Chapter Text
The following day Draco made another appearance. Severus groaned at the sight of him.
“Nice way to greet your favourite godson.”
“Here to fish again, are you?” Severus was fervently wishing Draco and Harry were not so close.
“Well now that you have dropped the bait, I know there is something to fish for…”
Realising that Harry had apparently not said anything about their date, suddenly Severus felt compelled to say, “Draco, may I ask that you allow us some privacy please?”
Draco looked taken aback for a moment, but it gave way to a small, happy smile, “Of course, Severus.”
Severus nodded gratefully.
“I am actually here to put some meetings onto your schedule. Do you have a diary?”
“No, it had not occurred to me.”
“Alright, I shall get you one from stationery. We need to schedule a meeting with Harry and Hermione. How far are you with the files, you will need to be familiar with them before the meeting?”
“I am about a third of the way through, making notes on terms and methods I do not understand. I should like to go through them at least one more time at a slower pace but perhaps that would make more sense after they have answered my questions. I could be ready for a meeting by next week.”
Draco jotted this down in his Moleskine notebook, “Very well. I shall give you the precise date and time once we find a gap in their schedules that coincides. Not an easy task, I can tell you. In fact, I am going to schedule a fortnightly meeting until Hogwarts starts.” He makes another note, “it is easier to cancel them if they are not needed them squeeze them in if they are.”
Severus nodded; he saw now why Draco was useful to Harry. “Why until Hogwarts starts?”
“Harry is there full-time for about ten days at the start of term. Every first year gets a thorough examination. For the most part abuse and neglect is spotted much earlier in children with one or two Muggle parents. As soon as their magic registers, they’re visited immediately instead of waiting until they get their letters. If the case is severe enough, they are removed from the home, put into care at FRADJALisTiC. But it is not as straight-forward as that for children with two Magical parents. It concerns him greatly, but the Ministry just will not budge. And during that time, he also checks on the ongoing cases.”
Severus was astonished, “It is long overdue.”
“It is. Harry said Tom Riddle was such a child and his case, as well as Harry’s own, are the prime examples for the necessity of the programme.”
Severus shook his head, “I can only agree. I had not realised Harry was neglected at all, although I am starting to see how wrong I was. It is clear he does not like to talk about it.”
“No, he does not. He confided in me eventually, I think he just needed to get it all off his chest, he said he had not told the whole of it before to anyone. Severus, my heart broke. No child, Magical or Muggle, should be put through such things,” Draco’s lip curled, and he scrunched his nose.
Himself and Harry were more similar than Severus ever thought possible. Yet he had only vaguely known that Riddle was raised in an orphanage in Muggle World War II but had not really thought about it in this context. About how different things might have been.
“Honestly, I deem it a miracle he did not turn into an Obscurial,” Draco continued.
Severus was stunned that Draco thought it that injurious. While he tended to overstate things generally, Severus was sure this was not a matter he would take to exaggeration. He wondered if they might ever reach a place where Harry felt comfortable to confide in him thus. Most likely, Severus was deluding himself, and anyway it was far too early for such ruminations.
“I keep hearing about this ‘fragile-istic’ but what is it exactly?”
Draco wrote the name out in his notebook and showed it to Severus. He read the word, then read it again frowning at the strange capitalisations. The beginning of the word ‘FRAD’ made him think of the lost Weasley twin and suddenly he saw it with clarity. The first letter of the names of the fallen who were dear to Harry.
Draco explained, “The word comes from Mary Poppins, a Muggle story about a Witch who becomes a governess for two children. In the story the titular character says ‘supercalifragilistiexpialidocious’. It is explained as a word one says when they have nothing to say, or other origins say that it describes something extremely good. Anyway, Harry donated the largest Potter family property he inherited in Wales to become a home for such children, mostly sustained by donations and volunteers. I shall give you a pamphlet.”
“If I can help with anything there or at Hogwarts at all, I would be happy to do so.”
“Thank you, I will let Harry know you offered. He is not afraid to accept any help for the home. But for Hogwarts he has half a dozen interns beavering away at the most commonly needed Potions well in advance. Also, it might interest you to know that Harry insists that they use, what he calls ‘Your’ recipes over the standard ones – he has them posted on the walls. No books are allowed in there.”
Intriguing – “How did he come by My recipes?”
“He asked if I had any old textbooks of yours. You know the ones you scribbled in. He used those.”
Severus is not sure if he should be angry or flattered.
“Anyway, the next thing is that Minerva agreed to meeting the two of you on the…,” Draco consulted his notebook needing to page backwards, “twenty-second of August at nine. I trust that is alright?”
Severus nodded again, while he scratched around for a spare bit of parchment to write on, “Of course, whatever suits Minerva.”
“No need to make a note, I shall fill these appointments into your diary before I bring it to you. One more thing. We are celebrating Harry’s birthday on the Sunday prior to it, the twenty-fifth. We wondered if you might like to join us?”
“Will it be some large… affair?”
“No, no, just the three of us,” Draco gestured to himself, inferring his family Severus presumed, “and Harry. I think he would like it if you were there.”
“In that case, I should like to attend, thank you for asking.”
“Our house, ten a.m. on the twenty-fifth then.” Draco stood, “I will bring the diary by once I have secured appointments for the Magical Source Project.”
“Alright.”
While Severus saw Draco again as he promised, he did not see Harry. But he was good at compartmentalising and managed not to fret about breakfast on Saturday until Friday night.
It felt as though things were going well but he worried about saying something that would upset the tentative getting-to-know-you part. Their past was a minefield, and Severus did not want this to blow up in his face or, worse even, hurt Harry – once upon a time his raison d’etre. Severus knew how easy it was for him to fall back on his abrasive manner that had protected his insecurities for decades. Vulnerable though he might feel, he was determined not to go back to his self-imposed isolation.
As cliché as it sounded, Harry was a bright, beautiful light and he would be a fool not to allow it to chase away the shadows he had dwelt with for so long.
Saturday morning, he took care once again with his appearance – he cannot ever recall thinking quite so much about clothes in his life. Harry seemed to respond favourably to his much more casual look earlier in the week, so he opted for the denims again and a charcoal button-up shirt, open at his throat, with the sleeves rolled up. He could not decide on hair up or down, so he compromised with half-up, half-down exposing the shaved sides.
He decided to throw on a leather wrist-cuff on one wrist and two strings of beads, one black and one a dusty blue colour, on the other. During his time spent travelling Severus found himself drawn to accessories whenever he ambled through markets the world over. He wanted Harry to see Severus not his former Professor. The dark colours were hard to forego to some extent, he would just wear them differently.
Satisfied, he read the slip of paper he found on his desk yesterday for the fourth time at least, smiling at the little ‘x’, and pocketed it – what was Harry doing to him?
Delivery entrance, ‘by the book’
Old Hunstanton Village, Norfolk, England
10 a.m. I’ll meet you there (non-magical area)
– H x
He looked at the clock on the wall – two minutes to ten. Visualising the words of the destination with deliberation, he Disapparated with determination.
Severus landed where two brick walls met at a corner. He vaguely noticed that there was not a single cloud in the sky because his attention was immediately drawn to an insouciant Harry leaning, one foot propped up behind him on the walls, face turned to the sky. He took a drag on his cigarette and blew out a long stream of smoke.
Severus took in the sight of him from head-to-toe wondering how he could possibly deserve to be this lucky. Harry had on slim navy trousers rolled at the cuff above his ankles, a blue and white striped button up shirt, navy sneakers with three diagonal white stripes and sunglasses.
He pushed off the wall a second later and, taking off his sunglasses, he was stood two feet in front of Severus in three strides. “Hey,” Harry’s eyes dropped to Severus’ feet and apparently it was his turn to be ogled, it made him squirm a bit. “You look fantastic.” Harry’s eyes lit up – for him.
Severus reached for Harry who stepped into his arms, “So do you.”
Harry gave a slight shake of his head, his smile shy but there. It was not the first time he saw Harry unwilling to take a compliment. Harry was almost the opposite of everything Severus had always thought him to be. He had clearly made assumptions about him as a child and never bothered to really see him. He was looking now.
“No spectacles, are you wearing contact lenses?”
“Oh yeah, I don’t need them anymore, actually. I had my eyes magically corrected when I found out there was such a thing. Just kind of used to seeing the world through a pair. Feel a bit naked, out in the world, normally, without them I suppose.”
Severus determinedly pushed away associations with the word naked, swallowing hard while he nodded silently.
“Come along,” Harry took his hand, putting his sunglasses back on as they walked around the building. He gestured to it, “The local bookshop.”
Severus took a step in the direction of the door, his feet obeying some subconscious imperative apparently. Harry laughed and tugged his hand, and they walked away down the pavement instead.
“I know the feeling, can’t help but go into any bookshop but I’m starving.”
They did not have far to walk, but no less than three people greeted Harry as they did. He explained, “It’s a small town, six hundred-odd people so everyone vaguely knows everyone.”
“You live here?”
“No, up the coast a-ways.”
Out of nowhere, a child crashed into Harry, hugging his waist, “Harry, you were right, I got my letter.” He let go and they high fived as Harry said, “Awesome Ollie, I’d be happy to help you get your school things. I’ll arrange it with your mum, okay?”
“Really? Cool!”
While he ran across the street back to his mother, Harry waved at her making a gesture with a fist to his ear, the thumb and pinkie held out, and the woman nodded and waved herself. He smiled at Severus, “Spotted that one a mile away.”
They came to a restaurant called the Copper Kettle. Harry held the door open for a family of three who were exiting, more ‘hail fellow-well met’s’ passing between them. Harry hung his sunglasses on his breast pocket while folding the hand that held Severus’ behind his back so that he did not have to let go as they went inside single file. If it drew Severus’ eyes to Harry’s the tightly clothed, and rather nice, bum who was he to blame?
Harry paused just inside the door, scanning the room for an open table and headed over to the one he spotted. Severus perused the menu, but Harry did not pick up his own.
“Anything you would recommend?”
“It’s all good, depends what you feel like.”
A few minutes later, a waitress arrived, “Harry, lovely day.”
“It is. How are you, Heather?”
“Can’t complain when the sun shines. Your usual?”
“Yes, please and an orange juice.”
“And for you, sir?”
Harry snorted, Severus shot him a half-hearted glare, “I’ll have the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.”
“White or brown toast?”
“Brown, please and black coffee.”
“Alright,” nodding while she smiled.
“How did you decide to live here?”
“I wanted somewhere beautiful and secluded,” Harry answered. “Their internet was helpful. I searched for small towns at the coasts and there were other options but there was something about this place. Not sure what it is exactly. A kind of old magic possibly.”
“It is quaint.”
“Yes, it has the necessities, and I’m in London daily in the week for things I can’t get here. I found a quiet spot on the cliff outside of town. I bought a sizeable portion of the land, filed for a permit to cast Unplottable wards around the spot and built a house there.”
“You built a house.”
“No, I designed it. Ron built it. He helped restore Hogwarts and found he has a knack with magical buildings. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else anyway. Or they’d have had to be Obliviated,” Harry smiled, but his eyes betrayed the solemnity of the statement. “Only the Malfoys and the Granger-Weasley’s know where I live. As for the rest I see them elsewhere. Except you, I’d like to show you,” Harry raised his eyebrows in question.
“I look forward to it.” Harry seemed to relax at that. Severus wanted to think he was surprised that Harry was not living in London, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, close to the main Wizarding centre, but this fitted more with the man he was coming to know.
“And you, where do you stay?”
“In small apartment in Roy Alley off Diagon. I am not sure yet where I want to live. But for now, it is close to the hospital, so it is convenient. I, too, would like to invite you to let me cook you a meal there sometime soon.”
“I’d really like that,” Harry smiled warmly.
Harry’s ‘usual’ turned out to be something Severus had not seen on the menu – of course not – and which received a raised eyebrow. Harry just grinned as he drizzled honey over his waffles and bacon stack. Severus had to wonder where Harry put everything he ate. His slight figure belied the number of sweets he seemed to eat.
Conversation flowed easily and the silences were comfortable. Severus employed Harry’s trick of disappearing to the loo and paying the bill instead.
A ‘You devious bugger’ and a huge smile were his reward.
“Come, I need to make a stop first, then I’ll take you home.”
“Alright.” That simple word belied the thrill that ‘take you home’ sent through him.
The stop was for yet more sweet things. Harry bought varied pastries from a shop called Mr Bun the Baker.
“We could walk, it is couple of miles uphill, and I am used to it, or I could Apparate us.”
“After that big breakfast, perhaps a walk might do me good.”
“It’ll make room for these too,” Harry jiggled the box of pastries.
Severus just shook his head making Harry chortle.
It seemed longer than a ‘couple miles’ but they stopped twice for Harry to point out some things and let Severus catch his breath. He was sure Harry was doing it for that purpose without saying so.
At a point with no discernible landmark, Harry says, “I will need to key you into the wards. They’re layered and the easiest way is a drop of blood. Sorry about that, I probably should have said earlier. I mean I could do it the hard way–”
Severus uses his wand to prick his finger without complaint before Harry even finished. He presented his hand to Harry, whose anxious rambling subsided with a sigh.
“Kneel here.”
Severus knelt alongside Harry, as a breeze brought with it the smell of lavender and primrose, cowslips and poppies, and jasmine too, but he saw no flowers in the field. Harry pressed his finger to a large piece of clear quartz half buried there, Disillusioned and with a Muggle-repelling charm for good measure. As they stood, the air in front of them rippled outward in a large dome and Harry’s frankly extraordinary home was revealed.
Harry rubbed his thumb over the small wound and it was healed. He interlaced their fingers and walked backwards a few steps wearing a shy grin before turning around, pulling Severus towards the house.
Even though there were no visible trees outside the wards, inside a large Elderflower tree was positioned alongside the entrance with a wooden swing mounted on a sturdy branch. The garden was entirely colourful wildflowers, the source of the smells he discerned a moment ago revealed, but it did not look overrun or neglected. Severus realised this is exactly what he would want in a home.
It was a compact two storey, the outside made of horizontal slats of dark wood, the roof steeply angled down the opposite side. A stone chimney went up the entire length of both floors. But the most extraordinary feature was a whole section hanging off the cliff entirely made of glass.
“Do you like it?” Harry asked, looking back at Severus who had slowed to take in the sight.
“That is a positively absurd question, Harry. I have never seen anything like it.”
Beaming, Harry turned towards the house and pulled Severus alongside him. They climbed a few steps onto a porch that ran along the front of the house, complete with a deep swing-chair bedecked in comfy-looking cushions, patterned in the colours of the surrounding flowers and two big windows. Climbing jasmine covered the furthest end. Severus turned in a circle, to see that the porch looked onto the tree, more flowers and gentle hill behind the house. He could picture having a morning coffee with Harry alongside him for the rest of his life – and what an extraordinarily presumptuous thought was that.