kbinnz - Harry's New Home

Instead he was disconcerted to find Harry quietly standing in a corner тАУ a mild enough punishment, though one he knew full well the brat despised тАУ while McGonagall sipped a cup of tea and perused homework assignments.

"What happened?" Snape asked, a bit awkwardly. Now that much of his righteous anger had fled, he was uncomfortably aware that he had probably looked like an idiot bursting in like an avenging angel.

"I assume you know what transpired in the Great Hall?" Minerva began.

"Yes, but Harry didn't тАУ"

"I am well aware that Mr Potter did not stick the furniture to the ceiling," McGonagall interrupted firmly.

"You are?" The question burst out of both Snape and Harry simultaneously. McGonagall ruthlessly suppressed her mirth at the identical looks of astonishment both wore.

"Yes. Mr Potter, as it is apparent that you are paying more attention to this conversation than to contemplating your earlier misbehavior, you might as well come and join us." Sheepishly, Harry trotted out of the corner and took the indicated chair in front of her desk. Snape, after a moment of hesitation, took the chair next to him.

"If you are aware that Potter wasn't responsible for the events in the Great Hall, then why was he standing in the corner?" Snape asked suspiciously.

Harry blushed crimson, and McGonagall, after a swift glance at him, replied, "The behavior in question was not something that I would normally consider serious enough to warrant parental notification. I suggest you allow me to handle minor disciplinary matters within my own House."

Snape opened his mouth to protest, but he saw Harry's expression of relief and decided against it. He would find out from Minerva later, when the brat was no longer present.

"How did you know that Potter was innocent?" he asked instead.

"Albus was unable to restore the furniture on his first try," she replied simply.

Snape rocked back in his seat in surprise, but Harry stared from one professor to the other in confusion.

"Mr Potter, do you imagine that a simple Sticking hex, or indeed any magic done by a mere student, should pose a challenge to Professor Dumbledore?" McGonagall asked. Harry's mouth formed an "o" of sudden understanding. "Exactly," she nodded at him. "The magic used to affix the tables and chairs to the ceiling was both strong and complex. Not the sort of magic a student could do."

"In addition, it is unlikely that a student тАУ whether acting alone or in concert with others тАУ would have the magical strength and skill to move all the furtniture quickly and quietly enough to avoid detection," Snape added, not to be outdone.

"So who's doing it?" Harry demanded.

"That, Mr Potter, is the question." Although she was ostensibly talking to Harry, McGonagall's eyes were on Snape's.

"But, Professor, if you knew it wasn't me, then why'd you take me out of the Great Hall like that?" Harry asked, a bit aggrieved.

"Mr Potter, do try to think," McGonagall scolded him. "We have a mysterious opponent who is obviously attempting to get you into trouble. Why should I reveal that we are onto him or her, thereby forcing him deeper into the shadows and motivating him to attempt ever more outrageous stunts? Do you not think it better to mislead him or her?" Harry's jaw hung open, and only Snape's years of training prevented his from doing the same. Who would have thought the Head of Gryffindor was capable of such Slytherin cunning? "My intention was to bring you here so that we could discuss the matter in private. However," she gave him a Look, "your actions prevented my explaining this to you."

Harry flushed. He was such an idiot! Here was Professor McGonagall looking out for him, nearly as good as his da did, and first chance he got, he screamed and shouted and practically threw things at her.

"Now then," she continued, "there are additional matters that Professor Snape and I have to discuss that do not concern you, and I believe you have several minutes of your punishment remaining." She nodded pointedly at the corner, and with an embarrassed glance at his da, Harry slunk back into position.

Once there, he consoled himself with the idea that he could at least eavesdrop on their conversation, but to his disappointment, his wily Head of House cast a Muffliato, and so he was once again left alone with his increasingly penitent thoughts.

He was such a twit not to have trusted Professor McGonagall. Sure she looked a bit scary, but he knew better than to go by appearances. She wasn't friendly like Professor Flitwick or huggy the way Professor Sprout was, but hadn't she saved him from the troll? And made sure to take good care of Hermione after she was so exhausted when Quirrel/Voldesnort had attacked him over the Quidditch pitch?

Harry cursed himself for being such an idiot. Professor McGonagall was just like his da тАУ she liked to act all grouchy and strict, but she really cared about her students and protected them fiercely. And how did he repay all her past kindnesses to him? By screaming at her and being outrageously rude. And even then, all she did was send him to the corner to think about what he'd done. Harry sniffled miserably. He was ungrateful and stupid andтАж A touch on his shoulder made him start, and he turned to find Professor McGonagall looking down on him with a tinge of concern in her eyes, though her features were, as usual, stern and forbidding.

"I'm sorry!" Harry blurted, flinging his arms around her waist. "I'm really sorry for all those awful things I said!"

Minerva reflexively clutched at the small, solid body that hurtled into hers, too startled to do anything else. Behind her, Snape smirked. It was nice to see that pointy forehead crashing into someone else for a change.

McGonagall managed to get her breath back and patted Harry gently on the shoulder, though her voice remained as firm as ever. "Yes, Mr Potter, yes, yes, I do understand. Now there's no need to be so distraught. I assure you I have heard significantly worse from other upset and angry children over the years. Now do dry your eyes and sit down."

Harry hiccupped and sniffled, newly grateful for such kindness. He returned to his chair and his da gave him a comforting pat on the head which further restored him.

Snape scowled at the brat as he sat. Minerva might have refused to tell him what Potter had actually done, but that cuff he'd just delivered should have clearly communicated his displeasure to the brat. Of course, he had been careful not to make it too rough тАУ but it had definitely been a clout, and surely even the brat would have understood it as such.

##

Minerva cast the Muffliato as soon as Harry reached the corner. "Now then тАУ"

"What did he do?" Snape demanded.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "I already told you that there is no need for you to know."

"He is my s тАУ responsibility!" Snape snapped, catching himself at the last minute.

"And mine as well," she pointed out reasonably. "Severus, do not hover so."

"He has had a very difficult life," he argued angrily. "It is imperative that his past be taken into account when considering his current behavior. Just because тАУ"

"You are hardly the only teacher at this school who has had abused and neglected children in their House, and I believe I have several more decades of experience in such things than you тАУ though admittedly not your first-hand knowledge," she added, so sympathetically that Snape growled reflexively. "However, I consider myself perfectly capable of handling Mr Potter's moreтАж minorтАж misdemeanors."

"He is a special child with unique needs - "

"He is a very nice boy, Severus, and will do fine even without your constant supervision and interference," Minerva said firmly, fighting down giggles as she realized she was lecturing Severus Snape on the dangers of being an overprotective parent. "And Harry must become accustomed to facing the discipline of adults other than you. As his Head of House, I am the next logical candidate."