Chapter 36

Severus sighed as he took in the child's room; leaving Harry in here wouldn't seem like a punishment since the boy actually liked his room. Taking the chair from the desk, he placed in it the corner away from the windows and everything else. Severus conjured a timer and placed it on the dresser by the door, setting it for 13 minutes. He didn't want to forget him again, not that planned on doing that again, he was just being cautious.

"Harry you are to sit in this chair until the timer rings, which is when you are allowed to get up," Severus explained setting Harry on the floor.

"Yes sir," Harry nodded quickly before taking his palms to wipe his cheeks off. He knew he deserved this, and sighed softly before heading towards the chair.

"If you get out of the chair before the timer rings, you will get a warning the first time. All other times and I will add 5 minutes every time you do it. Do it more than twice and I will stick you to it," Severus said quietly.

"I won't, I'll stay," Harry replied honestly before taking a seat in the chair.

Severus sighed knowing Harry would of course obey, one day he hoped to break him of that. He had to learn that it was ok to make mistakes that you wouldn't get beat for messing up.

"I'll be in the kitchen, in the rare chance that you need the loo again, don't hesitate to go," Severus said gently as he walked out the room. He was feeling a bit apprehensive about this whole thing, what parent likes to discipline their kid anyway?

Harry sighed as he sat in his chair, feeling like he was 6. What was it with Snape and putting him in the corner? He smiled softly, wondering what the man's other punishments were, before sobering. This was enough, he didn't wanna test the man, though he said he would never hurt him like the Durselys did, people often change their mind, as the situation changes.

He looked down at his now dry pants and sighed, he didn't mean to hold it, he just didn't wanna leave without his sweets, which was pointless because he still didn't have anything. He couldn't wait for the week to pass by soon, he was tired of being at Hogwarts. Though he loved the castle he couldn't wait until they got back home to the Manor, and finished their trip. He strained his neck to check the calendar by the bed, eyes widening as he saw what date it was. School started September 1st, and it was already August 15th, how did summer go by so fast? He shook his head before turning back to stare at the wall, not wanting Snape to come in here and catch him. 5 minutes later found him bored as hell, and he sighed promising himself not to be stupid again.

Severus was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea; he was trying to convince himself that he wasn't being hard on Harry. Sighing softly he looked over his potions book, trying to remember the potion that would help Harry immensely. He knew it wasn't going to be like this huge fix, but it would allow him to hold it like he could before he stretched it. He poured over the book intently forgetting about the time, as he searched for the potions.

Harry jumped when the timer went off, and he ran over to turn it off. As he stretched he smiled softly, that wasn't so bad; at least now he wasn't in trouble anymore. He headed out to the kitchen to see if Snape was still there.

Severus looked up when Harry appeared in the kitchen suddenly and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The timer went off, and you said I could get up when it did?" Harry said though it sounded more like a question as he took in Snape's expression.

"Of course Harry," Severus replied neutrally, before marking the page in his book.

"What do I do now?" Harry asked coming to stand next to him.

Severus didn't answer he instead stood up and led Harry to the fireplace. Grabbing the canister of floo powder, he opened it before turning to the child.

"I thought about it, and it would do you good to see the Weasleys today."

"Really, but aren't I in trouble?" Harry asked eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Not anymore, you were already disciplined my child. Do you have everything you want to take with you over there?" Severus asked.

"Can I bring my Nimbus?" Harry asked softly, knowing Ron and his brothers would probably want to play a small game of Quidditch.

"You may, go get it, so I can shrink it."

Harry ran to his room, to grab the broom from his closet before doubling back into the sitting room. He handed it to Snape and watched him shrink it before putting it into his robe pocket. Harry walked over to him knowing what to do already.

"Your 13 now Harry, did you want to try to floo alone?" Severus asked holding the can out for him.

Harry shook his head from side to side quickly, was this the man's way of saying that he was too big to floo with him now? He was the same size as he was when he was 12; only difference was he gained liked 5 pounds, not much different.

"No, I don't, I'm sorry," he mumbled softly still shaking his head in the negative. Call him childish but there was still that horrified feeling he got when he thought of flooing alone again. He couldn't help but think about what could have happened had Hagrid not seen him in Knockturn Alley.

"That's alright child, you can floo alone when you're ready," Severus said gesturing for him to come closer.

Harry happily walked over to the man and hugged him close, being careful to close his eyes as he dropped the powder. They disappeared in the flames and Harry would have fallen had he not had such a tight grip on Snape. He smiled and said hello to Mrs. Weasely before turning back to Snape who was getting ready to leave.

"I will be back for you, sometime after dinner alright?" Severus said gently.

"Ok I'll see you then." Harry replied smiling as he was handed his tiny broom.

"Bye Harry," Severus said heading back into the fireplace.

"Wait," Harry said before running towards him.

"What is it child?" Severus asked quirking and eyebrow up in question.

"I just wanted to tell you something," Harry said softly looking at the ground.

"What is it?" Severus asked lifting his chin so he could see his eyes.

"I love you," Harry whispered blushing slightly at his admisson.

Severus was a bit shocked he hadn't expected to hear those words, not at this point in time; or ever if he was being honest. He cleared his throat quietly, as his emotions seemed to run wild by those three little words.

"Love you to my child," he murmured thickly before kissing the top of the messy raven headed hair. "Be good," was all Severus said before flooing back to Hogwarts.

Harry grinned wide, he never expected Snape to say it back to him. He was so lost in his happy thoughts he didn't notice Molly dapping her eyes with her apron, having witnessed the whole thing. He walked out the room and headed to Ron's room to let him know that he was here.