kbinnz - Harry's New Home

"Now, now, my dear boy, don't be too hard on yourself," Dumbledore soothed, showing that uncanny ability to read the mind of even the foremost Occlumens at Hogwarts. "You know you've always had a bit of a blind spot where Lily is concerned. Now by all means go back to your quarters and sulk about the indignity of it all, but then be sure to go and get the Weasleys' consent. I'd suggest you break the news to Harry this weekend тАУ I know he's been worrying a bit."

Snape was doing a very credible impression of a basilisk, but unfortunately Dumbledore appeared immune, perhaps because of extended exposure to Fawkes. He gently steered the younger, speechless wizard out the door, giving him a pat on the shoulder and a tin of lemon drops. As the door closed upon Snape's outraged expression, the last thing he saw was Dumbledore selecting a sherbet fizz with the unmistakable air of rewarding himself for a job well done.

TBC...

*Chapter 2*: Chapter 2

Severus remained in his quarters for the next few hours тАУ thinking, not sulking, he was quick to tell himself тАУ but in the end he knew he had to do what Dumbledore instructed. Much as he would like to fortify himself for the ordeal with a glass of fire whiskey, he suspected that the odor of alcohol on his breath would not go over well with the Weasleys.

For a brief moment he considered showing up drunk, in the hopes that they would rush to Dumbledore, insisting he was an unfit guardian, but he reluctantly dismissed the idea. It would take no effort to convince the Weasleys of his unsuitability for the role, but Dumbledore was made of sterner stuff, and he would see right through Severus' plan. Snape gnashed his teeth. Just his luck. He went from serving a near-omnipotent, egomaniacal lunatic to serving a near-omniscient, manipulative old coot.

Why couldn't he have ended up like all the other Potion Masters? He read their letters in the Journal of Potion Educators. The other Potion Masters complained about how their headmasters didn't provide them with enough room for their supplies or refused them funds for new cauldrons or were snippy about the occasional potion-related mishap. But no one else wrote in complaining about being compelled to adopt a prophesy-marked child or having to participate in setting up elaborate traps on school grounds for Dark Lords who were after a half-mythical treasure.

Severus mentally composed his letter: Dear JPE, I would be interested to learn how other Potion Masters balance their time commitments. I find it challenging to create new lesson plans and prepare for laboratory sessions while simultaneously spying for the Light. Does anyone have any helpful tips about combining Death Eater meetings with NEWTS prep? No, no one else seemed to have these problems. Lucky him.

He realized that the hour was getting late. He would have to do it now or explain his lapse to Dumbledore, and if he had to deal with one more twinkle or lemon drop, he would go stark, raving mad. Life in the bed next to the Longbottoms was looking more attractive by the day. He took a deep breath and activated the floo.

"Mrs Weasley?" he called out to the redhead bustling about the comfortably shabby living room.

"Yes? Why, Professor Snape!" Molly's eyebrows rose in surprise, then drew down in a fearsome frown. "What did they do this time?"

"Surprisingly, I am not calling about the twins," Snape replied drily. "May I come through?"

Molly's look of surprise returned. "Of course."

No sooner had he entered the Burrow than Molly Weasley had him ensconced in an armchair that was only slightly battered, with a cup of tea at his elbow. He struggled to hand back the plate of homemade biscuits. "Thank you, no," he insisted as politely as he could through gritted teeth.

"Are you allergic to chocolate?" Molly asked sympathetically. "I have some peanut butter ones in the kitchen. Or would you prefer oatmeal raisin? Or shortbread? I could whip up some scones тАУ"

"No!" he caught himself and forced himself to abandon his "start listening to me or you will blow up your cauldron and I will feed your internal organs to the squid" tone. This was a parent, not a student. An annoying parent, to be sure, but a parent nonetheless. "I mean, nothing for me, thank you. I'm fine."

Molly looked hurt. "You don't like my cooking?"

Severus could feel his blood pressure rising as he grabbed a biscuit from the plate. "Mm. Delicious," he snarled.

Molly smiled and sat down. "What can I do for you?"

"I have something I would like to discuss with you and your husband. Is he available?"

"Yes, he's just in the back with Ginny, de-gnoming the garden. Can you give me some idea what this is about?"

"I think it would be best to explain it to both of you at once. And perhaps your daughter could be sent away for an hour or so?" He paused, thinking of how best to ensure her compliance without having to (a) explain more or (b) consume additional biscuits. "I am here at the Headmaster's request." More or less.

It was obvious that Molly was afire with curiosity, but as an old Order veteran, she responded predictably to Dumbledore's name. "Of course."

Within five minutes, Ginny had been dispatched to her grandmother's via the floo, and Arthur, Molly, and Severus were gathered in the living room. "I apologize for disturbing you tonight тАУ and sending Miss Weasley away тАУ but I felt it best for our discussion that there was no chance of being overheard."

Now both Weasleys were wearing expressions of concern as well as curiosity. "Is something wrong, Professor?" Arthur asked, brow creasing. "Are the boys all right?"

"Your children are all fine," Snape assured him. "I am here to ask if you would like one more."

Hm. That didn't seem to come out properly. Now they were both staring at him with their mouths open. "Not full time," he hastened to explain. "More on a short term lease."

"You're renting out children?" Molly asked, her voice rising to a squeak.

Arthur took her hand. "I'm sure it's not what it sounds like, dear."

Severus frowned. It wasn't that complicated. Honestly тАУ leave it to a bunch of Gryffindors to need everything spelled out. He decided to take it very slowly. "You have, I believe, met Mr Potter тАУ"

"Harry?" Molly exclaimed in surprise. "That sweet little bespectacled boy? My heavens, what a lovely child!"

"Ron seems to have become friendly with him," Arthur agreed. "And the twins and Percy also wrote, saying nice things. I understand he was sorted into Gryffindor." The "of course" was politely withheld, given present company.

"Indeed," Snape said flatly. "I discovered that Mr Potter's home life is unacceptable, and so тАУ"

"What do you mean?" Molly demanded. "Didn't Dumbledore put him with family after James and Lily were killed? I remember there was a big fuss because he wouldn't tell anyone where Harry was, but he assured all of us that the child was safe and well."

Severus smirked. "Apparently not. Albus made the absurd assumption that ties of blood are synonymous with ties of affection. The boy was placed with Muggle relatives who were тАУ at the very least тАУ both neglectful and abusive."

Molly's eyes grew wide. "Abusive? No! That poor child!" Arthur patted her shoulder, but he looked very grim.

"Does the Ministry know of this?" he asked.

Severus shrugged. "You may take that up with Albus, if you wish. My concern lies with Mr Potter's current situation, not why he was allowed to remain with unsuitable guardians for the last decade."

"So you want us to take Harry?" Arthur asked. Beside him, Molly stopped sniffling long enough to look up excitedly.

"Take Harry? Of course we will! I told Dumbledore ten years ago that we would be willing to тАУ"

"I am not here to ask you to adopt Harry, nor even to become his guardians. Rather, I would like you to consider providing him with a regular destination that he can visit for extended periods over his school holidays."