SUMMER WITH SNAPE //

home is where the heart is

The sun hid behind the dark grey clouds, spring had sprung but there was no sign that it had happened. The weather had been miserable for weeks.

The fire roared, full of life, in the gryffindor common room. Students piling up on the sofas and chairs, reading, chatting or playing games with friends.

A group of 3 sat huddled around a table in the corner of the common room.

"So, how are you going to teach patronuses Harry?", The busy haired girl asked encouragingly.

He started into the fire place, he didn't want to be teaching anyone in the first place but Hermione and Ron insisted. They all ready had gathered a group of students, eager to be taught by him. His friends told him he didn't have to do it if he didn't want to, but it was too late for that, he couldn't let everyone down. Although no matter what he did he was always disappointing someone.

"-rry Harry", Ron nudged him in the ribs, "Hello... earth to Harry."

He snapped his head up, looking at the two.
"I'm not sure yet. I'm gonna think it over during detention with umbitch"

"Mate is she ever gonna give you a break", Ron grumbled rolling his eyes, "What did you do this time? Close your book too hard? Breathe too loud?"

Harry grunted.

"It really is unfair Harry, you should speak to professor Mcgonagall.", Hermione offered.

He knew it would be no use. There was nothing any of the teacher could say or do that could stop her unnecessary detentions and he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of him giving in.

His chest feels tight as he walks along the cold corridors but they offer him comfort, like the embrace of a mother. He wished to go home but where was home ? Hogwarts was is his home. Or at least it was. Umbridge ruined the joy he used to feel. Harry had never felt so hopeless.

Hogwarts was his escape, he didn't have to see his aunt, uncle and cousin. They couldn't hurt him here, but she could, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

Knock

Knock

"Ah Potter, welcome in", She smiled, a horrible smile, it was sinister and didn't quite meet her eyes.

He didn't say anything in return. The pink that covered every surface of the room made him feel sick. It felt like a betrayal to Remus, who taught him in this room only 2 years ago. Oh how much everything has changed.

"I assume you know the drill Mr Potter?", Her unnaturally high voice pierced his ears.

"Lines", He said flatly.

There was a horrible glint in her eyes. She enjoyed this. She enjoyed every moment of his suffering.

He began writing, the familiar pain in his right hand. Not a sound left his lips, he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. It didn't last long. After the 12th line of 'i must not tell lies' a hiss escaped him.

She looked up smiling. A horrible sly smile. Not even Malfoy could pull that off.

The words 'i must not tell lies' kept repeating on the paper. He was starting to feel light headed.

'i must n-'

The door slammed open. Familiar black robes swished in, "Potters presence is required by the head master immediately."

Umbride was astounded by the fact that he walked in unannounced, "Well i'm afraid Mr Potter is currently serving detention"

The greasy dungeon bat glared, "It non negotiable. Up", He said indicating towards the boy who had paused his punishment to watch the scene before him.

He scurried up, dropping his sleeve over his hand. While leaving the room he tripped over his feet as his eyes blurred from standing up too quickly.

"Foolish boy, hurry up. We don't have time for this."

"What exactly is going on", Harry asked as he regained his composure.

The man didn't reply. His long cloak floated behind him trying to catch up to his brisk pace, Harry felt himself doing the same. The old Hogwarts corridors no longer felt warm and welcoming, in this moment, it was as if they turned their back on him.

The pair approached the head masters office and suddenly Snape paused, "Your a foolish boy."

Harry didn't know what to say. What could he say ? He had no idea what was going on.

Lost in his thoughts he didn't realise that he was now sat in front of Dumbledore. The man hadn't so much as looked at him the entire year and now he's called some meeting.

"My boy. Something terrible has occurred tonight", He spoke gently but seriously. "The blood wards at your relatives fell this afternoon and the house was breached by death eaters."

He wasn't sure what to think. Looking away from the elders gaze he stared at his trainers while continuing to listen.

"Luckily no one was harmed as your family were all out."

He was confused, his mother sacrificed herself for him and as long as he stayed with a relative the blood magic stays effective until he turns 18.

The headmaster looked at him as if he could read the boys thoughts.

"I'm not certain on why this happened but i have my theory's. I need to ask you a question my boy."

He was nervous, he didn't do it intentionally. In fact this was the first he was hearing of it.

Without waiting for a reply Dumbledore carried on, "Do you consider your relatives house as your home?"

Confusion was all he felt. What did this all mean and what did it have to do with the blood wards.

"I dunno i guess so, i mean i lived there for 11 years and i go back every summer.", He mumbled unsure if that was the right answer.

"I see", Dumbledore said uneasily.

Snape grunted, startling Harry who forgot he was there.

"Well we are going to have to consider new living arrangements for the summer", The man said, with the familiar twinkle in his eyes, "I have been pondering over this and i believe that it would be in your best interest, Harry, to stay with Professor Snape over the summer."

Harry closed his eyes, trying to detach himself from what was going on around him, a habit he picked up from early childhood. It felt as if the world was spinning around him. The voices of The head master and potions professor blurred around him. He felt like he was going to be sick.

His brows furrowed together, he struggled focus on one voice, one was shouting angrily and the other was calm and encouraging but desperate.

"-ease Severus, for Lilys sake"

"How dare y-"

He tuned them back out, choosing to instead focus on the pain on his right hand. He could feel the fabric of the sleeve of his robe smothering the fresh wound.

"Harry, my boy", a voice pulled him out of his thoughts, "Professor Snape has very kindly agreed to house you for the summer."

Snape interrupted, "But the head master will be checking in after every week and if you prove to be as insufferable as always, he will find someone else to force you upon."

"Now now Severus, i'm sure the two of you will get on fine. You have more in common than you think."

Both of them highly doubted that.

wc: 1234