As Potter is to Snape

Chapter 7

Severus strode back into the parlor and dropped himself heavily into his chair and sighed. Dumbledore had already settled into the chair that Harry had vacated, a definite smile on his face and the ever-present twinkle in his eye.

"He seems to be settling in nicely." Albus said cheerfully.

Snape shot him his best glare but Albus's smile only grew wider.

"It's been..." Snape pinched the bridge of his nose to try and stave off the beginnings of another headache. Honestly, at this rate, he would need to brew at least one batch of the pain relieving potion a week if he was going to be expected to house the brat all summer. "He's had a long day."

"It appears as though he's not the only one." Dumbledore mused as he helped himself to a cup of tea and refilled Snape's as well. "Aside from slamming doors, how has it been?"

Snape took the proffered teacup but didn't drink any. "He's wearing a glamour over his face," he said quietly.

Dumbledore nodded. "I thought I saw that earlier. Have you spoken to him about it?"

"No," Snape answered with a shake of his head. "But I saw underneath it while he was taking a nap this afternoon." He paused thinking about the horrible state that Harry's face was currently in. "I have to wonder if he was able to cast such a strong glamour on himself or if his magic has simply done it for him? And why isn't his magic healing him?"

"We both know that some damage is so extensive that the magic can't handle it all." Dumbledore stated gravely. Snape nodded.

"I know. If that is indeed the case, however, he likely is hiding more injuries than we know about."

"Perhaps Poppy could be of help." Dumbledore suggested as he took a sip of tea.

"I've already spoken with her. She's going to give him a checkup tomorrow afternoon. Though I'm sure that Potter will be less than thrilled with the idea."

For a long moment, neither man spoke, but when at last Dumbledore did, there was great sadness in his voice. "I should have checked on him. Personally. I should have taken the time to see to it that he was truly being taken care of."

Snape looked away feeling uncomfortable. "I suppose there might have been a few misconceptions about the boy on my end as well." He grudgingly admitted. Dumbledore hummed but otherwise gave no response leaving Snape to glower down into the blackness of his tea for a while before continuing in a huff. "Well, what's done is done. It's not as if you can go back and change anything for him."

Dumbledore looked up at that, a thoughtful expression on his aged face. "I could."

Snape's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No. No, you can't and you know it. Aside from all the other unknown ramifications that something like that could bring about, mum would murder you."

The Headmaster sighed. "I suppose you're right." Then as if just remembering something exciting, he smiled brightly. "It appears as if the only thing to do now is to change his future! I believe we're on the right track with that. The Dursleys will never be able to hurt him again and now that he has you, we can be sure that he is looked after properly."

Snape raised his eyebrows and gave Dumbledore a look that he usually reserved for when Neville Longbottom botched a potion. "He does not have me. He has been here barely a day and already I've threatened to punish him repeatedly. He can stay the summer, but you said you would look for him a more permanent place for next year."
"Of course, of course, my boy. That's what I meant." Dumbledore waved his hand and was quick to assure the younger man but the twinkle in his eye only brightened. When the summer is over if that's still what you and young Harry want, then I'm sure I'll be able to find someone else."