Chapter 1
On the first day of summer vacation, Harry awoke with the California sunlight streaming in through his bedroom window. He lay still a moment, savoring the warmth, the wonderful knowledge that today was the first day of months of freedom. Then, stretching, he swung his legs out of bed.
It was going to be another California scorcher: the sky was a blank blue over the tiled roofs of Harry’s neighborhood. A flock of green parrots flapped past, squawking. Harry grinned at them as he yanked on his shorts and t-shirt. He made sure his wand was in its special pocket before heading downstairs.
His guardian was already hard at work: Harry could hear him moving around the workshop, muttering and clanking the equipment. Harry stopped by the kitchen to grab a pretzel roll before poking his head into the workshop.
“Morning, Severus,” he grinned.
Severus Snape barely looked up from the concoction he was decanting. “Good morning, Harry.” He finished the process and set the vial and bowl down. He stretched, grimacing as he worked out the knots. “That shampoo company is so demanding,” he muttered in his lingering British accent.
“I’m telling you, Severus, you should forget all these cosmetics companies and whatnot,” said Harry, leaning against the door frame, still chewing. “Start your own business! Startups are where it’s at these days.”
“A new startup would be too much trouble,” Severus said. “I earn well enough as a chemist for hire.” He turned at last, eyeing Harry. “Where are you off to today?”
“Surfing with Tomas and Maya,” said Harry. “I’ll be back for dinner.”
Severus grunted. “Very well. But I’ll expect you to help me in the workshop tomorrow.”
Harry shifted. “Actually, Severus…I was thinking of looking for a summer job this year.”
“A summer job?” Severus’s black eyes sharpened.
“Yeah. Something in a restaurant, maybe, or a coffee shop: Tomas says they’re always hiring. I mean, I’m turning seventeen next month, isn’t it time I started earning my own money?”
“Working.” Severus could really sound disdainful when he wanted to. “With Muggles.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Severus, you work with Muggles! I go to a Muggle school. We live in a Muggle neighborhood. Everyone thinks we’re Muggles! Why shouldn’t I have a Muggle job?”
“Harry, you know what would happen if we were ever exposed.” Severus’s voice came down like a guillotine. “The Muggles can’t know about us. Ever.”
“I wouldn’t say anything,” Harry mumbled. “Come on, I’ve kept the secret for years! Ever since…” He trailed off.
Severus sighed. “I’ll think about it,” he said grudgingly. “You should go get some breakfast.”
Harry told himself this was the best he could have expected. Severus Snape was the overprotective guardian to end all overprotective guardians: that he agreed to even think about letting Harry get a summer job was a victory.
Harry got himself a bowl of cereal in the galley kitchen. With the exception of the potions workshop, their house was typical of the neighborhood: a small bungalow with plastered walls and a tiled roof, with several trees in the yard providing much-appreciated shade. All of Harry’s life, Severus had stressed the importance of blending in: he and Harry must not do anything to make the neighbors suspect there was anything odd about them. Such camouflage was second nature to Harry by now, and an excellent reason why Severus should let Harry get that job. He brightened a little at the thought: he’d present that argument to Severus later. It’s normal for teenagers to get summer jobs. It would help us blend in.
During breakfast, he received a text from Tomas. Hey, Brexit. Ready to get crushed? This was followed by a cresting wave emoji.
Anytime, bozo, Harry texted back. How far are you?
10 mins. Have your board ready, Brexit-boy.
Brexit’s going to kick your ass, Harry texted, and ran to clean the dishes and get ready.
Harry made sure the curtains in the kitchen were drawn before pointing his wand at the dirty dishes and whispering, “Scourgify!” He grinned with satisfaction when the remains of breakfast vanished, leaving the dishes pristine once more. More wand-work as Harry levitated them back into their cupboards.
He slipped his wand back into the hidden pocket. Severus had stressed, many times, that while it was fine for Harry to perform magic in the house, outside the house his wand was to be used only in life-or-death emergencies. But he allowed Harry to carry his wand outside the house, just in case a life-or-death emergency did in fact arise. Harry’s wand-pockets were enchanted so that no one would notice them, and nothing he put in would ever fall out. The only way he could lose his wand was if someone stole his shorts—and, considering the state of Harry’s wardrobe, this possibility was remote indeed.
Harry ran to get his wetsuit, a beach towel and a bottle of Severus’s special sunscreen. While he was grabbing a can of Coke from the fridge, he heard Tomas beeping his car horn outside.
Harry dived for the front door, where his surfboard was waiting on the porch—only to skid to a halt. Severus stood before him, blocking the light.
Harry looked into his guardian’s hawkish face, his determined mouth, and sighed, rolling his eyes. “C’mon, Severus, Tomas is waiting…!”
“What mustn’t they learn about us?” Severus’s voice was steely as a drawn blade.
“Severus, we’ve done this a million times—”
“What mustn’t they learn about us, Harry?”
“Fine. They mustn’t learn that we’re wizards.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’d kill us or lock us up.”
“What must you never say?”
“Anything about magic.”
“What must you never do?”
“Any magic, unless my life is in danger.”
“Your friends must think?”
“That I’m just like them. Can I go now, please?” Outside, Tomas honked his horn again.
Severus relented. “Yes, you can go.” He placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Remember. Muggles are bad enough, but they are not our true enemies. Hiding keeps us safe from them as well as the Muggles. I promised your mother I’d protect you. And that’s what I intend to do.”
“Yeah, Severus, I know. And I appreciate it, really.” Harry reached up to grasp his guardian’s wrist. “You know, you should come surfing yourself sometime. Get out of that workshop. Just you and me.”
Severus snorted and the mood relaxed. “I am not likely to enjoy surfing, Harry.” He stepped aside, shooing Harry out. “Go enjoy yourself, but be back for dinner.”
“Okay, Severus. See you!” Harry rocketed outside, barely pausing to collect his surfboard before dashing out to the waiting car.
He did not notice Severus Snape standing in the doorway, watching him go.