Just a few things -

-This story is co-written with Ethulinda.

-This story is not going to a beta. I am editing it myself. I am reading each chapter over multiple times to try and catch every error but if you are the type to leave a review because a word is spelled wrong or a comma is in the wrong place - this may not be the story for you. Luckily there are thousands if not millions of fanfictions stories online. I am sure that you will have no trouble finding one more to your liking.

-This story will not go in order. Meaning that in chapter three Harry could be nine and in chapter four he could be seven. At the top of every chapter will be the age that Harry is and I will try to remember to name each chapter with his age as well.

-This story is in NO way related to Second Chances. It is completely separate.

-If you have any requests for scenes that you would like to see in this story please feel free to leave them in my ask box on Tumblr.

August - Harry, age 6

Snape sighed softly as he looked down at the small child. He was practically a baby! He knew nothing about babies! Or toddlers or really children in general. This entire situation was ridiculous. Of course Albus had made it seem like the most brilliant idea he had ever thought of. He had made it all seem as though it was so easy.

Now he was gone, the boy looked terrified, and Snape had no idea what to do with the child.

The child looked as though he could burst into tears at any moment and Snape had no idea how to deal with such a thing. He had half a mind to floo call Albus and send the child right back to him.

Snape took a step backwards, sitting in his armchair as he kept his eyes on the small boy that was sitting on his couch.

Harry stared at the man, his right hand raising to rub at his scar on his forehead. His bottom lip quivered as the man stepped away from him.

Why was he here? Who was this man? His other hand raised to rub at his left eye as he sniffed. Harry slowly lowered his hands, looking around the room before he looked back towards Snape.

Snape watched as the boy's lip quivered, praying that the toddler would not start to cry. What was he even supposed to do if he did start crying? He was in absolutely no mood to deal with that.

Snape glanced up at the clock frowning as he realized how late it was. "You need to go to bed," he spoke before he even realized he had opened his mouth.

Harry sniffed as he shook his head slowly at the words. How could he sleep in such a strange place? The nice old man who took him away from his aunt and uncle did seem to trust the man he was with now.

A crocodile tear rolled down Harry's cheek, followed by several more.

Snape cringed at the tears. "Why are you crying?" He asked his voice coming out harshly. He instantly regretted his tone. He stared at the child as tears were running down his face having absolutely no idea what he was supposed to do about them.

At the tone, several more tears fell freely. His hands rose, rubbing at his cheeks as they fell. A soft sob breaking free. The man was angry with him and he had no idea what he even did! "'M s-sorry.." He whispered, rubbing his face against his arm.

Had it been his aunt or uncle, little Harry knew his apology would of meant nothing. He would of been pushed into the cupboard and nothing else until morning.

Snape felt his heart soften slightly at the small voice whispering an apology. The child had almost sounded like his mother for a moment.

Snape raised a hand crooking a finger at the toddler. "Come here," his voice still came out sterner than he would have liked. He made a mental note that he would likely have to work on that unless he wanted to deal with these bloody tears all the time.

Harry sniffed heavily as he slowly pushed himself off the couch, moving over to the man even slower. He still sounded angry, and he knew better than to not listen. He stood in front of the man, his eyes falling to his feet as he rubbed at his eyes once more.

Snape eyed the child carefully. He was slightly impressed that he obeyed him so easily - without any argument or hesitation. "Why are you crying?" Snape worked hard to change his tone to one slightly more gentle.

Harry shrugged a shoulder as he rubbed at his eyes once more. He bit hit bottom lip, slowly looking back up to the man. "Why are you mad?" His voice was soft, the tears continuing to fall down his face.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the tiny child. "I do not recall stating that I was mad. I simply said that you need to go to bed and you started blubbering."

Snape leaned forward, resting his knees on his elbows putting his face close to the child's. He looked so much like James that it was annoying. Snape was hoping that he would see a bit of Lily in his features but that was hardly the case.

Harry leaned his face away slightly from the man. He recalled the old man saying his name was... Sev-Severus Snape? That seemed right..

"Why am I here?" It was an innocent enough question, the blurred green eyes searching Snape's face for any hints of anger.

He had her eyes - that much was certain Snape decided as he determined the best way to answer the boy's question.

"You will be staying here temporarily until a guardian is sorted out for you."

"Oh," the child whispered, shifting his feet as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand once more to clear away remaining tears.

"What 'bout my aunt and uncle?" He knew they had been mad at him- furious in fact. But he didn't expect for them to actually toss him away. Sure they muttered it under their breath. Was there anyone else who would want a freak? He sniffed once more, closing his eyes tightly to rub at them.

"You won't be going back to them." Snape shook his head as he watched the child intently. He was beginning to feel bad for the boy. It was a feeling he had not expected nor one that he was very used to. "I heard you had quite a big bout of accidental magic and being muggles they do not understand that you could not control it. A more suitable guardian will be found for you."

Snape found himself relieved that at least the child had stopped with his tears.

"But I'm a freak." It was a phrase his aunt and uncle repeated to him so much. "Who'd want me?" He spoke his thoughts freely, the man hardly seemed so upset now. "And what do you mean accidental...magic?"

"What is all this talk about being a freak?" Snape questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Th..that's what they would call me." Harry gave the man a confused expression as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I can do magic?" The child looked down at his hands, turning them over slowly. "How?"

Annoyance swept over Snape's features. "Are you trying to mock me?"

There was no other explanation - as if Harry Potter wasn't aware that he could do magic!

Harry quickly lowered his hands, swallowing heavily as he shook his head. "No sir," he whispered softly, quickly withdrawing back into himself.

Snape gave the boy a stern look. "How did you get that scar on your forehead? Answer me truthfully or you will stand in a corner."

"From a car crash." The boy nodded as he spoke. "My mum and dad died in it."

The sternness on Snape's face grew. He nearly sent the child to the corner without another word. He considered the words though and who his guardian had been. Snape wouldn't put it past Petunia for a moment to lie.

"Who told you that?" Snape questioned in an annoyed tone.

"My aunt and uncle," Harry spoke honestly, his expression still confused as he stared at the man.

Snape frowned at the response as he sat back in his chair. He glanced at the clock. It was nearly nine. He wasn't sure what an appropriate bedtime was for a six year old but he was guessing it was earlier than it was.

"You need to go to bed," he decided. "It is late."

Harry followed the man's gaze to the clock. There was no way he was going to be able to sleep in such a strange house.

"What...what do I call you?" Harry asked shly, his voice falling soft once more.

"You may call me Professor Snape, or just Snape. Severus would be appropriate as well," Snape replied as he stood. "Follow me, You may sleep in the guest room."

He walked across the parlor glancing back to see if the child was following.

Harry watched the man stand and walk ahead of him. He shifted in his spot for a moment before he noticed Snape look back toward him. Quickly he caught up to the man.

Snape walked out of the parlor and up the staircase. As he stepped onto the second floor he motioned to the first door on the left. "That is the lavatory should you need it."

Snape continued to the next door, pushing it open. "You may sleep in here." He waved a hand causing the room to illuminate. "You are to stay in bed until the morning unless you need to use the lavatory."

Harry peered into the bedroom, blinking as he stepped further into the room. "I can sleep in here?" He looked around the room uneasily before he looked back towards Snape.

"Is this not up to your standards?" Snape questioned in an annoyed tone.

"I just.." Harry moved over to the bed, smiling before he crawled up onto it. "I just never thought I'd have a big room!" He laid down on his back with a happy giggle.

Snape huffed at the words. "Did you not have an adequate room at your relatives house? I'm sure it was quite luxurious. Likely overflowing with pointless toys."

Snape pulled the quilt down from under the child and then back up over him.

"That was Dudley," Harry muttered, his eyes falling to the bed as he turned onto his side.

"Dudley?" Snape questioned. He waved a hand causing the lights in the room to dim.

"My cousin. He had two rooms." A hint of jealousy and sadness crept into the child's tone.

"As opposed to your one large room?" Snape questioned in a bored voice. He hardly wanted to hear about the poor little rich boy's life.

Harry blinked, pushing himself up to sit up. "I didn't have a bedroom," he shook his head, a hand raising to rub at his eyes tiredly.

"Did not have a bedroom?"

Snape was having trouble believing the words. However the child did appear to look quite truthful.

Harry leaned forward, pulling his legs up and resting his arms on his knees. "Well yeah...I mean..." He shifted his legs under the blanket as he shrugged. "Freaks don't get bedrooms." Harry spoke the words with such certainty, his gaze falling to the blanket as he ran a small hand over the top of it.

"Then where exactly did you sleep?" Snape eyed the child carefully trying to determine whether this entire story was fabricated.

Harry fell silent at the question, looking off to the side as he continued to pet the blanket. "In the cupboard." His voice was hardly above a whisper, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

Snape's eyebrows rose at the words. "Lie down. It is late and you need to go to sleep. I will not deal with you being cranky tomorrow."

He reached out and grabbed the quilt, holding it up so the child could climb under it.

Harry nodded slowly, crawling under the quilt once more and rolling onto his stomach. The child gave a content sigh as he burrowed his head within his pillow.

He didn't think he would be able to sleep but the large bed was enough to help his body relax.

Snape pulled the quilt up over the boy's small body. "Aside from going to the lavatory should you need it, I do not want to see you out of this bed until the morning. Do you understand?"

"Uh-huh- I mean yes Sir." Harry reached a hand over his shoulder to pull the quilt up over his shoulder.

"Very good." Snape nodded before waving a hand causing the room to darken.

He walked towards the door as the realization hit him that the child had been delivered to him in pajamas without any luggage. He would have to speak to Albus about retrieving the rest of the boy's things...as well as the conditions in which the child had lived in.

"Night," Harry said softly, his arms tucking under the pillow as he watched the man leave towards the door.

He wanted to question how the man made the room dark like that but didn't bother. Not yet.

Snape paused for a moment at the word before he swallowed hard. "Good night."

He pulled the door shut behind him before starting down the hallway. He planned on writing Albus and demanding that the man pay him a visit and explain the child's circumstances better.

Harry sat up in the dark, pulling his quilt around him as he looked around the best he could in the darkness. It was so dark.

Sure he was used to being in the dark, but he certainly didn't enjoy it. He pulled the quilt tighter around himself as he burrowed his head into his knees. Harry's eyes shifted at the door, studying its outline within the dark. The man wasn't like his uncle, maybe he wouldn't mind.

Slowly, the child stepped out of bed and crept over to the door. He opened it slowly, letting it crack just slightly so a small ray of light entered into his room. With a sigh, Harry quickly rushed back into the bed and repositioned himself under the quilt the best he could.

Snape descended the staircase and walked into the parlor. He went over to his desk picking up a quill and piece of parchment and quickly writing out a letter to Albus. He walked across the parlor and dropped it into the fireplace before sitting in his armchair once more.

He had James Potter's blasted son sleeping in his guest room and he had no idea if the child was attempting to feed him a barrel of lies or if he truly had been living a horrible life.

Petunia had casted the boy aside after a little accidental magic. That alone spoke volumes about the woman.

Harry tossed and turned as he struggled to get comfortable, eventually curling up more towards the middle of the bed. He hugged his pillow towards his front while his body curled up. He blinked as tears raised and blurred his vision, sniffing hard as he rubbed his nose against his hand.

Where was he going to go? He wasn't going back to his aunt and uncle. Did he have more family? He was sure he had never heard of any of them if he did.

A soft sob passed his mouth and he quickly tried to silence himself, looking over towards the door from over his shoulder.

After a moment, he rested his head back against his pillow.

Harry felt exhausted, and it was beyond frustrating as he sobbed softly into his pillow. It wasn't fair. He was in such a comfortable bed- and he couldn't sleep. The fear of not knowing where he would be living remained on his mind.

Snape watched the fireplace intently waiting for Albus to arrive however a moment later a letter appeared instead stating that the man could not visit at the moment but would in the morning.

Annoyance swept over Snape as he headed back for the staircase. He was beyond frustrated with the entire situation. He had no idea how long he was going to be stuck looking after the boy or what he was even supposed to dress him in the following morning.

Snape stepped into the second floor feeling absolutely exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and wake up to find that this had all been some absurd dream.

As he passed the guest room he paused realizing that the door he had shut was now slightly open. Clearly the child's doing.

Snape heard soft cries coming from the bedroom. He nearly ignored them completely but somehow he could not bring himself to do so.

Instead he pushed the bedroom door open and stepped inside the dark room. "Why are you crying?" He asked the child for the third time that evening.

Harry buried his face further into the pillow as he shrugged a shoulder, his cries remaining soft. He knew it couldn't be helped. It didn't matter.

"I asked you a question and I expect a proper answer." Snape fought to keep his voice from being stern.

The child shifted his head so he could speak around his pillow, his breath hitching. "Wh-what if no one w-wants me? Where... where will I-I go?"

Snape nearly rolled his eyes at the child's hysterics. "As I've already told you it appears that you will remain here until a suitable guardian is found. However, given your history I am sure that finding someone who wants to take you in will not be difficult."

The child was ridiculous. He was Harry Potter! Snape was sure that the list of people that would take him in was miles long.

Harry's soft cries continues, rubbing his cheeks against his pillow to clear his tears as they fell. "M-my history?" He turned over to face the man, rubbing his cheeks with his hands instead.

"Your past." Snape tried a different word, convinced that the boy didn't know the definition of the word history. "Now enough with the tears. Try and sleep."

"No! What do you mean my past?" The words came out frustrated as his small shoulders shook, his hands curling into fists as they rubbed his eyes. It didn't make sense. Why - how would strangers know about him? "Yo-you're not making seeense!" The small boy whined softly, but he wrapped his arms around his legs. He tried to calm himself, his shoulders tensing after his whine. Harry lowered his eyes towards his knees, a soft "Sorry..." passing his lips before Snape even spoke.

"Do not whine," Snape scolded as his lips curled up in disgust. "Do as I have said and go to sleep!" He couldn't help the slight sternness that laced his tone. Snape reached down and held up the quilt once more, inviting the child to lie down. "I will answer all your blasted questions in the morning."

Harry sniffed, rubbing his cheeks once more as he slowly laid back down. He wrapped his arms around the pillow, closing his eyes tightly.

Snape dropped the quilt over the boy. "I am going to come back and check on you in a little bit and if you are still up you will take a potion to help you sleep. It is far too late for this nonsense."

Harry shifted under the quilt, glancing up to the man over his shoulder. "A potion?" His voice remained soft, his cheek burrowing into his pillow.

"Is there something wrong with your hearing?" Snape questioned, his annoyance growing. He resisted the urge to land a good swat to the small backside. "Go to sleep."

Harry didn't say anything more, his eyes closing once again. He tilted his head to hide his face within the pillow.

Snape turned on his heel walking out of the room once more, though this time to did leave the door cracked open for the child.

Snape went to his own room, changing and lying down willing sleeping to come. The quicker that it did, the quicker that Albus would find a suitable home for the little brat and get him out of his life.

Snape woke early, quickly showering and dressing before going down the kitchen to read his paper and have his tea in peace.

He was sure that once the child woke his day would be ruined by a headache.

Having not heard a single word from Albus was annoying him as well. He wanted answers about the boy.

Harry was up early in the morning, sitting up in his bed as he looked around the room. It was so strange to him to... wake up within his own room. Well not HIS, but A bedroom.

Snape finished his tea as he continued reading the morning paper. He was sure that the child would sleep for a few more hours. He was likely used to doing as he pleased with no bedtime or set time to wake in the morning.

Snape turned a page of his paper as he listened carefully for any sounds of the boy moving.

A smile spread across his face as he was met with silence. He turned a page of his paper, ready to read a new article when a soft, "hi", crushed his happiness.

"Good morning," Snape replied, forcing himself to keep the displeasure from his tone, as he lowered his paper slightly. "Come sit and eat some breakfast."

Snape tapped the table firmly causing a plate containing eggs and bacon to appear at the place next to his.

Harry blinked as he stepped closer, sitting at the table as he looked down at the food. ".Really?" He glanced over to the man at his side. "It's a lot." He shifted in the seat. Normally he made breakfast and just ate the few bites that he could.

Snape has hardly heard the words that the boy had spoken, his concentration on the article that he was reading, but he did feel as though they were negative. "Not up to your standards? If you would rather I could make you wait until lunch to eat." He regretted the words the moment that they exited his mouth. A child of his size could not go so long without eating.

Harry shook his head the words, picking up his fork. "I never ate at the table." He smiled, pushing the eggs around for a moment before he took a bite. Nothing burnt. Not just left overs. It was his own plate! "Thanks."

"What on Earth do you mean you never ate at the table?" Snape questioned his paper dropping completely. "Where did you eat then. Explain yourself!"

The boy's vague comments were starting to be too much. How exactly had Petunia and her Muggle husband raised this child?

Harry winced at the tone, lowering his hands to the table. "I-I.. in.. the cupboard. Mostly anyway," he whispered, rubbing his eyes as he did so.

"You ate and slept in this cupboard?" Snape asked with a raised eyebrow. "They delivered your meals to you there?"

Harry shook his head at that. "I had to take what I ate in there or wait 'till they left the table." The child shrugged softly. "Aunt Petunia started to have me cook this year too. But I wasn't good at it."

"She was teaching you how to cook?" Snape questioned refraining from commenting on the fact that the boy had said that he did not sit at the same table as them - for now. "Did you ask her to do so? Do you enjoy cooking?"

"I mean I didn't ask but someone had to cook." The young boy shrugged a shoulder as if it was the most obvious information. "It's okay though. "

"What do you mean someone had to cook?" Snape asked unable to keep the displeasure out of his tone. He silently casted a heating charm on the boy's breakfast as he realized he had not begun eating yet.

"Aunt Petunia hates cooking." The boy nodded, finally taking a small bite of his bacon.

"She hates cooking? So she expected you to do so?" He was beginning to wonder what else had gone on in Petunia's house.

Harry shrugged at the reply, taking a few more small bites. Swallowing, he looked up to the man next to him. "Uncle Vernon got mad a lot 'cause I kept burning things but I learned." The child shifting in his seat before he raised his left hand, showing a scar across the bottom of his palm. "Got that my first time trying, I forgot the stove was hot." Harry shrugged as if it was nothing, lowering his hand back down to look at it himself.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "What happened when your uncle got mad?"

He was beginning to feel for the small child. Not that he had much experience with children - or any at all - but he was sure that they weren't supposed to be cooking at six. He was sure that other things that the boy had touched on such as sleeping in a cupboard could be considered outright neglect and abuse.

Harry took another small few bites, his voice falling softer as he pushed the eggs around the plate slowly. "Nothing really. He just yelled lots."

Snape nodded at the words. At least the man hadn't been physically abusive. "And what did you mean when you said that you could not sit at the same table as them?" Snape was beginning to realize that the picture he had painted of the child's life in his mind wasn't exactly correct.

"I told you. I'm a freak. Freaks aren't allowed to sit at the table." He shook his head, continuing to push his food around slowly as he spoke. Harry rubbed his eyes with his left hand, shrugging a shoulder once again.

"Why did they call you that exactly?" Snape questioned carefully. He had a pretty good idea as to why but he was interested how the boy would answer.

Harry blinked at the question- one he had never thought about really. "I - I don't know. They just always have. 'Specially when stuff started to happen. Like one time I was upset and the lights went off for a little and they blamed me."

Snape nodded at the explanation. "What happened yesterday that caused them to send you away?"

Harry lowered his fork once more, resting his hands down into his lap as his gaze soon followed them. "You'll think I sound mental... but it's true! I don't know how it happened! I swear!" A slight panicked tone entered the child's voice as he looked back up. "D-Dudley was chasing me in the yard and suddenly I was just in the kitchen. Aunt Petunia screamed and... and I didn't mean to!" While he wasn't yelling, the child's tone slightly higher. He wanted nothing more than for the man to believe him.

Snape hummed softly at the words. That was accidental magic if he ever knew it.

"You've done things like this in the past too haven't you?" Things that you did not mean to do? Such as the lights going on and off that you just spoke about?"

Harry nodded at the words, his breathing calming down. "I guess but I never really did it. It just happened."

Snape gave the child a curious stare. "No one ever explained to you how you were able to do any of that? I suppose you Aunt hoped that you would be a squib. I'm sure she was quite disappointed to find out that you weren't. She never approved of our kind."

"Our kind? A squib? Do you mean squid?" Harry gave the man a very lost expression as he spoke his questions. Surely the man had to be making things up.

"Let me see the scar on your hand once more." Snape put his own hand on the table waiting for the child to put his hand within his.

Harry blinked at the change in subject, looking down at his palm for a moment before he scooted forward in his chair. He reach out and placed his hand, palm up, into Snape's.

Snape's free hand withdrew his wand from the inner pocket of his cloak. He carefully tapped it to the small scar twice causing it to vanish completely.

The child quickly withdrew his hand, looking it over with awe. "How'd you do that?!" He leaned back in his chair, running his right fingers over his left palm.

"With magic," Snape answered honestly. "I am a wizard - as are you. As were your parents. I am appalled that your aunt never told you this herself though I am not surprised. She was always jealous that your mother was a witch and she was not."

Snape leaned back slightly in his chair as he waited for the child's reaction.

"But..." Harry continued to stare at his hand in awe, blinking as he turned it over to look at the back of his hand, as if it simply moved to another spot. "But they said magic isn't real." His tone turned serious.

"Who said that?" Snape questioned. "Your aunt and uncle?"

Harry nodded, slowly lowering his hands back into his lap. "Yeah."

Snape hummed softly before clearing his throat. "Magic is absolutely real. As I said your mother was a witch and your father was a wizard as are you and I." He nearly explained to the child how he got his scar and how his parents really died however he refrained.

Harry smiled softly at the words, looking up to the man. "Last night.. You -you said people know my past? What does that mean?"

Snape was silent for a long moment, thinking over the past. "Your parents did not die in a car accident - they died due to a war." Snape decided that the explanation was good enough. "That scar on your forehead also came from the same war. A very powerful dark wizard killed them and attempted to kill you as well. You obviously survived. You are the only living person to have ever done so."

Snape was sure he should have explained it all more gently but it hardly had the patience for such things.

"Wh-what?" Harry's right hand rose to rub over his scar softly. "He.. why? Why them? Why me?"

Confusion and hurt swept over the child's face. He lowered his hand from his scar, rubbing under his eyes as he felt tears raise. Someone had killed his parents? And tried to kill him? His lower lip quivered slightly. It was all a lie. "Is H-Harry Potter even my name?" The child sniffed, ignoring his food completely as a tear escaped and won the battle of wills. Several more soon followed after it.

Snape nearly cringed at the sight of the tears. "Yes, of course that is your name," he replied in an annoyed tone. "I do not know why it happened. Many people were tortured and killed by the hands of this wizard. I hardly think crying over it will help."

Harry didn't understand. Both his hands pressing to his eyes as he tried to stop the tears. To little avail. "S-sorry," he whispered, using the back of his hands to try to stop the tears.

Snape waved a hand causing a handkerchief to appear. He handed it to the child with annoyance. "Dry your eyes and finish your breakfast."

The child sniffed, taking the offered item tentatively before pressing it to his eyes. "I-I'm not that hungry," he whispered. How could he want to eat after finding out that someone tried to kill him?

Snape's eyes glared at the words though after a moment he decided to let them go. "You were delivered here last night in pajamas. Did you not bring the rest of your things? Clothing? Toys?"

Harry sniffed, rubbing his eyes with the handkerchief once more. "No." He shook his head slowly. He raised his hands slightly, showing off just how much the sleeves were loose on his arms. "It.. it's all Dudley's old stuff. Aunt Petunia said there's no point buying more stuff for me."

Snape made an annoyed sound as he stood. "Eat some more of your breakfast," he instructed in a much sterner voice than he had intended.

He walked into the parlor and over to his desk quickly writing a letter to Minerva asking her to shop that morning for the child and send over an appropriate amount of clothing. Snape hardly knew how to do such a thing. Besides he could not leave the boy alone and he certainly couldn't take him out in pajamas.

Snape dropped the letter in the fireplace, watching as it vanished before he walked back into the kitchen pleased to see the child eating. At least the boy knew to listen.

"Professor Dumbledore, the man who brought you here last night, should be visiting at some point today. Hopefully with news that he has found a suitable guardian for you." Snape sat back down in his chair.

Harry finished a piece and a half of the bacon, and half the eggs. He slowly pushed the plate away, glancing back to Snape as he re-entered the room.

He released a breath, his gaze lowering to the table. "Okay," he agreed softly.

"Have you attended school at all?" Snape questioned. The child did seem somewhat educated for his age.

"Yeah I read a lot." Harry grinned at his own words, moving his hands down to rest on the seat of the chair. The smile faded slightly. "I'm not good at math though. Aunt Petunia got mad when she had sign my report."

Snape hummed softly at the words. So the child liked to read - much like his mother had. "You did so poorly that your aunt was cross over it? Did she discipline you or just yell as your uncle did?"

Harry lowered his eyes, his words dying at his lips as he only shrugged a shoulder. "She- she would get me with the spoon sometimes." The child idly rocked his legs back and forth, his eyes remaining down towards his knees. "It didn't...didn't really hurt."

"Get you with the spoon?" Snape repeated the words with a raised eyebrow. "What does that mean? And look at me when you are speaking. It is rude to stare at the floor." His words came out more sternly than he had intended them to.

Harry raised his gaze slightly at the words, his chin not raising far. A soft, "Sorry," passed his lips quietly before he shrugged."I.. I don't know. The spoon. She'd smack with it. Just...just one or two times. Then...then lock me in the cupboard."

Snape nearly rolled his eyes at the words. It sounded as though the boy had never been properly disciplined. "In the event that Professor Dumbledore has not found a suitable guardian for you and you find yourself staying with me for longer there will be rules in this house that you will follow. I think that now would be a suitable time to go over them."

Harry blinked, raising his head up further at the words. "O..okay." He moved his arms to rest on the table, his chin resting between his hands as he looked at the man.

Snape motioned to a door at the far end of the kitchen. "Through that door is my laboratory which you will never enter." Snape's hand lowered as he looked down at the boy. "You will mind your manners and watch your cheek. You will also do as you are told. If I tell you that you cannot do something you will listen. Just as if I ask you to do something you will do so. Failure to follow these rules will not be pleasant. Do you understand?"

Harry followed Snape's motion, looking over to the door with a nod. He wanted to ask the man more about the room- and why he couldn't go in it. His eyes moved back to the man as he continued to talk, nodding every few words. "Yeah."

"While I do not intend to lock you in a cupboard or deny you food, you do not want to disobey and cause me to punish you," Snape warned as a large package appeared on the table.

The man stood plucking the letter from the top of the package and quickly reading it over before beginning to open the package.

Once opened he peered inside of it rolling his eyes as the amount of clothing that was packed into the box along with several treats from Honeydukes and a few toys including a miniature Quidditch pitch and a set of books suitable for a child. Leave it to Minerva to completely spoil the child.

"What is it?" Harry peered at the box before he looked back up at Snape.

"Some things for you," Snape replied honestly. His gaze moved from the box to the child. "Do you know how to bathe yourself properly?"

Harry nodded at the question. "Yeah." He stood after a moment, noticing that the man had not said he could not look. He rested a hand tentatively on the top of the box, peering into while leaning up on his toes.

Snape reached into the box pulling out new underwear, a sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans. He held them out to the child. "Take these and go upstairs and take a bath. You will find everything you need in the lavatory. Make sure to wash and dry yourself properly. I will put the rest of these things in your room."

Harry took the items carefully, a small smile crossing over his lips. "Really?" He stood away from the table, holding the items to his chest with a skeptical expression.

"Really!" Snape replied in an exasperated tone. "I really want you to take a bath! Did I not just tell you that when you are told to do something I expect you to do so? Either go get in the bath or you can spend some time in the corner before doing so!"

Harry's smile faltered just slightly at the tone, but he couldn't feel himself caring much right then. He quickly went upstairs, not wanting to make the man upset even more than he sounded.

He closed the door to the bathroom, shutting the door and placing the items on the far corner of the floor carefully so they'd be within easy reach. Moving over to the tub, the child blinked as he realized it was already filled.

He dipped a hand into the water, surprised to find it slightly warm but not hot. Magic? It had to of been. Snape said magic was real.

Without complaints, the child undressed and stepped into the water, grinning as he ran his hands over the water. No Aunt yelling at him to hurry up as soon as he got in. He could just enjoy it! He giggled, simply enjoying his time in the water.

Snape picked up the large package carrying it up to the second floor. He paused outside of the lavatory listening for any sounds of the child making a mess and when none came he continued to the guest room.

Snape set the package on the bed quickly removing the items from it and putting them away.

Minerva has went overboard - spoiling the child beyond belief. He had enough clothing that he could wear something different every day for a month before he ran out.

Snape placed the small Quidditch pitch on top of the wardrobe and stacked the books neatly beside it before he waved a hand causing the now empty package to vanish.

He walked out of the room and down the hall pausing outside of the lavatory to listen once more.

Snape heard the splashing of water but he did not hear it fall over the tub and onto the floor. He silently hoped that the child was cleaning himself and not just playing. He nearly opened the door to assess the situation but he refrained. He would give the boy a chance to prove himself.

Snape was sitting in his armchair in the parlor, a book in his hand, having just been paid a visit by Albus he was trying to calm his annoyance. It hardly seemed as though the man had even tried to find a suitable guardian for the boy. Every person and couple he had suggested had far too many flaws. Snape could not see the point in the child being raised by the wrong people yet again. If that was going to be the case, he might as well keep the child himself - not that he wanted that.

Harry padded softly down the stairs, holding onto the banister as he stepped down carefully.

Once he was at the bottom of the stairs, he moved into the parlor and looked towards Snape. "Hi," he whispered softly, moving over to the couch and sitting on it.

Snape looked up at the child. "Did you wash your body and hair properly?" He questioned before his eyes went back to his book. It was only mid morning. How on Earth was he supposed to entertain this child for an entire day?

A sheepish look crossed Harry's face at the words, lowering his eyes. He didn't know he had to wash his hair. He just knew to take a bath. "No.. I don't know how to wash my hair. I took a bath though."

Annoyance swept over Snape's face at the words. "I thought you told me that you knew how to bathe yourself properly?"

He had half a mind to send the child to the corner until lunch for such a blatant lie.

"I can bathe myself!" Harry dared to huff, his lower lip sticking out in a pout. "Just can't wash my hair. It's hard." He kept his gaze to his knees. "'m sorry."

Snape forced himself to refrain from punishing the child despite the fact that he would have liked to do just that. "You had better watch your tone unless you would like to spend the morning in the corner with a sore backside," he hissed as his eyes narrowed on the boy. "And what did I tell you about looking at people when you speak to them?"

Harry's chin quivered at the harsh tone and the threat, pushing himself further up onto the couch. He forced his head up to look at the man sitting across from him. "Sorry." The child spoke a bit more clearly, his vision blurred with unshed tears.

Snape ignored the apology trying to force himself not to be affected by the small quivering lip. "There are a few toys and books in the guest room for you. Why don't you go and find something you would like to occupy your time with and bring it back down here."

Harry shifted in his spot, rubbing his eyes roughly. For him? That didn't even sound right. But he still slid off the couch, giving a small nod. He was lying when he said he loved to read. And it was rare he could do so outside of school.

He disappeared upstairs, sniffing softly as his emotions were still high.

Snape nearly rolled his eyes at the emotional child. All he had wanted was a nice, peaceful, quiet summer and it was quickly slipping away from him.

He picked up his book once more, determined not to let the little brat ruin his morning.

Harry returned several minutes later, holding a book tightly to his chest as he moved back to the couch. Sitting up on it, he pushed himself further back on the cushion. The child pulled his legs up to rest the book on his knees.

Snape gave a soft sigh at the sight. He was pleased that the child had chosen a book and not some blasted game that would either make news - or worse that the boy would attempt to make him play with him. He hoped that with the book to keep him occupied the child would be quiet for awhile.

Harry glanced over the book towards the man before he pulled his knees closer to himself so the book was much closer to his face. He rubbed his eyes roughly, blinking as he focused back on the words. At least Snape didn't seem mad at his choice.

After several long moments of silence Snape glanced over at the child frowning. "Don't hold that book so close to your face. It's not good for your eyes." He nearly sent the child up to the guest room to read but he refrained.

Harry forced himself to pull the book away slightly, blinking as he tried to focus on the words from the distance. He had always had to read closer- and he was never scolded for it. "Sorry," the boy muttered, blinking rapidly.

Snape watched the boy closely. He swore that if the child started crying once more he would send him upstairs."Have you always read with the words so close to your eyes?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded, lowering the book further away from himself so he could see the man sitting in the arm chair from over his knees.

"Why? Is it difficult for you to see the words otherwise?" Snape could feel his annoyance growing. He could see how this week was going. This child likely needed glasses and he would be the one to deal with that drama!

Harry slowly nodded, his gaze falling back to the book that rested on his legs. "Thought it was fine," he said, his fingers running over the front of the small book.

"No one else has ever corrected you for this?" Snape would have liked to curse Petunia and her disgusting husband until they quivered in fear. Forget that the child had been neglected at best - HE was the one that was going to have to fix this!

The child shook his head. Not even his teacher had said anything on it. "I've- I've been fine though," he nodded, giving a small grin at his words.

"Reading with a book so close to your face is far from fine." Snape raised a hand and crooked a finger at the child. "Come here."

Harry placed the book to his side, sliding off the couch before he walked over to the man. He blinked, rubbing both his eyes as he stopped in front of him.

"Is that why you are constantly rubbing your eyes?" Snape questioned in an annoyed tone. "Does it have to do with your being unable to see properly?"

Snape closed his book and set it on his lap before he grabbed hold of the child and pulled him to stand between his knees.

Harry blinked as he was pulled closer to the man. He nodded at the words, never having thought of it like that before. But it made sense! Sometimes things were really blurry.

"'I'm sorry," he murmured, hearing Snape's tone.

"Stop apologizing to me for ridiculous things!" Snape snapped as he held the book he had been reading up on his chest so that the cover was facing the child. His finger rested under the first letter of the title, a large E. "What letter is this?"

Harry was close enough and the letter large enough as well. Though the edges of the letter blurred just slightly. "E." He spoke confidently, nodding as he did so.

Snape nodded at the response. "Take a step back." His finger moved to under a large B. "Tell me what letter this is."

Harry obeyed the words, this time blinking several times as he stared at the letter a few moments longer. It looked like a D - but there was such a faint line between it... or were the lines just blurred together? "D? No... B?" It was clearly now frustrating to the small child as he rubbed both his eyes.

Snape shook his head in annoyance. "You very clearly need glasses. We will go out tomorrow and get you a proper eye examination as well as glasses. You cannot live life barely seeing things." He could not believe that no one in this child's life had ever taken care of such a thing.

A sad, dejected look crossed the child's face at the words. "But I'll be picked on even more!" He nearly stomped his foot at the words. "I don't need glasses!"

"Do you need your backside smacked? Because I promise you if you take that tone with me again that is what you will get and unlike with your wretched aunt I promise you that it will hurt," Snape snapped as his eyes narrowed on the child. He felt very little sympathy for the boy. Imagine acting such a way over something as simple as glasses.

Harry sniffed, taking a small step back at the threat. His uncle often threatened to smack him but never did. He rubbed his eyes and he looked down. Snape didn't seem the type to just threaten."I don't want glasses though."

Snape huffed at the words. "Stop looking at the floor when you speak to me! What you want does not interest me. You need glasses and we will be going to get them. You will wear them as well!"

Snape was sure he would die of shock if the child made it through the day without being punished.

Harry's lower lip quivered at the words, rubbing his eyes roughly. He was just going to be made fun of even more though! Did he not understand that? Or did he simply not care. "Okay," he sniffed softly.

"Who is it that you imagine is going to poke fun at you for such a thing?" Snape asked as he reached out and pulled the boy back in between his knees once more. He looked down at him daring the child to speak to the floor.

Harry raised his eyes to the man, rubbing the unshed tears from them as he was pulled closer. "This boy at school."

"I have already told you that you are not going back to your aunt and uncle. You will likely never see that boy again. Furthermore you should learn to ignore others when they are rude to you." Snape's voice was much sterner than he intended for it to be.

Harry slowly nodded at the words, sniffing softly at both the situation and the tone. "I really... really won't ever have to, to go back to them?"

"Did I not tell you that. You must learn that when I say something I absolutely mean it. I am not a man that goes back on my word." Snape took a deep breath regretting his words before they were even spoken. "If a suitable guardian is not found you will stay with me, much to your dismay I am sure."

Harry took another half step back at the words. The man was already mad- not angry like his aunt and uncle. "But... but I make you mad." Harry's voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

Snape scowled at the child. "I do not recall stating such a thing."

"You look it," he whispered, his eyes faltering and lowering down to Snape's knee. "A lot."

Snape made a face at the words. "Perhaps if you could do as I say for even a moment! Get your eyes up when you speak to me," he hissed. "If I have to tell you even once more you will stand in the corner! Do you understand?"

"I'm sooory!" Harry whined softly at the man's tone, his lower lip quivering. He was doing fine until the man started to talk about glasses! He could of still been reading! A few tears escaped in frustration, looking at Snape as he wiped the tears away with his left hand.

"Stop with your tears before I bend you over my knee and give you a reason to cry! There is absolutely no reason for them. Did you not sleep enough last night? Is a nap in order?" Snape could not and would not put up with tears all day long.

Harry used both his hands to rub at his tears, sniffing as he refused to answer the man then. No, he hadn't slept well last night at all, but he didn't want to say that. How could he sleep well in such a strange place?!

"When I ask you a question I expect an answer!" Snape said firmly. "Now do you need a nap or not?"

"No," Harry shook his head into his hands, soon rubbing his face into his arm. He lowered his arms back to his side, his eyes red.

Snape eyed the child carefully as he tried to decide whether he was being truthful. "You had better start thinking before you act or speak."

Harry slowly nodded as he sniffed heavily, raising a hand to rub at his eyes once more.

Snape opened his mouth to speak again but quickly shut it as a letter came flying out of the fireplace. He plucked it from the air instantly noticing Albus' script on it. Instantly he opened it, his eyes quickly skimming over the words. The man had included a long list of families that had offered to take in the boy but as far as Snape was concerned none of them were suitable. He could only imagine how the child would be raised in the Weasley household, likely coddled over everything and never disciplined. He could not imagine that the Finnegan family would do much better and the boy was far too sensitive to go live with the Longbottom boy's grandmother.

Harry shifted in his spot in front of the man, clearly wanting to move away but also having not been told he could do so either. If he moved, he was sure that man would follow through with any one of his threats he had given that morning.

A small yawn escaped the boy and he wrapped his arms around himself in a hug. His cheeks still burned from his tears, but for now, they had faded.

Snape peered over the letter at the boy as he yawned. "I thought you weren't tired?" Snape's eyes moved back to the letter as he awaited a response.

"Just a little," Harry whispered, feeling it was going to result terribly if he didn't say so then.

Snape nodded as he finished reading the letter. He glanced up at the clock. There was still a good amount of time until lunch. "Perhaps you should take a nap?" The letter had angered him a great deal and he was working hard to keep that displeasure out of his tone. He was going to be stuck with this child for the last few weeks of the blasted summer - he just KNEW it.

Harry looked around the room for a moment, shifting in his spot. He didn't want to be alone in the house. "Can.. can I lay um, out here..?" Harry stole a glance towards the couch.

Snape considered the words for a moment before nodding. "You may however if I allow you to do so you had better actually nap."

Snape waved a hand causing a pillow and blanket to appear on the couch.

Harry smiled as the items appeared, going over to the couch. He lifted the blanket, laying under it without a complaint. He always wanted to sleep on the couch but he had never been allowed. "Thanks," he muttered, turning to face the man as he laid down and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders.

Snape nodded in reply as he set the letter down on the table next to him and picked up his book once more, hoping for silence.