Harry slept in the next morning and by the time he'd dressed and ventured out into the living room, Severus had already eaten breakfast and was seated on the sofa, reading through a stack of old parchment.

He glanced up as Harry came in. "Good morning. Though if you'd been much longer, I'd have to say ‘Good afternoon' instead."

Harry flushed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to sleep so late."

Severus waved it away. "It's all right. I suppose you needed the rest. Your breakfast is on the table. I put a Warming Spell on the plate, so it should still be hot."

"Thanks," Harry told him as he went over to the table. He ate quickly and then went to sit beside Severus, who was absorbed in his reading again. Harry looked over at the parchment curiously.

"What are you reading?"

"Some of my old notes on Golpalott's Laws," Severus answered. "You can have them, if you wish. I think they'll be easier to understand than the book. I still want us to go over the chapters together, though. Are you planning to meet with your friends today?"

Harry nodded. "I said I'd go up to the Tower and hang out for a while this afternoon." He paused. Should he check with Severus before making plans now? Certainly, he'd never have considered doing such a thing in the past...he would have bristled at the mere notion. But now he was living in the man's home, and they were...friends, he supposed.

But it was different from being friends with kids his own age. Severus was old enough to be his father. He had been a contemporary of Harry's parents. And he was a professor. He did have a certain authority.

For the first time, Harry wondered just how much authority he truly wanted Severus (or any adult, really) to have over his life. He'd been taking care of himself for years. It would be weird to suddenly have someone telling him what he could and couldn't do.

Kind of like a parent.

And yet, wasn't that what he'd always wanted?

Severus glanced over at him. "Is something wrong?"

Harry felt a smile spread across his face. "No, Severus. Nothing's wrong."

"Then why are you staring at me like that?"

Harry shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just wondering when you wanted to help me study. I could see my friends later, if you wanted to do it now."

He felt a little proud of himself for being so mature, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

"We can study now, if you'd like, Harry. But I was actually thinking we'd do it tomorrow afternoon, and that way it would all still be fresh in your mind for Monday's class."

"Are you going to call on me again?" Harry asked, his voice sounding a bit smaller than he'd planned. But he really didn't like being called on in Potions.

Severus set the parchment aside and turned to face him. He reached over and one hand curled around the back of Harry's neck.

"Relax, Harry," he said softly. His fingers began lightly rubbing at the tense muscles in Harry's neck. "As I told you, I picked you yesterday because I thought you would know the answer, and I wanted to reward you. I wanted to make Potions class a more pleasant experience for you."

"It would be more pleasant if you wouldn't call on me," Harry replied.

Severus sighed. "A compromise, then. I will have to ask you questions in class at some point, Harry. But I will wait until you feel more comfortable with the prospect."

"So I won't have to answer anything in class next week?" Harry wanted to clarify.

Severus nodded. "As long as we discuss the assignments here, and I know that you are learning the material, I won't call on you in class. Does that satisfy you?" He arched an eyebrow at Harry.

"When will you start calling on me?"

"I told you, when you are comfortable with it."

"What if I'm never comfortable with it?"

But then Harry wished he hadn't asked that, because there was a flash of emotion in Severus' dark eyes, similar to the flash of emotion that had been there at Harry's birthday party before Harry had noticed him being left out.

"Well, let's give the matter a rest for now, and see if you feel differently in a few weeks' time, all right?"

"All right," Harry agreed quietly. He had a sneaking suspicion that he'd hurt Severus, and he felt guilty about it.

But on the other hand, the professor didn't understand just how upsetting Potions class had always been to Harry. He'd always managed to hide his feelings behind a mask of stoicism and occasional defiance. He had his pride, after all. Ron and Hermione were the only ones who knew how sick and miserable he had been before having to face Snape in the dungeons.

"Harry?"

He looked up to see Severus watching him, and with past memories fresh in his mind, it was all he could do not to flinch when the professor moved his hand to smooth Harry's hair. Thank goodness he caught himself in time. That would have really hurt Severus, and Harry honestly didn't want to do that.

He cared about Severus, and he knew that Severus cared about him. He'd known it in his mind for a while, and now he was beginning to believe it with his heart, too. So why had he made such a big deal about being called on in class? All of a sudden, he wished he hadn't. It was just so confusing. He wanted to forget about the past and quit letting it interfere with the present, but sometimes the old feelings overwhelmed him and he didn't know how to stop them.

He realized that Severus was looking a bit worried, and made himself smile. "I'm fine. I'll guess I'll go on up to the Tower." He stood and started for the door.

But Severus stopped him. "Actually, Harry, I think you should Floo to the Tower and back instead of walking."

Harry looked at him a second, puzzled, but then he caught on. "Because of the Slytherins? Are we really in danger down here?"

There was no doubt that Severus looked pained now, and Harry knew it was hard for him to admit that some of the students in his own House were enemies.

"Not in our rooms, and not in the classroom," The professor said. "Albus and I have put up some strong protective wards, so we're very safe here. You don't have to worry. But if you were to meet up with certain Slytherins in the corridors.... Well, it's better to avoid that situation."

"I'm not helpless, you know," Harry remarked. "Now that I can use my wand again, I..."

"You are quite capable of defending yourself in many circumstances," Severus interrupted firmly. "I do know that, Harry. But I would prefer that you not have to face a group of hostile students alone. So for my peace of mind, I would like for you to use the Floo instead of walking through the dungeons."

"All right." Harry changed direction, moving towards the fireplace, when he stopped and turned back. "Severus? What about Ron and Hermione? Are they in danger when they come down here?"

"I doubt it," Severus answered. "You and I are the primary targets, I'm afraid. And it's not all the Slytherins, Harry. It's not even most of them. Most of them are very nice children. It's unfortunate that Slytherin House also attracts those who are drawn to Voldemort's propaganda."

But Harry was still worrying about his friends. "Are you sure Ron and Hermione will be all right? Because the Slytherins who don't like me, don't like them too much, either."

Severus reached for his wand and conjured a small bag, which he handed to Harry.

"Take some extra Floo powder for your friends, if it worries you," he said. "Although I do hope the three of you will work out a schedule for their visits and let me know ahead of time. I don't want Weasley and Granger just showing up at any hour of the day."

"You don't really hate them, though. Do you, Severus?"

"Perhaps they're not quite as bad as I originally thought. Perhaps," Severus answered in a dry tone. "Now that's the most you're getting out of me, Harry." He turned back to his stack of parchment.

Harry grinned and helped himself to the Floo powder, scooping a generous amount into the bag and then starting to get a pinch for himself. But before he could step into the fireplace, there was a knock on the door to the outside corridor. Harry paused, wanting to know who it was.

Severus went to the door, and peered through a tiny peephole. Then he opened it to admit the headmaster.

Dumbledore came in, greeting them both cheerfully. "Thank you, Severus. Good morning, Harry. Are the two of you enjoying your Saturday?"

"Yes, sir," Harry smiled.

Severus nodded. "It's been pleasant enough, thank you, Albus."

"Good, good." Noticing Harry standing at the fireplace, Dumbledore said, "I'm glad I caught you, Harry. Do you remember when I fetched you from Privet Drive this past summer, I mentioned the two of us having some private lessons this year?"

"Yes, sir." Harry tried not to sound too eager, but he had been wondering when Dumbledore would start these lessons. With Voldemort after him, Harry thought he needed all the help he could get if he were going to survive.

"If it's convenient for you, I would like to have our first lesson this evening at 8:00. And Harry, I didn't suggest it at the time, but I think a lot has changed between you and Severus since then. I would like for the both of you to attend these lessons." Dumbledore looked over at the professor. "If you're agreeable, Severus."

Severus nodded. "Very well, Albus."

"Excellent," Dumbledore beamed at them. "That was my main purpose in coming, but Severus, if you should happen to have a little of my Elixir handy, I believe I might need another dose."

"I have some in my office, Albus," Severus motioned for the headmaster to lead the way into the back. "Are you going to be with your friends all afternoon, Harry?"

"Yes, I thought I'd stay and eat dinner with them in the Great Hall, and then meet up with you there. If that's all right?" Harry asked.

Severus nodded. "That's fine. Be sure to take your mirror with you, and I'll see you in the Great Hall at dinner time."

"Have a pleasant afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore added. "I'll see you this evening."

"Thanks, sir. Good-bye." And Harry stepped into the fireplace and threw down the Floo powder as he called, "Gryffindor Common Room!"

***

Ron and Hermione were the only ones in the common room. The other Gryffindors had headed down for lunch, or were outside enjoying the nice weather and the free time.

When the Floo tossed him out onto the soft rug covering the floor, Ron and Hermione jumped up in surprise. They'd been seated at a table near the door, playing chess. Now they came hurrying over.

"Harry! We thought you'd come through the door. I didn't know students were allowed to use the Floo," Hermione exclaimed.

Harry climbed back to his feet and grinned at them. "Well, I don't think we are normally, but I had Severus' permission. He actually wants me to use the Floo. You guys can use it, too, at least when you come down to see me. Here, I brought you some Floo powder." He handed them the little bag and Hermione went to slip it into her school bag, which lay on the floor by the table where they'd been. Hermione's bag was never very far from her.

They settled themselves on the sofa and Harry explained why they had permission to Floo between Gryffindor Tower and the dungeons. Then Ron and Hermione wanted to know how Severus had reacted after their Potions class yesterday. Harry assured them that everything had been all right, and then they wandered down into the Hall to eat stew and sandwiches for lunch.

They walked down to the lake and sat by the shore for a while, then headed back to the Tower and Harry got to visit with his other Gryffindor friends for a time. Then Hermione insisted she needed a book from the library before dinner so they went there. Harry and Ron rolled their eyes at each other while Hermione was checking it out, but Harry didn't really mind. He was used to Hermione by now. She had to make at least one visit to the library a day.

All in all, Harry was thinking it had been a great afternoon, just ordinary and fun, and he was looking forward to Dumbledore's lesson that evening. He was telling Ron and Hermione about it, but stopped abruptly as they entered the Great Hall at the same time that Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle came in.

"So you're Snape's new little pet, huh, Potter?" Draco sneered.

"Professor Snape and I are friends now," Harry answered evenly.

Draco's silver eyes narrowed menacingly as he stepped closer. "I haven't forgotten what you did to me, Potter. Better watch your step in the dungeons. You're on Slytherin ground there. It'd be a real shame if someone thought you were sneaking around and put a Body-Bind spell on you."

Harry could tell from the curl of his lip and the gleam in his eye, that Draco had mentioned the Body-Bind because he knew the Death Eaters had used it. Without even thinking, he drew his wand. A split second later, they all had their wands out.

Then a cool, smooth voice broke in. "I trust there's no problem here," Severus stepped in between the Gryffindors and Slytherins. He gave Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle a hard look. "I think you three had best head onto your table."

With a final sneer, Draco moved on, flanked by the other two Slytherins. Severus waited until they were out of earshot before turning on Harry and his friends.

"Have you no sense at all, you foolish child?"

Harry took a deep breath and realized his knees were shaky. He'd had plenty of confrontations with Draco before. It was the mention of the Body-Bind Spell, and the horrible memories it dragged up, that was so hard to deal with. He opened his mouth to explain, then closed it again, not sure if his voice was steady enough.

"But, sir, Malfoy threatened Harry," Ron spoke for him.

Severus sighed. "Are you all right, Harry? You look a bit shaken."

"I'm fine," Harry said, relieved to hear that his voice sounded normal.

"Did he threaten to hurt you?"

Harry hesitated, "Not really," he had to admit. "He threatened to put a Body-Bind Spell on me. But he said it because he knows what those Death Eaters did."

Severus' hand settled on his shoulder. "It's all right," he said softly. "Stay with your friends and keep the mirror with you, Harry. You won't be wandering around the dungeons, so there's no way that Draco or any of the others can hurt you. We're going to be very careful, I promise."

Then he stared hard at all three of them. "Now, Draco may have made the first move, but Hogwarts' rules are clear. Any students involved in hexing others are to be held responsible for their actions. Believe it or not, I have no desire to put the three of you in detention this year. But if you are fighting with other students in front of me, you'll leave me no choice. Either avoid Draco and his cronies, or tell me or another professor if he makes any more threats."

It was Harry's turn to sigh. "Severus...um, Professor Snape? What should I call you now?"

"Severus, as it's only the four of us right here."

"Well, Severus, you know we can't go running to a professor to tattle. I'd rather have the detention."

Severus shook his head. "Gryffindors," he muttered, then said, "Well, try to avoid them, then. Now go on and have your dinner. I was thinking we might have time for a short Occlumency lesson, too, before we meet with Albus."