S.S.

Severus Snape was at the end of his tether. Since that damned dinner the child wouldn't stop staring at him as though he were a puzzle he couldn't work out. If the child had something to say then he ought to spit it out.

"Stop. Now," Severus snapped across the dinner table as he dropped the boy's plate in front of him with an ominous clatter.

"I'm not doing anything!" Potter replied, utterly bemused.

"Go ahead, spit it out. I won't have this, Potter."

"What?"

"Either say what you want to say or take your dinner and get out. I won't have you gawping at me through dinner," Severus clarified. Perhaps the boy hadn't realised what he was doing, after all.

"Fine!" Potter exclaimed angrily. Then again… Severus thought inwardly, outwardly rolling his eyes. "I was going to ask if– and don't get mad– did you take me to the beach because you felt sorry for me?"

Severus stiffened and his eyes narrowed. "I did not."

"I know you weren't getting ingredients. I'm not stupid."

"You could have fooled me," he bit out before he could stop himself.

"Why is it okay for you to lie to me?" Potter threw at him accusingly, crossing his arms and retreating from his food as if it, too, had offended him.

"It isn't your place to question me!"

"It's obvious you're lying, and if you're lying about this then I don't see why I should believe you about anything," Potter said, raising his voice as his face coloured in anger. Severus stared back at him as the reasoning behind the child's anger clicked into place. He thought he'd dealt with the boy's insecurities about returning home.

Severus took a breath to calm himself. He'd rather not deal with the issue of the boy's relatives in anger. "I did not take you out of pity. I took you so that you would not stay indoors wallowing in disappointment."

"That sounds like pity, sir," he pointed out suspiciously.

"I do not care for your opinion or your tone," Severus replied dangerously. "You do not trust my word?"

"What?"

"Don't be dense. You said and I quote, 'I don't see why I should believe you about anything'. What were you trying to get at?" he asked, though he was fairly certain that he knew exactly what it was that the boy was questioning.

"I– Nothing." Severus' lips formed a thin line and the boy rethought his choice of words.

"I didn't think you were lying about it but I just don't–" The boy stumbled over his words, looking anywhere but at his teacher, as if he could somehow escape the conversation.

"Inform me what 'it' is, please," Severus interrupted coolly.

"Uh, notgoingbacktotheDursleys," the boy mumbled so quickly that Severus, despite knowing what he would say, could barely understand him. The boy reddened, although Severus wasn't sure whether he was embarrassed about the Dursleys or whether he'd get in trouble for doubting Severus.

"A coherent sentence this time," Severus ordered, knowing that he was making the conversation difficult for the child but wanting to talk about the issue properly seeing as he'd failed to allay the child's fears the last time.

"Not going back to the Dursleys, Professor," he repeated quietly, still avoiding his eyes.

"You think you're going to be sent back," he stated, leaning back in his seat.

"Yes." His eyes widened suddenly. "No! Sir, don't–" he stuttered, trying to cover his error.

"You don't trust my assurances on the subject."

"No, I do! I trust that you mean it and you believe it. I don't think you were lying…"

"But?"

"It's not up to you, sir. Look, Dumbledore changed his mind and had you take me away but he could just change it back. He hasn't said anything about it since that time in his office and he hasn't said anything about me staying somewhere else for good."

"You are not going back. Now that you are away from those people and we have been made aware of… certain things, your godfather, Lupin and I will not allow it."

There was silence as the boy processed what Severus revealed. "What things?" 

"Potter, I did see them with you. I was in that house before you were."

Potter's eyes widened and he visibly paled. "What things?" he repeated.

Severus stared calmly then spoke. "I witnessed your uncle shove you moments after you got in the house, and your aunt did not punish nor scold your cousin for hurting you. I saw your room, the bars, the locks and the catflap on the door. I heard your uncle when he took your trunk away." Severus could have stopped there, but he wanted him to realise that he understood his uncle's words perfectly. "I know about the cupboard."

"No." He wasn't sure if the boy was denying it or whether he just objected to him knowing about it.

"Potter–"

"No! You don't– there's nothing to–"

"Potter."

"I bet you loved finding out, I bet it was like Christmas come early for you," he snapped angrily, an uncharacteristic snarl on his face, and Severus found himself taken aback by Potter's abrupt rise of temper.

"POTTER," he shouted, causing Potter to stare back defiantly. "If I was happy to find out then I would not have a problem sending you back to that house and we wouldn't be having this conversation. Think for Merlin's sake."

Potter clamped his mouth firmly shut, avoiding Severus' gaze as if he realised how illogical that statement had been.

"Ridiculous boy," Severus muttered, knowing full well that the boy had reacted defensively.

"Don't call me that," he said quietly, still refusing to look at Severus. "Look, it wasn't this big deal…" he started.

"Is that why you are so very eager to return?" Severus asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"We don't like each other. That's why I don't want to go back."

"How do you know they don't like you?" Severus asked.

"I've lived with them since I was one. I think I'd know if they liked me or not."

"Humour me."

"No. I'm done, sir," he said, pushing his plate further away and making to stand.

"Sit down."

"I don't want to talk about it!" 

"Then don't talk – listen. You will not go back." Severus spoke clearly and firmly. "It is out of the question. It is not just the headmaster's decision and we know enough that you cannot live with those people. I do not care that you dislike that fact, and I do not care that you did not want me to know. It is done and you are not going back."

The boy stared back in silence before standing. "I'm done eating, Professor."

"Go," Severus relented.

H.P.

Harry paced his room agitatedly. That conversation hadn't gone as it was supposed to; one minute they were talking about that beach trip and the next they were arguing about the Dursleys. He knew Snape had been there at his aunt and uncle's house, sort of. But he'd just appeared out of nowhere and it had all happened so quickly. He'd just assumed that Snape had apparated in to get him; he didn't think he'd lurked around taking in the scenery!

It was reassuring in a way that Snape was so adamant that he wasn't going back to the Dursleys, and if Remus and Sirius agreed then he supposed that maybe Snape was right. It was fairly obvious now where Remus had gotten his ridiculous notion that he was being mistreated though. Snape had obviously filled him in on what he'd seen… Still, it's not like he needed Remus feeling sorry for him and what right did Snape have to tell Remus anything? It wasn't his business, and who else was Snape going to tell?

Harry went back out to the living room to find Snape staring into the fire, occupied by his thoughts. It was unusual to see Snape brooding and without something to read.

"I believe we discussed the staring, Potter." Harry hadn't realised that Snape knew he was there and jumped. He steeled himself to go for it and say what was on his mind before Snape could do anything else.

"You shouldn't have told Remus."

"Perhaps. It seemed like the most appropriate course of action at the time," Snape replied without taking his eyes from the flickering flames.

Harry was surprised that Snape conceded that he may not have been right and frowned. Snape continued, obviously not seeing his expression. "It was up to me to judge what was the best course of action with your situation."

"There's no situation, sir," Harry ground out, frustrated.

"You can try to downplay it to me, Harry, but you and I both know that it is a 'big deal'," Snape replied calmly, his eyes finally leaving the fire to rest on Harry.

Since when does he call him Harry?

"Potter, if you do not desist with this ridiculous staring problem you seem to have developed, I'll spell your eyes shut." Harry did as he was told, though he was fairly certain he wasn't being entirely serious.

Harry couldn't help but pay more attention to Snape's behaviour over the next few days. He knew about the Dursleys but he didn't treat him any differently because of it. He'd definitely been his usual short-tempered self since he'd moved in. Snape definitely saw him differently in general now but was that because he felt sorry for him or because he'd gotten to know him better like he'd said?

"Potter, do you think I have nothing better to do than clean up after you?" Snape snapped from behind him as Harry put away his broom. Well, he definitely wasn't tiptoeing around him...

"No, Professor," he replied. Snape was being all right about it, really. He wasn't acting all weird like Remus was.

He was going out with Remus tomorrow. Hopefully he'd see Sirius too. He hadn't replied to his last letter and maybe he had been too harsh, but he wished people would recognise that he could look after himself. He didn't need Sirius telling him not to trust Snape all the time. Then again, if he was in Sirius' place and Snape was like Malfoy maybe he'd have a problem with it too. 

"Tidy up, now. Don't make me think twice about letting those damned Gryffindors visit here next week."

"They're coming? I'm allowed to have them over?" Harry said, almost not daring to believe it. Snape didn't look too thrilled about it and scowled darkly.

"The headmaster thought it would do you good."

Harry beamed. Finally, Ron and Hermione were coming over! There was nothing that could ruin his good mood now.

S.S.

Severus was apprehensive to say the least about the rest of the Gryffindor dream team traipsing around the castle under his care. He had not the slightest inclination to be the minder of the infuriating trio but the headmaster had been insistent, talking about how the boy would certainly need cheering up. If Severus was a less cynical man he'd still think the man was feeling guilty about Potter.

At least the boy appreciated the gesture, but maybe he should have waited to tell him in case the damned wolf let the boy down again this week.

Potter wasn't as excited by half this time. Severus assumed that part of him thought he'd be let down again and didn't want to get his hopes up. The boy in question wandered out of his bedroom and threw himself on the sofa opposite Severus.

"Sir, look, multiple socks," Potter grinned, holding out three pairs of socks as he shrugged on his winter coat.

"At least I can be sure something I've said has penetrated your thick skull," Severus commented, looking over that morning's paper to check the boy had brought everything he needed. "You don't need the coat now. Put it on when you get there."

The boy shot him an unreadable look before taking the coat off. A moment later the wolf stepped out of the fire, smiling widely at the child.

"Are you ready, Harry?"

The boy shot a look at Severus as if to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything and Severus found himself nodding.

"Yeah, I've got everything," he replied standing up.

"I'll have him back here in one piece, Severus," Lupin joked lightly, causing Severus to scowl. He wasn't certain that was true after the amount of times the boy returned to his quarters less happy than when he left.

H.P.

The moment Harry got to his feet after tumbling from the floo, he was greeted by Sirius. Harry grinned up at his godfather, checking to make sure he wasn't angry with him.

"Morning," his godfather grinned easily back.

"I thought Dumbledore said you couldn't stay here?" Harry said, though his tone showed that he was glad that Sirius hadn't listened.

"Yeah, he did. I'm not staying though, just stopping by to see my godson," he said, clapping a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Oh, right. Cool."

"It's all right, Harry. He's not going to be here long, and we're off out anyway," Remus said, brushing soot off of his cloak.

"Yeah," Sirius agreed, nodding slightly. He looked down at Harry's arms, noticing the heavy coat, and pulled it out of his grasp. "Nice coat," Sirius commented appreciatively, holding it up to look at.

"Professor Snape got it for me." Seeing his godfather falter slightly and scowl, he regretted his easy reply.

"He gave it to you?" Sirius asked suspiciously.

"He said that he forgot it when we got everything else, so he got it for today."

"Did he pay for it?"

"Um." Did he? He didn't say that he didn't, so would he have just taken more money from the school? Can he just get money for whatever? "I don't know."

Sirius sent a look Remus' way that Harry didn't understand, but it was clear that he wasn't happy. Harry looked awkwardly between them until Remus cleared his throat and suggested they all catch up in the living room.

It was obvious that it was still playing on Sirius' mind but he was clearly trying hard to get past it for his sake. He spent an enjoyable morning with Remus and his godfather, listening to Sirius crack jokes that were occasionally interspersed with disparaging comments about Snape, as if he was trying to make a point. He wasn't surprised that when he was due to leave with Remus, Sirius pulled him to one side.

"Harry, look, don't take things from Snape." Harry wasn't sure whether he looked so uncomfortable because he knew Remus would object to him talking about it or because after Harry's letter he was uncomfortable talking with him about Snape.

"What?"

"Just don't accept things from him; he's your teacher. If you need something then come to me."

"I didn't ask for the coat. I didn't know I needed it," Harry replied defensively.

"I'm just saying that you can come to me if you need anything. That's all, all right? I'm your godfather, it's my job."

"Right," Harry answered glumly. "Sorry." He wasn't entirely sure why he was apologizing but he felt guilty for upsetting Sirius. He didn't need anything any more though, so it wouldn't be a problem, and it's not as if he hadn't been looking after himself until now. Why was everybody suddenly so concerned that he had everything he needed? He'd managed to get by until now, hadn't he?

"Look, I'll be here when you get back. Just have a good time."

"I thought you weren't going to stay?"

"Something's come up. I'll see you later," he said, leading Harry to Remus' study by the shoulder and earning an exasperated glare from Remus.

Remus passed Harry the skates. They were bigger and heavier than he'd thought they'd be and it took him a while to do them up. He stood, testing his balance on the foamy floor. He looked over at Remus and saw that he wasn't wearing any skates and Harry frowned.

"Well, go on then," Remus said, gesturing kindly towards the rink. He had no intention of joining him on the ice. It wasn't like there weren't plenty of adults out there. If he'd known Remus wasn't going to do it too then he wouldn't have asked to come.

If Snape had taken him then he probably wouldn't have come out either… Why was he even thinking about Snape taking him ice skating?

Harry still enjoyed himself despite the fact that Remus stayed at the sides to watch him. He fell a few times but managed to laugh it off. After five minutes he could support himself without the use of the wall and he spent a good hour skating around the edge of the rink. Remus hadn't gotten him big enough shoes to use all of his socks, so he'd only put one extra pair on and after the hour his feet were feeling decidedly painful, but he had no intention of letting a bit of pain ruin one of the only proper days out he'd ever had.

He dodged quickly around a couple holding hands and overbalanced, landing hard on the rink edge. He'd taken worse tumbles in the past and shook himself before attempting to pull himself up with the aid of the wall.

"You all right there, Harry?" Remus asked leaning over the edge of the wall to help him up.

"I went a bit fast," Harry said, grinning as he geared up to go just as fast again the whole way round. His back hurt a lot but he figured the pain would disappear in a bit. Everyone on the rink had a bit of a fall at some point, though they were usually with someone to help them out.

Harry looked around at the people on the ice as he zoomed past, and pretty much everyone had come with at least someone else. If Remus hadn't wanted to go with him, then why didn't he say something? He must've been bored this last hour and Harry would have done pretty much anything else.

They didn't spend as long in London as Harry would have liked, but he did want to see his godfather before he went back to Snape, so he didn't mind the day being cut short. Besides, it wasn't like he could do everything he wanted in one day anyway. There's just so much to see in London.

The London Eye was nothing compared to being on a broom so the height wasn't all that interesting and it was so slow. Remus had winced at the price but Harry didn't have any muggle money and he wouldn't hear of it when Harry tried to say he wasn't fussed. He'd only been in his job a week though so it was a lot of money, but he knew well enough from Snape that he'd likely not be keen on arguing about the price in public.

He watched Remus out of the corner of his eye and he did look quite tired. They hadn't been out that long though, maybe he was working too hard or was it close to the full moon?

"Hey! How was it?" Sirius greeted them as soon as they returned.

"It was great. Thanks Remus," Harry said.

"You're welcome." He followed Sirius into the living room and dropped onto the sofa beside him with an exhausted groan. Harry followed suit and sat too. It was a relief – his feet were killing him.

"So fill me in, then. What did I miss?" Sirius asked.

Harry left no detail out and by the time he was done, Remus was dozing lightly.

"He's all right," Sirius said quietly when Harry cast a worried glance at Remus. "He's always tired right after the full moon; he used to fall asleep in class sometimes."

Harry laughed. "I'd never be able to get away with that, Snape'd go mental."

Sirius snorted. "You know Snivellus was a right greasy oddball in school. And he was really into the dark arts." Harry didn't miss the pointed look. "We hated the dark arts; your father was dead against them and Snape." He couldn't help but wonder how dense Sirius thought he was. He knew his dad and Snape were rivals. He hadn't known for certain that Snape had been into the dark arts though but... Well, he had assumed as much seeing as he was a Slytherin. "James was great fun for giving him what he deserved," Sirius said, smiling as he reminisced.

Something about his wording made Harry frown. "What?"

"Snape and James were always fighting, not that Snivellus had anything on James. The things we used to do to him… Do you remember that time down the charms corridor?" Sirius directed the question at Remus, who blinked blearily. 

"What did you do?" Harry asked.

"We waited until Snivellus was coming down the corridor," Sirius started, evidently under the impression that he was giving Harry some huge treat by telling this story. "His giant greasy nose stuck in some dark arts book. James used a tripping hex and Snape, I'm not joking, went flying into the girls bathroom," Sirius said, with barely repressed mirth.

"He doesn't need to hear those kinds of stories," Remus admonished.

"What did he do?" Harry asked, confused.

"Well, he was pretty mad about it. He tried to send a cutting hex at James but I disarmed him, so it was all good."

"No, I meant before that. Before you hexed him," Harry clarified, trying to avoid thinking about what it would mean if he didn't get the response he wanted.

"Nothing more Snape-ish than usual, though I swear his hair got even more greasy than usual that year."

S.S.

"Go AWAY," Potter's shout rang through his quarters punctuated by the slamming of a door, and Severus strode out of his own rooms to see the dog looking distraught.

"Black, get out!" Severus said.

"He's my godson and he needs me. I've a right to be here."

"Then why was he screaming bloody murder for you to leave him alone?" Severus snarled angrily. "OUT." He levelled his wand at Black's throat. "These are my quarters and Potter won't be leaving them to see you again if you do not get out, now."

Black looked as if he was about to argue but the wolf's timely appearance seemed to bring him to his senses.

"Come on, Sirius. He won't talk to you now. Let him cool off."

Severus watched them leave with narrowed eyes, wondering if it was worth it to ward the floo against them when a steady banging followed by strangled oaths began coming from the boy's room.

H.P.

Harry swore loudly each time his fist hit the desk, ignoring the pain shooting up his arm with each blow. They were supposed to be the good ones. Snape was supposed to be the bad one! Everyone lied, they lied. How could his father be good? He was no better than Dudley and his gang, four against one! No good bloody cowards.

Someone grab his arm, stopping his fist before he could smash it into the desk again and Harry spun around in their grip, ready to lash out, only to be met by familiar black robes.

S.S.

He'd been ready for Potter to attempt to hit him when he spun round fist raised, but instead, the boy had ended up latching onto his robes with his free hand. Severus wasn't exactly sure what to do; he'd never had a distraught teenager clinging onto him him before. Potter made no attempt to pull his arm out of Severus' grasp and the boy's fist was starting to bruise and swell. He may have fractured one or more of the bones in his hand.

"Potter?"

"No, no, no," Potter yelled angrily, taking harsh shuddering breaths. "You were right," he gulped. "You were right. Every– everyone said he was good!" He ground out through gritted teeth, dropping his head.

Severus said nothing, standing completely still as Potter gulped noisily, taking deep breath shuddering breaths. The fourteen-year-old boy was holding onto him for some sort of comfort, his head resting lightly against his chest.

"I hate him– them," Potter said, with more than a little venom.

"What happened, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked. What had Black done? If he'd laid a hand on the boy, he'd regret ever breaking out of that prison.

"S-Sirius said– he told me about you. He was laughing, he said they– my dad made sure you got what you deserved," Potter was so angry he was struggling to speak clearly but Severus could make out enough to understand him and his grip on the boy's arm tightened. Potter's head shot up and he shoved against Severus not realising he was only pushing himself back.

"I bet you're thrilled. You were right, he was horrible. You wanted me to find out! N-no one else told me."

"I'm not thrilled, Potter."

"You kept telling me! You wanted me to know."

"I did not think that your father's behaviour would upset you. I believed that you were very much similar."

"I'M NOT." 

"I know, Mr. Potter, but I do not require your self righteous anger on my behalf."

"It's not just for you. You're not the only one who–" Potter cleared his throat and dropped his head again, most likely to hide his embarrassment, and Severus' eyes widened a fraction. He should have realised sooner, knowing the kind of family the boy had come from. A child wearing his cousin's over-sized cast offs wasn't likely to go unnoticed. Children could be remarkably cruel.

"When I was younger, my cousin and his gang, they had this game." Severus didn't want to hear anything about this 'game' of Potter's cousin. He knew Potter, with his Gryffindor sensibilities, was trying to even out hearing about Severus' humiliation, but he didn't need him to speak, nor did he want to stop him talking now that he was opening up willingly about his home life, especially after their last discussion.

"They, er, used to call it Harry-Hunting," Potter muttered, clearing his throat to cover his embarrassment.

Severus' hand seemed to reach up of his own accord and rest on the back of Potter's head.

H.P.

He had felt a swelling rage as he stood in the middle of his bedroom but at the feel of Snape's hand on the back of his head he felt for the first time close to tears.

"It's the same," he said slightly louder, trying to get over the shame and he felt Snape increased the pressure of his hand marginally. "Four against one, it's not right." Harry shut his eyes, ignoring the fact that he'd somehow managed to be holding rather pathetically onto his Potions Master, but then Snape was letting him and he was holding him back.

"Be under no illusions, Potter. I gave as good as I got."

Harry didn't reply and Snape didn't push him away so Harry shut his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of being held, breathing deeply in and out.

"I'm sorry about my dad, sir."

"As am I. I would suggest that you speak to Lupin and your godfather–"

"No! They don't understand."

"No, I don't suppose they do. I would suggest that your godfather's attitude stems from believing that you are very much like your father and that you would share his humour."

"There's nothing funny about it."

"I'm aware of that fact. I cannot sing your father's praises–"

"I don't want you to!"

"Potter, I cannot and will not sing your father's praises but others may be able to give you a more… well rounded view of him. It would not be healthy for you to judge him based solely on his treatment of me."

"It was four against one, sir," he replied incredulously as if Snape wouldn't have been able to fight back against those odds.

"Perhaps I am simply an exceptional wizard, Potter."

Harry snorted. "I'm a really fast runner."

"A worthwhile skill."

Snape drew the arm that he'd been holding closer for inspection. He didn't know if Snape realised it, but his teacher's other hand was moving in a soothing gesture through his hair. "You may have fractured one of the bones on your hand," he commented, summoning the same salve he'd put on Harry's head a few weeks previously. "Sit," he ordered, indicating the desk chair.

Harry relinquished his grip on Snape's robes and sat, his face flushing, now that he couldn't hide. He winced as Snape put the salve on his hand.

S.S.

The salve was fast working, the swelling of the boy's fingers already reducing and Potter didn't seem to be in too much discomfort. "Stretch your fingers out." The boy complied quite easily and Severus waved his wand quickly to deduce whether there was any damage. "No fractures. You were lucky."

Potter was silent for a few moments before replying.

"Thanks, sir."

"Unnecessary. A suitable thanks would be for you not to attack my furniture."

"Oh, I didn't mean. Well, I am grateful, but I meant thanks for not going off on one about my dad. I wouldn't have blamed you if you did."

Severus didn't quite know what to say and settled for nodding as the child continued.

"Sir?" the boy started, unusually hesitant, looking up at him uncertainly. "I was thinking that, um, maybe it would be good if you called me Harry."

"Harry?" he repeated, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah. It's not because I'm mad at my dad. I mean, I am, but you're right that I should talk to Remus and Sirius. I'm not ungrateful. I know he died for me."

"There is no need to justify your anger to me; you have suffered a severe disappointment."

"Right. It's just that I know you didn't like him and I get why. I don't want you to think of me like you think of him."

"I have already told you that I do not think of you as your father."

"But I didn't really get what that meant. I thought you didn't hate me any more."

"I do not hate you. I believe we covered that before as well."

"Fine, you just don't want to! Whatever, I don't care," the boy exclaimed, obviously frustrated and embarrassed further.

What bothered Severus was that quite the contrary, the boy clearly did. Their relationship was changing somewhat and he could either halt it's progress and maintain his distance or, well, he could call him Harry.

"I did not say that I didn't want to. I was merely contradicting your flawed reasoning."

"Fine."

He called Draco by his first name outside of class. It didn't have to mean anything, and he had asked...

"Cease sulking, Harry."