Chapter Text
Chapter 20
Severus stopped pacing and slowly turned to face the headmaster.
‘I’ll take him.’
‘Severus…’ Albus sighed
‘It is the perfect solution, neither he or I would be in any greater danger than we already are. He would not have to return to his relatives, and he can stay with me at the manor during school breaks.’ Severus interrupted.
‘I’m not sure you understand the weight of what you are saying. To take in a child, to act as a guardian, it involves more than just providing the essentials, you must care for him, Severus.’
‘How could I care for him any less than what he is currently experiencing. Do you really think I haven’t considered every possibility? I had decided to take on the responsibility under the circumstance that there was no better alternative, and, since you cannot produce a more suitable arrangement, the boy can come with me.’ Severus raised his voice, annoyed by the assumption that he was rushing into something he wasn’t prepared for.
‘Severus, I do not doubt that you believe you are prepared for this, however..’
Once again Severus cut off the headmaster, ‘I am not naive enough to think I am prepared to take on a ward, I do however believe that I am capable of providing a safe space for Harry to learn and grow. Which, I might add, is a lot more than he has now.’
Albus looked thoughtfully at the younger man, it wasn’t often that he saw such emotion from the usually stoic professor. ‘How do you think the boy will respond to this? You are a great teacher no doubt, but you aren’t winning any popularity contests with the students.’
Severus took the seat in front of the headmaster's desk with a resigned shrug, ‘If he would honestly rather return to his relatives than accept me as a guardian… well then, so be it. I would never force the situation, however his rejection would speak volumes about my reputation.’ He let out a sarcastic chuckle, he hadn’t considered that perhaps staying with him would seem worse than the abuse Harry dealt with in Surrey.
‘I mean no offense Severus, but given your history with the Potter’s, this new alliance comes as a surprise.’
Severus scoffed at the knowing glint in the man’s eyes. ‘Yes, well it seems we would be wrong to make assumptions about Harry based upon his parents.’ he all but rolled his eyes at the small smile that crept across Albus’s face. ‘He never even knew them.’ Severus added quietly, thinking back to his conversations with Harry. He knew he had been wrong about him but now saying it outloud, he was faced with how illogical his treatment of the boy had been. He couldn’t change the past but he could ensure he did better from here on in.
‘We will speak with Mr Potter tomorrow, we can present the idea and let him decide.’ Albus nodded with finality. Severus, glad the man was finally seeing sense, stood and headed to the door. Albus slyly added, ‘it will also give you time to reflect on the offer.’ Severus paused momentarily but did not look back as he descended the spiral staircase.
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Severus tried to busy himself with his classes the next day, but had to continue to pull back his focus as it wandered to the matter of Harry Potter. As the day wore on, he found himself growing nervous, he could not remember the last time he had felt properly nervous. After gaining approval from Albus, he had not been able to stop himself from imagining Harry at the manor, the two of them sitting at the large dining table as they worked through his summer homework, giving the boy a tour of the gardens. He had already begun planning the magical extension that would be cast on his quarters to provide a room there for the boy, when the other students returned home, they would spend days just relaxing, playing chess or flying. Severus knew it was not wise to allow his mind to run rampant, yet he could not control the hope that filled his chest. Since making the mental decision that he would take the boy in, a seed of fear had started to grow, he had never really wanted anything, but now he wanted this, he wanted to help Harry, to save him, to show him the life that he deserved, which meant that now he had something to lose. He wanted what was best for the boy, however if Harry decided to reject the offer, Severus was sure it would be a mighty blow.
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‘Relax Severus.’ Albus cooed as the man paced his office. A message had been delivered to Harry earlier, instructing him to make his way to the headmasters office this evening, now all the two men could do was wait. ‘Before he arrives, I must ask once again. You are completely certain this is what you want to do?’ Albus asked earnestly.
‘Albus please.’ Severus gave the headmaster an exasperated look.
‘Regardless of what Harry decides, let it be known that I think you would make a marvelous guardian.’ Albus chuckled at the look of surprise that crossed Severus’s face, it wasn’t often that he could catch the man off guard. A small knock at the door saw Severus take his place standing behind the headmaster. ‘Come in Harry.’ Albus called warmly.
Harry pushed open the door and walked in, confusion clear on his face. ‘Please, take a seat.’ The headmaster motioned to the seat on the opposite side of the desk. Harry sat down nervously, unsure why he had been summoned.
‘Let me get straight to the point Harry, Professor Snape has informed me of the issues regarding your current living situation at 4 Privet Drive.’ Albus looked over his half moon spectacles at the boy. Harry shot an uncertain look up at Snape. Snape gave him a reassuring nod but remained silent. ‘There are strong blood wards keeping you safe there with your relatives, this strong protective magic makes it difficult to find a similarly safe place for you to live outside of Hogwarts. However, while these wards keep you protected from dark magic it seems they are of little use against the evil of muggles. We do not want you to remain in a hostile environment.’ Albus paused to let Harry process the information. ‘We do believe we have found a suitable alternative living arrangement, if you agree of course. You could become a ward of Professor Snape, most of your time would be spent here with him at Hogwarts, however you would accompany him home during the summer. This is your choice Harry, you may return to your relatives if you wish.’
‘No, I don’t want to go back to Privet drive.’ Harry answered almost immediately. If he could get away from there, he would, surely nothing could be quite as bad.
‘Very well, the arrangements will be made.’ Albus smiled.
As if only just realising what that meant, Harry’s eyes shot to Snape still standing by the headmaster's chair.
Snape looked back at the boy, his eyes were full of fear as if he had done something wrong, he was desperately looking for some indication from him, to get a gauge of his reaction. However Snape’s face remained stern, schooled, he had been so worried that Harry wouldn’t want to stay with him that the shock of his instant decision had thrown him for a loop.
Albus, watching this silent interaction decided to give them some space, ‘I’ll let you two discuss things.’ He excused himself from the room.
Once alone, Harry found his voice again. ‘I’m sorry, you don’t have to do that. I can go back to my aunt and uncle, I don’t mind.’
Snape furrowed his brow in confusion, ‘What? No.’
Harry mirrored Snape's confusion. ‘What? But I thought -’ Harry’s voice trailed off.
‘Harry, this offer was made at my suggestion.’
‘Oh-’ Harry continued to try and make sense of what was going on.
‘You don’t have to accept me as your guardian, it is simply an offer.’ Snape said softly.
‘Oh-’ Harry opened and closed his mouth like a guppy as he tried to find his words. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I would not have said it if I wasn’t sure.’ Snape’s voice was firm, but not unfriendly, just certain.
‘Okay then.’ Harry nodded.
‘Okay then.’ Snape nodded. Snape gave Harry a warm amused smile, he could see the stress drain from the boy's body as he smiled in response. He could do this, they could do this.