August - Harry, age 8
Snape sat in his armchair with a book in his hands. The storm outside continued to light up the parlor as though it were ten in the morning rather than close to ten at night.
Harry had fallen asleep on the couch hours earlier. The man had read the child several stories and the boy had drifted off in the process and Snape had carried him up to bed.
Snape was thankful that the child had played outside for the majority of the day making him tired. He was also thankful that Harry had fallen asleep before the storm. Harry was terrified of storms and if he had been even close to awake when this storm started over an hour ago there would have been no getting him to sleep.
Snape had tried everything in the past from explaining why storms happened the best he could to threatening to punish the child and everything in between. Nothing worked. Once he was worked up over a storm there was no calming him down until it passed.
Snape leaned back a bit further in his chair as he turned a page of his book.
Harry hadn't even noticed when Snape carried him up to his room, his breathing completely even as he shifted within his sheets. Thunder rumbled outside the house, the rain hitting the window as the wind kicked up slightly. The sound caused the child to jolt awake, looking around his room as panic quickly clouded his mind. He didn't remember falling asleep in his room.
His shoulders tensed as thunder rumbled, the child instantly scrambling out of bed and towards his door. Harry paused within the hall, stepping over to the stairs and peering down. The parlor was still lit. Snape was still up.
With a soft whimper, Harry slowly made his way down the stairs. His hand held tightly onto the bannister as he stepped onto the landing. "Snape..."
At the sound of the small voice, Snape looked up from his book. Spotting the child on the landing, be closed the book and set it on the table beside him. "Did the storm wake you?" He waved a hand calling Harry over to him with a small sigh. The man silently hoped that the storm would be over soon. The child had to be exhausted.
Harry quickly stepped over to the man, closing his eyes as he instantly leaned forward into Snape. His arms rose and wrapped tightly around his guardian as he whined once more.
"You are okay." Snape leaned forward hooking his hands under the child's armpits before he listed him and placed him on his lap. "It is just a little storm."
Harry curled into the man's front, his face tucking into the side of Snape's neck as he took in a shuddering breath. It wasn't a terrible storm, not like ones that had passed before, but that still didn't make him feel any better. The rain continued to hit against the glass, thunder rumbling in the distance. "I don't like it."
"It is nearly over." Snape's arms wrapped around the small child. "It cannot hurt you when you are safe inside. We have talked about that."
Harry didn't respond, blinking his eyes open as he listened to the pattering of rain against the home. The thunder had started to sound far away, yet his grip remained around Snape.
"You are perfectly okay." Snape's grip tightened just a bit as a large flash of lightning lit up the room. "It is just a little storm."
The child loosened his hold slightly, raising his left hand up to rub at his face. He felt exhausted from waking up so suddenly, whining once more as he wrapped his arms back around Snape. "Can't I sleep down heeeere?"
"Not tonight." Snape's grip on the child loosened allowing him to move his hand to gently rub Harry's back. "When the storm is over we will get you back up to bed."
Harry shook his head against Snape's chest, tucking his head under his chin firmly. "No," he muttered softly, eyes closing tightly.
"You are tired. You will be just fine." Snape's fingers gently tapped the small back. "When the storm passes we will get you all settled back down."
Harry remained where he was as the heaviest part of the storm slowly passed, leaving just a quiet rain in its wake. Still, the child nestled himself closer to his guardian. He didn't want to go back to bed. What if the storm came back?
"See now it has not thundered in nearly twenty minutes." Snape's hand had been resting on the small of Harry's back but now it moved to gently tap against his side. "I think perhaps it is time to get you back to bed little boy."
"No." Harry's voice was as firm as it could be, his hold tightening once more. He released a breath, blinking his eyes. "I don't want to, Snape."
Snape's hand gently patted the boys rear end before he moved his hands to hook them under Harry's armpits. The man stood with the child in his arms. "On occasion you have to do things that you do not want to do. You will be just fine."
"Snape noo!" Harry struggled as he was picked up, pushing against the man's shoulder with a loud whine. "Please! I can sleep down here!"
Snape paused in his steps as he looked down at the struggling child in his arms. His hand moved to tap the small backside a bit firmly. "What did I say? You are sleeping up in your bed and that is final. The storm has passed and you will be fine."
"Snaaape, what if it comes back?" Harry shifted at the tap, resting his hands on Snape's shoulder as he stared up to the man.
"It is not going to come back," Snape reassured the boy as he started towards the staircase. "However if for some reason it does I will come fetch you."
Harry chewed on his bottom lip, glancing around the parlor as Snape moved to the stairs. "Wait!" He swallowed, his gaze moving to the kitchen. "I'm thirsty."
Snape paused in his steps once more as he looked down at the boy in his arms. The man was silent for a long moment before he gave a nod. Turning on his heel he headed in the direction of the kitchen. He moved over to the counter, sitting Harry down on it before he tapped the counter beside the boy causing a glass of water to appear.
Harry swung his legs idly as he was placed on the counter, sparing a glance up to the man. He forced a small smile as he took the cup, taking a small sip of the water. He wasn't thirsty at all, but he did not want to go back to bed either.
"Drink your water please. It is late and I want you back in bed." The man tapped Harry's knee gently.
Harry only gave a soft hum at the request, taking another small sip of water.
Snape raised a knowing eyebrow as he looked down at the child. "Are you done with your drink?"
Harry shook his head as he took another small sip of the water.
Snape reached a hand out tapping the boys knee a bit more firmly. "Stop playing around Harry. Either drink it properly or do not drink it at all."
"I'm not playing," Harry huffed, glaring tiredly up to his guardian. He looked down to the clear liquid, slowly moving it before his shoulders slouched down. Snape would just get upset at him if he didn't go to bed, but he didn't want to sleep! "Why can't I sleep down here?"
"Albus may be stopping over later this evening. Therefore you are sleeping in your bed where you belong." The man tapped the small knee once more. "Now either finish that water or put the glass down."
Slowly, Harry lowered the glass back down next to him onto the counter. He gave the man a pitiful look.
Snape gave the child a bit of a stern look before he picked him up once more. "Enough of this nonsense. It is late. The storm has passed. It is time for you to be back in bed little boy."
The child wrapped his arms around Snape's neck, whining as he perched his chin on the man's shoulder. "Don't be maaad."
"I am not cross with you," Snape adjusted the child in his arms as he walked out of the parlor and towards the staircase. "However, it is time for bed."
Harry fell silent as he stared past Snape, blinking as he struggled to keep a yawn at bay. The steady rain pattered against the roof, any sign of any storm long passed.
Snape started up the staircase as his hand moved to gently rub the boys back. "I think once you lie down you will be asleep within moments."
He gave a soft sound of complaint as Snape carried him up the staircase,shifting his head to rest closer to the man's neck. "Nuh- uh."
"We shall see." Snape stepped onto the second floor. "You look exhausted."
"You're exhausted," Harry shot back, raising a hand to rub at his face.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the cheek as he looked down at the child in his arms sternly. "Watch your cheek or you will go back to bed with a stinging backside."
Harry's cheeks flushed slightly at the scold, raising his head up slightly. "I gotta use the loo too," he declared, changing the topic completely.
Snape gave a nod as he set the child down on the ground. "Go on and then come right to you room."
Harry nodded as he disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind him firmly. He didn't even have to go. But he wasn't about to tell Snape that either. Instead, he simply decided to at least brush his teeth while he was in there.
Snape walked down the hall and into the child's room. He waved a hand causing it to illuminate the slightest bit before walking over You the bed and fixing the blankets.
Harry hovered within the bathroom, resting forward on the sink after brushing his teeth. Why didn't Snape understand he just didn't want to sleep? He also knew he couldn't stay hidden forever. Snape would eventually get him.
With a loud sigh, Harry finally pushed himself away from the sink and opened the door. He slowly padded down the hall and into his room.
Snape leaned over tapping the bed. "Come now. Come lie down please. Let's get you back to sleep."
Harry paused at his doorway, his shoulders slouching down. Despite his best effort a large yawn passed his lips as he made his way over to his guardian. "Can I at least have my owl?" He muttered softly, crawling up onto the bed and looking around the covers.
Snape's eyes scanned the bed before he took hold of the covers and pulled them down further. "Where is your owl?"
"I don't know," Harry answered honestly, sitting on his knees as he looked around himself. He moved across the bed, looking down to the other side to see if the item had landed on the floor.
Nothing.
"Snaape," Harry started whine softly, sitting back slightly and looking back to the man.
A frustrated sigh escaped Snape's lips. "When did you last have it?"
"This morning." Harry sat down fully, crossing his legs as he pouted down to his covers. "I know I had it this mornin'."
"At breakfast?" Snape tried to remember if the small owl had been sitting next to Harry's plate hours earlier.
"Yeah," Harry nodded as he moved across to the edge of the bed once more to look around.
"Stay in bed." The man pulled his wand from inside his cloak, waving it in the air silently. Seconds later the small owl appeared in front of the man dripping wet and dirty. Snape plucked it from the air, pinching it between two fingers as he frowned down at the child. "Did you forget it outside?"
Harry looked up as his owl was summoned, his face falling immediately. He thought he had brought it in and now it was ruined! The child raised a hand to rub under his eyes as tears welled up. "I-I guess."
Snape's frown did not leave his face. "You need to take better care of your belongings. Did you forget anything else out in the yard today?"
"I don't think so." Harry's chin quivered as he simply continued to stare at his beloved toy. It was completely ruined!
"I certainly hope not. If you cannot take care of your things I will not be buying things for you. Are we clear?" Snape gave the child a stern glare.
Harry nodded at the words, finally looking up to Snape with his blurred vision. "Y-Yeah." His left hand rubbed at his face, breath hitching.
Snape couldn't help but feel bad for the child. He adored his owl and forgetting it outside was clearly an accident. "If I fix your owl for you, are you going to remember to bring it inside the next time?"
Harry quickly nodded at the words, sniffing softly as his eyes settled back on the owl. "Y-you can fix it?"
"I can fix it," Snape nodded. "This time. If this happens again, this owl will go right in the trash bin." The man hardly meant the words. Harry cared about his owl immensely and Snape would never just toss it out. The child did not need to know that though. Harry needed to learn to take care of his things.
Several tears slipped down the child's cheeks at the words, taking in a sharp breath. He wasn't going to let his owl leave his sight again, that was clear. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly, both palms rubbing at his face.
Snape nodded as he pointed his wand at the owl causing it to dry and clean itself. "Calm down. Your owl is as good as new." The man held it out to the child.
Harry reached out, carefully taking his owl from Snape's grasp. He pulled the toy close to his chest, hiding his face within the soft fur of it.
"Lie down." Snape leaned over and gripped the blankets, pulling them up slightly. "It is well past time for you to be asleep."
Harry held onto his owl tightly, resting his chin on the top of it as he stared at Snape. "I'm not tired."
"You look well past tired." Snape gave the child a knowing look. "Aside from that it is late. Now lie down please."
Harry kept Snape's stare for a long moment before he slowly moved and laid down. He held his owl tightly to his chest, looking up to Snape once more. "You... wouldn't really throw it away... would you?"
"If you are going to leave it outside in the rain and not care for it properly I certainly would." The man pulled the covers up over Harry's shoulders before sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I-I didn't mean to." Harry looked back down to the top of his owl, rubbing his thumb against it idly.
"I do not recall stating that you did. However, it is your responsibility to take care of your things. What if an animal would have ran off with your owl and I could not summon it back?" The man reached out and gently tapped the small chin.
His grip only tightened, lifting his gaze up at the gently tap. "'M sorry."
"Do not let it happen again. Not with that owl or with any of your other things." Snape's hand gently tapped the child's side. "Roll onto your stomach."
Harry did as told, hiding his face within his pillow. The rain continued to patter steadily against his window and Harry only whined softly.
Snape fixed the blankets, tucking them around the boys shoulders before his hand moved to gently rub the small back. "I happen to think that you will be asleep in no time."
"Don't leave then," Harry requested softly, turning just slightly to be able to look over at Snape.
"After you fall asleep? I have already told you that Albus will be coming over." Snape's hand rested in the middle of the boys back.
The child gave a small whine, closing his eyes as he tightened his hold around his owl.
"What is this whining about?" Snape's fingertips gently tapped the boys back.
"I don't like storms! They're scarier at night. And what if it does come back?" Harry peered eyes open briefly to look up at Snape.
"It is not going to storm again tonight. However, if it does I will come back in." Snape tapped his fingers against the small back once more. "If I allow you to sleep in my bed will you stop with this whining and fighting to go back to sleep?"
At that, Harry slightly shifted himself to prop up onto his arm so he could face Snape better. He shrugged a shoulder, looking down at his owl. "I dunno, maybe."
Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. "Yes or no Harry. You can either sleep in my bed or yours but you are going back to sleep."
Harry would of loved the comfort of at least being within Snape's room, yet the idea made him feel like such a baby. He shook his head slowly, lowering himself back down and holding his owl to his chest.
"Very well." Snape's hand moved to rub the small back once more. "Then close your eyes and go to sleep."
Harry did as requested, tucking his chin against his owl. He sniffed softly, turning slightly so his back was facing more towards Snape.
Snape gave a soft sigh as he continued to rub the small back. There was a slight rumble of thunder in the distance however Snape was certain that it was from the storm that had already occurred rather than another one. "Just try and relax. I know that you are tired."
The rumble in the distance certainly wasn't lost on the child as he sat up slightly on his arms. He stared towards the window before he looked back at Snape desperately. "Snaape.."
"It was just left over from the storm," Snape attempted to assure the child. "You are absolutely fine. Come now, lie back down."
"But..." Harry shifted his head to look towards the window once more. He simply curled his arms tighter around his owl as he slowly laid back down. "You don't know."
Snape's eyes moved to the small clock on Harry's bedside table. "I know that it is just after eleven at night and that you are heading in the right direction for a smacked bottom."
"Don't be mad," Harry muttered, reaching and pulling the covers up against his chin. However he fell silent at the threat, keeping his gaze turned away from Snape as he stared towards the window.
An exasperated sigh escaped Snape's lips as thunder rumbled once more, this time causing the house to shake slightly. "Sit up."
Without having to be told twice, Harry quickly sat up with his owl pressed tightly to his chest. He turned to the man, sitting up slightly on his knees.
Snape stood before leaning down and picking the boy up. He adjusted Harry in his arms before leaning back over to pick up his pillow and pull the blanket from the bed. "If I hear one more whine or if you refuse to try and sleep your coming right back to your bed with a smarting backside, regardless of whether it is thundering or not. Are we clear?"
Harry nodded against Snape's shoulder as his eyes closed tiredly, a soft hum passing his lips. He wrapped a free arm around his neck, yawning widely.
Snape started out of the boys room and towards the staircase. "I am moving you back to your bed when Albus arrives as well."
A small grin pulled at Harry's lips at the words, his arm tightening slightly as he nodded. "Thanks."
Thunder rumbled once more, this time a bit louder. "Just be aware of the terms. No more whining and no more stalling. It is bedtime."
Harry's grip only tightened, his smile fading instantly as he gave a small shudder. "It's scary though," he muttered softly, shifting his head under Snape's chin.
"I understand that." Snape started down the staircase. "I will stay right beside you until you are asleep. You will be just fine."
Harry hummed softly, eyes closing once more as thunder rumbled outside the house. He was exhausted, despite the storm brewing just outside. "Okay."
Snape stepped onto the main floor of the house, turning and walking into the parlor. He dropped Harry's pillow and blanket onto the couch before carefully setting the child down. Picking up the pillow he moved it to the end of the couch. "Lie down please."
Blinking as he was placed down, Harry rubbed at his face before lying down. He curled his legs up towards himself as he held onto his stuffed owl tightly.
Snape pulled the blankets up over the boys shoulders before sitting on the edge of the couch. "Roll onto your stomach." A flash of lightning lit up the parlor.
"Snaaape." Harry closed his eyes tightly, rolling over and hiding his face within his arm.
"I am right here." Snape placed a gentle hand on Harry's back. "You are safe in this house." The man's hand moved to gently rub between the boys shoulder blades. "Just relax."
Harry released a breath, rubbing his cheek against his pillow before he tucked his chin under his blanket. He blinked his eyes open, looking over his shoulder towards Snape as it to make sure the man was staying there with him.
"I'm not going anywhere." Snape's hand moved down Harry's back to rub the middle of it. "Just relax and go to sleep."
Releasing a breath, exhaustion finally won it's way over the child's mind. He gave a soft hum, muscles slowly relaxing before Harry drifted off completely.
