Enjoy! And thank you to ethulinda for helping my muse with this chapter :)
Snape walked through the dungeons and down the long hallway that led to his chambers. His head was throbbing, his throat was scratchy. He wanted nothing more than to go home and have a nice, quiet, relaxing evening.
He walked into his parlor approaching the fireplace. He reached up taking a handful of floo powder before stepping into the large hearth. He dropped the floo powder to his feet and stated his destination clearly.
It was not unusual for Snape to come home to find Harry sitting in the parlor waiting for him. It was unusual however, for his son to be doing so with a look of pure guilt plastered across his face.
Snape could hardly help the stern eyebrow that raised as he eyed his son.
"Hi," Harry offered in a meek voice.
"Harry," Snape nodded, his tone firm.
The teenagers gaze fell for a moment before he looked back up at his guardian. "Something happened," he said softly. "But please don't go mental…"
"Comforting," Snape mused in a stern voice. "What happened Harry James?"
Harry's gaze lowered once more as he stood and moved across the parlor, he waved a hand towards his guardian motioning for him to follow. "I have to show you."
Snape felt his annoyance grow as he followed the child. He could only imagine what Harry was about to show him. He found himself praying that half of the house hadn't been blown up.
Harry walked into the front hall, stopping by the table that stood next to the staircase. For as long as Snape could remember a witch bottle had sat on the table. His mother had made it for him when he was very young, filling an old, antique bottle with rosemary, shells, feathers, and red wine. She had been convinced that it would protect him from malicious witchcraft and sorcery. It was hardly of any monetary value. The sentimental value of it however was unmatched. Snape did not have very many things left from his mother. Most of them having been destroyed in his father's drunken rages.
The bottle was now on the floor, shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces. It could not be fixed. Snape was sure of that. It was far too old to withstand magic trying to repair it.
Snape's first thought was to land a stinging swat to his son's backside for breaking it; as he looked at the teenager though he could not bring himself to do so. Harry looked simply miserable at what he had done.
"I'm so sorry," Harry said in a pleading voice. "It was an accident I swear Snape."
Snape nodded silently as he crouched down next to the broken bottle. He picked up a small piece of glass.
"Can you fix it?" Harry questioned. It was clear by his tone that he was hoping that with a wave of his guardian's hand the bottle would be good as new.
"That's not important," Snape replied as he placed the piece of glass back on the floor. He pulled out his wand waving it over the mess causing it to vanish.
Harry's shoulders slumped a considerable amount at the action. "I am seriously so sorry!"
"It is just an item Harry," Snape said softly as he stood up once more. He looked down at his son with concern on his face. "You didn't cut yourself on the glass when it broke did you?"
Harry quickly shook his head. He was actually nowhere near the bottle when it shattered though he hardly wanted to admit to that. He felt horrible enough as it was. It was obvious to him that his guardian was hurt by the fact that the bottle was broken. Harry felt wretched for causing that. He wasn't even sure what the bottle was but it was obviously important to Snape.
"How did it break?" Snape asked as he moved back towards the parlor, his son a step behind him.
"I - I uh", Harry muttered as Snape turned to face him.
Snape's eyebrow rose at the hesitation. "May I remind you that the consequence for lying in this house is a trip over my knee."
Harry cringed at the words. He was pretty sure that even if he told the truth he was going to end up with a sore bum. Snape had told him multiple times in the past that if he would just tell the truth he wouldn't get in near as much trouble. Harry just hoped that the man would somehow remember those words now.
"I was playing fetch with Bane...earlier when it was raining...and his ball hit the bottle," Harry admitted in a miserable tone. He looked up at his guardian taking in his angry features. "Don't go mentaaal," he added desperately, unable to keep the whine out of his voice.
"Remind me whether you are allowed to play fetch with your pet in the house Harry James." Snape could not keep the sternness out of his words. His head was pounding. He had already felt horrible before he even stepped into his house and his quiet, relaxing evening was vanishing before his eyes. He had half a mind to haul the boy over his knee that very moment. Instead he closed his eyes slowly counting backwards from ten.
"No Sir," Harry said softly cringing once more as he watched his guardian's eyes closed. He was sure that nothing good could come from such an action. "I was just bored," Harry quickly tried to explain. "It was raining out and I just wanted to play with Bane for a little. I didn't mean to break anything. I swear I didn't! I feel horrible that it happened!"
Snape slowly opened his eyes as the number one passed through his mind. He glared down at the teenager before taking hold of his shoulders and spinning him around. His right hand released Harry's shoulder before coming down in a firm swat to the boy's backside. "Corner," he spoke the word firmly. "Twenty minutes in silence."
Harry quickly took two steps forward at the swat before turning around to face his guardian once more. "Snaaaape," he whined softly. "Nooooo."
Snape's eyes narrowed in on his son. "You broke a serious rule in this house and as a result of that you broke something that meant a great deal to me. You should very well have your backside warmed for this and you know it. Twenty minutes in the corner is hardly a punishment. However, if you cannot obey and put your nose in that corner I can absolutely tan your hide instead."
Harry shook his head frantically at the threat before turning and continuing his trek to the corner. He leaned his head against the wall sighing softly. Snape was right, twenty minutes wasn't that bad.
"I am sorry," Harry muttered softly.
Snape walked across the parlor sitting in his armchair. His eyes narrowing at the boy's words. "I said silence Harry James."
"But I ammm," Harry whined.
Snape's eyes closed as his hand traveled up, pinching the bridge of his nose. He swallowed hard, his throat burning as he did. He needed to go to the kitchen and take a potion for his symptoms but he was not about to leave his child alone just yet. He was tired of the teenager completely ignoring his words. He was going to teach Harry to be quiet when he told him to regardless of what it took. "Every time you open that mouth of yours I am restarting your twenty minutes."
"Snaaaaape noooo," Harry complained loudly.
"Oh yes," Snape nodded. "Your time just restarted. Now keep that mouth of yours shut!"
Snape slowly opened his eyes, his hand dropping to his side. He had expected another complaint from his son but the boy had remained silent. Snape grinned softly to himself, pleased that the words seemed to have some effect.
Snape closed his eyes once more, thankful that at last he was in silence.
After some time had passed he opened his eyes glancing up at the clock, Harry still had five minutes left.
Snape cleared his throat softly. "Imagine this, your time would have been completed now had you just listened in the first place."
"Snaaaaape!" Harry whined in a frustrated voice.
"And we start over again," Snape yawned. "You will learn one way or another that when I tell you to do your time in the corner quietly I expect you to do so."
"You aren't being fair," Harry muttered softly. "It was an accident."
"An accident that was caused by you disobeying the rules that I have set. Now keep that mouth of yours shut. Remus will be stopping by shortly to drop something off to me and I suspect that you hardly want him to see you in the corner. Hmm?"
"Snape! NO!" Harry's ears burned at the very idea of Remus seeing him in such a position. "Please! Not in front of Remus!"
"Then be quiet and follow the rules!" Snape snapped, beginning to lose his patience. "If you would just stop being so hardheaded you would be out of that corner long before he arrives!"
Harry was quiet for all of five minutes before he spoke once more.
"You are being so unfair with this though. You never restarted the time before."
"No in the past when you have refused to obey me I have turned you over my knee. Would you rather experience that this evening?" Snape's eyebrow rose as he said the words.
"No," Harry muttered softly his ears burning once more.
"Your time just started over once more. Now stop being so stubborn and keep your mouth closed Harry James."
A soft whine passed Harry's lips as he rested his head against the wall once more. He hated being in the corner. He was sure that he had been there for at least an hour by now - maybe even more. Snape wasn't being reasonable at all! He had never been so stern with him over talking while he was in the corner in the past.
Harry felt his shoulders tense as he heard the floo roar to life behind him.
"Snaaaape," he whined in a pleading tone. His voice was so soft he wasn't even sure that the man could hear him.
"Starting over again I see," Snape replied.
A moment later Harry heard his guardian greeting Remus as heat spread across his face. He was sure that his skin was about to burn right off his skull. Harry was tempted to just leave the corner without any permission at all. He didn't dare do it though. Snape had promised him that he would never punish him in front of his friends or his classmates but he had never said anything about other adults. When he had been caught at Hogwarts a few weeks ago the man had said that he had nearly punished him in front of McGonagall. Harry was sure that if there was one adult that he would have no problem doing such a thing in front of it would be Remus. Harry shuddered softly at the very thought.
Remus raised an eyebrow as he gestured towards Harry.
"A lesson in learning to obey the rules that I set," Snape supplied as Remus handed him a small jar of frog's breath. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome. I knew I had a jar of it somewhere in my classroom." He glanced over at Harry once more. "Do I want to know what he did?"
"Something of mine was broken today," Snape replied as he set the jar on the table next to his armchair.
"Certainly not on purpose," Remus said softly.
"NO!" Harry practically yelled as he spun around to face the pair of them. He scowled in Remus' direction. "It wasn't on purpose!"
"Harry James!" Snape hissed causing the teenager to noticeably cringe before quickly turning back around to face the corner.
"Sorry," Harry said in a tone barely above a whisper. He silently prayed that his guardian wouldn't walk over to him. He was sure he had never regretted something more than what he had just done.
"I apologize for that outburst," Snape said to Remus. "Harry and I will be having quite the discussion about it when his twenty minutes in the corner finally ends. Unfortunately every time he speaks his time is restarted therefore that discussion may still be some time away."
Harry shook his head but kept his mouth shut. He swallowed hard. He could feel the tears welling up behind his eyes. He could only imagine what the discussion with Snape would consist of but he feared that he wouldn't be doing much talking.
"It's fine Severus," Remus said gently. A small frown formed on his lips as he glanced over towards Harry once more. "Don't be too hard on him," he continued in a much softer voice. "The corner isn't really any fun at all."
Snape huffed at the words. As if a punishment was supposed to be fun. The very idea was preposterous.
"I must be going though," Remus continued. "I have a detention to proctor this evening for Minerva." He wanted to say goodbye to Harry as well but he hardly wanted the teenager to answer him and have his speaking to the boy be the cause of his time starting over once more. "I will stop by later."
"Thank you again for bringing the frogs breath by," Snape replied as he eyed the clock before his glare set in on his son. "I do appreciate it."
Snape had asked Remus earlier in the day to stop by that night. He wanted to confide in the man about the pain that Harry had been feeling in his scar. He was interested in his thoughts on the matter.
"It was no bother at all." Remus stepped towards the fireplace, taking a handful of floo powder before vanishing once more.
Snape's glare moved between his son and the clock for the next fifteen minutes. As the last minute passed by he cleared his throat loudly. "Harry James…"
Harry took a deep breath before slowly turning to face his guardian.
Snape raised a hand, crooking a finger to the child. "To me."
Harry hesitated for a moment, a hand going up to his right eye. He rubbed harshly under his eye, catching a tear before it had the chance to fall before he walked towards his guardian stopping a foot in front of him, just out of Snape's reach.
Snape shook his head firmly pointing to the ground directly in front of him.
A soft whine escaped Harry's lips before he took the final step to stand in front of the man. "I'm sorry," he said softly.
"Twenty minutes in the corner turned into close to ninety minutes all because you could not obey a simple instruction."
Harry's two front teeth bit down on his bottom lip as he shrugged in response.
Snape reached around the teenager landing a firm swat to his backside. "A shrug is never an acceptable answer and you know it."
Harry winced before taking a half step back at the swat. It wasn't the hardest swat Snape had ever dealt him but he hardly wanted him bum close enough to be assaulted any further either. "I'm sorry," Harry repeated the words once more. He was fighting hard to keep his emotions under control. It had been quite a while since he had seen his guardian so cross. Harry's gaze settled on Snape's knee. "I didn't break your bottle on purpose."
"I know that. However, had you not been breaking a rule it would not have happened."
Harry nodded in agreement, his gaze still lowered. A moment later he felt Snape grab ahold of his arm and pull him closer before turning him to the side and landing a stinging swat to his backside causing Harry to yelp softly at the shock of it. Less than a second later he was turned back to face Snape once more. The man taking a firm grip of his chin and forcing his head up - forcing Harry's gaze to meet his.
"If I ever hear you speak to Remus or any other adult in such a manner again you will be in for far more than that single smack you just received."
Harry blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep his tears from falling. "I didn't mean to talk to him like that. It just came out louder and with more cheek than I meant it to."
"What you meant to do and what you did are vastly different. You have my word that should it happen again you will go over my knee right in front of Remus." Snape's grip on the teen's chin tightened slightly. "Do we understand each other?"
"Yes," Harry replied without hesitation. "I swear I won't ever do it again. I promise." He couldn't imagine being spanked in front of Remus. The thought of it was enough to make Harry want to fling himself off the roof.
Snape's released his grip on the son's chin. "You keep those eyes on me," he warned. "I will not speak to the top of your head while you look down to the ground." Snape glanced up at the clock on the mantel once more. It was early, hardly past six. "Upstairs. Shower and then your dinner will be delivered to you in your room. After you eat you will be going to bed."
Harry's mouth dropped open as his tears won, spilling out of his eyes. He had wanted to spend time with his guardian. He had wanted to show him the essay he had written for Potions earlier and maybe even talk him into playing a game of chess. He had wanted to have a nice night with him. "But it's so early," Harry complained through his tears.
"Perhaps an early bedtime tonight will help you remember to follow the rules," Snape replied in a stern voice. "Now do as I have said."
Harry wanted to argue further. He wanted to refuse to go upstairs at all. He knew it wouldn't do any good though. Snape was angry enough as it was. If he made him any angrier he would just be in more trouble and he would still end up being made to go to bed early.
Harry took two steps away from the man towards the front hall before he turned back to him. "Will you still come up to say goodnight?" He knew he sounded childish but he didn't care.
Snape nodded. "I will be up in a little bit. I expect to find you showered and in bed and your dinner eaten. You do not want me to be disappointed."
Harry nodded at the words, his tears still falling as he headed towards the staircase.
Snape paused outside of the teenager's bedroom door as he silently prayed that he would find that Harry had listened and done as he had asked. Despite taking a potion for both his throat as well as his headache, Snape was not feeling any better. The last thing he wanted was to dole out a punishment on top of feeling poorly.
He knocked once before pushing the door open. A soft sigh of relief as he spotted the empty dinner plate on Harry's desk, his son in his bed with Bane at his side.
"Hi," Harry said softly as he looked up at the man. Despite his shower and the nearly two hours that had passed since he left the parlor his eyes were still red and puffy from the tears he had shed.
"So you can listen," Snape mused as he walked across the room, sitting on the edge of Harry's bed. "Imagine that."
"Don't still be mad," Harry replied in a sad voice. "I said I was sorry and I really am Snape. I swear that I am. I feel horrible that your bottle got broken - I really do!"
Snape sighed softly at the words. His head was pounding. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and get some much needed sleep. He could not cancel on Remus however. It was far too important. "I am not cross with you," he said softly as he leaned forward pulling the quilt over Harry's shoulder. "That being said, when I tell you to do something I expect you to listen to me."
Harry nodded against his pillow. "But do I really have to go to bed? It's so early. Didn't Remus say he was coming back? Can't I come downstairs and see him? I could apologize to him." Harry sat up as he spoke.
Snape considered the request for a moment before shaking his head. "You are being punished and you will stay in bed. You can apologize to him the next time that you see him."
Harry huffed softly at the words but he did not argue against them. Instead he laid back down, turning onto his die to effectively hide his face from the man.
Once more Snape pulled the quilt up over the boy's shoulder, this time tucking it tightly under his chin. His right hand then moved to Harry's back, rubbing it softly for a moment. "Do not let me catch you out of this bed unless it is to use the lavatory. The conversation that Remus and I will be having is private."
"Okay," Harry muttered softly as his hands slipped under his pillow in an attempt to make himself more comfortable.
"I am going to set a silencing charm on the parlor therefore attempting to listen to our conversation will be a waste of your time." Snape hated to make it seem as though he didn't trust the teenager to just obey what he had said but he hardly wanted to deal with disciplining him any further either. "I know that it is early but just try and sleep. I will check on you after Remus leaves."
Harry nodded his understanding.
"Goodnight." Snape stood before reaching out and gently ruffling the boy's hair. "Sleep well."
"Night," Harry replied.
"I'm surprised he went to bed without a fight," Remus couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Forgive me Severus but he is James' son. I know far too well how that Potter temper and stubborness works."
"I was quite shocked myself. However after the discussion we had when you left I think that I left little room for argument about the subject," Snape replied before taking a sip of his nightcap.
A look of concern swept across Remus' face. "I hope you were not too hard on him on my account. I am sure that he did not mean to answer me in such a manner."
"I was hardly hard on him at all," Snape confided in the man. "I have hardly been hard on him in quite some time. I will confess that I feel quite guilty for pulling Harry from Hogwarts. As a result of that I have been quite lenient with the child - despite how disobedient he can be."
Remus smiled at the words. "You know that I am only a floo call away if you ever need a lending hand with Harry. As I said, he is James' son - it shows far too well at times I fear."
"He is at that. Sometimes I wonder if I am even doing right by him. I care for him far more than I ever imagined possible. Sometimes I feel that I can be far too stern with him, too quick to punish him."
"I believe any teen would say that you are," Remus responded. "Personally, I feel you're doing quite an admirable job at handling him. From what I've heard he's been in need of a firm hand since his first year- but better late than never."
A small smirk formed on Snape's lips at the words. "He would be mortified to hear you say that."
"Flying a car at twelve, Severus!" Remus could hardly help the amused look on his face. "He surpasses James at times."
"I was close to taking a firm hand with him that night when Minerva refused to do so. I still don't know what stopped me," Snape replied as he thought back to that night. He could clearly remember how close he was when he had both Harry and the Weasley boy in his office, their adventure on the front page of the paper. "He does know how to test one's patience."
"If you think about it though it does make some sense that he would test the limits," Remus' voice turned slightly sullen. "I suppose he was never given much of a childhood. I would reckon that he never had the opportunity to act in such a way before - to experience unconditional love from a parental figure."
"It absolutely makes sense that he would do so however that fact does not make it any easier when he does," Snape replied taking another swallow of his drink before continuing. "He turned twenty minutes in the corner tonight into well over an hour - a record that I hope does not get broken."
Remus chuckled softly, "I'm slightly impressed by his willpower."
"He is the reason I asked to speak to you this evening," Snape grew serious. "He confided in me recently that his scar has been bothering him for well over a month - hurting."
"It's been going on for a few weeks now?" There was no denying the absolute fear in Remus' features. The man who had just been joking so casually about the teenager now looked as though he was ready to be ill.
Snape nodded at his friend. "It is painful enough to bring him to tears - sobs even."
The frown on Remus' face deepened at the words. "You said that your mark has been hurting as well."
Snape nodded. He had confided in no one else, not even Albus. An ache had pulsed through his dark mark two days prior and since then as well. Remus had been surprisingly the first person he had gone to in order to discuss it. "Not nearly as horribly as his scar appears to be. It is a dull ache that comes and goes. I have never felt it do such a thing."
Remus was on his feet a moment later, pacing in front of the fireplace. "You don't think that HE is somehow active again?"
"I fear that He may be," Snape replied in a low voice.
"Severus, if He is...being active again. Harry's name coming from the Goblet? Of all the students in Hogwarts - it was Harry. Forgive me but...surely they're not connected? They can't be, can they?"
"That is my greatest fear Remus. It has been since his name appeared out of the Goblet. I have been doing everything in my power to keep him safe and I dread what could happen if I fail."
Snape walked slowly through the parlor. His head was throbbing, his throat was on fire, his entire body ached. He had taken a potion this morning to attempt to stop his symptoms but it had hardly touched them. He silently cursed himself for not taking something the previous evening when he had started feeling sick. At the time he had felt too exhausted to lift even a finger; now he was regretting his laziness.
Harry had instantly noticed over breakfast that he was not feeling well and had immediately made it a point to pester him attempting to persuade him to stay home for the day and rest. His child had been so annoying that Snape had finally sent him to his room to work on his school work. He had nearly sent the teenager to the corner but had refrained realizing that it was his own poor feelings that were causing him to be so irked by the boy.
Snape took a deep breath as he paused nearly sitting down in his armchair to rest. He quickly forced himself to move forward though. He only had three classes to teach. He could do that. He had suffered through worse.
He approached the fireplace, his eyes narrowing as he instantly realized that the small bowl containing the floo powder was gone.
He did not have time for this.
"Harry James," he called out loudly, "get down here!" He instantly regretted speaking so loudly. His throat felt as though it was bleeding for how it ached.
There was a long pause before he heard his son descending down the stairs.
Snape's eyes narrowed in on the boy as he appeared in the parlor.
"What?" Harry asked in an innocent voice.
"Where is the floo powder?" He questioned in the sternness tone he could muster.
Harry blinked, his face mostly neutral though he did try to force some concern onto it. "It should be on the mantel." He moved to stand behind the couch- keeping plenty of distance between himself and his guardian.
Snape glared at the boy. "Yes it should however it is not and I know that I did not move it. There is only one other person in this house...what did you do with it?"
"I didn't." Harry shook his head, leaning forward on the couch slightly. "Maybe it's a sign you're meant to just stay home today." A small grin tugged at his lips.
"I do not have time for this Harry James! I am already late as it is." Snape knew damn well that the child had taken it. He knew exactly what his son was up to.
"Oh, well. Already late." Harry raised his hands as he stood straight once again. "Might as well just give in Snape. Just relax for the day." He hummed softly.
"This is not a game Harry," Snape said in a firm tone. "Go get the floo powder this instant! I have classes to teach."
"You are sick," Harry replied his voice much softer than it had been only seconds prior. He couldn't help but be concerned for the man. He had never seen Snape sick before. Not even a little. He could never once recall the man complaining about so much as a headache and here he was looking horrible. "You should just rest."
A part of Snape wanted to chastise the teenager but he hardly had the energy to do much of anything. He slowly moved across the parlor, sitting down on the couch before giving in completely and lying down. "The moment that I feel better you and I are going to be having a very serious discussion about this young man."
Harry rested his hands on the back of the couch as he looked down to the man, not being able to hide his grin. He won that little battle but was no doubt going to lose the war that was to come after.
"You're worse than me when I'm sick." He moved around the couch, lowering the lights in an attempt to make the room more comfortable for his guardian.
A moment later, Harry disappeared upstairs, quietly stepping into Snape's room to grab his guardian's pillow and an extra quilt.
He padded back down into the parlor, gently nudging Snape's shoulder with the pillow.
"I need to owl Albus and let him know I won't be in," Snape said as he attempted to stand. He glared at the child who was trying to put his pillow behind his head. "You should be doing school work. I do not need to be hovered over all day."
"I can write to him and send Hedwig." Harry offered, a scowl of his own taking over his face. "And I'll do work, okay?"
Snape closed his eyes as a wave of nausea swept over him. "Fine." He took the pillow from Harry's hands and laid back on the couch.
Harry swallowed when he realized just how easily Snape accepted that, but he still tossed the quilt over his guardian. With a silent nod, he moved away and went back upstairs to retrieve his parchment as well as his school books. He knew Hedwig was out back somewhere and that she would surely enjoy the trip.
Harry quietly re-entered the parlor once more. He moved to the front of the couch peering down at his guardian before he kneeled down in front of the couch, facing the coffee table.
He pulled a piece of parchment from the top of his school books before picking up his quill and carefully writing out a letter to Dumbledore. He was sure that he had never been so careful to keep his handwriting nice nor was he ever so cautious about his grammar. He signed his name to the bottom of it before glancing back at his guardian. It appeared as though the man might be asleep.
Harry slowly stood moving quietly towards the kitchen with Bane at his feet. He opened the back door letting Bane out into the yard before he called Hedwig to him. The snowy owl nipped at his hand as he carried her inside to the kitchen so he could tie the letter to her leg.
"Take this to Professor Dumbledore as fast as you can," he instructed her softly before placing a gentle kiss to her head. Harry slowly walked back outside. A moment later Hedwig took flight.
Harry stood in the yard for a moment watching Bane run off some energy before he called his dog to him. Bane instantly ran past Harry, into the house, and straight to his water dish.
After closing and locking the back door Harry moved back into the parlor. He sighed softly at the idea of doing school work. Still, he hardly wanted to anger his guardian by not doing it.
Harry moved to the spot he had just been in, on the floor in front of the coffee table as he heard Snape speak.
"What are you working on?"
"Transfiguration," Harry replied as he pulled the textbook towards him. He turned slightly, glancing at his guardian. "Do you need something?"
Snape shook his head, instantly regretting the action. His eyes closed tightly as he propped himself up on one elbow, in an attempt to sit up and eventually stand. "You do your work. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"Snaaaape. No." He pressed a hand on Snape's shoulder as he sat up. "Just accept that you're sick and lay down." Harry's face turned to his own scowl. "I can get you a potion if you need one."
"Stop with your whining," Snape hissed before giving up and lying back down. "I need… the potion for my headache. It is on the top shelf in the kitchen cabinet and is marked as such." He closed his eyes tightly.
"Stop being stubborn," Harry muttered softly, standing as he glanced down to Snape. The words he had just spoken quickly registered in his mind as he stepped away from his guardian and hurried to the kitchen.
He opened the cabinet and scanned the top shelf before he spotted the potion. Reaching, he gently grabbed hold of the vial before he went back into the parlor. He sat on the edge of the couch, holding the vial out. "Here."
Snape sat up slightly taking the vial from the boy's hand. "Shall I whine and beg you to flavor it for me or flat out refuse to take it?" Snape asked with a partially raised eyebrow. As the words left his mouth another wave of nausea swept over him causing him to quickly close his eyes and lie back down once more.
Harry rolled eyes before he actually looked concerned. "C'mon Snape. Take it and then sleep. I can get you a dreamless sleep to help?" The teen offered, leaning forward and pressing the back of his hand to Snape's forehead. He was sure the man would snap at him for the action, but at the moment Snape could hardly pull off being angry.
Snape swatted Harry's hand away from his face before sitting up and swallowing the potion in one large gulp. "I don't need anything but silence." He laid back down, his eyes closing. "Do your school work."
Harry took the vial, placing it on the table before he slid off the couch and sat on the floor. If he was ever called stubborn again.
Harry sat down once again falling silent, his back leaning against the couch. He grabbed his book, propping it up against his knees.
A few moments later he heard his guardian's breathing change alerting him that the man had finally fallen asleep.
Harry couldn't help but glance at his guardian every few minutes. After near an hour picked up his book, a piece of parchment and his quill and quietly moved to the armchair.
He curled up on the chair, resting the book on his legs once more as he laid the parchment on one page, jotting down a few answers to the questions he needed to answer. The teen yawned softly, stretching his arms in front of him as he did so. Harry glanced over at the clock, resting his head back.
He figured he'd have to wake Snape for lunch, if the man would even eat.
A moment later he went back to his work, easily answering the rest of the questions in record time. When he finished he glanced up at the clock once more realizing that well over another hour had passed.
Harry was nearly about to wake his guardian when Snape shifted slightly, his eyes opening for a brief moment. He nearly scolded the boy for not sitting up properly and doing his work but he didn't have the energy to do so. His eyes closed once more as he rolled onto his side.
Harry glanced over when he heard the shifting, He eyed his guardian for a moment before he looked back down to his book. "How're you feeling?" His voice was soft, just in case a fresh headache was starting to bother the man.
"I've been better." Snape's eyes did not open as he spoke. "Are you making any progress on your school work?"
"Yeah," Harry up at the man. "Actually just finished it." He closed the book, setting the parchment on top of it. He sat up properly, placing his book and his work on the side table.
"I'm sure you have something else you can work on to occupy your time." Snape said as he slowly opened his eyes.
Harry's rolled his eyes at the words, curling back up on the chair. "Can't I have a little break?"
Snape forced a glare at the child. "Did you not have enough of a break when you were stealing floo powder this morning?" His voice was hardly stern despite his best efforts.
"I wouldn't have to steal anything if you just said you'd stay home in the first place," Harry shrugged a shoulder, making no moves to get up and get a new subject to work on. "You've already slept through what would of been more than your first class today anyway," He pointed out, not being able to hide his grin.
"Admitting to stealing are we? We will discuss what you did when I am well enough to warm your backside for it," Snape decided as his eyes closed once more. "Go eat your lunch."
Harry scowled at the words. "No! I told you I didn't take it!"
"Go eat your lunch," Snape repeated his instructions once more.
Harry sighed, standing after a moment. "You need eat something too." It was always Snape making sure he didn't skip meals- even when he was sick. Fair was only fair.
"I will eat later when I wake." Snape's eyes did not open as he spoke. "You make sure you eat everything that is served to you including all the carrots. I will know if you have not."
Harry released a heavy sigh as he walked away, a moment later stepping into the kitchen. "Minka?" He called softly, moving to the farthest side of the room so he could be sure Snape couldn't hear him.
A second later the small elf appeared before him. "Master Harry," she bowed at his feet.
"Minka, Snape is sick," Harry explained praying that his guardian couldn't hear him. "Can you make sure when he is ready to eat that there is some soup ready?"
"Of course Master Harry," Minka said eager to please. "Minka will prepare his favorite."
"Thanks," Harry grinned at her. "And don't put too many carrots on my lunch plate okay?"
Minka nodded once. "Minka will make sure of it. Is there anything else Master Harry?"
Harry shook his head. "No. Thank you Minka."
Minka bowed once more before vanishing in a small puff of smoke.
Seconds later Harry's lunch appeared on the kitchen table and though there were carrots there were hardly as many as he had expected.
Harry slowly sat down at the table. He picked up his fork poking at the carrots in annoyance. He didn't dislike them but they weren't his favorite by a long shot. After a moment he forced himself to start eating. He hardly wanted to be the cause of making his guardian feel even worse.
Harry was nearly done with his lunch when his guardian walked into the kitchen.
"You need to be resting!" Harry scowled at the man with annoyance on his face. He was sure his scowl meant nothing to his guardian but he had to at least try. "I told you that if you need something I would get it. Stop being impossible!"
Snape's back was to the boy as he opened the cabinet. "You need to remember who you are speaking to young man." Snape pulled out the vial he needed and drank the potion in one large swallow before setting the empty vial on the counter and turning to face his son. He could hardly even bring himself to form a stern look with how bad he felt.
Harry rested his chin on his hand as he watched Snape. "I just want you to feel better. Straining yourself isn't going to help. You can ask me to get a potion for you."
Snape rolled his eyes at the words as he leaned against the counter. "You are eating your lunch. I am perfectly capable of getting my own potion." He stood up straight then then a slowly began walking back towards the door that led to the parlor. "I would be careful what I wish for if I were you Harry, the moment that I feel better you are going over my knee for a long discussion about stealing." He walked into the parlor, leaving his child alone once more.
However Harry pushed away from the table, following after the man. "You're going to punish me for caring?" He folded his arms as he moved to the armchair to lean against it.
"I am going to punish you for stealing," Snape clarified as he sat back down on the couch. "Go eat your lunch." He slowly laid back down, his eyes shutting a moment later.
"I didn't steal anything," Harry huffed. "Even if I did take the floo powder I wouldn't have stolen in, just misplaced it for a little while."
"Harry…" Snape's eyes did not open as he uttered the threatening tone. "We will discuss this when I am well. Do as I have said and go eat your lunch."
Harry swallowed heavily, an argument falling at the back of his throat before he went back into the kitchen. He sat back in front of his lunch, deciding to just at least finish it. If Snape really planned on punishing him for what he did, then he actually didn't want to add to the list of his misdeeds.
He quickly finished the rest of his lunch before moving back into the parlor. Snape's eyes were still closed as he sat down in the man's armchair, his legs draped over one side as he leaned against the other.
"Find some school work to do," Snape spoke without bothering to open his eyes.
"How about you sleep," Harry responded with as much attitude as he dared.
Snape's eyes opened and narrowed on the boy. "I am trying to." His eyes closed once more as he rolled over. "School work Harry James. A discussion about your cheek is clearly needed as well."
"Snaaaape," Harry whined in response though he did stand and move back over to his spot in front of the coffee table pulling his Potions textbook towards him.
"I promise you Harry every time I hear you whine while I am feeling ill you will spend five minutes in the corner for when I am well."
Harry frowned at the threat as he pulled a blank piece of parchment towards him. "You can't threaten me when you are sick," the teenager muttered softly.
"I can and I will," Snape replied. "Now be quiet and do your work."
Harry's frown deepened as he looked down at the long list of questions he needed to answer for Potions. He could think of a dozen things he would rather do - two dozen even. Still, he didn't want to make his guardian feel any worse. He didn't want the man to scold him on top of being sick.
Harry read over the first question before slowly writing out the answer. He hoped that he was right. The only good thing about Snape being sick was that he likely wouldn't be looking over his work that day.
When Harry started writing down the answer for the tenth question Snape coughed loudly in his sleep causing the teenager to abandon his work, turning to look at his guardian.
Snape's eyes slowly opened before he propped himself up on one elbow.
"I'm not going to let you stand up," Harry informed the man in a serious tone.
"Is that so?" A small smirk formed on Snape's mouth. However he gave up the fight quickly, lying back down.
Harry watched as Snape laid back down just as quickly as he had tried to sit up. "Do you need another potion?" He offered, pushing himself up to sit on the edge of the couch.
Snape eyed the teenager carefully. He did not like this. Harry was not supposed to be caring for him. He was supposed to be making sure Harry was taken care of. "Did you eat all of your lunch?"
"You can't answer a question with your own question." Harry sighed, resting the side of his face on his hand.
"Sick or not I am still the adult and I can do as I please...did you eat all of your lunch?" He brought his right hand up, pressing hard on his temple in an attempt to reduce the pain in some way.
Harry stood, sighing as he did so. "Of course I did Snape," he muttered. Without another word Harry headed for the kitchen. He opened up the cabinet that held the potions, lifting himself up slightly to reach the headache reliever. With the small phial in his hand he walked back into the parlor.
"Here." He offered the potion to his guardian, standing just off to his side. "And I nearly finished my potions work as well. That'll be two classes for today."
Snape took the potion from the boy's hand. "Thank you." The words came out softly. He propped himself up on his elbow once more, swallowing the potion before placing the empty vial on the coffee table. "I suppose you may take a break from school work then. You are certainly more deserving of it now that you have nearly finished two classes as opposed to one." He laid his head back down as he spoke.
Harry moved to the armchair. He wasn't able to help the grin that crossed his lips as he sat down and leaned back. "You know, you said you would eat when you woke up again. You wouldn't let me miss a meal even if I was throwing up," Harry pointed out.
"I do not recall ever forcing food into you if you were vomiting," Snape said as he gave the boy a sharp look. "However if you are going to lie about my doing so it can certainly be arranged in the future."
"You would though." Harry raised his legs so he was lying across the chair. He knew the man wouldn't dare, even if he was exaggerating. "You get my point though. You should eat."
"Clearly this is a subject that you are not going to let go," Snape sighed heavily. "What is it that you would like me to eat Harry?"
"Minka!" Harry called softly and instantly a small bowl of soup appeared on the coffee table. "I thought you'd prefer something that didn't hurt your throat. I mean it was obviously bothering you this morning."
"Ah so Minka was already spoken too." Snape coughed softly before he forced himself into a sitting position.
The cough was new and Harry couldn't help but wonder if Snape was actually getting worse rather than better. "I told her you needed something like soup since you weren't feeling good is all." He shrugged softly.
Snape was silent as he sat up properly on the couch, picking up the bowl of soup and eating several bites. "The soup is quite good," he said softly.
Harry grinned in return.
Snape took another bite of his soup before setting the bowl down seconds before a coughing fit took over his body.
"Snape?" Harry couldn't help the concern that crossed his face as he listened to his guardian cough. He stood, moving to sit on the floor next to the man. Watching as Snape's eyes closed, his head leaning back.
"I am fine." Snape pulled his head upright once more despite the fact that it ached to do so. His eyes slowly opened as he gazed down at his son. "You needn't look so scared. It is just a little cold Harry."
Harry rested his chin on the edge of the couch as he tried to calm himself. It was just odd to see his guardian sick.
"Are the potions helping at all at least?" Harry asked as he picked up the bowl of soup and held it back up to his guardian.
"My throat feels much better than it did earlier." Snape took the bowl from the teenager without comment.
He ate several more bites before looking down to Harry once more. "It is my job to worry about you not the other way around."
Harry moved so he sat with his back to the table, facing the couch head on. "I think I'm allowed to worry about you too. Only fair."
Snape hummed softly at the words as he ate a few more bites. "Perhaps, however there is no reason to worry about me."
Harry shrugged at the words. "Maybe not, but I'm still allowed to. If I wasn't worried then you'd be at Hogwarts, wouldn't you?"
Snape nodded as he finished the rest of his soup and set the bowl on the coffee table. "However up until this year I had never missed a day of teaching regardless of how ill I was."
Harry made a face at the answer. "Only because you are stubborn."
"You are one to talk young man."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Is it so bad that I just want you to rest and get better?"
Snape coughed loudly for several moments before replying. "I don't like you worrying about me. The only thing you should worry about is your studies and keeping yourself out of trouble."
"You'll get over it," Harry replied with as much cheek as he dared. "You worry about my studies and keeping me out of trouble enough for the both of us anyway."
Snape huffed softly at the words before he laid down once more, silence taking over the room.
Harry watched as his guardian drifted back off to sleep, his breathing becoming heavier. He waited until he was sure Snape wasn't going to open his eyes before he slowly stood and crept out of the room and up the stairs. He walked into his room, opening his desk drawer and retrieving the small jar of floo powder from it. He carried it back downstairs, pausing as he walked into the parlor to eye his guardian carefully. The man was still sound asleep.
Harry moved quietly across the parlor, reaching up and placing the floo powder back on the mantel.
"Wise decision," Snape murmured his eyes remaining closed.
Harry jumped slightly before turning and throwing a scowl in the man's direction, not that he could see it. "Shh," he said softly. "You are dreaming."
Snape swallowed a smirk at the teenager's words. "Find something to occupy your time Harry and allow me to rest."
Harry sighed softly before nodding, heading in the direction of the kitchen. He supposed to could take Bane out to play fetch for a while.
"Before you go," Snape called causing Harry to stop in his tracks. "I need a favor."
Harry was back across the room in seconds, eager to do something useful for the man.
"I need a pain reliever and I am certain that I have already taken the last one that was in the kitchen. Please go to my laboratory and retrieve one from my supply closet there. Touch nothing else."
Harry nodded in response with a grin.
"Touch nothing else," Snape repeated the words with a stern glare. "If you come back in here with a rash or a burn I promise you that I will -"
"Do nothing today," Harry cut the man off with a cheeky grin. "Seriously Snape I won't touch anything else I swear."
Before his guardian could scold him for interrupting or change his mind about allowing him to help, Harry quickly moved out of the parlor and across the front hall to the laboratory.
He pushed the door open stepping inside rolling his eyes slightly, "Touch nothing," he muttered to himself, "but there are potions and ingredients literally everywhere." His eyes roamed over the dozens of small jars that were scattered over nearly every inch of counter space.
Harry moved across the room, opening the supply closet. He searched around within it, carefully moving a few potions out of the way before he grabbed one of the pain relieving potions.
Harry held the vial carefully as he shut the supply closet door and quickly made his way out of the laboratory. He wasn't about to mess this task up.
A moment later Harry was back in the parlor holding the vial out to his guardian.
"Thank you." Snape took the vial from the boy. He trusted his child to a certain extent but he could not help glancing at his hands for a bit longer looking for any sign that he touched something he shouldn't have.
Snape propped himself up on an elbow quickly swallowing the potion before reaching out and placing the empty vial on the coffee table.
"Are you feeling any better?" Harry asked in a concerned tone.
Snape nodded. "I am actually. My throat is much better as is my headache. The potion that I just took should take care of my body aches and then I would suspect that I should feel as good as new."
Harry smiled at the words for a fleeting moment before the smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "You aren't really going to punish me for taking the floo powder are you?" He almost hadn't asked at all but he had to know. He hardly thought he deserved punishment. It wouldn't have been fair at all. Snape was too sick to go teach. Surely the man had to know that and take it into consideration.
"You mean for stealing the floo powder?" Snape corrected him as he sat up completely, moving so that his feet were on the floor.
"I didn't steal it!" Harry scowled at the man. "It's back on the mantel isn't it? If it was stolen it wouldn't be there!"
Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "I suppose since it has been returned I can overlook your misbehavior this once."
Snape gave his guardian a disbelieving look. "Really?"
Snape nodded in reply. "Just this once." He paused for a moment eyeing the uncompleted school work on the table. "Now finish your Potions work before I change my mind and turn you over my knee."
Harry wanted to scowl at the man but he could hardly help the small grin that had spread across his lips. He quickly sat back down in front of the coffee table, pulling the Potions work towards him.
A moment later he felt his guardian's hand ruffle his hair lightly. "You are a cheeky brat."
Harry's grin widened as he nodded in reply. "Yeah...I am."
TBC...