Thank you all so much for your reviews! I just love reading them and I'm so glad you are all enjoying the story. I had planned on waiting a bit longer to update but since this chapter was already written, well, here you go. Keep reviewing and enjoy!

Severus pulled Harry along by his wrist, trying to find someone who might be able to watch Harry. Damn babysitter! Cancelling at the last minute! Now I'm late for the Potions Masters of Europe conference. Severus stopped at Filius's office door, knocking impatiently.

"Why, good morning Severus! What can I do for you? Hello Harry!"

"Hi Professor Flitwick." Harry smiled.

"Filius, could you watch Harry for me?"

"I'm sorry Severus. I'd love to but I do have a class today and then I have to catch up on my grading. Perhaps another time?"

Severus sighed.

"Perhaps." Turning around he pulled Harry along to find another teacher. As much as they all adored Harry, most of the professors he's asked had said no due to the fact that they were teaching, grading, or working on personal projects. It frustrated Severus just a bit to think that he did just as much as all the other professors at the same time he was raising a son. Could they not do as much as well?

"Why do I need a babysitter, Dad? I'll be fine on my own." Harry whined, getting tired of being dragged everywhere.

"I'm not leaving you alone in our quarters for an entire day."

"Hagrid could watch me."

"I'd feel a little more secure knowing that you're in the safety of the building. Not outside were anything could happen to you." In reality, Severus just didn't want to leave his child in the care of another child who happened to be in an adult body.

"There's one more teacher we could try."

Stopping outside Professor McGonagall's office, Severus knocked and waited. When the door opened, the two were greeted with a smile.

"Hello, Severus. Good morning Harry, how are you?"

"I'm okay, Professor." Harry answered.

"Minerva, I need you to watch Harry for me. Could you please?"

Before Minerva could object, she got a good look at Severus's face. He looked tired and worn. She also knew that today was a conference for Potions Masters. She had grading to do and a class to teach in the afternoon, but what harm would that do?

"Of course, Severus. Anything to spend some time with little Harry." She cooed at the child.

"Thank you." Severus said relieved. "Now, Harry. You listen to Professor McGonagall and behave. I expect a good report when I come back alright? And then we might go out for ice cream."

"Yay! I'll be good Daddy." Severus quickly hugged Harry and gave him a quick kiss on the top of his head. "See you soon, baby."

Severus started walking down the hall, sneaking a peek at Harry as he did.

"Go, Severus. I know you're late. Harry's in good hands." Minerva called to him.

Severus allowed a small smile before continuing at a hasty pace.

Standing in the middle of McGonagall's office, Harry wondered what he was supposed to do. McGonagall led him to a corner of the room and transfigured a quill into a small desk and had Harry draw with some child friendly colored quills and scrap parchment. Harry began to make different shapes and structures on the paper. Really? She's just going to leave me in this corner to color? This feels more like a punishment.

Harry was greatly entertained when ink bled on the wall after he accidently lifted the quill too fast. It looked cool to Harry, the way one ink line expanded on the new texture. Soon Harry created many cool designs on the wall in front of him, declaring it abstract. He was having quite the fun until McGonagall saw what he was doing.

"Harry, no!" She removed the quills and put them back in to her desk. "You do not draw on walls, young man. I know your father taught you better than that." I was just amusing myself. It's not my fault you're so boring.

"I'm sorry." Harry's lip puckered out and he put on his sad eyes look. McGonagall instantly fell for it.

"You're forgiven. Here." McGonagall summoned some playing blocks and set them up in the middle of the room. "Play with those for a bit."

As Harry began building, McGonagall used a scouring charm on the wall. Then she returned to her desk and started planning her next class.

Harry decided he'd make a replica of Hogwarts with the blocks. It took him a long time, but as he added the last tower to it, he looked around for what could be his flag. McGonagall was busy reading so did not notice as Harry took one of her favorite quills off her desk and some fine parchment and turned the two in to a flag. After failing to make the quill stand, Harry grabbed the ink stand off the desk and poured ink on the block, as well as both of his hands. It was hard to make the quill stick to the block instead of him, but he succeeded and called to McGonagall to show her his masterpiece.

"Look, Professor! It's Hogwarts."

McGonagall smiled as she looked up to marvel at the child's building, but her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open when she saw the sight of Harry and his make believe flag.

"Harry! Look at you! And what have you done to my expensive quill!" Sighing McGonagall put down what she was reading and banished the blocks and the wasted writing set. Then she cast a cleaning charm at Harry.

"Go place your nose in that corner, young man. You do not take things off my desk without permission. Go on."

Harry's lip quivered as he went to stand in the corner. I hate corners! I was just having some fun. Harry leaned his head against the corner as he thought about how boring Professor McGonagall was. Ten minutes later, he was made to sit down and read. A student came by to ask for help on an essay and McGonagall left the room for a moment, telling Harry to stay put.

When McGonagall returned, she sat at her desk and took a sip of her tea. It tasted foul. Spluttering she looked in to her cup, wondering where the sweet taste went.

"You're not supposed to spit it out. Daddy gets really mad when I do that to his potions." Harry told her.

"I'm sorry. Did you say 'potion'?" McGonagall asked. Harry nodded.

"What exactly did you put in here?"

"I found salt and sugar and honey in your drawer. And there was a cream in your top drawer. Then I mixed all of it together and added some more milk to it. All done. It's a potion."

McGonagall made a face when Harry mentioned the cream. It was her face cream. Sighing, she banished her tea and held her head in her hands. How did Severus manage him?

"You didn't finish it!" Harry whined, though secretly he was happy to have pranked his old head of house in such an innocent manner. McGonagall didn't seem to share the same humor.

She dragged him through the halls, passing students who gave curious glances. Stopping outside Pomona's office, McGonagall handed Harry over to her.

"Please take him. Severus is out of Hogwarts at some conference. He'll be back later. I, however, have some important work to do." McGonagall left at that.

"Harry Snape, you must have been driving her crazy. Well, lucky for you, I have more patience. Come along, let's find something for you to do. I'm not very busy since I don't have any classes." Professor Sprout told Harry.

"Can we play a game, Professor Sprout?" Harry asked.

"Maybe later, little one. I may not be busy, but I can't ignore the little things I have to do. Such as watering my plants." Harry followed Sprout to a window where several plats were blooming in the sun.

"I must trim some of the dead leaves and twigs off of my beautiful flowers. While I do this, I could use some help dusting around the window. Here." Sprout handed Harry a duster. "Make sure you get all the nooks and crannies."

Harry worked alongside Sprout as tended to each plant individually and did different things for each one. He used the duster to dust around pots, under pots, on the walls, on the window, and even on some of the plants. It wasn't particularly fun but it kept him busy.

Until one plant caught his eyes. It stood lonely in a pot and had a bit of dust on it. Harry dusted it off before reaching out curiously to touch it. It looked so vaguely familiar. He pulled at the plant and suddenly the room was filled with loud screams. Harry covered his ears as he felt them throb painfully. Just as quickly as the noise started, it stopped and Sprout was glaring down at him.

"Mr. Snape, you should know not to play with plants. You never know what it might be. That was a mandrake and if I hadn't come over to replant it you and I would be deaf right now. Get back to dusting."

"But I'm done." Harry informed her.

"Then take this cloth and wipe down the window. These plants need all the sunlight they can get."

Harry did as she asked, making sure he could see through the widow clearly and that the window had a nice shine to it. The plants seemed to lean towards the sunlight, which Harry found fascinating. One pot however was hidden in a dark corner of the room. It needs sunlight. Professor Sprout must have moved it while cleaning and forgot about it. Harry went over to the pot in hopes of saving the plant.

However, as he went to pick the pot up, the small plant latched itself on to his arm.

"Hey, let me go!" Harry tried pulling away, but that only made the plant tighten around him.

A bright light made the plant shrivel and it released him. Sprout stood behind him shaking her head.

"Harry, that is Devil's snare, you can't be near that." Sighing, Sprout picked Harry up and pulled him away from the plant. "I need that devil's snare. One day, it will grow so big that it will cover this room."

Sprout stared down at Harry for a moment before seeming to come to a decision. She took Harry's hand and led him out of the room. She dragged Harry down a familiar hallway before stopping at Filius's door. Knocking, she waited till the short professor opened the door.

"Filius, could you take Harry off my hands? Minerva gave him to me earlier and he's been a big help but I need to go tend to the greenhouse now. He will only be bored and get in the way."

Without waiting for an answer, Sprout left Harry with Filius and took off back down the hall. Harry looked at Professor Flitwick, waiting for instructions.

I wonder why I keep getting passed around. I did everything Professor Sprout asked.

"Well, Harry. Looks like you've managed to get stuck with me after all. Come in." Flitwick sat Harry down in the seat in front of his desk. "How about some lunch? It's a little past noon now and I'm sure you must be hungry. To make it easier, we'll dine up here." Flitwick tapped his wand on the desk and chicken with greens and mashed potatoes appeared. Harry dug in hungrily, having worked up an appetite helping out Sprout and driving McGonagall crazy.

Flitwick continued working on a parchment and occasionally taking a bite of his lunch. After eating his fill, Harry looked around the office for something to do.

"Look here, Harry." Harry turned his attention back to Flitwick.

Flitwick pulled out a small dragon figurine. He used a charm that animated the dragon. It flew over to Harry and nuzzled up against him. Harry laughed and reached for the dragon, but it flew out of his death gripping hands. Harry chased after the little dragon as it flew around the office. He jumped up trying to catch it. Flitwick continued to work on whatever he was doing, only glancing up at Harry every once in a while. Harry found himself enjoying the little toy.

Finally, Flitwick left his desk and started collecting feathers stored in a box on a shelf. He had to use a ladder to reach the second shelf which had shiny objects that Harry couldn't quite get a good look at. After gathering what he needed in a separate box, Flitwick turned to Harry.

"Play with the little dragon, Harry. Don't leave this office, I'll be right back."

Harry waited until he was gone before surveying the second shelf. Flitwick had magically folded and shrunk the ladder so it was out of the way. Wanting to see the shiny objects, Harry grabbed on to the first shelf and started to climb up on top of it. There were various boxes and jars on the shelf, and he was careful not to knock them down. The little dragon flew around him and tried nipping at Harry in warning. Harry ignored it and reached for the second shelf. Before his hand got a hold of it, the shelf he was standing on gave and he fell to the floor amongst the shattered jars and upturned boxes.

It was at that moment that Flitwick decided to return and upon seeing Harry, he glared at him.

Harry smiled innocently with the dragon perching on his shoulder.

Moments later, Harry found himself sitting bored in his new seat. Professor Sinistra sat at her desk completely ignoring him while he sat in some secluded corner. At least Flitwick let me keep the dragon. Harry rubbed a finger on the tiny figurine's back and it purred in appreciation. Getting antsy, Harry made a move to stand and stretch.

"Sit." Sinistra immediately snapped at him. Harry sat back down. "Don't move." Harry groaned and let his head fall back on the wall behind him. He swung his feet as he waited for further instructions.

"Stop that." Harry stopped moving completely.

After watching Sinistra inspect a telescope for the past however many minutes, Harry groaned in boredom again, the dragon on his shoulder laying limp in complete dullness. He looked around trying to find something interesting to study. There were many portraits of the moon and stars and planets along with different telescopes of different sizes. He looked at the one with Jupiter's moons, remembering a time when he had attempted to name them all. Turning back to Sinistra, he asked:

"When can we do something? I'm bored!"

"A bored child is better than a mischievous one. Stay put and be quiet."

Sighing, Harry let his head fall back against the wall again.

"And quit that annoying groaning." Harry glared at the professor. I need an escape.

Just then, Madame Hooch came in.

"Aurora, just so you know, I found this essay on a table in the Great Hall. It's on the constellations of winter so I figured I'd return it to you. It appears to be complete."

"Thank you. Before you leave, take that miscreant with you."

"Why hello, Harry dear, come along."

Happy to leave the sinister teacher, Harry followed Hooch out of the astronomy tower.

"So, why were you with Professor Sinistra?"

"She was babysitting me. But my dad's back now, so I'm going to go find him."

"Okay, Harry, run along. But straight to your father."

Harry nodded before taking off down a hall. He knew his father wasn't back yet, and he started to feel bad for lying, but he wanted to explore Hogwarts on his own for a change, so he pushed that feeling of guilt down. Exploring would be fun.

The conference had ended early and Severus was hoping to surprise Harry. Arriving at Minerva's office door, Severus knocked, prepared to catch his son when he came running at him. When Minerva opened the door and no child appeared, Severus frowned but allowed himself to be led into the office.

"Good afternoon, Minerva. How was Harry?" he asked, wondering where Minerva was hiding his child.

"Oh he was, well, like any other six-year-old child I guess."

"Did he behave?"

"For the most part, he did as I told him, though coloring turned into decorating the wall, he destroyed one of my best quills while playing with blocks and when I left the room for a couple minutes while he was reading, he created a 'potion' in my drink with various substances from my desk. He's definitely your son, Severus."

Hearing about Harry's morning, Severus couldn't help the smirk that crossed his face.

"Good to hear he's practicing. So where is he now?"

"Well, you see, I needed a break from the little devil so I sent him to Pomona. She's in the greenhouse now. I'm sure she's keeping Harry busy so he's not causing trouble. I don't know how you do it Severus. That boy is a handful."

"Patience." Severus muttered.

"You? Patient?" Minerva laughed. "Only with your son, Severus, only with your son."

"Well, Good day to you Minerva. I'm going to go retrieve my son."

"Good day Severus."

Harry happily wandered through the halls of Hogwarts, the little dragon gliding along with him. Many of the students looked at him then quickly looked around nervously, as if expecting Professor Snape to appear to shout at them for standing in his son's way. Harry remembered one incident when he was in the doorway of the potions lab and couldn't get around a group of Ravenclaws in order to get to his father. His father had stood up from his seat and demanded the group to part so his son could pass through them. Instead of moving the Ravenclaws simply froze in fear.

That only made Dad even madder but at least I could push my way through then. I still can't believe he took twenty points from them for loitering in the hall.

Harry felt a hand grab him, firmly but gently. For a split second he thought it was his father but the fear quickly left his eyes when he realized it was just a Griffindor girl, most likely a headgirl. She seemed to read the fear he had first showed and guessed what he might be doing out.

"Hello, Harry. Where's your Dad?" she asked.

"In our quarters." Harry answered hoping the girl didn't know about the conference.

"Hmm, I don't think so. You're not supposed to be here, are you?" The girl never let go of his arm.

"Let me go! You're not my dad, you can't tell me what to do." Harry struggled to loosen the girl's grip, but he found himself being pulled in the direction of what Harry believed to be the dungeons. The little dragon nipped at the girl's hand, but it didn't seem to affect her. Not sure if his father had returned or not, he decided he really didn't want to get caught strolling the halls without a professor. Leaning forward, he bit down on the girl's hand.

"Oww!" the girl released him and Harry took off down the hall.

That was too close!

Severus stopped at the greenhouse, looking around to see if he could find his son among the plants. He eyed some mint, hoping to collect some before he left. Madam Pomfrey needs more Pepper-up potions.

"Severus! I didn't see you come in. How did the conference go?"

"It went well. I believe I have found new potions to try out, so I may need your help to grow some of the ingredients."

Pomona beamed at that. "No problem, Severus, anything to help."

"Is Harry here?"

"Oh, dear I forgot to tell Minerva that I sent him off to Filius. Oh, he wasn't a problem, he was a big help actually. He helped me clean a bit, but he is a rather easily distracted child. Some plants I tend to are rather dangerous, you know. I didn't want him to get hurt."

"That's alright," Severus sighed, "I'll head to Filius's office. May I come back later to collect some mint?"

"Of course."

Harry ran as fast as he could to escape the girl he was sure would follow him. I hope Dad isn't back yet. Maybe I should head to the dungeons and check. Harry stopped and looked behind him and saw that the girl had not followed him. He sighed in relief. The little dragon rested on his shoulder. Harry walked on, debating whether or not he should turn around and head to the dungeons when a thought struck him hard.

I just bit someone! She's not going to let that go. I'm sure that as soon as she sees my dad she'll tell him. Harry shuddered at the thought of what his father might do about that tidbit of information. He was so deep in thought that he walked right in to the headmaster.

"Hello, my boy. It might be a little easier to walk with your head up. I'm sure your feet work just fine, no need to watch them."

"Sorry, Albus, just thinking."

"Perhaps about Miss Rela? We may need to have you checked for rabies."

"How did you know?" Harry's eyes widened.

"Miss Rela just left my office. She told me what happened." Albus looked down at Harry with disapproving eyes. Harry took interest in staring at his shoes.

"Sorry."

"I don't think you should apologize to me. However, I told her that as soon as she sees Severus, to tell him. Your father should be notified as well." Harry nodded.

"Would you like to come to my office for a bit? I don't think your father would take well to you running around alone."

"Do I have a choice?" Harry whined. Caught and busted.

Severus arrived at Filius's classroom, interrupting a first-year class.

"Filius, this won't take long." Filius stepped out of the room, instructing the class to stay put and leave the feathers be for a moment.

"I was told you had Harry." Severus asked, almost wording it in the form of a question.

"Oh, I forgot to mention to Pomona that I dropped him off at Aurora's. I believe she is fixing some telescopes."

"And she's in the astronomy tower?" Severus asked, dreading the answer, and the walk.

"Quite an inconvenience, I'm aware. Did you just get back?"

"No, I've been to Minerva, Pomona, and now you."

Filius couldn't help the laugh. Severus frowned. Surely he being sent everywhere was no laughing matter. And if he were to agree with Minerva, he truly wasn't a patient man. I guarantee Aurora doesn't have my son.

"Was Harry at least good for you?"

"Harry was excellent though I must say I was unaware he could not be left alone." At that Severus frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I stepped out of the room for a mere moment and when I returned, the shelves in my office were broken and collapsed. He confessed to trying to climb the shelves to see the gold marbles I had in a box on the second shelf. He was fine, no injury or anything."

"Always good to hear." Severus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. It appeared that his son had a mischief goal he was attempting to break. "Well, I'm sorry for interrupting your class. I'll be on my way."

"No harm done. Goodbye Severus."

I can't believe all the trouble Harry's caused today. I will be having a word with that boy tonight. As Severus turned a corner, a student nearly ran him down.

"Watch where you're going! Ten points from . . ."

"Gryffindor, sir. I'm Ashley Rela."

"Well, in that case, ten points from Griffindor for not watching where you're going. Pay attention from now on." Severus moved to pass her but the girl jumped in his way. Severus frowned preparing to scold her more when the girl spoke up.

"I ran in to your son." That got Severus's attention.

"Where?"

"I caught him in a hallway close to where the headmaster's office is. He was just wandering around. I asked him if he was supposed to be out without an adult and he told me that I wasn't you and to leave him alone. So I decided I'd just take him to you and that's when he bit me." Ashley finished holding up the hand where small teeth imprints were still visible.

Severus eyes widened. To think Harry would actually bite someone. Well, he could believe it, Harry had tried to bite him before when he was trying to give Harry a second dose of stomach soother when he was sick one day. Severus had pulled away just in time and lightly smacked, more like tapped Harry's mouth. The boy bawled on as if he had been given a hard smacking.

"I'm sorry to hear he did that." Severus felt a sudden disappointment wash over him. He had been hoping to surprise Harry, but after everything everyone's told him, he couldn't help but feel upset at Harry's behavior today.

"No harm done, just thought I'd let you know." Ashley turned to head back to her common room, but Severus stopped her.

"Here, this will take away the mark." Severus said, reaching into his robes and handing her a small jar containing a salve of sorts. Ashley took it with a small smile. "And ten points to Gryffindor . . . for trying to do the right thing."

"Thanks, sir." Ashley left.

Severus's expression hardened and he pondered what he should do about Harry's behavior. He didn't think Harry was such a trouble maker but then again, he made sure Harry thought twice before disobeying him.

"So Harry, how has your day been? I hear you were passed around quite a bit among the teachers." Albus asked as he sat at his desk while Harry sat in the chair before it.

"Yeah, I guess they're all not used to watching kids younger than teenagers." Harry stated.

"No, the teachers here have either dealt with a couple children in their younger years or have never had a child. So they are just not sure how to deal with one when he misbehaves. Besides passing him on to another teacher to deal with. You are aware that your father has been in Hogwarts for almost forty-five minutes trying to find you, right?"

Harry's eyes widened in fear. Knowing Severus, he would be raging by now at the fact that he had yet to find his son. And all the news he'll be hearing from the teachers. I'm dead! Harry wondered how long it'd take before Severus found him here.

"Don't worry Harry, I'm sure your father won't kill you. He has never done so in either world to be honest." Albus smirked.

"Oh, I know he won't kill me kill me. But he's still going to kill me." Harry explained.

"I understand Harry, but you should have known better than to bite someone. That is rather childish." Albus said.

"I am a child." Harry defended.

"You know what I mean, Harry. You need to remember that you still have a more mature part within you. You can't let your childish emotions get the best of you." Albus said gently but firmly.

"I know, Albus." Sometimes Harry wished Albus would just wipe his previous memories completely so he didn't have to keep thinking about the what-ifs. But then there were times when a good memory would come to mind, and he was glad he wasn't completely erased. Besides, it amazed him how much people have truly changed in the two worlds, even himself. He stroked the little dragon that decided to perch in his lap as he contemplated what he would say to his father.

Severus tried to calm down. He bit someone. He actually bit someone. Severus growled under his breath. How dare he? How bloody dare he? Severus took slow deep breaths as he neared the Headmasters office. He disappointed the gargoyle as he shouted the password at it without gripping about how senile the headmaster was with his candy related themes.

As he opened the door without bothering to knock, he stopped dead when he saw Harry already in the office. The boy jumped up out of his seat, looking rather anxious. A tiny creature hid within the boy's casual robes.

"Daddy! You're back!" Harry said happily, though he didn't come running like he usually did.

Severus closed the door behind him and crossed his arms, glaring at his son. He crooked a finger, beckoning Harry to him. Harry shuffled his feet over to Severus. When he was within arm's reach, Severus reached out and pulled Harry the rest of the way to him. He lowered himself to Harry's level and growled into his ear.

"March yourself to our quarters and to your room. Straight there, Harry, I will know if you didn't and if that's the case, you will be in bigger trouble than you already are, do I make myself clear?"

Harry nodded, his eyes wide.

"Go." Severus growled. Harry slipped by him, facing his bottom away from his father as he passed.

"He was only behaving as a young boy will, Severus. He is truly sorry for biting Ashley." Albus said.

"You knew about it? And what did you do, send Miss Rela off with a 'oh, boys will be boys' and give Harry a lemon drop?" Severus sneered.

"Actually, I sent Ashley to find you and found Harry and brought him to my office. I was about to send word to you but you arrived on your own."

Severus growled under his breath. Damn Albus and his somehow ingenious plans. He hated it when Albus appeared to be so indulgent when in reality he was doing the right thing.

"I have a son to tend to. Good day, Headmaster." With that, Severus turned to leave the office.

"You forget, my boy, its Albus." He heard the headmaster call after him.

After shutting the door to his quarters, Severus leaned back on it tiredly, sighing as he closed his eyes. The conference, though exciting had been energy draining. And then coming back to Hogwarts just to be led everywhere in hopes to find his son had been irritating. And Harry had bitten someone. Just one more incident to add to his list. Dragging a hand down his face, Severus headed towards his son's room. It's been too long of a day. I want to lie down and call it quits. But I need to punish Harry somehow.

Severus found Harry lying face down with his head buried. He grabbed the boy's desk chair and sat by his son's bed.

"Harry, sit up and look at me."

Harry did so and stared at his father with his sad face. It usually lessened his punishment. Only twice had he ever been able to get out of complete trouble with Severus by using a sad face. However, Severus remained impassive and gave Harry a disapproving look.

"Don't you make those puppy eyes at me, young man. How dare you bite a student! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Harry's eyes watered and his lips started trembling. He rubbed at his eyes, causing tears to fall.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to; she was dragging me! I'm sorry, Daddy, I'm really, really sorry!" Harry started to tear up.

"Harry Severus, stop that this instant!"

Harry stopped instantly, flinching at the tone.

Severus sighed and rubbed irritably at his head. Just bloody wonderful. The dramatics of a six-year-old! Why must he cry instead of simply saying he's sorry and drop it at that. I didn't mean to scare him speechless, but honestly.

"Tomorrow at breakfast, you will apologize to Miss Rela for biting her."

"In the Great Hall?" Harry sounded a bit anxious at the idea.

"Yes, in the Great Hall, in front of the entire school, you will apologize. Sincerely and politely. If you refuse to say anything tomorrow, you will return to your room for the remainder of the morning with a sore bottom and you will try again at lunch. So, it's your choice whether we do this the easy way or the hard way." Severus gave Harry a pointed look.

"I'll do it the easy way." Harry whispered looking down. Severus nodded.

"Wise choice." He commented dryly before reaching over and tapping Harry's cheek. The boy looked confused at first until his eyes grew wide and watery as soap foam began to fill his mouth. Harry leaned over, prepared to spit it out, but Severus saw that coming and placed a hand over his mouth.

"Oh, no you don't. This is what happens to little boys who don't use their mouth the right way. You do not bite people, clear?"

Harry nodded.

Severus held him there for a minute before letting him run to the bathroom. After three rinses, he had Harry change into pajamas and he was confined to his room for the rest of the evening until bedtime. The taste of soap lingered and Harry made a disgusted face.

"Come, let's have dinner. If you listen and behave the rest of the evening I'll come in and read to you, alright?" At Harry's nod, Severus led Harry to the table. As they seated themselves, Severus decided to end the day on a happier note.

"So, besides the trouble the professors have already told me about, how do you feel your day went? In my opinion, I'd say it was quite eventful." Severus asked raising an eyebrow.

"It was eventful, indeed." Harry smirked. Severus's brows rose even higher.

"You clearly have spent way too much time around your old man, Harry." Severus laughed.

"You're right! I need to hang out more with people from my own generation."

"Alright, you little imp, eat your dinner then it's straight to bed with you."

Severus couldn't help the laugh that escaped. The boy was something else. How such a sweet child could turn into the very devil was beyond his understanding. But Harry did have his mischievous sides, to that Severus had to admit, but for the most part, Harry really was a good kid. Suddenly, a little flying thing rushed up to his face and made some weird chirping noise. Severus swatted at it, but the thing avoided his hand and flew back to Harry, landing in front of the boy's plate. Harry laughed at it.

"What is that?"

"Filius gave it to me. It's a little dragon. It's charmed."

"Hmm. When does that charm wear off?"

"I don't know. But isn't he great?"

"He's wonderful. Another nuisance to bother me."

The next morning, Harry half hid behind Severus as they approached the Great Hall. He knew he was acting beyond childish but he was quite embarrassed at having to apologize to a student in front of the entire school for something so . . . infantile. Severus led him to the Gryffindor table and stood him in front of Ashley Rela. The girl looked at Harry expectantly. Harry gulped looking up at his father who stood impassively watching him. He gulped and faced the girl. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be staring at him, curious as to what Severus was having his son do.

"I'm sorry for biting your hand yesterday. I hope you feel better." Harry said. He had to force his voice to be above that of a whisper. He could still taste the soap in his mouth and his father's threat of a spanking was still fresh in his mind. He gave the girl his sad face that could melt Severus at times.

"You're forgiven Harry. Just be where you're supposed to be okay. That way we won't have problems in the future." Ashley told him. Harry nodded, before retreating back behind his father, who left without even a greeting to the Gryffindors.

"You and that manipulative face." Severus commented as he took a seat at the head table.

"What face?" Harry innocently smiled at his father as he sat next to him.