kbinnz - Harry's New Home

"You will not be hit by your instructors," Snape replied, relieved that they were getting away from the specifics of his own transgressions and into more general topics. "That is against school policy. If anyone were to try to harm you, I expect you to defend yourself."

Harry looked as if he had suddenly started to spout gibberish, and he supposed that, to the boy, he had. "Potter, when your uncle struck you, you were obliged to remain still and silent, correct?" The boy nodded. "Those were his rules." Harry nodded. "And what did I tell you about those rules?"

Harry's eyes widened. "You said to forget them. Then you mean, I тАУ I don't have to hold still?"

"Didn't I just explicitly tell you not to do that?" Snape demanded.

"Yes, butтАж" Harry trailed off. He hadn't really thought the man was serious.

"When I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it!" Snape admonished him severely. This was much better. He was good at this sort of thing. "Do you imagine I speak merely for my own benefit?"

"No, sir!" Harry shook his head vigorously. "Sorry, sir!"

Snape paused, thinking. How much should he tell the boy? Would it be better to put him on notice now about Voldemort and Death Eaters and the fact that to many in the Wizarding world, Harry was an irresistible target? Should he explain that Harry would require special tutelage in defense and dueling? He looked over to the small boy, so recently released from one form of bondage and slated to another kind of indenture тАУ this time to the entire Wizarding world. He decided not to reveal everything just yet. First Harry had to become accustomed to not being a punching bag. There was plenty of time to explain that he was still a target.

"You are my ward," Snape decided upon his tack. "As such, your discipline is my responsibility. The other teachers may assign you punishments or dock points, but none of them is to lift a finger to you. If they do тАУ " he tried hard not to think about Quirrel in particular "- you are to defend yourself and prevent them from harming you. That is also true of your classmates. If any of them seek to harm you, you are to defend yourself. Vigorously." He was the most hated professor at Hogwarts for good reason, and it wasn't inconceivable that some of the more foolish students might try to get even with Snape by attacking his ward.

Harry would need to demonstrate that he was far from easy prey in order to dissuade assaults, though hopefully Snape's position in Slytherin and Harry's sorting into Gryffindor would reduce the likelihood of such attacks. Assuming the lions and snakes wouldn't attack him, that only left Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs, and Snape wasn't all that worried about those Houses. Besides, making Harry an honorary Weasley should provide him with plenty of backup.

"Merlin help you if you start a fight," he continued, giving Harry a menacing glare, "but if another little dunderhead is foolish enough to try something with my ward, you had better demonstrate that you are well able to protect yourself. I will not have my reputation diminished; do you understand?"

That Harry could understand perfectly. The Dursleys were very concerned about their reputation too. It made sense that Professor Snape wouldn't want Harry to seem weak or stupid, now that he was going to be responsible for him.

"This is also why I will expect you to succeed academically," Snape continued firmly. "I will not be embarrassed by poor marks."

Harry bit his lip. "But I'm not good at school stuff."

"Who told you that?" Snape demanded.

"My aunt said тАУ"

"And what did I say about your quoting them?" Snape interrupted before Harry had even finished speaking. He was half tempted to make good on his earlier threat.

"Y-you said they were liars and I shouldn't?" Harry offered nervously, his mind going down on a similar track as Snape's.

"Exactly. Shall I have you write that five hundred times in order to remember it?" Snape threatened. "Or do you prefer the soap?"

Harry tried to distract the dour man. "But I've never gotten good grades, sir. I got in trouble for falling asleep in class and the teachers were always yelling at me."

"Potter," Snape managed to gain control of his temper. At this rate he was going to have an ulcer before the week was out. "Do you not see that some of that was due to your relatives' treatment of you? Can your tiny mind comprehend that being undernourished and overworked impaired your scholastic performance? Your parents were accomplished wizards and excellent students, and I expect no less from you." It pained him to admit that about Potter, but it was undeniably true.

"But my uncle said that freaks were stupid and my parents were worthless drunks who couldn't hold down an honest job," Harry protested. He didn't want the professor to think that he was smart and be disappointed later. "That's why I had to learn how to earn my keep by doing chores."

"Your relatives are appalling creatures who mistreated you since you were a toddler. You are a child. You do not have to 'earn your keep'. It is the adults who are obligated to care for you, not the other way around. You are obliged to attend your classes and obey the rules. I am responsible for feeding you, clothing you, housing you, caring for your emotional and physical maturation, and otherwise ensuring your welfare and safety. Do you understand?" There. That was clearly stated in small words. Even a Potter should follow that.

Naturally, the boy looked confused. "But Uncle Vernon said тАУ"

That did it. "Five hundred lines, Potter! I told you not to pay attention to that lard-filled balloon."

Harry flinched at the tone, but couldn't restrain a giggle at Snape's description of his uncle. "Yes, sir. I'll try to get good marks. But I really don't know very much."

Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I realize you are your father's son, Potter, but perhaps you might consider studying or doing homework? Perhaps reading a book once in a while?"

"I'm allowed?" Harry asked cautiously. "I'm not supposed to read or do homework in case I get better grades than Dudley."

"And who told you that?" Snape asked silkily. He would give the brat another 500 lines and wash his mouth out with soap if he uttered that Muggle's name, he swore he would.

"Unc тАУ" Harry caught himself and actually grinned. "Oh. Right."

Snape glared at him another moment before continuing: "From what you tell me, it is obvious that you will require remedial tutoring. I shall speak with your Head of House. If тАУ as I suspect тАУ Gryffindor is lacking in suitable tutors, you will report to my quarters several times a week until I am satisfied with your performance." Snape gloomily bade farewell to his peaceful evenings free of horrible, mewling brats. At least Death Eater meetings were adults only.

"So I just have to go to class and follow the rules?" Harry said in tones of dazed happiness. "That's all?"

"That was too much for your father," Snape sneered. "I trust you have not inherited his talent for mischief or you will not like the consequences. You will find me, at least, difficult to manipulate."

Harry's brow furrowed. He really wanted to hear more about his dad тАУ though Snape's tone was far from encouraging тАУ but he was more worried about those threatened "consequences". "I'll be good, sir!" he promised.

"You'd better be," Snape retorted, though he wondered what he would do if the boy misbehaved. Well, aside from verbally filleting him. He was reluctant to do anything that smacked of the boy's previous life, and cleaning cauldrons or being confined to his room were uncomfortably close to what the Dursleys had done. Oh, Harry wouldn't make it through Hogwarts without having a few detentions with Filch, but Snape wanted such punishments to be related to his student status. It was one thing to be punished the same way as his classmates, another to be treated тАУ again тАУ like a house elf or prisoner by his guardian.