Enjoy!
"Eat a piece of fruit."
Harry looked up at Snape. His face was concealed behind the day's issue of The Daily Prophet. He would never understand how Snape managed to know what he was doing without seeing him but he suspected it was some sort of advanced magic.
"I'm drinking orange juice," Harry couldn't help but point out.
Snape lowered his paper. "That is hardly adequate," he said as he gave Harry a no-nonsense look.
Harry reached to the bowl on the center of the table and selected a banana.
"Wise decision," Snape mused as he raised his paper once more.
Harry was unsure as to whether Snape was referring to his decision to pick a banana or to comply with his request.
The whole morning had seemed a bit off to Harry. He couldn't quite decide whether or not he was still in trouble with his guardian for his behavior in class the previous day. The night before, Snape had seemed fine, happy even. This morning though things were a bit foggy.
Harry had woken to find all of his favorite breakfast foods on the table. He knew it wasn't a mistake. Despite the fact that it was quite common, Snape detested the idea of beans on toast. Yet a large helping was on Harry's plate.
Still, Snape seemed a bit distant, a bit cold.
The last thing Harry wanted was to question the man about it. He harbored a small fear that if Snape was still angry at him, there was a part of the man that believed he had not been punished enough. Harry definitely did not want that.
He stole a small glance at his guardian. He was still buried behind his paper. He didn't look like he was about to make any attempt to move it or begin a conversation.
Despite the fact that Harry didn't want to bring attention to his misbehavior the previous day, he also knew that if he didn't say something his thoughts would eat him alive.
He cleared his throat softly hoping that perhaps doing so would somehow alert Snape that he wanted to talk.
The only response he got was the noise of Snape turning a page.
"Snape?" Harry said softly instantly deciding that he needed to take action regardless of the outcome. If Snape was still angry and wanted to punish him more, he could talk him out of it…probably.
"Hmm?" Snape mused from behind his paper.
"Are uh…are you still angry with me?" Harry asked instantaneously hating himself for it. His voice sounded so meek and childish as he stumbled over the words.
Snape's paper quickly lowered. Harry looked up to see Snape staring at him, a confused look on his face.
"Not at all," Snape replied. "Why do you ask?"
Harry shrugged and instantly realizing his mistake opened his mouth to reply. "You seem it I guess." He suddenly felt stupid for even bringing it up. Just because Snape didn't want to have a conversation over breakfast didn't mean that he was mad. He probably just wanted some quiet with his meal and now he had gone a mucked that all up.
"I assure you that I am not cross with you at all," Snape replied. "I have a lot on my mind this morning."
"About me?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"About topics which are none of your concern," Snape answered.
Harry nodded as he digested these words. He wanted to argue that he was old enough to be included in such topics but he thought better of it.
"Are we still going to your house today?" He asked changing the subject entirely.
"After lunch," Snape replied as he folded his paper and set it on the table now giving Harry his full attention. "I have to meet with Professor Dumbledore this morning."
"Can I come?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.
"May you," Snape corrected him. "And no you may not. I have several topics to discuss with the Headmaster that are not meant for your ears or your concern."
Harry's shoulders slumped as he gave Snape a pitiful look. "But it's probably about me right? Or at least about the adoption, shouldn't I be included in that?"
"If my memory serves me correctly, which it should considering it has been less than forty-eight hours I believe, you were plenty included. I also believe that the last time I allowed you to come to a meeting with Professor Dumbledore and myself, you couldn't control your behavior."
"But if the meeting is about me then I-"
"Harry," Snape said in a tired voice. "You asked me only a moment ago if I was still angry with you and I assured you that I was not. However if this conversation continues I cannot promise you that my feelings will not change."
Harry took a deep breath as he forced himself to calm down. He knew he was pressing his luck with his guardian and the last thing he wanted was to get into trouble again.
"I'm sorry," he offered up the words.
Snape nodded once, his normal acknowledgment when Harry apologized for any cheekiness.
"Finish your breakfast and then you may go find your friends."
Harry looked up at Snape. He was sure he had heard the man wrong. It had been ages since he had been allowed to roam around with his friends instead of spending his free time in Snape's quarters.
"You heard me correctly," Snape said. "After giving our situation some thought last night I decided that perhaps it would be best to start this new arrangement with a clean slate."
"So I'm not on restriction anymore?" Harry asked before eating a large helping of his beans. If he was allowed to go find Ron and Hermione then he was going to finish his breakfast as quickly as he could.
"Against my better judgement you are not," Snape replied.
Harry smiled widely at these words, "Wicked. Thanks!"
"See to it that you keep yourself out of trouble or you'll be referring to me as wicked with a much different definition."
Harry nodded earnestly at these words as he shoveled the last forkful of his beans into his mouth.
"And stop eating like an animal," Snape scolded lightly.
Harry swallowed his food before opening his mouth, "Sorry."
Another nod. "Go on then before I change my mind."
Harry jumped out of his seat practically knocking his chair over in the process.
Snape resisted the urge to scold the boy once more and instead focused on giving him a different direction. "Make sure you are back in my parlor immediately after lunch."
"I will be," Harry promised stopping only to grab his jacket before running out the door.
Snape watched the child go, the door closing loudly behind him. Sighing to himself he picked up his newspaper once more. He wasn't sure that letting Harry off of restriction was for the best but he knew that keeping the boy on punishment forever wouldn't help either.
He opened the paper to the third page and for the second time that morning his eyes skimmed over the latest article about Sirius Black. He had been spotted less than five miles from Hogwarts.
Snape's dark eyes locked in on Black's vicious face as he thrashed around in his picture. Silently he prayed that he could trust Harry to obey the rules and keep himself away from danger.
Harry practically ran through the castle. It was Wednesday, breakfast had just ended, and if he knew his friends they would be spending their free morning outside.
It was November and despite the fact that it was quite chilly outside, the students still preferred to spend their free time on the school's grounds before the bitter winter started and forced them to stay inside.
Harry came to a halt on the castle's steps as his eyes scanned the area by the lake. He smiled widely as he saw Ron and Hermione sitting under a tree, a book resting on Hermione's lap.
He took off in a jog towards them.
Ron spotted him first giving him a cheeky grin.
"Snape let you out?" Ron asked in a happy voice.
Harry nodded. "Yep, I'm off of restriction."
"Harry that's wonderful," Hermione smiled as Harry sat down next to his friends.
"You can come back to the dormitory now," Ron added with a smile. "Seamus just got these wicked smokeless fireworks, he wants to try and set them off out of the window one of these nights."
Hermione rolled her eyes in disapproval. Harry was shocked to find himself agreeing with her assessment of the situation. A year ago he would have been thrilled about the idea of smokeless fireworks but today he was sure that Snape would murder him if he had any parts in something so dangerous. Aside from that the idea of moving back into his dormitory hadn't occurred to him until Ron had said something. When Snape had first forced him to stay down in his quarters, Harry had been devastated at the idea now he wasn't so sure he wanted to go back to his bed in his dormitory. He wasn't sure how he felt about being so far from his guardian.
"He didn't say anything about that," Harry replied. "I'll have to ask him."
"But you're off restriction," Ron clarified in a confused voice.
"Er yeah," Harry nodded. "I'm just not sure if that is included."
Ron shrugged. "It should be. I mean being off restriction should include everything."
"I'll ask," Harry nodded. He was more interested in asking Snape if he could still spend some nights in his bedroom down in the dungeons though. "He's letting me skip History of Magic this afternoon," Harry continued changing the subject entirely. "He's taking me to see his house."
"I think that's wonderful," Hermione smiled widely at her friend. "Really Harry. Do you know where it is? Are you close to either of us?"
"Near Manchester I think," Harry replied.
"You'll still come stay at the Burrow for a week or so," Ron insisted. "You always do in the summer."
Harry nodded in agreement. He wasn't sure about a week's stay but surely he could go for a night or two.
"Is Professor Snape teaching now?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. "He had a meeting with Dumbledore this morning."
Ron made a face at these words. Before he even opened his mouth Harry knew where he was going and although he agreed with his friend he wished he could stop him.
"And he wouldn't let you go? It's probably all about you."
Harry agreed with Ron's words. Still he couldn't bring himself to agree verbally. Instead he looked to Hermione for her help. Surely she would change the subject.
"Possibly," Hermione agreed. Her attention was now completely on their conversation, her book having been abandoned. "Or it could be about whatever he was involved with."
Harry had filled his friends in on the details of his last meeting with Dumbledore and on how quickly he had been asked to leave.
He was beginning to fill a pang of curiosity about the meeting he was currently being excluded from. For a split second he entertained the idea of getting his cloak and doing some investigating. He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind though. Snape would murder him. He had literally been off of restriction for less than thirty minutes and the last thing he wanted was to go back on it. Aside from that, he knew that his guardian would be disappointed in him – that was worse than any punishment.
"That's probably it," Ron agreed. "You said they tossed you out the minute it came up. I wonder what it is."
"He's probably having second thoughts," the voice came from behind Harry. "Trying to back out of the whole arrangement before it's too late."
Within a second Harry was on his feet facing his blonde classmate. He felt Ron and Hermione stand up beside him but he didn't turn his head to clarify their actions.
"Shut it Malfoy," Harry said angrily.
"If he's already keeping secrets from you he clearly doesn't trust you," Draco continued in a smug voice. "My father tells me everything."
"I'm sure that's a lie," Hermione interjected.
"Shut your mouth Granger," Draco said angrily. "No one is talking to you." He paused for a moment as he starred Harry down. "If he trusted you at all you would be sitting in Dumbledore's office right now."
"That's not true," Harry replied. He tried to make his voice sound braver than he was feeling but he couldn't help the underlining hurt he was experiencing at Draco's words.
"You'll be an orphan again before you know what hit you," Draco continued. "Severus is a Slytherin no way is he ever going to want you around forever."
"Shut your mouth Malfoy," Ron said angrily. "You don't even know what you are talking about."
"Potter knows exactly what I am talking about," Draco continued. "And I know what Severus is involved in." He paused for a moment making sure that Harry heard him correctly. "That's right is not was."
"Oh and what's that?" Hermione asked in a bored voice. Despite the fact that he wasn't looking at her, Harry could practically see her rolling her eyes.
"I can't say but Potter here will find out soon enough and when he does this whole ridiculous adoption will be history."
Harry felt his hand ball into a fist without his permission. A second later he was lunging forward ready to clock Draco right in the mouth. He would have made a perfect impact if it wasn't for Ron and Hermione springing into action and holding him back.
It was enough to scare Draco off though. The moment he saw Harry lunge forward his expression went from arrogant to terrified. He jumped back practically cowering before quickly regaining his composure.
His head whipped around quickly making sure no one else had seen.
"Get out of here before all three of us punch you," Ron said in an angry voice.
Harry watched as Draco's face changed as if he was considering whether or not the threat was worth anything. After a moment he slowly turned and walked away.
It wasn't until he was on the steps of the castle that Ron and Hermione slowly released their friend.
"He isn't worth it," Hermione declared trying to justify their actions. "You just got off of restriction, you know Snape would put you right back on if you hit him."
"I know," Harry agreed in a soft voice.
Hermione shared a worried glance with Ron before she continued. "You know that he was just making all of that up. Malfoy doesn't know anything."
Harry shrugged. He knew Hermione was probably right but he couldn't shake the idea that there could have been some truth in his words. It wasn't completely far-fetched to think that Malfoy's father confided in him, at least a bit.
"Yeah Harry," Ron added. "Malfoy is a prat and he's always making things up you know that."
"And if he's not?" Harry asked. He hated himself for the way his voice sounded – for how much hurt bounced off the words.
"He is," Hermione insisted gently. "Don't let him get to you."
"Let's do something," Ron said suddenly clearly trying to help the situation. "Let's go visit Hagrid."
Harry shook his head. "I think I want to go check on Hedwig actually. I haven't been up there in a while."
"We can do that," Hermione smiled brightly.
"Oh er I kind of wanted to go alone," Harry replied.
He watched as she glanced at Ron with a worried look on her face. "Harry –"
"I'll be in the Great Hall for lunch okay?"
"Okay," Hermione agreed softly as Ron nodded.
Harry climbed the stairs to the Owlery with a heavy heart. When he had entered the castle he once more entertained the idea of going to get his cloak and once more he had dismissed the thought. Snape had asked him repeatedly to trust him and to obey. He knew that he had to follow those requests.
He entered the Owlery pleased to find that it was empty. He walked across the room and sat down next to the perch that Hedwig was napping on. He wouldn't wake her. Despite the fact that he hadn't seen her in nearly a week, he knew that she wouldn't be pleased to be woken up.
He wasn't really concerned with visiting her anyway. He really just wanted time alone.
Time to think.
He hated himself for allowing Malfoy's words to get to him. Hermione was likely right. The blonde boy probably didn't know anything. Still, he had hit a sensitive spot.
Snape had said he loved him and Harry knew that he felt the same. That fact alone meant more to Harry than anything in the world. He had found a family in Snape, something he had been sure he would never truly have. He couldn't stop his constant doubts though. He couldn't help that he constantly worried about things.
That Snape would let him down in some way.
That was his biggest concern.
He was so used to adults that didn't stand by their word or that left when he needed them the most. Snape had promised repeatedly that that wouldn't happen. He had given his word. Harry only hoped that the man's word was good.
He had let down his guard with Snape. He had allowed boundaries to be crossed. He couldn't go back now. Snape breaking his word wouldn't be like his relatives. He had learned long ago not to trust his aunt and uncle at all. He had built a wall around himself to keep them out. They would say horrible things to him and Harry would never let them see him get upset or shed a tear.
Snape was different.
In the past few weeks the man had truly become a father figure to him. Harry cared about him in a way he had never cared about another adult.
He couldn't lose that.
But if Malfoy's words were true he didn't see how he could keep it either.
Snape stood in the center of his parlor his eyes fixed on the clock on the mantel. He had instructed Harry to return to his quarters immediately after lunch.
That was nearly fifteen minutes ago.
The students were now in their afternoon classes.
Snape watched as the second hand ticked by indicating that another minute had passed. He wasn't worried yet. He was sure that Harry was just being careless.
Another two minutes passed as Snape felt the calmness leaving his body. Another minute and he was going to look for the child.
His hand was twitching as he attempted to calm his nerves. A million thoughts of Harry in danger crossed his mind in a second's time.
He was about to take action and walk out of the door when the door opened and Harry ran into the room.
"I'm sorry," Harry blurted out in a winded voice. "I went to see Hedwig and I lost track of time."
Snape's first reaction was to deliver half a dozen smacks to the seat of the boy's pants. Instead he took a deep breath forcing his temper to remain at bay. The boy was fine. He had apologized. It was clear from the look on his face that he expected punishment. There was no need to be hasty.
"Nearly twenty minutes late," Snape scolded in a stern voice.
"I'm sorry," Harry repeated his words. "I just lost track of time."
"Perhaps I should bewitch a wooden spoon to start paddling your backside the moment you are late," Snape threatened.
Harry gave the man a horrified look as he quickly shook his head. He was sure Snape wasn't serious but just the thought alone was enough to make his ears burn with embarrassment.
"Did you eat lunch?" Snape asked.
"Yes," the lie rolled off of Harry's tongue with ease.
"Very well then into the floo with you," Snape instructed.
Harry wasted no time scurrying towards the fireplace. He had expected much harsher repercussions to his tardiness. The last thing he was going to do was make Snape wait any longer.
He stood perfectly still as Snape stepped into the fireplace with him. A million emotions were rushing through his body. He was trying his hardest to put the conversation with Malfoy out of his mind. He didn't want to believe that he couldn't trust Snape.
Dropping a handful of floo powder Snape spoke loudly and clearly. "Snape Manor."
Harry waited until Snape stepped out of the fireplace and then followed. He had expected to find a parlor similar to the one in Snape's private quarters and was quite surprised to find one much larger.
The ceilings were high with tall windows along the wall looking out onto the street. It appeared to be a large house but not expensively decorated. The furniture was nice enough, comparable to what his relatives had. Harry liked it; it looked like a house he could live in.
"Was this your parent's house?"
Snape nodded but didn't answer verbally.
Harry didn't know anything about Snape's mother but he knew plenty about his father. He wondered how Snape was able to live here with such horrible memories. Harry was sure that even if the Dursley's moved a million miles away he couldn't live in their house.
"It doesn't bother you to be here?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.
Snape ignored his question. He walked across the room towards the hallway. "Follow me please. I will show you around."
Harry resisted the urge to ask his question once more and instead silently followed his guardian.
Snape led him into the kitchen which had a small dining room attached to it. "Over the summer holidays my house elf Kermy will attend to making the meals as well as cleaning," Snape explained. "However that does not include cleaning your room. Just as you are in my quarters you will be responsible for keeping your bedroom tidy."
"Okay," Harry agreed. He could live with that. He was used to it at Hogwarts after all and back at his relatives he had done all the cleaning.
"Also you will notice that there is a decent clearing in the back," Snape continued. "You will be permitted to fly there."
"Wicked," Harry smiled. He had been concerned that Snape's house wouldn't have adequate room for him to fly and he was pleasantly surprised to hear that it did.
Snape walked up a back staircase with Harry a step behind him.
He paused outside of a bedroom door for a moment before pushing the door open to reveal a bedroom with a private bathroom attached. "This will be your room."
Harry smiled as he stepped into the room. It was roughly the same size as his room in Snape's quarters. The one difference was the large window that looked out over the field. He was pleased to see a window that wouldn't end up with bars on it.
"My room is at the end of the hall as well as another bathroom and my work room which will be off limits to you."
Harry nodded. "Yes Sir."
"Aside from that room you are free to roam the rest of the house as you please."
"Was this your room when you were a kid?" Harry asked.
"No, this was my parent's room. The room that I currently use was my room as a child."
"Was your mum nice?" The question left Harry's mouth before he could stop it.
"Very," Snape replied. "I'm inclined to think that she would have liked you very much."
Harry smiled softly at these words as he ran a finger along the wardrobe. "I like this room a lot. Thank you."
Snape nodded softly. "Professor Dumbledore will be putting several spells on the house in order to be sure it is completely safe and hidden."
"Is that what your meeting was about today?" Harry asked. He had crossed the room now and was leaning against the post of the bed.
"Partly," Snape replied.
Harry didn't miss the look that had momentarily swept over the man's face. More than ever he was beginning to feel that Draco had been right. There was something major going on.
"What was the other part?" Harry asked. He hoped his voice sounded as innocent as he wanted it to. The last thing he wanted was for Snape to think that he knew something.
"As I told you earlier Harry the contents of the meeting I had with Professor Dumbledore is absolutely none of your business."
Harry didn't miss the strictness of the man's voice.
He was playing with fire and he knew it.
Harry shrugged softly hoping to appear nonchalant. "Can I bring my pillow from your quarters here for the summer? I really like it."
Snape raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in the conversation, "if you wish."
Harry was sitting at the round table trying to do his History of Magic homework. Hermione had happily brought it to him only twenty minutes earlier. He would have liked to tell her to get lost with it but Snape had seen, thanked her, and then immediately after she left instructed Harry to sit and do it.
It wasn't that he didn't want to get it done, it was just that his stomach was growling with hunger.
When he had skipped lunch several hours ago he hadn't been hungry at all. His mind had been completely consumed with Malfoy's words. Now however, skipping lunch seemed like the stupidest idea he had ever had. It was still at least two hours until dinner and he was starving.
Worse, he was trying to hide it.
If he had been honest when Snape had asked him if he had eaten he likely would have been scolded and then made to eat. He had lied though and he was sure that his doing so wouldn't go over well at all with his guardian.
"I hope you are minding your spelling with that," Snape instructed from his spot in his favorite chair. "You will re-write it if it is cluttered with errors."
"I am," Harry promised as his stomach growled once more.
He froze for a moment waiting to see if Snape had heard. The man was busy marking papers though and his attention was completely concentrated on his task at hand.
Harry wrote another sentence out before his stomach growled once more, louder this time.
He closed his eyes tightly as he silently told himself that he could make it two more hours.
He opened his eyes only to have his stomach growl loudly once more.
Instantly he abandoned his self-control; there was no way he was going to make it.
"Snape," he said softly.
"What is it?"
Harry swallowed hard. "I have to tell you something."
"What's that?"
Harry glanced over at his guardian. The man was still grading his papers, his attention on his work.
"I lied," Harry confessed softly.
Snape's head snapped up as the words left Harry's mouth. He now had the man's full attention. His eyes narrowed at the boy as a stern look overtook his face.
"I didn't eat lunch," Harry said quickly before Snape could jump to any conclusions or make things any worse.
The stern look was replaced by one of concern but only for a fleeting moment. "Why on earth not?" Snape was on his feet now and within a seconds time he was towering over Harry.
Harry shrugged as he tried to gather his thoughts. He wasn't quite sure that confessing to his conversation with Malfoy was the best idea.
"Do not shrug your shoulders at me," Snape warned. "I asked you a question and I expect an answer."
Harry's stomach growled loudly as he resisted the urge to shrug once more.
Before Harry knew what was happening, Snape had took a hold of his arm and pulled him from his seat. Seconds late Harry found his cheek resting on the table. Snape had bent him over so easily that Harry couldn't help but wonder how the man had gotten so strong.
Harry closed his eyes tightly preparing himself for what he knew was coming. He hated himself for already having tears clinging to his eyelashes. He hated himself even more for being Snape's legal child for less than twenty-four hours and already finding himself in this position.
A moment later, Snape's hand made contact with his jean clad backside not once but twice. Harry resisted the urge to cry out in pain.
Just as quickly as he had been pulled from his chair, he was deposited back into it. Before Snape could see the few stray tears that had managed to escape his eyes, he quickly brushed them away.
Snape tapped the table twice causing a plate of hot food to appear. He moved Harry's school books out of the way and pulled the plate towards the boy.
"Eat," he instructed.
Harry looked down at the food on his plate to find all of his favorites. Despite the fact that his was starving he could feel the lump in the back of his throat practically doubling in size. He would never understand how Snape could be so angry with him and yet still make sure he had his favorite foods.
Harry watched as Snape walked back to his armchair, picked back up his papers, and went back to grading.
His stomach gave another growl but his guilt over the whole situation was weighing heavy on his heart.
"Eat," Snape instructed once more. "We will have a discussion when you are done."
Harry glanced in Snape's direction. The man wasn't even looking at him. He'd never in a million years understand how Snape did that.
"Eat," Snape said once more, this time in an annoyed voice. "If I have to say it again the outcome will not be pleasant."
Harry picked up his fork and slowly took a bite. He highly doubted that Snape was going to let his lying slide with the small punishment he had just received. He wanted nothing more than to take his time eating, prolonging whatever was to follow for as long as possible. Unfortunately he was so hungry that before he knew it he was taking the last bite.
He picked up his glass of pumpkin juice finishing its contents.
"I'm done," he announced in a small voice. He hated his voice for sounding so vulnerable.
Snape stood and crossed the room once more. He tapped the table twice causing the dinnerware to vanish.
Harry watched as his guardian took a hold of the chair next to him and pulled it away from the table taking a seat.
"Explain," Snape said in a deadly low voice.
Harry quickly weighed his options. Snape seemed plenty cross but he had seen him angrier. He could easily lie once more and simply tell the man that he hadn't been hungry at lunch but he was sure if he was caught he would be in a sea of trouble.
"I had a row with Malfoy," Harry confessed.
"You fought with-"
"Verbally," Harry quickly interrupted. The last thing he needed was Snape thinking that he had been dueling or physically fighting.
"This verbal spat took place while you should have been eating?" Snape's voice was still plenty stern but Harry could hear that it had softened just the slightest bit.
"No Sir," Harry shook his head. "It happened before lunch and then I went to the Owlery because I wanted to be alone. That's why I missed lunch."
"What was this argument about?" Snape asked.
Harry had known that this question was coming but it didn't make answering it any easier.
"You," he said softly.
"I beg your pardon?" The firmness had now left his voice completely.
"He said that if you trusted me at all I would have been in the meeting with you today," Harry replied softly. "He said that you were probably already trying to get out of the adoption and that that was what the meeting was about."
"You can't tell me that you believe that Harry," Snape said gently. "I've told you how I feel about our arrangement as well as about you."
"I know," Harry replied softly.
"Is that all that was said?" Snape inquired.
Harry shook his head. "He said that you are involved in something and once I find out what it is it will destroy everything."
Snape felt the words hit him like a punch to the gut. He would have to speak to Lucius about what was shared with his son.
"I promise you Harry those words have no truth to them."
"Then why did you make me leave the meeting when it came up?"
"As I have told you from the moment this arrangement began, you need to trust me Harry. There are things that are not your concern – things that you do not have to worry about. You are a child and there are things that you need to allow me to handle."
Harry mulled over these words for a moment before he opened his mouth once more. "He called you Severus."
"The Malfoy family has been friends of mine for quite some time; he was raised to call me by my first name."
Harry shrugged at this explanation.
Snape was silent for a moment before he cleared his throat. "If you would like to call me by my first name you may do so."
Harry considered this option. A day ago he might have liked the offer but after hearing the name roll off of Malfoy's mouth he wanted no parts of it. "I like Snape," Harry finally answered.
"That's fine however in the future if you change your mind, the offer stands."
"Thanks," Harry nodded.
"It would also do you well in the future to remember that if Mr. Malfoy attempts to start a row with you he is likely only doing so to get a rise from you. The wisest thing you could do in that situation would be to walk away."
"Yes Sir." Harry knew that Snape was right, but he was sure that walking away would never be an option for him. Malfoy was too much of a prat for things to end that easily.
"Finish your homework," Snape instructed as he stood up. "And then if you'd like you may have dinner in the Great Hall and spend the night in your dormitory."
"Can I stay down here with you?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.
Snape felt his heart swell at the question. "Whenever you like Harry…whenever you like."
TBC...