Chapter 23

Severus scoffed at the woman on the floor in disgust as he looked at her fallen form. He hadn't even had a chance to stun her before she just passed out on him. He hadn't caught her and he watched her hit the floor with a thud. He sighed; this was why she was a pitiful excuse for a witch. He shook his head in irritation as he took in her prone form; he actually thought she was going to put up a fight. The only thing she did was roll her eyes in the back of her head and crumple to the floor.

He pointed his wand at her to stupefy her, no sense in having her wake up before they left the castle. He didn't need to alert anyone to their presence, not even wanting to imagine getting caught. He levitated her, making sure that he wasn't leaving anything of his in her quarters. He could just imagine how that was going to look when she turned up missing and they found something to connect him to her.

He would return her, but for the next few days she was all his. He was just about to disillusion her when he heard a knock on the door. He frowned; he didn't think anyone would be visiting her now, not after what she did. Severus shook his head, he obviously wasn't going to answer it and he impatiently waited for whoever it was to go away.

"Delores, I know that you are in there. Now you better open up or I will let myself in," Minerva threatened.

As the Deputy Headmistress and a woman the Headmaster had said she had to 'check' on her and she wasn't about to turn the opportunity down. Because of her status she was also able to bypass any portrait passwords on the basis of checking up on someone or something.

Severus stilled as he heard Minerva's voice and had just a few seconds to think about what he was going to do when the door opened revealing her. He was unable to stop his horror struck expression at being caught and it was obvious that she didn't expect to meet him here either.

"Severus, what the bloody hell are you doing in here?" She asked forgetting herself for a moment as she took in her youngest coworker.

"Minerva, I can explain," he said carefully as his wand was still out. He felt a bit off at what he was about to do, but he needed to cover his tracks. He was not against oblivating her and going about his business as if nothing happened.

"Can you? Then can you please explain what Delores is doing floating behind you?" She said quirking an eyebrow at him in disbelief.

"She passed out, plain and simple. I haven't touched her," Severus said quietly the 'yet' was left off but he wasn't foolish to know that she hadn't caught it nonetheless.

"I see, where were you taking her?" Minerva asked weakly, as she took in the cold eyes of the man in front of her. She knew even with her skills and years of wisdom, he would best her in a fight if it came down to it.

"The Dungeons," he stated plainly. He didn't bother to tell her that wasn't the complete truth, but she didn't need to know that part.

"And you were just planning on taking her like that? In plain sight just like that? You are a Slytherin are you not? I know you have more decorum then that," she said with a smirk of her own.

Severus couldn't help it; his mouth fell open a bit as he stared at her. He watched her come in completely and shut the door behind her, and make her way towards him.

"I was going to disillusion her," he said when his mouth started working again. "What are you doing?"

"Helping you, what does it look like Severus? Oh put your wand away, Albus won't hear about this, not from me," she said in an exasperated tone as she realized he had yet to relax his stance.

"Why are you helping me? You know that whatever is going to happen to her isn't going to be legal or harmless," Severus said bluntly.

"I know, but I also know that you will show her exactly what she did was wrong. And that when all is said and finish she will forever remember what happened but she won't be able to tell anyone else what was done," Minerva said quietly.

"But you know my methods are illegal," Severus said trying to figure out the woman in front of him.

"I also know that she hurt our children, and she hurt something precious that belonged to Lily. Albus is a fool if he thinks you were letting this go. I know you Severus and I trust your judgment on this, just do not kill her," Minerva said basically giving him her blessing.

"I won't, I have no intention of allowing Harry to lose another parental figure in his life once more," Severus replied truthfully.

Minerva sighed in obvious relief at his words before giving him that Cheshire grin that had him laughing earlier. She had noticed the protective words when he spoke of not killing her if only for Harry. That was enough for her, she knew deep down that Severus was a good man; he was just a little rough around the edges.

"I know a spell that will transfigure her into a rock, and you can put her in your pocket and walk out of here like nothing happened," she said with a smirk that made him wonder why he ever doubted her.

~*~*~*~Snape Manor~*~*~*~*

Harry flopped down on the floor of the kitchen, gasping for breath as he and Ron tried to stop the laughter from coming out. They just had the epic of all food fights and he wasn't even sure who had won. None of that even mattered as that was the best fun he could remember having in ages.

"It's going to suck having to clean this all up before Snape gets here," Ron said after catching his breath.

Harry sighed loudly. "Yeah, but it was fun," he chuckled.

"It was, I just wish that—bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed before sitting up as he looked at the sparkling kitchen in disbelief.

Harry jumped at his tone before looking around widely for the threat, relaxing a moment later as he saw the clean kitchen. He grinned at Ron's awestruck expression as he glanced down at himself to find his clothes devoid of all food.

"Thanks Twinkle," he said to the air with a grin as he stood up and stretched, as Ron did the same.

"Your house elf did this?" Ron asked in amusement.

Harry nodded. "She nice, let's go get my jacket and then go flying," Harry said already running out the kitchen and towards the stairs.

"Wait for me Harry! I didn't bring my broom!" Ron yelled out as he followed him.

"You don't need one, my dad bought an extra just for you," Harry called back over his shoulder, unaware of what he had just said.

Ron on the other hand had stopped mid-stride to give Harry's back a pensive expression that soon turned into a wide grin as he took in the full extent of his words. He shook his head in amusement before he took off once more after Harry.

~*~*~*Hogwarts~*~*~*~

Severus watched as the Transfiguration Mistress did her magic and the next thing he knew the toady woman was a small pebble which he then placed in his robe pocket. After getting the counter spell from Minerva he was all set to walk out until he noticed what she was doing.

"Minerva, what are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Creating a golem, I highly doubt you wish anyone to realize she was missing. As we both know

Albus would come to you first," she stated briskly as she transfigured a pillow into the still form of the woman they all hated.

"What is going to be the excuse for her not being herself?" Severus mused.

"Everyone knows she had an upset stomach at lunch today, which is more than enough. As it is the holidays she won't be missed Severus I can assure you," she said grinning.

"Well Minerva I thank you for covering my tracks, you would have made a brilliant Slytherin," he said with sincerity in his tone, before walking out of her quarters and down the corridor.

Because he was in such a hurry to get out of the castle, he failed to hear what she had said to him in return as he left.

"And you Severus would have made an extraordinary Gryffindor. Your loyalty to Lily astounds me, even too this day," she had murmured before continuing on in her task to keep Albus clueless.

~*~*~*~*Snape Manor~*~*~*~

Harry was currently in the air flying on his firebolt, Ron a few spaces away from him. He was actually having the time of his life, but that was nothing compared to the feeling he suddenly felt. He didn't know how he knew this but he dove to the ground in an instant already running for the door.

"Harry wait, where are you going?" Ron yelled as he flew towards the ground.

"Snape's home," he said as if that explained everything, because in his mind it did. Never mind that he was now keyed into the wards and he recognized that magical signature anywhere.

He was grinning as he threw open the backdoor and ran through the house. He had been expecting the man to still be in the floo room and it came as a surprise when he found himself face first in a warm chest.

"Harry? What's the rush?" Severus asked teasingly.

"I missed you," Harry mumbled softly in the man's robes.

"I missed you as well. If you'll just give me one moment to get cleaned up, you can tell me how you and Ronald spent your day. Speaking of which, where is Mr. Weasely?" Severus asked curiously.

"Right here sir," Ron said as he burst through the door.

Severus gave the teen a nod before gently extracting Harry from his robes. "I will be right back," he promised.

"Okay," Harry said easily his bright smile never leaving his face.

"Let's go finish flying Harry," Ron said already pulling on his friend's arm.

Harry gave the man a quick hug before giving Ron a small shove and running outside. He laughed as his friend called him a cheater before they disappeared out the door.

Severus watched them with a thoughtful look, his easy going expression sliding back into the grimace that had occupied it before he got home. Placing his hand in his robe pocket to feel the pebble he nodded before making his way down to the cellar, before opening the latch and entering the Dungeons. This was the place that he warded with numerous spells to keep Harry out.

He was extra careful that the child wasn't even aware that it was here. And as Harry seemed to dislike small, dark places he wasn't worried about the boy finding it at all. Grateful for the silencing charm around the room, he took the pebble and tossed it on the floor of one of the cells. Pointing his wand as it landed on the stone floor, he said the counter spell and Delores reappeared in all of her glory. He was glad that Minerva had taken the liberty of getting the woman's wand. With a flick of his wrist, he had her chained to the wall behind her and the cell door locked.

He knew that his other potions were still in effect and he planned to make use of them as soon as she awoke. At the moment however he double checked the locking spells before going back upstairs. He was not going to torture her right now, not when he promised Harry he would be right back. He smiled a cruel smile to himself as he hurried out of the cellar and to his room. Tomorrow Harry and Ronald would be visiting Albus and then he would start his revenge.

Outside up in the air, Harry kept looking back towards the door as if Snape would appear any moment. He stuck his tongue out at Ron who was making a funny face at him.

"He lets you call him dad Harry?" Ron asked carefully.

"Yeah, we had this big talk. He said that he would adopt me if he could and that he would try really hard to make it so if I really wanted it," Harry admitted happily.

Ron nodded, thinking on the situation for a moment. "That would mean you would never have to return to the Durselys," he pointed out.

"It means more than that; he said I would have a home. For good, this would be my home forever," Harry said choking up a bit on the words.

"And nobody deserves to have that more then you mate," Ron said softly.

Harry gave him a wide grin before rolling his eyes. "Race you?"

"Yeah, but I get a head start," Ron said grinning as he took off.

"Now who's the cheater?" Harry yelled as he raced after him in delight.

It was later on that night, after Ron had long gone home. Severus was currently tucking Harry into his bed, and the boy didn't seem to be complaining about it. He knew that although the boy was 15 years old, he deserved this. He missed out because of his dreadful relatives so he was going to give him as much as he could. Harry needed to know that he deserved good things.

"Is that good?" Severus asked as he tucked the covers up to his chin.

Harry face was flushed a bit in embarrassment, but he nodded. He had dreamed of being tucked in as a kid, but it had never happened. He could remember maybe once that his Aunt had done it when he was small but no more. He knew that it was childish to let the man do it but he couldn't deny how it made him feel. He felt cherished and loved, why should he have to give that up just because he was too old for it.

"Thank you," Harry replied softly. He was feeling a bit guilty at the moment, here Snape was taking the time out to be a real father and Harry was keeping secrets from him. Harry knew that the man wouldn't be happy to hear what he was doing but he didn't want to disturb his sleep.

As it was he wasn't about to let him in on his secret, he couldn't handle the disappointment he knew he would see in his teacher's eyes. Which was saying something, as since when did he care about what Snape thought of him? He cut that train of thought, he knew he cared about what the man thought since he had taken him that day from Grimmauld Place.

Severus stood up and ran his hand through the damp hair of the child. "Sleep tight Harry," he

murmured.

Harry made a small noise of contentment as he closed his eyes. He however opened them in shock when he felt a kiss on the top of his head. He sighed audibly in relief. "Love you," he whispered so softly he wasn't sure the man had heard which was fine with him as he hadn't meant to say it.

Severus was a bit startled to hear such words but he took it in stride. "I love you to child," he said just as soft before walking out of the room.

His heart was thudding quite loud in his chest as it had been a long time since he had uttered those words to someone. He knew though that he meant it, and he wondered if Harry knew how special he was. Because Severus didn't give his love out to anybody, it took a special person to break his facade.

But then again Harry Potter was just like Lily in that way, they wormed their way into your heart and once they were there they never let go. But by then, you didn't even want them too. Severus sighed spelling a selective charm around the boy's room that would alert him if he was distressed before making his way downstairs and towards the dungeons. He had business with a toad.

The next morning found Harry to his disappointment, being sent to Hogwarts with Ron. He frowned because he had hope since it was Christmas Eve that the man would want to spend time with him. He sighed and had moped around for a good ten minutes until Ron told him that was Snape's way of kicking him out the house so he could wrap up his presents. Harry had looked at his friend quite happily as he couldn't imagine the man doing something like that.

Ron on the other hand knew it was true as his mother had flooed over with him, and said she wanted to speak to Severus to make sure he not only got Harry appropriate clothes but toys as well. Ron was happy about that part to be honest, because Harry needed everything they could give him. He stayed silent as they flooed into the Headmaster office, though this time he took a protective stance next to him as the old man apologized to him.

Harry nodded patiently as he listened to the old man talk, lighting up when the headmaster or rather the portraits told them the about the prank that they had pulled on the toady woman yesterday. He couldn't believe that Snape had participated in that and had been responsible for some of it. He grinned, wondering why they decided to play a prank on her now.

Nevertheless he was happy that she had gotten her just desserts, and he kind of wanted to see her to rub it into her face. But he knew that wouldn't be wise, not to mention she had yet to be seen at all today and he wasn't about to get into trouble by going and looking for her. He waited until the man had dismissed them before turning to Ron.

"So what exactly were we doing here today?" Harry asked curiously.

"I'm not really sure to be honest. We can fly, play chess or anything really," Ron said thoughtfully.

"Could we maybe fly, and then play a game of hide and seek?" Harry asked softly, he felt a bit childish for asking this, but the last time he had played this as a kid, no one had found him. Dudley and whoever else was playing all left him alone, and he hadn't realized it until hours later when it got dark enough to know that he should head back home.

"I don't know about that Harry. For that game you need more people Harry, two people isn't enough," Ron told him honestly.

"I know, but could we still anyways?" Harry pleaded, before sighing as he stared at the ground. He knew it had been a stupid idea to bring it up, and of course Ron didn't want to play it. He sighed as he scuffed the toe of his shoe on the stone floor. Because he was trying to keep his hurt to himself to failed to see the thoughtful look on his friend's face.

"Alright Harry, we can do it," Ron finally relented. Truthfully he didn't have the heart to tell his friend no. Besides it was only them too, that just meant it was an easier game. "But we're playing it inside the castle, its way to dangerous to play it outside with just the two of us," he told him honestly.

"That's fine Ron!" Harry exclaimed happily as he took off down the corridor and towards the Quidditch pitch.

After a couple of hours of flying around in the air, Ron admitted defeat and he slowly flew to the ground, choosing to lay on the grass as he waited for Harry to do the same. It took a moment for the raven haired boy to come down but he didn't mind waiting for him. Especially as Harry's face was flushed in his excitement.

"Hide and seek now?" Harry asked happily.

"Give me a moment to rest first Harry," Ron said panting a little bit.

"You landed first, you have been resting," Harry pointed out.

Ron blew a raspberry at his friend before he sat up. "C'mon, lets head in and get some snacks from the kitchens and then we'll play," he promised as he stood up.

Harry nodded as he got up and carried their brooms back to the broom shed before walking back to the castle. He headed to the kitchen, tickling the pear to the entrance. He smiled and laughed at the antics of the house elves as they got their treats. Coming out of the kitchen he looked at Ron who was stuffing his face and shook his head in amusement. As they ate their snacks Ron went over the rules.

"We're staying away from Umbridge's quarters, and the Durselys," Ron told him quietly.

"That sounds good," Harry said not even the mention of his horrible relative at his sanctuary for some reason could mess up his mood.

Ron nodded as he looked at Harry, even as he knew what the answer to his unasked question. "Alright, who was going to be it first?" He asked curiously.

"I will, but when its my turn you have to come find me too," Harry told him.

"Trust me Harry I will," Ron said, not letting his confusion to that statement show to the other boy.

Harry nodded before turning around and covering his face. "I'm going to start counting. Oh, and because Hogwarts is huge, we can use mild point me spells if we get stuck," he said making the rules up as he went along.

Ron nodded along with him. "That sounds about right," he said easily before taking off as Harry started counting.

Harry laughed, deciding to count to 50 to give time for Ron to get an extra good spot. He was having so much fun and it wasn't even his turn to hide just yet. He snickered as he counted already imagining where his friend had hidden. He finally got to 50 and turned around, his wand already out as he spoke the point me spell for help before taking off in the general direction he gave out.

As Harry was searching for Ron on the 2nd floor, he was unaware that just one floor above him his Uncle, Vernon Dursely had somehow gotten free from their quarters. Where the man thought he was going was any body's guess. If Harry had been aware of this, he wouldn't have strayed this close but as he didn't know, he was unknowingly walking towards where the man was barreling his way through, trying to find a way out.

Vernon couldn't believe his luck when Dudley had left that afternoon he had accidentally left the door open. That had yet to happen the week they had been there, and he saw his chance to escape. He wasn't stupid he knew that his wife was going to divorce him and his son kept giving him these disgusted looks. He knew in his heart that this was all the freaks fault.

If he had never been born his family wouldn't have turned on him. He still couldn't understand why Petunia was mad, she had said she hated the boy, why the sudden change of heart. And the turn around with Dudley, that freak was going to pay! How dare he practice some freaky stuff on Dudley, his son would never look at him as he was the freak. How could Dudley defend that boy?

He growled to himself as he stomped through corridors, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor. If he ever saw that freak again, he would give him just what he deserved. He found himself going down some stairs, that he was sure wasn't there a moment ago. But he figured, going down meant out so he took them, looking around cautiously. He had not intention to run into that old man Dumbledore. As he got onto the 2nd floor, he was confused, but he continued to walk. He still as he heard a voice, and his eyes widened as he took in that familiar one. It was the freak!

"Ron, where are you?" Harry asked, his wand preforming another point me spell. He was sure Ron was somewhere around here, but he wasn't having much luck. He figured his mate would yell back to give him a hint, but Ron wasn't falling for that trick and all he got was silence. He shook his head as he continued to look around and checking everything that he could. He turned around, wanting to make sure that he had looked at every hiding spot he could see.

Vernon crept as silently as he could, and was rewarded when he saw the freak searching for something. The little ungrateful whelp's back to him and he smiled evilly. He couldn't help the sudden rage that overtook him. Here was the person responsible for all his short comings, the reason his whole family was falling apart. The reason his marriage was falling apart and why he was going to jail. He got this dangerous glint in his eye as he made his way towards the boy who he saw was intent on his search. He didn't give much thought to it as the boy was going to get what he deserved. He grinned as his hand clamped on the boy's skinny shoulder hard, and he held him firm.

Harry stilled as someone grabbed him roughly. "What the..." was all he was able to get out, before his eyes widened to the size of saucers as he took in the towering form of his Uncle. He hadn't strayed near the third floor, so how had had his Uncle found him? He swallowed fearfully, remembering that the glint that was currently in the man's eyes had always followed through with some sort of pain. He swallowed fearfully as he stared at him.

"Did you miss me freak?" Vernon asked, an evil smirk adorning his face.

Harry couldn't answer, he was frozen in fear. His wand clattered to the floor, his frozen hand had dropped it. He hoped that Ron or someone would come and save him.

Ron was hidden in a cupboard around the corner from them, and couldn't hear what was going on. He snickered to himself, knowing it was an obvious hiding spot, but in Hogwarts Harry wouldn't think he was here that why it was so brilliant. He had heard Harry trying to bait him out but he had stayed strong and he couldn't wait until his friend came closer because he was going to jump out and scare him.

Harry was terrified, it literally felt like his heart was about to explode from his chest. He wasn't alone in his fear, he could hear the portraits around him talking and he knew they were trying to alert someone but as he saw his Uncle shift, he thought it might be too late. He couldn't even open his mouth to scream, he could do nothing but stand there. As he saw his Uncle raise his arm he shut his eyes tight. He unconsciously held his breath, waiting for the hit. wishing once more that he was with his Snape.