Author's Note: Enjoy!

Snape closed his eyes for a moment as he rested his head on the sofa cushion behind him. He tried to clear his mind of the hundreds of thoughts that were racing through it and concentrate solely on Harry.

Despite the fact that earlier that morning he had been so sure that punishing Harry was for the best, now he wasn't so sure. He certainly didn't feel like administering a punishment. Still, he had seen how Harry had just responded to being dismissed. He wasn't daft enough to think that the boy wanted to be punished, but he obviously needed some kind of closure; something to let him know that his guardian still cared enough to correct him. A small part of Snape hoped that being sent to his room was enough. He remembered when Harry had ended up in the Hospital Wing though. He remembered the boy confessing that it was when he had broken rules without punishment that he really thought that he had wanted to push his responsibilities onto Remus. Now with things an utter mess over this adoption procedure he undoubtedly did not want the child – his child- to feel that way.

He had blocked out most of his own childhood. He was sure it was a defense mechanism. If he forced himself to forget it then it couldn't hurt him the way that it used to. From what he could remember though, there was no worse feeling than feeling as though no one cared for him. Despite the fact that his own father was abusive at best, he could still remember constantly yearning for the man to care for him and about him. He could remember how dreadful it made him feel when he consistently came up short. His father could throw him into a wall for doing something as simple as breathing too loudly, but when he really did something wrong the man never cared.

Snape slowly opened his eyes. Suddenly he knew exactly what needed to be done. He needed to be firm and somber; he couldn't allow Harry for even a moment to think that what he had done in class was excusable or all in good fun. The child was already grounded making that option obsolete and leaving him only one other choice. He needed to punish the child for his actions before Harry had any more wild thoughts about being unwanted. He also needed to take care of the boy. He needed to see to it that he rested. He needed to be sure that Harry knew how loved he was. He needed to swallow his own foolish thoughts and pride. He needed to take the final step that he had always been so hesitant to take. If he couldn't do so, then he might as well just send Harry with Fudge this very moment.

Snape stood and walked across the room and down the hall to his private laboratory. He opened the large cupboard behind the door and quickly removed two vials.

He instantly opened one of them and digested the liquid inside.

Within seconds of doing so, the headache that had felt as though it was splitting his skull in two rapidly disappeared. He slipped the second vial into his pocket as he exited the room.

He paused outside of Harry's bedroom door and said a silent prayer that he would find the boy as he had instructed him to be, in his bed while wearing night clothes. He had warned Harry not to disobey and he certainly did not want to have to increase the punishment he was about to dole out if the child had not listened.

He smiled softly to himself as he opened the door to find that Harry had done just as he had asked. The boy was in his pajamas, under his blankets.

"I see you can listen after all," Snape mused.

Harry nodded silently.

His face was still a sea of worry and Snape wondered if it was due to the impending punishment, the situation with the Ministry, or a combination of both. If it was a combination, he wasn't going to make Harry wait – he was going to take care of his part as quickly as possible.

"When I asked you repeatedly to behave yourself, did you doubt for one moment that if you failed to obey me you would not be punished for your actions?" Snape didn't feel particularly angry at the moment, but he hoped his voice was strict enough to hide his true emotions.

"No Sir," Harry nearly whispered.

Harry's response told him everything that he needed to know. He was definitely coming across just as strictly as he wanted to. "No indeed," Snape replied sternly. "Turn over this instant."

Harry gave his guardian a questioning look but wasted no time obeying. There was no way he was going to make Snape tell him twice.

Snape took a deep breath before quickly moving the heavy quilt. He grabbed ahold of the waistband of Harry's pajama pants and in one quick movement, pulled both the pants and his briefs down as far as they needed to go.

He watched as Harry's back and shoulder tensed. The child gripped his pillow tightly with both hands. The actions weren't lost on Snape he knew that Harry was expecting to feel the sting of the thin paddle assault his backside.

Snape raised his hand and brought it down hard not once, not twice, but three times. Harry yelped each time, a fresh batch of tears escaping his eyes on the third.

Snape hadn't thought that he had been hard enough on the child to produce such a reaction. Seconds after the thought crossed his mind though, he realized that the crying was likely left over from the day's events and not necessarily just in regards to the quick spanking he had received.

Just as quickly as he had bared the small bottom, Snape re-clothed it once more before sitting next to Harry on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his back for just a moment before clearing his throat.

"Roll over please."

Quickly Harry rolled over, wincing slightly as his bum made contact with the bed.

He looked up at Snape as he brushed the tears from his face.

"You do understand why that had to be done?" Snape hoped his voice was gentler than it had been. He didn't want anything about the conversation that they were about to have to come off harsh or strict. It was time to let all of that go for a moment.

"Because I acted out in class," Harry supplied. His tears had stopped. He was grateful that Snape had given him such a short spanking as he really hadn't wanted to meet that dreadful looking paddle. He promised himself in that moment that he would never do anything stupid enough to come as close as he had to being introduced to it.

"Correct," Snape replied. He cleared his throat before continuing. "If you are going to be in my care permanently Harry then I will need you to remember that every action has a consequence whether it is good or bad. I know the behavior you are capable of and I expect you to work constantly on striving to behave properly. I care about you far too much to allow you to grow up to be a reckless, undisciplined adult or to allow you to think for one moment that I don't care enough to correct and punish you when needed."

Harry smiled softly. His bum was smarting horribly but he couldn't help but feel absolutely content in this moment. "You care about me?"

"Of course I do you foolish child," Snape replied in what he hoped was a gentle voice. "I must confess Harry that although I never saw myself with a child, I have grown to love you over the past few weeks."

Harry felt his eyes fill with tears, but for the first time all day, they weren't tears of dread and fear. "You do?"

Snape nodded softly. He could feel a lump growing in his throat and he swallowed hard to keep it at bay. It was one thing to express his feelings for the boy, it was quite another to give into the outrageous whim to weep.

"I'm sorry for everything," Harry whispered in a hoarse voice. He had tried his hardest to keep his tears from falling but his hardest wasn't enough as one single tear escaped from the corner of his left eye.

"It's over with," Snape shook his head. "You have been punished. I will not speak of it again.

Harry mulled over these words. Snape seemed calmer than he had all day. If there was ever a time to ask a question it was in this moment. "What happened in the meeting?"

Harry didn't miss the look of worry in his guardian's eyes though he hoped he was just imagining it.

"Professor Dumbledore is working on things as we speak. There is absolutely no need for you to worry." He hoped his words would be enough to calm the boy.

"But Fudge…"

"As I just said Professor Dumbledore is taking care of it all. He is quite a powerful man Harry. I trust that he will be able to fix things." Snape silently prayed that the words he was saying weren't just what he hoped to be true. He prayed that Albus would be able to resolve everything and that by midnight Harry would legally be his.

Another thought occurred to Snape as he watched the boy's face relax a bit at the words.

"When you were panicking earlier, you made the comment that you would run away if things did not go as planned," Snape said. "I need you to promise me that you will not resort to that Harry. Trust that I will not allow things to go that route regardless of what happens in the next few days."

Harry nodded silently in agreement.

"I'm being quite serious," Snape continued, hoping that he could trust the boy's word. "As I have been telling you, the Ministry has to believe that you are well behaved under my care. Running off would only disprove that point in the absolute worst way."

"I won't," Harry promised.

Snape held his stare for a moment before nodding once.

"You need to rest," Snape instructed.

"It's only afternoon," Harry replied quietly.

"And this day already feels a week long," Snape retorted. He reached into his cloak withdrawing the small vile.

The moment Harry saw it he made a disgusted face.

"There will be none of that," Snape instructed as he removed the cork from it before motioning for Harry to sit up. "A calming draught is exactly what you need. I will not have you tossing and turning for hours in here."

Harry slowly pulled himself up into a sitting position before taking the vile from Snape. "It tastes horrible," he muttered.

"Then swallow it quickly," Snape advised. "However complaining will not change my mind about whether or not you will be taking it."

Harry took a deep breath, psyching himself up for the ill tasting liquid before he put the vile to his mouth and as quickly as possible ingested the thick dark potion.

He handed the empty vile back to Snape as he made a face in disgust.

Snape put the empty vile back into his pocket before putting a hand on Harry's shoulder and gently pushing him until he was lying back down.

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Harry asked. He hated himself for sounding so childish, but he wasn't prepared for Snape to leave just yet.

Snape was a bit taken back by the words. He felt his heart swell at the boy's want to be close to him as he nodded, "I will."

Harry smiled as he adjusted his pillow, getting comfortable.

"Will you wake me for dinner?"

"I will, although you may want to eat in the Great Hall. I am sure your classmates are concerned for your well-being. After all you are in the care of the evil Potions Professor."

Harry smiled at these words and how easily Snape poked fun at himself. "I want to eat with you. But maybe I could send them a message later? Just to let Ron and Hermione know that everything is okay I mean. Not because they think you are horrible, they really don't you know." Harry quickly tried to explain his request. He certainly didn't want Snape to think that his two best friends were like the others.

"Perhaps after you rest I could permit you to go to the Gryffindor tower and visit with them," Snape suggested.

Harry smiled widely at these words. He never would have guessed that Snape would make such an offer. "I could?"

"With a few rules I suppose you could."

"Thanks," Harry said through a large yawn.

Snape smiled softly as he reached over and gently rubbed the boy's arm. He knew that he was only moments away from a peaceful sleep and he hoped to help him along.

Another hefty yawn escaped the boy's lips as his eyes grew heavy.

"Thank you for staying with me," Harry said as his eyes began to close.

"Of course," Snape nodded in reply. He said a silent prayer that he was doing right by the boy. That Harry wouldn't be too scarred from the events of the day; that the Ministry would see how things really were and how right this arrangement was. He prayed that he was as good for Harry as the child appeared to be for him.

"Snape," Harry said in a low voice. His eyes were completely closed now.

"Hmm," Snape mused softly.

"I love you too."

Snape felt his breath get stuck in his throat as the words hit him.

Was it truly possible that Harry had grown to care for him so deeply as well?

The child was asleep now, breathing deeply and peacefully.

Snape looked down at his young charge. His cheeks were quite red and his eyes were still puffy from all the crying he had done throughout the day. He reached out and gently ran his hand down the boy's right cheek, as he silently swore to himself that he would put everything he had in him towards raising him correctly. Snape had never wanted children. He had had only one true love in his life and when things didn't work out with her he had never even entertained the idea that there was someone else for him. He had thrown all his energy into his work never giving any other kind of life a second thought.

The idea of that seemed so very far away now.

When Harry had first entered his life, he had seen it as nothing but a burden; one of Albus' crazy plans that would bring him nothing but grief. He had thought that he would do what was asked of him until someone else stepped in and he could quickly bow out. He couldn't believe how wrong he had been. He now saw it as fate that somehow, some way her child had been brought into his life in such a way. In the last few years of her life he had been filled with too much pride and anger to reach out to her and fix things. Perhaps this was her doing…her way of giving him a second chance.

Slowly Snape stood, careful not to wake Harry.

He needed to take advantage of his young charge's state and rest himself. As things stood, it was going to be a long night.

Cornelius Fudge was a man that was class conscious. His main concerns in life were money, his pride, and his as well as others social rankings. He had wanted the job as the Minister of Magic long before he knew what it entailed simply because of the social ranking that came with it. He had very little time for half-bloods or muggle born and often felt concern for pure bloods that fraternized with them. Harry Potter in particular came to mind as he saw concern in his relationship with the Granger girl. He had made his concern known and had been assured that she was top in her class, however it still concerned him. He only hoped that her brain would bring her to a high social class in the future.

These days of course he had far bigger concerns when it came to Mr. Potter. Concerns that were the reason he was missing his afternoon nap to discuss things yet again with Albus Dumbledore.

He was aware of the pull Albus had at the Ministry and his concern that the old man was going to argue until he got his way was growing.

"He is a known Death Eater," he repeated for at least the third time. "This boy's life is far too important to put into his hands. You are aware of how important his life is Albus."

"Was a Death Eater," Albus corrected him in a kind voice, "was Cornelius."

"Fine, was," Cornelius agreed hastily. "However I am not convinced for one moment that if given the opportunity Severus would not go back to his old ways."

"I disagree immensely," Albus replied softly. "As I said earlier, I would trust my life in his hands. Certainly you know how I feel about Harry. I loved his parents dearly and I love their son just as much. He is one of my own and I would never put him into a situation where he was in danger."

"Yet in the past two years the boy has been in several life threatening situations under your eye Albus," Cornelius pointed out in a smug voice.

"Perhaps," Albus responded. "However I never encouraged him to do so and you must admit Cornelius he did so in order to help others. He never did so irrationally for a quick adventure."

"Why he did it is not of important to the Ministry. As I have said numerous times, our concern is keeping Mr. Potter safe and I hardly feel as though placing him in the hands of someone like Severus Snape is a wise decision."

"I would think that the Ministry would also want Harry to be happy and in an environment where he is thriving," Albus replied. "Harry is happy with Severus. As it is the boy was a mess all afternoon with the fear that what you witnessed in his classroom today has ruined any chances he has of staying with the man he has grown to care for."

"As it is he has good reason for his fear," Cornelius retorted.

Albus smiled softly at the man as he masterfully concealed his frustration and anger. "Do not mistake my kindness for weakness Cornelius. I know you are well aware that when it comes to Hogwarts and my students I have some say over things. I will not back down from a fight nor will I stop fighting until Severus and Harry are together."

Snape was exhausted in every sense of the word.

He had woken Harry before supper as he had promised. The two had eaten together down in his quarters. Although they had done so many times in the past, Snape had felt something different these evening. A shift in their relationship that was so big that it demanded to be felt.

Harry had been happier during dinner than he had been earlier in the day but he still wasn't his normal self. Snape was sure that he had never in his life wished for a child to actually be a bit mischievous or cheeky, but if Harry would have demonstrated either behavior at dinner it would have been a welcoming change from his melancholy disposition.

He only hoped that when he returned from the Gryffindor tower that there would be an improvement in his mood.

Harry turned the corner that led to Snape's chambers. The large oak door that led to Snape's private quarters was usually such a welcoming sight but with the impending threat of losing everything looming over his head, he was dreading even seeing Snape.

He was thankful that they had talked and that things were so good between them. He was beyond grateful and elated that Snape had actually said that he loved him. Never in a million years would he have imagined that those words would have come out of his guardian's mouth.

He wanted to remember that moment. It had been perfect. He didn't want his last conversation with Snape to be one where the man was telling him that Fudge had won and the Ministry was taking him.

All Harry wanted was this whole horrible day to be over with.

He pulled open the large oak door to find Snape sitting in his armchair.

"How was your visit with your classmates?" Snape asked. He could read Harry's face so easily these days. He could see the worry that was hiding behind the fake smile that the boy had plastered on and it concerned him.

"Good," Harry answered. He wanted to elaborate. He wanted to tell Snape that Hermione had lectured his ear off for how he had acted in class and that if he just gave her a chance that he'd probably really like her. He wanted to tell him that Seamus had admitted that Snape being strict in class didn't necessarily mean that he was evil. He wanted to, but he didn't.

"Shall we have tea before you go to bed?" Snape asked.

Harry shook his head. "I'm actually really tired. I was just going to go to bed now if that's okay."

"Of course it is," Snape replied.

Harry was tempted to ask the man to come and tuck him in but he resisted the urge. He had lived his entire life up until a few weeks ago with no memory of ever having been tucked in and if the Ministry took him, he likely never would be again. He couldn't ask Snape to do so knowing it might be the last time. It was just too heartbreaking for him. Besides, he was thirteen - he didn't need to be tucked in like some sodding toddler.

"Night," Harry said softly before heading down the hall to his room.

Snape tried his hardest not to be hurt by the boy's actions. He knew that Harry was nervous and worried. He knew that it had been a long stressful day for him and that his shortness with him likely had very little to do with anything else.

Still, Snape had grown so accustomed to tucking the child in that Harry not requesting him to do so felt like a punch in the gut.

Snape forced himself to shake the feeling as he pulled himself from his armchair and walked into his kitchen.

He took the bottle of the dark liquor out of the cabinet and quickly fixed himself a nightcap.

He shook off the feeling that Harry had left him with. The child likely just needed some time alone to process his feelings. Snape could certainly relate to the feeling.

He returned to his armchair once more, his nightcap in his hand.

The Daily Prophet was sitting untouched on the table next to him. It was an unheard of occurrence that he did not read the day's paper but he knew that doing so today would be pointless. He could hardly concentrate on anything that did not involve the adoption procedures.

He took a drink from the glass in his hand before placing it on top of the paper. He closed his eyes allowing himself to relax for a moment as he rested his head on the soft cushion behind him. Carefully and with much hesitation, he allowed his thoughts to go to his own childhood. He was not a man that only saw black and white. He knew that there was a fine line between discipline and abuse. He knew that in his own childhood he was abused, severely at times. However he was beginning to question if on occasion he was too hard on Harry. He entertained the idea for all of a moment before he disregarded it completely. He was not his father and he knew it. Harry was a child that needed restrictions and guidance, having gotten so little of it in the past. The child was thriving in his care and Snape knew it.

Still, perhaps at times he could be a bit easier on the boy.

He promised himself then and there that if he was granted the opportunity to adopt him, he would do his best to do just that.

Slowly he opened his eyes once more as a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

With a wave of his hand the door opened to reveal Albus.

"Severus," the old man smiled warmly as he entered the parlor closing the door behind him.

Snape tried to read the Headmaster's face but it gave him little inclination as to what had happened. It was one of Albus' many attributes he rarely if ever wore his emotions on his sleeve.

"Am I right to assume that you came from the meeting?" Snape asked. He could hear the nervousness in his voice and hated himself for sounding so weak.

"You are."

Snape watched as Albus sat in the chair across from him. He made no attempt to continue his thoughts.

"Well out with it," Snape demanded. "How horribly did it go? Will there be an appeal? Was it said how long it will be until there is an appeal? Surely it must be before the summer holiday."

"There will be no appeal," Albus replied.

"There must be a way for them to reconsider Albus," Snape replied in a shaky voice. He was beginning to fill his insides swell at the reality of what was taking place. A panic was rushing through his veins.

"There will be no appeal Severus because there is no need for one. The Ministry has made the decision that as far as legal guardians go for Harry, you are perfectly suitable."

The feeling of panic paused for a moment - surely he had heard the man wrong.

"But Cornelius- "

"Cornelius and I had a small chat and I think he realized how wrong he was in his assumptions. Of course occasionally over the next year or so the Ministry will check in on the situation and make sure things are still going smoothly, but if Harry continues to flourish as he has I see no reason why they would change their minds about anything."

Snape closed his eyes as he took several deep breaths.

He had done it – they had done it.

The panic in his body was quickly replaced with a feeling of relief.

"Thank you," he said in a sincere voice as he opened his eyes once more. "A million times over Albus, thank you."

Albus smiled warmly as he nodded his acceptance. "It's late Severus and this day has been exceptionally long. I think it's time that we all get some much needed rest. Perhaps before you do that though you should go let your son know that he won't be going back to his relatives again."

His son.

Snape nodded in agreement though he was sure Harry was long asleep. Waking the boy would be outlandish. Surely the news could wait until breakfast.

"Both Professor McGonagall and Hagrid have excused Harry from his classes tomorrow. I think it would be reasonable to say that the boy deserves a day to celebrate the news. As do you Severus. Professor Lupin has agreed to teach your morning class for you if you'd like."

"That won't be necessary Harry does not need to miss his classes and I…" Snape trailed off as he thought of the promise he had made to himself only moments earlier. "On second thought, taking the day off may be nice, perhaps taking Harry out of the castle for a bit would do some good."

"I daresay it would," Albus smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me I have a nightcap of my own calling my name."

Snape sat in his chair as he watched Albus leave.

The feeling of relief that had slowly started to make its way through his body moments earlier was now rushing through his veins.

It was over.

Harry was his.

Slowly he stood, abandoning his nightcap as he made his way down the long hallway. He passed his private laboratory and the door which led to his own bedroom. He hadn't changed his mind; he still thought it would be completely ludicrous to wake Harry. The news would keep until morning. He just wanted to see the boy. He wanted to tuck him in despite the fact that only moments ago he had convinced himself that such things didn't matter. Those thoughts all seemed so far away now and tucking Harry in was suddenly his main priority.

He gently pushed open Harry's bedroom door pleased with himself when he accomplished the task silently.

"You're awake?" He questioned as his eyes adjusted to the dark room.

Harry was under his covers but sitting up in his bed wide awake.

"I can't sleep," the small voice admitted. "I guess I'm still worried."

Snape smiled softly to himself as he crossed the room and gently sat on the edge of the boy's bed. With a wave of his hand, he caused a dim light to fill the room, just bright enough to allow the two to see each other.

"I suppose now would be an excellent time to alleviate that worry."

Harry gave Snape a questioning look.

If he hadn't been so exhausted, he likely would have noticed that Snape's disposition had changed a considerable amount. But as it was, Harry was far too preoccupied with his own worries to notice anything.

""Professor Dumbledore was just here," Snape continued. "He stopped in to let us know that the Ministry had a meeting tonight." He paused for a moment as he tried to get his emotions under control. He would absolutely not become an impulsive mess. "They have decided that you will be staying with me Harry. I am legally your guardian as of this evening."

Snape watched as the expression on Harry's face changed drastically. His worry instantly dissolved as a look of pure relief took over only to make way for an expression of joy.

"Really?" Harry asked in a skeptical voice.

Snape nodded. "Really. Of course they will check in on us occasionally, but as long as things continue as they have there is no reason that that will even matter."

Harry smiled widely as he practically dove into Snape's arms. "Really?" He asked once more. He had fully comprehended every word that Snape had said but he had to be sure.

"Really," Snape chuckled as he hugged the boy tightly.

"So in the summer and over Christmas holiday I can-"

"You can come home with me," Snape replied.

Harry looked up at him with a cheeky grin plastered on his face. "You have a house?"

"I do," Snape nodded. "Not far from Manchester."

If possible Harry's smile grew even wider at these words. Of course he didn't mind staying at Hogwarts, but the idea of a real house that wasn't the Dursleys' was almost too much for him to handle. He finally had a family.

"I thought perhaps tomorrow you and I could pay my house a visit. I think it's only right that you see where you will be living when we are not at Hogwarts."

"But I have classes and you-"

"A day off would suit us both quite well don't you agree?"

Harry nodded as he hugged Snape once more. "Thank you," he whispered.

Snape nodded softly as his right hand gently made its way through Harry's unruly hair. His heart was full of happiness that he owed all to a boy that several weeks ago he didn't care a lick for. "Thank you Harry…thank you for giving me the chance to be such a huge part of your life."

TBC...