The Boy Who Refused To Die

Chapter 2: The Snape Mannor

"Harry, would you please hold onto my arm?" Severus asked as he held an arm out to the boy. They had just stepped out of the Dursley home. Harry gently grasped the man's arm. "A bit tighter please. We will be apparating and I don't want to lose you in the process," Snape said simply. Harry nodded and held onto his arm quite a bit tighter. Then with a 'pop' Harry felt a pull from his naval region and his feat lifted off of the ground for a split second before slamming back down.
Once he felt his feet come back in contact with the ground his knees buckled and he fell to the grassy lawn to empty the contents of his stomach. "Harry! Are you alright?!" Severus asked as he kneeled next to the boy.
After he had finished heaving he wiped his face and looked at the man beside him. "Splendid," he said dryly.
Severus helped him up and supported him as they walked into the grand mansion. The floors of the entryway were black marble and white granite pillars held up the twenty foot tall ceiling from which crystal chandeliers hung. He looked around in awe as his new guardian led him into the dining hall and sat him down at the vast table.
"Saryian!" Snape yelled. A 'pop' sounded and a small humanoid looking creature stood in front of the man who just yelled.
He bowed,"What can I do for you master?"
"Bring me a glass of water please. Will you also ensure that Mr. Potter's suite is ready for him?" Snape asked as he handed the shrunken trunks to the creature.
"Of course master. Is that all?"
"No," Snape said," I would like for you to tell the kitchen elves to begin preparing supper. That is all, you may go." He turned away as the creature left the room with a pop.
"Mr. Snape, what was that thing," Harry asked as he pushed his glasses back to where they were supposed to be.
"There's no need to be so formal Harry. That was Saryian, my head house elf. House elves are the magical creatures that keep the wizarding world running. They live to serve a family from the day they're born until the day they die. It may seem cruel, but it's in their nature. Releasing one, which is done by giving them clothes, is the greatest form of dishonor in the eyes of their kind."
"Oh," was all Harry said. A few moments later Saryian returned with a glass of water for Harry and informes Severus that dinner preparations were under way and that Harry's suite was ready.
"Are you ready to see your quarters?" Snape asked with a small smile. Harry nodded and followed as the berobed man led him down a few hallways until they reached a set of black oak double doors. Snape threw them open and Harry stared in awe.
The room had high ceilings just like the rest of the house and a crystal chandelier to match. On the wall opposite the entry were two large windows that reached from the floor to the ceiling. Between the windows was a tall black wardrobe. On either side of the windows were short black dressers that matched the wardrobe. On the wall to the left stood a queen size four poster bed. It had luxurious emerald green sheets and a dark grey comforter. On either side stood a black nightstand with a lamp above it on the wall. The frame of the bed was made with the same black wood as the dressers, nightstands, wardrobe and doors. In front of the bed sat a sofa that looked to be made of emerald green velvet. The sofa faced a great white marble fireplace that roared with heat. The floors were made of white oak and the walls were white except for the one behind the bed, which was emerald green to match the sofa and bed sheets.
As if the room wasn't big enough already, there was a door on either side of the fireplace.
"Can I look around?" Harry asked.
Snape let out a lighthearted chuckle. "Of course, this is all yours after all."
Harry's eyes widened. "This is all mine?" Snape nodded. "What about what's behind the other doors?"
"That's yours too. Now, do look around," Snape said.
Harry smiled as he walked into the room. He ran his hand across the sofa, enjoying the smoothness of the velvet. He noticed that all of the wooden pieces in the room were engraved with intricate designs with snakes hidden in them. He smiled to himself as he flopped down on the bed. After a moment he got up and made his way to the door to the left of the fireplace. He opened it and stared in shock at the marvelous bathroom. It had a large black marble tub that was more like a small pool than anything else. There was also a black marble toilet and vanity sink. The floors were white marble. He walked out of his bathroom and over to the other door. He seriously doubted that whatever was behind this could trump the rest of his room. He was wrong. As he opened the door he almost cried with joy.
The room was filled from top to bottom with books of all sorts. in the center of the room was a large black oak desk with a green velvet chair behind it. There were cauldrons all around the desk of different sizes along with racks of vials of ingredients, beakers and other potion brewing supplies.
"When did you have the time to do this?" an astonished Harry asked. "I only told you that I liked brewing an hour ago!"
"I planned on teaching you the art of potion brewing already. It is simply coincidental," Snape said cooly. "These," he gestured to a short bookcase behind the desk, "Are all of your books from the Dursley household. These," he gestured to the rest of the room,"Are your books from me." He smiled at Harry as he spun around to take in the vastness of his newly acquired library.
After Harry got over his astonishment he went back out into his main room and looked through the dressers. All of his clothes were there. He went over to the wardrobe and opened it. He was surprised to see that it was completely empty.
"That is for all of your new clothing that we'll be purchasing tomorrow. You can't go around the wizarding world dressed like a muggle," Snape said.
"Mr.-er I mean- Severus, where are my other belongings?"
"They're all in your desk, although I'm confused as to how you already have a wand. Children don't usually get those until they turn eleven."
"My aunt gave it to me yesterday. She said that it was from my father."
"I see," Snape said, deciding to drop the topic. At that moment a familiar 'pop' sounded and Saryian stood before the two.
"Master, dinner is ready to be served whenever you are ready," he said while bowing.
"Thank you Saryian. You're dismissed." He looked over to Harry. "Shall we go then?"
"Sure," Harry shrugged and they headed down to the dining hall together.