A/N: Wrote this at Christmas time and it ended up in the Dusty Bunnies file, thought I would post since I am emptying them all out.

A List for Santa

Harry Potter stared at the rather jolly looking man in disbelief as he told the young boy who he was. "Truly, Mr. Potter, I am Father Christmas, if you are able to believe in magic, why do you find the fact that I exist so surprising?"

Harry sank onto the bench at the foot of his temporary bed in the Leaky Cauldron pub and struggled to answer the man. "I-I don't know, I guess because no one has ever told me that you were real in the magical world."

The man with the curly beard and bright blue eyes said "If you only believe what others tell you, then you are a fool, Mr. Potter and I don't happen to think that you are a fool. A bit overly concerned about what others say and if I may say a bit too trusting, however, those are failings that your parents also suffered from."

"You knew my parents?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Well, your mother more than your father." The short man announced before taking a seat on the only chair in the room. "I don't visit all magical children, only those who need me."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Your friend Neville Longbottom needs me, so I make an annual visit to his manor. With only his rather austere grandmother raising him, he needs a bit looking out for. Your mother was the younger sister of a very unhappy woman whose family wasn't well off. So she needed me. However, your father was the only child of doting and wealthy parents, so he didn't require my services."

"Oh." Harry said in a flat tone before asking "What did you mean when you told me that I would receive presents to make up for the past?"

"Unfortunately, there was a magical block preventing me from doing anything more than sending you presents for the last twelve years of your life so I could only send you rather extravagant gifts. To make matters even worse, I was informed by my watcher elves that your rather unpleasant relatives promptly gave your presents to your undeserving cousin. That one has been on the naughty list for years. If he misbehaves this year, he will end up on the permanently banned list just like those Weasley twins."

"Fred and George are banned? Why?" Harry asked.

"Those two crossed a very serious line a few years ago with their older brother Percy and will not receive a present until they return what they took from him." Father Christmas said shaking his head clearly disappointed in the twins.

Harry wanted to argue about that but found that he couldn't when he cheered up at the idea of Draco Malfoy being denied anything he wanted from the Christmas wizard.

Santa chuckled and said "Harry, I do have the ability to see what you are thinking. Mr. Malfoy isn't banned just yet. He is, however, another one of those with a doting family who really doesn't need my help. In fact, the only constant request from myself by Mr. Malfoy isn't a selfish one, it is something that he wishes for his parents."

"Really?" Harry asked doubting the man. "I would have expected Draco's list to be full of toys and expensive magical gadgets."

"One shouldn't judge a book by its cover." Santa gently admonished. "Speaking of books, I would like you to work on getting your young friend Ms. Granger to expand her requests this year to something more than world peace, happiness for those around her and books."

Harry had to grin at that request. It sounded so very much like the Hermione he so knew and loved.

"Now, back to my reason for this visit," Santa said holding out a piece of parchment and a quill. "I would like you to write down a list of twelve presents you would like this year and twelve wishes to make up for my past inability to help you."

"Now?" Harry asked unsure what to ask for.

"Oh, no. Not exactly. I just need you to write down the rules, young Harry Potter." Santa replied.

"There are rules," Harry asked.

"There are always, always rules, young Harry," Santa said with a gentle smile. "Now, take the quill and parchment."

Harry sat up and pulled his potion's textbook over to use as a solid base so that he could write down what the man told him.

"Rule #1, these are wishes for yourself. You must be selfish for the majority of them. I will allow one wish to be granted for someone deserving in your life."

Harry was already thinking on using that wish to help the Weasleys; after all, they had done so much for him the previous two years.

"Rule #2, you may not tell anyone at all about this wish granting. Not your best friend. Not your headmaster."

Harry knew that would be difficult, the not telling Ron part, he wasn't sure he would even see the Headmaster the upcoming school year.

"Rule #3, No requests for world peace or people to live forever. I am magical, not divine." Harry grinned at that rule, reminded of Hermione's request.

"Rule #4, no bringing people back from the dead. I understand wanting to have your parents in your life, but that is beyond my ability." Harry had been expecting that rule, so he only nodded that he understood.

"Rule #5, no wishing for bad things to happen to others. This includes the man you know as Lord Voldemort. He will be dealt with when the time comes by the appropriate authorities. I believe that the Grim Reaper received one small part of his soul last year and expects more to arrive soon."

"Rule #6, I will need that list of requests by November 30th. However, if you would be so kind as to finish it by the end of the summer, I would greatly appreciate it."

"How do I send it to you?" Harry asked. "If Hedwig brings it where will it go?"

"Just write it to me, sign your name at the bottom and it will magically come to the elves manning the book." Harry nodded and Santa stood to go. Stopping for a moment, he said "One last thing."

Holding out his hand, the man muttered some words and Harry found several new books on his bed and a signed permission slip allowing him to visit Hogsmeade that school year.

Looking at the books, then at the man, Harry said: "What are those?"

"I never fulfilled your mother's wish that final year. She paid me a visit when she found out I was to be paying you a personal visit. Those books are to partly fulfill her final wish for yourself."

Harry lifted the books and looked doubtfully at them. "Does she want me to read them?"

"In a way. Your mother requested that I change your electives this upcoming school year. She was rather unhappy you choose to take magical creatures and divination."

"She was?" Harry asked, swallowing hard as he tried to deal with the idea of disappointing his mother.

"Yes, she placed a letter in the Runes textbook for you. You will be the only person able to read it. I believe your father and she spent hours trying to decide what to write when they were informed that they would only be allowed six feet of parchment for the project."

Harry dived for the runes textbook and found the folded parchment with dark green ink. Opening it, he ran his fingers over the neatly written HJP. Turning the letter over, he saw the matching green melted wax with the deer stamped into it and carefully pried it away.

"Oh, and Harry."

Tearing his eyes away from the letter, the thirteen-year-old boy looked up at the gray haired man. "Yes, sir."

"I have a feeling that this won't be the only meeting we will have. I am rather sure that you are meant to do great things with your life. Don't allow yourself to be misled by a lack of faith in yourself or by placing your faith in the wrong people. Knowledge young man is the key to your future. Learn what you need, don't always expect young Ms. Granger to be the one finding the answers."

Harry nodded and watched as the man placed his finger at the side of his nose and just disappeared up the chimney. Rushing to the fireplace, he saw that the fireplace was still unlit and with wide eyes returned to the bed and sat down to read the letter his parents had sent to him.

Dearest Harry;

Your father and I are so proud of you. We have watched over you for the last eleven and a half years wishing that we could rescue you from my sister and her dreadful family. I am so sorry that the Headmaster blocked our will and placed you with those horrible people against our wishes. You were to be placed with your godfather Sirius Black or your godmother Alice Longbottom and her family. Her son Neville is your class and dorm mate.

Right now you are thinking why didn't this happen? Well, firstly because the Headmaster incorrectly believed that it was a blood ward that I placed on you. It isn't safe so please feel free to leave Privet Drive. Your father would prefer that you were behind strong family wards like those that the Longbottoms or other old magical families have.

When you are seventeen, you will receive your family inheritance but unfortunately, it is against the rules for you to do so(rules created by the Headmaster while serving in the Wizengamot) for this to happen any sooner.

Your godparents, Alice, and her husband were tortured ten days after our deaths by a witch named Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband, and brother-in-law. I believe that there was another wizard named Barty Crouch Junior there but I am not positive.

Regarding your godfather Sirius. he was NOT our secret keeper in spite of what you have been told. Our secret keeper was another one of your father's friends, Peter Pettigrew. Unfortunately, no one knows this and only you will be able to read this letter. Sirius arrived at our home after the battle and found you in your crib crying. For some reason unknown to us, when Hagrid showed up, Sirius handed you over. We believe that the Headmaster played a part in that event. He then foolishly chased after Peter and landed himself Azkaban prison. He has been there since that night.

Our will and testament clearly stated that you were not to be placed with my sister. The Headmaster believing in the blood wards ignored our wishes. The man believes that only he knows the correct path to the future and that the magical world will follow his lead unquestioningly. The problem is that we should always ask questions. NO ONE is infallible. Not even Albus Dumbledore. His arrogance has already proven dangerous to you.

I imagine you are wondering what I mean by that statement, so let me explain.

Firstly, there was your placement with the Dursleys. Second, I adore Hagrid but he isn't exactly the best person to introduce anyone to the magical world.

Your father would have preferred that it had been Professor McGonagall, your head of house. I myself would have preferred that it had been an old friend of mine, Severus Snape. Yes, you read that right, Severus. No James. I will not write Snivellus. When are you going to grow up, James? Now stop!

Harry, Severus wrongly believes that you live with my parents if he knew the truth, would be one of your biggest supporters.

Harry, I know that Severus isn't the most pleasant of individuals and that he is difficult to deal with, however, he could be a real ally for you against what is to come. I want you to find a way to get a hold of the family pensive which is in the Potter vault, not your trust vault, the Potter vault.

Please tell the Goblins that our keys were misplaced upon our deaths. They can do a blood test and verify that you are you and they will allow you to remove it from there and explain what you need to know.

Once you get a hold of the pensive, dump this memory into the pensive and show it to Severus. Unfortunately, he is the only one who would be able to see into the memory due to the magic surrounding this letter.

While you are doing so, place your memory of your very first class with him into the bowl. Trust us, Harry. It will make all the difference in the world to your future.

Oh, back to what we started to write earlier, Harry the stone that you rescued during your first year had been kept in a vault at the Paris branch of Gringotts for over five hundred and fifty years without a single incident of attempted theft including during world war two. It was the Headmaster who got it in his head that it was much safer at Hogwarts.

Funny how badly that worked out, isn't it? Instead, it was almost lost to the very man who killed us. I don't like the coincidence nor do I like that the Headmaster conveniently had the dark artifacts detector turned off two years ago to allow it to be brought into the school. Oddly enough, those detectors which are controlled STRICTLY by the Headmaster were not turned back on last year.

Oh, speaking of last year. You should know that your father and I are rather curious as to what became of the Weasleys at Kings Cross Station on the way to Hogwarts. Why when they drove a car to the station would they then apparate home instead of coming back through the barrier and finding their son Ron and yourself unable to enter the barrier.

I want you questioning everything, Harry. Don't accept the easy answers. Also, you should know that I was very unhappy about you two flying to Hogwarts.

James C Potter

Now that your mother has taken care of that, I would like you to know a few things, Harry.

While I was never the most studious of Lions, I did do well enough in school to be Head Boy my seventh year. Your mother and an old friend of mine, Remus Lupin were always one and two in our house, I was third in Gryffindor and fifth overall behind Snivi-okay, okay, Lily. Severus and another Snake, my friend Sirius Black's cousin Narcissa.

Harry, we are aware of how the Dursleys reacted to your grades, however, Hogwarts was a fresh start for you. Your mother and I would suggest that while you have some free time this summer you go back over your first and second-year course books. Going forward, we would really rather that you spent more time on your school work and less time messing around with young Weasley.

Now regarding your third-year classes, I know that you really want to take magical creatures and that you feel only one additional class is enough, we don't agree and have used a little parental magic to change things.

Divination isn't a subject you can be taught, so we have removed it from your course load and added Runes and Arithmancy. I have watched how easy maths came to you while attending muggle school, I am rather sure you will enjoy learning that subject.

Now before we sign off congratulations on making the Quidditch team. Your mother never played but she was always there to cheer our team on. It's what gave me hope when I felt I had no chance with her. She still supported the team in spite of having no interest in the sport.

Love,

Mom and Dad.

PS- Harry, there is a map that needs to be retrieved from the Weasley twins. Walk up to them and tell them this using those exact words. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Then tell them that that particular artifact belongs to you as the son of Prongs. If they still hesitate just repeat Prongslet says mischief managed. The map will shut down on them. It's important for it to be in your possession.

Love, your dad.

PPS-Kiddo, I forgot to tell you, I was an animagus, my form was a stag, it's also on the Potter family crest, my friends who were also animagii were as follows, Sirius is a grim, which is a type of dog. It's why he was nicknamed Padfoot, Remus Lupin, look at his name and see if you can figure that one out before I continue...

1.

2.

Okay, did you figure it out, if not, Lupin, or lupine, wolf? Remus was bitten as a child and is a werewolf. Lastly, if you should see a rat scurrying around a little too much, have someone check, it might be Peter Pettigrew, AKA Wormtail the fourth of our group. Be careful, Harry, he is more dangerous than he looks."

PPPS- One more thing, most of all son, you should know, your mother and myself, we love you more than life itself. Never feel guilty for what happened. Please, don't ever blame yourself. Only two people are ultimately responsible for our deaths, maybe three if you include the rather bad advice given to us by the Headmaster.

The two people ultimately responsible for our deaths were Peter who betrayed us and Voldemort who wanted us dead. Children are cherished in the magical world, trying to kill a child...

Even Voldemort had trouble getting his death eaters to attempt to do that. It's why we were able to escape for so long. If you want more proof, you should find out why your young friend Neville has so much trouble performing magic.

Love

Lily Evans Potter AKA Mom

James Charlus Potter AKA Prongs AKA Dad.

Harry set the letter down and wiped away his tears as he fell back onto his pillows. The letter had given him a glimpse into his parent's personalities in a way that stories and pictures never could. He could feel the love in every single word.

Lifting it again, he reread the first paragraph and found it hard not to cry as he realized his parents had wanted to save him from the Dursleys but that no one had been able to. Harry was upset that they had been watching over him as he had been overworked, starved and treated as little better than a house elf.

Finding out that the Headmaster could have prevented that by turning him over to his godparents was a hard blow to deal with for him. He had thought that the man seemed to care for him, but how could he have left him with those people or sent him back to them knowing his parents didn't want him there.

He had already known that the Headmaster wasn't always right, look at the last two years after all. He had seen Dumbledore in the memory that Tom Riddle had shown him. The Headmaster had been at Hogwarts and had known that a girl had died the last time the chamber had been opened. So learning he was mistaken about the protections around Privet Drive didn't completely surprise him.

The permission to leave Privet Drive was great, but he didn't know where to go. He loved spending time with the Weasleys but he knew that wasn't a permanent solution. Besides, it sounded as if his mother had someplace else in mind.

He was also surprised with the knowledge he had godparents. Now he would have to find them and see. Wait, wasn't Sirius Black the name of the escaped convict that he had seen on the muggle television? Deciding to track down a muggle newspaper or even a magical one to see what it said, he made a note to himself.

Reading the part where they wanted him to question things more, Harry grimaced. He seemed to end up in trouble when he asked questions. Still, it sounded like his parents approved so he would keep it up.

Reading his parent's thoughts about who should have come to tell him about the magical world, Harry wasn't so sure about Professor McGonagall, his relatives would have tried to keep her away. Professor Snape. The idea his mom had been friends with Snape was quite a shock to Harry's system. Even more, so that she wished he had seen Harry's aunt and uncle.

Harry suddenly grinned as he imagined his uncle being turned into a toad after being rude to Snape. The thought of the expression on Snape's face as his aunt called him a freak had Harry's grin turned to chuckles. It would almost be worth the tormenting he would get from the Snakes if he could have seen either of those fantasies.

Still, he wasn't sure what his parents had against Hagrid doing so. He had gotten the job done after all. Harry had ended up at Hogwarts and had everything he needed for school, so the keeper of keys had done a thorough job.

Harry read the part of where his mother seemed to be saying that the Headmaster had lied about where Harry lived to Snape and frowned. Why would the Headmaster do that? Why would it matter? Why would his mother think that Snape would have been concerned about Harry if he had known the truth? Lastly, he found himself re-reading his mother's last sentence and found that he really hoped he was wrong and that his father hadn't been a bully like his cousin Dudley.

Making a note of the next part, Harry decided that tomorrow while getting funds to pick up his books and supplies, he would speak to a goblin and do as his parents requested. He was shocked at the knowledge he had more than one vault at Gringotts and couldn't help wondering why no one had told him.

The paragraph regarding Snape he wanted to discard but he would honor his mother's wishes and he only hoped that it didn't result in detention or worse for himself.

Still, the part about his previous two years had Harry grimacing as he admitted to himself that his parents were right. The Headmaster had made some bad decisions. Though, he blamed Lucius Malfoy for what had happened during his second year.

The man had tried to harm muggleborn students and had succeeded in letting a dangerous and deadly snake loose into the school. The part about the car and the Weasleys had Harry pausing and feeling ashamed at what that adventure had cost Mr. Weasley. The man had been in trouble at work because of what Ron and he had done.

Reading that part again, Harry got the feeling that his parents were angry about the flying car but were also angry with the Weasleys for some reason. Laying back and thinking about it, he reread the letter several times before it hit him. Wait, why hadn't the Weasleys came back through the barrier? The year before Ms. Weasley had kept a close eye on her children as they had gotten on the Hogwart's Express. Yet this year she had missed that Ron and he hadn't been there? How was that possible?"

The next part had Harry wincing. While his father didn't come out and actually hollered at him in the written word, it was very clear that his parents expected him to do much better in school. Looking at the textbooks now on his bed, the lazy part of Harry groaned at the thought of so much extra work, but the emotional and mental part wanted his parents to be proud of him.

Vowing to do as they requested this upcoming year and to study more and to reread the books this summer, Harry thought about how often Hermione had had to remind them of homework assignments and how often he had ignored her to continue playing chess or other games with Ron and he was reminded that he HAD in fact been lazy.

Ron would be upset with him, but Harry was sure that he would understand that Harry was only trying to make sure his parents were proud of him for more than making the Quidditch team.

The first postscript had him curious, even more so when he reread their instructions regarding how to retrieve it from the twins.

The word Prongslet was creating an odd echo in his brain, something was calling out to him as he read the nicknames. Prongslet...something told him that his parents had called him that when he had been very small, the same thing with Padfoot and Moony. They were also familiar, like an idea just out of reach.

The last postscript was still on Harry's brain as he drifted off to sleep after an incredibly strange and busy day. That his parents blamed their deaths not only on Voldemort and their friend who had betrayed them but on bad advice from the Headmaster.

Chapter Two

Albus Dumbledore was once again examining the book that he had requested from the former Malfoy house elf when he heard the sound of Severus Snape entering his office.

The Potions' master sat down across from him and said: "I want to go looking for Black."

"No, I need you here, Severus." Looking up from the ruined book, Albus asked. "Did you do as I requested?"

"Lucius has been unavailable each time I have flooed. Narcissa has been rather close-mouthed about why." Snape himself wanted answers and suspected that they had something to do with the book that had enthralled the headmaster all summer long.

"I have to leave on ICW business in the morning. Please keep trying to reach Mr. Malfoy. Also, Harry Potter is staying at the Leaky Cauldron until September 1st, Severus. If you would be so kind as to watch out for him." Albus requested.

Snape sneered and refused before telling the Headmaster that in between tracking down Lucius for him, he would be rather busy brewing the needed potions for the upcoming school year. "If Potter needs a babysitter, why not the Weasleys? I thought that was their job?"

"The Weasleys are in Egypt visiting their eldest son this summer," Albus replied before dismissing his potions master, rather annoyed at the man's continuing resentment towards Harry Potter.

The man with the curly beard and blue twinkling eyes watched the Headmaster from the portrait on the wall and stayed silent like always. When Dumbledore put the book away, placed wards around the drawer and had left the office, Father Christmas popped out of the painting.

Taking the letter, he propped it up against the Headmaster's ink well before popping back into the painting. Stopping at his various way stations, eventually, he returned home and spoke to his workers.

When they had written down his directions, he went to find his wife who looked up from where she was decorating cookies and asked. "Godric, how was your day?"

"I meet our great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandson today. Young Harry was sent a letter from his mother and father." He announced as he changed out of his magical clothes and back into his more standard red and white.

"Oh, lovely. How is he doing?" Helga asked as she placed the last of the cookies in containers and using her wand sent them to the cold storage room.

"He accidentally blew up Vernon Dursley's sister after she was rather rude regarding his mother and father," Godric said with a chuckle.

"Oh dear. Godric, please tell me you didn't put that boy on the naughty list. I am quite certain that woman deserved what she received."

"I didn't return to that realm to punish the boy. I went to prevent a disastrous move by another of my problem children." Godric said sitting down and taking the offered cup of chocolate milk from his wife. "That young man is going to be the death of me. If only Salazar would deal with him personally."

"Oh dear. Not again." She said shaking her head. "I would have thought..."

"Yes, I am afraid so. When he heard about what happened, he once again overreacted. I blame Salazar if he would only speak to the boy face to face. He is heading down the wrong path and needs guidance. His resentment for past injuries has already cost him so much." Godric said as he shook his head. "His friend would help but he has his own issues to deal with. I blame a lot on the Headmaster and his blind indifference."

There was a pop into the room and a house elf handed his boss the latest requests. "We also have some new names added to the naughty list, sir. A young man named Seamus Finnegan has been stealing ingredients to make fire whiskey again. A young witch by the name of Marietta Edgecombe misled her parents regarding what happened in Diagon Alley to the Lovegood girl. Oh, and Pansy Parkinson who has been on the naughty list for the fifth year in a row just sent a hexed letter to another of her classmates, Daphne Greengrass which will give the Greengrass girl spots the upcoming school year."

"Parkinson is now on the banned list. She was given a warning last year after she tried to poison the Granger girl. What about the Lupin boy? Has he accepted the position at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, there was some hesitation, but in the end, he did write a letter accepting the job. Also, the reindeer union is requesting a meeting regarding Rudolph. There are some complaints about the redness of his nose creating night blindness."

Early the next morning, Albus Dumbledore shrunk his trunk and joined his staff at the breakfast table in the Great Hall. A quick meeting later and he was heading to the floo.

Once the man had left, Minerva transfigured the table from the more formal one the elderly Headmaster insisted on into a round table so that the staff could talk to one another.

"Minerva, has Albus appointed a Defense Against the Dark Art's Professor this year?" Flitwick asked from his seat at the table for sixteen. "I thought we couldn't sink much lower after two years ago, but I truly feel as if Lockhart makes Tellmark seem competent."

"He said that he had found someone but refused to and I quote "Ruin the surprise for us."

"Oh, Merlin." Sprout dropped her head into her hands at that news. "If Poppy didn't give him a good report on his physical, I would swear that the Headmaster is going senile. Minerva, while I like Hagrid as much as any of you, I fear that he is going to make a complete hash of teaching."

Severus looked at Minerva McGonagall who was looking at him for support. "I already voice my reservations about the situation. Hogwart's requirements clearly state that a professor must have at the very least an Outstanding NEWT in the subject that they are teaching."

"I have to agree with Severus. While it is unfortunate what happened to Hagrid all those years ago, a better way of fixing things would be to arrange for a tutor so that he could finish his OWLS and maybe an apprenticeship someplace. Handing him a teaching position without any additional education or guidance is a disaster waiting to happen." Flitwick stated. "The Headmaster once again is putting his personal agenda in front of the good of our students."

Professor Sprout shook her head and added "He is rewarding Hagrid for his loyalty to himself. I have to agree, Minerva. Hagrid is a wonderful person who deserves a second chance, but not at the expense of our students."

Vector, Sinistra, Hooch and even Binns who usually didn't say much during their meetings agreed with Sprout leaving the Deputy Headmistress unsure what to tell them.

Minerva looked at the note she had personally received from the Ministry of Magic and back at her fellow teachers. "I have tried to get him to reconsider before he even spoke to Hagrid but he is insisting on doing this."

When the teachers had departed including Sprout who normally would stay for the summer, Minerva asked Filius and Severus to remain. When the door had been sealed and a silencing charm put up, she looked at them and said "We have another issue to discuss but first let's deal with the teaching situation. I was sent a copy of an internal memo from a contact at the Ministry."

Handing it over, she saw the two men look at each other before they sat back down and tried to figure out what to do. "When did this happen?"

"Last night. While it is written by Fudge, I sincerely doubt that he intended for it to land in my hands." Minerva dryly replied. "Albus refuses to listen to me and seems to believe that Fudge has no authority to do this."

"I will look into the treaties and find out," Flitwick replied. "From the attachment, this is a huge list of items to fix if we want to prevent the Ministry from appointing someone here at Hogwarts."

"I agree. I hate to say it, Minerva but if Hagrid messes up just once, this will bring the Ministry down on us." Severus replied. "What is that about Potter? The headmaster only mentioned he was at the Leaky Cauldron."

"From what I gather, Marge Dursley who was visiting her brother Vernon and Lily's sister Petunia made some rather disparaging remarks about Lily. This went on for some time and Harry's anger over it got the best of him. He inflated her. Thankfully he hadn't had his wand in hand so Fudge just sent in a team to fix things. They decided that it was safer for Harry to be staying at the Leaky Cauldron than at the Dursley residence for the rest of the summer."

"Why would Potter be at the Dursley house? Is there something wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Evans?" Severus asked. He had always liked Lily's parents and they had always been kind to the oddly dressed and quiet boy their daughter had brought around.

"He lives with the Dursleys," Minerva said as she wrote a note to speak to Hagrid. "He has since Lily died."

Snape looked at Minerva and said, "No, Harry lives with Lily's parents."

Setting her quill tip into her ink well, Minerva looked at Severus and said "Severus, Lily's parents died a week after her wedding to James. There was a car accident."

"No, that can't be right. Harry lives with them. I am sure that the Headmaster told me that." Severus said as a scowl grew on his face. "Why would he put Harry with Lily's sister? I wouldn't give Sirius Black to Petunia to raise, she hates I mean absolutely hates magic. She is the muggle equivalent of Bellatrix Lestrange."

Minerva frowned and said, "I told Albus that they were the worst sort of muggles when he left Harry with them but he said that the wards would only work there."

Severus was still trying to deal with the news that Lily's parents were dead, that Potter was living with Petunia of all people. Severus blinked for a moment. "I heard Petunia speaking to her parents at Lily's wedding. She wanted them to disown Lily for marrying Potter. Her father was rather blunt and said that if Petunia didn't want to be related to Lily, they could always disown her. It wasn't pretty. I left not long after that, but I figured that Petunia created a scene about it."

"No, she did create a scene but not about that," Minerva said recalling the wedding. "Peter Pettigrew was doing his duty dances with the bridal party and something happened."

"Back to Potter. I have something I want to look into." Snape said standing. "Minerva, we have to get Albus to see reason before Hogwarts is in the clutches of the Ministry."

Chapter Three

Harry had awoken at seven but had stayed in bed reading his first and second year charms textbooks and making notes. Tom had brought him up breakfast and had returned to clear the tray so Harry asked him what time it was.

Being told it was nine, Harry jumped out of bed, thanked the man for the food and rushed off to shower. Arriving at the bank wearing his school clothes and carrying his book bag, he scrambled to dig out his key and handed it over to the goblin behind the window.

A bit breathless after removing enough galleons, sickles, and knuts to get his school supplies, Harry was exiting the miner's cart when he asked the goblin if Griphook was available.

The man glared at Harry and grunted before telling him to stand near the pillar. A few minutes later, Griphook approaching and Harry held out his hand for the other man to shake.

When the goblin ignored him, Harry awkwardly dropped it and wondered if he had violated some unknown rule. "Wizard, what do you want?"

"Thank you for meeting with me. I need to speak to you regarding my family vault. I was told to find a goblin I trusted and tell him that my keys were lost when my parents died and that I need a test done." Harry answered nervously.

The goblin stared at him for several minutes before he muttered for Harry to stay there and went off to a small office nearby. Harry saw him knock and enter. The door was closed and a few minutes later it reopened and a rather fierce looking goblin came his way with Griphook looking like he was under arrest between two goblins carrying axes.

"Wizard Potter, Griphook claims innocence. Do you have any proof of wrong doing?" The goblin demanded.

"I..." Harry stared as he saw one of the goblins with an ax point it at Griphook's neck. "Wait, stop. I just asked Griphook to arrange for some test I needed doing because my family vault keys were lost when my parents died. I don't suspect him of doing anything."

"Why did you request he ask for the keys then?"

"HE was the first Goblin I meet and I remembered his name and he seemed trustworthy," Harry said with a shrug.

The fierce goblin nodded and the two with axes left. Harry saw Griphook relaxed just a bit before being told by his boss "Teller Griphook, you are dismissed. Return to your station."

The goblin began to walk towards his office and when he saw the boy hadn't followed he said "Wizard Potter, time is money. Please make haste."

Gulping Harry did as ordered and was soon seated across from the Goblin who asked him if he had his wand on him.

Looking around the dark maroon colored office with only a strange sort of blurry mural on the wall, Harry saw there were a desk and two chairs. When Harry said yes to having his wand on him, the goblin told him to put the tip of his wand on the blurry mural.

A quick blink of the eyes and Harry saw the same design as on the green wax appear clearly defined onto the wall. The goblin grunted and looked at Harry. "You are who you claim to be. I will do a search, wait here."

Harry sat feeling rather uneasy as the Goblin left the office. He returned about twenty minutes later and sat down across from Harry and scowled at the boy. "Wizard Potter, why did Headmaster Dumbledore have your trust key?"

"I-I don't know. I thought he had it because he was my magical guardian." Harry answered.

Grunting as he read the papers in front of him, the Goblin looked up and said "The family vault key hasn't been touched since your father last had it. If you would once again place your wand tip against the painting."

Harry did as requested and a brass key on a dark green woven silk string in the shape of a stag appeared on an almost unseen hook on the wall. "Your key, Mr. Potter. Now regarding Mr. Dumbledore having your trust key. While there has been no improper conduct, from here on out, please do not ask anyone else to retrieve funds from your accounts. If you're unable to come to Gringotts a letter to us signed with your family seal is an acceptable alternative."

"Would it be possible to have someone take me to my family vault to retrieve an item I was told was inside?" Harry asked. After asking if he should apologize to Griphook, Harry was stared at by the Goblin who shook his head.

"Of course, Wizard Potter. However, the funds inside are not available to yourself just yet." The goblin announced and sent for Griphook. "Goblin Griphook, Wizard Potter wishes to be taken down to his family vault. Please do so. Wizard Potter offered to apologize for your inconvenience earlier today."

The goblin glowered at Harry until he heard the end statement. The goblin seemed surprised and looked at Harry as if he had never seen him before. "Wizard Potter owes me no such apology."

A trip to the family vault later, Harry had removed the pensive and a book he had found with his father's name on it under the pensive. Thanking Griphook when he was back on the main floor, he missed the questioning look on the goblin's face when he stated his name yet again.

Leaving Gringotts, Harry returned to the pub and left the book and pensive on the shelf. Looking at the clock, surprised to realize it was lunch time, he ordered some food and scanned the first chapter.

Finding directions to using the pensive, he tested it out, using his memory of the day before. When it worked he took out the memory his mother had mentioned and had placed it in the pensive as well. Looking at, reminded once again of how terrible Snape had treated him, Harry was able to also see that he had been a bit snotty himself.

His lunch arrived and Harry dived into the stew and freshly baked bread and drank the freshly squeezed juice. Skipping dessert in spite of liking treacle tart, he scampered off to go get his new books and supplies before dinner that evening.

Being measured for new robes, picking up ink and parchment, Harry was considering picking up fountain pens in the muggle world when he decided that it would be asking for trouble. after a look through the various books for defense against the dark arts while picking up his third-year books he found one that listed itself as a standard book for second year students.

Paying for it along with the others, minus the one for divination, Harry was considering stopping for an ice cream cone when he saw the crowd gathering around the quidditch supply shop.

Joining the crowd that now included Cedric Diggory and Marcus Flint, Harry was drooling over the broom even as he reluctantly realized he had no need of a new broom. Walking away with a wave at his classmates, Harry was picking up his new robes on the way back towards the pub when he decided to write to Ron and Hermione.

A short letter just telling them about staying at the Leaky Cauldron, leaving out his strange visit from both the Minister of Magic and then from Father Christmas. He wasn't sure if Hermione would believe him if he told her about who had paid him a visit.

He never saw the plain clothes auror who had tracked him in the hope of catching escaped convict Sirius Black, nor that his potions professor had seen him and hightailed it back to the Leaky Cauldron.

Severus Snape was feeling ill as he entered his quarters at Hogwarts. He had intended to head to Spinner's End but what he had seen while checking on Harry Potter had him deciding that the last place he wanted to be was his parent's home.

Heading to his stock of potions, Severus took a headache potion, hoping it would help him deal with the reeling emotions and the pounding in his head. Moving to his wing chair, Severus settled down into it and looked at his shaking hands. He had seen the pensive with the silver strands of memory and hadn't been able to resist looking at whatever Potter had been looking at.

Instead of Potter looking at a prank or reliving his Quidditch glory, he had seen Harry reading an absolutely unbelievable letter and a memory of his first potions class. Severus had already been reeling as he had read the letter over Pensive Harry's shoulder when he had seen the mention of his first potions class.

Going into that memory had felt rather strange to Severus, especially once he had looked at what Harry had been writing in his notes. Now not sure what to think about Lily's son, Severus found himself determined to get answers to the questions he had long been ignoring.

He realized he needed answers from more than Potter but from the Headmaster and Lucius. Standing, he went to pour himself a glass of scotch and was soon seated.

As he mentally organized his list of questions for the various players in this mess, he drank deeply from the rocks tumbler. Leaving his quarters, Severus apparated to the edge of the Malfoy estate in Wiltshire.

When a house elf tried to refuse him entrance, he sent it back with a message to Narcissa stating that either she let him in or he would use the rite of blood to enter. The elf returned to the manor house and then mere minutes later, it appeared again, looked at Snape and then snapping its fingers, lowered the wards.

Snape walked across the huge gardens, rolling his eyes at the ruckus being made by the rather obnoxious peacocks strolling back and forth. Arriving at the manor house, he saw Narcissa standing in the open doorway, twisting her hands even as she greeted him with something that looked like relief.

"I see you are back, shall we say, from Avignon." Severus probed, wanting to see if she would admit the truth.

Narcissa looked at Severus, worried about how he was going to react to what he was about to hear, but she didn't see a single hint of maliciousness in his eyes. "Lucius is waiting for you, in his library."

Striding down the marble corridor, as Severus got closer he could hear the quiet tones of Lucius intermixed with the younger and higher pitched tone belonging to the man's son.

Stopping in the doorway as he heard Lucius telling Draco to go join his mother, Severus smiled at his godson who grinned back and then rushed off to follow his father's orders.

Lucius sighed and then looking at Severus said: "I hate that I can't hide anything from you."

"Does it ever make you regret taking me under your wing during your Fifth year?" Severus said as he moved forward and sat across from Lucius who looked like hell.
"Why do you look like you spent weeks in Azkaban?"

With an arrogant smirk which quickly faded, Lucius looked down at his hands and replied "I might end up there yet. Did the Headmaster tell you what exactly happened?"

"Something about a dark book and how you passed it to the youngest Weasley kid. That she somehow opened Salazar's chamber and let a basilisk loose in the school."

"That sounds like Dumbledore, keeping the details to himself," Lucius said resting his aching head on the back of his chair. Looking up at the ceiling, unable to face Severus when he was barely able to face himself, he said: "When Draco left for school that first year, I missed him."

"So you thought you would get Hogwarts closed?" Snape asked in disbelief.

With a quiet but bitter chuckle, Lucius lowered his head to look at the dark haired man. "No, I decided that I needed to find a better way to handle missing my son. I decided to catalog and discard anything I didn't want of the various dark treasures belonging to the Malfoy family. My father had always wanted to do it, I just decided I would succeed where he failed."

"Did you?" Severus asked as he stretched his legs to get comfortable.

Shaking his head, Lucius said "Not all of them. I finished accessing everything that was visible first, then went to the blood vaults. While down there, I ran out of parchment, found a blank book and like a muggleborn fool, started writing things down in it. I hadn't even noticed it was the book the dark lord had given to me to keep."

"Shit, Lucius. You're almost forty years old, how could you be that stupid." He said shaking his head in annoyance as he glared at the man across from him.

"Oh, it gets better, the book answered me and I was entranced because I didn't recognize the name in the book," Lucius said still sounding bitter. "Narcissa was concerned, I was completely wrapped up in the book and instead of paring down the items like we had discussed, I began purchasing even more dark objects instead."

Severus began putting two and two together and asked: "What happened?"

"The more I fell under its spell, the worse my behavior became. Narcissa moved to the East Wing and refused to speak to me until I got myself under control. When Draco returned for the summer, she took him off to France and I, well, still in the thrall of the book, I just ignored it."

Lucius stood and went to pour himself a fire whiskey but then recalled that he wasn't allowed to drink, grimaced and handed it to Severus. "Weasley started his raids, seemed to be gaining attention for his muggle protection bill and the book began whispering in my ear that it needed to go to Hogwarts. It kept telling me how it was going to solve both our problems, mine with the Weasleys and his own with Potter. I had told him all about the dark lord and how he was defeated. I only mentioned the boy."

Severus drank the fire colored drink at that point, knowing he was going to need it.

"So, with the diary egging me on, I waited until Narcissa returned and we were in Diagon Alley with Draco. Paid a visit to Borgins and Burkes and when we arrived at the bookstore, I ended up in an argument with Weasley so I stuck the book in his daughter's cauldron. The thing was, the book kept talking to me even after she had it."

Severus watched as Lucius buried his face in his hands, looking defeated. He hadn't seen him looking this bad since... Oh crap, "It controlled you."

With a bitter chuckle the platinum blond raised his head to look into Severus' eyes, Lucius said "Yeah, using my mark. The illusion of freedom, but essentially under the Imperio. I was shocked, he was using my mark to tell me what to do. What is worse, I was the one who told the diary version of him the control words."

"Which was...?" Severus prompted.

"Most of it is a blur but I do remember warning Draco to keep his head down, using my influence to remove Albus. Attacking Potter. It took that nasty bugger of a house elf cracking my head against a wall to knock me out. I uh, when I arrived home, Narcissa called Varius."

"And?"

"Varius had me locked up for my own good," Lucius said with a shudder. "For the last four weeks, I have been working with a mind healer, taking daily potions and trying to separate what is real from the last two years with what was implanted thoughts."

"I'd feel sorry for you if there wasn't a twelve-year-old girl who was the victim of this mess in the exact same way not to mention the students who were petrified," Severus said acidly.

The dark silver eyes glared at Snape, "Do you really think I don't regret that. I might not like muggleborns, but I surely didn't intend for this to happen. Even if that girl is a Weasley, if she went through even half of what I did, Merlin..."

Snape watched as Lucius's tried to still his shaking hands and gather his normally tight grip on his emotions. "Potter destroyed the book."

"I know," Lucius said with a weak smile. "I felt it. It ended the pull towards the darkness I felt, but not the voices in my head. Right now, if I don't take the potions Varius has me on, I still hear them. Oh, it's lessened but I am still hearing them. Narcissa is threatening a legal separation if I don't stay under a healer's care."

Severus was shocked at that news. In spite of their arranged marriage and the horrible beginning of to married life, Lucius and Narcissa truly loved one another. For her to be threatening separation, whatever was going on was worse than he suspected.

"She'd be within her rights," Lucius admitted with a twist of his lips as he stared bleakly into the unlit fireplace. "Severus, I... It was a repeat of the first year of our marriage. I vowed to her..."

Severus saw the wet checks on the man from the dripping tears and with a hint of menace asked "Did you go too far? Lucius, did you hit her?"

Shaking his head no, Lucius told him "No, I just, the coldness, the constant anger, t-the..."

The pale blonde's face was now burgundy as he looked over at Severus and said "I accused her of taking potions to prevent another child, of cheating on me. We were arguing one day in our bedroom, if she hadn't had her wand. I don't know what would have happened."

"Lucius!" Snape snarled at the other man. The lack of other children in the Malfoy household was a delicate subject between the couple. Bellatrix Lestrange had been attempting to curse Lucius and had accidentally hit Narcissa when she had been a mere four weeks pregnant with their second child.

It was rare for a magical mother to suffer a miscarriage, but Narcissa had done exactly that and they had been told that it was likely the reason for having only Draco. Lucius blamed himself because he had been taunting the crazy witch at the time.

With pain filled eyes, Lucius said "She has dealt with so much, put up with everything I have done without so much as a single complaint over the years. Entertained the likes of Fudge, Nott and the Goyles without so much as a social faux pas. Been forced to cut out her heart regarding her other sister and yet..."

Lucius looked at his hands which were holding onto to the arms of his chair to keep them from shaking and then at Severus. "She said that unless I stay with the treatment and find a way to fix what I have done, she is filing the paperwork when Draco leaves to return to Hogwarts."

"Is there anything I can do?" Severus asked quietly.

"No. I will do whatever Varius tells me. The fixing things part is a little bit more complicated." Lucius said with shaking of his head. "I cleared out most of the objects from the vaults, except those heirlooms that I can't because of the family wards. Sold them to the Swiss government."

"You must have taken a huge loss." The Swiss studied dark objects but they loathed their actual existence. All knowledge went towards destroying said objects so the money was never worthwhile.

"I can afford it." Malfoy mirthlessly pointed out. Looking at Severus he said "The Headmaster, let me guess, he wants you to fill him in on things?"

"He was curious about your health. I am guessing he suspects you were under the control of the Diary too. Did you know what he gave you at the time?"

"The Dark Lord never told me, you know how he was." Lucius replied surprised that the other man wasn't aware of that fact. Seeing him tense up, he nodded. "It was his. I had forgotten all about it. Needless to say, I am rather hoping that you are wrong about his possible return."

"If he gave that to you to protect, yes. I would be too." Severus said not liking the topic of conversation. "Why?"

"Why did I not recall who gave it to me sooner?" Lucius said looking at Severus. "That curse that cost Narcissa and I so much. Bellatrix was bragging about a particular object the dark lord had given to her. I was trying to take her down a peg or two."

Harry spend the next day finishing the last of his homework and eating ice cream, Returning to the Leaky Cauldron just before tea time he never saw the dark wizard with the disillusionment charm on him as he placed his books back in his room and gathering some parchment went to sit at the desk and attempt to come up with a list of wishes and wants.

He had written a header for the two separate lists, numbered and created lines one thru twelve but he found himself stumped as to what he should ask for.

When nothing came to him, he sat back and tilted the chair he was seated on so that it was only resting on the back two legs, his quill between his lips as he sucked on the feathery part of it hoping that if he sat there long enough the answers would come to him.

Pulling out a spare bit of parchment, he found himself writing down his most secret dreams.

1. A family of his own.

2. No one to pay attention to him for being the boy who lived.

3. Clothes that fit.

4. Food to eat when home during the summer.

5. Less chores, not no chores, but not to be the Durlsey house elf.

6. To make his family proud of him.

7. To help the Weasleys since they helped him and have been so nice to him.

8. Help Hermione to fit in the magical world and never be called that nasty word for muggleborn again.

9. Save his godfather and find out what happened to Neville's parents.

10. Find a way for Hagrid to finish Hogwarts.

11. A peaceful school year with no life or death situations except in Quidditch.

12. Win the Quidditch cup for McGonagall and Wood.

Prezzies

1. Clothes that fit.

2. Glasses that fit and/or contacts.

3. That firebolt broom (But I don't need it and have perfectly good broom already)

4. New sneakers.

5. Fountain pens, because quills just suck.

6. My own magical chess pieces.

7. A copy of Hogwart's a History so that Hermione will let up.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Frowning, Harry crumpled up the bit of spare parchment, muttering to himself that he could only do one good deed for others. Plus, he had no idea what he wanted as gifts.

Tossing the parchment out in a nearby waste bin, Harry meandered up to his room with the intent of taking a late afternoon nap, maybe the answers would come to him then.

The disillusioned wizard removed the small charm and accioed the crumpled bit of parchment from the bin and was heading out the door when he saw an auror out of uniform lounging nearby at a table by himself.

Severus nodded at the man, he had seen him speaking to headmaster mere days before as they searched Hogsmead for Sirius Black.

Returning to his quarters at Hogwarts, Severus was about to smooth out the rubbish parchment when he saw his list of memories from Harry's pensive.

Lifting it, he carried it over to his favorite chair in front of the fireplace and in spite of it being the beginning of August, he lit a small fire and poured himself a coffee from the magically appearing carafe which was on the nearby table.

Getting comfortable, he smoothed out the parchment and began to read. Finding the headers of deeds and prezzies, he at first thought Harry intended to achieve each of the deeds and give himself the presents underneath but something seemed off about that idea.

Still when he read the list, a family, less fame, clothes, food, helping his friends and their families, even the last two were more about others than himself.

Severus wanted to deny what he was reading, wanted to say that Harry Potter was a self centered arrogant little mirror image of his father, but...then he found himself looking at the presents part of the list and thought back to what he had heard Harry muttering at the pub and with a heavy sigh realized that the boy couldn't even come up with twelve selfish presents for himself.

Shaking his head, wanting to deny it again and again, instead Severus was reminded of another boy who came to Hogwarts in clothes that didn't fit him or were in bad shape. He couldn't help recalling Lily's words in that damnable letter, the whole reason he found himself stalking one of his students today.

He knew what he had to do, what was needed but if he did this, so many things would have to change. What was worse was that even if he did what he needed to do, even if he allowed himself to care, he knew that in the end, he would be the one once again nursing a broken heart because once again in the end, the Marauders would win because there was no way that Harry would prefer to stay with him over Sirius Black once they proved the man innocent.

That was yet another thing that bothered him, he was going to have to help prove that the man he hated almost as much as his former master was innocent. He was going to have to rescue that moron Sirius Black.

Still, today was August first, that left him thirty days to change the world. With a caustic laugh, Severus toasted himself with his own coffee and then with a look at Potter's damnable lists and then his own list of what Lily wanted done; Severus muttered every single curse word he knew before standing up and exiting his quarters.

If he was going to go to battle, he needed reinforcements and he knew right where to find some. Hogwarts was going to have a little mutiny started by the time the Headmaster returned. Who knows, maybe he might even go to battle with the Wizengamot while he was at it.

Locating his possible co-conspirators, Severus was extremely pleasant as he invited them to a small dinner party at his place the next evening. He didn't give any of them a chance to say no before he moved on to his next victe-er, partner in crime.

An hour later, Severus took the floo home and soon had house elves running around rather excited by the thought that the master had finally, finally decided to let them do what they needed to be doing.

Apparating to the Leaky Cauldron and sending an owl to the DMLE, Severus entered Potter's bedroom, annoyed that the boy didn't have even rudimentary wards on his room.

Quietly calling for the house elves, he had them gather the boy and his belongings and take them to his home. Exiting the room and heading back down to the pub, Severus waited for his expected company to arrive.

When the woman in question entered along with a few members of her auror squad, Severus frowned and said "I asked to speak to you alone, Madam Bones."

Amelia dismissed Kingsley and his new trainee and then looking at Severus Snape said. "They are heading to Diagon Alley to look for Sirius Black."

Scoffing, he said "I thought you were a Ravenclaw. Do you really think that Sirius Black is that insane that he would stroll down the sidewalks of Diagon Alley?"

"The directive came from the Minister." She said before asking what he needed to speak to her about.

"A few different things, including Sirius Black." He said before asking if she would be offended if he asked to speak to her privately in a room.

"In truth, yes." She said. "You and I both know how rumors start. So I hope that a silencing charm will suffice."

Nodding as he pressed his lips together, annoyed at the danger to his plan. Once she had set the charm, he added his own privacy ward to them and then sat down across from her.

"It's your meeting." She said when he didn't speak.

"This is killing me to say, but I think that Black might be innocent of the crimes he was thrown into prison for." He said wearing a dark scowl. "I don't know if you were aware of it, but I was once good friends with Lily Potter."

"Yes, I recall a parting of ways fifth year." She answered.

"You recall correctly." He said. "You also know my past and I have never heard the suggestion from anyone that Black was one of the Dark Lords servants."

"I would need something more than the word of a past childhood foe and possible co-conspirator." She pointed out.

"When you return to your office, locate the trial transcripts. My guess is that it proves rather difficult because I don't think that they exist. I don't think that there was a trial." He said.

"Of course there was a trial. He was found guilty, he had to be in order to be sentenced to Azkaban." She stated.

"Check into it, Amelia. You will find out that I am correct." Severus replied to his former classmate. "When you have done so, speak to Crouch senior, Bagnold but don't bother with the Headmaster, he has his own reasons for wanting to forget the mistakes of the past."

"I will do so if only to prove you wrong." Amelia said.

"I will buy the fire whiskey and dinner if I am." Severus replied as he stood and went to leave.

"Wait, you got me down here for this?" She asked annoyed at his wasting her time with this nonsense.

"No, I brought you down here so that when your lackey following the Potter boy reported him missing tomorrow morning, you wouldn't go tearing apart the countryside. I have removed Potter from his room here at the Leaky Cauldron. There was absolutely no security and the boy is in too much danger to remain here."

With that, Snape exited the pub to the London side and then quickly and quietly apparated home. Locating the house elf, he checked on the still sleeping boy. Placing a charm to let him know when the boy awoke, Severus looked around the out of date bedroom and shivered in spite of the warm air.

Covering him up with the counterpane, Severus left the family bedroom and walked down the hallway to the master bedroom. Grimacing when he saw the colors and the paintings on the wall, he vowed to make that the first rooms renovated after the public rooms and Potter's bedroom.

Soon he had fallen asleep as the house settled down around the two wizard occupants, as the house elves grinned at each other and went to work.

Harry was rubbing his eyes as he awoke. With a large yawn, he stretched his rooms above his head and opened his eyes only to freeze as he realized he was in a different room than the one he had fallen asleep in.

Looking around in panic, he edged off the large four poster bed and began towards the door. Stopping when he saw his pensive as well as his school books on the large desk in the corner, he also saw his trunk was in what appeared to be two double doors that opened to a closet.

"Mr. Potter." Harry jumped startled at the sound of his least favorite teacher's voice. "Calm down, boy. You're safe. You are at Prince Manor."

Harry turned to look at Severus Snape who was standing in the doorway looking very much unlike his normal self. The man was wearing color to start off with. Yes, it was a dark green shirt but it was something other than his standard black. His hair also looked remarkably clean and he wasn't wearing a frown.

Well he hadn't been, Harry corrected that last statement as the man's lips were now pressed together in an expression that indicated he was growing impatient.

"What is Prince Manor?" He asked.

"My ancestral home. I am sure you have several questions but for now, why don't you take a shower and change into the clothes that the house elf placed in the bathroom for you. If they need adjusting, I will be down the hallway in the study on this floor."

With that, Harry saw the man leave before he could gather his thoughts and ask him any questions. Shrugging, Harry went to the only still closed door and upon opening it, felt his eyes widen and his jaw drop.

The en suite was huge. Torn between a bath in the huge tub and a shower in the green and blue marble and glass room the size of his old bedroom on Privet Drive and not the cupboard under the stairs, he was reminded of Snape's words and began to remove his school pajamas.

Looking for the knobs to turn on the water, he found only a silver button. Pressing it and hoping for the best, he stuck his hand in and to his surprise found the water gushing out from all four sides of the shower.

Climbing in and finding the temperature perfect, he saw the green wash cloth and an unwrapped bar of soap. Sniffing it to make sure it didn't smell too girlie, he was glad to notice it smelled a bit of mint and something he didn't recognize.

Fifteen minutes later, feeling clean as he ran his fingers through his now towel tousled hair, Harry found the clothes that Snape had told him about.

Soon dressed in the brand new boxers which still had the crease from where they had been folded, he found that the jeans were a little long but that the shirt which had the logo of the Rolling Stones on it fit perfectly.

Finding new socks, he soon had them on and to his surprise, a pair of the latest newest Nike sneakers were under the ledge by the sink. Using the new toothbrush and mint toothpaste he found there, Harry looked in the mirror and decided he was as good as he would ever be and went to locate his Potion's professor to find out what on earth was going on.

Snape saw Harry entering the study and waved the teenager, wait, was he a teenager yet? Over. Once they were seated across from each other, he called out for Misty the house elf.

The small creature arrived, greeted him and then young Harry who seemed a bit taken back at being addressed as Master Harry. "Misty, would you please arrange for breakfast to be served in there this morning so that you aren't inconvenienced."

The house elf grinned a manic grin and snapped her fingers. The table in front of the duo was soon filled with orange juice, milk, tea and freshly baked crepes with strawberries and whipped cream on top of them. On the side were poached eggs and several rashers of bacon.

Harry was thanking the house elf when she popped out of view.

"Sir, why am I here?" Harry asked as he waited for his Potion's master to begin eating.

"Eat, or Misty will be offended," Snape told the boy when he noticed his hesitation before eating. Once Harry had done so, Snape replied. "Due to the dangers created by your staying at the Leaky Cauldron, it was decided that you would be much safer here at Prince Manor."

"What is Prince Manor and why would anyone want me here?" Harry asked.

"Prince Manor is the estate that belonged to my maternal grandparents. No one is aware that I inherited it and that you are here. It was the safest place anyone could think of short of Gringotts and I assure you that the goblins wouldn't be particularly happy if you were to move into the bank."

Harry saw Snape's lips twitch as he tried not to smile at his statement. "They don't even want to shake hands, if I tried to move in, I would probably meet the sharp end of one of their axes."

"So, you are fine with staying here until school starts, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked.

"If you are all right with my being here." He replied his mind on his promise to his mother to show his Potion's professor his memory. "In fact, I have something I have to show you."

"If this is about the memory in the pensive... I am rather afraid that I broke your trust and already looked inside it. I was rather concerned you were going after Sirius Black." Snape stated.

"I know he escaped Azkaban and his history." Harry quietly said as he tried to stay calm about the violation of his personal property.

"I do apologize for doing so, but with your recent history, I felt it was better to be proactive and not reactive," Snape stated.

Seeing Potter frowning, he realized the boy didn't understand what he had said. "I mean, that it was better to know in advance than have to rescue you later on or visit you in the Hogwart's infirmary. I was hoping to prevent you being placed in danger."

"Oh," Harry said not sure how to react to that statement.

"You should know, Harry." Snape hesitated and then after gathering his thoughts continued "I hope to repair the damage I created these last two years, I owe it not only to your mother but to you. I can only hope you are willing to accept my apology for my past behavior."

Wondering who was really sitting across from him and where the real Snape was, Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously and asked: "What book did you confiscate from me my first year?"

"Quidditch through the ages." He replied with a slight lilt to his tone at the question even as he lifted his tea cup to drink. "I am myself, I swear."

"What changed? I thought I was an attention seeking spoiled brat." Harry retorted.

"Harry, if I had known you are living with Petunia, I would have removed you from that miserable house years ago," Severus said. "I grew up with your mom, we lived in the same neighborhood. Your aunt was so jealous of your mom's magic that when she found out she would never be a witch herself, it causes a rift between the two that never was repaired."

"Aunt Petunia wanted to be a witch?" Harry asked.

"Yes and when she wasn't, she began calling Lily rather nasty names and trying to hurt her. I would no more turn a defenseless child over to her than I would order Mr. Weasley to work with Mr. Malfoy." Severus said. "In truth, I would do that before I would let any magical child reside with Petunia."

"Why didn't the Headmaster ask you if he knew you knew my aunt." Harry quietly inquired.

"I have no idea," Severus said leaving out that the Headmaster had been lying to him all this time about who had actual custody of Lily's son. Looking at the boy as he finished the last of his breakfast, he asked: "Have you finished your homework?"

"Yes," Harry replied then reluctantly, almost as if he was being forced, he asked if he wanted to look at it. When Snape looked surprised, Harry was breathing a sigh of relief until the man said: "Why don't you go and retrieve it while I speak to Misty."

Harry was about to leave when he had a thought. "Sir, my owl...I sent her to Paris with a note for Hermione."

"She will know where to locate you," Severus stated and when Harry had left, Snape called for Misty and handed her the menu for his dinner that evening. "I want you to keep young Harry occupied here at the manor. Also, I need you to find out if there is a way to locate the Black estate house elves."

Harry sat across from Snape watching as the man tore apart his essays. "Charms is decent, but you need to work on your spelling, Harry. You need to expand your Transfiguration assignment. It's a bit light on explanations of what each translation means. Once again your spelling is atrocious, Harry. Do you own a Latin dictionary?"

"No, I-." Harry watched as Snape stood and went to a nearby bookshelf and tossed a small book towards him. When he deftly caught it, he looked at the title.

"Keep it," Snape ordered as he looked at the Herbology assignment. "Other than spelling, this is acceptable."

Harry was relieved when Astronomy and History of Magic got the same criticism but when the wizard looked at his potions assignment, Harry held his breath a bit worried. He had done better than he normally did on the homework but considering that normally he did it in his room under the covers or last minute he was hoping it was acceptable.

He saw the red ink and had to bite his lips to stop from complaining. When Snape laid the quill the side and then handed the assignment back, Harry read the notes and saw spelling marked and to his surprise other than a few comments about expanding on certain parts it was graded acceptable.

"This is better than your usual work." Snape grudgingly stated sounding surprised.

"My uncle locked my books away as soon as I came home with them before the first year and then last year they were locked in the cupboard under the stairs until the Weasleys rescued me," Harry replied. "I had the time to do my work this year."

"Well, you won't be going back there after this. I will make sure of that." Snape replied. "Now, I am not going to insist you work on them right away because it will give you something to do this evening. I have some guests arriving for a small dinner party. At the time I planned it, I wasn't expecting to move you here. Now, would you like to invite over one of your friends so that you aren't bored this evening?"

Harry was stunned, he was allowed to have someone over? Thinking for a minute, he reluctantly replied: "The Weasleys are in Egypt visiting their brother and Hermione is in Paris."

"What about Mr. Longbottom or Mr. Thomas?" He probed.

"Neville might come but I don't know how to locate him or Dean," Harry replied.

"You may borrow my owl to send him a note. He might not come if he knows who you are staying with." Severus warned him.

"Oh, right," Harry said feeling a bit foolish as he realized that spending time during the summer with Snape would be Neville's idea of a nightmare.

"What about Mr. Wood?" Severus asked. "I do believe he lives nearby."

Harry frowned then admitted "We really only have Quidditch in common. I don't know what he does outside of school."

Just as the two were moving on, a snowy white owl flew into the room and landed near Harry's chair. Holding out her leg, she nipped at her owner before allowing him to remove the letter attached to her leg.

Reading it, Harry chuckled and said "It's from Hermione. She's home and is insisting that I come stay with her. She is a bit upset I didn't write to her right away."

"Send Ms. Granger a note inviting her to visit you here tonight," Snape replied.

Harry sent off the owl and was wondering what to say next when Snape gestured for him to sit back down. "Harry, I think we need to talk about the letter from your parents."

"What about it?" Harry asked.

"I won't ask how you got it, I am sure that the answer would be just as complicated as the letter itself. I know your mother's handwriting. It's why I don't question that she wrote it." He stated. "I would like to deal with the Dursleys in a way that ensures you never return there."

"How?" Harry asked.

"I have something in mind, but I need you to trust me." He answered. "Are you up to doing that?"

Harry looked into Snape's dark eyes, finding no answers but that the man wasn't frowning at him like usual had Harry agreeing to do so.

Severus said that they would deal with the Dursleys first and then suggested that Harry might like the game room up on the second floor, asked. "I have to make a few visits around town, will you be all right here by yourself?"

Nodding, Harry followed the man's directions to the game room and found himself in awe of the many varied Wizarding games located in the large wood paneled room.

Finding an assortment of games for one, Harry ended up forgetting the time until Misty entered the room around two and inquiring if the young master would like some lunch?

Chapter Five

Severus went to visit his solicitor and within an hour had the papers he needed to have Petunia and her husband sign. Leaving the squib's office, he went to the Ministry and soon found himself sitting in Amelia Bones' office.

"Okay, I concede that you might be correct. What do you know?"

"I suspect that Pettigrew was the real secret keeper. If Black went after that waste of magic, it was only for one reason. If he had been really worried about retaliation from any of Potter's friends, he would have been worried about Lupin, not Pettigrew." Snape replied.

"I can understand that," Amelia replied. "Remus Lupin, even without his illness would be a formidable enemy."

"Why wasn't the Potter's vaults or will checked? I know that the Headmaster sealed it but I doubt he read it first." Severus said. "Other recent revelations have me doubting that he read it before sealing it."

"What revelations?"

"Harry Potter is living with Lily's sister. I assure you, Lily would send him to Bellatrix Lestrange before sending her own son to live with her sister. I believe that the Headmaster misinterpreted something that Lily did to save Harry and sent the boy to live with his aunt. If he had read the will, he would have known better."

"What is your interest in the Potter boy. From what I have heard you seem to have it in for him." Amelia pointed out.

"For the last few years, the Headmaster has requested I play a part with the intent that when the Dark Lord returns I would go back to playing spy. That it would be the best use of resources. My actions toward Harry were in furtherance of that plan." Snape answered. "That all ended two days ago, at least on my part. I am a known entity to Petunia Dursley and she fears me."

"You are going to get custody of the boy, against the Headmasters' wishes?" She asked a bit surprised. She often thought of Snape as Dumbledore's man.

"His letter inviting him to Hogwarts was addressed to the Cupboard under the Stairs. He was treated as little more than a house elf. I think that there are house elves who are treated better." He replied. "The boy is malnourished, has never seen a muggle doctor and his clothes would fit an overweight hippo. He needs new glasses, was punished for getting good grades. And that is the tip of the iceberg. It ends now."

Amelia deliberated for a few moments and then said: "I will send a notification of Potter being made your ward in the muggle world and find out who his guardian is in the magical world."

"Thank you," Severus replied. "What about Black?"

"I will need more than just your theory to prove his innocence but I will remove the kiss on sight order." She replied.

"If you need me to, I will brew the veritiaserum, myself," Snape replied as he stood. Shaking her head and thanking her for her help and time, Severus left the Ministry via a visit to the Education and Underage Magic Department.

"Do you think he intends to poison us?" Flitwick asked in an amused tone as he joined Minerva and Poppy in the latter office as they prepared to floo to Snape's dinner party. "Why are we going to Prince Manor, anyhow?"

"I have no idea. His mother was disowned, at least that was what I believed." Minerva replied as they saw the flames turn green. Entering the fireplace, they soon arrived at the entrance to Prince Manor and were greeted by Severus himself.

"Welcome," Snape replied as he took the witches' cloaks. Offering them to Misty's daughter who was also a Prince house elf, he guided them to the ground floor parlor.

An offer of sherry for the ladies, which was rejected for the fire whiskey, he soon had them seated. Stepping outside to speak to Toffy, he was told that Master Harry and his guest were ensconced in the second-floor library and were eating dinner there as well.

Returning to his guests, he found Minerva admiring some of his great grandmother's trinkets while Poppy and Filius were at one of the huge ceiling to floor windows admiring the expansive gardens.

"Severus, why are we here?" Minerva went for bluntness. "You have never invited us before. I wasn't even aware that you had inherited the estate."

"I need help." He replied. Looking at the three of them, he said "From all of you. I need your help to instigate a mutiny at Hogwarts."

"Is this about the note from Fudge?" Minerva asked.

"Yes and no. Mostly, however, it is because four hours ago, Petunia Dursley willingly turned over legal custody of one Harry James Potter to me in exchange for not facing child abuse and neglect charges for her treatment of Lily's son." He replied.

There was almost total silence at his announcement then Minerva's eyes narrowed as she considered challenging him for what he had done then she relaxed and let out a small chuckle. "What have you done, Severus?"

"Just what I said." He answered. "Petunia Dursley turned over legal custody of her nephew Harry to myself. It was officially filed with the Ministry and can't be overturned by anyone."

"Albus is not going to be happy." Poppy replied while her own lips tilted up into a grin. "Does that mean I have his new guardian's permission to insist on potions and healthy meals for young Mr. Potter? The Dursleys refused to sign the paperwork."

"Yes," Severus said. "Also from here on out, if there is a behavior issue, I expect to be notified. He has already decided to change his electives for the upcoming year."

"I received a note already about that. He is dropping Divination and taking up Arithmancy and Runes." Minerva stated.

"I also paid a visit to the Education department while at the Ministry today," Severus said as he accioed the file on the nearby stand. "I was not happy with what I found out."

Minerva grimaced as she read what he offered to each of them. "How do we deal with Binns?"

"We have no choice but to do something, Minerva. Only four students passed their History of Magic NEWTS and maybe double that passed their OWLS in the subject. There hasn't been an O in the subject going back to when I was a student." Severus pointed out.

"Lily was a bit of an overachiever." Poppy said in a knowing manner.

"Still where do you suggest we get the money to hire a real teacher for the class?" Minerva asked.

Severus looked at her and said "The Headmaster has been pulling off a tenth of our operating budget for the last few years. I know that you can access those funds. Would you be willing to do so?"

"What has he been doing?" Minerva asked shocked. "I thought that the Ministry has been reducing our budget by that amount."

"No, I found the records," Severus said handing them over.

Minerva thought about it and said, "I can always claim that I found the funds and was unaware that he had removed them."

"What was he doing with them?" Poppy asked.

"I don't know but there is no reason for them to be removed from our budget that is legal," Minerva said a bit upset with the Headmaster.

"Binns isn't the only issue," Severus said. "We are the only school in Europe that still offers Divination."

"We can't do anything about that one, at least not this year," Minerva replied. "What do we do with Hagrid?"

With a soft chuckle, Severus said. "I dealt with that one as well. Tomorrow morning, Hagrid is going to get offered his dream job working at the same Dragon reserve where Charlie Weasley ended up. That dragon he had is now there, they are going to ask him to come and work there with it."

"How did you swing that?" Poppy asked.

"Oddly enough, they had already invited him but his arrest last year left a black mark on his record so they rescinded the invitation. I simply sent them an update, of course, it was sent through Amos Diggory who was quite willing to help me."

"That's right, you allowed his son to join your NEWT class in spite of not having the grade didn't you?" Flitwick asked.

"He was close and would have managed to do better if he hadn't been injured in that pickup quidditch game." Severus pointed out. "However, it did help move things along."

"So we are going to need a new Care of Magical Creatures professor?" Minerva asked.

"You should find a note from Hagrid waiting for you back at the castle along with an apology letter to the Headmaster," Severus said smugly.

"Now if you could only solve the problem of the dementors that Fudge wants to place around the school," Minerva said.

"Working on that." He replied. Seeing their surprise, he said, "Now onto Potter."

"What do you need?" Minerva asked.

"He will be fine for the summer but once school starts the Headmaster will find out I am his guardian. I have the letter from Petunia and the Dursleys found they had a sudden need to move to South Africa a few hours later." He replied.

"So the Headmaster can't send him back there." Poppy replied.

"No, he can't. There is also the issue of Sirius Black. I have doubts as to his guilt." He admitted as if it had been torn from his throat. "I can't believe I am saying this, but it doesn't make sense."

"What are you saying?" Minerva asked.

"We need to do something to ensure that Black doesn't end up back in Azkaban. I doubt that even if he is found not guilty he would be capable of having custody of Harry for a few years. He has spent over ten years with the dementors. He needs to be healed before given custody of Potter." Severus replied.

"We should track down Remus Lupin and find out what he knows." Poppy stated.

"I tried. I have spent years trying to locate him." Minerva admitted. "I wanted his help with Harry. I didn't trust Lily's sister and those she and her husband were the worst kinds of muggles."

"He disappeared after the ceremony at Godric's Hollow," Severus stated. "I saw him in the crowd gathered. He looked like hell."

Severus left out that at the time he had taken pleasure in the knowledge of how bad the man had looked, now looking back, he wished he had questioned the man about things if only for Lily's sake.

"I will speak to my cousin," Flitwick stated.

"I do have an issue I need to speak to all of you about. Ms. Granger requested permission to take all five of the electives." Minerva replied. "The Headmaster agreed to let her do so along with having a time turner to manage it, but I am having second thoughts."

"She shouldn't be allowed to," Severus replied and Minerva saw the Filius and Poppy both were agreeing. "Talk to the girl. She is here with Potter, maybe if he is here she might be reasoned with."

Upstairs, Hermione was in shock as Harry told her about how Severus Snape had rescued him from the Leaky Cauldron and how he had arrived at the man's house that morning. "Anyhow, he has custody of me in the muggle world."

"Wow, I am surprised you aren't losing it," Hermione stated.

"I found out from a letter that I received from my parents that he was my mom's best friend at Hogwarts and in primary school," Harry said as he played with his food.

"Professor Snape?" She asked completely shocked. "Really?"

"Yes, he didn't get along with my dad because my dad used to bully him along with his friends according to the letter." He replied. "Anyhow, he has been busy today but he went over my homework assignments and other than giving me a hard time about spelling and my Latin, he approved of them. I have to rewrite them but otherwise, he was fine."

"So what happens now?" She asked. "I mean when we are back in school?"

"We haven't talked about it." He admitted. "I should tell you, I have dumped Divination, it sounds like rubbish and I am going to take Runes and Arithmancy."

"I am taking all five of the electives." She said. "So we will be in class together at least three times."

"Speaking of classes." Both teenagers turned to look at their Head of House who was standing in the open doorway. "Severus mentioned you were here, Ms. Granger. I am rather afraid that after a meeting with your professors, Ms. Granger it was decided that it isn't advisable for you to take that many classes. I made a decision as your head of house to remove you from Divination as Mr. Potter is correct. It is simply rubbish. You are either a seer or not, there is no way to learn to see the future."

"But-."

"I have also decided that since the purpose of muggle studies is to prepare magical children to spend time in the muggle world, it is rather useless for you to take the class. I will place both classes as independent studies which will allow you to take the OWLS and NEWTS in each subject if you would like."

Hermione wasn't happy but she could tell that Professor McGonagall wasn't going to back down so she reluctantly accepted her decision.

"Now, Mr. Potter, I was rather thrilled to receive the letter announcing your change in subjects. Severus has told me that you will be spending what time remains for the summer here, I believe that Madam Pomfrey wishes a few minutes of your time before she leaves."

Harry hurried down the staircase towards the room he had seen the house elves working in earlier that day. Coming to a stop when he almost ran down the very woman he was looking for, he was drawn off to a small reception room and handed a note.

Looking at it, he raised his eyes from the paper in confusion at the words on it. "Madam?"

"Your aunt and uncle refused to allow me to assign you nutrient potions. Your new guardian has signed the official paperwork so that I may fix your health. If you wish, there is also a potion that will allow us to fix your eyes."

"No more glasses?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes, but before I can have Severus brew the potion, you have to allow me to do a complete scan of your body. Would you object to my doing so tomorrow?"

"No, no, I wouldn't." He said almost wanting to hug the woman as he gave her a broad grin. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."

"Wait until you taste the potion before thanking me, Potter." She warned as she went to the floo and returned to Hogwarts. Harry heard two male voices and looked up to see his Charms professor and Snape entering the room.

"Hello, Harry." The diminutive goblin said as he greeted one of his favorite students. "Severus, I will let you know what I find out about Lupin."

"Remus Lupin?" Harry asked. Seeing them looking his way, he said "I know the name. I heard Tom mentioning him at the Leaky Cauldron. He is the new DADA teacher."

"Well, I never." Flitwick shook his head and called out for Hogwarts as he threw in some floo powder.

"Harry are you sure you heard the name right?" Severus asked.

"Yes, I knew the name because of my letter," Harry replied looking towards his new guardian. "Tom was talking to someone, a wizard who looked a few years older than you, sir."

With a slight sigh, Severus waved his hand towards the nearby sofa and when they had both been seated, said "Harry, for the summer, we can't have you calling me sir or professor. I am going to suggest that you call me by my first name, HOWEVER, you should realize that if you mess up during the school year, I will assign you detention until you are at least a hundred."

Gulping as he nodded yes, Harry stuttered out "Yes, si-er Severus."

"Good, now I believe it is time for you to escort your guest to the floo." He said pointing out that Hermione and Minerva McGonagall were entering the drawing room.

Harry drew Hermione off a bit while the two professors spoke quietly and thanked Hermione for coming over to visit. When she asked if he could spend the last day of summer with her in Diagon Alley he was about to reply yes when he realized he had to ask his new guardian.

"Sir, Hermione wants me to go to Diagon Alley with her on the thirty first." He stated.

"Do you wish to go?" He inquired and when Harry replied yes, he said: "We shall meet her there, maybe you could find out when the Weasleys are returning and make a day of it."

Chapter Six

Sirius Black was confused. He had gone to Little Whirng after reading in the paper about how his godson was attending Hogwarts, needing to see him, just once before heading north so that he could reach the school and remove Wormtail.

He had seen Mrs. Figg a squib who used to be a member of the Order of the Phoenix all those years ago and had watched the old woman who had been gossiping with her neighbor regarding an apparently recently moved neighbor.

When she had hurried home, he had attempted to sneak into her house, only to end up crossing paths with her rather alarming horde of cats. Quickly exiting the area, he walked back towards the park only to once again locate the scent that even twelve years later he could identify as Harry James Potter.

Tracking it back, he found himself at a nearby primary school and then further on in the back yard of an empty house. Returning to his base form, he jiggled the latch and soon found himself inside a home with sparse furniture but no personal items.

Happy it was daylight, he hurried up the stairs and when he saw the door with a multitude of locks on it, he growled as he located the strong scent of his godson in spite of it being clear he hadn't been there in at least a few weeks.

Exiting the house, running through the back gardens of Privet Drive he was about to exit the neighborhood when he overheard the first woman he had seen speaking with Mrs. Figg now gossiping with yet another neighbor.

Listening in, he felt his eyes widen as they tore Lily's sister and her family to shreds. When they mentioned the odd little boy and how they had all repeatedly reported them for neglect and abuse, how they had been so disillusioned in how Vernon Dursley had managed to escape jail, he wanted to bite them, to make them pay for not doing more to protect his pup.

Seeing a muggle auror car driving by, he grimaced and was about to head towards Hogwarts when he heard the nearby woman sniffing and then pointing him out to her gossiping compatriot. "Good lord, that dog needs a good bath. We should call animal control on his owners. He looks half starved and his hair is all matted."

Sirius just quickly turned his tail and then had a brilliant idea. As he returned to the Dursley house, he saw clothes hanging on a line outside and after trying to judge his new size, he grabbed a pair of bottoms he believed would fit and a t-shirt that looked a bit older, vowing to send the owners payment once he returned to his human form. He couldn't do anything about his shoes, he would have to wear the boots he had on, but at least he wouldn't scare people off with his scent.

At the Dursley house, he checked the bathrooms, finding a small sliver of soap which smelled like a cheap french whorehouse. Using it to not only wash his body but his hair, he felt at least a bit more human when he turned the water off.

Sitting on the side of the tub, letting the water drain off of him as he didn't have a towel, he heard his stomach grumble and knew he would have to locate something to eat.

Soon dressed and going commando, he entered the kitchen and then the pantry, eventually finding a can of what claimed to be chicken noodle and broccoli soup.

Just heating it in the can, he let it cool some and then

TBC Maybe