In the morning Harry sat at the desk in the sitting room and wrote a letter to Hermione. Severus warned him not to let on that he was not at his relatives. He had already told Harry that Dumbledore would insist on him going back to his relatives, if he knew. They needed time before Dumbledore learned, to figure out what to do.
Harry folded up the letter and attached it to Hedwig. "Here you go girl. Take that to Hermione for me."
As the owl took off Severus came into the room. "You sent your message off to Miss Granger then?"
Harry nodded. "Yes sir. I made sure not to give off I was not in Surrey."
Severus nodded his head. "Then come through to the kitchen. I am sure Tippy has lunch waiting for us."
Harry stood up and walked into the kitchen where sure enough sandwiches and crisps were waiting. He took a seat and as he took a bite he looked at the cover of the Daily Prophet.
"The quiditch world cup." Harry said.
Severus looked up from the paper. "Yes, I am sure a quiditch player as you knows it's being held here in England this year."
Harry nodded. "Ron's family got tickets and they said that they would see about asking me to come along."
Severus put down the paper. "I'm sorry but that would be far too dangerous for you Harry. Especially with Dumbledore not knowing you're with me."
Harry was disappointed as he wanted to go but he didn't want to risk being sent back to his relatives either. "I understand sir. Perhaps another year."
Severus was shocked to find himself feeling slight pity on the boy. "It might not be the cup but perhaps if it comes safe I could take you to a regular game."
Harry was a bit taken back by the suggestion. "You'd do that with me sir?"
Severus nodded. "I have believe it or not a slight interest in the game that goes beyond just cheering for my house team."
Harry smiled at the idea they had something in common. "I'd like that sir, when it's safe as you say."
Finishing his sandwich Severus turned to Harry. "Have you finished your homework for the morning?"
Harry nodded. "I finished my charms essay just before I sent the owl to Hermione."
"I will take a look at it after dinner to suggest any revisions you might need. For now you can enjoy the afternoon." Severus said but after a pause added. "Or if you were inclined you could join me in the potions lab for brewing a potion."
Harry found himself actually interested in the second option. Probably from being cooped up alone all the time. "I would like to help you, if you'd not mind."
Severus motioned for Harry to follow him. "I would not have asked if I minded the company. It might help you improve your marks after all for next year."
Down in the lab he was set to work scrubbing a cauldron and a few menial tasks but when he moved he wouldn't blow anything up Severus allowed him to start doing a few more elevated tasks like peeling a shrivelling fig.
When the potion was done and dinner was ready they went up. "Well Harry it seems you are not as incompetent as you seem in class. You did quite well."
Harry smiled at the slight compliment. "Thank you sir. I guess it came from being less nervous since you were not breathing down my neck."
Severus looked up from his dinner. Harry wasn't sure what to expect but Severus said simply. "Indeed." Before adding. "Perhaps you'll join me another day."
Harry nodded in agreement. "I would like that sit. I would like to do better in your class next year."
Severus and Harry finished their dinner in peace and spent the evening ready in the study. He had to admit when he was not giving Harry the third degree; the boy had some relative skill in brewing potions. He revised Harry's charms essay and even though there were a few corrections he suggested Harry make, he was impressed by the work, he hated to admit. Perhaps by the end of the summer he would have Harry's grades up to par.
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The next two weeks passed relatively quiet. Harry had not received any letters from Ron about quiditch so he assumed the Weasleys had either not got the tickets or been informed by Dumbledore that Harry could not go. Harry finished his essays, revised with help from Severus and had begun his independent study after that. He spent many afternoons in the potions lab with Severus.
On July 31st Harry woke up a bit later then usual and realized he had nearly missed breakfast. He scrambled to dress and run downstairs. "Sorry sir." He said.
Severus looked up from the table. "You will make up for your late start with an extra 30 minutes of study this afternoon in your regular free time."
Harry sat down to have some of the toast and eggs. "Sorry sir, I was up at midnight for when my birthday started tradition. I will be on time next time."
Severus sighed "I regret most of your gifts will probably be in Surrey. Hedwig did bring through one though."
"Hermione." Harry said."Hedwig always brings here as she had no owl of her own to use."
Severus nodded. "It did look like her script on the paper when I took it from the owl. You'll have your gift after dinner tonight if you keep to your schedule."
Harry knew better then to argue and after finishing breakfast he got up to go and Severus stopped him. "Happy birthday by the way Harry."
Harry smiled. "Thank you sir."
He spent the morning trying to read the book that had been assigned to him but his mind kept thinking about the post he missed. He knew Errol and any other birds would simply leave them at the home for his double. He wondered if his relatives would throw them out. Burn them he thought bitterly.
After lunch he was still trying to get through the first chapter of the book when Severus came in. "Doing your extra studying?"
Harry nodded. "Yes. I have been reading the book since after breakfast this morning. I am near done the extra half hour."
Severus took the book from him. "Then I assume you can answer a few questions for me if you have been reading. What is the incantation for a summoning spell?"
Harry paled. "I don't remember sir."
"Then what is the basic incantation needed for a flying spell?"
Harry still had no answer. "I 'm not sure sir."
Severus put the book down. "They are the first two spells in the book. What have you been doing all morning Harry?"
"I have been reading sir." Harry said biting his lip.
"Then how is it you don't know the first two pages of the book?" Severus demanded.
Harry looked down at his hands. "I guess I was having a hard time concentrating. My mind has been else where."
Severus sighed. "Your gift from Miss Granger you will not receive until you prove you can keep up with your studies. I'll expect you in my room tonight before bed."
Harry bit his lip. "I'm sorry Severus, I didn't mean to not study. I'm sorry. It's my birthday, can't you just keep my gift from me."
Severus shook his head. "You need to learn that even your birthday is not an excuse for bad behaviour. If you had been honest in the first place about being distracted I would have just taken your free time away all day tomorrow, but as it is you will come visit me tonight and you will lose free time."
Harry had not had an incident since that first spanking and he was scared. "Yes, sir."
"Now get some reading done before dinner and I'd actually like to see that you have learned something." Severus said.
Harry sunk down into the chair with the book again and set himself to reading it and actually got through a few chapters before dinner. Severus seemed relatively pleased by his progress when he quizzed Harry at dinner but he would not be persuaded from his punishment.
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Severus was sitting in his bedroom waiting. It was 10 minutes before Harry's lights out and the boy still had not come. He would wait until lights out but if Harry had not come he would find the boy and Harry would regret it. He noticed feet under the door.
"Come in here Harry." Severus called.
Harry shuffled into the room, looking down at the floor, dressed in pyjamas. "I'm sorry sir."
Severus took Harry by the arm and pulled him to the bed. "You know the rules and you broke them. Now bend over mu knee."
Harry pulled back, tears streaming down his cheeks. "No. I didn't really do anything wrong. Please, it's my birthday, please."
Severus sighed and shook his head. "Harry this is going to be done. Either you come over here or I force you over my knee, and the second will be worse."
A trembling Harry reluctantly allowed himself to be taken over Severus' knee and held in place again by the arm. Severus did not remove his pants again but he lowered his knee slightly to allow access to Harry's sit spots. He wanted to make sure Harry was reminded he should not protest a spanking he deserved.
"Why are you getting this spanking Harry?" Severus asked.
Harry was trying to be strong he could tell. "Because I broke the rules and wasn't paying attention to my studies."
"And?"
"Because I lied to you about getting the reading done." Harry added and Severus could hear the pain and fear rising in Harry's voice this time.
"And what will you do next time I assign you something to read even if it is a special day?" Severus demanded.
"I will do it and if I have problems I will ask." Harry said, now full out crying.
Severus held Harry close to him as he stopped. He had gone harder on Harry this time more then last. He would gradually make it harder on Harry to make sure Harry would do anything to prevent from getting another spanking. He sat there again letting Harry cry it out in his arms. He didn't speak, not yet. Harry wasn't ready for that comfort.
When Harry was all cried out Severus sent him off to bed. "I expect you down to breakfast on time tomorrow. Remember no free time."
Harry nodded and walked almost silently from the room before he turned slightly and said. "Goodnight sir."
He sighed, except at moments of pure desperate begging Harry had not come to call him by his name yet. Harry had no idea how much he hated to do this, it reminded him of his own childhood but he reminded himself what he had told Harry, the difference between spanking and beating. Harry needed this, he told himself.
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When Harry woke up in the morning he was surprised to find two gifts sitting at the edge of his bed. Severus had said he couldn't have them until he proved he deserved them so he was shocked. He was even more shocked by the presence of the second. The first was from Hermione and was a practice snitch. The second turned out to be from Severus and was a beautiful DADA encyclopaedia type book with amazing pictures.
He went down to the kitchen and got there early that morning. He looked at Severus who was reading the paper. "Thank you."
Severus looked up from the paper. "What for?"
"Giving me Hermione's gift and for your gift as well sir. I did not expect you to give me something." Harry explained.
Severus smiled slightly. "You are my ward now, it seemed fitting I give you something. I know your godfather would have given you something similar if possible."
Harry felt a pang at the mention of Sirius. "Thank you all the same. It meant a lot"
Severus nodded. "Your welcome then." They ate in silence before Severus said before he got up to leave. "If you'd like you can come down just after 2 and work on potions with me."
Harry knew this was a reprieve from his punishment. "I'd like that."
Severus walked to the door and called over his shoulder. "See you at lunch then."
Harry watched as he went and walked into the sitting room to start his homework. His mind though wandered for a few moments as again he saw the quiditch cup on the newspaper cover and he thought of Ron.
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Ron was excited though a bit worried. They had been sending letters to Harry about the quiditch cup and no response had come. His parents had decided they'd go pick him up now even if his aunt and uncle did not approve. Dumbledore had given them permission.
Ron went through the floo network with the twins but they found a barrier. "Dad, we can't get through. It's blocked."
Arthur who was now squished with them pointed his wand and blew away the block. "A fake fire, who ever thought of such a thing?" Looking at the block.
A very angry whale of a man glared at them. "You freaks will get out of my house right away or I'll call the police."
Arthur shook his head. "We've come to get Harry and when we have him we'll leave."
Vernon seemed even angrier. "That freak has been gone for weeks. Been stuck with some damned hologram that can't even do his chores."
Arthur looked at the flickering image of Harry and panicked. "He's gone, where has he gone?"
"One of your type took him, that hooked nose greasy haired git that Petunia and I met through her sister." Vernon growled.
Arthur turned back to his children. "We need to get to Hogwarts. Harry has been kidnapped."
Albus looked up surprised when they came through his floo. "What can I do for you? I thought you were picking up Harry today."
Arthur shook his head. "He's gone. From what Vernon said it seems Severus has taken him some where. Left a double in his place."
Albus was livid. "I told the man to check on Harry and make sure he was safe. He was not to remove him. Where did he take the boy?"
He moved passed the visitors and through floo powder down in the fire and called out the name of Severus' home. His potions master had done many things in the past he had not agreed with but this was going way to far.
He saw Severus. "Headmaster, how can I help you?"
"I want to know what the hell you have done with Harry Potter." Albus demanded.
