Previously…

"Now, on a lighter note, I didn't exactly have permission from Dumbledore to take you away from your relatives," Evan said, not bothering to hide his smirk.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

Evan grinned widely. "I got him to make a vow to me that I could train you in the manner of my choice, in my own time, and I am allowed to use my judgment in all aspects of your life," he explained. "Meaning he had to sign over your custody in the Magical world, and I used my judgment to remove you from the so-called care of your family. I used my connection to Sirius to do it," he explained.

"I don't understand," Harry said, frowning. "What does your brother have to do with it?"

"He was your godfather."

Now…

"My godfather?" Harry asked in shock.

"Yes, Harry."

"No can force me to return to the Dursleys then, can they?" Harry asked hesitantly.

Evan knelt before him, and took Harry's small hands in his larger ones. "No, Harry," he replied, "Not even the Headmaster or the Minister of Magic can return you to them."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now for some rules," Evan said lightly.

"Rules?" Harry asked apprehensively. He had bad experiences with rules changing on him.

"You are going to help me write them," Evan said, as he set up an easel and placed a huge plain white pad of paper on it. "The first rule, which is non-negotiable, is that you must obey me. I will have reasons when I tell you to do things, and I don't want you to waste time arguing with me. For example, you should not have gone into the Chamber of Secrets alone. Had I gone with you, I would never have let you further than the second door. I would have told you to stay there, so you would be safe from the Basilisk."

"But I'm a Parseltongue," Harry protested.

Evan sighed. "Were you able to convince the snake not to attack you? No. Talking to the snake did no good. I just want to protect you, Harry, and I won't be able to do that if you don't obey me, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied.

"Good," Evan said. "Bed time will be ten o'clock. I don't think that's too unreasonable, do you?"

"Ten? I'm not a child," Harry protested.

"Then do not pout like one," Evan replied.

Harry flushed.

"What chores do you think are reasonable?" Evan asked having written the bedtime down.

"Cleaning my room for one," Harry said.

"Very good," Evan said, grinning. "Including making your bed," he added, knowing that Harry had not done so that morning.

"Yes, sir," Harry said, blushing slightly.

"What else?" Evan asked.

"I dunno," Harry mumbled.

"Harvesting potion ingredients and helping me in our greenhouse," Evan said. "Doing so will help you in your schoolwork." He thought for a moment, then said, "Rosey has Sundays off. On those days you will be helping me cook and wash the dishes. Everyone should know how to cook. I didn't learn until I was an adult, but I always wished that I had learned when I was younger." He thought again. "Aside from that, you will have at least two hours every day devoted to your studies. I think from ten to twelve would do."

"But what about after my homework is done," Harry protested.

"Then you shall study ahead." Evan then added, "One hour a day for exercise. That will be six to seven in the morning."

"So early?" Harry muttered.

"Yes, it will be frustrating at first, but I promise you it will be worth it," Evan said sincerely.

"Alright," Harry said, "any other chores?"

"No chores, but one more rule. You will do no magic, be it potions or spells, unless I am with you," Evan said.

"Alright," Harry agreed, nodding his head.

"Good," Evan said, smiling. "Punishments will be the loss of privileges, the number you lose depends on the crime."

________

"Today I'm going to start tutoring you in Potions because that seems to be your weakest subject," Evan said one sunny morning.

An hour later…

"Mince the wormwood, Harry, then sprinkle it across the top of your potion in a counter-clockwise direction before stirring clockwise ten times," Evan instructed. "I'm nearly done grinding the mint leaves for you to add."

"Why did you want me to make a Calming Potion in the first place?" Harry asked in confusion. "It isn't even supposed to be taught at Hogwarts until the end of third year."

Evan grinned at his young charge and replied, "But for someone who helped brew Polyjuice Potion, a master level brew, this should be easy, after all there's no chance of melting a cauldron if you make a mistake brewing the Calming Draught, whereas you might have melted the cauldron if you missed one stir during the fourth stage of the Polyjuice. Besides, despite Severus' huffing and puffing, you brew quite well when he isn't waiting in the shadows to pounce on you for any mistake, real or imagined."

"I wish he wouldn't do that," Harry complained. "He does it to Neville to, and that's why Neville has so much trouble in Potions. At least I'm not scared of Sn-Professor Snape like Neville is," Harry added as he dropped two hawthorn flowers into the potion before stirring it vigorously.

"What next?" Evan asked Harry.

"Um… After adding the mint and letting simmer for five minutes, add two inches of finely chopped valerian root," Harry said from memory.

"Very good," Evan said. "What are each of the ingredients in Calming Draughts for?"

"Wormwood brewed with mint makes an herbal brew that is calming, adding the hawthorn relieves tension, and the valerian is a sedative?" Harry said.

"Are you asking me that, or telling me?" Evan asked, smirking like the Slytherin he was.

"Telling," Harry replied after a moment of thought.

"And you are… correct," Evan said, drawing out the tension.

Harry heaved a sigh of relief.

"We never use animal products in Calming Draughts because…" Evan said, wanting to know if Harry could figure it out.

Harry thought for several long moments. What is different about animal products as compared to herbal ones? "Animal products are active in nature and will work to do something, like fixing an injury or, in the case of Boomslang skin, change someone's outer appearance. Herbs are passive in nature and are used to counteract side-effects of animal products, or to promote comfort and ease pain," Harry said as he bottled his potion.

"Very good Harry," Evan replied.

Harry beamed at the praise.

"The next two hours are your free time for the day," Evan said. "But be sure you are in your chambers getting cleaned up at the end of them. We're having company for dinner tonight, and I expect you to be on your best behavior, have I made myself clear?" he asked, arching one brow at Harry.

"Yes, Sir," Harry said quickly untying his apron, and hanging it on a hook by the door.

15 points: How many owls played the role of Hedwig in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"?

Bonus 5 points: If you can give the owls' names.