A/N. Hi all time for a new chapter :) Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and apologises for not replying to everyone. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. I have started writing chapter 10 so hopefully it won't take too long to finish. I've also realised that this story is becoming a lot bigger than I expected so I hope you are all in for the long haul. There will be a little bit of a time skip over the summer so that I can get them to Hogwarts but that won't be for two or three chapters yet.

Please review x

Chapter 9.

Severus stepped out of the fireplace in his quarters after the short floo trip and dusted himself down. He looked down at the boy in his arms and saw that Harry had his eyes squeezed tightly shut. He brushed the lingering soot off Harry and placed him on the floor. "Are you alright Harry?" he asked.

Harry nodded, "Yes that was better than the other way but it felt really weird."

"Wizarding methods of transport can feel peculiar at first. Don't worry though you will get used to them."

Harry wasn't so sure about that right then. He took a look at his new surroundings. He was in a cosy living room that was painted in warm green tones. There was a large sofa and two black chairs with a coffee table in-between, as well as a bookcase that was overflowing with books.

"Let me show you around, the elves should be finished with your room by now."

"Elves sir?" questioned Harry who then looked horrified that he had asked a question.

Severus sighed. It was going to be a long journey getting Harry to feel comfortable with being inquisitive, like an eleven year old boy should be. "It's okay to ask questions Harry, you won't be punished for it and remember its Severus when we are not in lessons" he chided gently. "House elves are magical creatures who work for witches and wizards. They are bound to a place or a family and are tasked with looking after said place or family. Now some will argue that this isn't fair but it is their purpose and would be unhappy without it. Each teacher has a personal elf and mine helped to oversee the addition of a new room for you." Severus didn't really want to get into house elf politics so stated it as simply as possible for Harry.

"You really didn't have to go to all that trouble. I don't need much space." Harry looked panicked, how could he repay such kindness? "What do you want me to do in return?"

"In return?" asked Severus puzzled. What on earth did the boy mean?

"For the room. I can cook and clean and I'm good at…at..erm gardening…"

"Harry, Harry, calm down and look at me." Severus knelt down so he could look the boy in the eye. Two minutes of being alone together and he had sent Harry into a panic attack. "Listen very carefully Harry. You are not a house elf and will not be responsible for the cooking, cleaning or anything else you may think of."

"But my Aunt and Uncle said I had to earn my keep. That I was lucky they even put a roof over my head because of what a freak I am."

Severus took a deep breath, not for the first time that day did he have to try and calm his anger at the Dursleys so as not to show it to Harry. "Ignore anything those so called relatives of yours ever told you. You are not a freak. You are an elven year old boy who is entitled to a room of his own as well as clothes that fit, toys to play with and three square meals a day. The only chores you will be responsible for are keeping your own room tidy and helping me with the dishes when we eat here. Is that understood?"

"Yes Severus" replied Harry.

"Good now let's get this tour started." Severus showed Harry the kitchen/dining area, his study, the door to his potions lab which he was not to go into unless accompanied by Severus or in an emergency, the door to Severus's room, the bathroom and then finally the room that was to be his.

"Wow this is all really mine?" asked Harry in awe.

"Yes child it is," replied Severus.

Harry broke into a huge grin, his own room! Sure the Dursley's had put him in Dudley's second bedroom but it was nothing like this. This was especially for him. He had a large bed, a desk with a chair, wardrobe and bookcase.

"The elves have left the walls a plain blue for now so you can decide how you would like to decorate it."

Harry was now feeling even more overwhelmed than he was previously. Not only did he have his own room but he could decorate it however he wanted. Never having had this choice before though he was at a loss as to what to do.

As if reading his mind Severus spoke up, "You do not need to decide right now, take your time to think about it. Narcissa will be able to give you some advice as she has a flair for interior design. You can ask her when she comes by tomorrow to take you shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yes shopping. You need new clothes for a start and don't argue" added Severus as he saw Harry open his mouth to protest. "As your guardian it is my responsibility to make sure you have everything you need. I will give you some time alone now so that you can adjust to your new surroundings and when you are ready come and join me in the sitting room as I have a few house rules that I need to go over with you." Severus saw a brief flash of fear on Harry's face as he walked towards the door. This is why he had to set rules for the boy; it was what he was used to. Unlike his relatives though Severus's rules were few and didn't contain ridiculous expectations that Harry could never hope to achieve. He would also go over what form punishments might take so that Harry will know what to expect and he wanted to reiterate that he would never use violence.

Harry sat down on his new bed which was the most comfortable thing he had ever sat on. Harry had to admit he was worried about what Severus's rules would be but at least once he knew them he could make sure that he didn't do anything wrong. He was going to try even harder to be good. He had never managed it with his Aunt and Uncle even though he had tried his hardest. He gathered his thoughts and then got up to go to the sitting room. When he entered the room he hovered nervously.

Severus had heard Harry's soft footsteps and looked up at the nervous boy. "Come and sit down Harry," said Severus and he watched as the boy perched on the edge of one of the chairs. "I don't have many rules but the ones I do are designed to keep you safe. I have already mentioned that you are not to go into my potions lab without me being present. If I am in there and you need me, knock on the door and I will come straight away. You are to work hard at school and to ask for help if you cannot understand something. Curfew will be at 8pm with lights out being half an hour later, this is the same curfew I set my first year snakes. Lastly you are not to go anywhere in the castle without asking my permission first and not alone until you know your way around properly. Oh and forget any rules the Dursley's ever gave you. Are these rules acceptable?"

Harry couldn't quite believe that these were the rules. There were a lot less than the Dursley's and one of them was for him to try and do his best at school which he wasn't allowed to do before. "Yes they are acceptable."

"As for punishments they will depend on the severity of what you have done. They will range from writing lines, cleaning cauldrons or being grounded. One thing that will never happen is that you will not be punished physically. I will never hit you," Severus stated emphatically.

Harry eyed the man contemplatively. He wanted to believe that Severus wouldn't hurt him but it was what Vernon did when he was bad or if his Uncle was angry. Still Severus didn't seem like the kind of man that would lie. Time would tell he supposed.

"Now that is over with, how about I show you around Hogwarts?"

"Yes please. I've been excited to see it ever since Draco told me about it. I can't believe it's an actual castle!"

Severus couldn't help but smile at Harry's excitement. "Come on then let's go."