Severus was staring at Harry in amusement as he picked a tree. It was nice to see how quickly Harry seemed to bounce back after his run in with the mutt. Speaking of which, Severus was still disgusted on how he got pass Lupin and Tonks and himself. He wondered idly how the mutt got passed Lupin who he knew should have smelled him.

"I want that one, no that one! Ooh no I changed my mind, that one is the one I want," Harry said excitedly pointing at the different trees.

"Are you sure this is big enough Harry," Severus said dryly. Harry had picked the biggest tree in the lot but Severus wasn’t about to burst his bubble. The manor was big enough and even if it wasn’t he could use an expansion charm.

"Is it too big? I can pick a different one," Harry said immediately, his face turning into a small frown.

"This one is perfect, let’s go find the man." Severus replied, barely able to stop himself from grinning at the smile Harry was beaming at him.

Coming out of the tree lot, Harry had a huge smile on his face; despite the run in with his godfather in the bathroom. He looked over at the man who was trying to convince the muggle in charge of the tree lot that they didn’t need help. Harry smiled, at how skeptical the man looked considering the tree was massive. He raised his eyebrow as the man gave up, wishing he could command respect like Snape. 
 
"Harry get over here and help me with this," Severus said gesturing to the tree.

"Um I don’t think I’m gonna be much help." Harry said gesturing to his small frame with a frown.

"Harry I’m aware of that I just need you to block me while I perform a feather light charm on the tree," Severus explained patiently.

"Oh ok," Harry said making his way towards his teacher positioning himself in front of the man.

As the excitement and adrenaline of that day started to wind down and standing still reminded Harry of a problem he had yet to take care of. He found himself unable to be still as his bladder remade itself known with a vengeance.
 
"Harry I need you to be still," Severus murmured as he took his wand out from his holster.

"I can’t help it," Harry replied tightly, as he looked around for a bathroom.

"I know this is exciting for you, but you look like you have ants in your pants." Severus said with a smirk.

"No it’s not that," Harry said biting his lip worriedly.

"What’s the matter?" Severus asked absently performing the charm and then instructing Harry to hold onto the tree as if was helping carry it as well.

"I need to go to the bathroom, really bad." Harry said tensely.

"Didn’t you go back at the pub?" Severus asked glaring at the looks they were getting.

"No Sirius stopped me and I got scared and forgot about it." Harry explained quickly.

"Well we're gonna be at the Manor in a few minutes or so after I shrink the tree," Severus replied.

"I can’t wait Professor," Harry said quietly, feeling like he might explode.

"Well you have no choice there isn’t really anyplace to go." Severus said as they walked into an alley so he could shrink the tree.

"Can I go here?" Harry asked desperately his hands balled into fists at his side.

"No, we'll be home in a minute or so." Severus said shrinking the tree.

"Are you gonna apparate?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Yes it’s the quickest way; I would think you would appreciate it. Do you oppose?" Severus asked curiously.

"No sir," Harry said shaking his head vigorously.

"Come give me a hug," Severus said casually.

"Why?" Harry asked though he found himself walking towards his teacher anyways.

"Because if not, you'll be reminding us what you had for lunch." Severus said pointedly.

"Eww," Harry said before hugging the man.

Severus looked down at the wiggling teen in his arms before looking around. Not seeing anyone within distance; he apparated on the spot to the front door of his manor.

"We're here," he murmured.

"I feel sick," Harry whimpered, one hand holding his stomach the other holding onto Snape’s arm.

"It'll pass, but drink this." Severus said handing him an anti nausea potion.
 
Harry drank the minty potion quickly; his stomach settled a moment later, before quickly rushing towards the door. He sighed in dismayed to find it locked turning back to his teacher with a worried look on his face, as he bounced in front of the Manor.

“I did that, it’s locked,” Harry replied restlessly.

“Do it again, anywhere but the knob,” Severus repeated before smirking as the door opened and Harry disappeared inside.

Severus shook his head before entering the house. When he walked in Harry was nowhere to be found. He shook his head in amusement hearing the toilet flush. He went into the sitting room and was in the middle of shrinking them when a relieved Harry appeared in the doorway.

“Feel better?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Lots,” Harry replied with a grin before sitting down and checking out what they bought.

“Alright go put your things in your room, and when you come back down we’ll decide if you wanna decorate the tree today or later.”Severus said gesturing for him to walk as floating packages followed him.

Harry hurried to his room feeling giddy with excitement at everything that had happened. As he swiftly put his things away he unaware of that things were unfolding, not all of them good.

~*~*~Hogwarts~*~*~*

Albus Dumbledore was in his office, musing about what he was going to do about Delores, he knew Minerva and Severus already had something up their sleeves and he wouldn’t stop them. He knew the woman deserved it and more, how dare she think she could get away with it? Before he allowed his anger to fill him there was a sudden light blinking and whirling noise from one of the gadgets on his desk. He stared at it, trying to figure out what it was when he saw that it was the blood wards around the Dursely home; they had just fallen.

His eyes widened as he stood up, knowing this was not good. He was sure he knew exactly what happened, and he couldn’t blame the child. For the moment, as much as he hated those muggles, he knew they were Harry’s last living relatives and they were in danger. He frowned before going to the floo, contacting Arthur and Alaster; since he knew they weren’t guarding Harry in Diagon Alley. He quickly made a portkey and flooed to Arabella’s house and headed towards Number 4 Privet Drive.

~*~*~Leaky Cauldron~*~*~*

Remus was angry once more when he saw Harry come out of the bathroom with a fear-filled expression and he reached for him automatically. He was able to hear that Sirius apparently was in the bathroom with him. He was furious, knowing that Sirius masked his scent, and with a glamour charm; the man could walk right pass him and he wouldn’t know a damn thing. He was sure he would have recognized Padfoot if he hadn’t. He wanted to go into the bathroom to see what was going on but since Harry had yet to let go of him he didn’t.

It didn’t take Severus long and he flinched at the furious expression on the man’s face even though his anger wasn’t even directed at him. The furious expression stayed where it was; that is until Harry turned around and it was like his former classmate’s face shifted into one of concern. Remus frowned at the whole situation before bidding them both good bye and walking into the bathroom

He sighed loudly when he saw Padfoot stunned on the floor and attached a leash to him before picking him up. He was irritated at the moment, and wanted nothing more but to hit Sirius. Why the hell was he doing so many idiotic things? Seriously what did he hoped to gain by hurting Harry? Remus had to wonder about the root of the problem, hadn’t that first day Ron had forced Harry to talk; didn’t Sirius say that he would never hurt him?

 He knew old pureblood families, disciplined harshly and he couldn’t help but wonder what kinds of things Sirius himself had grown up with. If it was similar to the way he had been treating Harry then Remus couldn’t really blame him. After all, it was all he knew. Nonetheless to ignore the problem would be stupid, because Harry was always in the middle. He gestured to Tonks and they quickly paid Tom for the floo before making their way to Grimmauld Place. There he set Sirius on the sofa and took off the spell. He was rewarded when Sirius immediately transformed and glared at him in anger.

“What the hell Sirius? What did you think you were doing? Did you not think?” Remus couldn’t help asking in frustration.

“I just wanted to see him; you never let me talk to my godson anymore.” Sirius answered back, irritated at the whole situation, not to mention his arm and his stomach were on fire. Snape had really done a number on him.

“That’s because you continue to hurt him, why would you do that? What possessed you to go to Diagon Alley today? Furthermore how did you even find out?” Remus asked, knowing Dumbledore didn’t feel that Sirius should know. The old man had warned him that the man acted without thinking constantly; not that he need the warning as he knew his friend.

“This is my house,” was all Sirius said. He would damn if they tried to have secrets about him, here of all places.

“Why would you show up and risk yourself?” Remus asked quietly, trying another tactic.

“I wanted to see Harry; I wanted to make sure that bastard hasn’t hurt him.” Sirius replied with emotion.

“Severus would never physically hurt Harry,” Remus said, the words unlike you echoed in both their ears silently.

“How do you know are you there all the time with him? I think that Snivellus is touching Harry inappropriately. Did you see how scared he looked?” Sirius said refusing to think on the fact that Harry had been frightened of him and not Snape.

“Yes he was afraid, but not of Snape.” Remus said tiredly. “Severus would never hurt Harry in that way, how dare you accuse him of something like that.”

“Oh so now you’re on that snake’s side, I knew it, he’s got you all fool.” Sirius said with disgust and a shake of his head. He stared his friend down for a moment before walking out. Sirius’s eyes were unfocused and wild; he couldn’t take away the sense of betrayal in his eyes.

“Hold on Sirius, I’m not through talking with you yet,” Remus said reaching out and grabbing his arm to stop him.

Sirius screamed loudly as Moony pulled on his broken arm and he vision blurred from the intensity of the pain. Snape had broken his arm and he cradled it protectively as he looked up at his friend with a hurt expression. He answered the unasked question.

“Snape broke it,” he whimpered before standing up with a wince.

“Why did he break it? There had to be a reason,” Remus said with narrowed eyes.

“I…I almost hurt Harry again,” Sirius said shame welling up in his heart as he looked at floor as he remembered.

“What did you say?” Remus asked darkly, he had to have heard wrong right?

“I raised my hand to hit him, but Snape caught my arm and snapped it.” Sirius said with a grimace.

“Why would you want to hit him Sirius?” Remus asked with another tortured expression.

“He made me so angry, it’s like I couldn’t help myself,” Sirius replied in frustration.

“That’s not you, and that’s not good enough for me. Why would you ever want to hurt James and Lily’s child?” Remus pressed.

“What’s wrong with me Moony?” Sirius asked instead in a broken voice.

“I don’t know Siri, I don’t know,” Remus replied softly, but he would find out.

~*~*Durselys Residence~*~*~*~

Albus groaned as Arthur and Alaster quickly got the Durselys packed within 5 minutes. They basically had to stun Vernon, but Petunia understood the urgency of the situation and she and her son quickly got their things. No sooner had the youngest Dursely walked down stairs they could hear the sound of wizards Apparating in. They looked at one another before making sure everyone was touching the portkey before the disappeared in. 1 minute later and death eaters had entered the house, destroying everything in their paths.

They landed in his office and after thanking Arthur and Alaster he turned towards the people who had made Harry’s life full of pain and anguish. He couldn’t honestly make himself sympathetic, they didn’t deserve it. Not after they had been hurting an innocent child for all these years.

“Why have you brought us here?” Petunia asked in a frightful tone.

“Because your house is destroyed and had I not reacted as fast as I did you would all be dead.” Albus explained.

“But you said the blood wards would protect us.” Petunia said with disgust.

“They would have if Harry had kept considering your residence his home. But he doesn’t and frankly I don’t blame him. You and your family are the worse sort of muggles I have ever seen.” Albus said as he calmly took a seat and ate a lemon drop. He mused to himself that he was in fact repeating Minnie’s words from all those years ago.

“How dare you?” Vernon yelled, the stunner having just worn off.

“How dare I? How dare you? I put a child, your sister’s child no less for you to love and care for him but you couldn’t even treat him with decent care. Make no mistake that you will be punished.” Albus said his magic blowing in his office and he could see them stiffen.

“What are you going to do to us?” Petunia asked fearfully.

“For the time being you will be residing in Hogwarts, there are a set of quarters for you. You will have everything you need there and you are not to leave it at anytime.” Albus replied.

“You’re keeping us prisoner?” Petunia asked.

“I daresay this will be a prison, you deserve a fate worse than that. But no, Harry would never want you harmed. You will be staying there until I can find a place out in the muggle world where you and your son can be safe.” Albus answered.

“And my husband, what of him,” Petunia asked, having heard his words clearly.

“He will be standing on trial for child abuse, I could have you stand with him but that would leave your son without parents. Though it would be interesting to see how someone would treat your son for the sins of his parents.”Albus said neutrally.

“What are you talking about?” Vernon asked as his face paled.

“You abused Harry Potter, which was a mistake in itself. For one he is just a child, and another he is the savior of the wizarding world. When this gets out, many wizards and witches will be out for your blood. There is already a strain on the like and dislikes of muggles and you yourself have worsened it.” Albus explained looking over his glasses at him.

“Where’s that freak? This is his entire fault, I knew I shouldn’t have allowed him to stay pet;” Vernon said as he cooed to Petunia.

“You needn’t worry about Harry, and you would do well to remember just who the freaks here are.” Albus said softly before calling out a house elf to show them their rooms.

Albus sighed tiredly as they were escorted out his office, feeling every bit his age. He needed to get rid of them before the term started up, he didn’t want Harry within 2 feet of them let alone some place he felt accepted. He sighed and quickly got to work, wondering what he was going to do with them if he couldn’t.

~*~*~Hogwarts~*~*~*

Minerva was grinning widely as she searched through the shelf of her rarely used books. She had a witch to transfigure and she wanted to make sure that she had the worst possible thing she could think of.

“Found it,” she said smiling a Cheshire cat type smile as she pulled out her copy of Transfigurations gone wrong and how to fix them. She quickly ordered herself some tea and started reading. Her grin got wider and wider as she found two spells in particular, it would cause no pain, but after she got done with it the woman would no doubt be hurting. So far two spells were already checked; Duro- turn target to stone and Zointrao Versavertamum- to transfigure one into a duck.

Filius couldn’t believe it when Minerva had told him about what Umbridge had done to the Weasleys and Harry Potter. He felt so helpless when she told him that some of his Ravens were also so victims. He instantly thought of Miss Lovegood knowing she could be; and he found himself hoping that the poor girl hadn’t fallen under the woman’s wrath. 

He like the rest of the staff had hated her since she got there, his own hatred stemmed from how she measured him in class. As if he was too short to teach the students, he could beat her in duel any day. He grinned knowing exactly how he was going to pan out his lesson to her. He had a few spells, he remembered from his own childhood, and some from all his years as a teacher.

 Filius grinned as he looked over the assortment of spells unable to choose just one or two. Calvorio-Hair loss spells, Colloshoo-glue one's shoes to the ground with some sort of sticky ectoplasm, Conjunctivitis Curse-A curse that causes great pain to the victim's eyes; pink eye or caterpillar eye due to its scabby inflammation, Densaugeo- This hex makes the victim's teeth grow rapidly and finally the Finger removing jinx. He sighed happily as he wondered who would get the first shot. He was very interested to see what Pomona, Minerva, and Severus had come up with.