Thunder clashed loudly causing the blonde teen to jump almost out of his skin. His eyes were shadowed and he hadn't managed to fall asleep yet. Those few moments during the day still flashed before his eyes. Potter was his enemy, his rival, yet the idiot had pushed him out of harms way without even thinking. He rubbed his eyes and stood up from the bed in his room to begin to pace. Snape had allowed him to go back to his room. And there he had laid on his bed staring at the ceiling in the dark. Potter did not make sense. Nothing about the teen made sense, he was supposed to be a stuck up Gryffindor who didn't care about anyone expect those he valued friends. For Merlin's sake, Potter was Dumbledore's Golden boy.

He stopped pacing and watched as lighting lit the sky from his window. Walking over he rested a hand on the window and frowned at his reflection. His blue eyes had a haunted look, his blonde hair normally slicked back was messy. All in all, the teen he stared at now seemed different. And he wasn't to sure he liked the change. He turned giving up on sleep at least till he smacked Potter for his stupidity. Walking to the door he opened it wincing as it groaned loudly. He stood there for several minutes making sure that Snape didn't come out into the hallway demanding to know the reason why he was up. Slowly he made his way to Harry's room noting the door was open, most likely so that Snape could hear if he needed anything. Slipping into the room he moved the door so it was shut about three thirds of the way then turned to stare at the prone figure on the bed. Lighting lit the room up showing that Harry's eyes were actually open.

"I am surprised Snape allowed you to be awake." Draco called out softly walking closer. Harry turned to face him and gave Draco a pained smile.

"He doesn't know I'm awake."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Draco asked dryly as Harry sat up against the pillows on his bed and gestured for the blonde to sit, sitting Draco waited a moment before he hit Harry roughly on the head causing the younger teen to yelp.

"What was that for?" Harry hissed. Draco glared.

"What the hell were you thinking earlier, why did you jump in-between? Did you think I couldn't handle myself?" Draco snarled. Harry watched him silently.

"Why does it matter?" He asked softly. Draco shut his mouth and blinked at Harry.

"Besides the fact he could've killed you, and as you said before that's Voldemort's job?"

"True you have me there." Harry said with a half smile. The two sat in silence before Draco gave in.

"Potter, why did you? We are enemies remember?" Draco stressed. Harry shrugged.

"Doesn't matter..."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter? Of course it matters!" Draco snapped. Harry sighed and made a face.

"...I..." Harry began but stopped. He wasn't exactly sure how he was supposed to explain why he did what he did.

"You what?" Draco demanded his temper rising. Another minute and he would be throttling the savior of the wizarding world.

"...I didn't think. Look it really doesn't matter Draco, the point is I didn't even stop to think. But to be honest who you are wouldn't have stopped me. If I have to risk my own life to save even one small life then I am going to. I am sick to death of being protected, sick to death of those around risking themselves to protect me and dying because of me!" Harry shouted. Draco stared at him.

"Are you an idiot! You cant just purposely place yourself in a dangerous situation! You cant tell me those idiot friends of yours allow that!" Draco shouted back, no longer caring if Snape heard them. Harry growled.

"Don't you dare call Ron and Herminie idiots!" Harry shouted defending his friends.

"Then where have they been! Why didn't you tell them what your Uncle does to you!" he screamed not hearing the quiet footsteps outside the door.

"Because they have enough problems of their own! Besides I didn't want to complain!" Harry screamed back.

"Complaining and telling them when your being physically and emotionally hurt are two different things! Why didn't you tell them you aren't doing good with your godfather's death!" Draco yelled. Harry froze his eyes widening and he paled visibly even in the dimly lit room.

"Don't talk about Sirius." He begged quietly.

"Why not? You aren't dealing with it Harry!" Draco said hotly not noticing that he had called Harry by his first name.

"How would you know!" Harry snapped. Draco threw his hands up in the air.

"The whole school knows Potter! You blew up Dumbledore's office and no one has ever done that, did you think that that was going to be kept quiet?" Draco demanded. Harry opened his mouth and closed it.

"I am dealing with it." He finally said. Draco rolled his eyes.

"I see that the two of you think that you no longer need sleep?" a voice drawled from the doorway. Both teens turned to see Snape leaning in the doorway, his hair actually down and rumpled quite clearly having been woken up. Draco winced seeing the anger that shone brightly through Snape's eyes as he walked barefoot into the room folding his arms and glaring down at the boys.

"Hello." Draco managed as Snape seemed quite content to glare down at the two of them.

"Draco...bed now." Snape said in a tone of voice that had the light haired teen jumping from the bed and rushing out of the room without a second thought. Then Snape turned his entire attention on Harry his eyes narrowed and Harry gulped, he had a feeling he was going to dread what would occur next. Snape stare down at him and Harry shifted uncomfortable under the man's stare. Then silently Snape walked over the rest of the way holding out a small vial.

"Take it." He said simply. Harry stared at it understanding that Snape was offering him a way out of having to talk. But as he reached for it raising his eyes to meet Snape's he found himself lowering his hand. Snape raised an eyebrow and set the vial down on the table, he reached down capturing Harry's wrist and pulled it up checking his pulse.

"...I..." Harry began, Snape's silent was defiantly making him very nervous. Snape was still quiet as he released Harry's wrist to grab his chin, he took out his wand and with a flick the room's lights blared to life. He looked into Harry's eyes his own eyes unblinking.
"I...had to!" Harry finally exploded. "I couldn't let him hit Draco with that curse, he doesn't deserve to feel that kind of pain!" Harry said. Snape gripped Harry's chin tighter.

"And you do?" He asked softly almost to soft for Harry to hear.

"Because I let them all die! My parents, Cedric, Sirius! How many more am I going to allow to die! I wasn't about to add Draco to that list!" Harry said jerking at his chin. Snape released it and grabbed Harry's shoulders so Harry couldn't move away from him.

"Is that so?" Snape questioned again. Harry nodded. Snape stared into Harry's eyes again simply waiting.

"What!" Harry snapped. Snape raised an eyebrow not releasing Harry's shoulders. Silently Snape counted to ten, he figured by ten or before ten the boy would brake. Then he could dump a calming draught down his throat and the boy would finally sleep. Which meant he could go back to sleep. Sure enough Harry's shoulders began to shake and he broke closing his eyes tightly as his entire body began to shake. Snape didn't move a muscle as Harry's breath hitched, nor did he move as the teen gasped out sobs, he only moved when Harry finally broke down crying without trying to hold back. He sat down on the bed beside him, and knowing there was no other choice pulled the boy into his embrace. Harry clung to him as he cried even harder. Several minutes later Harry pulled back from Snape. His body still shook, but he seemed calmer. Snape silently rubbed Harry's back.

"Just take deep breaths." Snape said. Harry kept his eyes closed and nodded breathing slowly, feeling drained. His body sagged slightly and Snape slowly stood gently stretching out Harry's body as the teen's body relaxed even more.

"Just breath." He repeated as his hands gently straightened out Harry's legs and pulled the blankets up to Harry's shoulders. Harry's breathing evened out and his eyes opened slightly.

"Go to sleep Potter." Snape said sternly and watched with satisfaction as Harry sighed closing his eyes again and fell into sleep. Snape stood over Harry staring down, he reached over and picked up the vial, then he took out his wand, sighing he tapped the bed, placing a ward so Harry couldn't leave the bed. He was going to have enough trouble in the morning dealing with Dumbledore he didn't want Harry wandering off.

The next morning Snape found himself having spent an almost complete sleepless night. He rubbed his eyes and gripped a mug of coffee as if it was his lifeline. Dumbledore had sent an owl that arrived right after he had managed to get the emotional teen to sleep. Well one of the two emotional teens, he doped Draco with a dreamless sleep because he didn't feel like dealing with another fit. Not to mention he was pretty sure the teen wouldn't be able to close his eyes without seeing his father pointing his wand at him. He sighed as he heard a cheerful good morning coming from the other room. It seemed Dumbledore had arrived.

"Spero che il vecchio coot si soffochi su una goccia del limone!" Snape muttered as the headmaster walked into the room. Snape glared at the Auror that stood beside him.

"Ah Severus my dear boy. You look like you had a rough night." The headmaster said concern in his voice.

"If you mean two hysterical teenagers who don't know that sleep is actually a good thing and screaming at each other is a bad, then yes it was a rough night." Snape growled. Dumbledore coughed.

"Severus as you have read in the letter I sent you, it isn't safe for Harry here any more." He said. Snape stood glaring at him.

"If I strengthened the wards it would be!" he snapped a night of no sleep tearing his patience to shreds.

"I'm sorry Severus but it just isn't safe for Harry to stay here." Dumbledore said as he watched his potions master pace the kitchen.
"Dumbledore, you must listen to reason, that boy is not going to get any better if you insist on doing this!" Snape nearly shouted. But the stubborn old coot merely shook his head.

"I will reconsider it after a few weeks." Dumbledore said and gestured to the Auror who had accompanied him to go and retrieve the youth in question. Snape snarled and slammed his hands down onto the table.

"A few weeks?! The boy might have killed himself by then!" Snape snapped. Dumbledore chuckled.

"I highly doubt Harry is suicidal Severus you're just over reacting. I will arrange it that if you desire you may visit him at Grimwald place." Dumbledore said as the Auror came down carrying the still unconscious Harry.

"Grimwald place?! You can't take him there! He's still dealing with his godfather's death!" Snape shouted. Dumbledore looked sadly at Snape.

"Severus I understand that you care, but this has to be done. Good day, and please strengthen the wards around your home again." Dumbledore said walking out of the house, helplessly Snape watched as Harry was carried away. Slamming his fist onto the table he snarled.

"Stubborn old bat!" he swore, and turned to see Draco watching him.

"That's it, your just going to let him take him?" the teen demanded of his godfather. Snape smirked.

"No, I am not going to ‘just let him go' I have many choice words and lectures I wish to impart on Mr. Potter during this summer." He said but he frowned sitting down on one of the chairs. "I will however have to wait about a week before I try to do anything."

"Alright. Not like I really care." Draco sniffed. Snape smirked.

"Potter is like a nasty infection, he grows on you." The potions master stated, and Draco nodded.

"One that must be impossible to cure." He agreed and sat beside his godfather.

"So just how our we going to get the idiot back?" he demanded and Snape settled down to explain just how he planned on retrieving the teen.

~Grimwald Place~

Harry turned over in the bed and hissed as his muscles protested painfully, he opened his eyes slowly expecting to see Snape glaring over him, he frowned even the blurred version of the room didn't seem the same. He felt around and found that the nightstand held his glasses. Slipping them on Harry realized he recognized the room. He felt his boy begin to shake. No...no...no anywhere but here. He begged silently freeing himself of the blankets and stood, the room spun and he found himself on the floor a moment later. Hissing again he pulled himself back to his feet using the bed as leverage. He was back in the second place he never wanted to go back to. Stumbling he started towards the door, grabbing the nightstand for support till he no longer could use it. Five minutes later, a very tired, sore and confused Harry Potter found himself staring at the set of stairs that led down to the first floor. He could hear voices coming from the kitchen area, and none were Snape. Groaning Harry stumbled down the stairs landing painfully on his knee. Tears gathered in his eyes and he coughed loudly. A moment later he found himself staring at Dumbledore and McGonagall.

"Harry Potter what are you doing out of bed!" McGonagall asked shocked obviously to see him up and about.

"Why am I here?" Harry asked, he didn't want to know but he had to know. Snape probably called up Dumbledore and demanded he leave after all he had blubbered all over him like a child.

"It wasn't safe for you there my dear boy. Now back up the stairs with you, get some sleep." Dumbledore said in a cheerful voice. Harry stared at the professor then at the stairs sighing, glad Snape wouldn't hear about this, he'd find himself confined to bed for the rest of the summer for moving around so much.

~a week later~

Harry sat on the couch staring at the same exact spot he stared at each time he came into the room. He hadn't spoken to any of the people Dumbledore had sent to check in on him, nor had he eaten of the food they brought. Not that it mattered, he mused glaring at the spot on the wall. Dumbledore hadn't listened to him when he had tried to say that Snape was the one who had saved his and Draco's life. Harry felt the familiar headache begin, he had been having it since he woke up in Sirius's home, sighing he closed his eyes and wondered which idiot order member was going to check on him today. He heard Dumbledore's annoying voice entering the house, talking most likely the order member in charge of him for the day.

"Yes he's been doing wonderful. Harry!" Dumbledore called out and Harry rolled his eyes getting to his feet, he hadn't even bothered with crutches after all no one yelled at him if he didn't use them, so there didn't seem to a point. Hell he was trying to figure out if there really was a point to anything. He trudged, shoulders slumped over to the front door ready to deal with another round of ‘how have you been Mr. Potter' or smothering from Mrs. Weasly. He didn't even bother to look at who Dumbledore had brought with him, just glared silently at Dumbledore who coughed looking as if he was unusually nervous at something.

"How have you been my boy?" he asked as if he expected to actually get an answer. When he remained silent Dumbledore actually paled.

"This is what you consider being taken care of? He at least talked when he was in my care." A voice sneered. Harry turned and stared at the man in the doorway in shock. It was none other than the greasy git himself, Severus Snape, complete in black robes, though his hair again didn't have the greasy look to it, and was tied back. Severus folded his arms and glared at Harry.

"Mr. Potter, I would've thought you would've been smart enough to go around walking on that knee, but it seems that as usual your common sense is lacking. And when was the last time you actually ate something?" Snape demanded. Harry opened his mouth only to be cut off by Dumbledore.

"Severus the boy eats every meal." Dumbledore said laughing, Harry shut his mouth, if the old coot wanted Snape to believe that he could care less. Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Do you actually watch him to make sure that he does indeed eat?" the potions master demanded. Dumbledore coughed.

"Severus, Harry isn't a child, he doesn't need to be watched to make sure he eats." The headmaster said smiling. Snape turned to Harry.

"Potter, when was the last time you ate, and I will know if you lie to me." Snape sneered. Harry swallowed.

"When I was at your house sir." He mumbled. Dumbledore stared at him.

"But the food that is..."

"I throw it out." Harry said in a blank voice staring at his feet.

"Dumbledore...the boy doesn't eat, he walks around on a knee that was severely inured and he also looks like he doesn't sleep. Are you still going to tell me the boy is better off here, where he is as ignored as he was at his Uncle's house?" Severus snarled. Harry looked up shocked. Was Severus actually doing what he thought he was doing?

"Severus..." Dumbledore began again but was cut off with a wave of a hand.

"Headmaster, you yourself have checked my wards, and you know that now that they are strengthened no one but myself can get into them without me allowing it. You yourself tried to, to test them and were unable. Furthermore...Potter is incapable of taking care of himself as he has just proved here." Snape snapped. Harry's jaw dropped, he didn't like how Snape declared that he wasn't able to take care of himself, but Snape indeed was arguing on taking him back. Harry felt his throat close with emotion and he quickly closed his eyes. Sirius was the last person who had actually wanted to take care of him. Snape wasn't stupid, he noticed Harry's reaction instantly and glared at Dumbledore who sighed.

"I see you have a point..."

"I have several valid points headmaster. The boy belongs in a place where he can get discipline and can be watched. Not in a house that simply being here causes a severe case of depression. Allow me to resume guardianship headmaster...permanently." Snape said. Dumbledore stared at him.

"Permanently? Severus what about the boy's family, they have legal..."

"Arrange it headmaster. I want guardianship over Potter permanently." Snape snapped. Dumbledore looked like he had swallowed a lemon. But he slowly nodded.

"Alright Severus. I suppose you have a point." Dumbledore said though it looked like it was paining him to say. Snape smirked.

"Potter! Go get whatever few belongings they were smart enough to bring you." He commanded the teen, who jerked and stared at Snape. "Now Potter." Snape snapped and Harry quickly rushed off. Snape turned to Dumbledore.

"I want the proper wizard and Muggle paperwork at my house tomorrow morning Headmaster. I will not allow that boy to be taken again. Not by Voldemort...and not by you Headmaster." Snape said softly. Dumbledore frowned at Snape as Harry came down the stairs a single bag in hand. Snape walked over to the boy taking hold of his elbow.

"Do we have an agreement Headmaster?" the potions master demanded as he steered Harry towards the door. Dumbledore was still frowning but he nodded.

"Yes Severus we do." He said frowning even more as Harry looked actually relieved. Snape paused.

"I don't intend to let the boy be corrupted if that's what your worrying about Headmaster. He is in good hands...and Draco is not his father." Severus said softly so that only Dumbledore could hear. Dumbledore smiled sadly.

"That I am beginning to realize is true, after all I have been getting a letter a day from that young man since Harry has been here. And I am afraid some of the choice of words he used isn't pleasant to repeat." Dumbledore said some of the old twinkle came back into his eyes.

"Take care Harry." He beamed as Snape led Harry from the house.

"Prepare yourself Potter, we are apparate to the house." Snape informed the teen. Harry grimaced.

"Oh goody." He muttered as Snape smirked.

"And I have a great deal to say to you. And I intend to make sure you listen to every word. You will of course be confined to your room." Snape said. Harry felt himself pout.

"Yes sir." He muttered. Snape smirked and quickly tightened his grip as he apparated himself and Harry directly into Snape manor's living room. Harry groaned...this was going to be a long summer...