off and rubbed his toes distractedly. Everything he had was spoilt.

A choking sob escaped him, and he dropped his head to the coat on his knees.

"Severus." He heard the warmth in the voice speaking his name. Warmth began to permeate him, warmth like the sun coming out after a week of rain, driving the damp from the corners of the house.

"Bunge over," the Headmaster said quietly. "We seem to not communicate well at times. You are a talented young wizard, but you still have a great deal to learn."

"I know," Severus said, his head still resting against the worn black coat.

"Your father was also a curious and diligent student. He was very interested in solving problems; he was a good student in Arithmancy. I wouldn't doubt that if you chose to study it, you would excel in it. Your problem solving ability is among the finest I have seen at Hogwarts in a very long while.

"Don't believe all the stereotypes you have heard about Slytherin. Yes, Slytherins are calculating and driven to achieve their goals - but these are very positive traits to possess, Severus. I know of no other young wizard who is so driven to succeed as you are. You work harder than most students I know."

Severus turned his head and looked from under his arm at the Headmaster. His guardian was resting a hip on the window seat; his beard was curling and slightly fluffy from the damp.

"You think I don't know how much time you spend on your homework; I do. I know one of the reasons you have detention so often is because of you are out of your common room after hours and studying in the library. I know you do all your homework, with great diligence."

"But why do you reprimand me for not turning it in, then?"

"I am not reprimanding you for not turning it in, but for arguing with your professors."

"They don't believe it disappears!"

"They do know you do your work by the evidence of your knowledge of the assignments, Severus." Sighing deeply, the Headmaster looked away for a moment before turning back.

"I think I misspoke and didn't say what I truly meant. I didn't wish to convey that you should be like any other student at Hogwarts. While there are some traits other students possess that might aid you in life, you have some that others students could well stand to learn. You have the determination and drive to succeed in whatever you wish to pursue, Severus.

"While I may be harder on you than others, it is because I expect more of you than, possibly, any other student."

Severus frowned from under his arm, missing the relevance of the old wizard's words.

"I may have failed to tell you, but I am so proud of you."

The young wizard moved to nestle close Professor Dumbledore. Albus wrapped his arm about the child's shoulder and pulled him into a close embrace.