Severus blinked in shock. He hadn't thought about that yet. It hadn't sunk in that both his controllers weren't a factor in his life any more. His mark would soon disappear and no one outside Britain would ever be able to prove he'd once been on the dark side of magical life. "Like you, I don't know," he finally said. "My contract ends this year. I don't have to sign a new one now, do I? Even if they aren't both, as you say, neutralized. I can choose to leave here. Maybe I can open my own Potions business. Put old Arsenious out of business. Or just do private brewing. I do have a list of people who'd agree to buy all their potion needs from me. But I… I… I don't know. Potions is just about the only thing I actually like to do though. So I'll probably end up doing something with them."
Harry took a chance. "Or you could just take a vacation and relax for the first time in years. Maybe ever. After all, my understanding is you joined those people right after you graduated from here only to almost instantly realize it was a mistake. You went to Albus and he protected you to the Wizengamot at a price. He let you join his side but only so long as you agreed to be here directly under his thumb so he could more easily control you. So have you ever had a vacation? Because we both know there's no way in hell he ever gave you leave to take one. Maybe it's time to take one. Discover who Severus Snape really is now that he doesn't have two self-centered old men pulling his strings to their own tune."
Severus sat there blinking as he contemplated this novel idea. The boy was right. He hadn't ever taken a vacation as either Albus or the Dark Lord had never allowed him the freedom to do so. Both demanded he be at their beck and call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every week of the year. Neither believed he needed down time just like everyone else. So they'd never given him any. Either that or each had figured the time when he was brewing or running errands for the other was his downtime. Either way it amounted to the same thing. He'd never had any time to himself to just relax and do as he chose. But now freedom was beckoning.
Slowly he said, "You said you might hire tutors to finish out your education. Tutors in what? Maybe I can be one of them if you plan to continue studying Potions," he said thoughtfully, idly thinking this might give him a chance to continue watching over the boy he was oathbound to protect. because no matter what Potter said he knew Albus too well to just accept the man was finished just because he'd been booted out of the Castle.
Harry tipped his head to one side considering the matter for a moment before inclining his head. "I was actually. That and defense, charms, transfigurations, herbology, runes and creature care. But I need to warn you I plan to live in my house in the muggle world and both Dobby and Winky wish to come with me. I also plan to file for my emancipation as soon as I turn sixteen."
"Your house? I thought you lived at Privet Drive in the muggle world."
"I do. My Uncle signed it over to me when he and my Aunt grew too afraid of Albus. They knew he was systematically wiping out everyone I had any kind of a connection to and they worried they were next after he tried to get Hedwig killed. So they packed their kit and signed the house and property over to me and left the country. It's my house now."
"You're on your own! They abandoned you? When did they do this? You're not legally old enough to be alone yet, Potter. Why didn't you tell anyone?" Severus was outraged. A small part of him could understand their fear. But the larger part of him was upset on Potter's behalf. This was not how you dealt with such situations when the child in question was still a minor.
"First, yes. I'm on my own. In a way, I always have been. Second yes. They abandoned me. Why wouldn't they? They were never asked if they wanted the care of me to begin with and they have their own son to worry about. Albus made it very clear I wasn't to have any people I could form an attachment to or with. That included them since I spent my childhood living under their roof, eating their food and wearing the clothing they provided for me. Third, as for when, they left me last July first. And I did just fine on my own. You could say I have been well trained to do well on my own all my life. But as I said, the house is mine free and clear and completely legal. As for why I didn't tell anyone, why would I? What would telling anyone gain me except someone else for Albus to try and kill. You have to realize just because I planned to free myself from his clutches didn't mean I'd be successful in my efforts. And who exactly was I supposed to tell? If anyone cared, why then did no one notice? I was alone at that house for a good two months this summer and not one single person ever noticed."
Severus almost winced when the boy asked his last question. For the first time in a long time he made a snap decision. "I will come with you then. I will sign on to be your tutor and except for creature care, I think I can handle everything you meant to continue studying. How did you plan to study that in the muggle world anyway?"
Harry laughed, relief flooding him as hiring tutors was the one aspect of his plan he'd been worried about. "After I turned sixteen, I thought I'd take a trip for that while this community goes up in flames. I figured as soon as I sign the emancipation papers it'll be front page news and everyone and his Brother will be demanding I be sent for to explain myself to their satisfaction. Mainly because the movers and shakers will be concerned over how I intend to use my power as an adult. I doubt my direction in the muggle world is as unknown as I'd like it to be."
"So instead of sticking around here I figured I'd go abroad to study magical creatures in their natural habitat. Maybe go on a couple of safaris in South America and the Outback in Australia. There's also the African Continent that might be good to go to and maybe even Egypt and the Sudan."
Severus snorted while admitting to himself Potter's summer direction was a poorly held secret considering how very many people knew it already. "That's a good idea. Safaris are good places to learn about creatures in their natural habitat and for gathering Potion ingredients as well. And if you really want to go all those places, we can schedule them well enough to keep you out of pocket for a couple of years giving you time to attain your majority regardless of what anyone says."
Harry nodded. "So you still want to come along for the ride?"
Severus smirked even as he nodded. "Yes. I owe it to your parents to see you grow up and, emancipation pending or not, you aren't an adult yet. I won't count you as an adult until the calendar says you are. Maybe not even then. A few weeks before the end of term I'll tender my resignation and grab the forms for you to end your enrollment here after you take your Owls."