A HUGE thank you to Carrie for helping me out and being my beta for this chapter. Enjoy ya'll and I will try and get the next one up very soon.

Snape paused in front of the bedroom door. In his trek up the stairs he had been so sure of his plan. He was going to march right into Harry's room and guilt the child into telling him the truth. He expected that Harry would instantly dissolve into tears, confessing his every wrongdoing. He had not for a moment considered the thought that Harry might lie.

Slowly he turned and walked back down the hallway. Slipping into his own bedroom he picked up a quill that was lying on top of a pile of work. With little effort, he silently transfigured it and slipped the new object into the inner pocket of his robe.

Being outside without permission at night was one thing. Snape was concerned that there was more to the story, though. There was also the chance that Harry would attempt to lie about things. In either case, Snape intended to be prepared to teach his child a lesson that would not soon be forgotten.

Once again he made his way down the hall to Harry's room. For a moment he debated calling Kermy and requesting that Bane be brought inside. He decided against it though. It was a nice enough evening that the canine could stay out under the supervision of the house elves a bit longer. Besides, Snape knew that Kermy cared for Harry just as much as Minka did. The two of them didn't care for Harry being punished, not even when it was more than deserved.

Snape knocked once on the door, noticing for the first time that the boy's light was still on. He had expected Harry to be in bed fighting sleep. After all, it was late and the child did not know that he was in any sort of trouble. Harry likely thought that he was just coming up to say goodnight and tuck him in.

He pushed the door open expecting to find his son lying in bed however Harry was sitting up on the edge of his bed, wide awake, and looking quite concerned.

"I have to talk to you," Harry said the moment he saw his guardian. The words came out rushed and Snape could easily see that the child was nervous.

"I have a peculiar suspicion that something occurred at the World Cup?" Snape forced his tone to remain neutral. He couldn't help the surge of pride he was feeling. He was nearly certain that his son was about to confess. The idea of his doing so without being prompted was enough to make Snape want to reward him rather than punish him. Perhaps he had been too hasty in transfiguring the paddle.

Harry nodded. "It did. I wanted to tell you downstairs but I didn't want Sirius to know that I was going to."

Snape raised an eyebrow at this confession. Now was not the time but he would have to remember in the near future to touch on the fact that Sirius was an adult and if Harry planned on spending more time with the man he was going to have to get used to being honest with him and in front of him.

"Ron and I couldn't sleep," Harry quickly explained without being prompted. "We decided to see if Hermione was up and then to just sit out front and talk for a bit. We just weren't tired."

"And so without any regard to the rules or your own safety you did as you pleased," Snape replied in a stern voice.

Harry's two front teeth chewed on his bottom lip as he sat in silence. When Snape said it, it sounded so much worse than he had intended for it to be. He didn't know how to explain to his guardian that it hadn't seemed all that dangerous in the moment. He hadn't known that an attack was going to happen and if it hadn't he would likely be asleep in his bed in the tent right now with Snape none the wiser of any misbehavior.

"I suppose that the three of you didn't do very much thinking?"

Harry nearly pointed out that Hermione had actually said it was a bad idea but he was sure that doing so wouldn't help him in the least. If he was being honest with himself, he had known that Snape wouldn't have been happy with his decision to go outside. He hadn't thought it was dangerous, though – just wrong.

"No Sir," he finally replied. "Like I said, we just wanted to sit and talk. We couldn't sleep."

"Nor could you make wise decisions by the sound of it."

Silence reigned once more.

Harry couldn't help the guilt that was rushing through his body. He had known that going outside was wrong yet he had done it anyway with little care about what Snape would have thought.

"Is that the whole story?" Snape asked his voice sterner than ever. "Did anything else happen?"

Harry quickly debated telling Snape that he had forgotten his wand. He couldn't imagine that his guardian would take the confession well, though. Harry could practically see the man's disappointment in him growing tenfold.

"No Sir," Harry finally replied. "Nothing else happened. We were just outside when we were supposed to be in bed."

Snape sighed softly before sitting at the foot of Harry's bed.

"I'm sorry," Harry offered in a sheepish voice. He didn't like his guardian sitting. It put him in just the right position to punish him. "It really wasn't very smart and it won't happen again."

Even though he really wasn't feeling all that angry he forced himself to remain stern, his demeanor unwavering. "Tomorrow you will write an essay on the importance of following the rules. You will also pay special attention to explaining why it is important to make adults aware of where you are at all times."

"Yes Sir," Harry agreed. His shoulders had slumped a considerable amount at Snape's words. He wasn't looking forward to spending part of his day writing an essay but he couldn't find it in him to be too annoyed. After all, it certainly beat the alternative.

"It is late," Snape said as he stood up. "Tomorrow morning we will finish this discussion."

Harry gave his guardian a worried look as he scooted back on his bed and lay down.

Snape pulled the quilt up over the child's shoulders. "Just a discussion," Snape promised. "Nothing more. I want to discuss the time spent with your godfather or more specifically your behavior during that time."

"I know that I still have to follow your rules," Harry offered through a yawn.

"Yet you didn't this evening," Snape mused as he leaned over and placed a single kiss on the boy's forehead without giving his actions a second thought. "Aside from that, you did not want to mention your wrong doings in front of him."

Harry remained silent. He didn't know how to explain to Snape why he didn't want to say anything in front of Sirius.

"Obviously after he lied for you, you did not want to make him look bad however if I am to trust you to go with him that cannot happen Harry."

"It won't happen again," Harry quickly promised.

"We will talk in the morning," Snape affirmed. "Now get some sleep. I will send Bane up."

"What about the attack tonight?" Harry couldn't help but ask. "Why did it happen? And what-"

"Tomorrow," Snape replied in a gentle yet firm voice. "We will discuss it tomorrow."

"Night," Harry yawned once more as his eyes became heavy. "Love you."

"And I you."

"What have I told you about feeding that dog from the table?" Snape asked in an annoyed tone.

"Uh I guess not to," Harry replied as his hand holding the small bit of sausage traveled from his lap back up to his plate.

"If you would like to write a second essay today on the importance of remembering and following the rules that can certainly be arranged."

Harry silently shook his head as he popped the sausage into his mouth. He didn't really believe that Snape would make good on his threat but he didn't want to press his luck either.

"While we are on the subject I do want to continue our discussion from last night."

Harry quickly swallowed his food before replying. "We aren't on the subject and besides I told you that I won't do it again."

Snape nearly scolded the child for his cheek but he quickly decided against it. "It is not your behavior that I want to discuss but rather how it is dealt with."

Harry gave his guardian a curious look. He couldn't help the hopeful feeling that surged through his body. Maybe Snape was actually realizing that he was far too old at fourteen for juvenile punishments. "You want to change how you deal with it?"

"While I am sure that would please you that is not the case. What I meant and what I perhaps should have stated better was that I want to speak with you about the fact that you did not want to be honest in front of your godfather."

Harry felt his emotions shift. Usually, he quite liked that his guardian wanted to discuss things but when it came to topics like this he would have liked the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"I have been attempting to allow your relationship with your godfather to progress without much interference. I can certainly see how it is beneficial to you. However, it is imperative that the rules I set are followed regardless of whose care you are in." Snape paused as he gave his young charge a pointed look. "It is also equally as important that if something should happen both you and your godfather are honest about it in a timely matter."

"I guess Sirius didn't think it was that big of a deal," Harry admitted after a moment. "He wasn't cross at all when he found us outside. I told him that you would be mad about it and I kind of expected him to tell you but then when he didn't I felt weird telling you in front of him. Like a snitch or something."

"Although I am quite proud of you for confiding in me despite knowing that I would not be pleased, it really should have been your godfather that informed me of the issue."

"I know," Harry agreed in a small voice before taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. "I kind of expected him too but I also wasn't that surprised when he didn't." Harry was amazed at the fact that only moments ago he was dreading this conversation and now his feelings were just pouring out of him. He wasn't sure how Snape always managed to accomplish that but he wouldn't have been the least shocked if he found out one day that the man knew some secret magic to accomplish it.

Snape could certainly see where Harry was coming from. From what he had observed of Black and Harry's relationship, he treated the child as more of an equal than a boy. Snape often wondered if Black was aware that Harry was James' son and not James himself. He didn't intend for the man to ever become a real authority figure in Harry's life. Snape knew that the idea of that happening was about as likely as Albus Dumbledore ever holding Harry accountable for his misbehavior. Still, if this relationship was going to continue Snape needed to know that his rules would be followed and that he would be made aware if they weren't.

"I think it would be wise of you to discuss this with your godfather. Perhaps let him know that you wish to be honest with me. Your doing so may help him to see it really is the best direction to go."

Harry shrugged as he drank the last of his pumpkin juice. He couldn't imagine having such a conversation with Sirius. After last night he really couldn't picture Sirius ever reporting back to Snape with any news of bad behavior.

"I was unaware that shrugging your shoulders at me is now an acceptable form of communication," Snape mused.

"I don't know how to talk to Sirius about things like that," Harry confided in his guardian after a moment of silence. "I don't know why but it's just not like it is with you. It's hard."

Snape mulled over these words for a moment before gently clearing his throat. "Perhaps I could have a discussion with him then."

Harry was tempted to tell Snape that it didn't matter he still couldn't picture Sirius changing his ways. "Okay," Harry agreed. "I'll try to talk to him too I guess."

Snape gave a small nod of approval before his eyes quickly scanned Harry's now empty plate.

"If you have finished breakfast you may take Bane out for a few moments before you start on your essay."

Harry nearly started to argue that he didn't want to spend one of his last days of summer working on an essay but he bit his tongue. In all actuality, he had expected much more punishment from Snape.

He pushed his chair back causing Bane to emerge from under the table, his tail wagging a mile a minute. "How long does the essay have to be?"

"I think three feet will be sufficient," Snape replied before picking up his teacup and taking a sip of his hot tea.

Harry's shoulders drooped as he gave his guardian a pitiful look. "Snape," he nearly whined. "It's summer."

"I was unaware that the season had anything to do with the rules that you are supposed to follow. The rules which you promised to follow."

"It doesn't," Harry mumbled as he turned and headed for the back door with Bane at his feet. He should have known that Snape wouldn't go back on his word. The man never did. It was both Harry's favorite and least favorite thing about him depending on the circumstances.

"Two feet and you will spend one hour this afternoon working in my laboratory with me."

Harry couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. "Deal," he replied without turning around to face his guardian.

"You know that tournament that Dumbledore was talking about?"

"Professor Dumbledore," Snape corrected. "What about it?"

Harry didn't miss the uneasiness in his guardian's voice. It didn't take a genius to see that something about this tournament upset the man. Harry couldn't help but assume that Snape's apprehension was caused by thinking that he would somehow try to participate in it.

"Is it really that dangerous?" Harry asked. "I mean you said before that students have died during it?"

"It is incredibly dangerous. It consists of different tasks – challenges if you will – that are designed to be surpassingly difficult. They test your every sense and skill level."

"Why do they still allow it if people die, though?"

"Tradition," Snape said the word as though it was foul. "Students do not die at every tournament. As you know, it has been several years since the last did, however, the threat is always there and very real."

Harry was silent for a moment as he allowed these words to wash over him. "But you have to be of age to enter right?"

"Correct. Professor Dumbledore will draw an age line around the cup. Those under age will not be allowed to cross it and those that attempt to," Snape paused as he gave his son a stern look, "will regret it. That being said, I will personally see to your punishment and you will be thoroughly introduced to the strap if I hear of you attempting to enter."

"You won't," Harry quickly promised. "I don't want to enter."

"See to it that it stays that way," Snape retorted in a much gentler voice. "How much of that essay have you completed?"

Harry glanced down at the piece of parchment before looking back up at his guardian. "About half," he answered honestly.

"I sincerely hope that you are paying close attention to both your spelling and your punctuation."

"I am," Harry replied with a single nod. He looked down at his parchment once more attempting to concentrate on his work. His mind was wandering in other directions though. He was trying to remember every student in Hogwarts that would be of age when they returned. He couldn't help but be thankful that the Weasley twins were too young. Harry could picture them both entering and the idea of one of them being killed over a silly tournament was almost too much to bear. He was certain that they would try and cross the age line though and he was excited to see what they would come up with to attempt to get past it.

"Stop daydreaming and finish your work," Snape instructed.

"Just one more question? Please?"

"One more question," Snape agreed in a tired tone.

"What happens if you get past the age line and put your name in?"

"If your name is pulled you must compete – there are no exceptions."

"You said last night that we could talk about the attack," Harry reminded his guardian as he carefully stirred the small cauldron full of dragon blood and pixie wings.

"Twenty- two times counterclockwise," Snape said in a somber tone. "I certainly hope that you are paying attention and keeping count."

"I am," Harry nodded seriously. He peered down at the thick potion as he silently doubted himself. He knew how rare dragon blood was to come by, Snape had told him at least a dozen times in the past. He also knew that his guardian's allowing him to help with such an important ingredient was a big deal. He didn't want to muck it up.

He stirred the potion twice more before stopping. "That's twenty- two."

Snape moved from across the room and peered into the cauldron as Harry held his breath. He was sure that if had somehow counted wrong he would be in a world of trouble.

"Very good," Snape mused. "Now lower the flame a bit and wait for it to boil."

Harry did as he was instructed and waited for Snape to walk back across the room. He watched as the man picked up a small blade and went back to chopping up the small phoenix eggs.

"Would they have been baby birds?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

Snape nearly rolled his eyes in response. His child couldn't have been more of a Gryffindor if he tried. "No," he answered honestly. "In every dozen or so there are what is called duds or eggs that are empty inside. Phoenix's are far too useful to be murdered before they are even born"

Harry was silent for a moment as he tried to decide whether he should repeat his question about the Death Eaters. He didn't want to annoy Snape but the desire to know what had happened and what was going on had been eating at him all day.

"I'm not quite sure that I can answer all of your questions about the attacks last night," Snape said as he chopped up the last of the eggs and disposed of them into a large cauldron. "At this point, I don't think that anyone can. There is some speculation that the members which were there simply wanted to cause trouble."

"You don't think that's true though do you?"

Harry hated himself for the fear that he could hear in his voice.

"I do not," Snape answered honestly.

"Did you know that there was going to be an attack?" Harry couldn't help but ask. "I mean because you are one or a spy or whatever."

"I did not know of the attack until it was taking place. Had I known about it prior to that you would not have been present nor would those that you attended with."

Harry nodded silently as he turned his attention back to his cauldron. The liquid inside was slowly beginning to bubble.

"You are absolutely safe in this house. As well as anywhere else that you travel. I would not allow you to go if I thought for even a moment that you were not."

"I know."

"Although your godfather is not my favorite person, I must admit that he is a highly trained wizard and more than capable of keeping you safe," Snape added.

Harry could hear the concern in his guardian's voice. He knew that Snape was worried about him. Worried that he was scared or somehow damaged by what had happened at the tournament.

"I know," Harry replied once more. He paused for a moment as he debated asking the question that was burning in his mind at all. He finally decided that he had to know, even if he hated the answer. "Do you think that it happened because me and Sirius were there? Do you think that they were after one of us?"

Harry watched as Snape's lips pressed into a tight line.

"I think that there were plenty of people in attendance that could have sparked their interest and –"

"Oh come on Snape," Harry cut the man off in an aggravated voice. "A lot of bloody people? You know that isn't true and even if it is you know that killing me would rank above them all!"

The moment the words left Harry's mouth he regretted them. He was already being punished and he was sure that his guardian was going to murder him now.

A stern look overcame the man's face and then a moment later it softened. "You are right," Snape admitted in a sad tone. "It is a highly likely probability that the attack took place because you were there with your godfather."

"Really?" Harry asked in a whisper. He never in a million years had expected Snape to react so calmly and agree with him so quickly.

"Really," Snape nodded. "That being said, while it is likely, it is not fact. There were thousands of people there Harry. It could have simply been an attempt to stir up trouble and fear. Doing so used to be quite common years ago. I would not be surprised if they decided to do so again."

Harry nodded silently.

"As I have said, you are very safe at all times."

"You promise?" Harry couldn't help but ask as the cauldron started to boil.

"I promise," Snape assured him.

"Where is my godson? Sent to his room for all eternity for one small mistake?"

"He is in bed as it is nearly midnight," Snape replied forcing himself to keep a calm demeanor. He would not allow the overgrown child in his parlor to get the best of him nor would he lose his temper.

"Sent there without supper I assume?"

"He ate two helpings of supper as well as dessert. If you must know his punishment consisted of writing an essay about the importance of following the rules as well as helping me with a complex potion. Hardly abuse and hardly a cause for an interrogation."

"What did you want to speak to me about?" Sirius asked giving no regard to Snape's words.

"Harry confessed quite quickly last night. He also confided in me that he wanted to tell me the moment he walked in the door but felt odd about doing so in front of you."

"I have a hard time believing that."

"Believe whatever you wish Black but it ends here. If you wish to continue to take Harry anywhere further than your kitchen you will abide by the rules which I have set. You will also make me aware when these rules have not been followed."

"He was sitting outside with his friends. It isn't as if he robbed Gringotts."

"At night without letting an adult know where he was," Snape explained through gritted teeth. "Regardless of what you think, this is dangerous for a variety of reasons."

"I hardly think that being a foot outside of the tent without his wand is cause for all of this drama," Sirius said in an annoyed voice.

Snape felt his insides coil. Without his wand. He had half a mind to storm upstairs, wake the child, and punish him accordingly. Instead, he forced his face to remain unaffected by the information. "As I have said, my rules are the rules which are meant to be followed Black and I intend to make sure that you do so. If it means meeting with the Ministry I shall do so but I would like to keep this between the two of us and civil if at all possible."

"I am sure that the Ministry will see that all of these rules are completely unnecessary."

"The concern of the Ministry is keeping your godson alive," Snape replied in an annoyed tone. "His behavior has improved tenfold during the time which he has spent with me. The rules which I have set are absolutely necessary. This is a child who managed to open the Chamber of Secrets in his second year at Hogwarts – the same year that he and the Weasley boy flew a blasted enchanted car clear across London. He has been caught roaming the castle in the middle of the night numerous times. He has also put himself in life threatening situations by completely disregarding the rules. If you wish to let him act as he pleases and he is hurt or worse I promise you Black, that you will live every day of your life regretting it. I will make sure of that."

Sirius was silent for a moment before slowly replying. "I will have a talk with Harry. I will follow your rules."

"As well as report back to me when they are disregarded?"

Sirius nodded in agreement.

"Very well then."

TBC...