To all those wonderful reviews I couldn't PM, thank you so much! Here's the next chapter for your enjoyment!


Harry tried to keep up with the quick strides of Professor McGonagall as he followed her through the halls of Hogwarts. He hoped McGonagall would at least hear his side of the story. Draco had jumped on his broom first and he had thrown Neville's Remembrall. Harry had only been defending his fellow Gryffindor friend.

It was the third week of school. Potions classes were still rough on the Gryffindors but Harry enjoyed challenging and pushing his father. Harry had learned that his father would allow a little rebellion and contest but there was only so far Harry could push before his father set the foot down. Harry had quickly learned where that line was drawn. He was also improving in his other classes. He had finally managed the match to a needle and he could keep himself awake through half of Binns class.

Even so, he had tried to apologize to Draco for forgetting the trip to the owlery, but Draco had ignored him in the halls, Great Hall, and even in classes. Harry gave up on trying to approach Draco and decided to leave the boy to sulk. Harry wondered if he should talk to his father about Draco but decided against it.

During his first flying lessons, Neville had ended up losing control of his broom, like the first reality incident. While Madam Hooch took Neville to the infirmary, she had given orders to stay on the ground. Draco had taken off with Neville's Remembrall and practically baited someone to come take it from him. Harry had taken the bait and Draco seemed even more angry at him before throwing the Remembrall. Harry had dived after it and McGonagall had seen him.

McGonagall moved swiftly through the halls and Harry struggled to keep up with her. He hoped that she wasn't taking him to the headmaster for punishment. Would he be expelled? Or was she taking him to Madam Hooch to explain that he had not followed orders? Harry figured that without his 'fame' status like he had in the original world, there was nothing saving him from the rules this time around.

As they turned a corner, they ran right into Severus Snape, who stopped them from moving much further.

"I would like to speak with my son," Severus said, crossing his arms and glaring down at Harry.

Harry gulped, knowing what that look meant. His father did not like the stunt he had pulled.

"Well, you see," McGonagall began, "I'd like to speak with Harry as well, but we can all discuss this if you'd like to join us."

"I believe Harry would prefer the privacy. Besides, I'm sure your talk with him can wait." Severus reached for Harry but McGonagall grabbed Harry's arm first and pulled him out of Severus's reach.

"I'm afraid yours will have to wait, you see, he has such a natural talent for flying. I mean, the way he handled that broom . . ."

"Yes, he does seem to have a natural talent and he nearly flattened himself on the field, not to mention that he wasn't supposed to be on a broom anyway." Severus reached for Harry's other arm and pulled the boy towards him.

"He may have broken a rule, but so did your little Slytherin." McGonagall pulled Harry back.

"And he will be dealt with accordingly." Severus pulled again and the tug-o-war continued. Harry felt like a ragdoll between the two professors. His arms were starting to hurt.

"I believe I got to Harry before you so I should talk with him first."

"He's my son!"

"And he's in my house! I need him to meet with Mr. Wood immediately, he is the perfect match for a seeker position."

"What!" Severus didn't pull on Harry's arm this time but he didn't let go either. "What are you talking about?"

"Putting Harry on the quidditch team, of course! What did you think I wanted to talk to him about?"

Harry felt excitement course through him. He'd get on the team again! He was sure he would need his father's permission this time but he knew he could win over his father's approval quite easily. If only he hadn't broken a rule and was facing a punishment first.

"He's a first year!" Severus exclaimed.

"I'm sure a few exceptions can be made," McGonagall waved a hand dismissively. "You saw the way he flew! This is just what he needs – a little extracurricular activity."

"You've got to be kidding me! No, I forbid this. Give me my son!"

Severus tugged on Harry's arm and the tug-o-war started up again. Harry groaned.

"Oh, come on, Severus, be reasonable!"

"I do not want my eleven-year-old son playing a potentially dangerous game. He can wait until next year like all the other students and actually try out for the team."

"You just don't want Gryffindor to finally beat your house. Harry will be fine, he'll wear protective gear and everything."

"I can't believe your rewarding him for breaking a rule and nearly killing himself! And I already said no, I don't want him on the team."

"He was nowhere near killing himself, Severus, you're overreacting. What if your son wants to play for the team? You're not even taking his opinion into consideration."

"I'm taking his safety into consideration!"

"Ow!" Harry finally shouted after being tugged roughly both ways for a while. "You're both hurting me. Let me go!"

The two professors released Harry. He rubbed at his arms and glared at both professors.

"Why don't we ask Harry?" McGonagall suggested. "Harry, would you like to play for your team? Possibly as seeker?"

Harry felt excitement rush through him once more and he smiled and nodded, forgetting about the pain in his arms. McGonagall smiled smugly at Severus, who glared in return.

"There you have it," she said. "He's playing."

"Of course, he's going to say yes," Severus retorted, crossing his arms. "What quidditch obsessed child would say no? And I already gave my answer to this and that's no, he's not playing."

"Severus," McGonagall began.

"He needs parental consent before being allowed to play such a dangerous sport."

"And you will give it."

"I most certainly will not."

"But Dad," Harry protested.

"Not a word from you," Severus glared at his son, "you're still in trouble."

"Dad, please, I want to play on the team. I'll be really careful and do everything you want me to do to stay safe. Please."

"No, Harry. And that is my final answer."

"Severus, indulge the boy a little," McGonagall said.

Before Severus could make a snide remark, Harry threw his arms around his father and looked up at him with wide, sad, green eyes.

"Please, Daddy," Harry stuck out his bottom lip and looked close to crying. "Let me play on the team, please."

Severus growled angrily and looked away from his son. Harry made himself look even sadder, knowing his father couldn't resist for very long. After a moment, Severus finally looked back down at his son. He pried the boy's arms off him and held Harry back a bit, leaning forward so he was eye to eye.

"If the headmaster allows a first-year on the team, which I highly doubt, then yes, you may play. There will be several rules you will have to follow, though."

"I'll follow them." Harry nodded eagerly, glad his manipulation techniques were still working.

"And your grades better not drop the slightest. If they do, I'm pulling you off the team."

"I'll keep them up! Thank you, Daddy, thank you." Harry broke free from his father's grip and hugged the man tightly. "You're the best daddy ever!"

Severus struggled to breathe for a moment but he ruffled his son's hair and offered a small smile.

"Well, then," McGonagall interrupted. "now that that's taken care of, I will take Harry to see Mr. Wood."

McGonagall grabbed Harry's arm and led him away before Severus could say much else against it.

"Minerva!" Severus called to her, effectively stopping her in her tracks. Severus looked at Harry. "I expect you in our quarters for dinner."

Harry gulped, "yes, Dad."

Later that same day, after receiving the headmaster's approval and meeting with Wood for a quick try out, Harry found himself guaranteed a spot as seeker on the quidditch team. He met with Ron in the common room and told him everything that had happened. At first, Ron had seemed a bit jealous but the redhead quickly shared Harry's enthusiasm and they talked about various moves and quidditch techniques. Then it was time for dinner.


Harry rubbed at his tear stained cheeks as he snuggled deeper into Severus on the couch. He had never felt the sting of a ruler before and he hoped that he never felt it again. He glared at the wooden instrument that laid on the coffee table in front of the sofa, wishing his eyes would shoot laser beams and make the ruler explode.

The feeling of his father's hand carding through his hair and stroking his scalp removed his attention from the ruler and to his father's soft robes. Harry buried his face into Severus's side, sneaking a quick rub at his bottom.

"I do hope I won't catch you disobeying any more orders or flying recklessly around the pitch anymore," Severus said.

"You won't," Harry said. "I'm sorry."

"I know. On a brighter note, you're the youngest seeker in a century to play on a team. That's quite the feat."

"Are you happy for me?" Harry looked up at Severus. "I'm only seeker now because I broke a rule."

"I'm not happy about how you became seeker, but that has been dealt with. I am very proud of you, Harry, and I am very happy to have a good reason now to attend the silly school games."

Harry laughed softly. When he was younger, he always had to drag a griping Severus to the games so he could watch. Severus found them to be a waste of time, but Harry enjoyed them. Now, Severus could be cheering on his son. Silently, of course, but supporting nonetheless.

Harry sniffed and wiped at his nose with the back of his hand.

"Use a tissue, Harry. Or here," Severus pulled a handkerchief from an inner pocket of his robes and handed it to Harry. Harry wiped at his eyes before blowing his nose.

"Now," Severus began, looking down at Harry, "Draco has told me his side of the story. Let me hear yours."

"I'm sure it's pretty much the same," Harry said. Draco tended to exaggerate events, but the blonde stuck as close to the truth as he could. "After Neville fell and Madam Hooch took him to the hospital wing, Draco took Neville's Remembrall and flew away with it, even though we were told to stay on the ground. He wanted to put it up in a tree. I followed him and demanded it back."

"You should have just waited for a professor to come deal with Draco," Severus said.

"I guess," Harry rubbed at his bottom again, shifting slightly to get more comfortable against Severus. "But I thought he would just give it to me and I told him we both could fly back to the ground and forget about it. Then he said like I forgot to go to the owlery with him or something sarcastic like that. I told him I was sorry, but he said that I preferred hanging out with blood traitors and half-giants than with him."

"He left that tidbit of information out when I spoke with him," Severus said, frowning slightly.

"Well, I told him it wasn't true and that he was my friend just like Ron and Hagrid. But I also said that I'd rather hang out with Ron and Hagrid than with a spoiled bully."

"Harry," Severus said in a disapproving tone.

"I know, I didn't help any and I probably shouldn't have called him that. But he got mad and threw the Remembrall and I caught it. And then Professor McGonagall told me to follow her."

"To put you on her house's team instead of properly disciplining you for disobeying the rules," Severus added.

"I think you're the only one who cares about proper discipline," Harry smiled.

"Cheeky," Severus commented, smirking. "I will not spare the rod and spoil the child, that's for sure. You and Draco need to make up with each other. I don't want to see you two constantly ignoring each other in classes and at the Great Hall. You're allowing your separate houses to pull your relationship apart. Fix it. If he will not listen to you in person, send a note with his owl and see if he reads it. And of course, you can always come to me."

"I'll try, Dad," Harry insisted.

"Thank you."

Severus leaned forward and picked up the ruler, sending it flying back to his desk. He tapped the coffee table and tea and biscuits appeared.

"You may have two," Severus said as Harry reached for a biscuit.

Harry stuffed his face with the biscuit and smiled at his father as he prepared a cup of tea with extra sugar.

"You have my class tomorrow so I hope you fall asleep on all that sugar," Severus remarked, shaking his head at his son. "I better not find you asleep in my class."

"I'd never fall asleep in your class," Harry said over a mouthful of cookie, spraying some crumbs.

"Finish what's in your mouth before opening it," Severus frowned. "Honestly, you're making a mess."

"Sorry." Harry wiped his mouth with a napkin as he swallowed the last of the cookie. He reached for another biscuit but the plate was empty. "Hey, I thought you said I could have two. Where's the rest?"

Severus stared at the empty plate for a moment before a smirk took over his face.

"Show yourself, Sam," Severus called.

Sam, who had been illusioned invisible, revealed himself normal fox sized, lying in one of the armchairs, two of his three tails swinging freely off the edge. He tilted his head at Severus and Harry, a foxy smile curling his black lips.

: I did not eat the rest of those biscuits if that's what you want to know, Sam said.

"Right," Severus snorted. He tapped the table and the plate was refilled with more biscuits. Harry happily took another one.

"You eat a lot of food for a fox," Harry commented as he took bites of the warm cookie this time, instead of simply inhaling it.

: Foxes don't eat three meals a day, Sam informed, rolling on his back and hanging his head off the edge of the chair. We eat what we can catch and gather and, of course, when there's food offered. And here, there is a lot of food offered.

"I'm surprised you manage to stay fit," Severus smirked, shaking his head at the upside-down fox.

"I should head back to my dorm," Harry said. "The bell will ring for curfew soon."

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Severus said, ruffling his son's hair.

"Bye, Dad. Love you."

Harry grabbed another biscuit and shoved it in his mouth before Severus could even open his mouth.

"Love you, too, you little imp," Severus smiled.

Sam rolled over and jumped off the chair and followed Harry, slipping through the door before it shut completely.


Before potions class, Harry stopped at the owlery and gave Hedwig a piece of bacon before looking for Aero, Draco's eagle owl. He saw the owl resting in a higher ledge out of his reach.

"Aero!" called Harry, "here boy, come here!"

The dark feathered owl narrowed his eyes at Harry, sneering down at the boy, but he didn't move from his spot. He lifted a leg into his feathers, completely happy to continue resting.

"Aero!" Harry growled as he called him. "Come here, I have a note I need you to take to Draco."

Aero continued to sneer at Harry, refusing to move.

"What, are you ignoring me, too, now?" Harry asked, slumping his shoulders a bit. "Did Draco tell you to do that? Come here, I want you to take this to him!"

Harry held the note up in the air, hoping that the owl may glide down and snatch it. Aero closed his eyes in content. Harry sighed in frustration. He looked back at Sam, who sat at the entrance.

"Can you chase him down or something?" Harry asked.

: I'd rather not. The last time I came in here, your feathered friend bit me. Sam looked away, his ears pivoting to the sides, the tips quivering.

"Phantom didn't like you then," Harry said, looking over at his father's owl.

: Owls don't like me period, Sam argued, sneezing rather violently. The smell of owls was delicious but Sam was outnumbered by too many birds to try and attempt anything. And he knew these birds belonged to students and staff, so he couldn't eat one anyway. Besides, they all looked ready to attack him.

"Fine!" Harry turned and left the owlery, Sam following at his heels. "Stupid bird. I'll just talk to Draco myself."

: Why not send your own owl?

"He won't turn away his own owl."

: Good point.

As Harry and Sam neared Gryffindor tower, they ran into Ron who had just exited the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Hey, mate," Ron greeted. "We have potions. Are you ready?"

"Let me just grab my things real quick," Harry said, saying the password and running inside, calling out: "wait there, Sam."

Sam sat where he was, watching Ron with amusement as the redhead eyed him warily. Clearly Harry's friend wasn't too fond of him still, unlike that Hermione girl who constantly reached down to pet him when she sat by Harry or passed in the halls. He didn't mind the scratches behind the ear or the shoulder massages though. He could sense a slowly blooming friendship between Harry and Hermione, though the redhead seemed reluctant to befriend her. Sam stood back up as Harry came out of the portrait.

"I've got everything," Harry said. "Let's go. Dad would kill me if I'm late."

Harry and Ron ran down to the dungeons and into the potions lab. They made it just in time, though Severus did give Harry a warning glare for cutting it so close. Sam misted and flew off somewhere. Harry and Ron sat at the same table Hermione was sitting.

Severus no longer took roll call, just glanced around the room to see who wasn't there before beginning his lesson.

"Today, you are learning about the different types of cauldrons there are and their various uses . . ." Severus told the class as he waved his wand in a circular manner.

A table appeared before him and several different looking cauldrons flew over to the table, lining up side by side. Everyone scrambled through their bags to pull out parchment and quills to take notes. Severus stood behind the first cauldron.

"As you all should know, the Standard Size 2 Pewter Cauldron is made of pewter, obviously. Pewter is a metal alloy made up of mostly tin. It is ideal for starters such as yourselves since it is primarily used for simple concoctions and . . ."

Harry began taking notes, and though he knew a lot about various cauldrons already, he hoped to please his father by appearing studious and focused. Ron followed his lead, though he copied off Harry's parchment more than anything else. Hermione's parchment was nearly filled with words already, as if she was copying every word Severus said down.

Halfway through the class, as Severus began talking about the latest self-stirring cauldron, Harry felt something small crawl up his leg and hop off his lap. A small origami frog landed in front of him.

Harry stared at it for a moment before recognizing it as a joke product from Zonko's Joke Shop. The parchment came from a notebook that contained charmed parchment. When ripped out of the notebook, the parchment turned into some kind of origami animal and moved to the intended receiver – the sender having to say some kind of word to make it do so.

Harry picked up the frog and it unraveled in his hand, revealing the words written on the small piece of parchment.

If you want to talk then meet me outside the Slytherin entrance. You owe me an apology.

Harry frowned at the note. He quickly wrote back: I've been trying to apologize to you for days. You've ignored me. What was I supposed to do?

Harry studied the parchment, wondering how it worked when he saw the tiny print in the corner on the back.

To send the note to receiver, say anibiblus (receiver's name) mitto.

"Anibiblus Draco mitto," Harry whispered.

The paper shifted itself into a frog and hopped on his lap and crawled down his leg and away. Harry returned to taking notes, looking to see if Ron had written down what he missed his father say. A few moments later, the paper returned, crawling up his lap. This time, it was a small lizard-like animal. A salamander?

Harry picked it up and it unraveled. It must have been a new sheet from the notebook since the only words on it was: You were supposed to meet me in front of the Great Hall! But I guess you were too busy with your new friends to worry about your old ones.

Harry sighed. Look, I forgot, okay? I'm sorry. Harry sent the note back to Draco.

After a couple of minutes, another note came flying back to Harry in the form of a bird. Harry unraveled it to find: Sorry for what? Forgetting about me? Lying to me? Making me wait for you?

Harry growled under his breath and quickly wrote back: For everything. I didn't mean to forget, I swear. I'll make it up to you. Anything you want to do at any time this weekend, I'll be there. Name your price.

Harry said the words once more, but instead of flying to Draco, the bird flew to Severus, who snatched it out of the air and quickly incinerated it between his fingers.

"There will be no passing notes in my class," Severus snarled. "Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Snape. I'm sure whatever you need to tell your friends can wait until after class."

"Yes, sir," Harry said. "Sorry, sir."

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Draco cast a smirk at him. Harry was angry that Draco hadn't been caught. Though there was a chance that his father just didn't want to take points from his own house. That thought angered him more. And the smirk Draco threw his way didn't help soothe him at all. Harry ground his teeth together as he listened to the rest of his father's lecture without taking any more notes.

After class, Harry stormed after Draco, Ron following after him. He caught up with the boy just before Draco could enter the Slytherin common room to get rid of his bag and grabbed him by the back of his robes, tugging roughly. Draco spun around and glared at Harry.

"What gives?" Draco growled.

"What gives?" Harry repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I have been trying to apologize to you for days and all you've done was give me the cold shoulder. You wouldn't give me the chance to apologize and now all of a sudden you demand an apology from me? Well, you know what? You're not getting one!"

"You owe me one!" Draco yelled. "You left me waiting there for an hour! I thought that maybe Uncle Sev held you back and you were just running late, but no! You were off fooling around with a blood traitor and a mongrel!"

"Don't call my friends that!"

"I'll call them whatever I want!"

"Look, Draco, I just want to make things right between us –"

"Oh, you did a great job at that yesterday! I hope Uncle Sev gave you what you deserved!"

Angry and embarrassed at hearing the underlying message in Draco's tone, Harry glared at Draco, his fists clenching and his teeth grinding. He could feel his face burn.

"Harry," Ron said from behind him, grabbing Harry's arm and tugging. "Let's just go."

Harry resisted moving as he stared Draco down, matching the blond-haired boy's glare.

"You know what, Draco," Harry said. "Dad did give me what I deserved. He let be on the quidditch team for Gryffindor because he saw what an incredible flyer I was."

It wasn't a complete lie, but it was definitely stretching the truth.

"You're on the quidditch team?" Draco asked, disbelief in his tone. "But, first-years aren't allowed."

"I'm an exception," Harry smirked. "Dad let me."

"But Uncle Sev . . . he didn't . . ." Draco stammered. "He was supposed to . . ."

Draco let out an angry growl and charged forward. Harry tried to save himself from the fall but he landed hard on his side and grunted. Draco shoved his head down repeatedly, the pain in his head increasing rapidly.

"That's not fair!" Draco yelled. "It's not fair!"

"Get off me!" Harry yelled back.

Harry smashed an elbow under Draco's chin. Draco slapped with his hands and Harry slapped back.

"Hey, stop it!" A voice sounded.

"Break it up you two!" Another voice said.

Two older students, Slytherin prefects, grabbed at Draco and Harry and tried to pull them apart.

Draco grabbed at Harry's hair and pulled. Harry hissed and kicked at Draco, grabbing at the blonde's wrists and squeezing. A third prefect tried to remove their hands off one another, telling them to stop and to let go.

"Enough!" Came a deep, angry voice. "Detention, Mr. Snape, Mr. Malfoy!"

At the sound of his father's voice, Harry felt Draco let go of him and he let go of Draco. The prefects pulled them apart and set them down, gripping their shoulders to keep them from running at each other again.

Severus stalked forward, glaring at the two boys. He stopped in front of the group of students.

"You," Severus pointed at Ron, "leave."

Ron paled and scampered away.

"You three," Severus addressed the prefects. "Good work, ten points to Slytherin. You may go."

The prefects released Harry and Draco and disappeared behind their portrait after giving the password.

"My office," Severus growled at Harry and Draco. "Now."

Harry quickly followed Draco to his father's office, Severus close behind them. When they entered, Severus slammed the door behind them and waved a hand, summoning another chair. Harry slumped in one seat while Draco sat in the other. Severus sat behind his desk.

"Explain," was the man's only command.

"He started it," Harry said. He flinched when Severus's hand hit his desk.

"I didn't ask who started it, I asked you to explain the deplorable behavior I just witnessed in the hall."

"You put him on the quidditch team?" Draco demanded with a whine.

"Is that what the fight was about?" Severus asked.

Draco glared at Severus but simply shrugged. Harry sighed. Sometimes it was just better to come clean.

"Well, it started in class when Draco passed a note . . ." Harry explained the entire situation to his father, beginning with how he had tried to apologize to Draco for forgetting about the trip to the owlery, but Draco had simply ignored him. He explained how he had started the argument in the hall and how he goaded Draco about being on the quidditch team and implying that he had evaded punishment. Draco just nodded along.

"First," Severus began once Harry was finished, "you both shared the same punishment for the incident on the quidditch field yesterday afternoon. Your disobedience has been dealt with fairly and equally."

Both boys blushed and looked away from each other.

"Second, this rivalry you have growing between you two needs to end right now. Before beginning at Hogwarts, I told you that you are cousins first and foremost. No house, friends, or activities should ruin the relationship you already have with each other. And consequently, you two ended up in different houses, and because of that, you will make different friends, get involved in different activities, and learn to like different things."

"He's on the quidditch team," Draco said. "No first-year is allowed on the quidditch team."

"Draco," Severus glared. Draco looked down to avoid the stern look.

"While that may be true," Severus said, "the headmaster made an exception. Harry is now on his house's team and if I were you, I'd get over it quickly before you say something that lands you in deep water."

Severus stared at Draco, as if waiting for him to say something else. After an intense, silent moment, Severus sighed.

"Listen boys," Severus leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the desk as he interlocked his fingers. "I know it's difficult seeing each other have fun with new friends and how easy it is to get caught up in your games that you forget premade appointments. However, it's all part of growing up and learning that not everything in life is fair. And more importantly, that we learn from our mistakes, all of which are easily forgivable. Now, look at each other."

Harry kept his head down, watching Draco out of the corner f his eye. He wouldn't look up unless Draco looked up.

"Now," Severus growled in his baritone voice.

Harry heard the threatening tone and quickly looked at Draco, who took a second longer to look back at him.

"You both know what to apologize for," Severus said.

"I'm sorry I forgot to meet with you that day," Harry spoke first, glad to get it off is chest. "I really did just forget and that was my mistake. And I'm sorry for provoking you earlier."

"I forgive you," Draco said softly after a long moment. "And I'm sorry for ignoring you and starting the fight earlier."

"I forgive you," Harry said, surprised at how easy it came out of him.

"There," Severus said, leaning back in his chair. "Now was that so difficult? As for the little display in the hall, I am taking twenty points from Gryffindor . . . and Slytherin."

Harry winced and he sure Draco reacted the same. So far today, he had lost Gryffindor twenty-five points. He was sure his house would be angry and the twins were likely to prank him in some horrific, embarrassing way. Who knew what Draco would go through in his own house.

"You two will also serve a detention tonight at six. I'm sure scrubbing cauldrons for a couple hours will make you think twice before raising your fists at one another. Clearly the lines from the summer didn't sink in."

"Yes, sir," Harry and Draco said.

"Very well," Severus nodded. "Draco, I will see you tonight. You may leave."

Draco jumped out of his seat, sparing Harry one last look before leaving the office quickly. Harry gulped and looked at his interlocked fingers resting in his lap. Severus cleared his throat.

"I hate having to punish you, son," Severus admitted. "Contrary to what you might think, I really do not enjoy it."

"I know," Harry said, keeping his head down.

"Come here," Severus said, pushing his chair back from his desk. Harry stood up and walked around the desk, falling into his father's open arms. Severus hugged Harry tightly. "I'm sure you know that you've inherited the Snape temper, don't you?"

Harry nodded against his father's shoulder.

"I believe you and I need to find ways to de-stress and control that temper," Severus continued. "Shouting and fighting is not the answer to everything. Should not be the answer to anything."

"I know," Harry said. "I was just mad."

: You know what I like to say when I'm angry? Sam said from his place on Severus's desk, the size of a house cat. Harry and Severus snapped their heads to him.

"You've really got to start knocking," Severus said. "Or at least barking to announce your presence."

"What do you say?" Harry asked Sam.

: Take a deep breath, Sam inhaled deeply. And shake it off.

Sam promptly shook himself, his fur puffing out before slowly smoothing back down. Harry laughed at the fluffy looking fox and Severus shook his head at the familiar lesson.

"I believe Sam and I can both help you find some anger management techniques," Severus said. "Will work on that later, though. Where were you earlier, anyway? You would have been useful breaking up the little fight." Severus addressed the question to Sam.

: I was busy enjoying a catnap. Besides, I do not see an imminent threat in a school fistfight.

"I guess not." Severus agreed. He looked at Harry and rubbed the boy's back. "I'm sure your redheaded friend thinks I've murdered you, so why don't you go find him and assure him that you are very much alive still. I'll see you tonight at six."

"Okay," Harry smiled pulling away from Severus. "And I'm sorry, Dad."

"You are forgiven. But I truly hope I don't find you in any more fights this year. This is the second fight you've had with Draco, if there is a third, I swear you will be treating a warm bottom with whatever other injuries you sustain."

"Yes, Dad." Harry said. He was sure he didn't have any injuries from this fight, maybe just a headache.

"Go on, now. And take this sarcastic fox with you."

"Yes, Dad," Harry laughed. Sam gave a wide foxy smile. "Come on, Sam."

Harry ran out of his father's office with Sam at his heels.


Anibiblus (receiver's name) mitto – like animagus, this translates to animal paper (receiver's name) send. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.