Unexpectedly Expecting

9: Harry Returns

Harry

Remus Lupin apparated on to the borders of the Prince lands beside him, along with Ron Weasley. Lupin shivered as he lit up the end of his wand. Harry and Ron followed suit as they found the walkway that led up to the imposing mansion by the sea that was supposed to belong to Severus Snape.

Remus whistled. "Wow. This has Snape written all over it this place."

"Yeah, it's bloody creepy," Ron agreed. "I can't believe my mum and dad just let the Dungeon Bat have Ginny like that. And Mione,' too. Who knows what weird detentions Snape has her serving?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Really, Ron? This isn't school, in case you haven't noticed. My guess is is that she made her way into his library, and is living in there now. It's just sick that she's in there with that murdering psycho."

"Harry, hush," Remus admonished. "Hermione is perfectly safe. As bad as it was that Severus killed Dumbledore, being in a pureblood wizarding stronghold is the safest place she can be right now. Slytherins protect their loved ones fiercely."

Harry scoffed. "Yeah, right. Snape loves only his potions and nothing else."

The older werewolf wizard sighed. "If you say so, Harry. Come on, let's get inside."

A stern looking house elf popped in front of them with his hand held out threateningly. "You are the Order members Lark trusts?"

Remus cleared his throat. "Yes, we are. We're all just coming over for tea."

The house elf's black eyes narrowed. "Lark is well versed in sarcasm, wolf wizard. Master is busy with the Mistress the last he had the chance to check up on them. But the Weasleys are within, and with the Weasley witch, so you are welcome here...for now. But if Lark had his way, none of you mangy lions would pass into the Manor. Do follow, and try not to claw up the furniture while you are in the Manor."

The house elf opened up the Manor, and once inside, Harry was amazed by how..rich and detailed the house was. Imposing dark haired and dark eyed Prince relatives stared down their beaky bird-like noses at them, and Harry felt especially unwelcome in this house.

House elves took their coats, and the grim faced house elf that greeted them made them follow him to what looked like a parlor where the other Order of the Phoenix members were.

Mr Weasley greeted Harry happily, "It's good to see you, Harry. Mrs Weasley is upstairs with Ginny who is still too wounded to get out of bed."

"Where is Hermione?"
"With Severus Snape, of course."

"He's a damn murderer, and she's here, and--"

"Harry!" Remus shouted. "Enough! Your friend is perfectly fine. As we talked about before."

"He's right," Hermione's voice said, as she walked into the parlor dressed in her usual jeans, and a light sweater. Snape was beside her, and he seemed to stare at her in a weird way before she rolled her eyes, and laughed, "...Whatever, Mr Insatiable. We can see about that later if you want to continue our conversation."

Snape winked. "Ah. Yes, well, unlike during other times, that is one conversation I do not mind continuing."

"Sure, whatever, perv. I'm going to go way on the other side of the room now," Hermione commented.

The Malfoys arrived, and Harry watched as she greeted them kindly; even Draco seemed keen to be nice to her, which was so weird to him. Fred and George approached Harry, and looked around the room.

"I never thought we'd get to be in a place like this," Fred remarked.

"Or that Ginny would be trussed up in a bedroom fit for a Princess," George added. "Mum is just dying to know who designed the curtains around the bed alone."