I do not own any of these characters. They belong solely to the master mind of JK Rowling.

Chapter 1: Old Coot

"Chocolate Strawberries." Snape said as he approached the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, early one morning. The stairs started to move as he stepped on to them. He ascended to the top and quietly knocked on the headmaster's door.

"Enter," A soft voice returned as Severus Snape turned the door knob, slowly opening the door and walking into the very familiar office of the headmaster.

"Ahh Severus, please have a seat. Would you care for some tea?" Dumbledore asked politely as he reached to pour himself a glass.

"No thank you headmaster. For what do I owe the pleasure of the visit?" Snape asked, he was always so straight forward.

" My dear boy, can't an old man just want to spend time with such a wonderful potion's master?" Dumbledore returned so politely

Snape almost laughed, but caught himself, he would never be able to live it down if he had actually laughed. Dumbledore would be sure to never let him forget it, and then what would his students think of him? Snape bit back the laugh, but honestly did the headmaster ever just want to simply 'have a chat?' Of course not. There had to be some reason he had called for Severus, and he was willing to bet 20 galleons it had to do with Harry Potter.

Snape slyly replied, "I'm sure there was something you wished to discuss headmaster, with all due respect I don't believe there has ever been a time you just wanted to 'chat.'"

The twinkle in Dumbledore's eye was as strong as ever. Great, Snape thought, he really has something planned and seems to be enjoying this.

" Why Severus, you are always correct. You must know me all to well I'm afraid. There is something I wished to discuss with you today." Dumbledore smiled.

Severus waited for Dumbledore to continue because he wanted this meeting to be over as quickly as possible so that he could tend back to his potions.

"I have made a grave error I am afraid Severus," Dumbledore continued

Ha! This has got to be a first… Severus thought to himself.

"Mrs. Figg, the kind squib that lives close to the Dursleys, watched over Harry Potter last week. She has told me of some things that I would have never expected, and I am even more surprised that Harry has never mentioned it." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eye left as he stared at his desk.

I knew it! It had to deal with that insufferable brat Potter! Of course! What has the dunderhead done now… Snape thought to himself. " And may I ask, headmaster, what Mrs. Figg has told you?"

" I am afraid Severus that the Durselys have been abusing Harry for the last few years." Dumbledore stated flatly.

"Are you sure Potter is not simply trying to draw more attention upon himself?" Snape sneered

" I am sure Severus. The Dursleys were going out to shop for Dudley and left Harry at Mrs. Figg's house. Apparently Harry had been badly beaten the night before and Mrs. Figg saw the evidence on Harry, even though he said nothing about it. Mrs. Figg did not want to bring it up, figuring it would be hard for Harry to talk about. She contacted me as soon as Harry left." Dumbledore finished.

He probably deserved it, Snape thought to himself, finally someone taking Potter's punishment seriously. Maybe I should go and congratulate the Dursleys.

"Headmaster, have you actually seen the evidence? Have you enquired further than what Mrs. Figg has mentioned?" Snape asked

"I have not Severus, for that is why I have called you here today," Dumbledore replied.

Damn. Let me guess he's going to try to send me to their house to check up on precious potter. No way in hell am I going to do that. Promises be damned. I'm not going! Snape thought. He managed to get his anger under control before Dumbledore noticed the change.

"I was hoping," Dumbledore continued, the twinkle in his eyes returned, "That you would do an old man a favor." Dumbledore looked up, waiting for a response from Severus.

"And what would this favor be?" Snape asked playing a long with Dumbledore's game. He already knew what the favor would be and he already knew what his answer was going to be.

" I was hopping, Severus, that you would keep an eye on the Dursleys house. Monitor their treatment of Harry. Please for one week just go and keep an eye on them. You can keep it a secret that you are there." Dumbledore replied.

"I am sorry headmaster, but I believe you could find someone who is better adapt to this job. I have many potions to brew this week, and as you know Mr. Potter is not my most favorable person here at Hogwarts." Severus replied, trying to keep his expression calm.

"Severus, you are the only one I would trust to do this task. You would not be biased, like other members of my faculty, and you are the one that I would prefer to go."

"Headmaster, I am not going to check up on the Potter brat! He is probably fine, living like a king at the Dursleys and Mrs.Figg may have judged Potter wrong. Perhaps he fell out of a tree and received bruises on his arms!" Snape had clearly lost control. Under no circumstances was he going to babysit the Dursleys and Potter for week!

"Severus, I highly doubt that Mrs. Figg would lie about something such as this. I take the care of Harry most seriously. Please Severus, do this for me." Dumbledore pleaded, staring into Snapes eyes.

Dammit. I hate it when he stares at me like that.

"I am sorry headmaster, but I will not go." Snape replied

" Severus, you must remember that he is her son. What if they are harming Lily's son. You made a promise years ago, do you remember?" Dumbledore's glare was even harder to turn away from.

"Albus, Potter does not resemble her at all! He is just like James. He has inherited nothing but Lily's eyes. Promises be damned. I. am. Not. Going." Severus had lost all control.

"Severus! Just for two days. Please go and check on him. This is Lily's son! If you were to spend time with him you would see how much he is like her. If not for Harry, go for Lily. Make sure that Lily's son is safe." Dumbledore sat there, his eyes pleading with Severus. Severus felt like he was the school boy again, getting chastised by the headmaster. Unfortunately Dumbledore had this effect on people.

"Fine. But only for Lily. Only for two days and then I am returning back here." Snape could not believe he had finally given into Dumbledore.

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes were twinkling more than ever. " Thank you Severus. I have asked to borrow a particular item from an old friend for your visit." He handed Severus a package.

Severus unwrapped the package and held out a cloak. This was no cloak, however, it was an invisibility cloak.

"So you won't be seen." Dumbledore stated.

"Thank you, headmaster." Severus returned.

He headed to the door, " Good day, headmaster. I will return in two days." Snape opened the door, and walked out of the office, descending the stairs as the door closed softly behind him.

Wait till I get my hands on Potter in the fall. He will be sorry he caused this mess. Snape thought. He smirked as he considered giving Potter detention every Friday and Saturday until Christmas break.