Mornie: I agree that Severus wouldn't act in his normal manner at a time like this. After all, It's not every day someone is beaten over the head with an epiphany of this magnitude, lol.
Snape groaned as McGonagall filled him, Hagrid and Dumbledore in on the media circus that had positioned themselves right outside Hogwarts. The media had shown up outside the Dursley home, or what remained of it, five minutes after they had left with Harry last night, and once they found out that the "Boy who Lived" was now safely stowed away inside Hogwarts, they made a beeline for the school. Every major wizard newspaper and tabloid from all over the world were there to cover the story and to catch a glimpse at the now "Man Who Killed Voldemort."
"Albus, you cannot let Potter be hounded by these 'people'," Severus said, saying the word 'people' like it was a profanity. "There's no telling how long it will be before Black is fully cleared. Then the mutt has to get himself together before he can even attempt to take care his godson. It wouldn't do to send Potter to stay with him if the ruddy canine can't take care of himself."
"You do have a point, though I wish you would refrain from the disparaging remarks, Severus. There is also the fact that the media will expect Harry to go to Sirius once Sirius is cleared. I think this summer needs to be as calm as possible. So what do we do? He won't be able to stay here and recover. The media will stay fixed on Hogwarts, and he won't be able to set foot outside without being hounded." Dumbledore sighed.
"Wha' 'bout th' Weasleys?" Hagrid said. "They always like havin' him 'round."
"No," came a voice from behind them. They all turned to see Harry was awake.
Dumbledore got up quickly and sat on the bed next to Harry. Snape and Hagrid brought their chairs to sit on either side of the bed.
"Why not, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
"Because of the same problem with Sirius and Hogwarts. Some kids will say something about how Ron and I are best friends, and once I'm gone from here, they will look for me there first thing."
"What do you suggest, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, smiling sadly at the man in front of him. /Not quite sixteen in body but about 120 in mind. His childhood is gone now, poor child./ Dumbledore pushed his thoughts aside as Harry sat up.
Harry put on his glasses and shrugged listlessly. "I don't know. I would like to stay at Hogwarts, but the media will never leave, and I'd like to be able to leave the castle without a hassle. Sirius is out for the reasons Professor Snape listed, without the canine comments," Harry said dryly, throwing a bemused look at his potions professor. Snape merely sneered back. "The same with the Weasleys. Not to mention the fact that it's like World War Three every time you step in the door. After last night, I don't think I could handle Fred, George, and Ginny all summer. I just want to go somewhere that's quiet, where no media will find me, where I'll be somewhat safe from the Death Eaters who will be after me."
"Yes, I'm afraid that the remaining Death Eaters will be quite unhappy, though I think that after what happened last night, they'll fear to come too near. After a while, once that fear is gone, they will look to harm you. So what do we do?"
Dumbledore looked at Hagrid and Snape, desperate for a solution to the problem. After a few moments, Snape gave him one.
"He can come and stay with me at Snape Manor, if he wishes." Snape's eyes twinkled with a mild amusement as he watched three jaws simultaneously hit the floor.
"Y-you want me to come stay with you?" Harry asked incredulously, looking at Snape like he'd grown another head.
"If you want to. Think about it, Potter. What other perfect place would there be? I'm known as a Death Eater and your most hated teacher. I also supposedly hate you with a fiery passion. Who would think to look for you at Snape Manor? None of Voldemort's followers come on the property and would never expect for you to be there. There are many wards protecting the Manor, and the media will never look there."
"I don't hate you," Harry mumbled, looking down at his hands.
Snape smirked. "Maybe, maybe not. But they do not know that, do they Potter?"
"I DON'T hate you. I just hate the way you treat me in class. And no, they don't know that."
"This is a discussion that can wait until later," Snape said. "Well, do you want to stay there or not?" Snape snapped, after waiting several minutes for Harry to answer.
"Yes, I think it would be best. Professor Dumbledore, please don't tell the Weasleys where I am. If you tell them, Ron will only harass me relentlessly, not to mention the kittens he'll have just thinking of me in Snape's house, no offence Professor. I just need to be alone, without friends for a while. I need to think, and I'd like to do that in peace. At least for a few weeks. I'll tell them where I am soon, but I need time."
"As you wish, my child," Dumbledore said, embracing Harry in a tight hug. "Anything you want. Is there anything you need?"
Harry laughed mirthlessly. "Yes. How about everything? I let Hedwig loose before Lucius Malfoy drug me from my room. Everything except my owl and wand was burned, including my father's invisibility cloak and the photo album Hagrid gave me." Tears slid down Harry's cheeks and Dumbledore held him closer. "I need all my schoolbooks and supplies, clothes and robes. I also need books for essays that are due for Muggle Studies. Next year we're studying Muggle authors. The Muggle books I can get myself, as well as Muggle clothes, but I need money, and I don't think me going into Diagon Alley now would be too wise. If you could get me some money from my vault and my books and writing equipment, I would appreciate it."
"Of course, my dear boy. We will send someone immediately. Severus, would you take young Harry into muggle London to buy what he needs?"
"Of course, Headmaster. Potter, eat something and take a shower. I'll spell some of my muggle clothing to fit you and we'll go."
"Use the prefects' bathroom," Dumbledore told him.
Harry nodded and got up to go to shower as Snape went to his rooms, mentally kicking himself the entire way there. /Now you've put your foot in it, didn't you Severus? Now you have to spend the entire summer with Potter. Granted, he needs somewhere to stay, and my views about him have changed dramatically since last night. I just know I'm going to regret this, I just know it. Oh well. It's too late now! You'll just have to live with the consequences, idiot./
Snape changed into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, and he grabbed an extra pair of jeans and a T-shirt, as well as a pair of tennis shoes. He spelled them so that they would resize as soon as Harry put them on and took them to the prefects' bathroom. He knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Snape walked into the bathroom and said, "Here are the clothes Potter. They're already spelled."
"Thank you, Professor."
Harry smiled wearily and Snape nodded, forcing himself to not look at Harry standing there in nothing but a towel, casually rubbing his hair with another towel. Harry, though much too thin, had developed a well-toned upper torso and strong well-defined arms from all the Quidditch he had played the first five years of his schooling. Now Snape was informed of this fact with remarkable clarity, much to his dismay. He turned to leave, so he wouldn't be caught leering. /Really, Sev, he's a student! I am not going there! Despite what people think, I'm not some sort of monster. Just a git!/
"You're welcome, Mr. Potter. When you're ready, I'll be waiting for you in the Great Hall. I need to put a glamour charm on you so the media does not recognize you when we leave." * * * *
Harry walked into the Great Hall ten minutes later and found Hagrid, Dumbledore and Snape talking quietly. They broke apart when they saw Harry walk up.
"Okay, Harry. Here is muggle money. Will this be enough?" Dumbledore asked, handing Harry the money Hagrid had brought back.
Harry flipped through the bills and said, "Yes, more than enough, thanks."
"You're welcome. Now sit down and eat while we discuss what is to happen." Harry sat at the teachers' table and started in on the eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast that the house elves provided while the other three sat down.
"Okay, Harry, this is what will happen. Professor McGonagall has gone to Diagon Alley to fetch your books and supplies you need right now. You and Severus are going to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron. Then you will immediately leave and go into muggle London, so that no one has time to see through the charms, in case they're watching. You will buy your books, clothes and whatever you need, and then you will come back to Diagon Alley. You will Floo back here, and McGonagall will have your things all ready. Then from here, you and Severus will Floo to Hogsmeade and use a portkey to get to Snape Manor. That way, no one will try and trace your movements. When you're gone, no one will find you. Got that?"
"Yes sir," Harry said, after swallowing a mouthful of food.
"Once you've settled in, I'll come and see you. There are some questions that need to be asked and answered, but they can wait a week or so." Dumbledore smiled kindly at Harry. "I think you've been through quite enough lately."
Harry smiled back at the Headmaster, then looked at Snape. "I'm ready professor."
Snape took out his wand and cast a glamour spell over Harry, making him look rather like a younger version of Remus Lupin. Snape then cast another spell in order for others not to notice the scar that would give him away immediately. "There. I think you're all set, Mr. Potter. It's time to go. Oh, and call me Severus. It might look suspicious if you call me 'professor'."
They walked to Dumbledore's office and used the fireplace there. Snape tossed in the Floo powder and shouted "The Leaky Cauldron" before stepping into the flames. Harry followed suit, and Snape caught him as he came out the other side, before he could fall on his face. "Thanks, P- Severus. I hate using the Floo."
"It's not my greatest thrill either," Snape admitted, dusting himself off. "Come on, before someone notices us." Snape grabbed Harry by the arm and gently but firmly led him out the front door.