Word Up by validego

The very second Harry entered the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place, Ron, Ginny and the twins shot out of their chairs and crowded around him. He smiled and laughed and everyone seemed to be speaking at the same time.

He was confused though, when a moment later, his friends backed off and fell silent. Then he turned to see what they were looking at.

He had forgotten after living with the man for a few days just how very intimidating Snape could be when he entered a room. He tried to see it from his friend's point of view. They hadn't seen Snape eating breakfast or working quietly. They hadn't read Snape's unpublished books. They hadn't dueled him. And they had certainly never talked about their feelings with him.

But Harry knew that Snape was intimidating. Even more so out of his home and around others. His face was set in a constant glower, as though he would love to be anywhere but here and with any other group of people, or preferably alone. His dark features and clothing contrasted so harshly with his pale skin and chiseled facial structure that he looked like a combination of demon and human, especially with his black eyes and hawk nose. And his fluid movements seemed to radiate the unspoken certainty that he could and would rip your heart out of your chest in a second if he felt like it. Not to mention his conversation, which, if he deigned to speak at all, was mocking, sarcastic and barbed.

Yeah, Snape had some real people problems.

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"Evening Professor," the twins chimed in unison. Ron mumbled something under his breath that sounded like ‘hi' and Ginny smiled nervously at the Potions Master.

"Ah, Severus. So glad you could make it," Arthur Weasley said with a wide smile, though his eyes darted between his wife and Snape. He extended his hand to shake, which Snape actually took without a sneer.

"Care for some refreshment?" Arthur asked.

"Thank you, no" Snape answered.

Harry's friends gave him a look, and then rolled their eyes towards the ceiling, intimating that they should go upstairs and talk.

"Um, I can't," Harry whispered. Now that he thought about it, it was pretty mean of Snape to not let him leave the room. What could possibly go wrong? He'd been in this house plenty of times and had no problems.

"Why?" Ron whispered back, obviously confused.

Harry considered disobeying Snape's orders for a split second, but all it took was one look at Snape's foul mood to stop him from that line of thought.

Snape seemed to be paying attention to him too. He looked at Ron, then at the rest of the Weasley children in turn. He just barely managed to not make it look hostile.

"Harry! You've shaved your head." That was Mrs. Weasley.

When his eyes darted to Snape's, so too did Mrs. Weasley's. "Yeah, um, it was a mess you know. This is much easier," Harry said. Mrs. Weasley was still frowning at Snape, who stood with his arms crossed, saying nothing.

"Well," she said, "why don't you children go wash up and catch up?"

Harry's friends grabbed his arms to start dragging him out of the room, but Harry planted his feet, fully cognizant of the fact that Snape was watching him carefully.

"I've already washed up," he said to Mrs. Weasley. "I'll just wait here." Then he stomped over to the chair next to Snape's, sat down, crossed his arms and scowled at the tabletop. This was not fun at all.

"Nonsense," she pressed on. "I'm sure you'll want to catch up. You can go with them." Mrs. Weasley, Harry noticed, was turning her glare once more to Snape. Harry shrunk into his seat. They couldn't possibly start arguing this early in the night could they?

"You may go to the library down the hall," Snape said, surprising him so much that Harry jumped. "But nowhere else," he finished harshly.

Harry jumped out of his seat with a grateful smile and scampered off before Snape could change his mind. He ignored the confused looks on his friend's faces until they reached the library.

"What was that all about mate?" Ron asked.

"You knew I was staying with Snape right?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, but we didn't believe it! Snape for Merlin's sake!" Ron grumbled.

"We heard what happened Harry," Ginny said, giving Ron a small glare. "We're really glad you got out ok."

"Yeah me too," Harry said, taking a seat. All at once he was bombarded by questions of his capture, his escape and how many cauldrons he'd had to scrub since living with Snape. When they finally stopped firing off questions, he took a deep breath and launched into his tale.

Ron and the twins made a few disgusted noises at his mention of the fight with Dudley but they whooped when he told them how he had gotten a few good shots in. Ginny, Harry noticed was smiling at that point in the story and his heart gave a little lurch. She was really very pretty, he thought.

He glossed over the part about the Death Eaters cursing him. It had been the worse pain he had ever been in by far. The very thought of those Cruciatus' still made him cringe. The little he did say though, had the Weasleys up in arms over the evil Death Eaters and Moldy-Warts. Harry laughed with them at the moniker for Voldemort, but he couldn't help remembering how very not funny it had been to behold the man-creature. Voldemort's power and anger were still imprinted on his mind and he had to stop his tale for several seconds to take a few deep breaths. He took that time to recall the conversation he had had with Snape about defeating Voldemort. He knew he'd probably meet the wizard again, but Harry didn't think Snape would waste his time if he didn't think there was a possibility that Harry might win. And who would know better than Snape, who had spied on Voldemort for years? He had to cling to that fact because if he didn't, he felt that he would have a nervous breakdown.

He focused on the part about Snape rescuing him since that had been the most intense and positive part of his whole experience. He did leave out the part about the Intent Spell though. That seemed far too personal. The twins demanded to know what the explosion had been and Harry had been disappointed that he didn't know what had happened. He wished he had thought to ask Snape again. He did tell them the little Snape had said about the explosion and how he had called it a gift though.

"Wicked," Fred and George said in unison. Ginny had a sly little grin on her face and even Ron whistled. "I bet it was something really good too, knowing Snape," Ron said.

He wasn't surprised when his friends stopped him in the middle of the escape sequence to confirm that Snape had actually dueled several Death Eaters at once. "And he got injured," Harry added.

"But you were hurt too weren't you?" Ginny asked in concern.

"Well yeah. But Snape gave me some potions before hand and then used some spells while we were running..."

"What spells did he use? Those would be right handy to learn," Ron asked. "I bet the DA would want to know about them."

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I...I don't really know what they were. I could ask him..."

"Yeah! Well, I mean if you don't think he'll bite your head off if you do," Ginny said. "That could save lives if we teach the DA."

"You planning on bringing the DA back then?" Fred asked.

"Um, I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it."

"I wonder who's going to be teaching DADA this year," Ginny said.

"Hey, couldn't you ask Dumbledore?" Ron asked excitedly. "I bet he already knows."

"I'll ask if I see him."

"It'd be cool if Remus could come back," Ginny said in a wistful voice.

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Or if Snape could teach it."

He hadn't been expecting his friends to look at him like he had lost his mind after saying that. "What? You didn't see him with those Death Eaters. And he's taught me some things already. He'd be a real good defense teacher."

"Maybe mate. But a right unpleasant one too," Ron said.

"Yeah? Well, I bet it'd be a lot less pleasant to run into Death Eaters and not be prepared. Snape knows how they fight and he's no raw recruit!"

"No need to get defensive mate!"

"Well, I agree with Harry," Ginny said. "I'd rather have Remus, but I bet we'd learn loads from Snape."

"Thanks Ginny," Harry said with a huge smile. He really hoped his face wasn't turning red.

Ron rolled his eyes. "So finish telling your story," he begged.

Harry finished up and even added a few things about living with Snape. He left out the part where Snape had scared him with the killing curse and the part where Snape had talked to him about Sirius. He also kept his word about the Defense books Snape had written, though he wanted to tell them about them really badly. But the twins laughed until they turned red when he told them about Eric being the Order bird and Isa the Death Eater bird.

"He taught you how to send a Patronus message?" Ginny asked excitedly as he finished telling them about living with Snape.

"Well yeah. I just started today so I haven't got it right just yet."

"We've got to get the DA back up and running. We need to know these things," Ron exclaimed.

"Well, if we get a good defense teacher, we won't need to."

"Still, I think we should get together and practice," Ginny suggested. "It couldn't hurt. And you'll probably know a lot by the end of the summer."

"I'll think about it. We could just meet and have study sessions." Harry did think that the DA was worth starting up again. But he didn't know if he was ready for the responsibility. Most of the members of the DA would follow him into battle if he asked them to. He took little comfort from that sentiment now though. Snape had been right; he had put little effort into planning his foray into the Department of Ministries with his friends. It would have been his fault if they had been killed. He just wasn't ready for that yet.

"Oh! But I thought you did a great job teaching it. You should do it just the same this year," Ginny interrupted.

"I'll think about it," Harry repeated. "But really, I'd rather just do a study session."

"Well, I just hope we don't have another Umbridge," Ron said with a disgusted look on his face.

"Yeah," they all agreed.

They only talked for another hour before dinner was served and they had to go back to the kitchen. But in that time, Harry heard all about the twin's plans to open a shop in Diagon Alley and how they had joined the Order as junior members. Ginny and Ron had been practicing Quidditch everyday and they were sure that this year was going to be a good one. They had also, apparently, been trying to listen in on their parent's conversations with much less luck than the twins had always had. This, of course, amused the twins to no end, but they had very little to add that Harry didn't already know about. Except one thing.

The Weasleys did tell him about how mere days before he had been kidnapped, a bunch of kids had been found dead with werewolf injuries. The ministry suspected rogue werewolf packs working with Voldemort. The Order and the Weasley's knew that it was Greyback.

"How do you know for sure?" Harry asked.

"Well Snape told them, didn't he?" Ron asked as though he were stupid.

"Oh, right," Harry said with a frown. Why hadn't anyone told him? It wasn't necessary information, but he still wanted to know what was going on.

"Well I think Greyback should be killed!" Ginny said hotly, breaking through Harry's thoughts. He snapped his head around to stare at her in shock. To his dismay, the others all agreed.

"You don't know how bad it is mate. Real messy, that's what it was. Greyback's notorious. There's a lot of folks that want to hunt him down and kill him. Can't say I blame them."

"But Remus is a werewolf too. What if they blame them all?" Harry protested. Surely they weren't thinking werewolves in general were bad. But the others were quick to assure him that wasn't the case.

"A lot of werewolves have spoken up about Greyback actually," George said. "He's a serial killer, he is."

By the time they were done fully explaining the situation to him, he was in firm agreement. When they were called in to eat, he realized that he had lost his appetite completely, thinking about the things that Fenrir Greyback had been accused of, presumably by Snape.

Dinner was a grand affair. Molly Weasley had outdone herself in the preparations. The only one that didn't seem to enjoy himself was, unsurprisingly, Snape. He took part in no conversation of his own accord and only answered questions when they were directed at him. His eyes strayed to the door often as though he were expecting an attack and his alertness started to make Harry nervous himself. What was Snape waiting for?

They had just finished the soup when the door finally did open and Remus, Tonks and Moody came in. Harry spared a glance at Snape, and realized that Snape had been expecting them to show up. He couldn't think why Snape had been waiting for it though.

The three latecomers sat down and after some greetings, the meal commenced again. Snape ceased watching the door, but still took no part in the conversations. In contrast, Harry chatted with everyone. He hadn't realized just how much he missed them all.

It was a pleasant meal and when they were done, Harry was surprised that Snape didn't make them leave immediately. Instead, he told Harry that he could go to the library with his friends again. As Harry was leaving though, he noticed Snape pulling Remus aside and speaking in hushed tones. The two men actually followed Harry and his friends out the door but entered the den beside the library instead.

"I wonder what they're talking about," Ron said.

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Snape can't stand Remus."

"It must be an Order matter then," Ginny said. She put her hands on her hips and stared at the twins much like their mother was capable of. "Do you two know anything about this?"

"Can't say we do," George answered.

"But we can find out," Fred said with a sly smile. He pulled a pair of extendable ears from his pocket and waved them in Ginny's face.

"Well don't wave them in front of me. Let's listen!" she scolded.

Harry smiled. She was unlike any girl he knew. She was strong and pretty and just as fun as Ron and the twins. Not to mention that she liked Quidditch just as much as he did.

"Move over." "Hurry up." "Shhh." Finally, the twins got the ears out the door and the five of them were jostling each other for positions.

Harry wormed his way between the twins and stuck his ear as close as he could get it. He could just make out voices.

He shouldn't be doing this. Snape would be royally pissed if he found out, and Harry was trying not to make the man angry. But he was curious about what Remus and Snape were talking about. And his friends were listening anyway. He may as well benefit from it. If anyone else in the Order found out, they wouldn't be all that mad. But Snape; well he just really hoped Snape didn't find out.

"What are they saying?" Ron whispered.

"Be quiet and maybe we'll be able to hear them," Ginny said in exasperation.

After a moment of silence, the ears seemed to tune in to the conversation down the hall.

"Why do you want me to find him?" That was unmistakably Remus' voice and he sounded surprised.

They couldn't make out what Snape said at all. They could only hear a low murmur.

"All right Severus. All right, I'll do it. This is about Greyback isn't it?" Remus answered.

Again, they couldn't hear Snape's response. His voice seemed muffled. Harry looked at the others. They had just been telling him about Greyback. Their eyes met his and he saw the question in their eyes, even if he wasn't a Legilimens. What was Snape planning with Greyback?

"What? What is it?" Remus was asking. But this time there was no answer.

Harry had only a moment of confusion as he saw the twins faces go slack with shock, before they started reeling the ear in as quickly as they could. Harry took a step back to give them room and finally, the ears came flying through the door. Harry dropped his head in relief.

Until the door slammed open and he saw Snape standing there with his arms crossed, glaring murderous daggers at the five of them - Harry especially.

None of Harry's friends said a word, but to the one, they all drew back to stand behind him, even the twins. This was so not fair!

"So," Snape said silkily.

Harry's heart stopped beating for a second. This was not good. Luckily, Remus came jogging up after Snape. He stopped when he saw the expression on Snape's face and turned instead to look at Harry and the Weasley kids.

"What's going on?" he asked, searching their faces for some answer.

Before Harry could defend himself, Snape was speaking. "It would seem our little junior detective league has been at it again."

As if things weren't bad enough, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and Moody decided to show up at that moment. Harry groaned. This was not going to end well.

"What's going on here?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking between Snape and the children as if unsure who she should be yelling at.

Snape ignored her and moved with deliberately menacing strides towards Harry. He grabbed his upper arm and hauled him toward the door. "Mr. Potter and I are leaving," he said through gritted teeth.

Mrs. Weasley didn't move from the doorway though. "What did he do?" she asked, growing angry.

"It's ok Molly. Severus was just leaving is all," Remus started to say, but Snape spoke over him.

"Potter and his little friends decided that they needed to spy on Order members again." With that, he started walking forward again, only to have Mrs. Weasley plant herself firmly in the doorway and cross her arms. Mr. Weasley placed a calming hand on her arm but she shook it off.

"That was very wrong of them, I'm sure. But that's no reason to manhandle Harry."

There was something very unpleasant about the look that Snape gave Mrs. Weasley.

"It's all right. Really," Harry said, hoping to avert a fight. Snape wouldn't attack Mrs. Weasley would he? For a moment - just a moment - he considered going to Mrs. Weasley and hiding behind her skirts. Angry Snape was a Snape he did not want to be around. But he shook that off. Snape might make his life hell, but he wouldn't hurt him.

"Is he hurting you?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking like she was about ready to wrestle him away from Snape's grasp. That would not go well for her, even with several Order members around; of that Harry was sure.

Snape's grip hadn't been hurting at all, but at her words, he tightened it until Harry had to hide a wince. And hide it he did. Mrs. Weasley only needed a reason and she would either attack or demand Snape give up custody. That, Harry could not allow. He was cultivating Snape as an ally. (And protector, his inner voice reminded him; don't forget he protects you. And teaches you. And he talked to you about Sirius. No one else has done that.) Snape's support was his best weapon in this war so far. He would not throw that away over a minor argument.

"I'm fine," he reassured her. It had come out a little impatient though. What exactly did she plan on doing here?

"Molly." Arthur attempted to placate his wife, steering her away from the door and the force of Snape's awesome glare.

"He doesn't need to be yelled at," Molly said, planting her feet firmly to stop her husband.

Everyone's eyebrows rose at that. Molly Weasley, the Queen of Yelling, had very little room to talk. Harry would have wondered why she was making such a big deal out of all this if it weren't common knowledge how much Snape hated him...or had hated him he told himself firmly.

"Do not presume to tell me how to discipline my student and charge," Snape said in a low voice. His grip did loosen considerably though.

"Really Molly, it's all right. Severus is just going to take him back to the school. You know he'll be fine," Arthur Weasley said.

"He'll yell at him and make his life miserable. He'll probably hit him!" Now Harry was starting to get mad. Why did everyone think he was so weak that he wouldn't tell someone if he were in danger?

Surprisingly, it was Remus that spoke in Snape's defense. "He won't hit Harry," he said firmly.

Harry's eyebrows rose. That wasn't what he had said a few days ago. Something must have changed his mind. Harry looked up to Snape's face. Oh yeah, the man was definitely furious. A few more comments like that and he would likely explode and Avada the whole lot of them.

"That is none of your concern," Snape said silkily. "I suggest you focus on disciplining your own unruly lot. Or need I remind you that all five of them were listening in on Order business?"

"It is my business," Mrs. Weasley said hotly. "That boy has had a hard enough time with his muggle family. He doesn't need to be pawned off on a man that despises him and his friends and family."

They were talking like he wasn't there. Now he was angrier than Snape. How dare she or anyone say anything about that at all! And to say that he was pawned off on Snape...well that just hurt.

Snape's hand changed position. All of a sudden, it seemed less like he was manhandling Harry and more like he was reassuring him. His grip landed on Harry's shoulder and he squeezed it for just a moment.

"Mr. Potter is right here and can speak for himself," Snape answered. Perhaps he was attempting to control himself too.

"You've probably already scared him half to death," Mrs. Weasley retorted.

And that did it. Now, Harry wasn't one to yell at people he loved, well not that he thought. And he did love Mrs. Weasley. She had been like a mother to him, but she could also be extremely irritating at times. Maybe that was what parents were supposed to be, but he wasn't used to it. When Sirius had been willing to tell him what was going on, it had been Mrs. Weasley that stopped him. And now she was airing his private life with the Dursleys in front of everyone. Mad-Eye and Tonks were leaning against the wall with interested expressions and he didn't even want to look behind him and see his friend's faces. Arthur Weasley was looking at his wife in shock. Remus was shrewdly watching Snape, who looked positively glacial. And she had just accused Harry of being a scared little boy! Enough was enough.

"I'm not scared of Snape!" he exclaimed. "And he doesn't hit me. I'm fine."

"Now Harry," Mrs. Weasley started in a softer tone. But Harry wasn't done.

"And I don't really appreciate everyone talking about me or my family as if I'm not here. It's my business," he yelled.

Snape squeezed his shoulder again and Harry looked up at the man. Snape shook his head just the slightest bit in warning and Harry turned back and glared at the wall.

"Harry," Mrs. Weasley tried again. "I'm sorry deary. I just don't want to see you get hurt. Professor Snape's made it no secret that he...dislikes you." Everyone could tell she had wanted to say ‘hate'. Snape's hand tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Well he doesn't hate me," Harry retorted. Of course, he wasn't really sure, especially now that Snape was mad at him for listening in on the conversation with Remus. But he hoped. He didn't look at Snape after that. He really didn't want to see Snape's expression if he were wrong.

"Indeed," Snape drawled. "Now if you'll excuse me, it is time for us to be leaving." This time when Snape walked for the door, Mrs. Weasley moved away.

Harry couldn't tell if it was what he had said, Mr. Weasley's hand on her arm, or Snape's glare that made her move. But he didn't give that any thought at all. Had Snape just agreed with him? Indeed? What did that mean?

"Bye Harry!" Ginny called out.

"Yeah. Sorry mate," Ron said.

Harry turned around and gave his friends a wry smile as he was hauled through the door. His poor friends looked like they didn't know what to think or whose side to take.

As Snape exited the door, Remus laid a hand on Harry's arm gently for just a second. "I'll see you later Harry. Goodbye Severus." Snape just nodded without even looking at him.

Moody nodded at Snape as they passed and Tonks smiled hesitantly at Snape and then more warmly at Harry. "Wotcher Harry."

"Bye," he called.

The second they left the front door, Snape spun on his heel, grabbed Harry and hauled him closer and then Apparated them both away. Harry rather felt like a puppet being moved around.

They landed in front of the gates of Hogwarts. Snape didn't waste any time hauling Harry into the gates and walking quickly until they were in the shadow of the trees. Only then did he slow down and look at Harry.

Harry expected to see anger there. Instead, Snape was looking at him as though he were a puzzle. Harry shifted nervously. He didn't like that look. It always preceded some uncomfortable discussion about his stupidity or his problems.

But Snape said nothing and continued to walk to the castle, only glancing back at Harry every now and then to ensure that he was following.

Harry had no way of knowing that Snape was angrier with Molly Weasley than he was with Potter at this point. On more than one occasion, he had been the recipient of her ire - but also of her compassion. She was the first to offer to feed him when he came to Order meetings, not that he ever accepted. She was also the first to run to his aid when he came in injured, not that he ever accepted that either. But she had always made it clear just what she thought of his harshness to children, not that he ever listened to her. He was torn between extreme dislike and gratitude for her kindness, unwanted though it was. More often than not, he settled for dislike. It was easier.

And so Potter had defended him, hmm? Not that he needed it, but it was an interesting development. He had actually considered Mrs. Weasley's words that Potter was scared of him until the boy had blown up about him not being hated. He could tell, even though he was sure the others hadn't, that Potter had felt insecure about that. Interesting.

And the boy had all but told Molly Weasley to butt out of his personal life. Severus had to suppress a smile at that. It was something he himself had had to say to various Order members, including Molly, on several occasions. He hadn't thought that Potter had it in him. His feelings about Mr. Potter raised a notch at that sentiment. The boy had better show him the utmost respect, but he was pleased to see that the boy had a spine when it came to the rest of the Order.

But disobedience and lack of respect would not go unpunished with Severus. He didn't give a damn if Potter knew every secret of the Order, but he could damn well get it without resorting to such amateurish methods. And doing it with the Weasley children? Severus might be willing to tell Potter more, simply because it was necessary to the boy's survival. But he sure as hell didn't think the rest of the junior league needed to know a damn thing. They hadn't earned it.

"We will discuss this Mr. Potter. Rest assured, you will be punished for your actions," he said as they reached the door to the castle.

"Yes sir. Sorry, sir." He had actually allowed himself to hope that Snape would be too upset with Mrs. Wealsey to remember the reason she had blown up. No such luck. Now he was nervous to find out what he'd have to do.

And Snape didn't seem to think there was a reason to withhold that information. "500 lines ought to do the trick, don't you think Potter?"

Harry's jaw dropped. "500," he repeated. That was just cruel "What do I have to write?" he asked, thinking Snape would make him write a lengthy declaration of guilt and remorse.

Snape smiled nastily and Harry prepared himself. "You will write: I am not a competent spy nor are my little friends qualified to protect military intelligence."

Harry stopped walking. "What?" He had been expecting a paragraph full of insults. Of course, this one wasn't nice per se, but it could have been much worse with Snape.

"I will write it for you once before you begin," Snape answered. "Now come, you will start tonight. We don't have time for these punishments, Mr. Potter," Snape finished sternly.

"Why not?" Harry asked (not that he didn't agree). Now it seemed Snape was pissed at him for wasting time on punishments too. Well, Snape was in control of that wasn't he? Harry ignored the voice in his head that was saying it was his fault as well for getting in trouble and he shouldn't expect to get off scot-free.

"You'll see," Snape said cryptically, leading them quickly through the corridors.

When they made it to the rooms, Snape instructed him to take a seat at the table, brandished a parchment and quill and wrote the line out.