A Father Figure (Chapter One) Harry looked on as Snape paced the wooden floors, walking from the only

door that led out to the small window on the opposite wall and back again. His dark hair cascaded over his face with every step and there were faint lines under his eyes that showed obvious signs of stress. They had met in the Leaky Cauldron, in one of the rooms the Headmaster had arranged for the two of them. Harry sat in the corner, off to the side and out of the way where his hands were folded in his lap. Harry felt the tension coil around his body and awkwardness settling in the bottom of his stomach at the unwelcome situation he found himself in. "Professor Snape, do I really have to live with you this summer?" Harry asked somewhat hesitantly. Snape stopped pacing, rotated on the spot with his usual grace and fixed Harry with his trademark stony glare. This whole situation had Harry feeling as though he was being punished, severely. It was like the beginning of a never-ending nightmare. "Yes Potter, eloquent as always. The man sneered, Youll be pleased to know that you will not be returning to the Dursleys for the rest of this summer. It is the headmasters' wish that I teach you Occlumency and tutor you in potions. Talents in which you most certainly lack, however excellent you may think you are." Snape drawled in a low rumble, sarcasm lacing throughout in his voice. The headmaster expressed his wish that since youll be living with me, that we address each other by our proper titles. Snape said clearly uncomfortable with this idea. He glanced at Potter, and immediately wished he hadnt. He saw Lily Evans emerald eyes staring straight back at him. Damn those eyes, and damn that old coot, forcing me to look after the brat for the holidays! If he thinks that this will change anything, he will be sorely mistaken. Snape quickly turned away. No. No, hes just the same as his father, arrogant and spoiled. The man reminded himself silently. Snape continued with difficulty that even Harry could see. In other words, I shall address you with your first name and you address me as Professor or Sir. Understood? Harry immediately nodded his consent; Snapes voice left no room for argument. Yes, Professor Snape. Po-Harry... he stuttered slightly over the unused name, we shall be travelling by portkey. Snape turned and took a giant step towards Harry, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him from the seat. Snape loathed having to make any body contact with the boy who reminded him so much of his father and quickly released him. With swift movements, the professor was in front of the door before the boy even knew what was happening. "Well?" Snape snapped turning to see the motionless boy, his eyes flashing with an intensity that Harry had never even witnessed before. "Are you just going to stand there? Do try and keep up. Snape didnt wait for a response from the boy and swirled around, robes billowing like storm clouds behind him as they left their private room. Harry scrambled over his own feet to keep up.

Snape set a brisk pace; he practically glided down the stairs to enter the main room on the Leaky Cauldron, the only person there being the wizened, slightly hunchbacked bar tender, Tom. Snape walked up to the man and returned the key to their room without a word. Without even checking to see if Harry was following, Snape walked towards the muggle entrance and disappeared into the grey London streets. Harry followed at a slightly slower pace and kept his eyes on his tall professor, now guardian, while navigating the crowds. Finally the man picked a less crowded side road to exit and Harry quickly followed. It wasnt a side road as Harry originally thought, but a dimly lit alley. The narrow sided alley was a dumping ground for litter and had its own unique aroma that caused Harry to scrunch his nose at. Snape stood a good ten feet from the main road, waiting impatiently for Harry to catch up. Snape had his arms tightly folded across his chest, and were it deemed appropriate, Harry was sure his foot would be tapping the tarmac agitatedly. When Harry was beside him, he held out the little potions book made portkey for the boy to touch. Even then, he was still sneering at the boy down his nose. Once both had a hold, he activated the charm and the two were pulled away with an angry, gut-wrenching jolt. Harry landed with a thud on a hard concrete floor, his knees buckling below him and sending him to the hard ground. I really do hate portkeys. he thought, as he tried to regain his bearings. Graceful as always, Potter, Snape said, his lip curling. He took his time to sneer at Harry in disdain when he climbed unsteadily to his feet. Snape took off down the road they had landed on, Harry doing his best to keep up. Harry wasnt particularly excited about staying with Snape over the summer, but it could be worse. At least I don't have to worry about the Dursleys anymore this summer The thought cheered him up, Ill be able to eat, and sleep, and maybe I can put a little more effort into my homework this time. He reasoned to himself in his mind as he followed Snape. Suddenly, Snape stopped causing Harry to almost run into him. The boy looked around in curiosity to see that they stood in front of a rundown house with boarded up windows. Harry could not believe that this was where Snape lived. The house looked like it could collapse at any moment. Half the roof had caved in; rubble, dust and broken bricks lay scattered over the weed-strewn lawn. The walls that were still standing had a sooty black coating and flaking cement, only just holding them together. However, before Harry could ask him anything, Snape had got his wand out and muttered an inaudible incantation. What are we- Harrys voice trailed off as the shack shimmered and began to morph behind what looked like a heat haze. He could only gawp as the hovel of a building transformed into a beautiful white manor. The front of the garden was no longer filled with junk and weeds but instead, a series of different plants blossomed, almost covering the door. It was beautiful to behold, and yet felt so strange to Harry that this place could be associated with Snape. Harry could not divert his eyes from the awe-inspiring manor and the majestic lilies that were blooming up the sides. Snape was in Slytherin. Surely he shouldnt have flowers growing in his garden. Shouldnt it be skulls and crossbones? Harry thought disbelievingly. He couldnt believe that he was going to be living here; the difference

between Dudleys old room and the grandeur of the building in front of him was drastic. He could only imagine what luxuries lay waiting inside. "This is my house, Potter. Snape scowled down at the boy, already forgetting to use his first name. I realise that its most likely not as grand as what youre used to, but you better learn to live with it. You will be staying here the rest of the summer and I wont tolerate any foolish behaviour. His voice was harsh, and gave no room for disobedience. Youre now keyed into the wards he drawled in his typical insulting manner. Harry felt a stab of annoyance at the idea that he had lived anywhere grand. Snape clearly had not met the Dursleys, an experience he would never wish on anyone, although Harry felt that he could make an exception for Snape. The older man had already made his way to the front door and beckoned for Harry to follow with one sharp flick of the wrist. Get in. he punctuated sharply while observing Harry like a hawk. Harry hesitantly scrambled over and stepped into the thresholds of Severus Snapes home, trying to forgo the feeling of stepping into a snake pit. Snape was a Slytherin after all.