February - Harry, age 7

Snape stepped into the parlor, his eyebrow raising as he saw the amount of toys on the floor. Harry had been playing in the room all morning while the man had been grading. He had expected a few toys to be in the room but it appeared as though the child had brought every toy he owned down from his bedroom.

Harry was on the floor, his army men and small troll toys scattered around him. The child had been in an impossible mood for the past few days and Snape was pleased that so far today he seemed to be more pleasant.

"We will be eating lunch in thirty minutes and then you will be going down for a nap." The man said as he stepped over a pile of toys on his way to his desk. "I want all these toys cleaned up before then please."

Harry paused for a brief moment, placing an army man slightly closer to the trolls before moving another. He wasn't so sure why he felt so... annoyed! But he did. Nearly at everything Snape said.

"I'm too old for a nap." He nodded to himself, knocking over a troll with one of the men. The child frowned as he moved on to the next troll, taking two to 'attack'.

Snape looked over his shoulder at the child before turning his attention back to his desk. "You were up late last night and early this morning. You are taking a nap."

"Nope." Harry hummed, turning so his back faced towards the man. Even if Snape was able to make him lie down, he couldn't force him to sleep! He huffed out a breath of annoyance, "I'm not even tired."

Snape picked up a stack of papers from his desk. He turned, nearly tripping over the child's pack of crayons. "We will see how you feel after lunch." The man swallowed heavily in an attempt to keep his temper. "In the meantime, make sure all of these toys are off of the floor in the next thirty minutes."

The child chose to ignore the man completely, soon abandoning the toy men and trolls to go over where Snape had just stepped. He picked up the crayons, moving over to the coffee table and sitting down next to it. Humming, he opened one of the many coloring books scattered upon it. He was sure Snape was just over reacting with his toys. He always had some toys out!

Snape raised an eyebrow as he watched the child begin to color. "Thirty minutes Harry, any toy on the floor after that is going to be mine for the next two days. Do you understand that?"

"Mm." Snape had certainly threatened such a thing before and did not follow through with it. He continued to color with a hum, making sure he stayed within the lines.

"Did you hear what I said?" Snape paused in the doorway with a stack of exams in his hand. "You only have thirty minutes to pick up quite a bit of toys."

"Okay." Harry continued on, scribbling with intent as he picked out another color. The one he was just holding rolled slightly further away, but he paid it no mind.

"Okay," Snape nodded. He lingered in the doorway for a long moment before heading back in the direction of the kitchen table.

Harry spared a glance up as he heard Snape's foot steps disappear into the kitchen, frowning deeply. He was sure the man was bluffing; there was no way he'd take everything from him. Turning the page of the book, he started to color a whole new page.

The next thirty minutes passed quickly as Snape finished up the grading he had been doing. He had heard very little noise from the parlor. He had not heard the child on the stairs even once. The man was nearly certain that Harry had not listened however, he hoped that he was wrong. Picking up the stack of papers he moved out of the kitchen, frowning as he stepped into the parlor to find the child exactly where he had left him, still coloring. His toys were still all over the living room floor. "Did you misunderstand what I asked you to do?"

"I'll pick then up later." He shifted his legs, having moved on to a whole new book that had different animals to color. Harry glanced over to Snape before back down to his book. Besides, he was sure thirty minutes hadn't even passed yet!

"You will pick them up now." Snape stepped over several toys to walk to his desk. "Or they will be mine for the next two days."

"Snape nooo. I'm busy! I'll pick them up later." He frowned, biting the inside of his cheek as he attempted to concentrate.

Snape set the papers down, turning on his heel to look down at the child. "One," he said sternly. The man sincerely hoped that Harry would listen and do as he asked.

"Snape." Harry frowned, his hand stilling as he listened to the man. "I'll do it later."

"I did not ask you to do it later. I asked you to do it thirty minutes ago." The man's eyes narrowed slightly. "Two."

The child frowned. Snape wouldn't take away his toys. He could do it later. What would be the difference? He only placed the crayon he was using back into the box, making no other movements to stand.

Snape's frown deepened as his eyes scanned the room, noticing the boys beloved owl on the floor by his armchair. "Three." He stood, staring at the child, giving him a few extra moments to start doing as he had asked.

Harry kept himself seated, legs pulling up slightly as he pulled his coloring book closer to himself. "Snaaaape!"

Snape waved a hand causing every last toy that had been on the floor to vanish. "Absolutely not." He shook his head firmly. "You were given multiple warnings. Now go and wash your hands for lunch please."

The child nearly yelped as even the coloring book disappeared, looking around with wide eyes. His chin started to quiver, looking back to Snape. "Snape! I-I would of done it!" He continued to look around, not even one army man remained on the floor.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "You were asked to do it multiple times and you did not. Your toys will be returned to you in two days. Now do as I have asked and go wash your hands so that we may eat lunch."

"You're not bein' fair! You can't take them all awaaaay!" His right foot hit against the floor in protest, folding his arms over his chest as he glared at the man. Completely ignoring the request to wash his hands, he wasn't even hungry!

"I absolutely can." Snape walked past the child and towards the kitchen. "I asked you to do something and you refused to listen."

"Well. I'm not gonna eat!" He kept himself sat down, keeping his arms folded tightly. His lower lip pouted out, staring down towards his knees.

"That is fine." Snape turned and walked back over to the child. "Then you can go right up for your nap."

"What? No!" He pressed himself against the couch, clearly trying to keep to himself as he shook his head. "You're just being mean!"

"I am not being mean." Snape leaned down hooking his hands under the boys arms and picking him up. "You may come and eat lunch or you may go take a nap. That is your choice."

"None!" Harry pushed against Snape's chest, whining loudly as he was picked up. "Stooooop!"

"Does that backside of yours need attention? Because I promise you Harry, if you do not stop you will go over my knee." The man looked down at the child sternly as his hand moved to tap the small rear end.

The child nestled his face into Snape's shoulder, angry tears burning his eyes and several landing against the man's shoulder. "No," he whispered softly, tightening his hold around Snape's neck.

Snape moved across the parlor, sitting down in his armchair with Harry still in his arms. He could hear the tears in the child's voice, despite not being able to see his face. "Calm down," he said softly. "Take a deep breath for me and when you are ready we will discuss this properly."

Harry shifted his head, rubbing his face against Snape's shirt before resting his chin up. He stared behind the man, taking in a small breath before releasing it shakily. "I w-would of picked them up."

"I asked you to do so." Snape looked down at the child. "I told you to do so and I gave you ample time to do so. Why didn't you?"

"I... I didn't think you'd take it all away!" His shoulders shook, a forcibly loud sob passing his lips as he snuggled up closer to the man's chest.

"I warned you that I would, did I not?" The man's hand moved to gently rub the boys back. "If you are not going to pick your things up then you are going to lose them." Snape's tone was soft. "You will get them all back in two days."

"Two days is forever!" He whined, tilting his head to nestle his face into Snape's neck.

"Perhaps the next time you will remember to clean up your toys when I ask you to?" The man's fingers gently tapped against the boys back.

The child shrugged before slowly nodding, sniffing loudly as he kept his grip tight. "'M not hungry at all."

"Then you would like to take your nap before lunch?" The man looked down at the small child in his lap.

"I don't want e-either." Harry shifted his head around, resting his cheek closer to Snape's chest. His stomach felt absolutely twisted!

Snape hummed softly at the words. "What is it that you would like to do?"

The child fell silent, shoulders slouching a considerable amount. All his toys were gone. Besides a handful within his room still. That left very little option. He shrugged, tightening his hold around Snape. "I-I dunno."

Snape's fingertips tapped the boys back softly once more. "Perhaps we could get you upstairs in bed. I could read to you before you take your nap?"

"I'll just sleep for two days... do nothin' else. Cause I can't do nothin' else," he muttered down not Snape's cloak, shoulders shrugging in a small defeat.

"Do not be silly." Snape frowned. "I know that you still have some toys in your room."

Tilting his head slightly, Harry slowly pushed his head up and away to stare down towards Snape's chest. "Not my favorite ones."

Snape hummed softly at the words. "Then I suppose this will be a very good lesson in listening."

The child frowned deeply, resting his forehead down as a soft whine escaped his throat. It just wasn't fair! He would of picked everything up that night!

Snape's eyes drifted up to the clock on the mantel before his fingertips tapped the boys back once more. "You need to eat lunch little boy. Perhaps some fish and chips? Or maybe some soup?"

"Maybe some fish and chips?" Harry removed his arms from around Snape's neck, tucking them against his front. His stomach rumbled softly, causing his cheeks to flush. He didn't want to be hungry, he wanted to make Snape feel terrible! Still, fish and chips was one of his favorites.

Snape gave an approving hum at the words. He was sure that the child was upset by his punishment. Just as he was sure that the boy had not even realized that his owl was amongst the toys he had lost. Snape was sure that two days was not overly harsh however. "Go wash your hands and you may have some fish and chips."

Nodding slowly, Harry pulled away once Snape placed him back down. His frown remained, moving down the hall and stepping into the bathroom. It was not fair at all! But he did have some puzzles and Snape hadn't seemed too angry. Maybe Snape would make a puzzle with him that night! A small grin pulled across his face as he washed his hands rather quickly.

Snape walked into the kitchen. He sat down at the table, tapping it lightly and causing their lunch to appear before he casted a heating charm over it.

The man could hardly help the guilt he felt at following through in his words and taking the child's toys. Still, he was sure that he had given Harry plenty of chances and ample time to do as he had asked.

Stepping into the parlor, Harry moved into the kitchen as sat in his usual chair next to his guardian. He sighed heavily, staring down to the meal.

"Some lunch and then a small nap?" Snape picked up his fork. With the attitude that the child had had for the last few days, the man was not about to let the child go without a nap.

"I'm not tired," Harry repeated, frowning as he picked up a piece of the fried fish carefully taking a small bite. His other hand rested in his lap, a smile finally crossing his face as he ate a larger bite.

"Not at all?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "I would have thought that after playing all morning you would be quite tired indeed."

"Nope." He shook his head with a small huff, picking up several of the chips to dip then in the small amount of ketchup on the plate. Well it wasn't completely true, but he certainly didn't want to take a nap.

Snape hummed softly at the words. "I am afraid that you will be absolutely miserable later if you do not nap."

"You dunno." Harry switched over to eat at the fish once more, shrugging at Snape's words.

"Regardless I think that we should at least try and get you to sleep." The man gave the child a pointed look as he ate a bite of his fish.

"What if I can't?" Harry frowned as he picked up the second pieces of fish, slowing his eating as he realized the end of his own meal was quickly approaching. He didn't want to send himself to a nap any earlier than he had to.

Snape hummed softly at the words as he ate a few more bites of his meal. "Then I suppose we will have to figure something else out."

Slowing his eating even more, Harry took a long drink of his water before eating his chips one at a time. Each time he allowed it to linger in the ketchup a little longer than needed before eating. Snape couldn't possibly scowl him for just eating a little slow! He grinned slightly.

"Eat properly please." Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. "Lunch should not take you ages to eat."

"I am!" Harry huffed, keeping the pace as he picked up the fish once more. "And it's not takin' aaaages."

"That whine is telling me everything that I need to know about how tired you are." Snape gave the child a pointed look. "Eat so that we may get you up in your bed."

A soft whine passed Harry's throat as he looked back to his food, frowning as he finished up the meal within a few more bites. "I'm not tired thooough!"

"Finish your water." Snape tapped the table causing the boys plate to vanish. "You don't typically whine so much when you are not tired."

The child picked up the glass, slowly finishing it off as well before pushing the glass away on the table. He folded his arms, frown remaining at the words. "Then let me lay down on the couch."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words as his features turned stern. "That is certainly not the way to ask for anything." The man stood, picking the child up.

"Pleaaaaase?" Harry wrapped his arms around Snape's neck as he was lifted, taking in a deep breath as he fought back a yawn. Yet he lost the battle rather quickly, yawning loudly as he bowed his head against Snape's shoulder.

Snape hummed softly as his hand moved to gently pat the boys back. "Much better." The man stepped into the parlor, waving a hand he caused Harry's pillow and blanket to appear on the couch as well as a pair of sleep pants. "Let's change your pants so that you are comfortable." The man walked over to the couch, sitting down with Harry on his lap.

Harry stood from Snape's lap as soon as the man sat down, taking the pajama pants while looking around. He frowned, arms dropping down. "What about my owl?" He stepped to the side, seeing if it had somehow rolled against Snape after the man sat down.

Nothing.

Snape easily loosened the boys jeans, lowering them. "Come now," the man ignored the question about the owl. "Jeans off and sleep pants on."

At the prompting, Harry stepped out of the jeans and pulled on the sleep pants. Still, he frowned as he looked around the couch. It wasn't there at all!

"Lie down." Snape stood, picking up the blanket as he did. "I will rub your back for you."

"But... my owl." Harry remained standing, his frown deepening as he looked up and over to Snape. "I gotta have it too."

Snape sighed softly at the words. "I am fairly certain that I saw your owl on this parlor floor this morning."

"What?! No you didn't! It was in my room." The child looked around the floor, a clear desperation crossing his features as he shook his head roughly. "I n-need my owl!" He looked back to Snape. The man had to of just taken it!

Snape shook his head. "I saw it this morning on the floor. Just there, by my armchair." The man pointed to the spot on the floor.

"You-you're lying!" Harry shook his head once more, raising a hand to push his glasses yo his face slightly. He hadn't left it out there! He... he couldn't of!

"Why would I lie about such a thing?" Snape frowned at the words.

The child shrugged his shoulders up, lowering his arms to rest around his middle. "I... I thought it was in my room. I need it to sleep!"

"You will get it back in two days." Snape leaned down tapping the couch. "Lie down please."

Harry shifted, sitting down slowly yet refusing to lie down. He couldn't. "I won't sleep. Snape please! Lemme have it baack!"

"Lie down," Snape repeated. "As I have said multiple times now, you will have it back in two days." He frowned at his own words. He knew that taking the boys owl was not going to be easy but he was sure that giving it back less than an hour after he took it would teach the boy nothing.

"I can't sleep." Yet despite the words, he slowly laid down, his arms curling around his pillow as if it was the small toy. Harry blinked several times before he removed his glasses, placing them on the arm of the couch and resting his hand back on his pillow. He had the owl with him since he got it! How could Snape think he'd sleep just fine without it now?

Snape sat down on the edge of the coffee table, his hand reaching out to gently tap the boys hip. "Roll on your stomach and I will rub your back for you."

"Snape." Harry kept his hold on the pillow, rubbing his cheek against it as he shook his head slowly.

"You are okay," Snape replied softly. "I am sorry that you did not clean up your toys and lost your owl but you are just fine. Roll onto your stomach please."

Tears burned at the child's eyes at the words, blinking several times and causing them to land against his pillow. Shaking his head, he took a shuddering breath and rolled over completely so his back faced the man. A soft sob shook his shoulders, his arms readjusting at the new position and holding the pillow tightly.

Snape sighed softly as his hand moved to gently rub the boys back. "Just breath and relax. You are okay Harry."

His shoulders hitched, curling himself closer towards the back of the couch. "I won't s-sleep."

"You will sleep just fine. You slept for years before you had your owl." Snape's hand moved to rub between the boys shoulder blades.

Harry ignored the words, sniffing softly as he shook his head. He didn't care what Snape had to say. He wouldn't sleep! He tossed around, rolling onto his stomach.

Snape looked down at the boy, a frown on his face. "You are getting yourself all worked up."

"It's my owwwl though," Harry whined softly, curling both arms under his pillow. He never really considered it a toy It just went with him nearly all over the house.

"I know." Snape's hand moved to gently rub the boys leg. "Perhaps you should have thought about that before you completely ignored me?"

Harry shifted his head, staring at the back cushion of the couch as he sniffled softly. His cheek rubbed against his pillow before he shrugged a shoulder up. He was certain he wouldn't sleep at all. Not well at least, until he had his owl once more.

Snape's hand continued to gently rub the boys arm. He hummed softly but refrained from saying anything else. He needed the child to nap and he was sure that once he calmed down a bit he would do just that.

The child blinked several times, tightening his arm slightly as he took in a shuddering breath. "I need it back."

"I told you when you will get it back," Snape spoke in a hushed tone. "I do not intend to keep it for any longer than two days."

Pulling his legs up slightly, he tossed to lay on his side once more to face away from Snape. "'M not sleeping."

"You are not trying to sleep, you are complaining about the punishment that your behavior caused." Snape's fingertips tapped against the boys arm. "Do you want to go up to your bedroom and nap there?"

"No," Harry muttered softly, keeping himself curled up the best he could as his eyes shifted down towards his pillow.

"Then close your eyes and try and sleep please." The man's hand gently brushed the boys arm.

The child shifted his arm away slightly, pressing his face into the back of the couch with a soft sniff. Still, he closed his eyes, choosing to simply ignore the man's words. He could pretend! There was no way he could sleep. Still, he struggled with his own thoughts as exhaustion pulled at his mind and caused him to whine softly.

Snape softly hushed the child as his hand moved to gently rub the small back. Despite how horrible he felt for Harry he was not about to give in. The man waved a hand causing the parlor to darken a significant amount. He knew that despite everything Harry had to be exhausted.

It took several more minutes, Harry struggling with each moment to fight off the sleep; yet at the soothing motion against his back sleep came all too easy. His breathing slowly evened out, hands holding onto his pillow as his body relaxed.

Snape let out a breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding as the child's breathing began to change. A satisfied him passed his lips as he tucked the blankets up tighter around the child.

Subconsciously, Harry nestled his chin under the blanket with a soft sigh. His chest moved evenly as he slipped deeper, a soft hum passing his lips.

Snape sat in his armchair, a pile of papers that he had been grading in his lap. He watched as his child tossed and turned on the couch. He was sure that Harry was going to wake any moment.

The man moved the stack of papers to the table beside him as he waved a hand causing the room to brighten a bit. He hoped that Harry would be more accepting of the consequences of his actions when he woke though he wasn't completely convinced that he would be.

Harry scrunched his eyes up as the room brightened slightly, pulling the covers slightly over his face with a whine. He felt absolutely wretched! The events of the morning swam around his mind, causing him to press against the back of the couch.

His owl!

Slowly he rolled over, making sure that his back remained facing his guardian. Hot tears started to burn behind his eyes, rubbing his face against his pillow with a soft sound. "My owl."

"Is safe and sound." Snape hummed softly. "You took a very nice nap, thank you." The man sat up a bit straighter in his chair.

The child remained laying down, blinking his eyes open to stare at the cushion. He certainly didn't feel better at all. His chin quivered slightly, a hand pulling his blanket tighter around his chin.

A soft sigh escaped the man as he saw the small quivering chin. "Come over here please." He waved a hand, beckoning the child to him.

"No." Harry shifted and rolled onto his stomach, tucking his arms under his pillow as he shook his head. Snape just didn't understand!

"No?" Snape raised an eyebrow. The man could hardly help the absolute guilt that he felt. "You don't wish to speak to me about it?"

The child remained still for a long moment before shaking his head against the softness of his pillow. "No," he repeated softly.

Snape hummed softly. "Very well. I will not force you to do so." The man cleared his throat softly. "Do you have homework this weekend?"

"No." Harry turned away completely once more, curling his legs up slightly. He stared down to his hand, blinking several times as he shook his head. It wasn't fair. His owl was much more special to him! Snape didn't care though.

"No?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "Did you bring home your assignment book?"

"Leave me alone," Harry requested softly, pulling his blanket up tightly around himself. He didn't want to talk about school! It was bad enough day as it was!

Snape felt the guilt rush through his once more as he picked up a book from the table beside him. The man forced himself to remember that the child had lost his owl, as well as his other toys, by his own doing. "Very well." The man opened the book, his eyes moving from his child to the page he had left off on. "However, I must say Harry that this cheek of yours is not helping your situation at all."

Harry's frown deepened at the words, turning his head just slightly. "I'm not bein' cheeky. I'm sad." He rested his head back down, shrugging a shoulder slowly. Well, maybe it was causing him to be annoyed. But with good reason!

"And you do not wish to talk to me about it," Snape replied, his eyes remaining on his book. "You would like me to leave you alone."

Rolling around, Harry pushed himself and sat up properly to frown over to Snape. "What's to talk 'bout?"

Snape's eyes moved from the words he was reading up to his child. "Perhaps we could discuss what caused you to lose your things in the first place."

Shifting around, Harry wrapped his arms around his knees and rested his cheek upon his knees. He shrugged once more, looking down to the floor. "My owl's different," he muttered. "It's not just a toy."

"I understand that." Snape's tone was soft as his eyes remained on the boy. "However, it was on the floor this morning."

"I wasn't playin' with it. I really did think it was in my room! And it shouldn't be considered a toy! It's my owl... until I get a real one." He sniffed softly, rubbing his face against his arm.

Snape hummed softly at the words. "Are you telling me that had you known your owl was on the floor you would have cleaned up your things?"

Well, he wasn't too positive about that, yet he shrugged. "I mean... I would of made sure it wasn't taken away."

"Did I not ask you and tell you several times to clean up?" Snape's tone remained gentle as he gave the child a questioning look.

"But I didn't know about my owl." Harry stood, wrapping his blanket around his shoulders as he moved over to his guardian. "Honest!"

"You are missing my point." Snape hooked his hands under the child's armpits when he was close enough, lifting him to sit on his lap. "It should not matter whether your owl was included in your things or not. I asked you to pick them up and you should have done so."

"'M sorry." As he was lifted, Harry tiredly draped his arms around Snape's neck. His cheek rested down against his own arm, sniffing softly.

"I am not cross with you." Snape's hand rested gently on the child's knee. "However, when I ask you to do something I expect it done. When I tell you that there will be a consequence for not doing it then you need to understand that I will follow through with that."

"I need my owl though... it's different." Harry shifted his head closer, tightening his hold around Snape. "You don't get it."

Snape was silent for a long moment before his hand moved to tap the boys chin softly. "What are you going to do to earn your owl back then?"

"I-I dunno." Hope started to pool at his stomach, causing Harry to raise his head. "What can I do?" A small, hopeful smile started to tug at his lips.

Snape hummed softly at the question. "Perhaps if you are very well behaved for the remainder of the day you may have your owl back tonight at bedtime. The rest of your toys however, are not going to be returned for two days as I said."

"Really?" His smile took over his expression then, resting both hands on Snape's chest as he beamed to the man. That would be simply enough! "I promise, Snape!"

Snape gave a small nod. "That means no cheek and no whining." His fingertips tapped the boys knee gently.

"I'll be good." Harry nodded, a large yawn passing before he stretched out his arms. "I really promise."

"As long as you are, I will return your owl at bedtime." He tapped them child's knee softly once more. "Now, do you have homework this weekend?"

"My words for next week." He shrugged, tucking his head back into Snape's neck with a hum. "They're easy though."

"Would you prefer to go over them now or after dinner?" Snape leaned back in his chair slightly, bringing the child with him.

"After dinner." Harry stretched out his legs, shoulders slowly relaxing as he yawned against the man's shirt. "'M still sleepy."

"If you sleep any more you won't do so tonight." The man looked down at the child. "No desire to go play outside with your friends?"

"Oh!" His head shot up, resting a hand on Snape's chest as he leaned away slightly. "Can we do a puzzle? Pleaaase?" Harry's smile returned at full force, now with the hope of getting his owl back that night.

"I suppose we could." Snape gave a nod. "Go and pick one out." He sat up properly, giving the child easier access to climb off of his lap.

"Okay." The child slid off Snape's leg, smiling over to the man before he rushed down the hall. If the could do some puzzles, maybe other games and then it would be time for dinner. Then he'd have his owl back! He beamed as he entered his room, going over to the bookshelf and picking up two puzzles from the bottom shelf. Maybe they could do both!

He hummed, walking back down the hall. He would easily get his owl back.

"Spell snail and then it will be time for bed." Snape's eyes moved for the spelling list in his hand to the small child on the couch.

The man had to admit that the seven year old had been better behaved then he had been in days. Despite Snape initially not wanting to give his owl back early, he could not imagine going through what he had to get Harry to nap. Aside from that, he was sure that his point about picking up his things had been made.

"S-n-a-i-l!" Harry stretched his arms above his head, grinning as he lowered them back down to rest at his sides. He had done everything possible to show Snape he could behave the rest of the day. And he felt pretty sure about it! He stood from the couch, grinning at the man. "Right?"

"That is correct. Very good." Snape held out the sheet of spelling words. "Put this in your school bag please."

Stepping over to Snape, Harry took the sheet with a small grin and moved over to his school bag. Placing the sheet back into his folder, he tucked it back in safely. "I've been good today, right?"

Snape nodded as he stood and moved towards the stairs. "You have." He looked down at Harry. "It would be nice to see this behavior continue tomorrow as well."

Moving over to Snape, he stifled a yawn behind his hand. He leaned against the man as he stood at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing at his face.

Snape leaned down, carefully picking the child up into his arms. "Did you brush your teeth after your bath?" The man started up the staircase.

"Mhm." Harry nodded against Snape's shoulder as he wrapped his arms securely around the man's neck.

"Do you need to use the loo?" Snape looked down at the child.

Harry shifted his head on Snape's shoulder to look at the door before nodding. "Yeah." Rubbing his face once more, he allowed himself to be placed down on the floor before stepping into the bathroom.

Snape moved down the hall to the boys bedroom, busying himself with pulling the covers down on the bed and dimming the room slightly as he waited for the child.

After a few minutes, the child padded into his room and went directly over to Snape. His arms wrapped tightly around the man before he crawled up onto his bed and sat down with a small frown. "My owl?" He was sure he was still to get it, yet he just had to be positive.

Snape nodded as he waved his hand causing the small air to appear. The man plucked it from the air, holding it out for the child to take. "From now on when I ask you to pick up your things you had better do so. Understood?"

"Yeah." Harry smiled softly as he took the stuffed animal, lying down onto his side with a hum. "Thanks, Snape."

Snape hummed softly as he leaned down pulling the blankets over the child. "In two days time, all of your toys are going to appear right where you left them. You are going to have thirty minutes to clean them up, just as you did today."

His smile remained, closing his eyes as he nodded against the head of his owl. "Kay," he whispered softly, rolling onto his stomach and holding his owl tightly to himself.

"I suppose you know what will happen if you fail to do so once more?" Snape sat down on the edge of the bed, placing a gentle hand on the boys back.

"You'll take them away again." His smile faded then, rubbing his cheek against his pillow. He wasn't going to let THAT happen again.

Snape nodded in reply as he looked down at the child. "Do not let that occur again. Understood?"

"Promise, Snape." He shifted his head, turning away while keeping his owl to himself.

"Very good." Snape's hand moved to rub between the boys shoulder blades. "Sleep well."