Severus Snape stood outside of number four, Privet Drive, marveling at just how literally Albus had taken his note. The house was gone, leaving nothing but a dilapidated-looking empty lot where the house had been. He couldn't help but be a bit disappointed. Leaving them there would have been tacit permission on Albus' part for Severus to kill them, something the former or not-so-former Death Eater thought he might find quite enjoyable. Maybe it's a glamour? It seemed a little strange that the house would have disappeared so utterly. Not even a patch of dirt remained to show where the foundations of the house would have prevented any grass from growing. But when Severus walked onto the grass, it felt real. If it was a glamour, it was a good one: so good, in fact, that Severus could not break it and could only imagine that Albus had set it himself. Cursing softly to himself, Severus apparated out and back to Hogsmeade, then walked up to Hogwarts and the headmaster's office.

“Albus, are you available?”

“Severus, yes, by all means come in.”

Severus sat down across the desk from the old man, considering how he would present his request.

“Did you wish to speak to me, my boy, or did you just wish to sit and look morose? I am not opposed to either option, however-”

“Yes, Albus, thank you. I do have something I wish to discuss. I was merely taking a moment to organize my thoughts.”

“Wise,” Albus commented annoyingly.

Snape gritted his teeth. “I noticed that you moved the Dursley family as I requested-” he hesitated briefly at the sharp look he received for this, then gamely continued, “I noticed you moved them. I- I am having difficulties convincing Harry not to return to them. For his safety, I wished to request that you not inform him of their location.”

Albus regarded Severus for a minute, making him want to squirm, then spoke. “I am afraid that that is impos-”

“Albus-”

“-sible,” Albus continued, “as, to him, their location is exactly the same as it was.”

“So it is a glamour, then.”

“No. The spell is not on the house, but rather on you.”

“Albus!” Severus started furiously, “you had no right-”

“You requested that I prevent you from harming the Dursleys. I had every right.”

“That was not what I meant,” Severus gritted out, “as you well know.”

“Oh, I'm sure that you intended me to move them to a location where they would be safe. I, however, had little interest in keeping them safe from Death Eaters and the like. I just wanted to ensure that you did not harm them,” said the Headmaster, eyes twinkling madly, “does that satisfy you?”

Severus stared at the Headmaster, then smiled grimly. “It does indeed. I thank you.”

“On another note, Severus,” said Albus, his smile fading, “I will not always be around to keep you honest. Do endeavor to keep your promises without my help, will you?”

Unsure what to say, Severus nodded shortly and let himself out.

Tuesday morning, Harry woke up at 4:30 AM and got out of bed quietly, grimly determined to prove to Snape that his family didn't hate him, that he could be good and then everything would be okay.

He knew Snape would freak, when he found Harry gone, but this time Snape deserved it. Harry had made it clear enough that he wanted to be let alone, hadn't he? And he'd told Snape the last time that he didn't want any more photos, that he didn't want anything from his parents. If Snape didn't care about Harry's wishes, then Harry didn't care about his, either. He'd made him cry, for fuck's sake. Weakness, a voice whispered in the back of his head, making Harry grimace. And on top of that, the man continued to act like he could control Harry, keep him away from home. And he says that he'll come get me, if I leave, and give me someplace to stay. Yeah, right. Let him prove it.

Part of him feared what he was doing, feared it greatly, but that didn't matter. They're my family. And what he'd told Snape was true: he could do better than before. He wouldn't do magic, and he'd be okay. Just for a couple of days. I'll prove I can behave, and then I'll come back. No problem.

And so he packed a small bag and sneaked out to the Quiddich pitch to get one of the team brooms. The Gryffindors were never good about locking their brooms in. He'd thought up his plan the night before, restless and fuming from his talk with Snape. They'd come to Hogwarts on a train. A train meant train tracks, which would lead him to King's Cross Station. From there, he knew he could get home. Flying on a broom would no doubt take a lot longer than the train, but after all the the train ride was only three hours. He'd make it.

Severus watched from the staff table as the Great Hall started to fill with sleepy students. Breakfast, he had long since discovered, was the most pleasant meal at Hogwarts. Students and staff tended to be disinclined to chatter at 7:30 AM, and so the atmosphere was quiet and subdued, sleepy. Nobody tried to push Severus into a conversation, nobody bothered him, and it was rare that he had to deal with any incidents from his students. Last, but not least, the Hogwarts house-elves made an absolutely exquisite French toast, and an even better omelet.

When Theo and Blaise entered the Hall on their own, Severus was not overly concerned. Harry tended to have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, and was frequently late to breakfast and sleepy in class. When he'd still not arrived ten minutes later, though, and Theo and Blaise started looking nervous as well, he started to worry. Finally Blaise got up and approached Prefect Stone, who immediately wiped his mouth with a napkin before getting up and approaching the staff table. Oh, no. What now?

“Sir.” The prefect sounded nervous.

“Tell me.”

“It's – it's Harry, sir. He wasn't in his bed when his friends woke up. They looked for him here, but he hasn't arrived.”

“He's missing?”

“Yes, sir. Zabini says he hasn't seen him since they went to bed.”

“I see. Thank you, Stone. I will inform the Headmaster.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I- I'm sorry, sir.”

“Don't be ridiculous, Stone. You can't watch him all the time. Go eat your breakfast.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Headmaster.”

“Severus?”

“Harry has disappeared. Even his friends haven't seen him since late last night.”

“And you think this is cause to worry?”

“Do you not?”

“Well, yes, but in all likelihood he is simply wandering the grounds somewhere. I will inform the students, and then we will watch for a couple of hours. I'm sure he will turn up.”

Somehow Severus doubted that, but the suggestion was reasonable. He nodded and returned to his seat as the headmaster stood up to address the student body.

“Not to alarm anyone, but Severus informs me that we are missing a student. Has anyone seen Harry Potter?”

When no one called back to him, the headmaster just nodded. “As I expected. I reiterate that there is no need to be alarmed, but, if you see Mr. Potter around, please be sure to inform your Head-of-House or myself.”

Harry finally arrived at Privet Drive at 8:45 in the morning, and hid his broom in the bushes before coming to stand nervously outside the door. His uncle would have already left for work, but standing this close to his goal, Harry found he was much less certain about this mission in general. If what I said is true, then I'll be fine. No problem. I'll just...behave like I'm supposed to, and I'll be fine. Finally he got up his courage and knocked on the door. He heard Petunia call, muffled by the door, and then the door opened.

“Mum! The freak's here!”

Dudley waddled back into the house, and Harry took a breath as Petunia got to the door, and looked at his feet.

Polite. You can do this. “Good morning, Aunt Petunia.”

“What are you doing here?”

Harry took a deep breath as he felt adrenaline rush through his body. Polite, polite, polite “I- I came to visit.”

“You came to visit? And what made you think we would want a visit from you, Rat?”

Harry winced. Relax, you got this. He took a deep breath, remembering his spiel. “I-I'm sorry I've been bad, Aunt Petunia. I-I'll be better, I promise. I'm l-learning my m- my freakiness at school. I can control it, now, so I won't do weird stuff anymore. A-and I'll be polite, and stuff. I promise.”

Petunia just stared at him for a moment before saying, “and all this makes you think we'll want you in our house?”

But I'm being polite. Even Snape wouldn't complain! “I-it's just to visit, Aunt, I-”

“No. No visits. Go away.”

This can't be happening. “I'll be good, you'll see! I'll work hard, I'll be useful. Please-”

WHAP! Harry gasped at the sting and ache in his cheek and jaw from the slap as his aunt hissed at him, “I told you to leave! Now, get out of here, Freak, before I call Vernon and have him make you leave! And don't come back here! You wanted to go be with the freaks, then let them deal with you!” With that, the door slammed shut, leaving him standing on the porch in shock.

“He's not here, Albus.”

“Patience, Severus. Perhaps he is simply avoiding you.”

“If he is, he'll pay for it. Will you try his dorm, again? And the Gryffindor dorm, as well. He visits there frequently, especially when he's angry with me. I'll be trying the Room of Requirement.”

“Very well, Severus. I will check the dorm, if you think that is where he would be.”

Wandering aimlessly, Harry found himself back at the King's Cross station with his broom, but found he had no desire to fly back to the school to face his friends, and Snape, just yet. Instead, he walked from the Station to the Leaky Cauldron. Passing through, he saw the old man Tom staring at him. He ducked his head and headed quickly to the back and the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Not in the dorms, not in the Room of Requirement, that I can tell, not in his classes, not with his friends, where the hell is he? He remembered another of the boy's favorite hiding places, and headed quickly down to the kitchens. If he's not down there, perhaps Kallie would be willing to tell us where he is.

Wandering down Diagon Alley, Harry saw the store where Hagrid had bought him Hedwig, his first birthday present, and quickly turned away. I don't need presents. Seeing the Owl Emporium reminded him of a store he'd seen, but not visited, when he'd come with Hagrid, and he settled on that for his destination.

“Take it off.”

“Severus, what-”

“That spell you put on me. Take. it. Off.”

“Severus, I cannot imagine-”

“His house-elf says he's not on the grounds.”

“That does not mean-”

“The hell it doesn't! I told him I would retrieve him and I will. Release the spell.”

“Are you sure that is wise, Severus? The Dursleys-”

“Have. My. Child. Now you will take that bloody spell off or you will lose your Potions master.”

Albus' eyes widened, then he waved his wand without another word. “It's gone.” Severus started towards the door. “Severus-”

Severus paused, furious but unwilling to ignore the man entirely.

“Remember your promise.”

The Magical Menagerie was packed. Not with people – at 9:15 in the morning, there were very few customers in the pet shop, but the number of animals the place held was astounding. There were creatures that Harry would expect in a pet store – a good selection of kittens and cats, some strange rats – and then more unusual creatures. There were a whole mess of huge purple toads in a tank, several ravens in a cage, and a strange, bejeweled tortoise.

“Hi,” he said to a tank full of baby snakes, “do you talk?”

“Of courssse we talk, sssstrange big one. It isss you who are ssstrange.”

“I know that much, thanks,” he said, leaving the snakes and heading further back into the store to look around.

Walking past of curious-looking rabbits, Harry suddenly yelped as he felt something tear the skin on his arm. Looking over, he saw a strangely spikey-looking dark purple kitten, hissing as she? he? extended a paw through the bars of the cage to go after him with wicked-looking little claws. Harry smiled a little despite himself, and extended a hand for the weird-looking kitten to chase. “Crazy little bugger. You can't really think you're gonna hurt me – ow! Hey!” The kitten had grabbed his hand in both paws, and in no time was chewing on it. “Ow ow ow leggo you little monster! You win! What'd I ever do to you?”

“Came near, probably,” said the cashier, watching him from the desk, “nasty little bugger, she is. Take your hand off as soon as look at you.”

Illogically, Harry felt the need to defend the crazy little thing. “She's not nasty. She's just got personality, is all. OW!” He pulled his hand back from the cage. “What are you, nuts? I could squish you!”

“Personality, sure,” the cashier drawled, “last week she got out and went after one of the raccoons. Amazing she's still alive, really.”

“Maybe she's tough.”

“Whatever you say, kid.”

Harry scowled, and went back to 'playing' with the kitten. “You're not nasty,” he told her. “You just don't like people, is all. It's only logical. People suck. If they don't want to get clawed, they should just back the hell off.”

Strangely, the kitten seemed to calm at that, and sheathed her claws as she continued to bat at his hands. He smiled. “Like that, do you? Crazy little thing.” Sure that she'd go back to clawing him, Harry extended a finger between the bars to rub her head, and was greatly surprised when she rubbed against it. Her fur was as soft as any kitten's, totally belying the her weird purple spikey look. “You know, you really shouldn't give in that easily,” he told her, petting her and enjoying her strangely rusty little purr, “just 'cause I'm nice to you for five minutes doesn't mean I'm nice the rest of the time.”

“That's weird,” the cashier spoke up again, “she's never acted remotely friendly before. You can let her out, if you like. The latch is on the side of the cage.”

“Thanks,” Harry said, moving quickly to open the cage, “alright, mean kitty- ow! hey! It was a compliment! And the truth, besides!” When the kitten kept swiping at him, he left the cage open but removed his hands. “Okay, now?” When the kitten approached him and rubbed on one of his hands, he breathed out, exasperated. “Jeez, little psycho.”

Harry turned around as he heard the door to the shop open, then caught his breath.

“Excuse me, I'm looking for a boy. He should be dressed in Hogwarts robes-” The cashier pointed, and

Snape looked over to lock eyes with Harry.

Severus breathed out in relief, then clenched his teeth at the sight of a large bruise on the side of the boy's face, trying to hold his temper. I should have killed that woman.

He'd hurried down to Hogsmeade to apparate near to Harry's home, then walked the rest of the way to number four, Privet Drive, finding it entirely intact. He knocked on the door and saw it answered by the horsie-faced woman he knew to be Petunia Dursley. Adulthood had not improved her looks at all, Snape reflected coldly before she closed the door in his face. He unlocked the door and walked in, allowing his long stride to take him all the way into the parlor and into Petunia's personal space.

“The boy. Where is he, Petunia?”

“My son is at school. And I won't tell you where he is!”

In an instant the Death Eater had gripped her throat and pinned her against the wall. “Not that boy, Petunia. Now tell me, and I swear, if you have harmed him-”

“Oh, Harry!” She said brightly, “I thought he was with you!”

He tightened his grip, and pressed his wand to her throat. “Have you heard of the Cruciatis curse, Petunia?”

Her eyes bulged in fear. “Yes! Please, Severus-

“I am not a merciful man, Petunia. If I wasn't clear enough before, tell me what I want to know or you will find yourself painfully familiar with the curse.”

“I- I don't-”

He tightened his grip further and her breathing started to come in quick, frantic gasps. “I” -breath- “I don't know” -breath- “he left here” -breath- “half an hour” -breath- “ago.”

He released her. “You didn't even let him in?”

She rubbed her throat and spoke hoarsely. “If he'd stayed, Vernon would've hurt him. Besides, he chose to go to that school of yours. He knew his freakiness is not welcome here.”

“Yes, I'm sure he is quite aware of that,” Severus said, fighting down his fury, “I am leaving now. Know that it is only at Harry's request that you are still alive.” He swept out, heading for the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry looked at Snape, suddenly remembering everything he'd forgotten while playing with the kitten, and feeling pressure grow in his chest. “Go ahead, say it.”

“Say what, Mr. Potter?”

“You told me so.”

“Harry-” Severus approached his ward slowly, unsure of his state of mind, “I would never say that.”

He came. He really came to find me. “Why not? It's true,” Harry said, feeling a tear start to slide down his cheek as he looked up at Snape. “Congratulations. You were right. They do hate me.”

“Harry-” Severus started, but then Harry was crying. Standing, and hugging himself around his abdomen and sobbing. Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to the back of Harry's head. When Harry didn't protest, he pulled the boy forward to his front and held him, cursing his inability to fully protect his ward even as he did everything he could to make the boy feel safe. Harry didn't hug him back – he hadn't expected him to – but he did feel it when the boy's arms loosened their hold around his own abdomen, and when the boy responded to the hand on the back of his head by burying his face in Severus' robes.

Snape was...was holding him. He can't...he can't do that. I can't let him do that. Damnit I am so stupid. At this point it was going to kill him when Snape got tired of him, but he couldn't let go of the man's robes, couldn't fight back and force his way out of the man's arms. The warmth that filled his chest when the man praised him filled his whole body, now, making him feel safe, cared for...loved. And it only made him cry harder.

He pressed his face into Snape's robes, so that Snape wouldn't see him crying; wouldn't know how messed up Harry was. That safe feeling had nothing to do with it. Damnit you were supposed to prevent this, you stupid CHILD. You were never supposed to let him this close. Have you forgotten everything you've ever learned? Didn't you just learn it again an hour ago? But it was like he was paralyzed. He knew he shouldn't allow this, that he should fight back with everything he had. But he couldn't, physically couldn't. He just wanted it so badly, he couldn't let go. The force of his sobs surprised even him. He'd cried before, shed tears out of frustration or anger or fear, but he hadn't cried, cried. Not like this. Not since before he could remember. He just sobbed, sobbed until his chest and eyes and head hurt so he thought he would die. Sobbed until he ran out of tears and he calmed enough to hear Snape speaking softly.

...anywhere. You'll be alright, I am here. I will always be here. Your friends are worried. Mr. Zabini will probably be rather annoyed with you. Minerva, too, come to think of it. She was one of the ones searching for you. We had to look all over the castle before we could be sure you'd actually left, that's why it took me so long to get here. I should have realized right away where you'd go. But I did tell you I'd come find you, didn't I? Now will you believe me, foolish child? I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me until the end of time or one of us dies. No matter if you do see fit to give me a heart attack every couple of weeks.”

Harry squirmed a little at that, interrupting the stream of speech. “ 'M I in trouble?”

Severus sighed, cutting off his monologue. “Not with me.”

“With who then?”

“With whom. You have broken quite a litany of school rules.”

“Oh.”

“Indeed. Shall we return to Hogwarts, then?”

“Okay.”

“This will be uncomfortable,” Snape warned, before turning in place to take them both back to Hogsmeade.

When they got back to Hogwarts, Severus lead Harry directly into his office and motioned him towards the small sofa in the corner. Harry sat down without a word, just watching as Severus went into his potions stores and brought back a jar of bright blue bruise balm. When he sat down next to him and uncapped the jar, Harry looked away.

“Look at me, please.”

Harry shook his head slightly, and Severus grabbed his chin, gently guiding Harry's face around so he could see. Harry glared at him for a moment, but when Severus just stared back calmly, he closed his eyes and gave in. Severus took the time to really look at him, seeing that the bruise had spread up over the boy's cheekbones, and down almost to his chin. Really should have killed that woman, he reflected. At this point it was mostly an exaggeration, though. The time for anger had passed; he had to take care of his ward. He released Harry's chin to put a two fingers in the balm and started spreading it over the boy's cheek, seeing him flinch but not hesitating in his touch.

“You couldn't have thought I'd just leave you with this, did you?”

The boy shook his head just a bit, still silent, and Severus kept carefully applying the balm. “Good. I could have brought you to Madame Pomfrey, but I think you would prefer to avoid her questions. Am I wrong?”

Harry shook his head again, and Severus continued. “I am going to have to talk to the Headmaster, however. He knew where I was going, and will want to know what transpired. In addition, I suspect you will be having a conversation with either him or the Deputy Headmistress or both about leaving the grounds without permission.”

Harry tensed at that, and Severus kept talking. The boy hadn't spoken since they'd left the pet store, and he was starting to get concerned. “I will accompany you, if you wish, but it is a serious breach of the rules, and ultimately it is their decision.”

Harry stiffened even worse, and he pulled away to look at Severus. “Will I be expelled?”

“Unlikely,” Severus said. “As your Head of House, I have a lot of say in that decision. The only one who could overrule me would be Dumbledore, and I highly doubt that he will decide against you once I explain things.”

“What's to explain?” Harry asked bitterly, “I got pissed off and left the school at five o'clock in the morning.”

Severus smirked. “I can explain that he put me in charge of you, and I say you are not to be expelled.”

Harry didn't smile, and Severus resumed his work on Harry's face. “It's not an expelling offense anyway. They may decide to suspend you, and over that I would have little control, but I doubt expulsion will even enter the conversation.”

“Doesn't matter either way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Suspension and expulsion both mean sending me home. Only I don't have a home to go to. Petunia won't even let me in.”

“Harry,” Severus chided, putting annoyance in his voice even as he knew that it would take awhile for Harry to believe him, “how many times have I told you that you are not going back to that house? If you get suspended, you will stay with me in my quarters.”

Why would you do that, though? “But-”

“End of story.” The assertion had the same firm, authoritative quality to it that it sometimes did when Snape told Harry he was grounded, or ordered him to the corner – the tone that told Harry not to push any further, because he would not win. He was staying with Snape and that was it. The thought filled Harry with relief and anxiety at the same time. He had a place to stay, but what kind of place? And how would Snape put up with him, living together? Soon after that, though, Snape finished with Harry's face and gripped Harry's shoulder briefly.

“It'll turn out all right, I promise you.”

“Sure,” Harry said, doubting it.

Severus remembered how tense Harry had gotten when he'd mentioned going to see Dumbledore, and left him in his office, saying, “if you would excuse me for a moment, Harry, I need to speak to the Headmaster briefly. Feel free to choose a book, if you wish to read a little. Just don't touch anything with a white spot on the binding.”

Harry nodded once, sharply, and Severus left for the headmaster's office, eventually getting to the stairs and being carried up into the Headmaster's office. The door opened as he approached, and Dumbledore greeted him warmly.

“Severus! Your mission was successful, I hope?”

“It was.”

“And the Dursley family still lives?” His tone was jocular, but his eyes anything but. Severus answered the eyes.

“Yes, though I doubt the world is any better for it.”

“Good,” Dumbledore said, smiling slightly, “and that is not the point, as you well know. Anyway, where is Harry?”

“In my office. I wished to speak with you before bringing him in.”

“Very well, Severus, speak.”

“I imagine he is in some trouble?”

The headmaster sighed. “Do you imagine he should not be? If any other student had left the school so early in the morning I daresay you would be calling for his expulsion.”

Severus winced, unable to deny the charge. “He and I had a...disagreement...the night before he left. I said something that hurt him, and he wished to prove me wrong, I think. Trust me when I say he has been punished more than adequately for it.”

“And so you are here to ask me to be lenient.” The headmaster seemed entirely too amused for Severus' comfort.

Maybe. “No.”

“No?”

“That I would have been perfectly happy to say in front of him. This...I want to request that, if you wish someone to take him to task, that you let Minerva do it.”

“Severus, you can't think I would frighten the boy?”

“That's part of it.”

“I thought you said he was improving?”

“With me, certainly. That does not mean that he will respond well to a different adult man being angry at him.”

“Even me?”

“Especially you. I could certainly tell as a student that you weren't just the gentle old man you pretend to be-” he smirked a little as the old man frowned - “and I don't doubt that he can, too. I also don't doubt that someone should remind him of everyone who searched and worried for him while he was gone, but it can't be me, and it can't be you. I doubt that he would care if you yelled at him; he'll just figure you're yelling at him because that's what adults do.”

“Why can't it be you?”

“Because I am not angry with him, for one, and because I already told him he wasn't in trouble with me. I'm sure Minerva would do an admirable job.”

The headmaster's eyes twinkled. “Very well, Severus, I would not presume to say what's best for 'your child'.”

Severus could feel his cheeks reddening, but refused to rise to the bait. “Thank you.”

He started to leave, but as usual Albus called after him. “Severus?”

He turned. “Yes, sir?”

“You're growing soft, my boy. I heartily approve.”

Severus felt a most immature impulse to roll his eyes, but sneered instead. Manipulative interfering self-satisfied old coot. I really should have killed that woman.

Professor McGonagall gave Harry a rather severe glance before looking at Snape expectantly, clearly wanting him to leave. Snape frowned a bit, and looked at Harry. Harry was confused for a moment, before remembering the man's offer to accompany him during this. Harry saw little reason the man shouldn't leave, though, and was starting to feel rather awkward in his presence after his fit and the...weirdness...afterwards, so he just nodded. Snape nodded back, and left. When Harry looked back at McGonagall, she was looking after Snape, a rather puzzled expression on her face, but then she quickly looked back to Harry and regained her disapproving glare. She maintained it just long enough for Harry to look down and start fiddling before starting to speak.

“So, tell me about this morning.”

“You don't know?” Harry asked.

“I know you left the school before classes started. I want to know why.”

“I-” Harry started, scrambling for an answer that didn't reveal too much, “I was mad at Professor Snape,” he finally said.

“That's it? You were mad at a Professor so you left the school early in the morning without even leaving a note?” She sounded sincerely angry at this, and Harry tried to explain.

“No, I was mad at Snape. He said stuff that just wasn't true-” he cut off, swallowing hard. Only it was true after all. When he spoke again he was much more subdued. “It's private, okay?”

Minerva almost smiled at Harry's careful differentiation between a professor and Snape, but then sobered. No wonder Severus didn't want to leave him alone. He's completely strung out.

“Very well, I will not question you further on it, however, I will note that you put quite a few people through quite a lot of stress, worry, and trouble looking for you with this little stunt. Nobody knew where you had gone. We feared you had gotten lost somewhere, or even captured.”

“You were worried?”

He must be tired, to be asking that so openly. “Yes, I was. It wasn't just Severus who worried for you, this time.”

When Harry looked up, at that, she answered the question she knew he would never ask. “Professor Snape was frantic. He was the first to notice your absence, and bossed all of us around trying to find you, in addition to searching himself. I thought he was going to pull his hair out. He finally went down to the kitchens, and found a house-elf – Kallie? - who said you weren't on the grounds. And she's been pulling at her ears, convinced that she should know where you are even though the castle's magic prevents it-”

“Kallie? Damnit I did it again! Kallie!”

The elf popped in immediately, and immediately threw both arms around Harry's legs, sobbing.

“Master is back! Kallie is sorry, sir! Kallie is not a good elf, Master Harry Sir!”

“Kallie! It's okay! I'm fine!”

“But Kallie is not knowing where Master was, sir! Kallie must always know where Master is, sir! Kallie is a bad elf, sir!”

“It's not your fault you couldn't find me, Kallie. The castle is magicked that way. I'm not mad at you!”

“But Kallie is telling Snape that Master is not at Hogwarts, sir!”

“I know, Kallie. It's okay. I told you you could do what you wanted to, remember? You can tell stuff like that, if you have to! It's okay!”

Finally the elf calmed down, some, and then fixed Harry with a glare. “But where is Master going, sir?”

Minerva was confused. What a strange turnaround. It's like she's in charge!

Harry seemed to think so, too, for he flushed and looked down. “I went home, Kallie, that's all.”

But Kallie apparently thought that was not 'all', and promptly freaked out worse. “Master is going to nasty mean people! Is Master okay, sir? Master is not hurt?”

Harry blanched, and looked up briefly at Minerva, who fought to keep her gaze impassive. The nasty mean people. How very appropriate.

“I'm fine, Kallie. Really. Snape came to find me, and I'm fine.”

“Master is not being mean to Snape?”

Harry reddened. “No, Kallie. I know I messed up. I is not being mean- err-” he blushed further, “I won't prank Snape.”

“Good.” Then Kallie seemed to finally become aware of her surroundings, and asked, “Master is in trouble?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Master is not running away from Hogwarts. It is not being safe!” the elf declared.

Harry smiled a little.“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Good. Master is needing anything?”

“Nope, thanks Kallie, and umm-” he started, looking down at the ground, “I'm sorry I worried you.”

Kallie looked at him for a second before smiling. “It is forgiven, Master Harry, sir. Kallie is knowing Master Harry must be doing these things.”

She left with a 'pop', and Harry turned back to McGonagall, cheeks red. “Sorry ma'am.”

“Not to worry, young man. It is good of you to think of your elf, first. I must say, she has a rather unique personality. I don't think I've ever seen an elf take someone to task that way. She said much of what I was going to, actually, though I would emphasize that she's not the only one you worried.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Good. Onto your punishments, then. First off, you will apologize to all of the professors and staff members who spent their free time looking for you – that is, Hagrid and Madame Hooch, plus Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Dumbledore, and, of course, Snape. And me, actually. I would encourage you to do all of them personally, but you may do one or two in writing, if you wish.”

Harry nodded, unhappy with the requirement, but grateful for the reprieve that meant he wouldn't have to actually go see Dumbledore.

“In addition, you will serve one detention tonight, and another tomorrow, both with me. I can promise you they won't be pleasant.”

Harry nodded again, having expected a lot more than that.

“Very well. You are dismissed, then.”

Harry looked up, surprised enough to babble, “I'm not suspended?”

“No, you are not.” She fixed him with a stern glare. “However, you should know that we are being extremely lenient. Don't let this happen again. I mean it.”

He didn't doubt that. “Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.”

He left, feeling like he'd dodged a bullet. Suspension might not've meant being kicked totally to the curb, but he hadn't been looking forward to it, either. He could see living in Snape's quarters for a week because he was suspended turning into a solid week of detention, easily. His changing feelings towards Snape did not mean that he wanted to be stuck cleaning cauldrons for a week. Reminded once more of the eventful day he'd had, he shuddered a little. I am such a fool.