Harry glanced over at Julie to see her raise an eyebrow at Severus expectantly. After placing Harry on the ground, he indicated for them to step forward, taking in the look of surprised delight on both their faces, although Harry's was more pronounced.
'This is gorgeous! And Harry will have plenty of room to run about. Severus is so kind to bring Harry here, even though this will most likely only be their summer residence,' Julie thought, sending Severus a pleased smile.
Harry's mind was whirling with the idea that the house had been hidden! "I love magic," he breathed, making Julie and Severus laugh.
"What do you think of the manor and the lands?" Julie asked, directing his attention to them, while still keeping a wary eye on Severus. Having distrusted him for so long, it was hard for her to reconcile herself to the thought that he was indeed no threat to Harry's health, safety, or happiness.
Harry looked toward the beautiful Elizabethan-style manor made of cream-colored stone. The walk up to the house contrasted nicely with its beautiful brown stone and was surrounded with bushes and lots of flowers which brought more color to house. There were snapdragons, roses of all sorts of colors, bluebells, and fountains with white lilies growing in them, as well as other flowers Harry couldn't quite make out.
"You live here?" he asked Severus in awe.
"Only during the summers. I'm a teacher at Hogwarts, a school of magic that you will go to when you turn eleven, and I stay there during the school year. You will be staying there with me until we can get something else arranged," Severus replied, glancing hesitantly at Julie. Realizing that he was asking her for help 'I'd better write this one down!' She thought, 'Severus asking for help? A rare occurrence if there ever was one!' she nodded. They would talk about details later, most likely with Lucius.
"Oh," Harry said. Feeling brave because of Julie's presence, he added, "If we're going to be living at Hogwarts, then why are we here?"
Severus looked surprised at the intelligence of the question, but answered, "We will set up your room here and then floo directly to my quarters. If we had apparated to Hogwarts, we would have run the risk of Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, finding out that you are no longer at the Dursleys'. As he was the one who placed you with them, he might have taken you and returned you to them."
"No doubt about that," Julie muttered to where only Severus could hear her. He looked at her grimly and Julie had a moment of great clarity. Severus would do whatever it took to protect Harry and to make sure he was happy and healthy—but not spoiled.
"Albus Dumbledore," Harry repeated quietly, trying to figure out why the name was so familiar. "Isn't he your grandfather, Miss Julie?" Julie stiffened, but nodded. "You're not happy with him, but it's not just because of me is it? Why does he have such a great say in what goes on in my life, anyway? Shouldn't my parents have been the ones to decide who I would be placed with?" he asked.
Julie knelt down in front of Harry with a sigh. "I am not happy with my grandfather, it is true, and what he has done in regards to you is a major reason. But there are other reasons, which I do not think we should go in to right now."
Harry nodded in understanding.
"He was made an executor of your parents' will and helped hide you and your parents from the Dark Lord, so he wants to make sure you are somewhere he thinks you should be." Giving him a hug and standing back up, she gave Severus a pointed look.
"Shall we go in now?" Severus asked, to which Julie gave an approving smile. Harry nodded, looking slightly morose, which caused Severus to ruffle his hair in reassurance, an act which caused Julie beamed at him and Harry to give him a tentative smile of gratitude.
Upon opening the door, he was immediately scolded by his head house-elf, Mippy. "Master Severus! Yous is home! But yous failed to tell Mippy that yous would be coming—and bringing guests! Mippy has not had time to prepare things for Master Severus and for Master's guests!"
Severus smiled fondly at Mippy. When he had first met her, after the death of Tobias, she had instantly taken to him. She knew many of his secrets and had been a good friend to him, even when he'd been a Death Eater. "It is all right, Mippy. This is my nephew, Harry Potter, and a childhood friend, Julie Purcell." He then explained to her that he had only recently discovered his relationship to Harry and Julie's role in Harry's life, as well as why Harry was at the Dursleys in the first place.
Mippy looked thoughtful. "So young Master Harry will be staying with Master Severus, but yous will only be staying here during the summer, correct?" At Severus' nod, she continued. "And yous will be needing help protecting him from Headmaster Dumbledore. Master Severus knows that Mippy will do anything to keep young master safe. I will bring yous some tea to the sitting room, so that when yous is done showing young master around, yous may eat something." Julie looked greatly relieved. It was good to know there would be another pair of eyes looking out for Harry.
Severus thanked Mippy and waved her off to get refreshments for them before taking them to see Harry's new room. As he opened the door, he kept his eyes trained closely on Harry, because he did not wish to miss any bit of Harry's reaction.
Harry's eyes widened as he took in the beautiful brightly colored walls, four-poster bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, and bookcases that filled the room. A flicker of disappointment flashed across his face when he noted that there were only a couple of bookcases and that they were, as of yet, unfilled. However he would not complain, so he quickly squashed his disappointment. He was being given far more than the Dursleys had ever given him, so with a bright smile he turned to his uncle. "It's brilliant!" he exclaimed. "It's really mine?"
Severus smiled. "Yes, it is really yours."
He shot Julie a questioning look regarding Harry's disappointment when he had spotted the bookshelves, prompting her to speak. "I'm sure your uncle will take you to get books so that you can fill up your bookshelves. And should you fill them up and wish for more books, I am sure you need only ask for more bookshelves."
Harry's eyes glittered at her response. 'Ah,' Severus thought to himself, 'a bibliophile like me.'He gave Harry, who was looking at him for confirmation, a smile and nod of agreement. "I have a large library downstairs," Severus informed him, "although I am not sure how many books I have that you would be able to read and understand..." He trailed off at the amused and knowing looks that Harry and Julie exchanged. "What?" he asked.
"I read the entire library near my home, and most of Miss Julie's library, in two years. She would often bring me wizards' books to read after I had finished a particular section of the muggle books," Harry replied shyly.
Severus' eyes widened slightly, the only sign of his surprise. The library near Privet Drive had not been a small library by any means. It was, in fact, only slightly larger than the one he kept here, at Prince Manor. Julie's, he knew, rivaled the size of his own. He also kept one in his quarters at Hogwarts, though it was far smaller overall.
Clearing his throat, Severus asked Harry, "Is there anything you might wish to leave here during the school year?" As Harry clearly owned very little, he doubted that it would be the case, but still felt it appropriate to at least ask.
"No, sir," he replied politely.
Severus nodded and sighed quietly. They would clearly need to go shopping in the near future. "Then we will have some tea and then floo to my quarters at Hogwarts. I have a feeling that were I to show you the library now; we would be here for the next several days, at the least." He smiled to let Harry know that he wasn't annoyed by that and Harry smiled shyly in return.
They walked down to the sitting room, where Mippy had left the tea. Severus watched Julie closely to see how she made Harry's tea. He felt it would go at least a little way towards showing Harry that he really did care, just as a parent would know many of their child's preferences.
Julie, seeing his intent gaze on her hands as she reached for the cup, understood his wishes and so that he could easily catch it, made a point of carefully putting one sugar and a little milk in Harry's tea. She then handed Harry his tea and a blueberry muffin, which she had quietly requested for Mippy to include on the tray. She then made her own tea and watched carefully as Severus made his; she always tried to learn as many preferences of her friends as possible. And if things continued as they were already going, she could foresee rebuilding a close friendship with Severus…eventually.
Severus decided that this would be a good time to get to know his nephew better, so he began talking about something he knew they had in common: a love of books.
"So, Harry, tell me, what are you favorite types of books?" Severus began.
The boy looked thoughtful for a moment and then replied at Julie's encouraging smile and nod, "Among muggle books, I like their novels the best. From the wizarding books, though, I'm still debating, because they're all so interesting! Well, except for the dark arts books, but Miss Julie wouldn't let me read those. She gave me some of her old school books to look through, too, and after reading through some of the defense against the dark arts books, I don't think I want to read more detail about the dark arts."
"Indeed," Severus agreed. "And of the subjects taught at Hogwarts, which interest you the most?"
Harry again looked at Julie, uncertain as to how much information he should really divulge. After all, he had just met his uncle that day, but then he recalled what she had said about getting to know others. You ask about their interests, where they work, what they do at work, their family, or other such things. "I thought potions sounded quite interesting. It sounds similar to cooking, which I did for the Dursleys a lot. I enjoyed that though, so it wasn't really that bad." He looked uncomfortable at having shared such information, but Julie smiled at him, so he knew it was all right. Severus filed the information away for later, still not revealing how angered he was by the Dursleys' treatment of Harry. "Defense against the Dark Arts, Charms, Ancient Runes, and Transfiguration also seem interesting," Harry added shyly.
"Are you more interested in Potions than the others?" Severus asked with obvious interest. If that was the case, he should be able to teach his nephew with no problem. Perhaps Harry would even enjoy helping him in his research or brewing in his private lab. Julie smiled knowingly, correctly interpreting the look on Severus' face. "Do you know that I teach potions at Hogwarts? I could teach you what I know, about potions as well as the other subjects, if you'd like me to."
The bright smile that lit up Harry's face was all the answer Severus needed, but Harry gave him a verbal response anyway. "Really?" he asked eagerly.
"Really," Severus confirmed with a smile. He was absolutely delighted that he had made his nephew so happy.
Julie smiled mischievously as she informed Harry, "You know he is not just any potions teacher. He happens to be the youngest potions master in centuries, and he's the most brilliant potions master I know. And I know quite a few." Severus groaned as she divulged some of his secrets, but she felt that credit must be given where it was due. He deserved praise for his accomplishments.
"As long as it wouldn't be a bother..." Harry said hesitantly.
"Nonsense!" Severus exclaimed, and then gentled his tone at the warning look Julie sent him. Placing his empty teacup aside, he knelt in front of the boy as he reassured him, "Harry, I would not have offered if I thought it would be a bother to me."
Harry searched his uncle's eyes to be sure of his sincerity, and nodded when he came to the conclusion that Severus was telling the truth.
"Good. Now, if we are all done with our tea, let us go set up your room in my quarters. I will show you the places you will absolutely need to know the location of for tonight, and then go shopping. Early tomorrow morning we'll eat breakfast in my quarters and then I will give you the grand tour. How does that sound?"
Harry hesitated somewhat and then nodded in agreement. They all stood and Harry took Julie's hand in a death-grip. She looked at Severus and shook her head in answer to his unspoken question. Now was not the time to push him. "Harry," she began gently, knowing how uncertain he was about accepting generosity from others, "your uncle is your guardian now. I know the Dursleys have provided you with a warped example of what a guardian should be like, but you should trust his willingness to provide for you. Think of it as if I were taking you out shopping."
Harry nodded his head hesitantly. It would no doubt take a while for Harry to completely trust Severus, but at least he was willing to take a little bit of a risk. Harry knew as well that Julie was fiercely protective of him and would not tell him to trust someone who she did not think could be trusted. She had proven her trustworthiness over the years. Severus, however, only continued to mentally add to the list of things he was going to do to the Dursleys—and Dumbledore, since he was the one to place Harry with them.
Turning to Julie, he informed her, "I will go first, to be sure that the headmaster is not there and will secure it against anyone entering. I will also change the password of my floo to 'Harry'." He sent Harry a gentle smile.
Julie nodded. "I'll wait for your Patronus, then?" she asked. Severus nodded and then went through the floo. They waited patiently for Severus to send his Patronus, but after twenty minutes, he still hadn't sent it. Quietly calling Mippy, she asked the house-elf to check and make sure that Severus was okay.
Mippy left with a quiet "pop" and returned a few moments later. "Master Severus is talking with Mr. Bright-colors," Mippy informed her. Julie's lips twitched in amusement at the nickname. Harry looked perplexed at the name, prompting Julie to clarify that Mippy was speaking about the headmaster.
Harry snickered at the nickname and then glanced nervously at Mippy. The house-elf smiled at him reassuringly. "I is glad to hear yous laughing, young master. It is a welcome sound. There's has not been laughter in these halls for many years." Harry smiled, glad that he had not offended Mippy. They then settled in to wait for Severus' Patronus, both getting rather anxious the longer the wait stretched.
Meanwhile, Severus was becoming quite exasperated and annoyed. He was sitting in a chair in his quarters, facing Albus Dumbledore. Why the headmaster had decided to come to the dungeons he was still in the process of trying to understand. Finally, with a huff, he cut the headmaster off sharply, "If you do not mind, I am rather busy and have other things to do."
"Yes, yes, of course, my boy. Please do forgive me for taking up your time. Have a good evening!" Dumbledore twinkled merrily, further souring Severus' mood. Once Dumbledore had left, Severus began warding his quarters more thoroughly; glad he had refused to put up any portraits. He blocked his floo from all but Prince Manor and then sent his Patronus. A few moments later, Julie stepped out with Harry, catching him before he fell and the moving to brush the soot off of him.
Looking up at Severus, she raised an eyebrow questioningly. He sighed and explained. "Albus was here, for some reason, I still am not entirely sure why, perhaps just to chat, or for some other unknown reason. However, I have thoroughly warded my quarters and blocked my floo from all but Prince Manor, which means we'll have to return there before going to Diagon Alley." Julie nodded and then they looked down at Harry, who was taking in his surroundings.
Severus smiled at his curiosity. "Let me go show you your room," he suggested. Harry nodded shyly and hesitantly took Severus' hand, surprising the both of them. Julie smiled encouragingly when Harry looked at her with uncertainty. They walked towards Harry's new room, with Severus pointing out the kitchen and bathroom along the way.
Severus opened the door and motioned them both inside. Harry looked around in awe at the furnishings. 'I'm getting two rooms of my own! One here and one at Prince Manor, and he's going to take me shopping! I can scarcely believe it! But how he protected me from the headmaster...I hope he's not doing all of this just because Julie's here.'The look on his face was one of wariness and uncertainty, but he took in his surroundings anyway.
There was a wardrobe, a bed, a bedside table, a couple of bookshelves, a desk, a chair, and a door that most likely led to a closet. The wardrobe, bed frame, bedside table, bookshelves, and desk were made of cherry. The walls were done in a deep blue and the duvet on the bed, as well as the rug, were a light brown. Harry looked at it all and again asked, just as he had with the other room, "This is really mine? Both this one and the one at the manor?" He looked closely at Severus to be sure he was not being deceived or tricked. Vernon had done similar things, making him think he was going to get one thing and then we he had lulled Harry in to believing him, he'd snatch it back and then beat Harry for "forgetting his place."
Severus saw the uncertainty in Harry's eyes and recognized that Julie was probably the only one to give his nephew any positive attention. Lowering himself to Harry's level, he spoke so seriously that Harry was hard-pressed to keep his guard up. "Yes, Harry, they are both yours, and they will never be taken from you; no matter what, you will always be able to call both rooms your own." Julie pulled out of the room, standing just outside the door, thinking they should be alone in that moment.
Harry looked carefully into Severus' eyes, having learned long ago, thanks to his Uncle Vernon, that even if people could have truth in their looks, they could not manage to have it in their eyes, unless they really were telling the truth. Seeing that Severus was telling the truth, he nodded, but thought to himself, 'He doesn't know about my freakishness, yet. I'm sure I will do something and he will eventually come to regret taking me in.'
Severus noted there was still some doubt in Harry's eyes, but knew that it would take time for Harry to come to trust him. Standing and holding his hand out to Harry, he added, "Shall we go see where Miss Julie's gotten off to?"
Harry looked around, surprised that he didn't see Miss Julie. He nearly panicked, until she poked her head around the door frame with a smile. "All set, now?" she asked, eyes focused solely on Harry, to determine his state of mind. Harry looked relieved, glad to know that she hadn't abandoned him. She smiled softly at him and knelt down. "You know I won't abandon you, Harry." Harry nodded and gave her a fierce hug.
After a few moments, she sent Severus a look and he asked Harry, "Shall we go shopping?" Harry nodded again, but held tightly to Julie's hand. They made their way to the fireplace and flooed back to Prince Manor and before apparating to Diagon Alley.