Severus Apparated to a point just outside Hogwarts' gates and made his way slowly up to the castle. The noon sun beat down heavily on his head, and he had to squint against the brightness. It was an unusually warm day, even for this time of year, and Severus thought wryly that his long-sleeved dark shirt and dark trousers, which would be perfectly comfortable in the cool dungeons, were not the best choice of clothing to wear outside.

He had left off the black robes he normally wore over his shirts and trousers. Though he himself was a half-blood, he had spent most of his childhood and youth trying to impress pure-blooded wizards; first his overbearing, tyrannical grandfather with his almost fanatical pride, and then his Slytherin housemates at school.

Pretentious snobs, most of them, who looked down their aristocratic noses at Muggle attire. Oh, they wore Muggle-style clothing, but always with proper wizarding robes on top. Most of the purebloods he had known in his youth would have been just as scandalized at the idea of going without robes as they would have been if someone had suggested they venture out in their underwear.

That notion seemed to be changing with the younger generation, Severus had noticed. Even some of the most supercilious pureblooded students often went about in Muggle fashions on the weekends at school. He doubted that they did at home, though.

Or perhaps they did. Certainly not all purebloods, or all Slytherins for that matter, were prejudiced against Muggle ways. Severus had just been unfortunate enough to know many who were.

On the other hand, if most Muggles were like the ones he'd had to deal with that morning, he wasn't sure he could blame the purebloods who despised them. Potter's relatives had most definitely not been what he'd expected.

Some of the Muggle families were uncomfortable around wizards...the reason he'd left his robes behind and had worn only the shirt and trousers...but Severus had never seen any other student's relatives act the way the Dursleys had when he'd paid them a visit, with that odd combination of fear and utter disdain. They hadn't seemed the slightest bit concerned about Potter either. The big beefy man had even stated that they would be better off without him, while the horse-faced Petunia (it was impossible to think of her as Lily's sister) had wanted to know why ‘that school' didn't offer summer courses.

Because we professors need a break from teaching the dunderheads, that's why, Severus thought crossly. But he couldn't help but see that the Dursleys were not the adoring Potter fans he'd always believed them to be. They doted on that whale of a son, though. Severus remembered the cousin from Potter's memories during Occlumency lessons. He'd only glimpsed him today. The boy had taken one look at Severus and fled upstairs with a speed that was surprising in one so large.

Severus smirked at the memory. It was good to get in a last opportunity to intimidate one of the spoiled brats before settling down to enjoy the summer. All the students should have left Hogwarts an hour ago, and Severus looked forward to a quiet afternoon. He'd probably indulge himself with reading the rare book he'd purchased in Flourish and Blotts after his visit to the Dursleys. It was a copy of Clemente Romano's journal; Clemente Romano, who had been a legendary Healer and Potions Master in the Middle Ages and had created many of the medicinal potions still in use today, though later Potions Masters had improved upon some of them, Severus himself among them.

But before he settled down to read, perhaps he should check to see if Albus needed him. After all, not all of the students had left the castle that morning. Potter still lay unconscious in the infirmary, unless he'd woken up within the past couple hours. So far as Severus knew, Albus was still holed up in his office poring over the translations texts, trying to decipher the meaning of Draco's spell.

Severus paused in the entrance hall and then turned to go up to the headmaster's office, rather than head straight for the dungeons. He gave the password to the gargoyles and stepped onto the revolving staircase. A moment later he knocked on the oak door and heard Albus call for him to enter.

The venerable old wizard was seated at his desk, with several open books spread before him, as well as a piece of parchment upon which he'd apparently been scrawling notes.

"I just wanted to see if you needed my help with anything, Albus," Severus told him.

"Thank you, Severus. That's most kind of you." Albus gave him a small smile, though Severus thought he looked tired and troubled. "I believe I'm all right at the moment, but I may need you later. Are you planning to leave for Prince Hall today?"

"I had intended to leave after dinner tonight, but I can always stay here for a few extra days, if you wish."

Albus pursed his lips as he considered the offer. Finally he shook his head. "Thank you, again, for offering, but I don't believe it will be necessary, as long as I can get in touch with you at the Hall."

"Well, I have no plans to go anywhere else, unless of course..." Severus' voice trailed off as he held up his left forearm. The one branded with Voldemort's dark mark.

"Of course." Albus nodded. "I assume you're on your way back from seeing the Dursleys?"

Albus' tone was just a little too innocent. Severus had no doubt that the headmaster knew that Severus had had to realise his preconceptions about Potter's family were wrong. Not that Severus intended to admit it aloud.

He gave a noncommittal shrug. "Yes, I delivered the message and then stopped by Flourish and Blotts. A book I ordered had come in."

"Wonderful, Severus. Just in time for the beginning of summer, too." Apparently Albus wasn't going to push the issue of Potter's relatives.

"Have you made any progress?" Severus asked.

At once, Albus grew somber. "Some, but I think I need to do more research before taking any action."

"Very well. I'll be in my rooms if you should need me for anything."

But instead of asking to use the fireplace to Floo down to the dungeons, Severus left the way he'd come...down the staircase and past the gargoyle guardians. Of course, he could have used the Floo to go to the infirmary, too, but he hadn't wanted to announce his destination in front of Albus. Not that his old friend would have minded...knowing Albus, he'd probably guessed where Severus was headed, anyway. Still, there was such a thing as preserving his image...

Potter's condition was unchanged, and Poppy was rather worried about him, even though she admitted that he seemed fairly healthy.

"I hope Albus will figure out that spell soon," she fussed as she and Severus stood by Potter's bed.

"He said he'd made some progress," Severus assured her.

"I hope so." She glanced down at Potter in concern. "He seems well enough, but this coma disturbs me, Severus. I don't like to see him like this. I don't like not knowing what to do."

"I'm surprised you managed to pry Weasley and Granger away from his side," Severus remarked, mostly to distract her from her fretting.

Poppy rolled her eyes, but her face softened at the mention of Potter's friends. "It wasn't easy, believe me. In fact, Albus himself had to come up and promise them that Harry wasn't in danger and that we would notify them at once as soon as he awoke."

"Albus spoils them," Severus muttered. "All three of them."

"Oh, Severus, they're good children. I wish you could see that."

Severus shrugged. "Incidentally, Poppy, I have something that might interest you." He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a tiny object. A flick of his wand later, the black leather-bound book had returned to its original size. He held it out.

Poppy thumbed through the journal, her face alight with interest. "This is Romano's journal?"

"Not the original, of course," Severus remarked dryly.

Poppy smirked at him, then returned to examining the book. "But this is fascinating. I've always been interested in his work. Healers today are still using his potions, and his work against Dark curses is legendary."

She looked up sharply. "I wonder if Albus could use this to help Harry..."

"Albus has his own copy," Severus replied. "Anyway, you're welcome to borrow it once I've read it, if you'd like."

"I would love to," She handed the book back to him. "Thank you."

Severus shrank the book and tucked it back into his pocket. "Before I go, Poppy, I wondered if I might borrow something from you? I'd like to read through Potter's medical records."

Poppy shot him a look. "Very shrewd, Severus. Dangling Romano's journal in front of me before asking for records that are supposed to stay in my keeping."

Severus' lips quirked upwards, which was as close to smiling as he ever came. "Well, I am a Slytherin."

"Why do you want to see Harry's records?"

Severus considered. He himself wasn't entirely sure why he wanted to. Finally he said, "I paid a visit to his relatives this morning, and they were not quite what I expected. Let's just say I wish to satisfy my curiosity."

He noticed that the medi-witch had made a face at the mention of the Dursleys and asked, "What do you know about them, Poppy?"

"Nothing definite," she admitted. "Harry's very close-mouthed about them. But he always returns to Hogwarts in worse condition than he leaves."

It was Severus' turn to frown. He might not like Potter, but as a staff member, he had an obligation to protect all the children at the school. They all did.

"And you've never mentioned your suspicions to Albus?" His voice was sharp.

Poppy's voice was equally sharp. "What do you think, Severus? Of course I have. I've gone to Albus every year since Harry was eleven."

He nodded. "I apologise, Poppy. Of course you would have. And Albus does nothing?"

"He looks very grieved, but he just says the situation is complicated and it has to be this way." Poppy took a deep breath and sighed. "I suppose I could let you see the records, but I'll need them back before you leave Hogwarts."

"Thank you, Poppy."

Severus dined on sandwiches and fruit salad for lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon seated on his favorite stuffed chair, reading. First, Potter's records, and then his book. Intriguing as Romano's journal was, though, he found his thoughts kept returning to Potter.

The boy had always been seriously underweight when he returned to Hogwarts in the fall, malnourished even, and more than once, Poppy had noted suspicious bruises on his arms, but Potter had always had some explanation. Not very good explanations, in Severus' opinion, but beyond going to Albus, there wasn't much Poppy could do, especially since Potter himself denied being ill-treated.

But why hadn't Albus done something? That was what Severus couldn't understand. He'd never known Albus to stand back and do nothing while a child was abused. The headmaster had always done whatever was necessary to protect the children. And Potter was one of his favorites. It simply didn't make any sense.

For that matter, how had Severus himself missed the signs all those years? He'd always thought that he kept such a close watch over the boy. But somehow he'd never seen the hints of abuse. Maybe because he hadn't wanted to see?

When the clock on the mantel chimed six o'clock, Severus went to prepare for dinner. He rather wished he were already at his own home, Prince Hall, but Albus did like for the staff to celebrate one last farewell dinner before going their separate ways for the holidays.

A few stayed on at Hogwarts, Albus himself was one of them, but many of the faculty went away for at least part of the summer, and this would be the last occasion they met as a group before the end of August.

Oh, well, Severus supposed he didn't really mind. While he was certainly not very sociable, he did respect many of his colleagues; he was even fond of one or two, and he could count on Albus, Minerva, and Poppy for stimulating conversation. It was odd how two of his closest friends, if one could call them that, were Gryffindors. He couldn't abide any of the youngsters from that foolhardy House. Perhaps Gryffindors improved with age, if they survived that long.

After dinner, which was delicious, and Albus' farewell speech, which was tedious, Severus returned Potter's medical records to Poppy and made his way over to his old friend.

"Albus, could I speak with you in private for a moment before I go?"

"Of course, Severus. Let's Floo back to my office, shall we?" Albus led the way to the nearby chamber where there was a fireplace and they Flooed to his office.

Severus glanced over at the desk, still covered in books and parchment. "How's your research coming along?"

"I'm still working on it," Albus replied quietly.

"I hope you're getting enough rest. As far as I know, you've been working almost non-stop since yesterday evening. You need to sleep at some point, Albus," Severus told him.

Albus nodded. "Yes, I think I'm going to bed shortly and resume my work in the morning. I'm just very anxious to get Harry up and about again."

"Speaking of Potter, I want to know..." Severus began.

Albus interrupted. "You want to know why I have allowed him to remain with the Dursleys in spite of their abusive ways."

"It isn't like you, Albus." Severus said.

Albus looked away for a moment, and when he turned back to face Severus, the Potions Master thought that he had never seen his mentor look so old or so sad.

"Believe it or not, Severus, it is for Harry's own protection." Albus explained about the blood wards protecting Harry from Voldemort and his Death Eaters, how he grieved over sending the boy back each year, but how he reluctantly decided each time that it was the safest alternative.

Severus sighed. "I don't know, Albus. Merlin knows, I can't abide the brat, but it seems like something else could be worked out."

Albus gave him a long, considering look...a look that Severus didn't understand and didn't like.

"Well, if this spell does what I think it does, Harry won't be going back to Privet Drive again, anyway."

"Oh?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, does the spell do?"

But Albus shook his head. "Not now, Severus. I still have a few more things to check out, and as you pointed out, I need to rest tonight. And you're eager to be back at Prince Hall, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," Severus admitted. "All right, then, Albus. I'm leaving. You can keep your secrets. May I use your Floo?"

Albus nodded and after the younger man had vanished, he stared after him, his expression growing sorrowful again.

"Oh, but Severus, I don't think it can be kept a secret from you and Harry much longer."

***

Norie and Zan were waiting when Severus stepped out of the fireplace and into his upstairs sitting room at Prince Hall. In spite of himself, Severus' features softened at the sight of the two elderly house-elves, both of them looking ridiculously alike, with their woolen tunics, soft white hair, and big blue eyes.

"Oh, Master Severus, we've been waiting and waiting for you," Norie scolded, even as she practically hopped up and down in her excitement at seeing him again.

"I needed to speak with Albus for a few minutes after the dinner, if that was all right with you, Norie," Severus answered. But he didn't say it with any rancor. He'd known the pair of house elves since childhood, since he and his mother had returned to her ancestral home after she'd left his father.

They'd returned to the scorn and anger of Severus' grandfather, too. Jeremiah Prince had never forgiven his only child, Eileen, for marrying a Muggle...and a poor, slovenly one at that. Severus himself had always wondered what his mother had seen in Tobias Snape. If their positions had been reversed, if Tobias had been the wizard, he'd have suspected his father of resorting to a love potion, but why Eileen would have wanted to trick herself into becoming infatuated with a dirty, drunken man who could never be part of her world was beyond Severus' comprehension.

He suspected that she'd mainly wanted to escape her overbearing father, but that didn't really explain why she'd chosen Tobias Snape. While not a great beauty, she hadn't been ugly, and she'd had the advantages of wealth and a good name. She could have chosen a more appropriate suitor.

But Severus had given up trying to understand it years ago. His parents were the only ones who could have told him, and Eileen had been dead for years now. Not that she'd been very communicative when she'd been alive, either.

And he hadn't seen Tobias Snape since the day he was ten years old, and his father had beaten both him and his mother until they were unconscious. That incident had been the final straw in a miserable union. Eileen had finally swallowed her pride enough to ask her father's permission to come home.

Jeremiah probably would have denied her, too, if it hadn't been for Severus. Not that the old wizard had had any compassion for his grandson; no, Jeremiah Prince was as cold and unfeeling as a stone. But he was proud, and he wanted an heir, an heir with Prince blood, even if not pure-blood.

But, during all of those troubled years, Norie and Zan had been a bright spot for Severus. For years, they had been the only ones who truly cared for him. They'd known about his trials and triumphs at school; they'd celebrated with him when he'd achieved his Potions Mastery degree; they'd grieved when he became a Death Eater, and had rejoiced when he'd left Voldemort. They had helped him pick up the pieces of his life and move on.

They were the closest thing Severus had to a family.

"We worried that you might have had a change of plans, Master Severus," Zan said solemnly.

"He hasn't called for a time, Zan, although now that he doesn't have to hide his return, I might have to become more active," Severus sank down into an easy chair and tried not to think about what the upcoming months would bring. Voldemort was on the rise, and the boy who was the only one with a chance of defeating him lay unconscious in the Hogwarts' infirmary. It was enough to give Severus a headache.

He gratefully accepted the glass of wine Norie brought him.

"We are wishing you didn't have to spy anymore, Master Severus," the little house-elf said anxiously. "Zan and I hate to see you come back from those horrible meetings in such pain. We are scared for you."

"There's no reason to worry, Norie. Nothing's going to happen to me. I'm much too mean to die. Ask any of my students."

Norie's expression changed slightly. Although she still looked concerned, there was a sly gleam in her eyes. "Speaking of youngsters, Master Severus, it's high time you was looking for a wife and thinking about having children of your own."

Severus prided himself on his ability to remain cool and collected under extreme circumstances, but at those words, he almost choked on his wine.

"Norie, I have absolutely no desire to marry or have children. It's bad enough I have to spend ten months of the year teaching the little idiots." He gave her his fiercest glare.

She remained unperturbed. "Well, Zan and I worry about you being alone, Master Severus. We is getting old, you know, and won't be around forever. You is needing a family of your own."

Before he could argue, she bustled out of the room, leaving Zan gazing at him with his huge somber blue eyes.

"Norie is right, Master Severus. It's not good for you to be alone."

Severus sighed. "I assure you, Zan, I am quite satisfied with my own company."

He expected the house-elf to argue, but Zan only stared at him and then turned to follow Norie.

Severus spent the next two days happily puttering around Prince Hall. He began a new potion, read the book on Clemente Romano, and walked around the gardens for an hour after lunch. He even spent a little time pondering Potter's fate, but decided that he would leave matters to Albus.

Thankfully, the Dark Mark on his arm remained inactive, and he was beginning to hope that perhaps he could actually have some time this summer just to enjoy himself, when a great tawny owl brought a message from Albus after breakfast on his third morning at home.

"Is everything all right, Master Severus?" Norie asked as she gathered up his plate and utensils to take back to the kitchen.

"I think so, Norie. It's from Albus. He needs to see me so I'll be at Hogwarts for a while today. It's probably about the Potter brat."

Norie frowned at him. "Really, Master Severus, he's only a child."

"Yes, a bratty child. You've never met him, Norie, so you don't know."

"I know he's got enough of a burden to carry without you making things more difficult for him," she retorted, and left the room, levitating the breakfast things before her.

Severus shook his head, partly in amusement and partly in exasperation. That was Norie's way, to get in the last word and then take off before he could contradict her.

He pushed back his chair, got some Floo powder from a small jar on the dining room mantle, and left for Hogwarts.

Albus met him in the entrance hall and escorted him back up to the headmaster's office.

"You know, Albus, I don't think I've spent so much time in your office since sixth-year," Severus remarked.

Albus smiled, but his eyes remained grave. "Have you had a pleasant time at Prince Hall, Severus?"

"Pleasant enough," Severus sat in the chair Albus indicated and waited as the headmaster sat down opposite him. "All right, Albus. Just tell me what's going on. This is about Potter and that spell, isn't it?"

"Yes," Albus agreed, but then he fell quiet for a few minutes before saying, "Humor me, please, Severus, and tell me again exactly what happened when Draco cursed Harry."

"It knocked Potter out. I caught him before he fell, and then..."

"You're certain that you were the first one to touch Harry after the spell hit him?" Albus demanded.

Severus nodded. "Yes."

"Well, there is no easy way to tell you this, Severus, and it will be even harder to tell Harry." Albus looked uncharacteristically agitated. He reached for a book and some parchment and handed them to Severus. "Perhaps you should read it for yourself. This is the Malfoy book and my notes translating the spell."

Severus read in silence for a few minutes. Then he read again, and again.

Finally he looked up. "This is impossible."

"I'm very much afraid it is possible," Albus replied. "Harry is enslaved to you, Severus."