The Hidden End

Chapter 4: Settling in Part 1

 Taking a shaky breath, Harry awkwardly pulls his tear-streaked face from the depths of Severus' robes. Never once has he ever laid a hand upon the potions master, and in a matter of hours, he has held onto his robes, grabbed his hand, and even hugged the man. How odd. Wiping the salty water from his eyes, he takes in his surroundings. It is not the biggest entryway he has ever seen. Mrs. Figs was much larger, though, admittedly, Snapes didn't smell like cat pee; that was a plus. The walls are covered in a dark wallpaper, twisting grey flowers snake up against a black canvas. A console table sits covered in knick-knacks, a stack of potion books, a scarf, some scraps of paper, etc. A small door sits cracked open where they can see some coats hanging nearly inside.

Severus places a hand on Lily's head, leaning back slightly, wiping her face. "Come along, let us show you both to your rooms." Standing to his full height, Severus led them through the doors blocking off the rest of the house; Lily held his hand as he led them up the stairs to their rooms. "Before the day is up, I will clear some space on the shoe rack so you can place your shoes near the door."

They nod, not sure what to say. Arriving at an open door, Severus gestures for them to enter. As they do, they see a plain square room with cream walls and a tan carpet, a simple bed with white sheets sits up against the wall, along with a simple wooden desk. Severus shifts awkwardly. "I know it isn't much, but once you decide on a colour, we can change the walls and get better sheets and a duvet. You may decorate the room as you see fit, and I will be bringing in an owl perch from the attic for your owl." He gestures to Harry, and Hedwig lets out a hoot from the lamp she is perched upon downstairs, as if she could hear them talking about her.

"Thank you, professor." Harry thanks quietly, taking in his new home. Light shines from the open window, the evening sun turning the room a gentle orange.

"There is no need for that, Mr. Potter. When we are here, you may call me Severus or Mr. Snape, whichever makes you most comfortable." They nod, "Now, if you'll follow me across the hall to Lily's room."

They share a look; Lily and Harry haven't slept apart aside from school for the past four years. Even as little children, Lily would often sneak into Harry's cupboard for a night or two whenever she could. It makes them nervous. Carefully setting her luggage in the empty room, Lily sits on the plain bed. Severus nods, hands together.

"I will give you both some time to settle. The WWCPC will visit in a few days to check in on you and confirm that my home is suitable for you."

Lily furrows her brow, "The WWC-what?"

Severus chuckles, "The WWCPC, Wizarding World Child Protective Council. They are the wizarding world's version of CPS."

Once he knows they understand, he heads downstairs to make dinner. Harry heads to his room and looks around with a sigh. Lily looks around on her own, hugging Claude, uncomfortable on her own. She has never had a room all to herself. Before she moved in with Harry, she stayed in Vernon and Petunia's room. Even at school, she always had her dormmates, so sitting in this silent room with no one but her pets unnerves her.

Reaching into her trunk, she pulls out her teddy and crosses the hall to Harry's room. She sees him seated on his bed, the lion stuffy she got him at the fair clutched close to his chest. As she enters, his eyes dart up to meet her own. "It's weird having separate rooms, " she whispers.

He pats the bed beside him and they lie down together, "Yeah," he whispers back. "I don't like it."

"Me neither."

"So move in with me."

"Ok." Moving quietly, they take all her things out of her "room" and move them into Harry's room. Unpacking her luggage into one of the drawers, she sees Harry put his unpacked bag under the bed. "Harry," he looks up. Why aren't you unpacking?"