The Taming of Harry Potter

by Mel J

This chapter is dedicated in loving memory of Fifi the ginger cat (198?-December 2004). She was the most precious of cats.

CHAPTER ELEVEN- Ties Of Blood And Water

"In an ever more cruel world, vigilance and guidance is needed for those most vulnerable...our children."
~ The Outer Limits

"Wild child,
full of grace
Saviour of the human race,
your cruel face..."
~ 'Wild Child', sung by The Doors

As late September gave way to October, Harry remained mute, but it was as if a whole new sense of peace had enveloped him since the day Severus had entered his memories. Although he was still prone to nightmares and tantrums, the boy's sleep was no longer plagued night-after-night with gut-wrenching night terrors, and he also seemed more confident and capable of expressing his emotions without lashing out. In honour of this change, Harry now wore a pair of round-framed glasses as opposed to the goggles he had now out-grown.

And, as Harry's character traits developed, Severus was learning what kind of person his young charge was growing to become. For one, he was certainly a stubborn little whelp with the concentration span of a six-week-old puppy.

"Come now, Harry, pay attention," Severus scolded, striving to keep in check his impatience. "You were able to do this earlier. If you have four peppermint creams and I gave you another five," with his quill, he pushed over five peppermint creams along the table to the four peppermint creams grouped together, "then how many peppermint creams would you have altogether? I know you can do it, Harry."

Harry sat opposite Severus, staring blankly at the nine peppermint creams laid out before him. He then reached over, picked up one of the white sweets and popped it into his mouth, grinning up at his guardian as if he had achieved World Peace. The quill in Severus' hand snapped. Better that than a certain boy's neck being wrung, he postulated.

Try as he might, Severus was not making much progress with Harry's educational needs. Both man and boy could manage half-an-hour a day on arithmetic before the former lost what little temper he had when the latter's mind wandered. As for reading, it was just impossible to assess this in a boy who couldn't speak. And because Harry could barely cope with the core subjects, Severus did not even attempt to start him on Latin, Magical Theory, and History of Magic, three subjects most Pure Blooded children had a taste of before they began at Hogwarts.

Quite frankly, Severus was not a natural teacher of the very young. He relished teaching the Sixth and Seventh Year NEWT classes- pupils who were young adults with a maturity and a thirst to learn- but when it came to the junior forms, he resorted to threats and intimidation to drill in the course material. And those were means he just would not use when it came to Harry. What the child required was someone who could devote endless patience and consideration to his special needs.

The time had come to concede defeat and find a more competent tutor for Harry, preferably someone experienced with young children since in many ways teaching Harry was like working with a child in early primary school. A tutor would not only give Harry a chance to interact with someone other than Severus and his two House Elves but it would take the stress of these lessons off Severus and allow him to take a purely parental role in his charge's life rather than juggling between being a foster father one moment and a teacher the next.

Severus pushed all the peppermint creams closer to Harry. "Alright, enough lessons for today." He pulled out a leaflet from the pocket of his robes and handed it to the boy. "Here, this is for you."

Mouth full of sweets, Harry gazed at the leaflet before turning curious eyes to the older wizard. The leaflet was depicted twelve animated images of young boys and girls sporting various fancy dress outfits.

"It is Halloween next week," Severus explained to the now attentive child. Inwardly, he bemoaned that if it was the boy could spare half this interest in his studies then life would be so much easier. "You may choose an outfit for yourself if you wish to go guising or...what is it more commonly called in the Muggle world?...ah, yes, 'trick-or-treating'" He said that particular phrase with in barely concealed disgust at Muggles and their ridiculous concepts.

Severus knew his History of Magic concerning the medieval days, when there were a number of rural villages where wizards and Muggles co-existed. Wizards would to collect an offering each Halloween from their Muggle neighbours in exchange for protection against ghosts and Dark Creatures. The wizards would go out in full dress robes and perform simple charms since it not only demonstrated their magical heritage but also the Muggles would feel appeased by this show of power in the wizards they assumed would protect them in time of war. What he hadn't known until a few days ago was that in modern Muggle Britain, this old tradition- what was called 'guising' in the old days- had mutated into foolishness with children dressing up and harassing neighbours for treats.

Of course, he couldn't blame Muggles entirely. Oh no, Minerva had her share of blame in this whole ploy to have Severus dress the Boy Who Lived in some silly costume then take him begging. She felt it was 'fitting' for Harry to indulge in some Muggle means of celebrating the Halloween holiday in deference to his mother's bloodline. Minerva had sent Severus a book on Muggles a few days ago as well as a leaflet from a wizarding-based company which sold many Muggle items, including fancy dress costumes, for Halfblood and Muggleborn wizards.

Truthfully, Severus could not see what was to be gained from this whole debacle but went along with it since Minerva had more experience dealing with Halfblood and Muggleborn children. However, Harry didn't appear taken with the idea either.

"Would you like to dress up?" Severus asked. Harry scratched his head, staring at the leaflet, then nodded slowly. "Very well, which outfit would you like?"

Severus craned his head to see the leaflet and sneered at the very Muggle-biased costumes. There was a vampire outfit, and the child wearing it was sporting black robes lined in red with blood dripping from his mouth and his face sheet-white; true vampires looked as human as the next person and very few would allow themselves to be seen in a blood rage in public. The angelic little girl wearing in a pink dress with wings didn't look a jot like the vicious fiends Severus knew faeries to be. And there was the costume that sickened him the most; a furry suit with a cute mask meant to represent a cuddly werewolf, obviously an outfit designed by some miscreant who had never had the displeasure of seeing firsthand what vile, blood-thirsty monsters werewolves truly were.

So naturally, Harry had to point out the werewolf costume.

"Are you sure? Wouldn't you like another?" Severus asked, hopefully. "Look at the nice vampire, wouldn't you like that instead?"

The boy shook his head, pointing again to the child dressed as a werewolf. Severus sighed, massaging his temples (something he seemed to do quite often these days). Harry regarded him for a moment then held out a peppermint cream.

Severus took it and tossed it into his mouth. With the traumas this boy was putting him through, he needed every ounce of energy!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The following week Severus Apparated to Diagon Alley to buy Harry his outfit and purchase a birthday present for Draco, who would turn eleven in early November. He had briefly thought to bring Harry along until he realized it could be detrimental to the boy's mental health if he was suddenly thrust into the crowded, bustling streets. And with autumn setting in, the days growing shorter and a bite to the wind, it would soon be too cold for Harry to spend much time playing outdoors. He might as well enjoy the fresh air for now; Diagon Alley would still be there in the festive season or the New Year.

So Harry was left in the safe hands of Koosey and Coby, allowing Severus the chance to shop in peace and enjoy some adult company for a change. Yet, from the minute he arrived in Diagon Alley, a large part of him fretted over leaving the child alone for the first time. He knew he was in danger of becoming like a coddling mother obsessing over her little darlings and that Koosey and Coby were more than capable of caring for Harry for two or three hours. However, Harry had not been separated from him since the day he arrived at Snape Manor three months ago.

Logically, he knew that Harry had to learn to stand on his own two feet, just as Severus needed to stop seeing Harry as a china doll who should be closeted away from anything remotely harmful. Only it was hard when Harry *was* so very much like a china doll, sweet and fragile and would easily shatter if placed under too much stress.

After toying with his barely-touched lunch, Severus finally pushed it aside and gathered up his belongings. Logic be damned. He had only been away from Harry and the Manor for an hour, and had intended to spend at least half-a-day in Diagon Alley, but there was plenty of time in the coming months to teach Harry independence. For now, the boy deserved to enjoy a childhood and the security that came with it.

He snorted softly. As if concern for Harry was the only factor precipitating his early return to the Manor. It was a difficult concept to admit, even to himself, but he missed the child. Somehow, unknown to him at the time, this little boy had found a place in the dour Potions Master's heart and there was nothing Severus could do to change that now. If someone had told him four months ago that he, Severus Snape, terror of Hogwarts' pupils, would be pining for his charge like a pathetic, coddling mother that person would have found themselves on the wrong end of Severus' wand.

As it was, after only an hour in London, he had already spent a small fortune on both Harry and Draco. For his godson's birthday, Severus had bought a hardback text on Potions as well as a couple of model figures of professional Quidditch players- toys always popular among the younger students- and a pocket telescope made of solid silver and adorned with little amethyst dragons. For Harry, there was the loathsome werewolf outfit, a few story books and a thick navy winter cloak complete with a royal blue scarf, hat and gloves. He had also placed an order for a special surprise he hoped the boy would be receptive to when the present arrived in a few weeks time.

Leaving the small café where he had lunched and heading to the floo site in the Leaky Cauldron, he weaved his way through the busy street. He was so intent on going back to the Manor that he paid little attention to his surroundings and ended up physically staggering when a man suddenly ploughed into him.

"E-ever so s-s-sorry," stammered out the man.

"So you should be," Severus spat out, even though the collision was partially his fault. Straightening his robes, Severus looked down to take in the man and found himself face-to-face with Quirinus Quirrell, turban and all.

"S-severus, w-what a c-c-coincidence b-bumping into y-you."

"Quirrell," Severus greeted curtly, instantly on his guard. "I see you have the turban out again."

"Oh, y-yes, I-I wear i-it p-permanently now as r-religion dictates."

"Is that so..."

"E-enough about m-me, h-how is the r-research g-g-going?"

"Fine."

"W-what e-exactly a-a-are you d-doing?"

Severus' dark eyes narrowed. Was Quirrell asking in polite interest or did his probing have a sinister objective such as to check Severus' story against the Headmaster's? Perhaps he was being too suspicious, if there ever was such a thing; however, he knew Quirrell had never shown any interest in Potions before, nor had he ever tried to engage Severus in conversation.

"I doubt you would comprehend my studies. Potions were never your forte." Unconsciously, Severus' right hand lifted to lightly rub his lower left arm.

"Q-quite r-right you a-are." Severus was sure he detected a hint of anger in the DADA teacher's voice when he side-stepped the question. Quirrell's eyes flick down to Severus' bag. "D-doing s-some shopping, S-s-severus?"

Severus held his head up in complete nonchalance considering his bags were emblazoned with advertisements for several toy shops in Diagon Alley. "I am indulging my godson; it's his birthday soon." Inwardly, he cursed himself for not casting a shrinking charm on his purchases. Although he had reduced Harry's clothes to pocket-size, the bags of toys were light enough and not in the least bulky that he hadn't bothered to. It was a decision he was now regretting.

"Ah, y-young M-mister Malfoy." Quirrell's gaze drifted back to the bags, his twitchy eyes lingering on one in particular. "I d-didn't think y-young M-m-malfoy w-would want a-anything from 'M-muggles And M-magic.'"

This was the Muggle specialist shop where Severus had bought Harry's fancy-dress costume. It was also a shop which would hold little interest for a proper Pureblood child like Draco.

"You know as well as I that children are curious creatures. My godson is merely going through a passing phase where he is interested in Muggles; it's a change for him."

"Y-yes, change i-is g-g-good. I-it is good of y-you t-t-to support the b-boy i-in his i-interest. L-l-loyalty is a-a valuable a-attribute, don't y-you think? O-one must n-never forget l-loyalty to f-family, b-b-both b-blood and chosen."

"Yes, family is important," Severus answered carefully. He felt as if he was being studying closely, tested.

"G-glad you a-agree, Severus." As he said this last statement in what sounded like approval, Quirrell's stuttering had never sounded so false.

"If you'll excuse me," murmured Severus, "I must be going."

"D-don-t let m-me keep you." Quirrell smiled, and for the briefest of seconds a flicker of amused malice flitted across his eyes. "I-I shall b-be s-seeing y-you soon."

"Looking forward to it," Severus drawled.

Parting ways, Severus quickened his pace, wanting nothing more than to put distance between him and Quirrell. Most assumed he that because he was renowned for his anti-social tendencies, he was clueless about people. They forgot he was a spy and relied on his ability to read those around him, detect if they were friend or foe. And today there was a disturbing aura surrounding the outwardly benign Quirinus Quirrell, a chill that drove him to ensure his link to the defenceless little boy in his care remained undetected.

There was nothing tangible, no proof he could take to Albus, only that the Quirrell of before never cared about familial loyalty and was certainly not concerned with what a child was receiving for his birthday. The man was changing, had changed, and Severus just knew it was not a change for the better. Lines were being drawn as this time of peace came to an end, and somehow the seemingly mild-mannered DADA teacher of Hogwarts was playing a part in what was to come.

All he knew for certain was that upon his return he would strengthening the wards of Snape Manor and the moment Harry was able, Severus would immediately start teaching the boy how to protect himself. If and when Harry started Hogwarts, Severus vowed that anyone who sought to do him harm wouldn't find him easy pickings but would discover that this was very much a child with a former Death Eater as a foster father.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Worry weighing in his mind every time he thought of his meeting with Quirrell, Severus maintained a calm exterior for Harry's sake. The time would come when the child would learn of the evil that lurked in their world and his own role in defeating one who could have plunged the planet into Darkness. However, that time was a long way off. For now, Harry had to concentrate on learning to be a normal boy.

So, by the time Halloween came around, the boy was happily caught up in the holiday and blissfully unaware of the thoughts troubling his guardian. It was just as it should be.

Koosey and Coby had revelled in the chance to decorate the Manor; in part to put on a good show for Harry, but mainly because Cassius Snape had never allowed such out-right celebration in his house and, now that he was rotting in his grave, the House Elves were overjoyed to make up for lost time. Every room was illuminated by a pumpkin lantern with tiny paper bats enchanted to float around the ceilings. In the dining room, the dinner table was laden with an array of tasty treats both sweet and savoury.

Once Harry had his fill of dinner, with Severus ensuring he balanced the plate of sweets and cakes he had chosen with a few pumpkin pasties and a bowl of soup, he dashed off to change into the costume he had been itching to wear since the second he woke that morning.

As he waited, Severus nibbled at some chocolate from Harry's new stash. That morning Albus, Minerva, Poppy and Hagrid had owled Harry a huge basket of Halloween-themed sweets for the holiday, much to the child's delight. Severus, on the other hand, wondered if his colleagues had any first-hand experience of trying to put a hyperactive child, high on a sugar rush, to bed or making said child eat a decent meal when all these sweet treats were available.

Nonetheless, the basket was relatively harmless, and Severus had no concern allowing Harry to have it. No, what was a cause of real worry was the other package the boy received later on in the afternoon.

The package came in the form of a large bar of Honeydukes chocolate wrapped in hideous, brightly coloured paper and carried by a non-descript owl that could have belonged to one of many owl-for-hire businesses. Severus had thoroughly scanned the chocolate for poison or curses only to find it perfectly safe and unaltered. The writing on the package simply said, 'to Harry, have a happy Halloween,' but it was in a scrawl that was vaguely familiar.

There were only six people in the world who knew of Harry's presence at Snape Manor; four of them- Severus' Hogwarts colleagues- had already sent the boy a Halloween present while the other two- Lucius and Narcissa- had no interest in sending him chocolate and, if they had, then they had no cause to not disclose their names on the parcel.

It was frightening to think that there was a seventh person out there who knew of Harry's connection to Severus. But that this person was sending sweets rather than curses in the child's direction was puzzling. Instinctively, even as he disposed of the chocolate into the fire, Severus knew he had not heard the last of this mystery.

Severus' musings were disturbed by a tugging on his robes. He turned from the fire to find Harry planted in front of him, dressed in his werewolf costume with his little hands curled like claws.

"Very frightening, you'll have everyone running in fear," Severus admired with concealed amusement. "Are you ready to go guising?" Harry responded by holding up a black paper bag for his anticipated treats. "Very well, shall we be on our way?"

Their first stop took them away from the Manor to the tiny cottage situated at the very perimeter of the Snape estate where Mr Oates, the caretaker, resided. The old man was gruff and impatient but always had a kind word for Harry, much as he once had for the young Severus.

Dutifully, Mr Oates put his hand to his heart in feigned fear when he opened the door to werewolf Harry. "Ah, lad, I thought I had me a real werewolf knocking at my door there," he told the boy. "You make a very convincing werewolf, young Harry."

Severus snorted inwardly. He would make certain the costume was as close to a werewolf as Harry would come.

Mr Oates produced a small tin of bonfire toffee. "And here's a treat for such an effort." He placed the toffee into the bag Harry was quick to hold open.

The boy pulled back his mask and graced the old man with a wide smile. Seeing evidence of his enjoyment of the night, for the first time since the whole idea of guising and trick-or-treating was brought up, made Severus grateful to Minerva for suggesting it.

"He's a sight to behold, Master Severus," Mr Oates murmured.

That he was. These were Harry's first steps at socializing and mingling with another person not because the situation called for it (such as when he went horse riding and needed Mr Oates to prepare the horses) but because he chose to do so. Not being one for socializing himself, Severus knew this was not easy for Harry nevertheless, as usual, the boy's bravery and determination (and his love of all things sweet) pushed him on.

After leaving Mr Oates, they made their way back to the Manor where Harry trick-or-treated Koosey and Coby in their little rooms. Both House Elves rewarded the ecstatic child with cakes and homemade sweets.

"Well, that's us," Severus said, leading his charge back to the drawing room.

It might have indeed been a short evening but, not only did Harry tire early, there was no way Severus was going to take him outside the estate for such a frivolous reason.

Harry had other ideas, however. He sharply shook his head, his jaw set stubbornly. He pulled his mask back on then, as they reached the drawing room, he shoved Severus inside and closed the door. The older man was so astonished by the gall of the child, he went with the flow. There was then a knock on the door.

"Come in," Severus said, gamely.

The door swung open and Harry jumped into the room. He bounced right up to his guardian, his fingers curled like claws, then stopped and held his bag open.

Severus smirked. "You, my boy, are pushing your luck." Harry rustled his bag impatiently. "Alright then, but starting from tomorrow you are on a strict diet of fruits and vegetables. I will not present you to Hogwarts with rotten teeth. Poppy would have my hide." Luckily, he managed to find a bag of pear drops for the boy lest he be cast into the bad books for the night. "Now I think it's time to ready yourself for bed."

After having his precious costume pried away from him so he could take a bath and change into his pyjamas, Harry was by now dead on his feet, struggling to stay awake. He had come so far in such a short time, however, he was still a long way from having the energy levels of a healthy boy of eleven. He still had the physical needs of the eight-year-old he was built like.

Only before he could retire to his bed, Severus has one last task for the boy. He beckoned the child over to the window where he had placed a single white candle on the sill.

It was ten years ago to this day that James and Lily Potter gave their lives to protect their baby son. When one came from a family like Severus', parental love and sacrifice was never taken for granted, and it was for that reason he felt it was only right that the Potters' be remembered, although he had to admit he was doing this more for Lily than for Potter.

Until Harry was able to do so for himself, it was up to Severus to ensure her memory did not die. Potter was an idiot who may not have deserved to die but definitely had it coming. He should have done what any proper father would have done in his circumstances; he should have taken his family and hid in lands far from Britain and never looked back. With his sheer arrogance that led him to believe he could protect his family against a powerful dark lord, and by placing all his trust in his traitorous 'friend', he condemned his family to darkness. But Lily's only crime was listening to her husband. And when she realized too late her mistake, she died in a vain attempt to save her son.

Severus put the tip of his wand to the wick of the candle. "*Incendio,*" he ordered softly.

Harry shuddered and tightly clutched at his guardian's robes as the wick burst into a small flame. Severus placed a comforting arm around the skittish boy. After a few minutes, Harry's grip eased although he did not relinquish the hold on the robes. The incandescence of the candle painted a soft glow across the child's pale face and his head tilted in bemusement as he regarded the candle before him.

"Magic can be a wonderful thing, Harry," Severus murmured to the tiny companion by his side. "I hope this is something you come to understand. Yes, it can be used for evil but it can also be used to achieve so much good. You should never, ever be ashamed of your magic. It is a part of you as it was a part of your parents."

Harry's face turned up to gaze solemnly at him at the mention of his parents and Severus wondered, not for the first time, what the boy's thoughts were of the mother and father he never knew. Severus himself was no expert on how proper parents behaved. He was uncertain of how to explain to explain Harry's past to him, a past in which parental love was a fundamental, when even the word 'love' left Severus flustered and uncomfortable.

"Your mother and father loved you very much, Harry, they loved you above all else. You were their little boy and there was nothing they wouldn't do for you."

*And the truth shall set ye free.* Perhaps, perhaps not, but whatever the case, once more Severus would put his hatred for James Potter to the side and impart the truth to little Harry Potter. The truth that for a brief fifteen months, Harry was the centre of the universe to James and Lily Potter and it was only due to the cruelty and evil of one man that this love and devotion was snatched from him.

Kneeling down to the child's eye level, Severus placed his hands on Harry's slender shoulders. Their eyes met, Harry's guileless green and Severus' fathomless black.

"Your parents loved you and they would have been so proud to see what a fine young man their son has grown into. It is just sad they never had the chance to raise you and be there for you when you needed them most. But it was not their fault they cannot be here for you now. When you were a baby, there was a...bad man who was chasing them."

There would be a time for the whole truth another day when Harry was able to cope with it. For now, the briefest of details would do so long as he understood the point of the story.

"This bad man was angry that your parents were trying to make him stop his evil ways and he chased them. Your mother and father hid away with you- you were only a little baby then- and they tried to keep you safe from the bad man. But another bad man told him where you were all hiding and he came for you. And your parents...your parents were killed trying to keep the bad man from finding you. They did whatever they could to make sure the bad man couldn't get to you but he was too strong for them."

Harry's brow furrowed deeply and he bit at his lip. Severus knew what was worrying him so.

"Do not worry, child, the bad man is gone now. He cannot hurt you. For you see, Harry, your magic protected you that night. The bad man tried to hurt you but your parents loved you so much and that love is very special. It made your own magic stronger than the bad man's and it made him go away to a place he cannot hurt you."

He reached out to trace a finger gently over the lightening-bolt scar marring child's forehead, then he lay a hand on Harry's soft cheek.

"Your parents' love gave you a special power that night to keep you safe. And even now, when they are gone, you must never forget that you were their son and you were- are- loved by them and many others." Harry pointed to Severus leaving the young man floundering for a moment. He felt discomfited talking about such things; it just wasn't his way. But what *could* he say; today was a day for truths. "Yes...yes, I l-love you too. Always let this love guide you and make you feel safe. No matter where you go and what you do, you will always be exceptional to many." He might not have been a man in touch with emotion yet these words flowed easily. They felt so *right*.

"Tonight we light this candle to remember your mother and father and to remember they still love you even though they can't be here for you."

Harry turned to the candle at the window and he smiled faintly. Then he was back to being a little boy again. He yanked at Severus' sleeve and pointed to his bed.

"Aah, it's story time again." Harry nodded, impatiently pulling at his guardian. "Yes, yes, I'm coming."

He began the nightly ritual of tucking the boy into bed then sitting beside him to begin a story. This time, he was reading a chapter from 'Merlin And The Boy Arthur'. It was a tale of a remarkable young boy hero, a fitting book to read to another remarkable child.

"Now where were we? Ah, here we are. 'Arthur was sweeping the floor...'"

As he read and the little lad beside him listened attentively, the candle flickered at the window and burned right on to morning.

End of CHAPTER ELEVEN- Ties Of Blood And Water

I'm really, really sorry it's taken me so long to write this up. As you can see from the dedication at the top, 2004 wasn't a good year for my pets as just a couple of months after losing my dog Kasey, my cat Fifi had to be put to sleep after breaking her leg since she was too old to undergo surgery. But 2005 is shaping up to be a much better year as I've now got a Golden Retriever puppy named Jake (I was all for the name 'Severus' except not only are none of my family huge HP fans and I suppose Jake's far too good-natured to be named after our favourite Potions Master).

Anyway, thanks again to my wonderful beta, Rebecca Boren, who has done a great job with this chapter (as always). Also, thanks to rifkalademon for suggesting that very apt song quote from The Doors.

In case anyone is interested, 'guising' is what we call 'trick-or-treating' in Scotland. What Sev says about how is originated is actually true and it was the Scottish tradition of guising that gave way to what kids in other parts of the UK, America and Canada now call 'trick-or-treating'. According to my local newspaper, the tradition of guising was taken across to Colonial America by Scottish settlers where it became more of a fun thing for kids then it made its way full circle in the latter half of the twentieth-century when British kids were influenced by American films and books. So there you go!

In regards to the story, when Severus is talking about Lily rather fondly, this doesn't mean I think he fancied her as a boy. I just think she was one of the few Gryffindors of his generation that he had respect for and he might once have been on friendly terms with.

I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and I'll try to get the next chapter out quicker (I do have a chunk of it written). As always, please do feel free to review this on FFN or email me with your thoughts.