kbinnz - Harry's New Home

Arthur glanced at his wife, then turned back to Severus. "I suspect from Ron's letter that we'd be likely to do that anyway тАУ given how well the two boys are getting on."

Molly frowned. "Why can't we adopt Harry? You just said he needs a home. If we don't take him in, who will?"

"The Headmaster has another guardian in mind," Severus hedged.

"Who?" Both Weasleys demanded.

"Me," he replied coldly, hoping to avoid the inevitable reaction.

It was, as expected, inevitable. "YOU?!"

Molly recovered first. Ignoring Snape entirely, she turned to her husband. "That's it. Dumbledore is senile. You'll have to alert the Ministry in the morning."

Arthur shot an apologetic glance at Snape. "Now, Molly, let's not be hasty. I suppose that Professor Snape тАУ"

"Arthur! He was a Death Eater. And that's who Dumbledore wants to put in charge of Harry? The Boy Who Lived?"

"He was a spy," her husband pointed out. "Dumbledore said so."

Molly snorted. "Eventually. Maybe. But he bears the Dark Mark. You think he got that deliberately, just so he could be a spy? Who are his people, anyway?"

"I think he's one of the Princes, isn't he?" Arthur had by now followed Molly's lead and forgotten Severus completely.

"Well! What else do you need to know? The Princes were all Darker than pitch and even crazier than the Blacks!" Molly paused. "Well, except for that one poor girl. What was her name? The one who was quite a few years ahead of us. Elizabeth? Elaine?"

"That was my mother," Snape said with what he felt was admirable restraint.

"But there was something wrong even with her," Molly went on, tapping her chin. "Let me see, what was it? What was it? Oh yes, she married that horrible Muggle."

"That was my father," Snape pointed out.

"Yes, well, it would have been, wouldn't it?" Molly agreed distractedly. "Oh, Arthur, this is terrible. We can't possibly allow Dumbledore to do this. Harry needs love and family and тАУ"

"Potter needs attention and consistency and guidance." Snape had had enough of being ignored. "None of which he is likely to get in this household amongst your litter of children."

"Well!" Molly glared at him. "I like that! You have the nerve to come in here and insult us even as you ask for a favor?"

Arthur patted her hand. "Let's hear him out, Molly. He's right that Harry may need more attention than he's likely to get in a big family like ours."

Snape gave a jerky nod of formal thanks to Arthur. "Exactly. I meant no offense to you, but while your home is well suited to model healthy family dynamics for Harry, he also will require someone whose sole focus is his welfare. Given his тАУ difficult тАУ background," Molly began to sniffle again, "it would be unfair to place him in such a large family where his unique needs might be unmet. By having the Burrow remain a special treat for him, he will learn its valuable lessons without having to give up the attention that he can receive as an only child in тАУ " he swallowed hard " тАУ my household."

"And why are you willing to take on this role?" Arthur asked, giving Severus an odd look.

"My reasons are none of your concern," Snape snapped.

"Actually, they are," Arthur shot back, undaunted. "You are asking us to тАУ in essence тАУ co-parent with you, and a child like Harry will have needs that are complicated not only by his background but also by his likely future." Snape frowned, but couldn't deny that Weasley's delicate implication of Death Eater interest in Harry was well-founded. "We need to know what we are getting into." Seeing that Severus remained unconvinced, Arthur grinned. "Besides, if we are going to play such a big role in Harry's life, then I'm sure we'll hear plenty about you. And since most of his comments will likely be couched as complaints, it would be helpful if we're in a position to defend you."

Snape's face fell into a ferocious scowl. How dare Weasley suggest that Potter would have anything to complain about!

"Severus," Arthur said, highly amused. "Every child complains about his parents. It's normal. But if we are all going to survive Harry's adolescence, then we will need to work together. Trust us on this."

Snape didn't like it, but he had to admit the older man had a point. "I agreed to do this тАУ reluctantly! тАУ because I have a certainтАж familiarityтАж with what Potter has exerienced." He glared at the couple, daring them to ask for details, but both were quiet. "In addition, I was very close to Lily Evans. We grew up in the same neighborhood and were friends until near the end of our Hogwarts days."

"Oh dear," Molly said sympathetically. "Did James come between you?"

Snape swallowed his emotions and looked away from her kind eyes. "In a matter of speaking. I тАУ I was extremely foolish. Our friendship never fully recovered." He took a deep breath. "But I am willing to take on the guardianship of the boy. With your assistance as well as my own, I anticipate that he will be able to recover from his treatment by those Muggles," he spat the word. Molly and Arthur exchanged a meaningful glance. Severus wasn't sure whether they took his venom as proof of his residual Death Eater sympathies or his apparent devotion to the child. Perhaps they were deciding that so long as he was devoted to the child, some Death Eater tendencies were a good thing, particularly when dealing with the Muggles who had mistreated him.

"There is one other matter we must discuss," he added quickly, eager to change the topic of conversation. "There will be a stipend associated with your agreeing to participate in this plan."

As expected, both bridled. "We don't need to be bribed to help Harry!" Molly said indignantly.

Snape sighed. Gryffindors were so predictable. "It is not a bribe. It is a source of funds to defray the additional expenses that you will incur."

"We can mana-"

"Harry will need to be clothed and fed. If you wish to go on family excursions, there will be the cost of his participation and travel to consider."

"We would never exclude тАУ"

"You will do Harry no favors if you treat him like a charity case," Snape said forbiddingly. "This way, it is clear that there is a mutual benefit."

"He'll imagine that we're only doing it for the money!" Molly argued.

"You will тАУ unlike the Muggles тАУ be expected to provide an accounting of the funds. It will be clear to Harry, should the issue arise, that you are not benefiting financially from his presence. You are merely not suffering additional hardship because of it."

Arthur and Molly exchanged a long look. Snape tried his best not to roll his eyes in exasperation.

"WellтАж I suppose we could agree to accept a small allowance that would be spent on Harry."

"Or for his benefit - for example, it could be used towards your grocery budget or upkeep on the house as he will be staying here regularly," Snape pointed out, heroically refraining from mentioning several obvious areas where funds were sorely needed, starting with the lumpy armchair in which he was currently seated. "And if you don't accept, I will find a different family."

Molly sat bolt upright. "You wouldn't!"

Snape just looked at her. She glanced worriedly at Arthur.

"All right. We agree," Arthur nodded.

"And we will need to strengthen the wards around the Burrow," Snape said. "I am aware that they are already quite strong, given your war records and eldest son's profession, but with The Boy Who Lived in frequent residenceтАж"

"No arguments from us on that one," Arthur said promptly. "Should we ask Bill and the goblins or would Dumbledore prefer to do it himself?"

"I will confer with the Headmaster and let you know. I suspect he will prefer to handle it."

"I'll look forward to seeing him!" Molly had a militant glint in her eye, and Snape fought down a snicker. Albus was in for a shock when he arrived.