His eyes scanned the world around him before he looked up at his guardian. "Why are we in a graveyard?"

"Although Little Hangleton is quite magical, muggles do reside here as well," Snape explained as he picked up an empty muggle beer bottle from behind a headstone. "Therefore, to apparate to the center of town or even a side street would be far too risky. I took a chance that the graveyard would be empty at this time in the evening and luckily I was correct."

Harry watched as Snape waved his wand over the beer bottle; his lips were moving but no sound was made.

"You've learned about portkeys?" Snape questioned as he placed the bottle on top of a headstone.

"Yes," Harry nodded.

"Should anything go wrong; should I tell you to run, you are to get back here as quickly as you possibly can. You grab hold of this bottle and it will take you back to our parlor where you will stay. You will not attempt to try and help me. Am I understood?"

Harry nodded silently.

"A verbal answer," Snape requested.

"Yes," Harry breathed. "I promise."

"Cloak on," Snape instructed. "Stay right beside me with your wand drawn."

"Sirius says that he can turn into a rat," Harry noted as he pulled his cloak over his head. The moment the words left his mouth he felt like an absolute dolt. Snape already knew that and Harry knew it.

"Why Professor Dumbledore didn't expel all three of them years ago I will never know," Snape mused as he waited for Harry to adjust his cloak.

"Well it was brilliant wasn't it?" He couldn't help but ask. "Really advanced magic." Whenever Snape made even the slightest rude comment against his dad or Sirius, Harry couldn't help but try and defend them.

"Illegal is what it was," Snape grumbled. "If I ever hear of you doing such a thing I'll…" He stopped short as a loud cheer erupted across the street.

Harry's head turned to see a pub. The front door was wide open illuminating a bright light onto the street.

"Alright then Horace, get home safely," a man laughed loudly.

"Always do, always will," the man in the street replied loudly as he stumbled. "Goodnight gentlemen."

Harry heard Snape make a disapproving sound.

"Do you know him?" Harry asked. He had the undeniable feeling that his disapproval was personal.

"Horace Slughorn," Snape supplied. "He taught Potions when I was a student. He was always a bit off of his rocker."

"He seems drunk," Harry observed.

"Indeed," Snape retorted as he started walking through the graveyard in the opposite direction of the pub. "Another activity that I had best not catch you ever partaking in."

"You drink firewhisky all the time," Harry couldn't help but point out despite the fact that he had no interest in drinking.

"There is a great deal of difference between having a nightcap and stumbling out of a pub."

"So then can I try a nightcap?" Harry asked hoping to lighten the mood.

"You may," Snape nodded.

"Really?"

"As soon as you turn seventeen," Snape said as he opened the old rusty gate surrounding the graveyard.

Harry rolled his eyes as he stepped onto the cobblestone street. "I could just try a sip you know."

"You could also just take a trip over my knee," Snape replied.

"How far is this house?" Harry asked hoping to change the subject entirely. He didn't want a lecture to ruin their night.

"Just there," Snape replied pointing to a two story house a street away.

Harry didn't doubt that at one point the house had been a beautiful property; at the moment though it looked as though it should have been condemned. The windows were boarded up. The paint was peeling off of it. It looked like it hadn't been lived in for at least one hundred years.

Harry nearly had to jog to keep up with Snape's long strides as he followed the man down the empty street.

"Severus," the voice came out of nowhere causing Harry to jump at the sound of it.

Harry quickly turned around. He instantly recognized the tall man walking towards them. He stole a glance up at his guardian. Although Snape appeared to be unaffected by the man's sudden appearance, Harry could easily see his underlining annoyance.

"Lucius," Snape said in an even tone. "Quite the surprise to see you out in Little Hangleton."

Harry stayed perfectly still as he watched Mr. Malfoy grin softly. "I had some business to attend to, a payoff from a bet to collect. It is quite peculiar to see you here as well…Hogwarts business?"

Harry watched as Snape nodded curtly. "Indeed."

"I hear you are still the ward of Potter," Lucius said in a disgusted voice. "It must be exhausting to play both roles as well as you do."

Harry was overwhelmed with the urge to ask what the man meant by his words but he forced himself to remain quiet. Snape would bloody murder him if he came out from under his cloak, he was sure of it. He tried to imagine Mr. Malfoy's face if he asked without ever removing his cloak at all. He was sure the man would be absolutely flabbergasted to hear Harry Potter's voice without seeing him. Unfortunately he was also sure that Snape would murder him for that as well.

"Yes well I have never been one to shy away from my obligations," Snape replied.

Harry was sure that he could hear apprehension in the man's voice. He wondered if it was really there though or if he was just imagining it. It was rare for Snape to sound anxious.

"I do apologize but I really must be on my way," Snape continued. "It's getting quite late and I still must travel to Hogwarts."

"Of course," Lucius nodded. "I'll be in touch."

Harry turned and quickly followed Snape remaining silent and making as little noise as he possibly could doing so.

Several feet later, Snape looked over his shoulder to confirm that Lucius was long gone before he cleared his throat. "You did very well just now," Snape said, "Very well indeed."

Harry wanted to ask Snape what Mr. Malfoy had meant when he had said that he played both sides but he was sure that now wasn't the best time to do so. "Thanks," he replied as they approached the house.

Snape paused in front of the gate. Harry watched as he waved his wand once through the air.

"I trust that you remember your promises to me?" Snape asked in a voice so low that Harry had to strain in order to hear it.

"Yes Sir," Harry whispered.

"It is imperative that you obey."

Harry could hear the seriousness in Snape's words. "Yes Sir,' he whispered once more. He wanted to tell Snape that there was no way in hell that he was going to muck this up. However, he also knew that actions spoke louder than words, especially given his history. He was determined to show the man though. He wasn't thick. He knew that if tonight went well it would increase his chances of being allowed to go again. He wasn't going to destroy that opportunity.

"Keep your wand out at all times," Snape instructed as he pushed open the small chain link fence and started up the front walkway with Harry at his side. "You will wait for instruction from me before you do anything."

"Okay," Harry whispered. Unlike when he had gone after the stone or into the Chamber of Secrets, he wasn't nervous at all. He had Snape with him. He felt safe despite the fact that he knew how juvenile that was.

Snape waved his wand causing the front door to slowly creek open.

Harry slipped inside before Snape shut the door behind him.

With a flick of his wrist, a bright light illuminated from the top of his wand.

Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at how easily the man could perform spells silently. He had been begging Snape to teach him all summer but his guardian was insistent that he was still too young to learn.

Harry watched as Snape pointed his wand at the staircase. A small red spark shot from the tip of it but nothing else happened.

Snape moved slowly through the front entry and into the parlor. Harry watched as he pointed his wand at several pieces of furniture but nothing happened. He made a mental note to question what spells he was using later.

Snape paused at a large desk. He picked up a stack of papers.

Harry peered around the man's side as he tried to read them. It didn't seem like anything important to Harry, just old bank statements and personal letters. He figured that Snape must have agreed because seconds later he dropped them back onto the desk causing a small cloud of dust to erupt into the air.

Harry took a step backwards in an attempt to prevent himself from sneezing. His eyes widened as he saw the small familiar rodent scurry across the carpeted floor.

"Scabbers!" He exclaimed without thinking. A second later his cloak was off and at his feet.

Snape turned on his heel and gave Harry a deadly look before turning his attention to the direction in which the boy was pointing. Without even a second of hesitation Snape pointed his wand at Scabbers. Harry's eyes widened, a sickening feeling taking over his stomach as Ron's pet rat transformed into Peter Pettigrew.

Harry eyed his guardian as the man kept his wand on the felon. He quickly squatted down and retrieved his cloak. He was about to throw it back over his head in an attempt to somehow fix the horrible situation that he had put himself in.

"Don't bother," Snape practically growled. "Doing so would be utterly pointless now."

Harry wanted to apologize. To beg for mercy even but instead he bunched up his cloak and shoved it under his arm before pointing his own wand at Peter as well. The giant squid was swimming violently around his stomach. He tried to force himself to ignore it. Snape had never said a word about keeping his cloak on, Harry tried to rationalize with himself despite the fact that he was more than aware that it had been an unspoken understanding. Still, he had found Peter Pettigrew hadn't he? The man had been moving so quickly discussed as Scabbers that Harry was sure that if he had waited even another second he would have gotten away.

"Harry Pot – Potter," Peter stuttered over his name.

"Do not speak to him," Snape snarled as he roughly pulled Harry so that he was now standing behind him.

"Severus please," Peter now begged. "It is all a big misunderstanding. It was never my fault."

"Are you denying that Sirius Black appointed you the Potters secret keeper?"

Harry peered around Snape as Peter shook his head no. He was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Scabbers had been Peter Pettigrew this whole time. The rat had lived in his dormitory with him for ages now.

"Then you do not deny that you betrayed your friends thirteen years ago when you revealed their location?" Snape continued angrily.

"You know what he is capable of," Peter replied. Harry could see the apprehension on the man's face. "He tortured me in unspeakable ways." He paused as his eyes drifted down to Harry. "You look so much like your father. He would have understood me. He would have helped me."

"My father would never have betrayed his friends," Harry shot back moving from his spot behind Snape so that he was now standing next to his guardian. "He would have died before doing such a thing!"

Harry was expecting Snape to belt him for his outburst or at the very least to scold him, but his guardian remained silent.

"Your father-"

"Shut up!" Harry practically yelled. "You killed my father! It is your fault that he is dead!"

Snape grabbed him and situated him so that he was now behind him once more. Harry instantly noted that his guardian was much gentler with him this time.

"Your father would be appalled to see you beside Severus," Peter replied now obviously hurt by Harry's lack of understanding. "If anyone should be in Azkaban it's your so-called guardian. James Potter's son the ward of a known-"

"Silence," Snape commanded. He waved his wand causing Peter to lose the ability to speak.

"Don't hurt him," Harry whispered before he could stop himself.

Snape rolled his eyes, so like a Gryffindor. "He is not in pain, only mute for now," Snape replied. He waved his wand once more causing Peter to stiffen like a board and drop to the floor.

"A body bind," Harry stated the obvious.

"Indeed," Snape replied. For the first time since Peter had appeared Snape took his attention off of the man and turned to his son.

"I'm sorry," Harry offered. His eyes were already filling with tears but he was determined not to cry. He had messed up. He just had to accept it. Crying was childish and pointless.

"I must transport him to Hogwarts where Professor Dumbledore will be waiting," Snape replied, ignoring the apology altogether. He snapped his fingers causing Minka to suddenly appear at his feet. "Please escort Harry home," Snape instructed the small elf. "Remus Lupin will be arriving shortly. He will stay with Harry until I arrive." Snape trusted Minka and Kermy a great deal. However, he also knew how fond they were of Harry and how easily they could likely be persuaded. He hardly wanted to put any of them in a situation that was designed for them to fail. Snape's eyes traveled upward from Minka and now locked with his son's. "You will behave for him Harry."

Harry nodded as he swallowed hard. "Yes Sir."

"Come Master Harry," Minka said gently as she took Harry's hand in her own.

A second later Snape's face disappeared and the world around Harry went black. Harry felt the horrible feeling of being pressed hard from every direction, he found himself unable to breath. His eyeballs and ears felt like they were being pushed deeper into his skull.

The dreadful feeling lasted for all of a moment before the world appeared around him once more and he suddenly realized that he was standing in Snape's parlor.

"Didn't we just apparate?" Harry asked in a confused voice.

"We did Sir," Minka nodded.

"Just Harry," he instructed her before continuing with his initial thought. "But Snape said we couldn't do that on the property."

"You can't," she replied with a small shake of her head. "It's different for me, I can."

"But why?"

Minka shrugged slightly. "I'm an elf," she replied as if that explained everything.

Harry was about to ask her to explain when he heard Bane bark loudly in the kitchen. Seconds later the sound of his nails on the hardwood floor could be heard as he ran into the parlor.

"Ah Harry," Remus said in a cheerful voice as he entered the room. "I thought I heard you in here. I was just out in the backyard with your new pet. Does he have a name?"

"Bane," Harry replied. He felt guilt sweep over his body as he thought about his actions less than an hour ago. He didn't deserve a pet dog.

"A fine name," Remus smiled warmly before his attention went to Minka. "Thank you for seeing to it that he traveled home safety."

Minka bowed deeply before snapping her fingers and vanishing in a cloud of smoke.

"Care to join me for a cup of tea?" Remus asked as he started off in the direction of the kitchen.

Harry knew that he didn't deserve it. He knew that he should really just send himself to bed. He hadn't seen Remus in weeks though. He wanted to talk to him, to find out if he had seen Sirius. He wanted to enjoy his last few moments alive. He tossed his cloak onto the couch."Sure," he said softly as he followed Remus into the other room.

Unlike Snape who simply tapped the table and caused their tea to appear, Remus seemed content in doing things the muggle way. Harry slid into his seat and watched intently as Remus filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove to boil. Bane settled down on the floor below him, his head rested gently on Harry's left foot.

"I hear that Peter Pettigrew was captured this evening," Remus noted as he walked across the room and sat down where Snape typically did.

Harry nodded in reply but remained silent.

"Somehow you don't seem as excited about that as I had imagined that you would. You do realize what this means? Sirius is a free man now. He will be able to live a normal life once again."

"I know. I'm happy about that," Harry replied. "I mucked everything up though."

Concern took over the older man's face. "Care to elaborate?"

Harry shrugged and then mentally scolded himself for doing so. Snape wouldn't have accepted it as an answer and he knew it. He also knew that Remus deserved more than that too. "I convinced Snape to let me go along with him tonight," Harry tried to explain. "He gave me all these rules to follow. I meant to follow them too but then I saw him or well Scabbers but it was him. I yelled out and took my cloak off" He had almost expected to feel embarrassed confiding in Remus but shockingly it felt right to him; comforting in a way.

"It sounds to me as though if you hadn't done that, Peter likely would have gotten away."

"That's what I think too," Harry agreed with a nod. His fingers absentmindedly picked at a small fray in the tablecloth.

"You think that your guardian will disagree?" Remus asked as the teapot whistled loudly.

Harry watched as Remus stood and crossed the room. He retrieved two teabags and two cups from the correct cabinets. Harry couldn't help but wonder how often Remus had joined Snape for tea. The man clearly knew his way around the kitchen well. "Yeah probably," Harry muttered softly as Remus placed a cup of tea in front of him.

The older man tapped the table once causing a plate of scones to appear in the center. "Oh I don't know," he mused gently. "He may surprise you Harry."

Another shrug. Snape would be scolding him for sure now. For the first time in their conversation Harry felt his body fill with embarrassment. "He warned me though," he admitted as his ears burned in shame. "I knew how important it was to listen."

"Talk to him," Remus encouraged. "Doing so can only be helpful."

Harry gave a half shrug in response. He couldn't explain to Remus the inner-workings of his relationship with his guardian. He wouldn't go into detail about how much the look of disappointment in Snape's eyes would hurt – far more than any punishment that the man could dish out. "How's Sirius doing?" Harry asked changing the subject entirely. "Have you seen him?"

Remus nodded with a grin after sipping his tea. "He is quite good. A bit restless having been stuck in his parent's house though after tonight that problem will be solved. He misses you."

"I'm not allowed to go visit him," Harry confessed. He thought about the countless times over the summer that he had entertained the idea of sneaking off to see his godfather. "I miss him too."

"Perhaps I would be permitted to take you," Remus suggested. "At any rate it certainly would not hurt if I put forward the idea."

"Would you really?" Harry asked in an excited voice. He reached out a hand and took a scone, his worries about the evening vanishing for a moment.

Remus nodded. "Of course."

"Brilliant, thanks!"

Remus smiled gently before sipping his tea once more.

"What do you think will happen to him?" Harry asked a moment later. "Pettigrew I mean."

"I think it is safe to say that he will spend the rest of his days in Azkaban where he belongs."

Harry mulled over the response for a moment. He wasn't sure that snooping for answers with Remus was the best idea. He had seen the man angry in the past and had no desire to relive those moments. He quickly concluded though that he could always try and if Remus appeared annoyed at all Harry could quickly change the subject. "He said that Snape should be in Azkaban."

"Did he? I can't imagine why. Peter is deranged Harry. He has spent over a decade living as a rat in hiding. He is likely certifiably crazy."

Harry wanted to point out that he had been living in hiding as Ron's pet but he didn't want to change the subject. He took a long sip of his tea and placed his teacup back on the table before responding. "He started to say why. He said because Snape is a known something but Snape stopped him before he could say what."

Harry watched as Remus' face changed slightly. The calm and cheerful demeanor was replaced with one of concern.

"We saw Mr. Malfoy in town too," Harry continued. "He said that Snape playing both sides must be exhausting."

"Unfortunately Harry this is a conversation that would be best had with your guardian."

Harry noted that although Remus clearly did not want to continue with this subject he did not appear to be annoyed at all. "Yeah but-"

Remus held up a hand cutting the boy short. "It is not my place and I will not act as though it is."

"Is it real bad?" Harry asked in a small voice. "Pettigrew said that my dad would be angry that Snape is my guardian."

"It is not necessarily bad Harry, just complicated – very complicated," Remus replied gently. He paused momentarily as he sipped his tea. "It is no secret that your father and Severus did not get along. Your dad however, matured a great deal in his last few years. I firmly believe that he would be quite pleased that you have found a parental figure in Severus."

Harry was shocked by the tears that were fighting to escape his eyes. He hadn't expected Remus' words to affect him in such a way. He blinked rapidly in an attempt to get his emotions under control.

"Had I been in any condition to take you I certainly would have," Remus continued. "And I can speak for Sirius and say that he feels the same way."

Harry bit off a bite of his scone. He swallowed hard to force the food past the lump in his throat. "I know," he finally replied several moments later.

The idea of his godfather being his guardian entered his mind once more. He wasn't naive enough to think that Sirius being a free man wouldn't result in his godfather wanting custody of him. Sirius had mentioned it numerous times over the course of the school year, Harry was sure that the man wouldn't just stop now. It was the one downfall of Sirius' freedom.

Harry took another bite of his scone as he tried to figure out how he was supposed to tell his godfather that he wanted to stay with Snape.


Snape stepped out of his fireplace and into his parlor to find Remus Lupin sitting in the armchair, a book in his hands.

Snape was quite thankful for Remus' friendship even if he wouldn't refer to their relationship as such to others. The man often dropped everything at a moment's notice to stay with Harry and despite his close relationship with Sirius, Snape trusted him. After all, Remus had been aware that Sirius was living in the Shrieking Shack and despite the man's pestering he hadn't involved Harry at all.

"Severus," Remus said closing his book. "All is well I take it?"

Snape nodded as he crossed the room and began fixing two nightcaps. The conversation that he had had earlier with Harry entered his mind causing him to smirk slightly.

A moment later he crossed the room once more and handed Remus his drink before sitting on the couch. "He has been delivered to Azkaban where he will await trial. I do not doubt that he will be found guilty at which time he will spend the rest of his life imprisoned."

"It's quite concerning that he was posing as Ron's pet rat."

"Terrifying is what it is," Snape replied. It was rare that he admitted to fear but if there was ever a time for doing so this was undoubtedly it. "When I think of how easily he could have killed Harry," Snape paused for a moment before his emotions got the best of him. "I'm elated that he has been captured." Another slight pause. "Is Harry asleep?"

"I don't know," Remus answered honestly. "He is in bed. I finally convinced him to go up less than an hour ago. He wanted to wait up for you."

"He behaved for you?" Snape questioned.

Remus nodded, "He always does. I must warn you though he is quite concerned that you are cross with him."

"He is lucky that I did not give him a strapping the moment he took that blasted cloak off," Snape responded despite knowing the doing so would have been far too hasty.

"I do not disagree with your disciplinary tactics," Remus replied. He paused to take a sip of his drink. "Harry is happy and quite well behaved. Perhaps this time however, his misbehavior helped more than it hurt."

Snape glared at Remus. It did not matter if he trusted the man. He would not discuss how he chose to discipline his child with him.

"He mentioned that you encountered Lucius," Remus spoke again. "Harry questioned me about a comment that the man made. I am sure that you know what I am referring to. I told Harry that it was a discussion best left to have with you."

Snape nodded. He had expected as much. His child was exceptionally bright. He knew that Harry would not miss Lucius' words.

Remus finished the contents of his glass and placed the now empty china on the table. "It's quite late," Remus said as he stood with his book in his hand. "I had best get home."

"Thank you for watching him," Snape replied as he too stood.

He watched as the man took a handful of floo powder from the dish on the mantel and moments later vanished.

Snape picked up his glass and quickly finished the contents.

He walked across the room and placed the now empty tumbler on the side table before heading towards the front hall.

He climbed the stairs slowly as he pondered his next move. He knew that Harry likely deserved punishment. He had given the child rules and one of them had been to wait for instruction before doing anything. It had been very fortunate that everything had gone well. Harry's outburst could have easily ended in disaster. Still, Snape was not in the mood to dole out a spanking. It was easily one of the worst parts of his guardianship. It was solely his responsibility to discipline the boy, regardless of whether or not he wanted to do so.

Harry's door was cracked open, the light from the hallway illuminating in a triangle shape on the young teenager's bedroom floor.

Snape pushed the door open wider causing Bane to sit up at attention. The canine quickly realized that the intruder was not a stranger and settled back down next to Harry.

"Hi." The small voice came from under the quilt.

"You should be asleep," Snape mused as he crossed the room. He sat on the edge of the boy's bed careful not to sit on him.

"I wanted to wait for you," Harry admitted.

Snape could easily hear the emotion in his voice. He was close to tears.

"Why is that?" Snape asked despite knowing the answer to his question.

"To say sorry," Harry replied after a long pause. "I mucked it all up."

"You are quite fortunate that the situation went as well as it did," Snape replied forcing himself to sound stern. "What if that rat was meant to be a distraction so that we could be attacked from behind? What if he had grabbed ahold of you before I could react? There were reasons behind why I had instructed you to wait for my orders Harry."

Harry cringed at the chastisement. He didn't deny that he deserved it but it still hurt. "I was just afraid that he would get away," Harry tried to explain. "I was afraid that it would be my fault that he did."

Snape nodded in understanding. "The next time you accompany me on such a dangerous outing you will do well to obey the rules."

"The next time?" Harry asked as he sat up in excitement. "You mean you would take me again?"

"I would," Snape nodded. "I hardly think that one mistake made with the best interest of the situation in mind should bar you from all future outings."

Harry grinned widely at his guardian. "Thanks Snape."

"Do not thank me just yet," Snape replied. "Unfortunately regardless of your intentions you still blatantly disobeyed me Harry."

Harry was silent. His mind wandered to that stupid bloody paddle. He prayed that his guardian wouldn't summon that dreadful piece of thin wood.

"You will spend the day in your room tomorrow," Snape handed down the sentence. "I expect you to complete all of your summer assignments as well as think about your actions."

Harry nodded. The last thing he wanted was to lose a day of his summer holiday but he didn't want a walloping either and if given the choice between the two he would gladly stay in his room.

"This will not happen again," Snape said in a serious voice.

"It won't," Harry quickly agreed. "I promise."

"Very well then," Snape replied in a much gentler voice. "To bed with you."

"Wait! Can I ask you something else?"

"The conversation that you wish to have is much too long of one to have at this moment," Snape replied.

"How do you know what I want to ask?" Harry questioned as Snape stood and then gently pushed him back until his head was resting on his pillow.

"I know how your brain works Harry. I know what you heard this evening and I know that you have questions in regards to it. You are far too intelligent not to. I promise you that tomorrow we will discuss it."

"All of it?" Harry asked as Snape tucked his blankets around his shoulders. Harry was sure that he was far too old to be tucked in but he didn't care. He was certain that he would allow Snape to do so as long as the man wanted to. If he was seventeen and Snape tried he wouldn't stop him.

"All of it," Snape replied. "You have my word."

TBC...