I Think the Sun is a Flower, That Blooms Just for One Hour

It's Like a Fire in the Stove...

A/N this is based off Ray Bradbury's short story, All Summer in a Day. It's really good and you can just google it and read it. It's only two or three pages.

In that story they live on Venus where there is no sun, except for once every 7 years.

Severus Snape was not a kind man by any means. His students couldn't imagine him ever being a child. They all assumed just been born a bitter and strict adult.

This was definitely not one of his kinder days. He'd been working on an exceptionally important potion when he'd been called away by the head master.

"Ah, Severus," Professor Dumbledore greater when the dour man entered his office. "I need you to do something. Arabella has said she has not seen Harry since she moved in and I would like you to go check on him."

"Who is Arabella and Harry?"

"Arabella Figg. She has moved into Harry Potter's neighborhood to keep an eye on him, but as I said, she has not seen hide nor hair of the boy."

Severus considered arguing. There were plenty of other people available to check on the child, however Severus had been raised in a muggle neighborhood and had even known the Potter boy's aunt, so there would be no point in arguing. The dark haired man merely nodded and acquired the coordinates of the boys house.

Harry was very little the last time he saw sunlight, just how little he didn't know. All he could remember was a brilliant shining and bright red hair reflecting that light. He thought it was like the fire on the stove on the nights Aunt Petunia made him cook something.

At least, that's what he thought it was like. He couldn't remember anymore. He hadn't been out of the house since his parents were killed in a car accident. He'd been kept in the cupboard under the stairs at all times, except the few times he was aloud to use the bathroom and when his Aunt and Uncle needed him to do something.

He heard the doorbell ring and wondered who would be coming over. Whenever his aunt and uncle had company, they stressed the need for silence to Harry with threats of no food. Harry heard his uncle lumber by, checking the lock on his cupboard door as he passed.

"Silence, boy," he growled, before proceeding to open the front door.

"Hello," said a man outside the door. "My name is Tobias, I am from Child a Protective Services. I understand you took custody of your nephew a few years ago?"

"Five," Vernon grumbled.

"Yes. I am here to do a check on the home and the child. Just protocol, you understand."

"The boy is doing homework, along with my son. They cannot be disturbed."

"I apologize, sir, but I must see Mr. Potter before I can leave. I'd be happy to wait until they're finished, if you wouldn't mind." Mr. Dursley didn't look happy, but he didn't protest further.

They sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes until the door opened and Petunia Dursley walked in carrying groceries.

"Dear," Mr. Dursley said with barley restrained anger. "This is Tobias. From Child Protective Services. He's here to check on Harry."

Mrs. Dursley looked startled for a moment. "Oh," she started to speak, but stopped when she got a good look at Severus. "It's you, isn't it? You were that boy from Spinner's End! That-that freak!"

Severus hadn't anticipated this, but at least he didn't have to pretend. "Severus Snape. And I am not a freak, Petunia."

"He's one of... them?" Mr. Dursley asked.