kbinnz - Harry's New Home

He had no idea what a woman's hair color had to do with his own parenting ability, but it seemed that she had decided that he was in fact treating Harry well. She had even accepted his word that he hadn't beaten Potter to a jelly тАУ in her place, he would have insisted on physically examining the boy, but she hadn't even suggested it. Instead, she muttered something about Harry's body language and dropped the subject.

Heartened by her unexpectedly conciliatory attitude, he had rather uncomfortably explained the situation with Harry's wardrobe and inquired as to what a normal eleven year old boy should have in his closet. She had promised to owl him a list by the following morning, and when she heard of his plans to take the boy on a shopping spree, she had begun to grin. "Tell me again how much of a burden you consider Harry, Severus?"

"Do not project your maudlin sentimentality onto me," he had snapped. "I am merely ensuring that the brat's material needs are adequately addressed."

"Hm. So you're not planning to stop by a Quidditch shop then?"

He colored. "I fail to see what relevance that question has to the issue of the boy's clothing. If I choose to purchase some тАУ additional items тАУ for the child, it is merely to ensure that he does not get up to mischief while he is in my quarters. I will not have him idle and looking for trouble."

"Ah. That sounds quite plausible. Keep practicing," she smirked, and he had fled тАУ er, stormed out of тАУ the room.

After all this stress, it was no wonder that the food was upsetting his stomach. Though the warmth wasn't actually uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, in fact.

"No, I am not still mad at you for your dunderheaded stunt," Snape told the brat. "You have been punished, have you not?"

"Sort of. I mean, I still owe you the lines and essay," Harry pointed out.

"Then perhaps it is appropriate for you to stay in my quarters until curfew and get started on your punishment," Snape consented austerely. After all, the little fiend was certain to need constant supervision or he'd never do his assignment.

Harry grinned down at his plate. Ha! He'd gotten Snape to agree. "You'll be there, right?" he said, suddenly panicked as a thought occurred to him. "You're not going to go away to do a potion or anything?"

"Potter, you do not 'do' a potion, potions are 'brewed', and if you think I will leave you to roam my quarters unsupervised, you are sadly mistaken. You will remain in my immediate presence until I am confident that you know how to behave yourself to my satisfaction."

"Will you show me how to hold a quill?" Harry pressed. "I mean, if you're going to have to read all the lines, you should help me learn to write good."

"Write well, Potter," Snape growled. What did Muggles teach in their schools these days?

"Well. Will you?" Harry begged. "Please?"

"Oh all right, Potter. If only to stop your incessant whining." Severus grumpily downed the last of his pumpkin juice. Just as he had feared, his free time was being entirely subsumed by this annoying brat. Where was he supposed to find the time to plan their shopping excursion, let alone grade his students' essays?

Molly and Arthur emerged at that point. Both looked very happy and rather amused, much to Harry's bewilderment and Severus' annoyance. Harry demolished three helpings of chocolate pudding and only declined a fourth when Severus gave him a glare combined with a sharp tap on the ankle.

"So, Harry, would you and Severus like to come back for dinner on Saturday? We'll have all the kids home at that point, and we can talk about making you both honorary members of the family," Arthur announced.

Harry perked up happily, but Snape choked on his last bite of pudding. "Me!" the Potion Master finally managed to wheeze. "An hon-hon тАУ'

"Well, of course we're talking about both of you," Molly said, an evil glint in her eye. "You're a package deal, aren't you?"

"Yes," Harry agreed quickly. "Right, Professor?"

Snape subsided into incoherent splutterings which the rest of the table optimistically took as agreement.

"Don't mention anything to the boys, Harry," Molly instructed. "We'll be bringing them all home tomorrow night to explain everything, then you two can come on Saturday and perhaps you'd like to stay overnight with Ron and the others?"

"Like a slumber party?" Harry asked hopefully. He'd never been to one, but he'd heard kids at school talking about them.

"Yes, love," Molly agreed. "Just like that."

Harry looked over to where Severus looked like he was strangling his napkin and decided now might not be the best time to ask permission. "I'd like that," he said honestly. "Thank you."

"We'll be glad to have you here, Harry," Molly said softly. "Before you leave, do you want to take a wander around the house?"

Harry glanced at Severus and receiving a nod, he shot off.

"I suspect that Fred and George may find they've met their match in Harry and Ron," Arthur said, hoping to change the subject to something that was less likely to infuriate their guest. "I understand from Harry that you've made it clear he's not to be bullied or picked on."

Snape nodded, looking grim. "His Muggle cousin used to do something called 'Harry hunting', and his parents prevented any retribution. I have made it clear that he is no longer bound by those rules."

Arthur looked weary for a moment. "Considering that there are wizards out there who truly are 'Harry hunting', that is a lesson he needs to learn quickly and well."

Molly looked at the two men. "Do you think it's starting up again? We've had ten years of near silenceтАж"

Snape raised on eyebrow. "Silence doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing out there."

"I know. But he's such a small boyтАж Teach him well, Severus."

"I intend to," he retorted shortly, but without his usual snarl. "As you can see, however, there is much work to be done. His relatives were appalling. He has not felt physically safe for most of his childhood."

"I'd say he's beginning to feel that way now," Arthur smiled. "He tells me that you said no other adult has the right to touch him. He sounded very impressed."

Snape fought back a desire to preen. "That is quite correct. And that is true for his time here as well. If he misbehaves, he is to be returned to me for punishment."

Molly raised her eyebrows. "If he misbehaves in any way? You do remember he's an 11 year old boy, correct?"

Severus scowled. "Over the past ten years he has been beaten, starved, locked up, and used as slave labor. It is important that no current punishments remind him of life with his horrible relatives."

"How about this?" Arthur suggested. "We certainly won't strike him or deprive him of meals, but if he gets into minor trouble with our kids, then Harry will face it alongside our bunch. If he and Ron get sent to bed early, for example, or have to de-gnome the garden, will that bring back bad memories for him? If he's being punished right alongside Ron, wouldn't that be a way for him to see that he's part of the family?"

Snape grudgingly agreed that might be acceptable. Molly and Arthur shared a not-very-well-hidden grin.

"Should we тАУ" Molly's question was interrupted by an almighty crash from the stairwell.

The adults rose as one and rushed to find a guilty-looking Harry struggling to his feet. "'M sorry," he blurted as soon as they appeared.

"What happened, Harry?" Molly asked, hurrying over to check him for injuries.

He shrank back. "I tripped on my way down the stairs. I'm really sorry. I think I might have broken the banister." He hesitatingly pointed to one of the battered spindles that ran along the stairs, but he kept a wary eye on both Weasleys and tried to sidle closer to Severus.

"That's all right, Harry. We're just concerned you might have broken you," Arthur said. "Did you get hurt?"