Harry gritted his teeth against the gnawing pain in his legs as Snape floated him slowly onto the bed in the room they had arrived in via portkey. Harry didn't care where he was or why he just wanted the pain to stop. The teen watched his teacher levitate the Muggle rescue worker, Nick, to an overstuffed armchair across the room. What is this, Harry thought; Snape leaves up the Disillusionment Charm so no one can see him being nice to a Muggle?

Satisfied his charges were safe for the moment Severus removed the Disillusionment Charm from himself, before calling for the Snape house-elf. "Poe?"

The house-elf, clad only in a black tea towel, quickly popped in and bowed low before Severus. "Master Snape. How can Poe assist?" His words were sufficiently servile but his tone icy. The house-elf was displeased that Maia Snape's only son had not attended his mother's yearly luncheon and as a result his Mistress had been especially difficult to please today.

All too aware of the house-elf's loyalties, Severus kept his anger in check and calmly answered. "I need to you to tell Mother she is needed in here at once and when a man named Fletcher arrives tell me. Go."

Bowing once more, the elf softly popped out.

Severus then reached into his pocket, retrieving his emergency potions kit. Enlarging it, he took out a purple bottle. "My mother, Maia Snape, is a healer, Potter. She will tend to your injuries as soon as she gets here, in the meantime, this potion will relieve your pain but may make you drowsy."

Harry nodded, suppressing a wince at the sudden flash of pain in his shoulder and neck that the movement caused. I will not cry or scream in front of this man! I won't allow it, he thought. A thin sheen of sweat covered his brow.

Severus meticulously measured out a small amount of potion, before sliding a hand under Harry's neck, With a surprisingly gentle touch, Snape lifted the boy's head slightly and placed the cup to his lips. "Drink," Severus ordered.

Harry obeyed, cringing slightly as the thick, gritty solution slid down his throat. It was bitter but that didn't matter as long as it helped with the pain. Before he had finished the draught Harry began to feel the welcome warmth spreading outwards from his chest. Harry felt his legs relax slightly as his arms began to feel too heavy. Finally, his fingers and toes began to feel toasty warm again. Harry's eyes drifted shut, the pain dulling.

"Better, Potter?" Snape asked with a smirk as he eased the Gryffindor's head back down.

"Mmm Hmm." Harry felt like he was floating. Curious, he carefully opened his good eye to glance around to be sure that he was still firmly on the bed.

"No, Potter. You're not floating. It is simply a side-effect of the potion." Snape crossed his arms over his chest, pursing his lips.

Harry stared at Snape, mouth agape. Is he reading my mind? Harry thought.

"No, Potter. How many times must I tell you that I cannot read minds?" Snape replied, slightly amused, as he recalled the last time he and Harry had covered this same territory. "The floating sensation is a common side effect of the potion. That is all."

A wave of potion-induced contentment washed over Harry and the young Gryffindor smiled. "Is this your house then, Snape?" Harry softly slurred.

Raising one finely chiseled eyebrow at Harry's familiarity, Severus tamped down a flash or irritation toward the ungrateful, nosy brat. "Yes, Potter. This is my family home, Wildwood."

The teen recalled how Snape had asked the house-elf to get his mother. The thought of the solitary, rancorous Snape living with his mother was too much for Harry to bear and he began to chuckle.

"What is so amusing to you, Potter?" snapped Severus.

"Do you live with your mum?" Harry mumbled, beyond caring that he was treading dangerous waters. The potion had loosened his tongue and dulled his sense of self-preservation.

"My mother lives with me, yes, Potter." A sneer spread across the teacher's pale face as he glared at the snickering teen.

Poe entered the room with a soft pop. "Master Snape, the man you were expecting has arrived."

Harry watched the small elf who came only to just past Snape's knees. This elf had an almost regal bearing, standing tall with his long thin nose in the air; He did not cower and beat himself like Dobby nor moan and cry like Winky. The Snape's must treat their elves with some respect. Harry thought. It must be better to be Snape's house-elf than his student. Harry grumbled wryly to himself.

"Please show Fletcher to this room, Poe. When will Mother arrive?"

"I have arrived," came a caustic reply from the doorway where a small woman with iron-gray hair piled high on her head in a loose bun was seated in a wheelchair. She wore a pale blue outer robe over a high-necked navy gown finished with a gold filigree brooch at her throat. She waved off Poe who popped out of the room.

"You've missed the luncheon, Severus," she spat, eyes narrowing. Her magically powered wheelchair glided into the room. Spying the teen on the bed and an unconscious man in the chair, she sneered. "You finally bring someone home for me to meet and it isn't a woman? Should I be surprised?" She crossed her arms over her chest, as she turned to glare at her son.

What did she say? thought Harry, wide-eyed. Is she suggesting that Snape is…is…? Watching Snape's obvious discomfiture, Harry had to bite his lip hard to keep from laughing outright. The teen watched the blurry figure of a woman approach.

Severus felt the familiar fight beginning already. "It's not what you think, Mother. The boy—"

"—Boy? You brought a student here? Severus Godric Snape are you daft?"

Harry burst out laughing. "Godric… as in Gryffindor?" Belatedly he clapped his hand over his mouth as he felt the heat of Snape's glare.

Ignoring Harry's outburst, Severus' hands balled into fists and his face colored. Through gritted teeth he replied, "Mother, this is Harry Potter and—"

"—Who did you say it is?" Mother Snape's mood abruptly shifted and she brought her wheelchair closer to the bed, curious about its occupant.

"Harry Potter, Mother. I had no choice in the matter. It was unexpected. The child needs medical attention and Hogwarts is empty." Severus bent his head forward, allowing his black hair to fall forward like a curtain effectively hiding his face.

Healer Snape paused beside the bed. Taking her wand from her sleeve she tapped the chair causing it to expand upwards so that she could see the boy better. She smiled reassuringly at the teen.

Harry could see the woman more clearly and as she smiled at him he felt safe. The young Gryffindor looked closely at Mrs. Snape thinking that she must've been very pretty as a young woman. He remembered her faintly from Snape's memories of an argument between her and a man. Maia Snape had laughing brown eyes and deep laugh lines around her mouth and Harry noticed that she and her son shared a similar shape to their eyes and lips but the sameness ended there.

"What happened to this child?" Maia asked softly, concern showing in her eyes. She reached out and tenderly smoothed the hair back from Harry's forehead noting his lightning bolt-shaped scar.

"An accident in a Muggle automobile," Severus softly replied, his eyes downcast.

"Gracious!" She waved her wand over Harry's body in a quick up and down motion and then ran it over his legs repeatedly. "You poor dear!" she said soothingly to Harry. She then snapped at her son over her shoulder. "How could anyone leave the Boy Who Lived with Muggles?"

"I am not in charge of Harry Potter, Mother!" Severus felt the color rising to his cheeks.

"If that is true then he would not be here, son." Maia began barking orders to Severus for different potions that she would require.

Harry watched the interaction between mother and son with fascination. Maia Snape was obviously intelligent and could hold her own with the quick-tempered Potions Master, yet she also showed Harry compassion something the teen had not come to expect from a Snape. Harry allowed himself to relax; feeling that he could trust this Healer, even if she was a Snape.

§§§§§§§§§§§§

Mundungus Fletcher ogled the expensive looking bric-a-brac in the Snape sitting room as he waited. Picking up a small golden statue of a wizard casting a spell, he tipped it on its side to check for markings on the bottom. The golden figure suddenly came alive in his hand, smacking Mundungus' hand with its tiny wand. Fletcher dropped the statue in favor of rubbing his hand "Blimey, you little blighter!" he shouted at the statue. To Mundungus' surprise the statue then Apparated itself back to its proper place while angrily shaking its golden wand at the dodgy man. Nonplussed, Fletcher rubbed his hands together and quickly crossed the room to the curio cabinet reaching for the glass door.

Unnoticed by Fletcher, Poe silently entered the room. "Master, that is not wise," the house-elf said, matter-of-factly. "Mistress Snape has many protections in place."

Mundungus started at the tiny voice coming from near his elbow and banged his shin on a low table as he spun around to face the intruder. "I wasn't doin' nothin," Fletcher stammered, backing away from the cabinet just the same, his hands in the air.

The house-elf peered at Fletcher, his face expressionless. "Master Snape wishes you to follow me."

Fletcher's eyes lingered on the expensive furnishings as he reluctantly left the room. He followed the elf up a winding mahogany staircase, his greedy eyes drinking in the opulent surroundings, rich tapestries, and niches with tastefully expensive marble statues. At the fourth landing Poe led the way down one corridor which quickly branched into another then a third. As they approached a room at the far end of the hall, Mundungus could hear raised voices and slowed his pace considerably. The house-elf reached the door but did not enter immediately, beckoning him onward instead. As Fletcher entered the elf disappeared with a soft pop.

Mundungus was dumbstruck by the sight that met his eyes when he entered the room. Heavy maroon, velvet drapes covered the tall windows along one wall. A floor length tapestry completely covered another wall. The tapestry depicted the famous battle between Grindelwald and Dumbledore. The figures moved warily around one another, wands aloft. Hearing a woman's voice, Fletcher's attention was drawn to an older woman in a wheelchair, barking orders at Severus Snape, who looked flustered. Fletcher's eyebrows rose as Severus' head snapped up and his angry black gaze focused on Mundungus.

"Get in here," the Slytherin spat. "Did you notify Dumbledore?"

Mundungus cautiously approached the others. "Yes. Half an hour," Fletcher cryptically replied, not sure how much this woman knew. Suddenly he spotted Nick's unconscious form slumped in the chair. Curious, he pointed to the unconscious medic and asked, "What's all this then?"

"I had no choice. The Death Eaters would have killed him," Severus replied with a slight defensive edge to his voice.

"Death Eaters?" Healer Snape's eyes widened and she put a hand over her mouth, a shudder going through her body.

"Not to worry, Mother. I had a Disillusionment Charm applied. They did not see me," Severus said softly, attempting to placate his mother.

Harry's eyebrows furrowed. What's he talking about, he thought. What's all this ‘they' business?

"That's what you believe, anyway," Maia spat. "Do not underestimate those demons!"

"Your son is one of those demons," said Harry, frowning.

Healer Snape was gobsmacked. "What is this child saying?" Placing a hand to her chest she leveled a piercing glare to the boy.

Harry gaped at Mrs. Snape. She doesn't know her son is a Death Eater? he thought.

"It's nonsense, Mother, utter nonsense. The pain potion has gone to his head." Snape covertly glared at Potter before turning his trademark smirk on Fletcher and changing the subject. "Mother, Fletcher here can help us set the bones in Potter's legs."

At Severus' words the smile disappeared from Harry's face. His green eyes moved to the younger Snape, knowing that his teacher was not the least bit pleased with him right now. Oh boy, with him looking at me like that I certainly don't want him laying his hands on me! Harry thought. "M-My legs, they don't hurt anymore. I-I think they're fine." Harry gulped as a knot of fear lumped in his throat.

"Don't scare the child, Severus. I'm sure he didn't mean to offend you, did you, dear," said Maia Snape, her tone softening as she gently stroked Harry's hand.

"No Ma'am. I'm sorry, sir," Harry said, staring at the duvet to avoid Severus Snape's disapproving frown.

"People say some pretty crazy things under the effects of potions. It'll be fine dear," the Healer answered. She continued on in a very soft yet firm tone. "We need to set the bones and then I'll put a binding charm on your legs to keep them still until they're healed properly." She motioned for Fletcher to come closer. "Get over here and be of some use. Grab the boy's torso and apply counter-pressure while Severus straightens out the boy's legs."

"Er?" said Fletcher, paling as the bile rose in his throat. Mundungus was never very good at Healer-type things, mostly since the sight of blood made him faint.

"Gracious, Severus. Where did you get this one?" Maia griped, scowling at Fletcher's squeamishness.

With a particularly cruel smirk for Fletcher's discomfort, Severus positioned the other man on the bed holding Harry's upper body around the upper chest. "Pull when the Healer says pull, understand?" Severus barked in his most condescending tone.

Fletcher nodded, his shaky arms looped around Harry's body.

Harry, for his part, was rapidly becoming more restless with each passing second. He wasn't sure if Mrs. Snape was being kind or if she still blamed him for the Death Eater comment and was going to be as cruel as her son could be. "I really am fine, Mrs. Snape, really!"

"Healer Snape, Potter," Severus corrected, kneeling on the bed and reaching for Harry's right ankle.

Mrs. Snape smiled and patted the frightened teen's hand, trying to reassure him. "You've had a pain potion, so you will feel an uncomfortable pressure but you should not feel pain, dear." Not wishing to draw out the child's discomfort any longer she called out, "Pull!"

Fletcher pulled back on Harry's body and Severus pulled his right leg, adjusting the position as his mother directed. She had her wand trained on the leg and called out "Stop!" when the position was correct. She then applied the binding charm and the trio repeated the process on the other leg.

As Mrs. Snape had promised, Harry felt pressure but no pain while the bones were set. He was still pleased when they finished with his legs. He sighed in relief as Fletcher laid him back onto the bed. Mundungus could tell great stories but he smelled rather ripe and Harry did not wish to have him that close again.

"Better?" asked Maia kindly.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Snape," Harry replied with a weak smile.

"Healer Snape, Potter," Severus corrected.

"Don't give the child such a hard time Severus. He's had a rather difficult day." She had Severus give Harry several more potions and rub some salve around his eye. Healer Snape then stretched her back. "I think I shall have a lie down before dinner. If you have need of anything, Harry, call for Poe...or Severus." Mother Snape wheeled out of the room, ignoring her son's defiant stare.

"Yes, ma'am." Harry smiled again.

Severus made certain that his mother was out of earshot before he leaned in close to Harry's ear, growling. "Do not say anything like that to Mother again, Potter!"

"What?" Harry replied, drawing back against the pillow.

"You know perfectly well, what!" Snape waggled a long finger in Harry's face.

"Doesn't she know about your—"

"—She does not and it will remain that way, Potter!" Snape's face colored with anger. "While you are here under my roof you will treat me and my mother with utmost respect or I'll throw you out on your ear, understood?"

§§§§§§§§§§§§

Albus Dumbledore peered at the unconscious rescue worker who was now sprawled in an armchair near the fire in the ornate drawing room. The headmaster pulled Harry's glasses from the Muggle's shirt pocket and crossed the room sitting them on the table in front of him as he took his seat at the head of the table. "Hmm. This Muggle saw Harry, as did countless others who were watching those… boxes in their homes?"

Snape nodded. "We could Obliviate him but there is still the problem of the others who saw Potter being loaded into the ambulance. We also need to secure Potter's belongings. They should not fall into Muggle hands."

"Quite." Dumbledore's pale blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he thought. He looked around at the expectant faces of the other Order members. "We have no control over the many Muggles who may have seen him. They saw the ambulance being commandeered and subsequently crashed. They will assume the child was taken by force. We shall have to leave that as it is for now." Dumbledore was lost in thought for a moment. So many things can go wrong if I make the wrong decision now, he pondered. "Arthur, find where the Muggles took the auto and retrieve Harry's things. Keep your encounters to a minimum and Obliviate any who suspect something is amiss."

Arthur nodded. "Can I see Harry before I go?"

Snape nodded brusquely. "He is sleeping. Do not wake him."

"This brings up another point." The headmaster ran a hand over his long white beard. "No one outside of this room must know that Mr. Potter is here…" Dumbledore glanced pointedly at Molly and Arthur. "That includes young Ronald of course."

"He won't stand for it!" Molly shouted. "Harry is his best friend, Albus. What do we tell him?"

"You may tell him that a Fidelius Charm has been employed, which will be true," Albus said.

"Who will be the Secret Keeper, you?" asked Kingsley.

"I believe that it may be better for another to serve as Secret Keeper, someone people would not be inclined to suspect." Albus steepled his fingers, as he leaned his elbows on the table. "I had thought Severus might be a good choice."

Stunned silence met the suggestion until Moody spoke up. "Snape can't be trusted!"

Dumbledore bristled. "I have utmost confidence in everyone in this room, Severus included."

Severus stared unseeing at the table, his fists clenched tightly underneath and away from prying eyes. "Albus, it would be better if you were the Secret Keeper," Severus said, keeping the tone of his voice deliberately light.

"If that is your wish, Severus," replied Albus sadly.

"What about the Muggle?" asked Fletcher, pointing back to the figure slumped in the chair.

"I'll take care of him," volunteered Molly. "I've always been rather good at memory charms."

Dumbledore gave her a curt nod before changing the subject. "Kingsley, were the two Death Eaters killed in the crash?"

The wizard shook his head. "There was some blood found in the cab of the ambulance but there were no bodies. We will have to assume that they Apparated from the site. The Muggles suspect some sort of terrorist attack."

"Why would terrorists want a young boy?" asked Tonks in disbelief.

Moody shrugged as he answered. "The fact that everyone associated with the ambulance disappeared is suspicious. They'll be looking for a connection between the boy and anything else."

Dumbledore sat back, his brows furrowed in thought. "We shall simply have to wait and see how it plays out, I'm afraid," said the headmaster sadly.

§§§§§§§§§§§§

The meeting was long over and Severus was now seething as he paced in his study. It angered him that after all of this time fighting on the side of Light that he was still seen as untrustworthy. Even after he had risked his neck to bring the child here so Mother could heal him. There is nothing I can do that will ever change some of their opinions about me. Why do I even bother? he thought in exasperation. He heard a soft knock coming from the closed door. "Yes?" he snarled.

Slowly the door opened and Remus Lupin stuck his head in. "Uh, Severus? I wanted to see Harry before I left." Hearing no immediate response from Snape, Remus continued. "I have Harry's glasses," the lycanthrope said, patting his bulky shirt pocket.

"You don't need my permission to see the child, Lupin," Severus snarled as he rolled his eyes mockingly at the werewolf.

"I do, however, need to know where the room is; this place is a bloody maze!" Remus smiled good-naturedly, further souring the Potion Master's mood.

Severus frowned. "Call for Poe, he can assist you." The Slytherin Head of House picked up a book, wordlessly signaling to Lupin that he should go.

"Er…" Remus said hesitantly as he waited for Severus to glare at him again. "I did call for Poe but he is with your mother and she told me to… call…for… you." Remus gulped, staring at the pattern in the oriental rug, unable to meet the wrath that radiated from Snape's dark gaze.

Severus growled and crossed to the door. "Come on, then," he snarled, roughly pushing past the lycanthrope to lead the way.