Foundling Part Four.

Severus was resting on the sofa, feeling very tired. After visiting the boy's home, he had gone to a police station. There was no call out for any small boy with dark hair and glasses. After modifying the policemen's memory so that they would not remember his visit, Severus had gone back to his house cursing. He could not believe the irresponsible actions of Harry's relatives.

Severus was a very strict teacher, but not even the 'dungeon bat' of Hogwarts would even treat or neglect a child like that. The boy wasn't even eight. And until Albus and Minerva got here, he Severus was the boy's unofficial guardian.

Hopefully when his colleges got here, Minerva the Hogwarts 'lioness' would take charge of her cub (Severus had no doubt that Harry would be a Gryffindor). Not that he disliked the boy, especially as he seemed to be Lily in nature if not appearance. He simply didn't think he was best qualified to show the boy the love and kindness he was in need of.

Nobody, not his even his little snakes would describe Severus as warm and kind, though they did admire and respect him. After arriving home, Severus had brewed potions till late then collapsed on the sofa. He had woken to the boy coming through the secret door and was now trying to take a nap. Naturally he wasn't going to be able to.

"Sir, sir," a loud voice suddenly cried. Severus grimaced and opened his eyes as the excited child ran over to him. The boy was bouncing up and down waving a newspaper.

"Sir," Harry cried again. "An owl flew in the window and dropped this and sir, the pictures are moving."

As Harry said this he thrust the newspaper forward for Severus inspection. Severus had forgotten about the morning paper. And this was the boy's first real glimpse at magic. He remembered how amazed and fascinated Lily had been. He forced his tired body to sit up.

As he did this the boy climbed up beside him, surprising Severus. The boy wasn't in the least bit shy of him and was obviously very comfortable in Severus presence. And all he had was clean the boy up, feed him and put him to bed. But of course it was much more than that. He had given Harry kind attention.

"Look sir" the boy said pointing at a moving picture showing the Scottish Quidditch team beating Italy.

"Harry," Severus began. "Do you know why I've got a newspaper like this?"

Harry turned to look at him with awed filled eyes.

"It's because I'm a wizard," Severus continued.

"A wizard? Sir that's amazing," Harry said delighted.

'He believes me' Severus thought with a wry smile. Of course the evidence was in his hands and yet there were some who would ignore what their eyes told them.

"Sir, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon always told me there's no such thing as magic," Harry piped up, frowning slightly.

"I don't think your relatives' want to believe in magic," Severus said simply.

"So you can do magic? Do you have a wand?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Yes to both questions," replied Severus with a wry smile.

"I wish I was a wizard," Harry said wistfully.

'Well, I've told him so much already' thought Severus with a mental shrug before saying.

"But you are young man."

"I am? But how do you know?" Harry said astounded.

"I'm a wizard, remember. Besides, have you never done anything extraordinary that you couldn't explain?" Severus said smiling.

Harry thought for a moment then burst out.

"I've turned my teacher's hair blue."

He looked delighted for a moment then frowned.

"How come I've never been able to turn Dudley into a toad?"

"Because you cannot control your powers just yet. When you turn eleven you will go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learn all about magic. But I'm afraid you won't be able to turn anyone into a toad, as it's against the law."

This last statement did not seem to faze the boy at all; he was too excited by the whole idea of being a wizard. It was also clear that the boy was unlikely to go back to sleep. But Severus hoped he could find something to amuse the small boy for a few hours so he could have a nap.

"It's too early for breakfast, child. Why don't you take a book to bed to read for a while? There's a good children's story book on the third shelf on the right, next to the big black one," said Severus.

Harry obediently slipped from the sofa and headed over to the bookcase, where one of Severus's old childhood books was. And while Harry's back was turned, Severus conjured up some paper and colouring pencils. An obvious show of magic would only excite the boy, and he was pretty excited already. But that was understandable. When Harry had found 'The tales of Beadle the Bard and turned back to face him, Severus held out the paper and pencils.

"Why don't you draw some of the scenes from the book" Severus suggested. Harry, his face beaming, took them, thanked Severus and ran back upstairs.

"I hope that occupies him," Severus thought as he lay back down on the sofa and closed his eyes.

Three hours later, Harry had read Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump, the Wizard and his Hopping pot and the Fountain of Fair Fortune. As Professor Snape had suggested Harry had done drawings to go with the stories. They included a big rainbow coloured fountain, a rabbit with very long whiskers wearing a witch's hat and also a pot with small stumpy legs jumping around. Harry wanted to show Professor Snape his pictures, and thought that surely the man would be up by now.

Harry paused on top of the stairs, thinking. Professor Snape had said that when he was eleven he would go to a wizard school and learn about magic. Harry had wondered about this, he couldn't really see his aunt and uncle letting him. But then again, Professor Snape had stated it as though it was solid fact, so Harry decided to trust him on this. After all he still had several years to go before he went so there was no point in worrying about it now. Harry shrugged and made his way to the stairs.

And so Harry made his way down and through the secret door. To his surprise he found Professor Snape sitting at the table drinking coffee and reading his paper. Without looking up, the Professor bade Harry to come and eat his breakfast. When Harry had sat down opposite him, Severus lifted the cover off a plate that was in front of Harry and went back to his reading.

Harry's eyes went round at the sight of the food piled on his plate. There were sausages, bacon, beans, mushrooms and buttered bread. There was also a glass of milk and an empty glass beside a jug of orange juice. And there was no Dudley to take the best bits. Harry poured himself a glass of juice, and then attacked his food. It was so delicious and all for him.

"Don't eat so fast, otherwise you'll give yourself a sore stomach," Severus said sternly.

Harry slowed down, trying to chew more and savouring each mouthful. When he had eaten everything on his plate, he drank his milk and finished his glass of juice. To Harry's delight, Professor Snape waved his wand and the dirty dishes flew into the kitchen. Professor Snape put down his paper and said to Harry.

"I was planning on going shopping today Harry, would you like to come and have a day out?"

"Oh, yes sir," replied Harry eagerly.

Severus got up and came round to Harry. He bent down and asked.

"Would you like to see more magic?"

"What kind of magic?" asked Harry, eyes round as saucers.

"I could...change your appearance. You could look different for a day, what do you think?"
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"That would be really cool, sir" said Harry in excitement.

"For today you don't have to call me sir. You can call me Uncle Sev," said Severus gently.

"Ok sir, I mean Uncle Sev," said Harry.

Severus smiled.

"Very good Harry. Now just relax and close your eyes."

Severus pointed his wand at Harry's face and muttered incantations. Harry felt his face go warm then cold. His scar disappeared, his nose became dotted with freckles and his hair became shorter and light brown. Severus then conjured a mirror to show Harry his new face. Harry stared at his face in fascination.

"Why don't we give you a name to go with your new face? You could be Henry Prince for today," suggested Severus.

"That's fine Uncle Sev," said Harry.

"Right, we're going in fifteen minutes, Henry, so go and clean your teeth and get ready," Severus told Harry.

As harry ran back upstairs to do as he was told, Severus smiled again. For Harry today would be an adventure. And Severus had managed to disguise Harry so he could protect the young boy without him having to know why he was vulnerable.