Arrival at Snape

Snape was quietly settled in his armchair with a cup of strong Brazilian coffee bought from a luxury grocery store, all while reading a laudatory article in the monthly potionists' magazine about his new version of the Wolfsbane Potion. But the most beautiful thing at that moment had nothing to do with these fleeting and superficial sources of comfort. His main joy was that for a month, he had been completely free from the company of his students. He had just finished venting the anger accumulated over 10 months against the pickles who dared to call themselves students of the delicate art of potions and could finally begin to relax.

We rang.

Immediately, he drew his wand and with a leap took cover behind the armchair. Then he overturned the table where his cup was to create an additional barricade. He had applied the most powerful protection spells to his home. Apart from Dumbledore, no one could find it without his help. And the old man had never had the politeness to ring before showing up unannounced in his sanctuary (in his defense, Dumbledore had the quality of only disturbing him for emergencies that could not wait for the observance of polite rules). Whoever this visitor was, it could only be a terribly powerful dark wizard. And he had only one candidate in mind.

Since the beginning of summer, the only thing that had disturbed his happiness was learning that Sirius Black had escaped from his cell. However, he had no doubt that this fool would soon be caught again and that he would finally get what he deserved. His only regret was not being able to catch him himself. Oh, what he would pay to see the face of that parody of a human being crumble upon realizing he would be completely at his mercy. But until that moment, it was all just a sweet dream. It seemed that in his madness, Sirius had finally decided to finish what he had started 20 years ago. He would show him that he was no longer the frightened child he once was. He would see that it wasn't as easy to take him on one-on-one.

He waited. The doorbell rang, then urgent knocks were struck against the door. Whoever his visitor was, they didn't seem to be able to get past the final protections he had installed on the door. The reasonable thing to do was simple. Warn Dumbledore with a Patronus and wait for the visitor to leave or for reinforcements to drive him away. Snape prided himself on being someone particularly reasonable. But his mind was too full of what he dreamed of doing to Black to let him escape.

Severus Snape was not as cruel as Sirius Black. If he managed to catch him, he would simply hand him over to justice as quickly as possible. He would never stoop to the level of Black or Voldemort by tormenting his victim for hours until he begged for mercy. But he would make sure the fight lasted a long time and that he suffered a lot.

Stealthily, he headed towards the door with an unforgivable on the verge of his lips, opened it suddenly, and aimed his wand crackling with hatred at the intruder but froze in surprise upon seeing his worst nightmare come true.

Hey, hello Mr. Snape. Could you accommodate me for a while? In front of him stood Harry Potter dragging a heavy trunk and a rat using all its strength to get out of its cage.

Once he recovered from his shock, he hurried to take the young unconscious person back home.

What are you doing here?Not useless. I don't want to know anything about the tortuous path taken by the pea that serves as your brain to make you believe thatIt might have been a good idea to impose your presence on me. Just give me your guardians' address.

My mother and father are Muggles.

Petunia is not your mother. Snape commented.

Every time he laid his eyes on that typical Potter face it hurt him, but it was Lily he saw, his mother, and he wanted him to be aware of that. For a moment Harry was disturbed by Snape's intervention. He wondered if it was a particularly cruel mockery on his part or if he was serious. He decided to let it go and move on to the next part of the speech he had prepared once Dobby had informed him that he could teleport him to Snape thanks to his Elf powers. As detestable as the man was, he needed him.

Yes, well, anyway. They will be defenseless against Sirius Black. I can't go back to them.

You still think you are the center of the universe. What makes you think he is looking for you?

Let's see, it's obvious that he's after me. And even if that's not the case, I have no right to put my parents in danger. And don't talk to me about Dumbledore's protections. Everyone who trusted his protections is six feet under. And if he managed to get past Azkaban's protections, I don't see how Dumbledore's could stop him.

Whereas me, you can put me in danger without asking my opinion, of course.

I ask you now. And yes, I prefer to put you in danger rather than my parents.

Oh, so that's it. I was also wondering why you knocked on my door rather than that of one of your countless friends. You wondered who you wouldn't mind seeing die in your place and you immediately thought of me. I'm really flattered.

Not exactly. The fact that you are the person I know whose death would bother me the least is just a bonus. The real reason is that I want you to teach me occlumency.

Snape couldn't believe the kid's nerve. On the other hand, the situation presented many advantages. If Black really was after him (and thinking about it, he recognized that it was probably the case), then he might have the opportunity to get revenge before the end of the summer. And it would be easier to keep his promise to Lily if the kid mastered occlumency. However, was he ready to sacrifice the only month of the year when he could enjoy some peace? Was it really reasonable to let the worst of his students violate his privacy? He tried to concentrate to make a decision, but the brat's pet kept making piercing cries and biting the bars of its cage.

Potter, for the love of Merlin, let that rat out of its cage so I can think in peace.

Out of the question. I'm afraid of rats.

Why do you have one, then?

You won't make fun of me?

To the impossible, no one is bound.

He blushed and stammered:

It was to please a girl.

Snape sighed.

Very well, I will contact Dumbledore to inform him of the situation. Because as foolish as you are, I'm sure you left without telling anyone. In any case, Mr. Potter doesn't care about the worry that ordinary people feel as a result of his actions. But I warn you, I expect exemplary diligence from you in your study of occlumency and absolute respect for my rules. I will not be as tolerant as at Hogwarts with your laxity.

Harry sighed. He should have been happy. After all, he had gotten what he wanted. But something told him that it was going to be a very, very long month. Why had he imposed this on himself again? Oh yes! Because there were two completely crazy psychopaths on his tail and it seemed like the only way to get rid of them one day.