Chapter 3

Thursday

Disclaimer: While I am borrowing many of the characters created by J.K. Rowling, all rights to those characters remain solely with her. I am neither receiving nor soliciting any monetary recompense for this story.

Harry was sitting at the table in Severus' quarters, working on his potion's essay, reference books spread out in front of him. He shifted his weight every now and then, trying to get more comfortable on the hard chair. While much of the discomfort from the spanking he had received a couple of nights ago had dissipated, there was still just enough that made sitting for a long time uncomfortable. Still, Harry didn't dare leave the table. Snape had been quite clear in his expectations that Harry make a good dent in the essay before allowing him a break, telling Harry to keep working until he got back.

Severus hadn't gone easy on Harry even though it was the second full day of the winter break. He had gotten Harry out of bed promptly at 7:30, fed him breakfast and set him to his homework. Around 9, Severus had allowed Harry a short breather before announcing he was going to leave for a while and for Harry to continue with his work.

It was 11:30 when Severus walked back into his quarters, to find Harry still working. In truth, Severus was actually a little surprised Harry had stayed put given his behavior and attitude the last day of term. he had fully expected to come back to another confrontation which would have ended badly for Harry if it had happened. Closing the door behind him, he walked over to where Harry was working and laid several sheets of parchment on the table. Harry looked up as Severus sat down in the chair opposite him. Severus handed Harry yet another piece of parchment which Harry recognized as the standard end of term report, and watched passively as Harry opened the parchment and read his grades. Even knowing he had failed at least three classes, Harry's stomach twisted at what he read.

Charms: D

Transfiguration: P

Defense Against the Dark Arts: A

Herbology: A

Potions: T

Severus noticed the shaking that started in Harry's hands as he read through the grades and felt a little sympathy. Before last night's talk Severus wouldn't have believed Harry would be affected by the grades, but, given what he was seeing, Harry was shaken. When Harry looked up, face pale, Severus spoke.

"I don't think I need to tell you what those grades mean. Normally, a report like that at the end of the first term would mean being dismissed from the failed classes. At NEWT level, it is almost impossible to catch up enough from a failed first term to get a passing grade for the year," he said, his voice firm.

"I just met with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick," Severus started. "Given what you told me last night, I have a potential solution, however, I had to clear it with them first. They, and I, have agreed to allow you to complete the work you failed to complete during the term, however, you must complete that work during these two weeks before the next term starts. If you complete the work satisfactorily, it will raise your grade to the 'acceptable' level so that you may remain in class. Once the new term starts, failure to turn in any two assignments in a class over the course of the next term, barring any unusual circumstances, will result in your immediate dismissal from that class."

Harry swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the table in front of him.

Severus gestured to the several sheets of parchment he had laid on the table. "Those are the assignments you failed to complete throughout the term for all three classes. You are lucky in that you somehow managed to pass all of your practicals in Charms and Transfiguration, however, you have a lot of written work to make up in those two classes as well as your written and brewing work for Potions. I won't lie to you Harry, this won't be easy" Severus said, "you would be making up almost an entire term's work in two weeks. Still, it is the only thing you can do to stay in these classes. Look at me," Severus said sternly, as he put a finger under Harry's chin, forcing Harry to look up.

"We are willing to help you in this but you have to make the effort. I can put together a schedule that will help but it would mean following that schedule to the letter and not deviating. It would also require you to remain in these quarters with me, which means abiding by the rules I set out, so I can monitor your progress and adjust the schedule as needed; your free time would be limited. You have a decision to make, one with which I can't help you. It is up to you to make the commitment," Severus finished, releasing Harry's chin. "Given the amount of work, I can only give you until dinner to make your decision. If you choose not to make the effort, you will not be allowed to continue in class when the new term begins."

As Severus stood up, he was stopped by Harry.

"I won't need until dinner," Harry said softly. "I want to try."

Severus nodded. "Very well. I will have that schedule for you shortly. Continue to work on what was assigned yesterday; I want you to try and get both assignments completed today so you don't have that to complete as well. Then you can concentrate on the make-up work." Severus laid his hand gently on Harry's shoulder. "Take a short breather; I'll have Stiry bring lunch. You can get back to work once you have eaten." At Harry's nod, Severus gave Harry's shoulder a gentle squeeze and then went to call Stiry.

12:30

Harry sighed as he sat back down at the table and pulled his potions essay back in front of him. The topic was pretty involved, but, Harry was glad to see he was almost done with the assigned length and felt he had done a better than usual job. Still, he knew full well that if this wasn't up to Snape's exacting standards, he would be re-writing it until it was acceptable.

3 PM

Harry put down his quill, capped the inkwell and sat back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head to work out the stiffness from sitting for so long. He had managed to complete both of the assigned essays, the Herbology essay being easier than he had thought it would be. He flushed a little when he remembered his outburst at Professor Sprout. He knew full well he owed her an apology but wasn't looking forward to the probable lecture and possible detention she would issue in response. He started a little when a tray containing a pitcher of cold pumpkin juice and assorted fruit popped into view on the table in front of him. Stiry, he thought, as he poured a glass of the juice and drank it down, not realizing how thirsty he was until just that moment.

"How are things coming Harry?" Severus asked, as he walked into the room from his office.

"Pretty good I think," Harry answered. "I am done with the assigned essays or at least, I have completed them," Harry said wryly, handing several sheets of parchment to Severus.

Severus took the proffered sheets. "It is 3 pm. Why don't you take an hour or so, take a walk, go flying, do something to relax, but be back here by 4. I should have your schedule completed by then and we can go over it. I'll also look at these and make any corrections or suggestions for improvement."

Harry nodded and stood up gratefully, glad to give his aching backside a rest from the hard chair. He didn't hesitate as he walked to the door leading directly to the corridor. Opening it, he glanced back at Severus and before leaving the room, said "thanks professor, for everything." Walking out the door, he missed Severus' stunned expression.

Harry made his way to the greenhouses figuring Professor Sprout would be lovingly tending her plants. It took him a few minutes but he finally found her in greenhouse three, the one normally occupied by the second-year students. Harry smiled in memory as he walked into the warm structure and saw the mandrakes lined up. Judging by the leaf growth, they weren't quite ready for repotting as yet. Another week or so he guessed; just in time for the second-years to come back from break.

Professor Sprout hadn't seen Harry as yet as she was busy trimming a group of Poinsettias, getting them ready to move into the Great Hall for the Christmas celebration two days hence. Harry hesitated but then took a deep breath for courage and walked up to the professor, making sure she saw him approach so as not to startle her. When she spotted him, her lips tightened slightly but she didn't say anything as he approached. Harry's heart sank. Her silence in and of itself was telling that she was not happy with him.

"Professor, I…" Harry flushed and looked at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry professor," he said quietly. "I had no right to speak to you the way I did."

Harry squirmed slightly under the normally jovial teacher's disapproving stare, the silence going on. Why didn't she say something? He felt an encouraging finger under his chin and he lifted his eyes to her face, not so far to go considering he was a half head taller than the Professor.

"You have never been anything other than respectful to me Mr Potter, which made your outburst yesterday that much worse. As this was the first time you have ever dared speak to me that way, I am willing to let this incident go just this once. I will remind you, however, that a repeat will not be tolerated. If you ever speak to me like that again, I won't hesitate to correct your attitude. Do I make myself clear?" she finished sternly.

"Yes Professor," Harry answered immediately. "I really am sorry," he said again, almost desperately.

The professor's normally kind expression returned as she patted his shoulder. "I know," she said, her voice gentle. "Off with you now, I have Poinsettias to trim."

Harry smiled as the professor waved him away. "Thanks professor," he said as he walked out of the greenhouse, his heart a little lighter.

4 pm

Severus looked up as Harry walked back in to the room. "Right on time," he said approvingly.

"Come over here and sit down. I've finished the schedule."

Harry made his way over and took a seat on the comfortable couch facing Severus who was, as usual, in his favorite chair.

"Before we go over the schedule, I read your essays. Both are good and can be turned in as is, however, I did make some minor notations on a separate sheet of parchment for you to consider. It might be something for you to look at later if you have time before the break ends."

Harry just nodded and waited for Severus to continue.

"I will give you fair warning that you are not going to like this schedule. As it stands, you will only have about 2 hours of free time each day, except for tomorrow, Friday for Christmas, which will be your one day completely off. While there is no scheduled study time that day, I would encourage you still to do some work just in case something happens later on that causes a delay. You are going to be adhering to an almost normal school schedule otherwise, curfew and lights out at the same time as when classes are in session and there will be no change to this schedule on the weekends. You will be working on all three classes every day and will work on your brewing on Saturday and Sunday. Most of the potions you failed may be brewed in a normal class period so you should be able to catch up rather quickly with those, provided you do not make too many mistakes that would require second attempts. " Here Severus paused as he handed Harry the schedule, sitting back while Harry took in the timetable.

Harry groaned inwardly as he studied the sheet. Aggressive wasn't the word for it. Snape certainly hadn't lied. He had maybe two hours of free time each day, not including the 45 minutes for meals. Otherwise, he was studying or sleeping. It was going to be a very long two weeks.

"Do you have any questions on the schedule?" Severus asked.

"No Sir," Harry replied quietly.

"All right then. The other part of this is the rules for the next two weeks. You will follow that schedule to the letter. I will not hesitate to take away your free time if you decide to slack off. You will be polite and respectful or you will find yourself in the same position you were a couple of nights ago. I will not tolerate temper tantrums or attitude. You are 17, not 6. You have committed yourself to this very adult course of action and I am proud of you for making that choice. Don't let it go to waste. Now, you have about 90 minutes before dinner. Go ahead and get started on the next Charms assignment. You'll probably be able to get that one completed tonight as well as it is not particularly taxing."

Harry nodded and standing up, he went to get his Charms book, bringing it out to the table. Sitting down, he pulled the assignments list to him and found the first of what looked like way too many missed Charms assignments. Sighing, he dutifully opened his text and began reading.

The only break Harry took that night was the 45 minutes he had been allotted for dinner. Immediately upon finishing, and taking a piece of his favorite treacle tart with him, Harry had gone back to his studying. Harry felt good as just as the time came for curfew, he wrote out the last sentence in the essay and then crossed the assignment off the impossibly long list. Having about 30 minutes before lights out, Harry looked at the other assignments and compared them with the schedule. Severus had actually given him plenty of time to complete each assignment, so he would probably be able to save some time here and there.

When it came time for bed, Harry didn't hesitate. He was pleased with how much he had gotten done and for the first time in weeks felt content.