Summary: There is a spell on an office in Hogwarts that guides children in bad home situations to that specific spot at certain specific dates and times of the year. This spell is only active when the castle judges that a worthy Head of House who will help the children is available. It compels that Head to select that specific office and to be there during those specific dates and times. There are times when no head is worthy &/or has the power/inclination to protect those children, so the office isn't used. During Snape's years as a student, this was the case.

When Snape becomes a head-of-house, the castle has judged him, after years of living within her walls, to be the next successor to this protection spell. At first, Snape can't figure out why he has a desire to be in his office at those specific times and why random students keep showing up there with no specific purpose in mind. Then he starts to see a pattern. He rebels a bit, surely the castle has chosen wrongly. But he can't let the problems go, he has to help these children, just as he wished someone would have helped him.

Imagine his surprise when Harry Potter is one of the students that shows up during those special office hours...

Summary: A little prompt to start with. :) End of fourth year after the triwizard tournament. Harry is having some thoughts and he receives help from someone unexpected.

It was the end of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. The triwizard tournament had finished and Harry had found himself sitting at the top of the astronomy tower. He couldn't keep his mind from drifting to Cedric, and how he wished so much that they had traded places. That Cedric was still here.

Harry looked down at the ground again and slid just a bit closer to the edge. What would happen if he were to accidentally fall? Voldemort was officially back, but was it really his job to take care of the maniac? If he wasn't here then the adults could take care of him. Form once they would have to fight for themselves instead of depend on some kid.

Maybe he should just slide off and fall to a peaceful end. Harry slid just a bit further forward and continued to look down at the great drop.

If he fell he wouldn't have to go back to the Dursley's home. Falling was looking more appealing by the moment. 

As he slid just a bit further forward to fall off the edge a hand shot out of the darkness and grabbed his arm.

Summary: Severus, realizing that single fatherhood and his full-time jobs are too taxing, decides to hire a nanny (similar in looks to Lily) to help take care of little Harry. Rumors spread throughout Hogwarts and the WW about his unknown wife and child who show up at least once a week to see him. Can Severus keep his secret without jeopardizing everything and keeping Albus from meddling in his "romantic life"?

Summary: Something in Harry's childhood awoke his abilities as Master of Death (decide for yourself how-- did James collect all the hallows but not know how to make them work or whatever?). Harry enters Hogwarts knowing he's basically indestructible. Show us how it goes!

Summary: Hogwarts is an orphanage.