Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 6

Harry remained in the hospital wing for the next few days. Most of the time he was either working on his homework or sleeping. Snape had visited at least once a day, but things were still a bit awkward between the two of them. Harry still couldn't get used to Sn-his father being civil to him and, sometimes, almost nice. Harry laughed softly. If someone had told him a month ago that he would refer to Professor Snape as his father, he would have thought they were insane. Now, he was going to be staying in Snape's quarters for the rest of the summer and he was a little apprehensive about it. He wasn't sure how they would get along, especially considering their past history. He hoped it would be all right, but he wasn't too optimistic considering the luck he'd had with relatives so far.

Harry looked up as the door to the infirmary opened and his father strode in. Snape came to Harry's bed and laid some clothes on the night stand after moving some potion bottles out of the way.

"I bought you some clothes." He said as he sat in a chair next to Harry's bed. "The rags you had in your trunk were not fit for a house elf. Did those...relatives of yours never buy you new clothes?"

Harry blushed. "They didn't think I was worthy of new clothes. I got Dudley's old ones," Harry said quietly.

Snape's eyes narrowed in anger. "I believe I will have to pay those muggles a visit.''

Harry bit his lower lip in concern. "You...you won't hurt them, will you?"

Snape looked at him in astonishment. "Harry, they treated you like trash, they almost killed you. Don't you think they deserve some punishment for that?''

Harry shrugged. "So, am I finally getting out today? I can't wait to see my room."

Snape gave him a look that said they would be speaking about this again. "Yes, Madame Pomfrey just wants to check you over once more and then you can leave. I have some potions to brew, but I will be back in an hour to show you to our rooms. I suggest you eat dinner before I get back so you can go right to bed when we get there. The walk will probably tire you and I do not want you missing a meal," Snape said before he rose and left the room.

An hour later Snape and Harry were on their way to the dungeons. Madame Pomfrey, after much coaxing on Harry's part, decided he was fit to leave the hospital wing as long as he promised to return in a few days for a checkup. Snape made sure to slow his normal pace to keep from tiring Harry out, but he was still pale and sweating by the time they reached the entrance to their rooms. Snape said the password and helped Harry inside.

Harry had expected everything to be in Slytherin green and was pleasantly surprised to see it was not. The sitting room was large with a couch and two high-backed chairs in front of a fireplace. Off to the left there was a small dining area and directly in front was a hallway leading to more rooms. On the right, the wall of the sitting was filled from the floor to the ceiling with books. The furnishings were done in mostly dark blue and silver and were elegant as well as comfortable.

Snape helped Harry to the couch and went through an opening off of the dining area. He came back a moment later with a glass of water that he handed to Harry.

"Relax for a moment. I'll give you the grand tour after you catch your breath," Snape said as he sat in one of the chairs.

Harry took the glass and sipped occasionally as they sat in a slightly awkward silence. After a few minutes Harry spoke.

''I would have expected green and silver, Professor," Harry said, smiling.

Snape chuckled darkly. "With the heads of former students adorning the mantle, no doubt."

Harry laughed, almost choking on the sip of water he just took. "Something like that," he said when he recovered.

"Are you ready for the tour?" Snape said as he stood.

Harry set his glass on the table and stood, as well. "Yes, sir."

Snape gestured toward the doorway he entered earlier. "The kitchen is through there." He walked down the hallway with Harry following behind. "This first door on the right is to my office. Please do not go in there unless I am with you as there are some rather nasty wards that will activate if anyone but me enters. This door on the left leads to the bathroom. The last door on the right is my bedroom. This one here is your bedroom," he said as he opened the last door on the left.

Harry's eyes widened as he entered the room. It was beautiful. The large bed had bedding in the same dark blue as the sitting room and silver hangings that were almost transparent. The desk, night stand, bed, and wardrobe were made of mahogany with silver accents and the rugs were woven in blue and silver. His trunk was already sitting at the foot of his bed and Hedwig's cage was on the desk.

Snape coughed slightly. "I thought you might be tired of red and gold. I honestly do not know how anyone can sleep surrounded by such bright and gaudy colors."

"Sure, and it had nothing to do with not wanting Griffindor colors in your quarters," Harry teased. He smiled as he looked around the room once more. "It's perfect. Thank you, sir."

"My pleasure. Now, I suggest you get ready for bed. I will be in my office so if you need anything do not hesitate to ask." Snape left the room, but then he reappeared in the doorway. "Oh, and Harry?"

"Yes, sir."

Snape smirked and said, "You might be right about the Griffindor colors."

Harry laughed as Snape left. He changed into his pajamas and got into bed thinking his life was turning out really well for a change.

Two hours later Snape was sitting in his office trying to work on lessons plans for the coming year. He simply couldn't concentrate because his thoughts kept drifting to Harry. He caught himself smiling as he remembered Harry's expression when he saw his room. I'm going to have to be careful about that, he thought. I don't want to ruin my reputation. He thought about how much his life had changed over the last few weeks and how happy he was to have Harry in it. After Lily died he didn't think he could ever be happy again, but apparently he had been wrong. He was startled out of his thoughts by an agonized scream coming from Harry's room.

He found himself in the same room in the Riddle house where he had his first vision. Wormtail was kneeling before a chair in which Voldemort was sitting in front of a fireplace.

Voldemort idly stroked Nagini's head as he spoke. "What progress have you made my faithful servant?"

Wormtail trembled and bowed his head. "We have almost finished translating the scroll. It should only take another week or so, my Lord."

"This I knew. Have you found the object yet?" Voldemort hissed.

"N-n-no, my Lord. That may take a bit more t-time. We-"

"I am very displeased with you, Wormtail. The ritual can only be performed twice a year and will need at least two months of preparation. I need it now." Voldemort stood and started pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

Wormtail bowed so low his forehead touched the floor. "Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort stopped pacing and said, "What of your other project?"

"I've found them. It should be a simple matter to go and collect them. I could do it myself if you wish, my Lord." He was almost stumbling over his words in his eagerness to report the good news.

"Apparently you are capable of accomplishing something. I will go myself along with a few of my trusted Death Eaters. I don't want any mistakes. You will tell no one about this."

"Yes, my Lord."

"And you will find the object before the end of this month. Here is a little taste of what you will suffer if you do not." Voldemort raised his wand and said, "crucio!"

Harry was ripped from the vision as agonizing pain shot through his body.

A/N I'm sorry about the long delay. I have just had a lot of personal stuff going and haven't been able to work on the story. I'm going to try to post every two weeks and I'm also going to start making the chapters longer. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.