Walk the Shadows

snortage, 'was like to be messing about in my mind and I should be doubly wary of any visions. And both him and McGonagall should have listened when I asked them over and over if I could stay here, summers, because I really, really didn't like it with the Dursleys. And I shouldn't have had to face the full Wizengamot for defending myself against Dementors while on summer hols. And I shouldn't have been forced to play in the TriWizard Tournament, especially when at least Dumbledore knew the Goblet had been tampered with somehow, for my name to get into it in the first place. McGonagall should've listened when I told her the Sorcerer's Stone was in trouble, and that Dumbledore shouldn't leave the school unattended, so I wouldn't have had to get past Fluffy and all the rest of it. . . .' He paused and played with his teacup for a minute. 'You know, for example.'

Snape was silent, and for a long time, the only sound was the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Harry had gotten used to the sound, and the warmth of the fire, and was glad that Snape let them keep it going, even though they didn't really need it here in the summer. It wasn't hot in the dungeons, by any means, but it wasn't actually chilly enough for a fire, either.

A sudden pop came from the logs as several of them settled, and sparks rose to float in the air. Harry's gaze was drawn to them, and he startled slightly when Snape finally spoke.

'I owe you an apology again, it seems.'

Harry frowned. 'How do you figure?'

Snape's dark eyes watched him thoughtfully, and it made Harry nervous. 'I was so concerned with making sure you survived your various encounters from year to year, I had no idea that you were being undermined so continuously and thoroughly by my colleagues. If I had, I assure you, I would have stepped in far sooner.'

'What do you mean, far sooner? Far sooner than what?'

'Than now. Harry, I'm going to petition the Ministry to give me custody of you, until you come of age.'

TBC . . .

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A/N: A wee bit of a cliffie, yes, but please don't hate me! And super duper thanks to everyone who's read and/or reviewed! You are my mocha lattes, my sunshine, my density. ;-) Next chapter should be out by Monday.

*Chapter 23*: Chapter 23

Walk the Shadows -- Chapter 23

By jharad17

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Honest. She's rich, I'm not.

A/N: Okay, okay, I get it! No cliff hangers. Sheesh!

Aug. 13, continued

He has got to be kidding me. . . .

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Flashback.

'Than now. Harry, I'm going to petition the Ministry to give me custody of you, until you come of age.'

'You have got to be kidding me.'

'In no way. You obviously require the proper guidance any young man does, and more. Your . . . guardians have failed you in the past. I will not do so.'

'Really.' Harry folded his arms over his chest. He'd just turned sixteen – while he was at Topsham, actually, not that he'd realized it until a couple days ago – and that would mean a whole year of being Snape's ward. He shuddered at the very idea. 'And what makes you think I want a guardian at all? Or even better, that I want you?' Snape raised an eyebrow, which just chewed Harry's cheese. 'Quit that!

Snape's voice was silky smooth as he quirked his eyebrow higher. 'We could make a trade.'

'Oh, yeah, like I'm gonna let you be my guardian so you can teach me eyebrow tricks? Do you think I'm stupid? Wait, don't answer that.'

'Points, Mr. Potter, for use of two blacklisted words.' Harry scowled, even as Snape added, 'And no, I don't think you're stupid. Just . . . ill prepared.'

'Ill prepared for what?' he asked, deciding to ignore the almost compliment and go for sating his curiosity instead.

'For life.'

Harry snorted a laugh. 'Probably just as well, considering.'

'Excuse me?'

'Well, I'm not likely to live past the ripe old age of . . . well, however old I am the next time me and What's His Name meet.' If he was flip about Voldemort's name, he didn't have to think about the monster very closely, which was better all around.

'I have no intention of seeing you sent to the grave by that encounter. I will prepare you for that, as well.'

'Uh huh. Have you heard the prophecy?'

'Parts of it,' Snape admitted, but he looked very uncomfortable.